2010 owner thinking of buying a 2015/16

mpaquette

mpaquette

New member
I'm a current 2010 Limited owner, happy with the vehicle but thinking of that new car smell. My current vehicle is paid for and with the fairly high resale value, I figured I could pick up a new 4Runner without having to fork over much cash. Anyway, I'm curious what has changed on the Limited since 2010. Obviously the front has a bit more chrome (boo) and it looks like the taillights are now LED. Anything of significance change in the last 5 years? Do we know if anything big is changing for 2016 or will it mostly be the same as 2015? Apologize if these are obvious questions. I haven't spent much time here in the last 3 years or so.
 
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mpaquette said:
I'm a current 2010 Limited owner, happy with the vehicle but thinking of that new car smell. My current vehicle is paid for and with the fairly high resale value, I figured I could pick up a new 4Runner without having to fork over much cash. Anyway, I'm curious what has changed on the Limited since 2010. Obviously the front has a bit more chrome (boo) and it looks like the taillights are now LED. Anything of significance change in the last 5 years? Do we know if anything big is changing for 2016 or will it mostly be the same as 2015? Apologize if these are obvious questions. I haven't spent much time here in the last 3 years or so.
Click to expand...

I went from a silver 2011 Limited (same style and options as yours) to my current 2015 Limited.

Standard, my new truck has cooled seats, a reclining rear seat, an USB connection port and Aux (as opposed to just the Aux), what appears to be tinted headlights (my '11 was beginning to yellow at the top of the light where it the light housing meets the hood of the car), memory seats, and the leather in the door panels is incredibly soft compared to my '11. And the etune/nav screen is HD. Apparently the entune system is a lot more capable and feature packed though admittedly I haven't played with it much in the two weeks that I've owned it.

One downside - here is a funny thing that I noticed that others don't seemed to have mentioned ... the navigation screen on my '15 is appreciably smaller - probably a good 1.5 inches or so. It is noticeable when you're sitting in there. Also, on my '11 navi, it would show if there were restaurants or food off the exit I was passing (an icon would be present for food, ATM, etc.), I don't believe that the '15 navi system has that capability OR I just haven't noticed how to equip it. It's a small thing but it took some getting used to.

'15 rides smoother (to me). But that could be because it's new. I got $30,200 on my trade and it had 57,000 miles. Silver with black leather. No third row. Just as a point of reference.

I'm so happy that I made the switch. I would do it again in a second. Good luck.
 
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Some interior creature comforts and a jazzed up front end are about it. You'd basically be trading in for the same vehicle. You may as well wait for the new Gen, assuming that does come out in, what, under 2 years? Then you can go with either Gen.
 
The instrument panel is also a new much nicer setup on the 14 and 15s. The memory driver seat is a must for me. My wife and I have completely different setting. It is nice to just push a button and get the perfect setting back. Did the older 4runner have the vortex generators? Not sure if they do anything or not.
 
Aside from the cosmetic upgrades, projector headlights, LED tails, facelift, no antenna, wood trim, optitron gauges, keyless entry with push button start, I noticed the following coming from a 2010.

-WAY quieter. Far less road noise.
-Doors have a slightly heavier feel and close with an air tight sound.
-Faint whistling sound at partial throttle due to EGR.
 
Formidable said:
Aside from the cosmetic upgrades, projector headlights, LED tails, facelift, no antenna, wood trim, optitron gauges, keyless entry with push button start, I noticed the following coming from a 2010.

-WAY quieter. Far less road noise.
-Doors have a slightly heavier feel and close with an air tight sound.
-Faint whistling sound at partial throttle due to EGR.
Click to expand...


Mine had keyless and push button so I believe that was an option. My dad has a 2010 and his has it too.

Agreed about the doors. My 2011 doors felt and sounded cheap when I closed them.
 
Why would you even consider trading in your Party Mode for a few bells and whistles? Bah.

:der:


Feel like mine is almost broken in finally, can't fathom a trade.
 
Jhalko said:
Why would you even consider trading in your Party Mode for a few bells and whistles? Bah.

:der:


Feel like mine is almost broken in finally, can't fathom a trade.
Click to expand...

Haha for the 1 time I've used party mode, I don't think I'll miss it.

Thanks for all the replies. I guess I'm more into creature comforts than lifts these days and that's part of what is motivating me. Plus I think my 2010 was built pretty early on in the 5th gen so maybe they were still getting up to speed on what they were doing. It sounds like a styrofoam cooler inside when driving down the road. Lots of squeaks and pops. I've had the driver seat back crunch issue since day 1 but couldn't reproduce it at the dealer before bumper to bumper was up. I've had an annoying crackling sound from the area of the radio for at least 4 years. Last winter the right rear suspension developed a clunk over some bumps. Dealer couldn't find that one either. I guess I'm hoping maybe 5-6 years into the 5th gen they have all this stuff ironed out. I will go and look and see what I think.
 
mpaquette said:
I'm a current 2010 Limited owner, happy with the vehicle but thinking of that new car smell. My current vehicle is paid for and with the fairly high resale value, I figured I could pick up a new 4Runner without having to fork over much cash. Anyway, I'm curious what has changed on the Limited since 2010. Obviously the front has a bit more chrome (boo) and it looks like the taillights are now LED. Anything of significance change in the last 5 years? Do we know if anything big is changing for 2016 or will it mostly be the same as 2015? Apologize if these are obvious questions. I haven't spent much time here in the last 3 years or so.
Click to expand...

If you really want some improved interior creature comforts and different looking front fascia, go for it.

Otherwise, I think switching between one 5th gen for another is not worth it....they are the same design, same engine, chassis, ect. Some of the early model 5th gen's had some recall and service bulletins, but unless your specific 4runner is having any of those issues, a switch/upgrade to a newer year isn't worth it. Besides, your payment is done, why create another?
 
After almost 6 months of my 2015 Limited (traded a 2012 Limited), my observations:

- Front parking sensors are more useful than I thought they'd be (had after-market rear sensors on my 2012)

- Leather seems to be of higher quality (subjective)

- The infotainment screen is smaller than the 2012-2013 (6.1" vs. 7"), but is much higher resolution and the software is much more useful. No Entune in Hawaii, but the audio app is easier to use. For example: I can navigate folders on my iPhone with Bluetooth audio streaming.

- I like the digital speedometer read-out in between the gauges

- Ventilated seats aren't as "cool" (literally) as I thought they'd be, but still nice to have

- Have gotten positive comments about the wheels -- it's the same design as the 2010-2013, so I guess it's the black-painted inner portion that people like?

- Glad I can listen to FM radio stations again (replaced my 2012's mast antenna with the CravenSpeed stubby = no FM reception in my area)

- Might have been my imagination, but I thought my 2012's rear window didn't retract all the way (a little section remained above the frame); my 2015's rear window retracts completely

Other than that, it accelerates, brakes, rides, handles, etc. just like my 2012, which is exactly as I expected.
 
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