2012 TE purchase

L

lbrunner

New member
I'm about to press the trigger on a 2012 trail with entunes nav, paint protection film front and lower doors, Toyota remote start and running boards, and all season floor mats.
Been a member here for some time. I had a 97 SR5, 2005 Sport V8, 2005 Sport V6(still have) and a 2008 V8 Limited Nav. Been in a 4runner almost 12 years.

Anyone have any regrets from making a move from a 4th to 5th specifically a v8 limited to a trail. Not trying to start the 4th/5th war goofiness, just trying to think what I would miss. No heated leather and that v8 torque at the top. No JBL system but I hear the entune system is comparable.
I am aslo looking at a 2010 Limited with nav and 3rd row(wife wants) with 20K miles for 37K. The trail was exec demo with 7K miles for 35,900. My Limited has 92K with 8 k left on the platinum warranty.
Just looking for opinions. All opinions will help. I do go to Ski areas in winter months and on occasion go down the beach. What do you all think?
Thanks!
 
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lbrunner said:
No JBL system but I hear the entune system is comparable.
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No, it isn't. That is one of the main reasons I found a left over '11 trail with JBL instead of getting a '12.

You will certainly be missing the V8. Nothing else I would miss from a 4th gen.
 
Okay, I went from a '04 LE V8 to a '11 TE.
Things I miss:
1. Heft of the doors, etc., overall quality feeling of the 4th gens.
2. Personal preference: I really like the styling of the 4th gens.
Things I love about my '11
1. Seats are a lot more comfortable
2. Ride is quieter, more composed
3. Gas mileage is about 20% better
4. Electronics are great (I have the JBL system, you may want to make it a priority to upgrade the entune system)
5. Corners (handling) better than the '04.
6. Brakes are smooth and strong (my '04 had the little rotors)
7. Instrument panel is cool.
8. Better acceleration.
9. I don't have to deal with leather treatments.

Bottom line: I loved my '04, but my '11 is better. Hope that helps.
 
JBL or Entune system didn't make much of a difference to me. I owned a 4th Gen Limited and an 07 Tundra, both w JBL. I also test drove the current JBL system. All the JBLs I have experienced were easily better than an Entune system, but at the same time unacceptable. With an amp and speakers, I have a system much better than the JBL and I'd feel obligated to modify either system. It may or may not change the calculus of your decision; just an FYI.
 
Thanks for the fast input! I'm also wondering why the TE seems so rare. Could it be lack of production, limited demand, or a little of both? My limited retained strong resale/trade value from what the auctions are showing. The TE doesn't appear to make it to auction much so I can't use auction pricing as an indicator for the TE. Wife says they are rare because limited demand(she wants me to get MDX).
 
I upgraded from an 07 Sport w/ V8 to a 2012 TE and I haven't looked back. I actually think the stereo (when in party mode) actually sounds pretty good. Yes, it could be better, but its far from horrible. I'll also agree with B4runner and state that the sheet metal in the 5th gen isn't as hefty as the 4th gen. In regards to the engines, I'll take the better fuel efficiency over the slight power loss. The 2012 has plenty of pick up for me. Although, I've yet to tow anything yet. In regards to styling and comfort...I still love the body style of the 4th gens, but I am crazy about the 5th gen TE. I honestly don't really care for the look of the limited (soccer mom styling when left stock). About being rare...I think they are. I had a really hard time finding a 2012 TE in mag grey near DC in VA and MD. Bottom line...I'm obsessed with my TE.
 
"...About being rare...I think they are. I had a really hard time finding a 2012 TE in mag grey near DC in VA and MD. Bottom line...I'm obsessed with my TE."

Congrats on your purchase. I'm luvin' my TE as well. Re: TEs being rare, I had to order mine and I have yet to see another going down the road. Not one. Lol (though it's really not funny), but one of the salesman at a dealer that I shopped at didn't even know that a TE was offered. Can you imagine? He even attempted to argue the point with me.
 
36bound said:
"...About being rare...I think they are. I had a really hard time finding a 2012 TE in mag grey near DC in VA and MD. Bottom line...I'm obsessed with my TE."

Congrats on your purchase. I'm luvin' my TE as well. Re: TEs being rare, I had to order mine and I have yet to see another going down the road. Not one. Lo
Click to expand...

I have yet to see another one either, I have had mine for 2 months and 7700 miles and spend a lot of time in SF bay area traffic. Have not even seen another TE in any color. Except for the silver 2011 that I test drove before buying the grey 12 that I have.
 
bQ! said:
. I honestly don't really care for the look of the limited (soccer mom styling when left stock).
Click to expand...

I guess I should get one of those magnetic soccer balls for the back of my LE then. :lmao:

OP -- I owned an '03 Sport -- absolutely love it, there was really nothing I disliked about it. Great vehicle. Traded it in last May for an '11 LE. I definitely loved the new styling and wanted the LE package. As much loved my new 5th Gen, almost immediately after doing the deal I had buyers remorse -- I missed my old truck.

Well, it's been over a year now and I've finally settled in and my '11 LE feels like mine now. Only thing I've done to her is put new tires on after 10K -- skinny/****ty OEM tires. It's a great truck.
 
Jeremy556 said:
No, it isn't. That is one of the main reasons I found a left over '11 trail with JBL instead of getting a '12.

You will certainly be missing the V8. Nothing else I would miss from a 4th gen.
Click to expand...

Yup I searched out a 2011 for the same reason. I wanted a real nav.
 
probos said:
I guess I should get one of those magnetic soccer balls for the back of my LE then. :lmao:
Click to expand...

Haha...sorry...I didn't mean for it to sound as mean as it did. My wife wanted the limited, still an extremely nice ride, but I was debating between a Wrangler Unlimited and the TE. I was definitely going for that "offroad" look, not just the performance (which I know all are capable of). However, I do wish I had the leather heated seats and the 3rd row would/could have came in handy a few times now.
 
Thanks for all the replies so far. Does the trail without KDSS have a different suspension than an SR5? I thought I read somewhere the trail has a long travel suspension. Unsure if long travel was due to KDSS option. I think all limited's have Xreas now. My 08 Limited Xreas was an option but it is still luxo soft compared to 05 sport I still have.
 
lbrunner said:
Thanks for all the replies so far. Does the trail without KDSS have a different suspension than an SR5? I thought I read somewhere the trail has a long travel suspension. Unsure if long travel was due to KDSS option. I think all limited's have Xreas now. My 08 Limited Xreas was an option but it is still luxo soft compared to 05 sport I still have.
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A Trail without KDSS and with KDSS has the exact same suspensions,at least shock and spring wise, front and rear as the SR5. We have the parts manual in the stickies showing the same exact shock and spring part numbers for all 3 I believe. The only way you get long travel shocks is to buy aftermarket and that's for any model.
Front shocks
Limited Model R #1.0 48510-80500
L #1.0 48520-80233

41 SR5, TrailModel R #1.0 48510-80498
L #1.0 48520-80498

Spring, Coil
Limited Model R #1.0 48131-35720
L #1.0 48131-35730

SR5, TrailModel R #1.0 48131-35650
L #1.0 48131-35650
 
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Thanks Harper, good to know. Just comparing an SR5 price to trail and looking at the differences and where the money is. Kind of bummed about the lack of KDSS. It seems I'm paying for Toyota added aftermarket features like remote start, running boards, and paint protection, all things easily added aftermarket and probably cheaper and/or better. KDSS and maybe entunes nav appears to be the only factory options really worth the money...in my opinion. Might try to work the price a bit more or add a warranty...tough probably when they are rare.
 
Late reply... but thanks! I did see the post. Too bad he was far away. I did buy a 2012 TE in silver with nav, no KDSS.

Thanks for all the info. Now I'm just very disappointed in the brake dive! Feels like see saw just tapping the brakes slightly when crawling forward.
Nothing is perfect I guess. Kind of missing the V8 but not the mpg's. Got 20 on my first tank with mostly back road driving.Bright side.
 
I just traded my 07 FJ in on a 12 Magnetic Gray Trail Edition with everything you have except the running boards for the exact same price (35,900) only it is brand new with 12 miles on the odometer.
 
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