2015-2016 4runner

[teedubyaw]

I'm in the market for a new vehicle. My car was totaled last week, and I started looking at trucks, then came across the 4runner. I really enjoyed the interior on the premium SR5. Test driving it didn't leave me thinking it was anything special. Surprisingly, the Tundra seemed to have a smoother ride.

Regardless, I like the ruggedness of the 4runner and think it will suit me better than a truck. I was looking at the TRD Pro on Toyo's website, came back the next day, and they had removed it. I haven't been able to find any in stock in Texas. So, that leaves me with the SR5 premium and the Trail premium.

I don't do a ton of offroading, but do a lot of camping/backpacking in places where I have never been able to take my previous vehicle. I want 4wd. So, I'm not sure which model would be a better suit for me. 2015 would be preferred so I can get a good deal, but don't think the trail premium was made that year?

I'm also curious how the new models are doing on gas mileage. New wheels make for a huge improvement on the aesthetics of these, so that will be one of the first things done. Will I be seeing Tundra mileage with new wheels/tires?

Thanks

 

[-dustin]

Contact Round Rock Toyota and ask for "Shappy".

Or, John Rhodes at Jeff Hunter in Waco (he's the guy that got me mine).

There are no 2015 Trail Premiums around, from what I found, other than mine. Which, I still don't how I got it. It didn't show up on the gst.buyatoyota.com website.

To save you some time, Lost Pines won't deal, and neither will Auto Nation Toyota.

 

[teedubyaw]

Contact Round Rock Toyota and ask for "Shappy".

Or, John Rhodes at Jeff Hunter in Waco (he's the guy that got me mine).

There are no 2015 Trail Premiums around, from what I found, other than mine. Which, I still don't how I got it. It didn't show up on the gst.buyatoyota.com website.

To save you some time, Lost Pines won't deal, and neither will Auto Nation Toyota.

Thanks. Good to know. I went to lost pines just to look. Fort Worth Toyota had them beat by 6 grand on a tundra just as listing prices. I guess if I were to find a 2015 trail premium, there wouldn't be any wiggle room on the price.

 

[-dustin]

I don't know...my TEP went for $2k under invoice and I didn't haggle at all. I haggled on trade in to bump it up the last moment, but that was it.

Charles Maund had a couple Trail Premiums last week. And they work on Costco pricing at the very least, which is $600 - $700 under invoice.

 

[-dustin]

Toyota of Plano is another once to try. They also use Costco pricing.

 

[mnofpeace]

I'm in the market for a new vehicle. My car was totaled last week, and I started looking at trucks, then came across the 4runner. I really enjoyed the interior on the premium SR5. Test driving it didn't leave me thinking it was anything special. Surprisingly, the Tundra seemed to have a smoother ride.

Regardless, I like the ruggedness of the 4runner and think it will suit me better than a truck. I was looking at the TRD Pro on Toyo's website, came back the next day, and they had removed it. I haven't been able to find any in stock in Texas. So, that leaves me with the SR5 premium and the Trail premium.

I don't do a ton of offroading, but do a lot of camping/backpacking in places where I have never been able to take my previous vehicle. I want 4wd. So, I'm not sure which model would be a better suit for me. 2015 would be preferred so I can get a good deal, but don't think the trail premium was made that year?

I'm also curious how the new models are doing on gas mileage. New wheels make for a huge improvement on the aesthetics of these, so that will be one of the first things done. Will I be seeing Tundra mileage with new wheels/tires?

Thanks

FWIW
1. dont discount the abilities of an SR5. they are about 80% of a trail...basically the same but missing the off-road electronics (crawl control, et al.), the locking rear diff, KDSS, and thats about it. the chassis, suspension, 4WD system (knob = lever), engine, A-trac, hi/lo transfer case...are all the same in both the SR5 & TE.

2. SR5s & SR5 Premiums are wonderful and capable vehicles that, if you are not doing any rock'ing, will do way more than you will need them to do, and can be had with a 3rd row if that helps you...it has me.

3. the 2014s are exactly like the 2015s and how the 2016s are going to be. so you may be able to find a low milage 2014 for a more agreeable price, model-specific not withstanding.


My 2014 SR5 is my sudo daily driver from Oct-Mar (my Kawi is in warmer months). its a comfy drive to work daily, its gotten me and my wife home safely in a foot+ of snow, ive just run a nice road trip from wash d.c. to Conn. and back with 2 kids and luggage comfortably packed in, ive off road'd it in some mud, fire roads, some lvl 1 trails, and some hilly off-the-beaten-path roads as well, all done without as much as a stumble from it. I know why guys get the Trail, that added 20% is good for you guys in the midwest who will see more off roading...but as our esteem'd moderator 1Engineer will say, the SR5 is a rig that will take you pretty far from civilization, and get you back, and all it will ask of you is a good wash and wax when you have a chance...

normal mpg 18-18.7 depending on my right foot.
for the road trip, mgp was in the low 20s...mostly highway driving.

hope this helps

 

[teedubyaw]

Thanks for the info. I'm hoping a new 6spd doesn't come out right after buying a 15-16.

 

[p.beattie1]

I have a 2015 SR5 with third row seating and love it. There are some fancy options for sure that are available but that's up to you and how heavy you are going to get into offloading. Either way you'll get a very capable vehicle that is confident and will get you home every time.

 

[teedubyaw]

I have a 2015 SR5 with third row seating and love it. There are some fancy options for sure that are available but that's up to you and how heavy you are going to get into offloading. Either way you'll get a very capable vehicle that is confident and will get you home every time.

Thanks. You running a lift/bigger tires? What's your mpg?

 

[p.beattie1]

Bilstein 5100's x4. 1.75" lift in the front to level it out nicely. Changed tires out for BFG All terrain K02'S - best upgrade yet. Stock size (265/70/R17) but they look bigger. MPG around 23. Engine just broken in at 10000km. Here's a better pic.

 

[teedubyaw]

Nice!

What's the average price of a complete lift kit these days?

 

[77Bronc]

I purchased my 2015 TP early august, just rolled 3K miles tonight. Looking back, I kind of wish I had purchased the SR5 Premium. My off-roading will be limited to camping, light trails and getting off the beaten path to shoot rifles. I do not think I will ever use crawl control, the real reason for the Trail was to get the manual 4WD lever, I am real old school. I also wanted the faux leather, moon roof and the navigation.

The SR5 would have worked for me. But I really do like the truck. I will be looking for a larger truck, Tundra, in the future. Will keep the 4Runner though.

My MPG average so far is 18.3, I alternate one tank, 87 the next tank 89 octane.

77

 

[teedubyaw]

I purchased my 2015 TP early august, just rolled 3K miles tonight. Looking back, I kind of wish I had purchased the SR5 Premium. My off-roading will be limited to camping, light trails and getting off the beaten path to shoot rifles. I do not think I will ever use crawl control, the real reason for the Trail was to get the manual 4WD lever, I am real old school. I also wanted the faux leather, moon roof and the navigation.

The SR5 would have worked for me. But I really do like the truck. I will be looking for a larger truck, Tundra, in the future. Will keep the 4Runner though.

My MPG average so far is 18.3, I alternate one tank, 87 the next tank 89 octane.

77

Can I ask why you'll be looking for a truck?

I'm still heavily weighing between the tundra and the 4Runner.

 

[77Bronc]

Can I ask why you'll be looking for a truck?

I'm still heavily weighing between the tundra and the 4Runner.

Sure, no problem...I traded in a 2005 F 150 4WD for the 4Runner...and I miss the full size truck. My looking adventure stated last year with wanting a Tundra, then I switched to the 4Runner as I liked the idea of a smaller SUV, closed in back to lock up the toys, I do a lot of target shooting.

I have a T100 for mulch hauling. I really do miss the full size truck. I am even considering a 2500 size diesel, like a RAM.

My ultimate plan is to put on a camper top and use this for a going around the country truck for me and Ms 77. In lieu of a motor home...sleep in hotels instead.

But until then, I am happy, very happy, as the 4Runner is a very capable vehicle. I fully expect to get a lot of life out of it. I am 57 and I just may keep this truck for many, many years.

77

 

[TPH4R]

Just went from a 2011 Crewmax lifted with 35.5s to a TEP. Was only using it to tow a few weeks in the summer and the mpg went in the toilet as soon as it was lifted. 5.7 is a great power plant and has remained unchanged. Off-roading full size is a different dimension lol. The SR5 is a great truck, I just preferred the look of the TEP and use its features. Similar to 77Bronc I miss it a little and will probably get an older full size diesel at some time. Definitely easier navigating urban terrain in the T4R than the Crewmax. Have fun / all the best from up north.

 

[teedubyaw]

My biggest worry is that I get a 4runmer and after lift/wheels, I end up with the same kind of mileage I would have gotten on a tundra.

 

[wadle5]

I know why guys get the Trail, that added 20% is good for you guys in the midwest who will see more off roading...but as our esteem'd moderator 1Engineer will say, the SR5 is a rig that will take you pretty far from civilization, and get you back,

Just wondering, but may I ask you think we do here in the midwest that requires the trail. . over you kids on the coast that have bountiful state parks and hundreds of miles of trails?

 

[mnofpeace]

wadle5...
i didnt mean to imply that you do more, but on the forum, i tend to read more about folks with alot more open space in the midwest, and southwest...where you can be on a highway one minute, come up on a track, and just that quickly you are off roading.

as far as the amount of trails in the east, thats depending on alot of variables. i know in the mid atlantic, they are alot harder to come by. youve got to find them, see if they are still open-many are not, see if they are now purchased-private property, ect. Ive read/seen many of the midwest and SW folks talk about the wide open spaces, govt open land, where a simple left turn gets you into some wonderful open territory where you can exercise the 4WD systems on our beloved trucks. Not to mention the simple fact of congestion here in the east, whether that be the city/suburban life, or these mini mansion neighborhoods that are going up to spread the suburbs out further and further. here in the D.C. area, the suburbs are stretched out as far as 2hrs away into WVa, Va., and Western Md, even up to the mason dixon line.


Id love to spend some time in colorado, Az, Tx, Utah, where i could be drolling down the highway one minute, look to the left, look to the right, see some great extended mountain chain connected to a bumpy dirt road, not a house in site, and just put on my blinker and explore for an hour or three.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p2C6fK3SNc

 

[wadle5]

wadle5...
i didnt mean to imply that you do more, but on the forum, i tend to read more about folks with alot more open space in the midwest, and southwest...where you can be on a highway one minute, come up on a track, and just that quickly you are off roading.

as far as the amount of trails in the east, thats depending on alot of variables. i know in the mid atlantic, they are alot harder to come by. youve got to find them, see if they are still open-many are not, see if they are now purchased-private property, ect. Ive read/seen many of the midwest and SW folks talk about the wide open spaces, govt open land, where a simple left turn gets you into some wonderful open territory where you can exercise the 4WD systems on our beloved trucks. Not to mention the simple fact of congestion here in the east, whether that be the city/suburban life, or these mini mansion neighborhoods that are going up to spread the suburbs out further and further. here in the D.C. area, the suburbs are stretched out as far as 2hrs away into WVa, Va., and Western Md, even up to the mason dixon line.


Id love to spend some time in colorado, Az, Tx, Utah, where i could be drolling down the highway one minute, look to the left, look to the right, see some great extended mountain chain connected to a bumpy dirt road, not a house in site, and just put on my blinker and explore for an hour or three.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p2C6fK3SNc

That's fair, I guess I never really affiliated AZ and those other states as midwest. But yes I agree I cant stand the congestion out their in the big cities. I do enjoy the level B roads and trails we can run within an hours driving distance.

I guess I am just referencing an old factoid I ran across a while ago about Maine having the most square miles of state parks etc etc, and then I just started thinking about the mountains you had out east. By no means offended, just wondering your thoughts of the true good 'ol midwest. Anytime you are around IA feel free to stop by and I'll show you the trails around here. :hunter:

 

[mnofpeace]

That's fair, I guess I never really affiliated AZ and those other states as midwest. But yes I agree I cant stand the congestion out their in the big cities. I do enjoy the level B roads and trails we can run within an hours driving distance.

I guess I am just referencing an old factoid I ran across a while ago about Maine having the most square miles of state parks etc etc, and then I just started thinking about the mountains you had out east. By no means offended, just wondering your thoughts of the true good 'ol midwest. Anytime you are around IA feel free to stop by and I'll show you the trails around here. :hunter:

see, thats the beauty...youve got an hr to get to some nice off roading...i have at least 3hrs drive. Maine, thats a good 6-8hrs drive for me. central or northern Pa, thats 5hrs. here in the mid atlantic, we have some trails in central Va., but still 3hrs away at best. the Mountains of West Va. are 2-3hrs, and with all of these trails, they are the only ones around, so they tend to be over used. many have been shut down because of it. we have maybe two ORV type parks, both are about 3hrs away. My saving grace, a Md state park that is close by with about 5 miles of fire road, and then around the corner from my home, and old overgrown 'landfill' property that is privately owned but currently completely uninhabited (about 20-30 acres). Up a nice steep hill and im in. the problem, friends of the property owner hunt deer there, so that means stray ammunition flying around.

thanks for the invite.

my wife and i have talked about a true road trip...DC to Key West...stopping along the way to do whatever suits us...hey, adventure is where you find it, right?!?!

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