a little confused in deciding what to buy used, 4th or 5th. TE or something else.

[jrs91]

This is how the 4R would be used:
-daily driver (24k/day) for both wife and I; she's a new driver
-we have winters with lots of slush,snow, and ice
-I'm a hiker/climber (rock&ice)/camper. Want to go places off the beaten path, previously inaccessible. Going to take family on series of camping/hiking trips all over US and Canada over next few years. Don't intend to tow anything though.

All the variations between generations are confusing to someone that's relatively new to all this.

In terms of importance, this is what I feel I need:
-good handling in crappy conditions; wife never gonna be an expert driver
-lots of cargo space as we have a Rottweiler that's going to go in the back for a lot of the camping/hiking stuff, as well as wife and kid (or two)
-comfortable for longer trips (realize this one is subjective)
-solid off-road abilities so I can go into mountains and off the beaten path without worrying too much about getting stuck; probably not going to submit my DD to hardcore mudding or crawling though.

From reading one of 1engineer's posts, VSC and Traction control will help out a lot in bad conditions. Having said that, I'm curious about how much better full-time 4WD would be. Should I really be looking at the limited with the center locking differential and full-time FWD? Or is 2WD enough when combined with traction control and VSC?

For myself, I really like the trail edition. It's harder to find though and costs more and harder to negotiate down since there's no competition. And it's part-time 4WD. I worry about my wife damaging it by having it in 4WD when it shouldn't be. Maybe this is overblown, I don't know... I like the idea of having a rear locker. I like the idea of the slide out cargo tray. I like some of the trim that comes with it.

So I'm a bit torn. I can spend up to about 25k CAD. I'd rather spend less but I realize if I want a 5th gen trail, that's what it'll cost. But I'm also considering 4th gens. Keep going back and forth...

 

[oljedi11950]

Sounds like your needs are a 06-09 V8 TE ! Leaves lots of wiggle room , I don't think you can find a 5th for 25k .

 

[jrs91]

Sounds like your needs are a 06-09 V8 TE ! Leaves lots of wiggle room , I don't think you can find a 5th for 25k .

Those are super rare though from what I can see. Even the trail in general is rare. I'm seeing 15 for the whole country right now and not a single 4th gen. Also, MPG pretty bad on the v8. If my commute changes, that could really suck when gas goes back up.

There's actually an '11 TE near me for 27k with 100k km (62k miles) on it. Also a '10 with 127k for 24k but about 500km away from where I live.

Practically speaking, how hard is it to bind and cause damage by having it in 4WD when it shouldn't be? More worried about my wife if it's too complicated... I think I read that the '09 is sort of the holy grail because you can get FT FWD+rear locker, but I can't afford to wait around. I just bought a house and I move in in 2 weeks and I need a car asap or I'm gonna have trouble getting to work...

 

[oljedi11950]

Like the sound of the 11 TE , paid 27,5g for mine with 51k , so that's ok . Ya not good to drive (specially a chick) due to binding unless your used to it hard turns & the like . Why the 4th gen V6 were very popular can leave n 4hi drive all day .

 

[techno]

Sounds like your needs are a 06-09 V8 TE ! Leaves lots of wiggle room , I don't think you can find a 5th for 25k .

FYI, there's no such thing as a V8 Trail Edition in any year model, and the 4th gen Trail Edition was only available in the 2009 model.

jrs91, i understand completely what you're saying regarding the wife concerns. I'm in a similar situation to you and have decided the 2009 SR5 is the way to go. For me, the only reason I want 09 instead of 06-08 is because of the additional 12V front outlet, but I'm gonig with 4th Gen SR5 because it's affordable and the drivetrain has the Multi-Mode Torsen center differential. This is good for the wife because she can leave it in 4wd with center diff unlocked when the weather is bad and still get good traction, and not have to really worry about doing anything. All she has to learn is how to turn one switch if she's worried about 2wd traction.

 

[Sphonaut]

SR5 and Limited Edition have higher loading capacity as the trail edition... something to consider.

 

[m85476585]

FYI, there's no such thing as a V8 Trail Edition in any year model, and the 4th gen Trail Edition was only available in the 2009 model.

jrs91, i understand completely what you're saying regarding the wife concerns. I'm in a similar situation to you and have decided the 2009 SR5 is the way to go. For me, the only reason I want 09 instead of 06-08 is because of the additional 12V front outlet, but I'm gonig with 4th Gen SR5 because it's affordable and the drivetrain has the Multi-Mode Torsen center differential. This is good for the wife because she can leave it in 4wd with center diff unlocked when the weather is bad and still get good traction, and not have to really worry about doing anything. All she has to learn is how to turn one switch if she's worried about 2wd traction.

With a 4th gen you can leave it in 4WD all winter with no downside. There's almost no decrease in gas mileage. The limited slip center differential handles better than the locked center that a part-time system has. It's less likely to understeer on slippery roads in 4wd mode. A 5th gen Limited would also be good.

I find the 4th gen to be comfortable for long trips, even in the back seat (and I'm 6' tall). The 5th gen is comfortable, too, and quieter, but I haven't spent as much time in those. I think the 5th gen is slightly bigger.

They all have good off-road capability. The 5th gen is a bit better stock with higher clearance, larger tires, and an optional rear locker. But you can add those things to a 4th gen if you want.

 

[sedanggon]

Leaves lots of wiggle room , I don't think you can find a 5th for 25k .