Awkward Question Trail Edition or GX 460?

[Whiplash Willy]

Example Trail


Example GX for Sale

The above two as an example of the price being roughly the same. I recognize they have some mileage differences etc... but I feel they are comparable.

Edit: I should have said I am talking used, '10 or '11

It is hard to compare those 2 vehicles. One has 60k miles and the other has 30k miles, and is toyota certified, which means you get a 100k mile warranty, where the GX is out of warranty.

Also, it would be kind of silly to pay $35k for a used 4runner trail when you can get a new one for roughly the same price. However if you could find both a GX and a trail for the same price and mileage, you would be getting alot more for your money with the GX. It isn't just the nicer interior, it is all around a nicer vehicle. The GX's sheet metal isn't paper thin like the 4runners, whose doors and roof ripple when you close them, and hood ripples when you drive over a bump. The GX also has a full time 4WD, instead of Part time like the trail.

It sounds though like you won't be doing any hard core off roading, and the GX would be more then capable enough for what you would doing. However, I wouldn't pay $35k for a GX460 with 60k miles, and no warranty, when I can get a brand new 4Runner for the same price ($36k if you play your cards right).

 

[mfregeau20]

Just my 2 cents cause I just went through the same delema, we ended up getting a SR5 2013 runner. But for us we could live with out the leather and heated seats. Still got third row and entue it was also for the price of a new one with 12 miles on it verse a used GX with lots more. Plus more aftermarket support and personally I love the look of the 4 runner verse the Lexus. Both are awesome vehicles.

Your preference, you can't go wrong either way and depending on your budget.

 

[Hawaiian4runner]

It is hard to compare those 2 vehicles. One has 60k miles and the other has 30k miles, and is toyota certified, which means you get a 100k mile warranty, where the GX is out of warranty.

Also, it would be kind of silly to pay $35k for a used 4runner trail when you can get a new one for roughly the same price. However if you could find both a GX and a trail for the same price and mileage, you would be getting alot more for your money with the GX. It isn't just the nicer interior, it is all around a nicer vehicle. The GX's sheet metal isn't paper thin like the 4runners, whose doors and roof ripple when you close them, and hood ripples when you drive over a bump. The GX also has a full time 4WD, instead of Part time like the trail.

It sounds though like you won't be doing any hard core off roading, and the GX would be more then capable enough for what you would doing. However, I wouldn't pay $35k for a GX460 with 60k miles, and no warranty, when I can get a brand new 4Runner for the same price ($36k if you play your cards right).

I would take a serious look at that GX. The example GX was totally loaded and would go for $60,000+ new. I agree that it is all around a much nicer, plusher vehicle although I don't regard full time 4WD as a plus. I'll take my part time with rear locker any day over full time. If I could find a deal like that here in Hawaii I think I would take a chance on the warranty (or lack of) issue.

 

[dadgumit]

Not to sound mean, but how much off-roading are you really planning on? If the most you're going to see if some unpaved roads and muddy ruts then you can manage with the GX460 and some good AT's if you want to tow and such; otherwise the TE will be fine if you can live with a V6.

Good post, and valid question. I think maybe 90% of my "off road" use will be rutty trails and whatnot. That being said, I would like to go to some of the national parks (big bend etc...) and experience that. To be honest though, being so new to it all I can't intelligently answer that question.

 

[dadgumit]

I would take a serious look at that GX. The example GX was totally loaded and would go for $60,000+ new. I agree that it is all around a much nicer, plusher vehicle although I don't regard full time 4WD as a plus. I'll take my part time with rear locker any day over full time. If I could find a deal like that here in Hawaii I think I would take a chance on the warranty (or lack of) issue.

I sort of struggle with the value of a warranty on a toyota vehicle. What are the odds something will break in the first 100k miles that is covered by that warranty? It's certainly much lower than with most vehicles.

Thanks everyone for input, seems like I really need to figure out how much i plan to use the truck in rock crawly type scenarios as well as how much value i put on warranty etc..

 

[chmura]

If getting a GX it makes more sense to get a 2-3 low mileage used one than a new one. Then take off the running boards and paint the lower chrome piece to match the exterior color of the vehicle.

 

[dadgumit]

Also, it would be kind of silly to pay $35k for a used 4runner trail when you can get a new one for roughly the same price.

Where do you see trail editions for 35k? lowest I have seen is 40k and i am not sure if that has KDSS (because toyota's website SUCKS).

 

[Whiplash Willy]

Where do you see trail editions for 35k? lowest I have seen is 40k and i am not sure if that has KDSS (because toyota's website SUCKS).

Call up your local toyota dealer, and ask for the name of their fleet manager. Then call back and ask to talk to him/her. They will give you the best price as the first offer, and you wont have to deal with the sales BS. You can even set up everything over the phone, then just come in and sign the papers/pick it up. No run around, no BS, no wasted day....

Kelley Blue Book

Dealer Invoice for a Base Trail is $35,029. Even if you end up paying $500 over invoice, you will be looking at $35,500ish.

I paid $34,900 for my 2013 SR5 with Conv. & 3rd Row, when the MSRP was $37,800. If you know how to buy a new car, you can get a trail for around $36k.

Or you could pick up a SR5 for even less, and use that extra money to get a real suspension. If you notice, the hard core Off roaders on this site ditch the KDSS system, and if you are really going to be that hardcore, it would be easier to modify a SR5 suspension and not have remove/block off the KDSS.

Also, new Toyotas aren't as unbreakable as they used to be, as part prices have to be cut in order to keep the 4runner at a certain price point. Newer Toyotas are also more complicated, and have more things that can go wrong, so a warrenty is important. 4runners really don't depreciate enough to make it worth buying a model with about 30k on it vs new a one that is only $1-2k more.

 

[-JD-]

^people remove their KDSS??

I would never remove mine.

 

[1engineer]

Call up your local toyota dealer, and ask for the name of their fleet manager. Then call back and ask to talk to him/her. They will give you the best price as the first offer, and you wont have to deal with the sales BS. You can even set up everything over the phone, then just come in and sign the papers/pick it up. No run around, no BS, no wasted day....

Kelley Blue Book

Dealer Invoice for a Base Trail is $35,029. Even if you end up paying $500 over invoice, you will be looking at $35,500ish.

I paid $34,900 for my 2013 SR5 with Conv. & 3rd Row, when the MSRP was $37,800. If you know how to buy a new car, you can get a trail for around $36k.

Or you could pick up a SR5 for even less, and use that extra money to get a real suspension. If you notice, the hard core Off roaders on this site ditch the KDSS system, and if you are really going to be that hardcore, it would be easier to modify a SR5 suspension and not have remove/block off the KDSS.

Also, new Toyotas aren't as unbreakable as they used to be, as part prices have to be cut in order to keep the 4runner at a certain price point. Newer Toyotas are also more complicated, and have more things that can go wrong, so a warrenty is important. 4runners really don't depreciate enough to make it worth buying a model with about 30k on it vs new a one that is only $1-2k more.

Very few remove their KDSS because it does not need to be removed in order to add different shocks, springs and lift. It still functions as designed even with aftermarket suspension. Now, most who have the LE model remove XREAS though because with XREAS suspension you cannot upgrade or add suspension lift and use XREAS components. Make sure you know the difference before you post.

New Toyota vehicles are not as unbreakable as they used to be? Care to offer up those statistics? As a matter of fact, I can. Sites such as truedelta.com will show number of dealer visits per 100 over the last several years. Guess what? New 5th gens have a lower ratio than many others. Again, get your facts straight before posting nonsense.

And last but not least, a "base" Trail does NOT include KDSS or Nav with Entune. Yes you can buy them without KDSS.

I guess I have to go off road with my KDSS "fake" suspension since only aftermarket (in your eyes) offers "real" suspension.

Oh, last point of nonsense:
..."as part prices have to be cut in order to keep the 4runner at a certain price point." Again, that's nonsense. Check the Dollar to Yen ratio and history, along with improvements in manufacturing processes and of course the commonality of parts with 5th gen 4Runners and the rest of the world Prados.

 

[Whiplash Willy]

Oops, I was thinking XREAS, when I was typing KDSS...

 

[adam2562]

found this near me.. not a bad price at all for what it is..

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=20878&endYear=2014&modelCode1=GX460&showcaseOwnerId=63719703&startYear=2010&makeCode1=LEXUS&sellerTypes=b&searchRadius=100&maxPrice=40000&mmt=[LEXUS[GX460[]][]]&listingId=345341481&listingIndex=1&Log=0