First Post Ever - Need Some Advice

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SCTrojans

New member
Hey Everyone Good Morning-

This is my first ever post so forgive me if I am in the wrong forum.

I am looking at picking up my first 4Runner in the next week and cannot for the life of me decide which model I should go with.

I was leaning towards the Limited but the SR5 Premium and TRD Off Road Premium have caught my eye as well. That being said, I would love to get your feedback on why you went with the model you did and what features/options you find are a must have versus what are a waste of money.

The Toyota in my opinion. is a bit useless when trying to compare models.

Thanks Everyone!

TR
 
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Different models have different features and capabilities. You need to decide what your plans are for the purchase. The SR5 and TRD Off Road are more intended for light to serious off roading and camping/outdoor lifestyles. The Limited, while off road capable, is more intended for an urban lifestyle with the AWD as a safety feature for bad weather driving. Not to say the TRD/SR5 aren't completely at home in an urban environment. It just seems you would be paying for features you may never use. The SR5/TRD are also part time 4WD systems while the Limited is a full time AWD system. Of course I'm not even addressing the fact that most 4Runners (SR5 and Limited) don't even have a 4WD system and are simply RWD SUVs. If you don't plan to drive off road the SR5 or Limited would probably be better choices and externally the only real difference between an SR5 and TRD Off Road is the hood scoop on the Off Road. I personally feel the SR5/TRD has a sportier and more aggressive look but this is just my opinion.
 
It was a no brainer for me. I want dual auto temp, auto headlights, memory seat, full time 4x4 etc. so the Limited was the only option. I removed the low hanging plastic trim and added 17" wheels with KO2 tires. It now does everything I need it to do.
 
Went with TRD ORP because I wanted a pro with a moonroof. Wanted the cement color but not an option for a new vehicle so went with metallic grey. The aggressive look of the TRD line was a big plus as well.


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TRD Off-Road

See, if you were a UCLA Bruin or UCBerkley Bear, instead of a USC Trojan you'd know the answer to this already. :flamewar:

According to the Toyota 4Runner website, the TRD has:
"Ground-clearing approach angle of 33° and departure angle of 26°
Available Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS)
Locking rear differential, Multi-terrain Select and Crawl Control (CRAWL)."

This last one is a biggie if you're planning to drive off road. That locking diff' will get you over rocky fields, sand and streams with ease.
The limited has low hanging body trim just waiting to get ripped off on a gnarly trail. And if you want to add rock rails to protect those fragile, expensive rocker panels below the doors you have to remove that trim.

I bought the 2015 Trail Edition (TRD Off-Road) for these reasons.
 
Just purchased a new Off Road Premium with sunroof. My original plan was a limited 4x4 however when I drove the truck I didn't care for boat like feel in the handling as well as - chrome trim and 20" rims. I will probably never be off road but use the four wheel drive on the boat ramp. My decision for the Off Road Premium was the handling, sunroof, hood scoop, interior and price. Also a big consideration was at sale time I think the Off Road Premium will be more desirable than a limited. All said though the limited is a nice truck just depends on your preference.
 
OP,

We went with a TRD premium without sunroof (more off-road head room) as the base models were too basic (no Homelink?) the limited was,

IMHO, a very well equipped AWD street vehicle which would require the removal/replacement of too many "features" (20" wheels, side valances, front spoiler, etc.) to regain it's full off-road use.

While the wife wanted to go with the Limited, we ended going with TRD-ORP to get the better interior and the various off-road modes and crawl feature.

No bad choices, but don't skimp on options now, only to add them later...

If they made a TRD ORP or Pro with most of the limited options (JBL stereo, leather, dual climate, etc.) they would sell the hell out of it.

Oh and, Fight On!
 
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First, my 4R is strictly a DD and road-tripper, so no need for any off-road-ness.
Plus I had/don't like the 4WD shift lever. So, I eliminated the OR models.

I am chrome-averse, do not like/need dual zone, auto lights, PB start, the skinny wheels/tires. So I eliminated the LE.

I did want a few features and PT 4WD, so the SR5/P works for me. Bonus, you can now delete the sunroof.

So, OP, there's one for everyone. Just take a little time deciding what you want, spend some time here. You'll learn far more than on Toyota.com. EDIT. The 4R is not mainstream - few dealer sales reps know much about it. Be informed before you buy.

I haven't posted this is in a long time. You're going to hear about features/options here that may conflict with what goes on in your sales region.

"Determining Your Region for Toyota Deals
Toyota divides the country into 12 autonomous regions. Different deals/configurations surface in each. Toyota.com requires your zip code so as to reflect Regional offerings. Using a different Region's zip code often reveals configurations "not available" in yours.
The territories are listed below. As you research your purchase, keep in mind that you’re not limited to the region you live in.
If there is a significantly better deal available in another region, it might be worth the trouble to travel and buy there. If someone offered you a few thousand dollars to drive to a nearby state and back, you might very well take the deal -- why not make the same drive to save that money on a new car? Once you know your region, make sure you check out the Best Toyota deals available to you.
New England Region -- Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island
Greater New York Region -- New York, New Jersey, Connecticut
Central Atlantic Region -- Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, District of Columbia
Southeast Region -- North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida
Western Region -- Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota
Ohio Valley Region -- Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee
Midwest Region -- Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota
Mountain Region -- Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming
Gulf States Region -- Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi
Northern CA Region -- California north of the Los Angeles metro area
Southern CA Region -- Los Angeles metro area, and areas south
Pacific Northwest Region -- Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana"
 
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Go try them on

My best guess is you will have a ball at your local dealership looking them all over. I knew what I wanted within a few minutes of browsing the trucks on the lot, then grabbed a salesman to get inside one to and ask questions and get a test drive. You will do better there than just reading the forum, but come back and tell us what you got. Good luck.
 
Seriously it all depends on how your going to use it.

Family vehicle? does the wife like a warm butt and soft leather?
Kids? Maybe no leather, because well you know they are kids.
Do you camp? Off road? Travel much?

It is your DD?

Also how much do you have to spend.

Keep in mind, it the same truck no matter what model you choose. All the stuff on top is just fluff, you have decide on the "fluff" thats important to you.
 
I really wanted a trail/trd offroad but went with the sr5 premium because I needed the 3rd row since there's 6 people in my family which might not be pertinent to you.

As a compromise for the 3rd row, I got my rig fully loaded: sunroof, softex heated seats, 4wd as the platform for my build. That way over time I could build it: icon lift, front bumper, winch, 33" tires, roof tent etc.

It's inevitable if you spend time on this forum you'll end up modding your rig. LOL! good luck
 
I will only advise on the limited which is what my wife owns.

We own a 2wd, but the 4wd limited is different from the other T4R's. Limited is the one I would own if I needed 4WD. Others are great, but it fits my wife's driving style.

Heated and Cooled seats. The fan in the seats is awesome for summer.

Memory seats. limited is the only one and memory is a must for us.

There are other little differences but those are the main ones.

Just drive them all and have fun!
 
03_4x4Runner said:
It was a no brainer for me. I want dual auto temp, auto headlights, memory seat, full time 4x4 etc. so the Limited was the only option. I removed the low hanging plastic trim and added 17" wheels with KO2 tires. It now does everything I need it to do.
Click to expand...



This is exactly why we went Limited. Like the front end better on the SR5 but for us it was a no brainer as well.


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philsey said:
Don't read any thread containing "TRD Pro" in the title. It absolutely brings out the worst in about 6 people.
Click to expand...

But it brings out the absolute best in many more.

OP, the differences in trim levels are pretty clear and only you can determine which works best for your situation / budget. You simple can’t go wrong with any from the most basic to the most feature rich version since over 99% will be exactly the same, with the possible exception of the Limited with full time 4WD.
 
SCTrojans said:
Hey Everyone Good Morning-

This is my first ever post so forgive me if I am in the wrong forum.

I am looking at picking up my first 4Runner in the next week and cannot for the life of me decide which model I should go with.

I was leaning towards the Limited but the SR5 Premium and TRD Off Road Premium have caught my eye as well. That being said, I would love to get your feedback on why you went with the model you did and what features/options you find are a must have versus what are a waste of money.

The Toyota in my opinion. is a bit useless when trying to compare models.

Thanks Everyone!

TR
Click to expand...
I went with the SR5 Premium 4WD 'cause, basically, I'm just an SR5 kinda guy. As you see in my signature I owned a '99 T4R SR5 from new for 18 years. I had to have a moon/sun roof 'cause I've never owned a car without either a sun roof or a convertible top, ergo, SR5 Premium. The non-Premiums DO NOT come with a moon/sun roof. In the spring, summer, fall, just open the sun roof and twik the rear window down a bit (not even the Land Cruiser can do this) to get great wind flow and minimize wind noise.

I also wanted running boards, 'cause I need to easy access to the roof to put stuff on the roof. (I know, some of you guys poo poo OEM running boards.)

IMO (my opinion is almost never humble) the Limited and the TRD Off Road Pro are a "waist of money". But they may not be to you, the OP.

Here's the final point, this is what makes the T4R 4WD, any trim, a great vehicle: Load up your T4R with a week's worth of camping gear and favorite outdoor toys; drive 300 miles on the freeway in creature comfort (smooth, silent, comfortable, roomy); then you can still make it to the top campsite in a gnarly campground with steep, washed out, rutted, rocky, dirty, nasty camp roads.
 
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