Is TRD PRO worth the cash?

[YOTA94RF]

-

I was lucky enough to get a cement colored pro at msrp from a great local dealer. It is only my second new car purchase since I bought my 1994 Toyota xtra cab 4x4 pickup new. In 1994 I settled for the pickup as I couldn't afford the 4runner at the time. I have been lucky to own a cool used car or two in between. All that said for me I have not been as excited about getting and driving a vehicle as I have been about my new Cement 4 Runner. For me the cement color and black wheels do it for me. The black heritage grill is also cool but not a make or break? Personally I think the everyone of 5th generation 4 Runners are awesome and it will be hard for Toyota to make a cooler looking truck.

So Pro, SR-5 with black wheels, Off Road with a pro grill, who cares. If you enjoy your ride and you get enjoyment out of it then it was worth the purchase or the upgrade. If it's stock that's cool too. On the stock note I just sold that stock 1994 4x4 Toyota Pickup for $6000.

It's hard to beat the resale value on a Toyama truck no matter what trim it is.

 

[MinecraftGriefer]

...

 

[tpetsch]

I could care less about the limited edition colors the TRD offered but I did appreciate the KDSS technology that the Trail offered, so the choice was easy for me. Had KDSS been offered in the TRD I might own one if the price was right.
...There's no way in the world I would ever pay "Market Adjusted" inflated prices for one though.

 

[vintage]

Everyone with a PRO seems to try to find some validation in their purchase with the same excuse “Oh it’s got a higher resale value” :clap2: yes, yes it does, while looking down at us peasants who didn’t buy one. Come time to sell I doubt you’ll get what you’re asking for.

I wanted a Quicksand PRO but couldn’t find one here in CA. I tend to keep my vehicles for a long time, so I just couldn’t justify spending another 10K on dealership mark up for aesthetic changes.

Funny how these TRD PRO threads pop up once a month :shrug::der: asking the same question :repuke:

Personally I don't look down on anyone driving a 4Runner. no matter what model it is. Different strokes for different folks. My buddy drives a Limited and loves it. I just happen to like the looks of the TRD PRO along with it's factory set up for off road. I guess we're lucky in NC, dealers ask MSRP for the TRD PRO not $10k over. Don't think I'd fork up the extra 10K for one.
:girl:

 

[kaikaikai]

Hey guys, new member here taking delivery of a Cavalry Blue TRD Pro next week. I crossed shopped between a Limited and a TRD Pro and in the end it came down to the fact that I valued the TRD Pro exterior bits and exclusive color more than the increase in purchase price (I paid MSRP). It was really that simple.

Look forward to participating on these boards in the near future once I get my car.

 

[MatraBlue]

No doubt. But it’s only because you are such an interesting and informed person. To prove the point, please do list the 4K in mods required to achieve PRO awesomeness. That should shut us up!

Actually the difference between the base price of a ORP and TRD Pro is $3180.

I would be far more interested in your calculation of the cost of upgrading an ORP to TRD Pro (although I don't understand why anyone would do it) configuration. Please include factory new parts and include labor and other attendant costs.

Finally, please give me your best estimate of the resale value of both vehicles when you are done.

Thanks for your assistance!

 

[CF_Machete]

You've made some great points but this is the only statement that I disagree with 100% ...

There is NO WAY that you could make a TRAIL/ORP to both look AND function better than a PRO for only 2k...maybe one or the other but not both (especially after factoring in all of the parts required and labor costs involved to complete those mods)

I think it'd be closer to 4k + ?

Item Part # Price Link
BILSTEIN 6112s 47-259768 589.62 https://autoplicity.com/10672199-bi...K27wvhU6KyOVeMq5bwiG6ECRX3qOfZvIaAv65EALw_wcB
BILSTEIN 5160s 25-227611 326.9 https://www.amazon.com/Bilstein-25-...UTF8&qid=1515878103&sr=8-1&keywords=25-227611
TRD PRO Upper Grille Insert PZ327-35053 158.06 https://www.oempartstoyou.com/oem-p...xeIw0JYAeYS71Hy_3lo1g-rvFVV4_okIaAnT7EALw_wcB
TRD PRO 4Runner Front Grill Garnish PZ323-35056 371.97 https://www.oempartstoyou.com/oem-p...vkj1ORD2MZ4NjpggQsVkwV-ShDy7Y830aAjsoEALw_wcB
GRABBER AT 2 740.52 https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...GRAT2OWL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes
17" WHEEL, ALLOY, MATTE BLACK - TOYOTA PTR20-35110-BK 685.32 https://www.oempartstoyou.com/oem-p...als7A8oP77oFLM6ZyVFAcUPq_JTDb5KMaAmObEALw_wcB
Stock tires -300
stock rims -400
Stock suspension -150
Total 2022.39



You can take off $163.32 if you don;t want E rated tires. Yes I know that The Pro does not come with Grabbers, but since I'm swapping the tires out in this scenario, I wouldn't put anything else on.

Feel free to add $10 to $20 to spray your valances with plastidip, paint or bed liner and add an $additional 200 for rear coils if you want to do a full on lift. But as it is, just barely over 2K to upgrade a TRDORP to a FauxPro with better tires and an adjustable suspension.

Regarding labor, an alignment is $30 and righty tighty, lefty loosey :trophy:

 

[phillyd2]

Item Part # Price Link
BILSTEIN 6112s 47-259768 589.62 https://autoplicity.com/10672199-bi...K27wvhU6KyOVeMq5bwiG6ECRX3qOfZvIaAv65EALw_wcB
BILSTEIN 5160s 25-227611 326.9 https://www.amazon.com/Bilstein-25-...UTF8&qid=1515878103&sr=8-1&keywords=25-227611
TRD PRO Upper Grille Insert PZ327-35053 158.06 https://www.oempartstoyou.com/oem-p...xeIw0JYAeYS71Hy_3lo1g-rvFVV4_okIaAnT7EALw_wcB
TRD PRO 4Runner Front Grill Garnish PZ323-35056 371.97 https://www.oempartstoyou.com/oem-p...vkj1ORD2MZ4NjpggQsVkwV-ShDy7Y830aAjsoEALw_wcB
GRABBER AT 2 740.52 https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...GRAT2OWL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes
17" WHEEL, ALLOY, MATTE BLACK - TOYOTA PTR20-35110-BK 685.32 https://www.oempartstoyou.com/oem-p...als7A8oP77oFLM6ZyVFAcUPq_JTDb5KMaAmObEALw_wcB
Stock tires -300
stock rims -400
Stock suspension -150
Total 2022.39



You can take off $163.32 if you don;t want E rated tires. Yes I know that The Pro does not come with Grabbers, but since I'm swapping the tires out in this scenario, I wouldn't put anything else on.

Feel free to add $10 to $20 to spray your valances with plastidip, paint or bed liner and add an $additional 200 for rear coils if you want to do a full on lift. But as it is, just barely over 2K to upgrade a TRDORP to a FauxPro with better tires and an adjustable suspension.

Regarding labor, an alignment is $30 and righty tighty, lefty loosey :trophy:

You forgot:

Admiring looks = priceless :trophy:

 

[STAY IN IT]

It’s funny how passionate we can be about how others choose to spend their money. Most vehicles have several trim levels and believe it or not, most people get what they want or what suits their budget. I would say it’s fairly rare that the decision is made based on the buyer being misinformed or stupid.

I was questioned as to why I bought a Denali over a Yukon, ZL1 over an SS, 6.7 powerstoke diesel over a 7.3 that hasn’t been made in over 15 years. It goes on and on.

I haven’t been misinformed prior to making any of the above purchases and haven’t regretted any even after being told how much money I could have saved or how much more horsepower I could have had doing an aftermarket supercharger, turbos, and/or nitrous (and maybe it would start most of the time and not grenade itself prior to 10k miles). Warranty, shmarranty.

Get what YOU want. It’s worked fine for me.

 

[Koddo]

It really comes down to 2 groups of people:

Group 1 : People that have bought 4x4's in the past and have used them at least a moderate amount off-road and have a good understanding of a vehicle's characteristics and functions that benefit off-roading. These people generally have owned 4runners, jeeps, tacomas or full size pickups and have wheeled them a good amount over the years. 90% of these people would not buy a TRDpro after researching the baubles that don't contribute to the off-road worthiness of the PRO, at all. Sorry the suspension makes it look cooler but its marginally-marginally-marginal better than stock.

Group 2: People new to 4Runners or that have a very minimal amount of experience with off-road vehicles. This group is the prime target of Toyota marketing for Pro's. They have a new taste for adventure and offroading and are drawn in by the aesthetic bells and whistles of the PRO. They figure they don't want to waste the time or develop the know-how to make suspension, tire, or other modifications themselves.

They are all 4Runners however and I heartily accept each and every one into the warmth of my heart. I do believe the PRO's running around are new entrants to the off-road scene, but that's just fine - it's a great vehicle. You do have those 1 or 2 members here that bought a PRO to only rip out the suspension and mod it heavily, but they are just a few.

 

[TexasTJ]

I bought a Pro because my wife and I loved the Cement. I did lots of research and planned on buying a white Trail (Off Road Premium.), but we fell in love with the color. We found the Cement locally without a wait time and under MSRP.

Part of the Pro for me is that I knew my 4R (any trim) wasn't going to be a badass crawler (I have a Jeep for that). It was going to be my DD/road trip/explore trails vehicle. In stock form it ran several of the awesome trails in Colorado and gave me no issues. The capability of the driver will take you further than the upgrades of the vehicle.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[MatraBlue]

Item Part # Price Link
BILSTEIN 6112s 47-259768 589.62 https://autoplicity.com/10672199-bi...K27wvhU6KyOVeMq5bwiG6ECRX3qOfZvIaAv65EALw_wcB
BILSTEIN 5160s 25-227611 326.9 https://www.amazon.com/Bilstein-25-...UTF8&qid=1515878103&sr=8-1&keywords=25-227611
TRD PRO Upper Grille Insert PZ327-35053 158.06 https://www.oempartstoyou.com/oem-p...xeIw0JYAeYS71Hy_3lo1g-rvFVV4_okIaAnT7EALw_wcB
TRD PRO 4Runner Front Grill Garnish PZ323-35056 371.97 https://www.oempartstoyou.com/oem-p...vkj1ORD2MZ4NjpggQsVkwV-ShDy7Y830aAjsoEALw_wcB
GRABBER AT 2 740.52 https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...GRAT2OWL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes
17" WHEEL, ALLOY, MATTE BLACK - TOYOTA PTR20-35110-BK 685.32 https://www.oempartstoyou.com/oem-p...als7A8oP77oFLM6ZyVFAcUPq_JTDb5KMaAmObEALw_wcB
Stock tires -300
stock rims -400
Stock suspension -150
Total 2022.39



You can take off $163.32 if you don;t want E rated tires. Yes I know that The Pro does not come with Grabbers, but since I'm swapping the tires out in this scenario, I wouldn't put anything else on.

Feel free to add $10 to $20 to spray your valances with plastidip, paint or bed liner and add an $additional 200 for rear coils if you want to do a full on lift. But as it is, just barely over 2K to upgrade a TRDORP to a FauxPro with better tires and an adjustable suspension.

Regarding labor, an alignment is $30 and righty tighty, lefty loosey :trophy:

So you will do all that work for me for free?

 

[MatraBlue]

It really comes down to 2 groups of people:

Group 1 : People that have bought 4x4's in the past and have used them at least a moderate amount off-road and have a good understanding of a vehicle's characteristics and functions that benefit off-roading. These people generally have owned 4runners, jeeps, tacomas or full size pickups and have wheeled them a good amount over the years. 90% of these people would not buy a TRDpro after researching the baubles that don't contribute to the off-road worthiness of the PRO, at all. Sorry the suspension makes it look cooler but its marginally-marginally-marginal better than stock.

Group 2: People new to 4Runners or that have a very minimal amount of experience with off-road vehicles. This group is the prime target of Toyota marketing for Pro's. They have a new taste for adventure and offroading and are drawn in by the aesthetic bells and whistles of the PRO. They figure they don't want to waste the time or develop the know-how to make suspension, tire, or other modifications themselves.

They are all 4Runners however and I heartily accept each and every one into the warmth of my heart. I do believe the PRO's running around are new entrants to the off-road scene, but that's just fine - it's a great vehicle. You do have those 1 or 2 members here that bought a PRO to only rip out the suspension and mod it heavily, but they are just a few.

Not sure I agree with you since I have owned the following:

1967 Ford Bronco

1977 Toyota FJ40

1985 Jeep Cherokee

1995 Nissan Pathfinder

2002 Toyota 4Runner LTD

2018 Toyota TRD Pro

I do agree that Group 1 probably is blue collar and does not go into work on the weekends and does not recognize the theory of "opportunity costs" and most likely has a poorly funded 101(k).

Group 2 most likely is comprised of white collar types with in demand skills that precludes them from wasting their time "wrenching" on their vehicles because their time is more valuable pursuing more lucrative endeavors that help them overfund their 401(k).

I could be wrong, but I don't think so.

 

[Engineer]

So you will do all that work for me for free?

I think most contributing members would be more then willing to lend a hand doing the installs if someone was local - maybe for the cost of a 6pack or a dinner date with the significant other.

I would ball park 5-800 for install but thats just a guess, the grill is easy maybe an hour - the suspension is also fairly easy but does take time and shop rates seem to be getting more expensive by the year.

 

[lukeskywalker]

Something tells me you were not on the high school debate team???

Um...was that....supposed to be...funny?

 

[MRM69]

I'm looking in getting a TRD PRO or TRD Trail . Is the PRO with the $ ?

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

If you're not sure this is your one and only (most auto's are not!), you can't go wrong with a Pro as you will be able to sell for at, or above the selling price! Looked at carguru's and autotrader nationwide and my BR Pro is selling used for $44-$54k...USED! I paid less than $42k for mine, so is the Pro worth the extra cost than the TRD OR/Trail...I guess it depends if it's your one and only, do you plan on upgrading an a$$ load of stuff on it, or you just going to enjoy the ride and move on from there? I do really like my TRDP, have no plans to get rid of it, but am definitely not feeling any buyers remorse, that's for sure:dancin:

 

[MatraBlue]

Um...was that....supposed to be...funny?

Um.... no.

 

[Darrow]

Group 2 most likely is comprised of white collar types with in demand skills that precludes them from wasting their time "wrenching" on their vehicles because their time is more valuable pursuing more lucrative endeavors that help them overfund their 401(k).

TRD Pro: Bought, not built™

All kidding aside, I completely understand paying a premium for an exclusive color if you love it. You can easily bolt on everything else for less money but a factory quality respray is out of the question.

Let's also keep this in perspective a bit: we're talking about a ~$42k SUV. Toyota has a loaded minivan that stickers for more.

 

[lukeskywalker]

Thanks once again for proving to this forum and to the world what type of person you truly are...may your comments live forever in infamy on the internet

.

Ok mr... "i think that people look up to me and are embarrassed by my awesomeness and presence on the trail because i drive a TRD PRO, not some measly lowly peasant SR5." LOL.

Awwww. You gonna go tell the teacher now?

Is this proof that the is 4runner is now the vehicle of choice for low T suburban men to rise up the ladder of the dominance hierarchy?

Some men, believe it or not, don't give a shit if they speak what's on their mind. And *gasp*, don't live their lives in fear of what others in the 'herd' might think.

I think this country needs a massive wake up call.

Great marketing for Chevy!

:surfer:

 

[lukeskywalker]

Not cool man.

You're right. Poor language choice on my part. Sorry.

"Twat" would be more appropriate.