Justifying a 2014 purchase

[TEQ.FZJ]

It's all a matter of perspective, isn't it?
My two cars have been a '96 Bronco, and an '06 Prius. I feel like I'm driving an incredibly advanced, powerful modern machine now. ('14 TE Premium)

Same here. We upgraded from an '04 Infiniti G35. My daily driver is an '04 Nissan Frontier and its "luxury features" are AM/FM cassette and power windows. The 2014 4Runner is a big leap into the future. I really really like the interior styling on my Trail, but I also never owned a 4th gen. The only thing I wish it had were the memory seats from the Limited.

Sound system is great, I like all the Bluetooth capabilities and Entune apps like Pandora, IheartRadio, etc. Although voice guidance and navigation make me want to kick puppies. Probably more so than the lack of an A-pillar grab handle from those that remember my thread.

Seriously, Entune's voice recognition is atrocious and the navigation is clunky. It's as bad as the speech recognition system when you call your credit card company. It's quicker to whip out a map draw your route than to use Toyota's nav system.

Google Now/Voice Search on my Android phone has me spoiled as it just works so perfectly. I use navigation on my phone and have the audio directions play via Bluetooth.

 

[mfire1]

I have a 2010 SR5 premium, so I decided to keep it for my daily
Driver and I picked up a 2014 TE premium. After 2 weeks and 900
Miles my wife likes it more than the 2010. A more firmer ride, better
Sound, Touch screen radio, back up camera, brighter headlights.
Seats have more options to adjust to your preference.
36 months 0 interest. 24 months all service on the dealer.
Yep, get a 2014, and don't look back. Smile every time you get
The key in and take off.
My 2 cents,

 

[KiruxaT4R]

I came from a world of lowered VWs. Then I bought a Toyota Landcruiser and I was hooked then I bought another one and now I just bought 14' TE. I love it!
Also my other vehicle is 2012 GTI.
One is small and quick the other one has all the amenities of an SUV.
I have no regrets owning a 14' TE I think it looks better than pre-facelift model.
I say go for it but remember it is no GTI around corners and such that being said if I could only keep one id pick my Toyota because of all the outdoor reasons you mentioned

 

[NoDak]

see your still kicking them puppies TEQ.FZJ

 

[Yotta]

It's all a matter of perspective, isn't it?
My two cars have been a '96 Bronco, and an '06 Prius. I feel like I'm driving an incredibly advanced, powerful modern machine now. ('14 TE Premium)

Well, my previous car had no nav and a ratty CD player for a head unit. I'm comparing the '14 nav to my handheld Garmin GPS unit and to my cell phone

 

[JAD]

My two kids both drive 4Runners (1999). I was driving a 1998 Grand Cherokee. (Yeah I take care of my vehicles.). But when I started averaging over $200/month in maintenance and repairs (over the last 18 months or so) combined with 11 mpg (8 cylinder 5.2 and mostly city commuting) I started looking for a used 4Runner. The supply was miniscule and the prices were astounding. I wanted something a bit newer (2010 or newer). When I compared to new car financing (2.9%), price discount (bad time for auto dealers), and gas mileage on new vehicle (averaging 17.5 mpg) it was a no brainer for me.

I figure my new TE is only costing me about $150/mo. I borrowed $30K.