Need ya'll to slap some sense into me

[Jernik]

So I've gotten the itch for a new 4Runner real bad. Problem is, my 14 TEP only has 40,600 trouble free miles on it. My justifications are many, and all easily countered.

On one hand, I would really like several features on the Limited; ventilated leather, JBL sound, memory driver seat, dual hvac controls, optional power steps to help aging family members get in/out easier, better on road ride for the long road trips (no KDSS on my Trail). Only thing is, I can't stand to look at it! Just don't like the styling - although I'm not looking at it when I drive it... and it's not quite as bad in the nightshade version.

On the other, the Pro will have the better sound, and I could have Katzkin heated/cooled seats installed. And it looks awesome. But it's overkill. I don't even come close to maxing out my Trail's potential during my infrequent offroad excursions.

Then there's reality. My TEP will be free and clear very soon. I can just as easily add the Katzkin seats to my Trail as I could a new Pro. Same with soundsystem and even the power steps. The dual HVAC isn't really that big a deal. But I'm not sure about the ride quality though... I am due some new tires, so that might help some. Could upgrade shocks/springs I guess. And we only do a long trip (600 - 800 miles each way) once or twice a year, so is the cost to trade vs keeping/upgrading what I have really worth it?

I suppose the sensible thing is to keep the TEP? I do really like it, just wish a few things were different/better and it'd be perfect. But the current incentives + equity I have make a trade sooo tempting. My biggest fear is I get a Nightshade Limited and hate myself for it every time I go in the garage and look at it. The Pro wouldn't have that problem, I'd just have to come to terms that I spent all that money to look cool in the Bass Pro parking lot. lol

OK guys/gals, what do you think? Set me straight on this!

 

[tm965]

unless you can get an insane trade in deal from your toyota dealer, i'd upgrade your seats, get a better aftermarket sound system, and upgrade your suspension on your current ride. the ride in the limited is somewhat harsh in stock form and it sounds like you'd probably end up upgrading the suspension in a new limited too.

 

[intercede007]

Seems like there are options to get your Trail to look pretty much like a Pro. The wheels are really cheap for what they are (I think so, anyway). There are a few posts here about some grill options. Probably screwed on seats.

Being happy with the thing you have can be hard. You've got to find a way to rekindle that relationship. Maybe spend a little savings on the TRD wheels and tires, the grill, the cold air intake, a nice roof rack, and some sound upgrades. You might find that the time invested brings you back closer to loving the 4Runner you've got.

 

[CavPro]

With a 6th gen on the horizon you'd be crazy to trade in what you have for something you really don't sound crazy about anyway.

These type of theads seem more contagious than the flu.

 

[jcalvert86]

With a 6th gen on the horizon you'd be crazy to trade in what you have for something you really don't sound crazy about anyway.

These type of theads seem more contagious than the flu.

Lol.

 

[nglayton]

99.9% of 4runner owners are driving "overkill" for what they typically get used for. Myself included. However the 2-4 times a year I need the capabilities, I'm d@mn glad I have them. It my book it only takes once to make it all worth it.

Beside a limited is no less capable than a trail model, just different options, different garnish all dressing up the same base model underneath. :

If your current trail is so close to being free and clear, I wouldn't trade it. Especially with so few miles on it.

The freedom of no payment will let you easily make all of those upgrades and more. Or save the cash for the down payment and own 2 of them.

And don't forget the 2020 models coming soon with even more lipstick.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Either add the things you want on your existing 4Runner, or if you're really set on the Limited, get the Limited and change out the front grille and bumper for the SR5 style

 

[CavPro]

If your current trail is so close to being free and clear, I wouldn't trade it. Especially with so few miles on it.

5 years? I'd hope it is a couple of years into free and clear. So much money wasted on buying vehicles, especially considering the OP is around 8k miles a year in it.

 

[mickeyblue]

I paid off my 2015 Trail with KDSS and then we bought a 2018 SR5 4x4, and my husband took the Trail and gave me the new one.

I miss my Trail, the ride was smoother for whatever reason and it’s been scratched up from desert driving and my husband backed into a metal barrier (had it repaired), so it was well broken in. I can’t find any love for this 2018, it’s like I’m just a stepmom to it or something .

Anyway. Keep that Trail! You’ll miss it. I swear.

 

[ALLPRO4]

KEEP IT!!! Don’t get caught in the Hype of a new 4runner/debt pay it off and upgrade as much as you like


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jetboy]

This, IMO, would be kinda badass - and also pretty great for daily driver duty.

Keep your TEP. Instead of buying the OEM pro wheels, buy a set of the 20" matching style. Run them with 275/65/17 tires (34.1" tall), but keep the lift low - maybe 1" max. You'll need a body mount chop though. Otherwise they should fit.

Then add a supercharger. IMO it would look great with the upsized tires, but be a setup that people don't really realize why it looks so good because the 20" wheels and 34" tires are proportionally sized up and don't quite look like oversize tires, but they fill up the wheel wells and look more like a concept car fit than a production car fit. The S/C would add more fun to the driving experience and compensate power wise for the larger tires.

Just a thought. Should still be cheaper than trading for a new one.

Or swap for a GX for a few years and see how you like it? I really like my 4Runner - other than some current issues with ARB on my front locker - it's been basically flawless for 5 years. I'm getting the itch to do something too. Mostly I'm just bored. I don't think another 4Runner would be my first choice to trade though. Mainly because I already have exactly what I'd probably buy again. So I'm kinda thinking I might go for a supercharger.

Good luck!

Like this - only with bigger tires.

 

[Coyotegray]

The dealership I bought my 4Runner at keeps sending me stuff in the mail trying to get me to trade in for a new 4Runner... For only $40 a month more I can get a new one.... and start all over again building it out... No thanks.. I'm keeping it as long as I can... I should have it setup perfect just about the time I get it payed off....

 

[jhguth]

But the current incentives + equity I have make a trade sooo tempting. lol

what current incentives are you seeing? I've read that there is a $750 rebate, but in my market at least the only thing they are showing is 0% financing (0.9% for 60 months, 1.9% for 72 months). Now I don't know what your current rates are, but that's barely lower than my normal non-incentive rate so not much of an incentive by itself (for example in my case that's worth about $700, not nothing but not much in regards to a $35k+ vehicle)

do you have tax advantages to trade-in in your state? if not, sell private party, you're leaving a lot of money on the table if you trade in instead of selling it yourself (so long as you don't have increased taxes that would eat that difference)

 

[k2theablam]

A 4x bilstein 5100 setup should help fix your ride quality, at least that's what I'm getting from reading these forums up and down. That's the only thing you mentioned that is a valid gripe with your current ride.

Dual HVAC is kinda overrated imo, and you can upgrade the speakers/head unit and still save a fortune over buying another version of the exact same car you are about to pay off. Steps can be added, and seats can be upgraded all for less than the difference new car would cost you.

 

[Jernik]

Thanks to all taking the time to respond. My wife, who doesn't know about this thread, would thank you as well! :cheers:

Unfortunately, not free and clear yet, but very close! I took no $ to closing and rolled taxes into the financing too. Not the wisest financial decision, but it's what I did.

As for incentives, not so much from Toyota per se, but I'm noticing more dealer discounts advertised to move the remaining 19's. The incentive is they seem more willing to deal than usual at the moment.

As for my 4R, I really do like it. I don't see a need to trade for another TEP, but every time I consider a Limited I have this thought in my head that I'll really regret the trade. As I previously noted, the Pro is cool and all, but is essentially just a gussied up TEP. I could build mine into a Pro if I really wanted for less than buying a new one.

Anyone have tips for getting over these urges for shiny new things? lol

I like the suggestion about getting hands on with upgrades to rekindle the "relationship" with the 4R. I've shied away from doing much with it to this point because it's a perfect functioning relatively new vehicle - I didn't want to mess anything up. With some of the (admittedly minor in the grand scheme of things) grievances I have with it, and some free cash flow, it may be time to change that. The risk/reward equation is changing in my mind.

Any other thoughts?

 

[thennen]

Thanks to all taking the time to respond. My wife, who doesn't know about this thread, would thank you as well! :cheers:

Unfortunately, not free and clear yet, but very close! I took no $ to closing and rolled taxes into the financing too. Not the wisest financial decision, but it's what I did.

As for incentives, not so much from Toyota per se, but I'm noticing more dealer discounts advertised to move the remaining 19's. The incentive is they seem more willing to deal than usual at the moment.

As for my 4R, I really do like it. I don't see a need to trade for another TEP, but every time I consider a Limited I have this thought in my head that I'll really regret the trade. As I previously noted, the Pro is cool and all, but is essentially just a gussied up TEP. I could build mine into a Pro if I really wanted for less than buying a new one.

Anyone have tips for getting over these urges for shiny new things? lol

I like the suggestion about getting hands on with upgrades to rekindle the "relationship" with the 4R. I've shied away from doing much with it to this point because it's a perfect functioning relatively new vehicle - I didn't want to mess anything up. With some of the (admittedly minor in the grand scheme of things) grievances I have with it, and some free cash flow, it may be time to change that. The risk/reward equation is changing in my mind.

Any other thoughts?

One tip for getting over the urges for shiny new things: get to the point where you don't have a monthly payment, and stay there a while. You'll get used to having some extra cash to do whatever, maybe even save a chunk. Perhaps you're already familiar with that, but if not, it can be hard to go there again when you're driving your still-nearly-new Trail, debt-free. And at the rate you're driving it, it'll still be like new at 100k miles 7-8 years from now.

 

[maxp0wer]

Seems like you already know the right answer -- keep what you have! Get it paid off and put some of the money you are saving into mods for your TEP.

 

[the_fornicator]

Not sure if this was answered, but what do you hate about the limited? A lot of Limited guys swap the bumper out for an SR5 bumper and that makes it look a looooooot better IMO. Or blacking out the chrome looks pretty good also -I'm not a fan of the look of the Limited, but blacking out the chrome looks pretty tight on a black 4runner.

 

[Jernik]

Not sure if this was answered, but what do you hate about the limited? A lot of Limited guys swap the bumper out for an SR5 bumper and that makes it look a looooooot better IMO. Or blacking out the chrome looks pretty good also -I'm not a fan of the look of the Limited, but blacking out the chrome looks pretty tight on a black 4runner.

Basically, it's the chrome pieces they added. For some reason, I just can't get passed that look. Nightshade is definitely better, but I still prefer the Trail/Offroad look. Even if they'd left the front end like the SR5, I would like it. If I bought a new Limited, I'd catch h-e-double-ell from the wife if I tried to disassemble the front end! So modding it to that extent is out - I'd have to live with it as is for a long while. Plus, I kinda like the non-functional hood scoop on my TE for some weird reason.

 

[Tejas]

We owned a 2016 Limited 4WD and it was the worst riding of the three 5th Gens that we have owned. I am with you in regards to the looks of the Limited, it's not my cup of tea but the misses wanted it at the time. I say keep what you've got, pay it off and add what you desire. Once you've paid it off then maybe you can lease a decent sedan or crossover to haul you around when you want comfort/class and ease of egress and ingress for the elderly.