Newbie on a budget...

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f_399

New member
In the market for a 4runner and after a bit of research, I narrowed it down to an SR5 premium or the trail

The extras that come with the premium is nice but the 4wd could come in handy.

Is the trail like a regular sr5 with 4wd?

I live in north texas and we have ice/snow a couple days out of the year.

4wd just seems like something i would want.
 
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Part time 4WD on the SR5 an option?

So you can have an SR5 premium with Part time 4WD?

How is that different then the Trail premium?
 
If you are on a budget, you should consider reading all the MPG threads around here then make up you mind whether or not you can deal/afford 13-17 mpg averages.

Just sayin' cus everyone seems to read the sticker and think they're going to get 21 for some reason.
 
Thanks for the heads up!

I have been driving cars that need premium fuel since 2004 so moving to a car that can make do with 87 helps.

Also, the price of fuel has gone down dramatically here, I know it will probably go up again, but for now its great.

How big are the tanks and how many miles can it usually go on 1 tank?

Budget is new, under 40k, ideally around 37k.

EDIT:

I just looked into it more, the SR5 premium sure has some nice features that i think outweighs the 4wd on the trail.

Leaning towards the SR5 premium
 
Last edited:
f_399 said:
Thanks for the heads up!

I have been driving cars that need premium fuel since 2004 so moving to a car that can make do with 87 helps.

Also, the price of fuel has gone down dramatically here, I know it will probably go up again, but for now its great.

How big are the tanks and how many miles can it usually go on 1 tank?

Budget is new, under 40k, ideally around 37k.

EDIT:

I just looked into it more, the SR5 premium sure has some nice features that i think outweighs the 4wd on the trail.

Leaning towards the SR5 premium
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The basics of 4wd are the same on the SR5 AND the Trail.. the Trail does have more supporting 4x4 features like a rear locker and kdss/multi-terrain/crawl-control if you get one with those options that all come together as a package.. the only model that has a different 4wd is the Limited which has Full-time 4wd similar to an escalade or highlander.. OH AND.... the trail does come in premium form too on 2014 models and up.
 
Thanks!

Trail premium would be what I really want but they are priced close to limiteds... meaning out of my budget :(
 
I just got a 2015 SR5 premium 4x4 well within your price range and for 1400 miles have averaged 17mpg. The 4x4 on both the SR5 and trail are part time and fuel tank on all holds 23 gallons. I too would have liked the trail premium but with only occasional off-roading needs I personally didn't think the trail premium was worth the extra $$ for KDSS, crawl control, etc. at least for my needs. If you're going to be doing a good bit of off-roading, then it may be different for you. Good luck searching!
 
f_399 said:
Thanks!

Trail premium would be what I really want but they are priced close to limiteds... meaning out of my budget :(
Click to expand...

You can totally get a Trail Premium within your budget. I got a TEP MSRP at 40,500 for 36,797

Feel free to PM me if you want any help!
 
f_399 said:
Thanks for the heads up!

I have been driving cars that need premium fuel since 2004 so moving to a car that can make do with 87 helps.

Also, the price of fuel has gone down dramatically here, I know it will probably go up again, but for now its great.

How big are the tanks and how many miles can it usually go on 1 tank?
Click to expand...

23 gallon tank, I average 16.0, city/canyon/trail rarely highway mileage.

I have no idea how much you drive, I just see the word "budget" and I see the multitudes of people biotching about their gas mileage. That's all. :)
 
f_399 said:
Thanks!

Trail premium would be what I really want but they are priced close to limiteds... meaning out of my budget :(
Click to expand...

don't think you'll pay what they're asking unless you won't haggle.. i've heard of many get their trail premiums for 36k-39k.. so shop around.. and if u get one with the kdss/crawl control which it sounds like you don't need. it shoud be closer to 36k
 
Thanks for all the help!

Trying to get as much information before I make the purchase, should be in a couple of months.
 
I went through the SR5 Premium or Trail Premium debate myself and I think you have to ask yourself the same thing I asked. What do you plan to do with your truck? If you are not going to be doing a lot of offroading then the SR5 is probably more than you enough. If you offroad a lot, then maybe the Trail is the right truck for you. If I offroaded more than I do, I would have gone with the Trail without KDSS and just put my own lift on it.

Ultimately I went with the SR5 Premium (leather and moonroof were important to me) but if you don't care for either of those I'd get a regular SR5 which can be had for way less than your budget. All 3 models can be had for less than your budget, but just get the truck that fits your needs/wants.
 
Volley said:
I went through the SR5 Premium or Trail Premium debate myself and I think you have to ask yourself the same thing I asked. What do you plan to do with your truck? If you are not going to be doing a lot of offroading then the SR5 is probably more than you enough. If you offroad a lot, then maybe the Trail is the right truck for you. If I offroaded more than I do, I would have gone with the Trail without KDSS and just put my own lift on it.

Ultimately I went with the SR5 Premium (leather and moonroof were important to me) but if you don't care for either of those I'd get a regular SR5 which can be had for way less than your budget. All 3 models can be had for less than your budget, but just get the truck that fits your needs/wants.
Click to expand...

I was a little different than you. If I was thinking of wheeling my rig, more so than the ranch roads, fire roads, and occasional trip to the rockies that I currently enjoy, I would go with the SR5. Cheaper, less items extras to change out, + no-kdss to worry about. All this equals more $$$ for mods.

I chose the Trail (granted, not the premium) for its out of the box offroad upgrades and better road ride quality. To me, the Trail is the perfect all rounder where as the SR5 is better fit to throw upgrades at. This is all from a budget perspective, of course.
 
1st, Welcome to the forum and congrats on thinking/researching your purchase and having a budget. You are now in the top 1% of Americans (kidding but you get the point).

2nd, in your price range you should be able to get new. Negotiate a decent deal and or wait a few more months. I found that the lightly used 4runners have so little depreciation you mind as well buy new. That is of course assuming you like the redesign after 2014, if you prefer the original 5th gen look then by all means go that route.

One thing not mentioned (can be a touchy subject and it is unique to everyone) is the cosmetics of the Trail. KDSS is an option but not required on the Trail or Trail Premium. So aside from the Crawlcontrol, and Rear locker most of the differences are going to be cosmetic. For me the black interior trim, lever vs. knob 4x4, and the red stitched softex seats and wheels made it worth it to me. Overall I think the interior looks more Modern/Knarly in the Trail vs. the SR5 and the wheels I really liked. The SR5 wheels I would have wanted to replace. Not to mention the silver trimmed front and rear bumpers and the hood scope worth 10hp. Not trying to push you one way or the other as only you know what you like, plans for the truck are and what is worth your time and money.

Best of luck and SR5/Trail/Limited are all exceptional trucks for the money............just understand its a truck and don’t create threads complaining about things an extended test drive/research would have shown (MPG's, Nose Dive, lackluster Stero & Navigation, power in the lower RPM band etc )
 
The Waco Kid said:
I was a little different than you. If I was thinking of wheeling my rig, more so than the ranch roads, fire roads, and occasional trip to the rockies that I currently enjoy, I would go with the SR5. Cheaper, less items extras to change out, + no-kdss to worry about. All this equals more $$$ for mods.

I chose the Trail (granted, not the premium) for its out of the box offroad upgrades and better road ride quality. To me, the Trail is the perfect all rounder where as the SR5 is better fit to throw upgrades at. This is all from a budget perspective, of course.
Click to expand...

That makes total sense too. Really just depends what the OP is looking for/needing. Great perspective.
 
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