Possible new TE KDDS owner!

[chmura]

Possible new TE KDSS owner!

Test drove a new 2012 4runner TE with KDSS that had 4 miles on it.

Since I sold my Tacoma 4x4 about 8 months ago I am in need of an expedition vehicle to go camping in, adventures, exploring, etc. When I had my taco I did a lot of things with it, I went on the Mojave Road, its a 3 day trek through the Mojave dessert about 200 miles from Barstow to Laughlin all dirt road. It was a fun adventure. Risky with one vehicle but we were prepared.

Since I sold the taco I haven't been camping and I am looking for a replacement vehicle.

I am kind of in a bind right now. Since I have an M3 which I love as well I cannot afford another new car. M3 has to go if I get a 4runner TE. I love both kind of sports, having a amazing handling quick car and having a 4x4 rig that I can go camping in with the family. My son is only 4 months old so I haven't been driving the M3 much with the family. Wish he was older so I can enjoy the car with him more. Mostly drive it solo so I can drive it more spiritedly as its intended to do so. Although I think I will have more family fun in the 4Runner than the M3.

On with the TE.

I really like the look of TE version of the 4runner. The limited and SR5 have too much chrome for me and they both seem very bulky squarish looking as the TE flows much better. Hard to describe it since they are so similar as well. Maybe its just me?

Driving the TE was smooth and I liked most things about it. But power was lacking. I'm a bit worried since I want to install a shrockworks front bumper and possibly a winch. Do you guys noticed a huge drop in power when adding these two things?? Adding more and more weight concerns me as weight is everything on vehicles. Adding about 250lbs slightly bigger tires (no 285's for me) worries me.

Sorry for blabbing and blabbing!

 

[1engineer]

Did you not just go through this about a Honda and a BMW or something a little while ago? You have been here awhile and you know those questions have been asked and answered countless times. You are right: Weight is a major factor on vehicles. You will take longer to accelerate and you will lose efficiency. Depends on driving style as to how much on both counts. If you are the kind of person that is a smooth and steady driver you should see very little change in both cases. If you routinely try to best your 0-60 times from stoplight to stoplight then yes, you will notice a difference.

Re-test drive the TE and just floor it from a stoplight. Most baby it and complain about power until they mash the pedal.

 

[characterzero]

budget

Test drove a new 2012 4runner TE with KDSS that had 4 miles on it.

Since I sold my Tacoma 4x4 about 8 months ago I am in need of an expedition vehicle to go camping in, adventures, exploring, etc. When I had my taco I did a lot of things with it, I went on the Mojave Road, its a 3 day trek through the Mojave dessert about 200 miles from Barstow to Laughlin all dirt road. It was a fun adventure. Risky with one vehicle but we were prepared.

Since I sold the taco I haven't been camping and I am looking for a replacement vehicle.

I am kind of in a bind right now. Since I have an M3 which I love as well I cannot afford another new car. M3 has to go if I get a 4runner TE. I love both kind of sports, having a amazing handling quick car and having a 4x4 rig that I can go camping in with the family. My son is only 4 months old so I haven't been driving the M3 much with the family. Wish he was older so I can enough the car with him more. Mostly drive it solo so I can drive it more spiritedly as its intended to do so. Although I think I will have more family fun in the 4Runner than the M3.

On with the TE.

I really like the look of TE version of the 4runner. The limited and SR5 have too much chrome for me and they both seem very bulky squarish looking as the TE flows much better. Hard to describe it since they are so similar as well. Maybe its just me?

Driving the TE was smooth and I liked most things about it. But power was lacking. I'm a bit worried since I want to install a shrockworks front bumper and possibly a winch. Do you guys noticed a huge drop in power when adding these two things?? Adding more and more weight concerns me as weight is everything on vehicles. Adding about 250lbs slightly bigger tires (no 285's for me) worries me.

Sorry for blabbing and blabbing!

Weight is everything, especially in the wheels.

Start your mods with some 21lb Koenigs and don't get 285 tires (get 265 C or P), you'll save rotating mass and you'll feel that.

Otherwise, buy now and wait for the supercharger.

 

[rbrownlie]

I just bought new TE and own an E90 M3. Since buying my TE, my M3 has been sitting unused. While the M3 provides an unbelievable combination of performance and practicality, the TE is even more practical, slightly more comfortable and fun enough to drive. Indeed, I am thinking about selling my M3 to pay off my TE and to pay for an Icon stage 5 system, tires, front bumper and roof rack. If I sell my M3, I will be BMW-less for the first time in 15 years, having owned a 535i, MRoadster and E46 M3 convertible in addition to my current E90 M3. That is how satisfied I am with my TE.

 

[Socalrugger]

As someone who has 3 kids and had a heavily modded new S4, my vote would be to get rid of the M3......you'll always have time in life to go back to sports coupes/sedans (which I definitely will) after the bacteria breeders grow up and move out of the house......my kiddies couldnt fit in my S4, so it went bye bye....enjoying my 12' LE everyday

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Unless you have a very good job it sounds like you better start saving your money. Kids are not cheap. Do not get in the habit of living pay check to pay check.

 

[chmura]

Did you not just go through this about a Honda and a BMW or something a little while ago? You have been here awhile and you know those questions have been asked and answered countless times. You are right: Weight is a major factor on vehicles. You will take longer to accelerate and you will lose efficiency. Depends on driving style as to how much on both counts. If you are the kind of person that is a smooth and steady driver you should see very little change in both cases. If you routinely try to best your 0-60 times from stoplight to stoplight then yes, you will notice a difference.

Re-test drive the TE and just floor it from a stoplight. Most baby it and complain about power until they mash the pedal.

Yes that is me. I sold my Tacoma to get my wife a vehicle she wanted. I wanted her to get a TE so I can shoot two birds with one stone. But she really wanted to pick her own car so she choose the CRV. I'm happy I let her pick her own as this was her first new car ever.

You are correct I need to test drive another TE and smash the throttle and see how it accelerated on WOT. I felt bad doing that yesterday since the car had only 4 miles on it.

Weight is everything, especially in the wheels.

Start your mods with some 21lb Koenigs and don't get 285 tires (get 265 C or P), you'll save rotating mass and you'll feel that.

Otherwise, buy now and wait for the supercharger.

Yes I will not get 285's for sure since I had no problem at all with stock tire sizes. I got through all the stuff that people who had 285's on.

I just bought new TE and own an E90 M3. Since buying my TE, my M3 has been sitting unused. While the M3 provides an unbelievable combination of performance and practicality, the TE is even more practical, slightly more comfortable and fun enough to drive. Indeed, I am thinking about selling my M3 to pay off my TE and to pay for an Icon stage 5 system, tires, front bumper and roof rack. If I sell my M3, I will be BMW-less for the first time in 15 years, having owned a 535i, MRoadster and E46 M3 convertible in addition to my current E90 M3. That is how satisfied I am with my TE.

Thank you for the post. The M3 is an amazing car and something about the V8 I love. Especially since this is the last NA M3 that will be ever built.

I know I will end up with the 4runner as well. The question is when.

 

[KCcarguy]

Just sold my e46 M3. They are great cars, but the fact is they're way too fast for the street and you'll never really experience all of its capabilities. The 4runner on the other hand can be taken off road and enjoyed much more easily and safely.