Pre-purchase Advice

[Patrick A]

Hey T4R team,

Just hoping to solicit any advice anyone may have in particular before I pull the trigger on the purchase of my 3rd 4runner. Looking at a ‘15 TRD Pro model. I originally loved the TRD Pro release since they came out, but was recently disappointed by the revelation of a lack of sunroof or any additional features over the trail/off road models besides the exterior aesthetic. But I think I’ve found the overall best deal in my market right now. So I appreciate any last words of affirmation or vice versa about going for this package or building it out the way I want with an off road, etc. Coming from an 03 Sport V8 (which I will miss.)

 

[Bayou_Pro]

If it fits your needs and budget then go for it. I Love my 16 Pro. Now that I intend to replace the suspension with Kings I could have just went with a regular off road. Either way I'm very happy with it.


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[silverslug]

Sticker is for suckers. Get the invoice price for the exact options you want. Then subtract at least $1,400. That's where your price should be ... or even less. I got a TRD ORP with no sunroof even though 2 dealers told me you can't get it that way ;-) Best of luck getting the best price you can on your new T4R!!!

 

[gakattack]

Sticker is for suckers. Get the invoice price for the exact options you want. Then subtract at least $1,400. That's where your price should be ... or even less. I got a TRD ORP with no sunroof even though 2 dealers told me you can't get it that way ;-) Best of luck getting the best price you can on your new T4R!!!

Handy if OP was buying new, but it looks like they're getting it pre-owned..

 

[MAST4R]

Hey T4R team,

Just hoping to solicit any advice anyone may have in particular before I pull the trigger on the purchase of my 3rd 4runner. Looking at a ‘15 TRD Pro model. I originally loved the TRD Pro release since they came out, but was recently disappointed by the revelation of a lack of sunroof or any additional features over the trail/off road models besides the exterior aesthetic. But I think I’ve found the overall best deal in my market right now. So I appreciate any last words of affirmation or vice versa about going for this package or building it out the way I want with an off road, etc. Coming from an 03 Sport V8 (which I will miss.)

EDIT: The point of the Pro is the color + the suspension and is great if you don't want to modify. The new Pro is supposed to have a far better suspension though I have seen no analysis of its internals, just marketing materials. Since you would be getting one that is a few years old, there may be little left in that suspension. In addition, its aftermarket sibling is only like 1000 (and adjustable to boot). And there are better options.

So, unless you must have an inferno, get an Offroad Premium and build it out.

You will want to choose carefully if you want KDSS or not.

Handling/crawling: KDSS. Lots of dirt above 12mph: no KDSS.
--If you have KDSS, focus maybe on a suspension that delivers comfort above all. Avoid digressive setups like the old Pro or the ICONs.
--If you don't have KDSS, you really have a blank sheet to write your own story, lol.

I wonder how KDSS combines with a softly tuned quality suspension. Maybe that's the best of all worlds?

I chose against KDSS because that was 1,700-1,800 plus whatever suspension I choose plus some other things I don't like about KDSS models (future maintenance, front skid plate). But if you are willing to spend more, maybe you can get the best of all worlds starting with a KDSS model. You cannot do that with a Pro.

Also, white is great for the desert. I cannot imagine the pinstripping effects on those nice special colors. I had twilight blue before. Never again on an offroaded vehicle.

 

[Patrick A]

EDIT: The point of the Pro is the color + the suspension and is great if you don't want to modify. The new Pro is supposed to have a far better suspension though I have seen no analysis of its internals, just marketing materials. Since you would be getting one that is a few years old, there may be little left in that suspension. In addition, its aftermarket sibling is only like 1000 (and adjustable to boot). And there are better options.

So, unless you must have an inferno, get an Offroad Premium and build it out.

You will want to choose carefully if you want KDSS or not.

Handling/crawling: KDSS. Lots of dirt above 12mph: no KDSS.
--If you have KDSS, focus maybe on a suspension that delivers comfort above all. Avoid digressive setups like the old Pro or the ICONs.
--If you don't have KDSS, you really have a blank sheet to write your own story, lol.

I wonder how KDSS combines with a softly tuned quality suspension. Maybe that's the best of all worlds?

I chose against KDSS because that was 1,700-1,800 plus whatever suspension I choose plus some other things I don't like about KDSS models (future maintenance, front skid plate). But if you are willing to spend more, maybe you can get the best of all worlds starting with a KDSS model. You cannot do that with a Pro.

Also, white is great for the desert. I cannot imagine the pinstripping effects on those nice special colors. I had twilight blue before. Never again on an offroaded vehicle.

I hear this. At this point I don’t know what I’m missing out on with KDSS and I’ve justified that a roof racking system would likely disable the functionality of the sun roof anyway, and since I’d want to do the upgrades anyway to get that pro aesthetic it’s an easier starting point if I’m willing to make those sacrifices. If I was happy with the XREAS will I be OK with the Pro suspension configuration would you think?

Also wondering if anyone has any owner insight to offer in terms of the audio system included with the Pro. I had previously upgraded small aspects of the previous 4th gen jbl synthesis package and I was happy with that.

And yes, to clarify I am trying to buy resale this time around. It will still be the newest car I’ve ever bought. And I am already sold on white this time around, so the color is not a justification for me to go through with the Pro

 

[mteolus]

Pro is good but the price will usually be much higher than an Off-Road Premium (ORP). If you upgrade the suspension on an ORP then there really is very little difference. A 2015 ORP will probably not have the JBL sound system and the ORP will have different wheels. The front and rear valance will be silver on an ORP and black on a pro along with a grill that has a Toyota symbol on an ORP whereas on a Pro TOYOTA will be spelled out in letters. Also the Pro wheels have a little wider stance than an ORP because of the different offset. Also the TRD Pro wheels are 7" whilst the ORP will have 7.5".

I personally got an ORP for the sunroof and the KDSS which you could not get on a Pro in 2017. 2019 Pro's you can now get a sunroof but not KDSS.

You might also try looking for a used Lexus GS460. Not sure if they all have sunroofs but probably and they all have KDSS.

 

[Bayou_Pro]

Also wondering if anyone has any owner insight to offer in terms of the audio system included with the Pro. I had previously upgraded small aspects of the previous 4th gen jbl synthesis package and I was happy with that.

No jbl on the Pros and the sound is subpar and the entune sucks. I'm about to upgrade my head unit with an aftermarket one.



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[nb rob]

those 4-year-old bilsteins may be ready for replacement.

that is the only feature in the pro that is not on an offroad/trail. And the auto headlights, strange enough.


I'd buy a used trail/ORP of the same vintage, and put the leftover cash in to a sweeeeet suspension. But I'm biased

 

[Patrick A]

Thanks for all the advice. It's just hard. The Pro I have on the line already looks the way I want it to, and until recently I thought and assumed that it had all the features and beyond of the ORP or Trail versions. And, it is a really good price comparatively. Really feel that if I change my mind I could make money on the deal, so in some ways it seems stupid not to.

I have until tomorrow to decide whether to pull on this one or stay looking. I've found a couple of ORP's with KDSS that I'm really thinking about switching gears to, but they actually aren't any cheaper so it'd be paying the difference for the cosmetics I want basically to keep the moonroof and win the KDSS.

 

[4runnin4mylife]

Handling/crawling: KDSS. Lots of dirt above 12mph: no KDSS.
--If you have KDSS, focus maybe on a suspension that delivers comfort above all. Avoid digressive setups like the old Pro or the ICONs.
--If you don't have KDSS, you really have a blank sheet to write your own story, lol.

I'm curious on why you say avoid digressive setups on T4R with KDSS. I have Icons with KDSS and don't have any issues. Didn't realize the KDSS had anything to do with it. Honestly, I'm just wondering about this statement... curious really!

 

[mteolus]

Perhaps because of the color the TRD Pro is the same price as the ORP? Also too, make sure it is an Off-Road Premium as the Off-Road doesn't have the fake leather (which I like). Because there are some colors that the PRO and ORP have in common I would think that would de-value the PRO some. But some PRO only colors like that sand or granite might go for a higher cost.

 

[Patrick A]

OK, so I just found a comparably priced TRD ORP with slightly better mileage, but its a 2014. (Big whoop?) But has already been lifted, wheels are nice (black) sunroof, KDSS...it also has Amp Research power boards - who has opinions on those? I'm not sure I'm a huge fan but supposedly they're a big deal. So maybe some variables with how all of that's done and I won't know until I see it.

So it's basically now a this or that against the '15 TRD Pro I was supposed to take home tomorrow.

 

[4runnin4mylife]

OK, so I just found a comparably priced TRD ORP with slightly better mileage, but its a 2014. (Big whoop?) But has already been lifted, wheels are nice (black) sunroof, KDSS...it also has Amp Research power boards - who has opinions on those? I'm not sure I'm a huge fan but supposedly they're a big deal. So maybe some variables with how all of that's done and I won't know until I see it.

So it's basically now a this or that against the '15 TRD Pro I was supposed to take home tomorrow.

I'll just throw my two cents out there, but if you are going to do any suspension work then forget about the pro! The only reason I would buy a pro would be the special colors for each year and that doesn't seem to be important to you. I would definitely think about a pro for the color, eat the price, and do suspension work, but that's for another thread somewhere. Go with a TRD OR or the ORP if you have to have the fake leather. Seems like you're limited on time to make this decision so you gotta move quick or just wait a while until you can make a better more informed decision. These are just my opinions and good Luck with your decision.

 

[TrijiCog]

OK, so I just found a comparably priced TRD ORP with slightly better mileage, but its a 2014. (Big whoop?) But has already been lifted, wheels are nice (black) sunroof, KDSS...it also has Amp Research power boards - who has opinions on those? I'm not sure I'm a huge fan but supposedly they're a big deal. So maybe some variables with how all of that's done and I won't know until I see it.

So it's basically now a this or that against the '15 TRD Pro I was supposed to take home tomorrow.

No idea why retractable steps are a big deal..But... if you don't care for them and the dealer says its a big deal then you are obviously wrong and must embrace the technology whether you like it or not.

My GF would probably like them,screams mall crawler bling to me.

What kinda prices are you talking about on the Pro and ORP ?

 

[Patrick A]

No idea why retractable steps are a big deal..But... if you don't care for them and the dealer says its a big deal then you are obviously wrong and must embrace the technology whether you like it or not.

My GF would probably like them,screams mall crawler bling to me.

What kinda prices are you talking about on the Pro and ORP ?

Yeah I feel exactly the same way about em. Both options are $30xxx with close to 70k miles. Both one owner, serviced, great condition. The ORP comes in just a bit higher with a bit less miles, and with the sun roof and KDSS. That's what I'm leaning towards now, but I haven't told the poor people with the Pro yet just in case.

 

[KingTaco]

I'd buy a used trail/ORP of the same vintage, and put the leftover cash in to a sweeeeet suspension. But I'm biased

I agree with this. The best things about the Pro are the color and the grille. If you don't care for the specialty color (I also agree that super white is awesome), I'd say go for the Trail/off road and add the grille. I loved the quicksand Pro color but still went with the Trail. Either way you are getting a good vehicle and either way you'll probably change a bunch of shit anyway. Especially if you're already on this forum

 

[Patrick A]

I'll just throw my two cents out there, but if you are going to do any suspension work then forget about the pro! The only reason I would buy a pro would be the special colors for each year and that doesn't seem to be important to you. I would definitely think about a pro for the color, eat the price, and do suspension work, but that's for another thread somewhere. Go with a TRD OR or the ORP if you have to have the fake leather. Seems like you're limited on time to make this decision so you gotta move quick or just wait a while until you can make a better more informed decision. These are just my opinions and good Luck with your decision.

I'm really not super limited on time...just antsy to have my own (nice) vehicle again. I was so close to getting this TRD pro its like trying to stop peeing in the middle.

 

[Shadytype]

OP - keep looking around, lots or advice here.

usually if you rush a purchase it is generally not a good thing.

 

[Peadog]

I drive a 2017 Pro, my wife drives a 2019 orp with kdss. I prefer my pro. It doesn't sound like there is more cost for the pro, so I'd buy the pro.