So, is a 2009 Trail Edition a wise vehicle to buy right now?

[BamBam]

I have been a member here for a long time. I owned a 2008 Trail Teams FJ... sold it because somebody was willing to buy it for what I paid new. I owned a 2007 4Runner Sport with a V8 that I LOVED. But the dealership didn't tell me they were hiding a smoke odor. It creeped up a month after I bought it and made my kid really sick. I tried having it detailed, ozoned, etc. I ended up selling it after only 400 miles of driving and taking a huge hit on it (I LOVED that truck).

After selling it I needed a vehicle quick. The 2010 4Runners were too pricey so I bought another FJ Trail Teams (2010) and now have 3000 miles on it is all, but I have had 3 back surgeries and as is typical, I hate the rear doors and trying to load my kids in and out since I can't lift them and they are young and I am weak.

So today I found a 2009 Trail Edition. It seems to be equivalent to my Trail Teams FJ in many respects, but it also has the added bonus that it is a 4Runner and has the Torsen Diff and 4 REAL doors, and probably will do better on the freeway mileage wise and such and be a better family hauler. But it also has the same features I love about the FJ for off-roading.

Am I right in this assumption? Is the Trail Edition from 2009 desirable, or am I better off to spend $5,000 extra and get the 2011 Trail Edition? The 09 has 20,000 miles on it, is white (my favorite color) and looks, smells, and drives brand new. If the 11's are that much better or worse than it would be good to know. I haven't followed the 5th generation very closely since I am driving an FJ again, but I've seen a few of the Trail Edition 10 and 11 models and they do look nice and seem to be similar to an FJ with some added features that would benefit me.

Any idea how many Trail Editions were made in 09? Thanks for any tips gang.

BamBam

 

[TRDCal]

JUMP ON IT!! The 09 TE is probably the most desirable 4th gen. 09's are rare in general and Trail Editions are even more rare. I've personally never seen one but I've only heard good things.

 

[034RUNNER]

I agree with TRD. Unless you find a 2011 that is an absolute steal, I would think you'd be overpaying as they are so new.

 

[Ttn333]

For me, I'd spend the extra 5k on a new one with warranty over a 2 yr old with 20k miles (even though 20k miles isn't much). Get what you really want. It's cheaper in the long run.

 

[TRDCal]

For me, I'd spend the extra 5k on a new one with warranty over a 2 yr old with 20k miles

I get where your coming from but the 09 will still have a warranty and you don't get screw with the new car depreciation.

 

[OzarkRunner]

Yeah, I'd be all over that! The rear locker would be great; I think the 4th gen TE is about as close to the FJ as you'll get. I couldn't find any production numbers, and I haven't seen one for sale in a long time. I think I found the one you're looking at online, and it looks awesome.

 

[Thai]

If you're not gonna get it, then i am all over it!!!


Just kidding. It is a great SUV...the '09 Trail!

BUT, if the price difference is only $5k b/w it and a 2011 Trail Ed, then i would get the '11 TE. Yes, i would lose the full-time 4wd system, but i gain KDSS (if avail on the '11 TE), stronger frame, and better options (very good JBL system, NAVI w/ rear camera, etc...if equipped).

Now, i would ONLY jump on an '11 TE if it has KDSS at the very minimum. Preferrably, i also want the NAVI (mainly for the rear view camera) and JBL audio system.

Good luck...you can't lose in this...so, enjoy the hunt!! :trophy:

 

[4RunnERD]

Is the 09 a V8? Not sure of the power train options on an 09 Trail edition, but if it is a V8 and you know how much you loved your 07, then I would go with the 09. The 10 an 11 Trail editions are beautiful trucks and I know the new V6 is very comparable to the V8 on paper, but there is just something about that extra torque and the sound the V8 makes that would make it hard for me to give up.

 

[Thai]

No v8 on 2009 TE.

 

[Dagobah]

Is the 09 a V8? Not sure of the power train options on an 09 Trail edition, but if it is a V8 and you know how much you loved your 07, then I would go with the 09. The 10 an 11 Trail editions are beautiful trucks and I know the new V6 is very comparable to the V8 on paper, but there is just something about that extra torque and the sound the V8 makes that would make it hard for me to give up.

My sentiments exactly.
BUT
If the '09 is NOT a V8, then I would rather spend the extra $ and go for the brand new one. The 4th gen is one of my least favorite of all the 4Runners, whereas the 5th gen is my favorite, and I would take a '10-'11 TE over pretty much any other Runner from any gen with any options. (But again the V8 is nice to have)

 

[TRDCal]

No v8 on 2009 TE.

In that case I retract my above statement, I thought V8 was an option for all 4th gens. If you wanted a V6 anyways then it still applies but for me installing a locking rear diff is easier than a installing v8 so i would just get a regular 4th gen and make it a TE

 

[4RunnERD]

No v8 on 2009 TE.

If no V8, then I would go with the 09 TE now and in a couple of years you can upgrade to an 11 TE without the sticker shock and the immediate depreciation.

 

[Presta24]

wats the TE got over a "normal" 4th gen?

 

[TRDCal]

Most notable difference is the locking rear diff other than that i'm not sure.

 

[Thai]

wats the TE got over a "normal" 4th gen?

Two main differences:

1. Rear locker
2. A-TRAC (or what i call "super A-TRAC"), which is an off-road ONLY mode that will aggressively brake the slipping wheel to a stop and transfer torque to the wheel with traction much quicker than the "normal" 4th gen system.

Other minor differences:
1. 16" FJ rims
2. water resistant seat fabrics (but floor is still rug)
3. black rearview mirror housing
4. Bilstein shocks
5. Portable Tom Tom navigation

I may have miss other minor stuff but these are the major points.

In other words, a worthy trim for the off-road minded person.

 

[BamBam]

And once again I remember why this board kicks so much butt. The knowledge level here is astounding. It is like everybody that posts has a master mechanic level knowledge of the 4R. You don't see that on many enthusiast boards.

I think the thing would be nearly identical in features to my 08 FJ TT I had, which would make the comfort and driveability stuff better. I liked the suspension and I loved the engine. But I loved the V8 on my 07 Sport 4R even more.

If I could just get a 4Runner Sport 2009 with a V8 and the rear locker and A-Trac then I'd have my perfect vehicle. Of course it would have to be in white or gray and I'd need to swap off the factory tires!

I like the look of the sports and the V8 better. But my commute is switching from 1 mile to 30, so maybe the V6 is a better option since I can ride in 2H still. Hard to say. Dealers are offering ok money on my FJ, so this may be my first trade-in ever if I go that route. It would be nice to cut some payment every month since my medical bills are brutal. The 09 would drop my payment slightly (like $75 a month), the 11 new would up my payment by about $75 a month. Hard choices. If the 11 had the Torsen in the Trail Edition then I wouldn't even have to think about it. As it is, it's no better to me than the FJ (since I actually am quite skilled at driving a 4x4 as I've been driving nothing but 4x4's since I turned 16 23 years ago. I just really love that Torsen diff and 4 real doors. V8 is a terrific option. I guess it's just weighing all options together that is causing so much grief.

Maybe I should list most important options to me in order and we can decide which matters most:

1- 4 real doors (all 4R's except G1 fit this criteria)
2- Robust 4 wheel drive system (all work)
3- Solid engine (both are solid)
4- Decent mileage for an SUV (they all work in this dept.)
5- Locking center diff (all have it)
6- Comfortable seats (the Trail seems to have the bigger FJ seats, but the 11 has wider seats I believe)
7- Can take it on vacation (all work)
8- Lots of upgrades I can do (any will work)
9- Looks cool (Sport looks the coolest to me)
10- Rear Locker (Only on trail)
11- V8 (getting harder to find)
12- Lower mileage (hard to find on 4th gen, easy on 5th gen)

So did I boil it down any, or just say I'll make the best of any? I guess I like the Trail because it is essentially an FJ squeezed under a 4th gen. I like the new ones because they have KDSS and lots of nifty doohickies, but I am bummed the Torsen is gone, it comes in handy here in Utah where I live in the mountains.

The Sport Edition is one I like because I feel like I'm driving a Lexus for half the price with the V8 and the nice X-REAS Suspension, which many don't like, but I absolutely LOVED it. And I knew how to replace it with an FJ suspension after it kicked the bucket.

So maybe the V8 Sport should be choice 1. If I don't find one fast go with the 09 trail. If the 09 Trail is gone, then maybe in a couple of weeks they'll really be desperate to get those 11 trails off the lot and I can make it worth my while to take the leap of faith into the 5th generation, which to me is a mesh between the classic FJ60 and FJ80 Landcruisers, and the best parts from the current FJ and Prados. An all around spectacular vehicle. If the current trail had a Torsen and a V8 I'd probably be willing to go 42k on one just because it would be perfect for me. Now that's got me thinking used GX470. NOOOOO!!!! I need to narrow it down here. NARROW!
Oh yeah... A Sunroof would be nice (never seen a sport without one, not sure if this trail has one.)

Update, I just found a 2006 Sport V8 silver with 56k miles on it and every feature I want (that an 06 sport had.... I know there were some upgrades in 06 and again in 07). But they want in the low 20's for it. I could probably talk them down to $19,900 if I waited 3-4 days. I would need to sell my FJ private party first though as they are a Hyundai dealership and don't want to pay full blue book for the FJ like the Yota dealers will just to draw people in to their lot since none of them got Trail Teams in here on the first round of releases and most were special ordered or traded from out of state. Hmmmm.... I'm really debating this to death. I do like that 09 Trail still though even though those FJ wheels look tiny on it.

 

[Presta24]

mmmmm eeeeelooocker....:naughty:

 

[DizzyV6P]

According to Intellichoice, depreciation of a 2011 Trail is about $4500

2011 Toyota 4Runner Trail 4WD 4Dr SUV | New Toyota 4Runner Trail 4WD 4Dr Sport Utility 2011 Research at IntelliChoice.com

If you plan on keeping this until it dies, who cares about depreciation. Used 4Runner's in general aren't cheap either so the argument for a new Trail is even better.