Thinking About Getting a Trail Edition

[MikeinCincy]

Well fellas, I haven't been around much because I have been so busy with work and school. The time has come for me to think about getting a new 4Runner. I have found a local dealer that is asking $27,000 for a brand new 2009 Trail Edition. Here is the link:

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detai...onal&paId=300974046&recnum=14&leadExists=true

My questions are:

- Do you guys think that I could get maybe 1 or 2 thousand dollars off of their asking price of $27,000?

- Say I do purchase it. I would want to put a quality lift on it and get some meaty tires. What would you guys recommend for the lift and tires? I am not talking about some 10 inch lift, but, something large enough to let me upsize my tires a bit. I could spend probably $3,000 for "mods".

What would you guys do?

Mike

 

[Vanuatoo]

Strange entry

Does not list mileage.
Looks suspiciously cheap.

I would check carfax report and request all the service records for it.

If everything is OK, really good deal.

Brand new Trail Edition costs about 34k.

 

[MikeinCincy]

Strange entry

Does not list mileage.
Looks suspiciously cheap.

I would check carfax report and request all the service records for it.

If everything is OK, really good deal.

Brand new Trail Edition costs about 34k.

Yea, it is very cheap. Here is the link to the dealer's site:

http://www.josephtoyota.com/GetAuto-Searchlink.aspx

It says that it only has 7 miles on it. I am assuming there's nothing wrong with it. I will pull a car fax on it here in a bit.

 

[Thai]

That is a great price!! That is easily $5-6k off MSRP. Nice.

IMHO, with the TE, you have a monster of an off-roader already! You don't really need much else. I would recommend:

1. Rock sliders
2. 1" spacer life or FJ spring up front
3. Tires...i would stick with 32" (265/75/16)

That's it. Trust me, with these minor mods, your '09 TE will be one of the most capable rig you can buy.

Good luck...and yes, i am living vicariously through you.

 

[MikeinCincy]

That is a great price!! That is easily $5-6k off MSRP. Nice.

IMHO, with the TE, you have a monster of an off-roader already! You don't really need much else. I would recommend:

1. Rock sliders
2. 1" spacer life or FJ spring up front
3. Tires...i would stick with 32" (265/75/16)

That's it. Trust me, with these minor mods, your '09 TE will be one of the most capable rig you can buy.

Good luck...and yes, i am living vicariously through you.

Thanks Thai. It's good to talk to you again. It does seem like a heck of a price, even if I can't talk them down much.

1. Any particular brand?
2. Any particular spacer lift? Would it just be 1" of front only? Or, would a 2.5"/1" be better or a 3"/2" than the 1" only?
3. There are so many to choose from in that size! I would have o do some serious due dilligence.

Basically, if this was your 4Runner, what would you do to it?

 

[pickerdd]

Yea, it is very cheap. Here is the link to the dealer's site:

http://www.josephtoyota.com/GetAuto-Searchlink.aspx

It says that it only has 7 miles on it. I am assuming there's nothing wrong with it. I will pull a car fax on it here in a bit.

Nice truck and it's a good price too! Congrats!

 

[MikeinCincy]

Nice truck and it's a good price too! Congrats!

:awais:

What kind of lift kit would you put on it if you bought it?

 

[Thai]

Thanks Thai. It's good to talk to you again. It does seem like a heck of a price, even if I can't talk them down much.

1. Any particular brand?
2. Any particular spacer lift? Would it just be 1" of front only? Or, would a 2.5"/1" be better or a 3"/2" than the 1" only?
3. There are so many to choose from in that size! I would have o do some serious due dilligence.

Basically, if this was your 4Runner, what would you do to it?

1. Shrockworks...but there are many brands out there with equal effectiveness...i don't know the little differences b/w the different brands.
2. I would just get a 1" spacer lift up front OR put on FJ front springs...i am not a big fan of big lifts due to stress on suspension components, but that is just me.
3.. I would get BFG AT KO or Goodyear Wrangler SA. If i did not off-road as much, then i would consider Michelin LTX A/T-2, Nittos TG, Bridgestone REVOs, or Goodyear Dura Trac.

 

[MikeinCincy]

1. Shrockworks...but there are many brands out there with equal effectiveness...i don't know the little differences b/w the different brands.
2. I would just get a 1" spacer lift up front OR put on FJ front springs...i am not a big fan of big lifts due to stress on suspension components, but that is just me.
3.. I would get BFG AT KO or Goodyear Wrangler SA. If i did not off-road as much, then i would consider Michelin LTX A/T-2, Nittos TG, Bridgestone REVOs, or Goodyear Dura Trac.

Yea, I like the idea of the 1" spacer lift up front. I just don't know what brand is "best". I read a lot about Cornfed and Burtman here.

I would love to get some meaty tires. I was looking on Tire Rack in the 265/75/16 size and there are plenty of options. I am interested in the BFG Mud Terrain T/A KM2 or the Goodyear Wrangler MTR with Kevlar. Any opinions on these two choices?

Would the 1" spacer lift in the front be enough to allow me to upsize to meaty tires in the 265/75/16 size?

Thanks a lot, as always.

 

[Thai]

I would love to get some meaty tires. I was looking on Tire Rack in the 265/75/16 size and there are plenty of options. I am interested in the BFG Mud Terrain T/A KM2 or the Goodyear Wrangler MTR with Kevlar. Any opinions on these two choices?

Would the 1" spacer lift in the front be enough to allow me to upsize to meaty tires in the 265/75/16 size?

Thanks a lot, as always.

The 1" spacer lift (or the use of FJ springs) is to balance out the look of the 4runner...less nosedive look. In addition, you improve ground clearance under the front suspension (lowest point of 4runner). However, this is NOT done to help with bigger tires.

With either stock 4runner or with 1" spacer lift, you should be able to fit 265/75/16 tires. The only one that i know that will rub a tiny bit is BFG AT KO due to the square shoulders of the tire. I assume that you may have a similar problem with the Mud Terrains. From what i have read, this rubbing is minimal and not harmful...and can easily be fixed by minor trimming.

Remember, you need to testfit your tire into the spare compartment too when you buy the tires.

IMHO, between BFG MT and Goodyear MT/R with Kevlar, i would pick MT/R with Kevlar. The old MT/R kinda suck, but i hear the Kevlar version is much better. (However, Kevlar version is too new to really know how good it is down the road....)

 

[Thai]

BTW, IMHO, if the rumors are right, then i would take the '09 TE over the 2010 4runner. 4-LO only A-TRAC + rear locker on the TE is a better combo than KDSS + Crawl control that is rumored to be on the 2010 4runner for off-roading.

 

[shad0w]

That's an AWESOME price!
I just picked up a TE last month. :rocker:

 

[MikeinCincy]

The dealer informed me today that the price was incorrect on Cars.com. Go figure.

The actual price is like $31,000.

I am torn. I have found a four door 2009 Jeep Rubicon with the hardtop for about the same price.

What to do what to do?

 

[EH007]

The dealer informed me today that the price was incorrect on Cars.com. Go figure.

The actual price is like $31,000.

I am torn. I have found a four door 2009 Jeep Rubicon with the hardtop for about the same price.

What to do what to do?

Tell him to honor the incorrect price and you'll buy it. It's worth a shot. Even at that price, there's probably a little profit in it for him.

BTW, don't bother getting a Carfax for a new vehicle. That's a waste of money.

 

[Thai]

The dealer informed me today that the price was incorrect on Cars.com. Go figure.

The actual price is like $31,000.

I am torn. I have found a four door 2009 Jeep Rubicon with the hardtop for about the same price.

What to do what to do?

Can you come down on the Rubicon price?? $31k for the Rubicon is probably a bit high?? Is this for 4-door or 2-door??

Tough decision. If you have a family and you plan on long distance trips, then 4runner is much better. 4runner has great crash testing scores and proven reliability. It can carry 4 people and gear in comfort. It will be a good vehicle after you have a family. It is a good all-purpose vehicle.

I would get the Rubicon if you plan on off-roading a lot and off-roading over tough terrain (e.g. rock crawling). The aftermarket support for the Wrangler is unrivaled. Its off-road ability is also unrivaled. BTW, the 4-door version has shitty breakover angle...a major negative off-road. My favorite is the 2-door version.

But, i am sure that the Wrangler is not comfortable on long trips, esp. for your rear bench passengers that have to sit 90 degree! Crash test scores are average at best. Reliability is supposedly average or above average...the best among Chrysler vehicles, which is saying much though. My problem is about warranty repair now that Fiat has taken over. Future of Jeep brand may be in trouble, but at least, you still have plenty of aftermarket support.

Tough decision...look at your priorities and decide from there.

 

[Yogi4]

The dealer informed me today that the price was incorrect on Cars.com. Go figure.

The actual price is like $31,000.

I am torn. I have found a four door 2009 Jeep Rubicon with the hardtop for about the same price.

What to do what to do?

As was said, I would hold the dealer to price advertised, and try to get it. $27,000 is a great price, as new SR5's start at 28-29K without much equipment.
What extras does it have? My 09 TE was stickered at $34,800 with both the TE package and the TE extra value package (sun/moon roof, principally). I got it for less through my Credit Union buyers program. I have had Yogi4 now for 3 months, with almost 5,000 miles on the clock. (two 1,000 mile fast trips from Sac to LA area, and three 250 mile trips to the Northern Sierra above Chico, CA.)
So far almost completely stock, does well in dirt and snow. Don't like the grandtreks, am considering changing to Michelins.
Best vehicle (of the 20 some) that I have ever owned.
Interesting, my VIN is ...R59K... to that ones ...R49K... and is only about 200 numbers above yours (nondisclosure pact).
Bill W

 

[Hayn4R]

Since you asked??

I actually toiled that same dilemma: 4R vs Rubicon. I ended up going with my 4R because it gave me more for my buck. If I was single, I would have got the Rubicon just because the Dana axles and the MT tires that come stock. But overall, to me, 4R offered more....great offroad, interior security, more room, better sound, bigger cargo).

Hopefully the stealer honors his misprice =)

Not too sure about the lift....maybe the Toytec ultimate lift ($1200) will give you a nice 3" lift. Then get some nice mud terrain tires ($1000+) and you will be trippin out that is your 4R. I installed the Daystar 2.5" front spacer lift only and my 4R looks a little nose high. I think a 1" back spacer might do the trick. I have the sport edition so I upsized to 265/70/17 = 31.8" mickey thompson MTZ tire. These tires are sweet! Keep us updated on your decision.

http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu268/haweaa/DSC01162.jpg

http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu268/haweaa/DSC01167.jpg

 

[Summit]

For 27K I woulda bought that 09 TE over my used 07 SE. SE for 31K, I'm glad I got what I go.