Trade in the '12 SR5 already?

[SgnDen]

One more thing - the other 'secret' of Colorado is that it doesn't snow down on the front range as much as people think. We have our fair share of snowstorms but with all of the sunshine that we get the roads clear quickly. Growing up in Denver we never had anything other than regular 2wd family cars and managed just fine (without snowtires too).

We used to joke that it only snowed during the Monday Night Bronco games - good publicity for the ski resorts.

Yep...

I am shocked that there is actually another person left in CO that actually grew up here and not from CA or TX!

Anyway, he speaks the truth all-around.

With the right tires (not necessarily just big meaty things, BTW), reasonable skills (parking lot time playing with the limits), and common sense, you really will be fine with 2WD. Traffic has really gone to s**t in the metro area over the past 10 years...especially nuts the past 5 or so. When the weather hits, it's a real disaster out there on the roads...people just lose it.

That said, IF you think you might want to get off road, do your deal down there...a 2WD 4Runner will be MUCH harder to sell up here and the hit you are going to take will be magnified.

NOT saying it will be as comfortable as full time 4WD but if you can handle a little slip once in a while, no biggie. As the cliche goes, "4WD does not mean 4 Wheel Stop!"

However, if you are going to live up hill to any degree, you will appreciate the 4WD...just not an absolute requirement.

Good luck.

 

[RubiconSS]

Honestly it sounded like Buyers Remorse from jump street, You wanted a Limited but got an SR5 and now you have a reason to do what you wanted to do from the get go and the Wife said "Hell Yeah"
Nothin' wrong with that....

I have a Limited now but have been driving part-time systems since the early 80's in the Pocono Mountains of N/E Pa in a town called "White Haven" name says it all.
Been in 4WD 20 times and Locked maybe 4-5 times.

Bottom line, Be Happy/Be Safe it's only $$. The LE's are nice.

Advice. Get it the way you Want It this time.

 

[bofa]

Honestly it sounded like Buyers Remorse from jump street, You wanted a Limited but got an SR5 and now you have a reason to do what you wanted to do from the get go and the Wife said "Hell Yeah"
Nothin' wrong with that....

I have a Limited now but have been driving part-time systems since the early 80's in the Pocono Mountains of N/E Pa in a town called "White Haven" name says it all.
Been in 4WD 20 times and Locked maybe 4-5 times.

Bottom line, Be Happy/Be Safe it's only $$. The LE's are nice.

Advice. Get it the way you Want It this time.

I actually preferred the SR5 and wish it had the center diff as an option. We really thought we were looking at 2017 before we moved so I got the one I wanted without much consideration for off-roading or winter weather, and just had leather added to it. No remorse whatsoever if we were staying in FL but I can't wait to get back to CO!

 

[RubiconSS]

I actually preferred the SR5 and wish it had the center diff as an option. We really thought we were looking at 2017 before we moved so I got the one I wanted without much consideration for off-roading or winter weather, and just had leather added to it. No remorse whatsoever if we were staying in FL but I can't wait to get back to CO!

No Doubt, CO is Beautiful. Well, based on that (even as a current LE owner) I just dont see it - I believe the SR5 is more than enough vehicle for the task. With the right tires.... No worries. Great Rig. I have had several FjCruisers, Rubicons, T4R's (part-time and Full-time) Jeep Grand Cherokees etc.
Get the LE if that is your decision (it's your $$) like I said, Have Fun and Be Safe.

 

[stdjones]

If it helps, I just traded in my 2012 FJ Cruiser for a 2012 4Runner SR5.

I paid $31k for it originally and shopped it around to a number of dealers. Offers were between $24k and $27k. I jumped on the $27k trade-in and got a the 2012 T4r for $31k.

I took about a $4k loss, but got a great deal on the T4r and got the car I really wanted.

The biggest problem is that the 2013 are on the lot and a 2012 is last years model.

Good luck!

 

[philsey]

OK, here's what I take away from this:

.... I knew I should have just gotten the Limited...

.....but the reality is my wife will be new to snow and driving on her own at times.

Discussed with the wife this weekend.... she prefers we get the Ltd....

1. Sounds as if you can afford the LE.
2. Sounds as if Honey-Baby has some trepidation about driving in snow.
3. Sounds as if budget-wise, H-B is on board with the change. (biggie)
4. 1-3 = win-win.

So, do it. Her peace of mind is priceless. Regardless of what all the snow-experienced, PT 4WD owners say, always revert to happy wife/happy life when in doubt. If YOU decide to keep the SR5 and SHE has problems out there, it's YOUR FAULT - guaranteed.

From what I read, 4Rs are popular in CO, so trading out there should be easy peasy lemon squeezy. It's a good plan IMO.

My wife wouldn't know PT 4WD from a brick, and I'm not going there - that's why she has a new CRV (with Blizzaks). "It's 4WD honey, you don't have to do a thing in that nasty snow, just be careful".

 

[bofa]

Agree Philsey... so very true.

 

[thejuice]

I grew up in the midwest most of my life. My general advice:

-The most important rule is to not go out in the snow, unless you really need to.
-The first snow fall of the season is the most dangerous because everyone is getting used to the snow again, they're still braking hard and taking corners fast. It's not the snow you need to worry about, it's the other drivers you need to watch out for.
-When stopping at a stop light or anywhere for that matter, allow enough space (like 1 car length) in front of you and behind you in case of someone sliding towards your from the rear or front.
-Take it slow so you don't cause an accident (from sliding and braking hard into an intersection) and also take it slow to look ahead and avoid those who are driving recklessly. Snow is even doable with a camry (I used to drive one) if you take it slow and if it's not real deep snow lol.
-If you want to give your wife a little more control with the snow, especially being her first snow winter, definitely get a designated set of snow tires, it'll give her better handling when she needs it, or at the very least a good AT tire. It does cost more, but hey, my philosophy is it's your wife, or her life. But still have her drive slow and cautiously, cocky/confident drivers usually end up in the ditch. I had been driving with the stock tires and have been fine, but then again, I have been driving in the snow every since I got my license, so it's no problem for me. I have some AT tires now, and can't wait to see the difference in the snow.

So my opinion is at the least, try some AT tires, or even better, snow tires, sit next to her during the first snow and see how "bad" she drives and give her pointers like above, and you should be golden.

I'll add more when I think of it.

good points. I'm adding these from my experience:

- Momentum is crucial in the hills. Maintaining momentum into an uphill section is what keeps you from getting squirrely, stuck, or, God forbid, sliding back down the hill sideways into a big a-- tree. Big a-- trees are magnetic somehow.

also

I found that on my old e30 bmw, rear wheel drive + snow tires could get me through 99% of snow driving. new front wheel drive cars + snow tires with or without studs or chains + idiotic traction control that can't be turned off are just a recipe for disaster. As are non locking diffs. A bag of sand in the back and a collapsible snow shovel are always a good bet.

 

[veloindy]

First of all, Colorado is full, so find another place to live!

Just kidding of course. You and your wife will be just fine with your SR5, don't trade it. If it snows, throw it in 4hi, and call it day. Heck, I can count 4, 5th gen, SR5's on my street right now.

 

[bofa]

Well... the good news is I'll be an east coast transplant instead of west coast. :hatsoff:

 

[veloindy]

Well... the good news is I'll be an east coast transplant instead of west coast. :hatsoff:

Ha, true! You do know Tebow was traded to the Jets, right? :hiding:

 

[bofa]

Ha, true! You do know Tebow was traded to the Jets, right? :hiding:

I swear if I end up anywhere near NJ... :ak472:

 

[RubiconSS]

NJ is a GREAT State !! (To go, walk around, scream and Jump OFF a Bridge)

 

[phillyd2]

I swear if I end up anywhere near NJ... :ak472:

Not allowed in the People's Republic of NJ. :violin:

 

[bofa]

Not allowed in the People's Republic of NJ. :violin:

See and that's another problem... and another reason to love CO. They are almost as firearm friendly as FL is.

 

[phillyd2]

I meant the swearing :zoom:

 

[bofa]

I meant the swearing :zoom:

:lmao: They really won't like me then.

 

[Lolrax]

You gotta have more faith in your wife, all she has to do is turn on 4WD as opposed to buy a whole new car. Do get winter tires though, growing up in a snow climate I don't understand how people justify winter without good winter tires, its practically a life or death issue in my opinion.

 

[namiam]

A thing to add too, if you're living in a place that has a lot of snow, I'm pretty sure they have a snow removal system that is set up to plow the streets pretty efficiently, mostly for in the town, main streets, and probably highway/interstate. I'm sure the other guys in CO will chime in, if not already, while I'm typing this. So you just have to worry about getting out of your driveway

When I was in Fort Worth TX, they had a snow/ice storm about 2 years ago, and nothing was really done for the whole day, they recommended people to stay home. I still went to work with the stock tires, driving 10mph though lol Versus in Iowa, the first sign of snow you have snow plows on the street plowing and salting the roads.

11" of snow in February? That was a blast driving in my 2WD Highlander

 

[Fishwerks]

SR5 and duratracs....no problemo.