Traded in 2006 SR5 for a 2012 SR5

N

NJ4Runner

New member
Hello All,
Last week I traded in my 2006 4th gen for a new 2012 5th gen.

I have noticed many obvious pros and cons (imho):

Pros:

  • More headroom (#1 for being 6ft 3in)
  • More comfortable seats
  • better body style. Love the chunkier look
  • better Stereo (I got Entune) and I had the 0ld stock Toyota in the 2006
  • Love the built in navi
  • 3rd row easy to use and great for kids
  • Can't wait to use the Party Mode
  • I actually like the curtisy lights on side mirrors
  • More airbags.. Again being tall I love that my knees will be protected

Cons:

  • Noticibly slower pickup, maybe because of the pedal ratio change.
  • A little front dipping when breaking
  • Stupid shark fin antenae placement on roof
  • This is silly but I loved that fold out console flap on the 2006 that gave me a try to eat on. 2012 does have that.
  • Another silly one: No running boards. My little ones are having a hard time getting in and out.
  • Most concerning is the overall quality feel to the truck. Just doesn't seem as solid as my 2006. flimsy plastic, and thin metal on the body the flops in the breeze when you shut the door

Again, what worries me is the overall feel of quality. Everywhere I turn I see very flimsy plastic and metal. My 2006 was a solid beast that took a lot of abuse and when I turned it in it looked like brand new inside and out and I NEVER had any issues w/ it. I suppose time will tell on this 2012 5th gen, but I really hope that I get the same experience or better w/ this one.

All in all, I love this truck so far. So much more confortable for me and a few more toys to play w/ having powere seats this time and the Entune.

Now my next thread will be about what steps I can take now to prolong the longevity of the vehicle, inside and out. more to come.....
 
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NJ4Runner said:
Hello All,

Cons:

[*]This is silly but I loved that fold out console flap on the 2006 that gave me a try to eat on. 2012 does have that.
Click to expand...
:tongue: The burger tray complaint returns! I never had one, I guess I did not know what I was missing, I feel left out.
 
You're right to be somewhat concerned. To me, the overall build quality contrast between a 4th and 5th gen is striking.

Others here have posted that it may likely be due to the obsession on overall weight and gas mileage improvements which could impact the type and weight of sheet metal used. Interior quality has degraded also IMO.

But if I had to buy a new truck, it's still the one I'd choose. I just don't know if they can be counted on to perform and hold up very strong far past 100k miles like they used to. Hopefully we'll find that they do. Like another poster said, most 4th gens with well over 100k still drive like new and they are proven.
 
NJ4- Congrats. Go with the Enjoyment that you are obviously experiencing. Focusing on the positives, the perceived negatives while noted and discussed pale in comparison to the positives.
Sometimes things are just more glaring initially but quickly fade into the past as memory fades.
Enjoy.
 
Dang, "Johnny" is staying off the wrong Forum going Forward and I so enjoyed the diatribes....anyway.
I have had three(3) Gen 4's one with a V8. Recently traded my Wifes Red Sport. All three were great trucks.
After spending 2-3 days driving a Gen5 Limited while the Gen4 was being serviced, getting back into the Gen4 was - difficult.
Yes, it was quicker off the line but I don't race my trucks.
The Gen4 seemed "dated" to me after only a couple days in the Gen5.
So, I submit for anyone pining over lost love, go visit the ol' girl and one might just find she was not quite as remembered.
Enjoy the Gen5!
 
RubiconSS said:
Dang, "Johnny" is staying off the wrong Forum going Forward and I so enjoyed the diatribes....anyway.
I have had three(3) Gen 4's one with a V8. Recently traded my Wifes Red Sport. All three were great trucks.
After spending 2-3 days driving a Gen5 Limited while the Gen4 was being serviced, getting back into the Gen4 was - difficult.
Yes, it was quicker off the line but I don't race my trucks.
The Gen4 seemed "dated" to me after only a couple days in the Gen5.
So, I submit for anyone pining over lost love, go visit the ol' girl and one might just find she was not quite as remembered.
Enjoy the Gen5!
Click to expand...
bravissimo! :bravo:
 
sandcrawler said:
bravissimo! :bravo:
Click to expand...

I agree too...

There were things I liked about the 4th gen over the 5th... but after seeing one in person and driving one, the 4th gen felt very dated. I think the trick is (and I'm hoping to employ this with mine) to not go look at the new bodystyle unless you are ready to buy. Because if you avoid the test drive and stick with yours it will remain the same truck you love. If you test the new one and spend any amount of time around it, yours will suddenly feel a bit older and dated.
 
Jayhawk5G said:
I agree too...

There were things I liked about the 4th gen over the 5th... but after seeing one in person and driving one, the 4th gen felt very dated. I think the trick is (and I'm hoping to employ this with mine) to not go look at the new bodystyle unless you are ready to buy. Because if you avoid the test drive and stick with yours it will remain the same truck you love. If you test the new one and spend any amount of time around it, yours will suddenly feel a bit older and dated.
Click to expand...

That must be why my Wife blindfolds me at the beach... and she said she was protecting me from "eyelid cancer"
 
Thank you all for your comments. Seems as if I'm not alone.

Again, my overall impression of my new 5th gen is that I love the truck. I'm happy when I walk up to it, I'm happy when I get it, and I'm happy when I drive away. I can't say that about most things in my life. I'm going to think positively and expect that it will be that way for a long time.

If I were designing a vehicle w/ durability & longevity in mind as well as gas mileage, I would design the easily replacable, or not SO important stuff w/ lighter weight materials and the MORE important, more expensive to replace, foundational type components much more durable. For example, the fundamentally "important stuff" the frame, axle, skid plates, impact beens, pivital engine & trans components etc...

Just my hopes and my 2 cents. =)

Let hope these babies run for a very long time and we have lots of great times and memories in them.

Thanks again...
 
NJ4Runner said:
Thank you all for your comments. Seems as if I'm not alone.

Again, my overall impression of my new 5th gen is that I love the truck. I'm happy when I walk up to it, I'm happy when I get it, and I'm happy when I drive away. I can't say that about most things in my life. I'm going to think positively and expect that it will be that way for a long time.

If I were designing a vehicle w/ durability & longevity in mind as well as gas mileage, I would design the easily replacable, or not SO important stuff w/ lighter weight materials and the MORE important, more expensive to replace, foundational type components much more durable. For example, the fundamentally "important stuff" the frame, axle, skid plates, impact beens, pivital engine & trans components etc...

Just my hopes and my 2 cents. =)

Let hope these babies run for a very long time and we have lots of great times and memories in them.

Thanks again...
Click to expand...

I hope it turns out to be all you expect it to be and more. Good luck.
 
WELCOME BACK JOHNNY T. I was starting to like my 5th gen again, but I'm glad you're back to tell me how awful it is.
 
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