trail edition
- Thread starter mdade1
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36bound
New member
I can relate, as there was not a single TE available in the States of Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, or Indiana when I placed the order for my 2012 TE.
I purchased a TE because, in my view, it is the most off road capable, right out of the box. It also had the refined/rugged "look" that I desired. The SR5 and LE, with all the chrome, lower rocker panels and bumper treatments just looked to "street" for my taste. But hey, my daily driver is a Jeep Wrangler- so I'm not what you'd consider to be a guy who's much into fancy-shmancy.
Sure, with enough time and money any vehicle can be "modded out" to achieve the performance or look that you desire. I went this route with my Jeep when I bought a Sahara, rather than the Rubicon that had originally caught my eye. The thing about "modding" a vehicle that is rarely (candidly) acknowledged is that when you start diverging from factory specs, the result you get- as often as not- is not necessarily the result that you were hoping for. And then one "mod" has a way of requiring another mod to improve upon the performance of the initial mod...and so on. This of course comes with a price.
Rarely have I read a person to say that they wished they had not bought a TE. Conversely, I have often read people to express that they wished they had listened to their gut and went ahead and bought the TE in the first place rather than the SR5 or LE. The archives of this forum are loaded with such sentiment.
Not to imply that the SR5 and LE are not excellent, very capable trucks, because they certainly are. It's just that seldom will you come across a thread in which someone is attempting to make a TE look more like an SR5 or LE.
If you like the LOOK of the TE, that is reason enough to buy it. Getting what you really want in the first place is rarely a bad decision. And often less costly in the long run.
Good luck.
I purchased a TE because, in my view, it is the most off road capable, right out of the box. It also had the refined/rugged "look" that I desired. The SR5 and LE, with all the chrome, lower rocker panels and bumper treatments just looked to "street" for my taste. But hey, my daily driver is a Jeep Wrangler- so I'm not what you'd consider to be a guy who's much into fancy-shmancy.
Sure, with enough time and money any vehicle can be "modded out" to achieve the performance or look that you desire. I went this route with my Jeep when I bought a Sahara, rather than the Rubicon that had originally caught my eye. The thing about "modding" a vehicle that is rarely (candidly) acknowledged is that when you start diverging from factory specs, the result you get- as often as not- is not necessarily the result that you were hoping for. And then one "mod" has a way of requiring another mod to improve upon the performance of the initial mod...and so on. This of course comes with a price.
Rarely have I read a person to say that they wished they had not bought a TE. Conversely, I have often read people to express that they wished they had listened to their gut and went ahead and bought the TE in the first place rather than the SR5 or LE. The archives of this forum are loaded with such sentiment.
Not to imply that the SR5 and LE are not excellent, very capable trucks, because they certainly are. It's just that seldom will you come across a thread in which someone is attempting to make a TE look more like an SR5 or LE.
If you like the LOOK of the TE, that is reason enough to buy it. Getting what you really want in the first place is rarely a bad decision. And often less costly in the long run.
Good luck.
jangoforhire
New member
I got my 2010 LTD used in January from Jones Junction in bel air. At the time they had a 2012 trail on the lot. I also saw a salsa red trail there just the other day. Might be worth checking out.
mrvandelay
New member
I looked for a TE for 2 months in the color/mileage/price combo I wanted. I ended up driving 8hrs from FL to NC to get mine.
They're quite rare it seems.
They're quite rare it seems.
If you are in MD, one of the Carmax stores sells 4Runners essentially at cost. Call them (ask for new car sales) and if what you want is available in the near future, they will get it for you.
Despite what you might hear, they are very professional and reasonably priced on the new car side.
GrantK
New member
mdade1,To answer you r original question, the TE can be hard to find. Some people here have ordered them and waited several months to get one. There are lots of possible reasons for this but it really doesn't matter, the TE can be hard to find unless you live near Denver (we seem to have more TEs than anywhere).
Is the TE worth the price if you're not going to do much off roading? Only you can answer that. However, if you do end up getting one, get it with KDSS otherwise your paying just for a locking rear diff and the trim. With KDSS it handles better on road than a LTD and better off road than either the SR5 or LTD.
Is the TE worth the price if you're not going to do much off roading? Only you can answer that. However, if you do end up getting one, get it with KDSS otherwise your paying just for a locking rear diff and the trim. With KDSS it handles better on road than a LTD and better off road than either the SR5 or LTD.
vicpick58
New member
The KDSS was the main reason that I bought the TE. If you get a chance to drive one, take a few curves at highway speed and you will see why.
I saw one on ebay a couple days ago, somewhere in Pennsylvania I think.
I searched for one for about a month until I happened upon one at a dealer about 90 miles from my home.
When I was looking I left my number with several sales people around the SF bay area of CA, no one has ever called me to this day. That was back in April.
I ended up buying my TE from Groove Toyota in Denver after realizing that any of the Austin and Gulf States Toyota dealers were not going to budge from the sticker price of what they had. From what I understand after the ordeal, Gulf States didn't even order any TEs. By buying out of state, I saved quite a chunk of change even after air fare gas and hotels. The road trip home was a nice vacation too. I worked with John Reis at Groove and would recommend pinging him. They are a new dealer and willing to move the vehicles.
I would also highly recommend calling Kay Rossi at Autonation, prior to buying from John, she was able to locate a TE for a good price and the whole experience working with them was terrific. Much better than the local dealers (I'm looking at you Champion Toyota).
The USAA buying program is what I used and it worked out in the end.
I would also highly recommend calling Kay Rossi at Autonation, prior to buying from John, she was able to locate a TE for a good price and the whole experience working with them was terrific. Much better than the local dealers (I'm looking at you Champion Toyota).
The USAA buying program is what I used and it worked out in the end.
taylour
New member
I was lucky and had TWO TE's to choose from at Olathe Toyota in Olathe, KS (KC area). I bought the all black one, there is still a silver one up on their rock display. I'm sure they would deal with ya if you wanted it. I was lucky to get their 0% apr deal that expired at the end of July.... Good LUCK!!!
Jesse1983
5th Gen Moderator
the dash is essentially the same across all models.
gamerc
New member
There is one at Carmax now (according to their site).
Also, I think the be all end all that KDSS has been touted as is a bit overrated. I definitely think there is benefit (obviously), but the trail STILL suffers from nose dive and that will need to be addressed. I think the best on road out of the box, off the dealership floor option is XREAS. It addresses nose dive, body roll, and on road handling/response. I think the limited is a bit more refined in the interior as well.
Not trying to take anything away from trail owners, but I think it's important to mention that while cornering and body roll are addressed with KDSS, the nose dive and front to back wobble (stopping at stop lights) is still there and just the same as an SR5 (which I found to be not to my liking).
Also, I think the be all end all that KDSS has been touted as is a bit overrated. I definitely think there is benefit (obviously), but the trail STILL suffers from nose dive and that will need to be addressed. I think the best on road out of the box, off the dealership floor option is XREAS. It addresses nose dive, body roll, and on road handling/response. I think the limited is a bit more refined in the interior as well.
Not trying to take anything away from trail owners, but I think it's important to mention that while cornering and body roll are addressed with KDSS, the nose dive and front to back wobble (stopping at stop lights) is still there and just the same as an SR5 (which I found to be not to my liking).
BigredTEX
New member
I bought mine in Dallas in February. At that time there were three in the 5 state gulf region, but only the one in Texas. When searching dealer inventories on line be aware that all of the dealers in the region will show the same vehicle as available in their inventory, but it may not even be in the same state.
The dealer I bought it from had it for two weeks, but it wasn't on the lot until the morning I showed up. They had installed an OME lift and wheels and tires before they even showed it. I pulled in at 11:00 AM and they had just rolled it out onto the lot. I bought it on the spot. Needless to say there wasn't a lot of negotiation room on the price, but I did get them to come $4k off the mods.
The dealer I bought it from had it for two weeks, but it wasn't on the lot until the morning I showed up. They had installed an OME lift and wheels and tires before they even showed it. I pulled in at 11:00 AM and they had just rolled it out onto the lot. I bought it on the spot. Needless to say there wasn't a lot of negotiation room on the price, but I did get them to come $4k off the mods.
Hardrunner
New member
Trail dash is different. Better aesthetically IMO.
