Trail or Trail PREMIUM – ARRGGHH – I’m ready to order but....?
- Thread starter High_Country
- Start date
i know, but i don't care about the other stuff that Premiums get. So, for me, i'm wondering if Softex is worth $1300.
And, actually...that's why i stated:
you know...kind of implies that the only reason i'm looking at a Premium is because it comes with Softex seats, among other features that I can live without. Guess I should have been more clear.
Last edited:
The fact that we cannot tell you if it's worth the money.
It's your money and your car. You will be the only person who sits in it day after day. You will be the only person who loving or hating the interior will matter to. You are the only person that the pros/cons of either will be directly affecting.
You are the only person who can make that determination.
It's your money and your car. You will be the only person who sits in it day after day. You will be the only person who loving or hating the interior will matter to. You are the only person that the pros/cons of either will be directly affecting.
You are the only person who can make that determination.
right, but you can say "shit no, this stuff sucks. mine is cracking after a year..." or "you know, i came from a Tacoma and I gotta say, i do wish i would've had it in my truck" or "you know, i came from a Tacoma, and I prefer the fabric" or "yeah it's nice, but i wouldn't drop $1300 for it" or "$1300...no brainer, bro"
this is a thread discussing Trail or Trail Premium. seems like a pretty logical place to ask about the Softex.
and if that's literally the stupidest question you've read on here, i'm impressed.
this is a thread discussing Trail or Trail Premium. seems like a pretty logical place to ask about the Softex.
and if that's literally the stupidest question you've read on here, i'm impressed.
Last edited:
The post directly above your first post is this:
from one of the more active members (mod) of the forums. That answers what you want. If you want more reviews like this, use the search function. I'm sure you'll find more.
But, outside of that, the entire list of pros/cons is going to be dependent on personal likes and dislikes. Which again, completely relies on you to decide.
from one of the more active members (mod) of the forums. That answers what you want. If you want more reviews like this, use the search function. I'm sure you'll find more.
But, outside of that, the entire list of pros/cons is going to be dependent on personal likes and dislikes. Which again, completely relies on you to decide.
That reply tells me that someone with a vehicle from current-ish model year likes it. tells me nothing about durability, what he's driven in before, what environmental factors he deals with, etc. All it says is "best seat cover ever." i need/ want more. and again, this is a thread debating Trail vs. Trail Premium, so i figured it's a good place to ask.
this is fun, can we keep going?
this is fun, can we keep going?
Last edited:
Since you're struggling so much, please click this:
https://www.google.com/search?q=softtex+&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=5th+gen+4runner+softex+review
https://www.google.com/search?q=softtex+&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=5th+gen+4runner+softex+review
SirBarton
New member
Nobody can tell you what's right for you, but 2 months ago I drove both a Trail and a Trail Premium and ended up going with the Trail.
I don't like or use a sunroof, I prefer the cloth to the softex sticky seats (living in California) and I got the KDSS, GPS and all the other gizmos I wanted in the Trail.
If I lived in a cold climate I might have gone for the trail premium with the seat heaters for my lady, but otherwise I'm glad I saved the money. At the time I purchased, SoCal dealers were trying to charge a laughable premium for the TEPs.
I don't like or use a sunroof, I prefer the cloth to the softex sticky seats (living in California) and I got the KDSS, GPS and all the other gizmos I wanted in the Trail.
If I lived in a cold climate I might have gone for the trail premium with the seat heaters for my lady, but otherwise I'm glad I saved the money. At the time I purchased, SoCal dealers were trying to charge a laughable premium for the TEPs.
kapp_badbloodz
New member
I have heated outside mirrors? Weird.
RockyMountainT4R
New member
We like moonroofs. We like the light coming in from above. We like the hushed, fresh air flow with the roof and rear window open. Sure works better than the hassle of removing the leaky panels on our JK and the booming that resulted. Being vertically challenged, five nine and five seven, sometimes turns out to be a plus as we have plenty of headroom.
We enjoy the factory softex as we often eat and drink in our vehicle, wear soiled, muddy clothes and our current dependents compete in earthdog. Easy to wipe off, etc.. We had it in a previous vehicle, it wasn't hot in summer(90's) and it held up well under our abuse.
We enjoy the factory softex as we often eat and drink in our vehicle, wear soiled, muddy clothes and our current dependents compete in earthdog. Easy to wipe off, etc.. We had it in a previous vehicle, it wasn't hot in summer(90's) and it held up well under our abuse.
Of course it's all personal preference but , I love my trail premium and all the extras . At this point I don't think I could not have a moon roof in my vehicles. I'm 6 1" and have long legs the roof is plenty far away and never had any issues with wearing a hat or whatever.
DesertCanyons
New member
basic Trail Edition vs TE Premium
The OP is from September 15th so I can't tell if you already ordered your Trail Edition. I ordered my basic TE in June and at that time they only had the Entune Audio with NAV available from the factory. It may be the base option on any 2016 ordered today. If the audio was available without the NAV I'd get it and install an independent Garmin NAV system.
The sunroof was a non-issue for me. I'm fair skinned and wouldn't open it up if I had it. It's a source of potential leakage and mechanical or electrical failure in the future. I plan to cover the roof with a full roof rack anyway.
The rear mechanical, tilting view dimmer works just fine. I drove 350 miles home mostly at night last weekend, including the Grapevine and Tejon Pass in heavy traffic and didn't notice how the mirror was dimmed. I never lacked clear vision of traffic behind me. It works as well or better than electronic diming as far as I can tell.
There's a seat cover company that installs custom leather over stock seats, probably for less cost than $1100. I can't find the link in my list of favorites but if you search for seat covers here you'll probably find it right away.
I haven't seen Paul May's seats or other threads on this but you should check to see if the wiring for heated seats is already in place or difficult to install. Here in So Cal it's not really an issue and light weight fabric seats heat up pretty quickly just from body heat.
I believe in 10 years the resale value will not be affected nearly as much by either option, but more by condition of the vehicle. If any of the Premium features wear out or break down it could reduce the value.
Most of the Premiums offered here in So Cal were also loaded up with a lot of expensive accessories that drove the price up more than $2100 over the TE. Things like cargo trays, cargo covers, all-weather mats and other stuff I didn't want and were over priced compared to better aftermarket parts. I think you said you ordered the Trail Edition, not the Premium, so good for you. That was my choice too. I ordered mine without any accessories except the KDSS and saved a bundle.
The OP is from September 15th so I can't tell if you already ordered your Trail Edition. I ordered my basic TE in June and at that time they only had the Entune Audio with NAV available from the factory. It may be the base option on any 2016 ordered today. If the audio was available without the NAV I'd get it and install an independent Garmin NAV system.
The sunroof was a non-issue for me. I'm fair skinned and wouldn't open it up if I had it. It's a source of potential leakage and mechanical or electrical failure in the future. I plan to cover the roof with a full roof rack anyway.
The rear mechanical, tilting view dimmer works just fine. I drove 350 miles home mostly at night last weekend, including the Grapevine and Tejon Pass in heavy traffic and didn't notice how the mirror was dimmed. I never lacked clear vision of traffic behind me. It works as well or better than electronic diming as far as I can tell.
There's a seat cover company that installs custom leather over stock seats, probably for less cost than $1100. I can't find the link in my list of favorites but if you search for seat covers here you'll probably find it right away.
I haven't seen Paul May's seats or other threads on this but you should check to see if the wiring for heated seats is already in place or difficult to install. Here in So Cal it's not really an issue and light weight fabric seats heat up pretty quickly just from body heat.
I believe in 10 years the resale value will not be affected nearly as much by either option, but more by condition of the vehicle. If any of the Premium features wear out or break down it could reduce the value.
Most of the Premiums offered here in So Cal were also loaded up with a lot of expensive accessories that drove the price up more than $2100 over the TE. Things like cargo trays, cargo covers, all-weather mats and other stuff I didn't want and were over priced compared to better aftermarket parts. I think you said you ordered the Trail Edition, not the Premium, so good for you. That was my choice too. I ordered mine without any accessories except the KDSS and saved a bundle.
High_Country
New member
OP here. I see this thread was resurrected. I bought a 2015 TE (base) in October 2014. I've loved it since and am happy I went with the base.
I have KDSS, nav, heated outside mirrors, etc. and plenty of headroom.
To each their own of course. For me, I made the right decision.
I have KDSS, nav, heated outside mirrors, etc. and plenty of headroom.
To each their own of course. For me, I made the right decision.
This is good info. Wife and I ride/ race bikes. After a hard ride or something, I often really don't feel like changing and dragging out seat covers just to drive home. They're more like towels with hoods that drape over the seat. You're really ok with sitting on the Softex dirty? And it cleans that easily? If so, it's worth the extra $$ to not have to jack with covers for 5+ years.
SirBarton
New member
This is the problem I ran in to with the TEP in So Cal also. The dealers were trying to sell them like TRD Pros. I had a dealer try to convince me how rare the TEP was and try to sell it for MSRP. I laughed and walked out.
I also didn't want to lose space in the back with that sliding cargo tray which does not work for me. Seemed to be installed on every TEP.
So I went TE and I'm happy. If the seats ever become an issue I'll just pony up for katzin leather.
RockyMountainT4R
New member
From our approximately one year of previous use, Yes, we have no problem sitting on them dirty and they are easy to clean. We have used seat drape "ponchos" that were usually made out of thin fabric with a vinyl backing on other vehicles. They worked, kind of, but we kept having to adjust them under our butts and backs to cover the cloth seats properly. It was just one more ritual to perform. With the softex we just get in and go. Wipe down the seats when we get home with a damp towel. Our dogs are crated while on the road, but at the site while getting them and some of their stuff in and out the seats often get smeared with mud and grass. The seats aren't abused, but we don't obsess about them either like we did the cloth.
