Trail premium vs the Limited with respect...

[Bruin1md]

Louisiana native, I've seen regular city streets that would rate as 3-7 on a 10 point trail scale, spent years driving to and from our farm outside of Lafayette. The 4Runner is a great choice, perhaps I'm getting soft but ventilated seats would be my sole requirement if I ever moved back home - any model will handle the roads just fine but the limited is the only model available with ventilated seats. 17 inch wheels would give you more tire.

Body roll will be tremendous compared to anything from BMW, the trade off being a more comfortable ride and no more dented/cracked wheels or blown out summer tires. Good luck with your search!

So you can totally relate to the driving conditions down here ......

Agreed on ventilated seats during the summers here, plus the parking sensors are a great safety feature on the LTE as well. I'm getting soft too, apparently.
I love the TRD pro but I think the LTE with swapped out tires/wheels makes good sense.
I might even do the TRD package on the LTE -- if the dealer says they're compatible, although there seem to be some great after market options out there.

 

[Jhalko]

I've thought seriously about the TRD pro.....it looks just incredible and I've heard it's pretty well behaved on the pavement, but it lacks the push button start, ventilated leather seats, parking sensors of the LTE. But since my off roading will be a minimum relative to my pavement driving, I will also risk looking like a total tool driving a TRD pro.....lol.

Nah, trd pro is a good looking truck, but you won't be happy with it, the suspension is not going to be good on road for you. It is supposed to be set up for faster off road driving, it will have more on-road body roll, not what you want. Go limited and just get new wheels and tires. Although tires are a whole different discussion....

If it had been up to my wife and I would have gotten the GX, it's nice, but not for me...

 

[Bruin1md]

Nah, trd pro is a good looking truck, but you won't be happy with it, the suspension is not going to be good on road for you. It is supposed to be set up for faster off road driving, it will have more on-road body roll, not what you want. Go limited and just get new wheels and tires. Although tires are a whole different discussion....

If it had been up to my wife and I would have gotten the GX, it's nice, but not for me...

I think your points are good ones and I'm learning a lot just reading through this thread alone.

I can't test drive a TRD pro even if I wanted to, given its lack of availability. But again,your point is well taken.
Regarding the GX, that may be a really good decision (a two year old cpo one), but it's so hard to see myself in one of those. It's just such a mom car to me.

I still want to test drive a trail premium with kdss just to compare the on road performance over bad roads along with the handling compared to the limited. If it's more fun to drive than a limited, I want to seriously consider it-- despite the compromise on some of the creature comforts.
The opinions on the trail premium seem somewhat varied with respect to on road characteristics after having read several posts/threads.

 

[bimrunner]

I've thought seriously about the TRD pro.....it looks just incredible and I've heard it's pretty well behaved on the pavement, but it lacks the push button start, ventilated leather seats, parking sensors of the LTE. But since my off roading will be a minimum relative to my pavement driving, I will also risk looking like a total tool driving a TRD pro.....lol.

Your 4runner looks awesome btw.....you should post more pics.

I hear ya, but once you start going off road... You catch a bug! Don't worry what anyone else might think regarding which model. Get the one you like driving best.

I need to post more pics but the last few trips I haven't really had good pics since my oldest son normally takes pics while I drive and he has gotten to that part of life where he is "too busy." I need to develop another mode but have gotten spoiled having someone else snap the pics! Time to train the next kid!

 

[M1911]

Test drive the GX. It shares the same body on frame as the 4Runner. The difference in pick up with the V8 is noticeable. It handles and drives like a lexus... Which means cornering is a tad more floaty, but the 18" wheels do make a difference in the smoothness of the ride over bumps. Definitely worth your time to test drive. If I remember correctly, the base model starts at 45k... And has all the features of the limited AWD and then some, (this is what I was looking at). The luxury comes with lane departure and other safety features for a price of 60k.

I test drove the GX. I didn't much care for it. Despite the extra HP, it felt slow to me, compared to my 4th gen. The fold-flat third row took up a lot of cargo space. YMMV.

 

[Bruin1md]

Just making sure you knew they were talking about being doctors, not being from Maryland. Sarcasm does not translate when there is no tone of voice. I think it was more of a solidarity thing. Like "trust a fellow doctor" kind of thing.

Along the lines of the Lexus, I wouldn't mind owning one but once you get to that price range, my eyes would be set on a Land Cruiser.

Did you say your trail premium is equipped with KDSS? If not, have you driven one that has it for comparison to yours?
I'm starting to really get intrigued by the Trail premium with KDSS option, but there don't seem to be any locally that I can find to test drive.

 

[cjacob316]

Did you say your trail premium is equipped with KDSS? If not, have you driven one that has it for comparison to yours?
I'm starting to really get intrigued by the Trail premium with KDSS option, but there don't seem to be any locally that I can find to test drive.

I have a Trail, not a premium. I only test drove two Trails and a TRDPro. I don't know if the first trail had KDSS or not. I was either going to buy a Trail or a TRDPro, so I didn't shop around much. I also don't get too bent out of shape about how the vehicle rides so I didn't even really pay attention. My main focus was how I sat in the car and just whether or not I was comfortable driving it. I've had 2 other 4runners and I was coming from a stint in a Tacoma, the main thing I was looking for was a more comfortable drivers seat for longer drives for work than my Tacoma provided. If you want my opinion on mine, I like driving my 4runner.

Did you call Team Toyota over in Baton Rouge? They have a TEP.

 

[Bruin1md]

I have a Trail, not a premium. I only test drove two Trails and a TRDPro. I don't know if the first trail had KDSS or not. I was either going to buy a Trail or a TRDPro, so I didn't shop around much. I also don't get too bent out of shape about how the vehicle rides so I didn't even really pay attention. My main focus was how I sat in the car and just whether or not I was comfortable driving it. I've had 2 other 4runners and I was coming from a stint in a Tacoma, the main thing I was looking for was a more comfortable drivers seat for longer drives for work than my Tacoma provided. If you want my opinion on mine, I like driving my 4runner.

Did you call Team Toyota over in Baton Rouge? They have a TEP.

Haven't called them yet because on autotrader none of their models popped up as having KDSS.
I hear you on not having focused too much on the ride itself when you shopped around, but once you decided to go with the KDSS option, did you/can you notice a big difference in how it handles turns with respect to body roll and overall drive compared to your other 4runners?
I will call Baton Rouge --maybe one of their models does have KDSS.

 

[cjacob316]

Haven't called them yet because on autotrader none of their models popped up as having KDSS.
I hear you on not having focused too much on the ride itself when you shopped around, but once you decided to go with the KDSS option, did you/can you notice a big difference in how it handles turns with respect to body roll and overall drive compared to your other 4runners?
I will call Baton Rouge --maybe one of their models does have KDSS.

I don't recall mine being listed as having KDSS on cars.com, but it does have it. It probably ride a little better than my older 4runners, but I don't really notice any of that stuff because I don't know anything different.

 

[Bruin1md]

I don't recall mine being listed as having KDSS on cars.com, but it does have it. It probably ride a little better than my older 4runners, but I don't really notice any of that stuff because I don't know anything different.

Just spoke to the dealer in Baton Rouge -- the sales girl told me you can't get KDSS within the 5 state gulf region.....,it can't even be ordered!!

What the hell??

I asked her to double check and get back to me if that was incorrect, but she seemed pretty sure in her answer.

 

[Riddler6.7]

Thats not true as there was one in Texas with KDSS when I was set on it. Now I decided to get one without it as I dont want to deal with the added headaches, and I plan on adding suspension anyways

 

[M1911]

Just spoke to the dealer in Baton Rouge -- the sales girl told me you can't get KDSS within the 5 state gulf region.....,it can't even be ordered!!

What the hell??

I asked her to double check and get back to me if that was incorrect, but she seemed pretty sure in her answer.

Translated from dealer-speak: "I don't have one on the lot and I want you to buy what I have on the lot, so I will make up something..."

 

[philsey]

Just spoke to the dealer in Baton Rouge -- the sales girl told me you can't get KDSS within the 5 state gulf region.....,it can't even be ordered!!

What the hell??

I asked her to double check and get back to me if that was incorrect, but she seemed pretty sure in her answer.

Translated from dealer-speak: "I don't have one on the lot and I want you to buy what I have on the lot, so I will make up something..."

What [MENTION=6872]M1911[/MENTION] said.

Zip code 70126 in the Toyota.com builder shows KDSS as an TE/TEP option. Whether your specific dealer chooses to sell it is another matter. If you want to rub her nose in the lie, show her online - if you care. Try another nearby dealer.

All TEs are the lowest selling model by volume. Those with KDSS represent even fewer, so in most areas they are scarce-to-nonexistant. Just the opposite story in places like CO. Many forum members have travelled outside their sales region to get what they want.

 

[LandCruiser]

Can't even get a TE without KDSS in CO, unless you drive to NM or TX--same goes for anything without 4WD. We get all the cool toys.

The V8 in the GX460 isn't that great, and the sub 50k model doesn't have the premium interior, which is what you'd really want if you're spending money on it. I hate the grille on the 460 and to get a bumper mounted/fabbed would require cutting. Same goes for lifting, your options are very limited and you'd need a shop that has a good mechanic and has access to ICON, EMU, and Toytec parts to cobble something together.

I like the GX470, it's everything good about the V8 runner and can be had for 20k in places where it's common (Colorado). There are a variety of kits you can buy to lift it. The leather interior reminds me of the old 80 series and it can be a mountain goat.

I have a 12 LE, with 17" FJC TRD wheels and the proper tires it's a great truck on and off road. The interior is "nice", but what I really like about the LE over the TE, the seats are softer.

I have a 13 TE with a hybrid Toytec/Bilstein lift I use to scramble around the mountains. I'm getting a bumper fabbed at some point but funds are spread out elsewhere (new trail tires once spring comes along). I like the new LE's, bluish one, but the chrome dental dam annoys me.

If I were to buy a 4Runner now, new, it'd be a toss up between the PRO (I like orange) and a LE. Since I go off road, I'd get the PRO--but then I like to run them lifted so I'd probably toss their fancy suspension.

I'm listing all these vehicles as potential off road projects because they're all heavy pigs and they were derived from trucks that routinely go off road.

The GX is essentially a hippo in drag made up to look like a racehorse. The crappy tires and wheels, running boards, and plastic encumber all of its off road abilities and you're going to have to do hacking and cutting to turn it back into something decent. Interior room is also sacrificed for all the suspension, tcase, and driveshaft bits dangling off the chassis.

As for "doctor cars/trucks"... some of mine are/have been...

60 series trail pig, sold ages ago
80 series mountain pig, still have it
GMC Sierra farm truck, sold for TE
FJC trail pig, sold for GM
3rd gen T4R pink milkshake, sold for parts
13 TE mountain pig, current DD

If rifles and steel target stands, and a few YETI coolers fit in the back and it can venture into a snowy mountainous hell and bring back some form of dead deer/elk, I'm good.

Sometimes the best decision is to do nothing at all...

 

[Bruin1md]

Can't even get a TE without KDSS in CO, unless you drive to NM or TX--same goes for anything without 4WD. We get all the cool toys.

The V8 in the GX460 isn't that great, and the sub 50k model doesn't have the premium interior, which is what you'd really want if you're spending money on it. I hate the grille on the 460 and to get a bumper mounted/fabbed would require cutting. Same goes for lifting, your options are very limited and you'd need a shop that has a good mechanic and has access to ICON, EMU, and Toytec parts to cobble something together.

I like the GX470, it's everything good about the V8 runner and can be had for 20k in places where it's common (Colorado). There are a variety of kits you can buy to lift it. The leather interior reminds me of the old 80 series and it can be a mountain goat.

I have a 12 LE, with 17" FJC TRD wheels and the proper tires it's a great truck on and off road. The interior is "nice", but what I really like about the LE over the TE, the seats are softer.

I have a 13 TE with a hybrid Toytec/Bilstein lift I use to scramble around the mountains. I'm getting a bumper fabbed at some point but funds are spread out elsewhere (new trail tires once spring comes along). I like the new LE's, bluish one, but the chrome dental dam annoys me.

If I were to buy a 4Runner now, new, it'd be a toss up between the PRO (I like orange) and a LE. Since I go off road, I'd get the PRO--but then I like to run them lifted so I'd probably toss their fancy suspension.

I'm listing all these vehicles as potential off road projects because they're all heavy pigs and they were derived from trucks that routinely go off road.

The GX is essentially a hippo in drag made up to look like a racehorse. The crappy tires and wheels, running boards, and plastic encumber all of its off road abilities and you're going to have to do hacking and cutting to turn it back into something decent. Interior room is also sacrificed for all the suspension, tcase, and driveshaft bits dangling off the chassis.

As for "doctor cars/trucks"... some of mine are/have been...

60 series trail pig, sold ages ago
80 series mountain pig, still have it
GMC Sierra farm truck, sold for TE
FJC trail pig, sold for GM
3rd gen T4R pink milkshake, sold for parts
13 TE mountain pig, current DD

If rifles and steel target stands, and a few YETI coolers fit in the back and it can venture into a snowy mountainous hell and bring back some form of dead deer/elk, I'm good.

Sometimes the best decision is to do nothing at all...

So if you were looking for one with the bells and whistles, you would stick with the LE over the TE PREMIUM and just change out the tires/wheels?
You prefer the X-REAS full time 4WD?

Here's the thing-- I would like to avoid any suspension after market mods if possible -- at least for the first few years.
So with that in mind, the KDSS on the TE premium seems like a really good idea given that it seems to have the least body roll and tightest ride of all the options (sans modifications).
I need to experience it for myself obviously.
Or would you recommend just sticking with a LE and changing out the tires/wheels without a lift/mod?

 

[cjacob316]

Just spoke to the dealer in Baton Rouge -- the sales girl told me you can't get KDSS within the 5 state gulf region.....,it can't even be ordered!!

What the hell??

I asked her to double check and get back to me if that was incorrect, but she seemed pretty sure in her answer.

Call them back and tell her that Hampton in Lafayette has 2 with KDSS.

Even if it doesn't have KDSS, it's the only TEP in the area so you should still go drive it and see how you like it, check out the interior. If you really want to drive one with KDSS call Hampton and find out if theirs has it. Since the last two TE's they had both had KDSS and were the same price, I'd be willing to bet these do as well. The people who answer the phone don't always know anything about the cars, a lot of the sales people couldn't tell you much about most of the models they have.

This is very interesting, toyota.com won't let me select red or kdss for a trail premium, but the one in Baton Rouge is red

 

[Bruin1md]

Call them back and tell her that Hampton in Lafayette has 2 with KDSS.

Even if it doesn't have KDSS, it's the only TEP in the area so you should still go drive it and see how you like it, check out the interior. If you really want to drive one with KDSS call Hampton and find out if theirs has it. Since the last two TE's they had both had KDSS and were the same price, I'd be willing to bet these do as well. The people who answer the phone don't always know anything about the cars, a lot of the sales people couldn't tell you much about most of the models they have.

This is very interesting, toyota.com won't let me select red or kdss for a trail premium, but the one in Baton Rouge is red

Just called Hampton -- guy told me they have one with and one w/o KDSS
Haven't called Baton Rouge back as of yet

 

[cjacob316]

Just called Hampton -- guy told me they have one with and one w/o KDSS
Haven't called Baton Rouge back as of yet

Test drive the KDSS then go to Baton Rouge and test drive the limited and Trail Premium back to back so you can get an idea of which model you want. You can also compare the interiors of the premium and limited in baton rouge, which is the main reason to go look.

I'm sorry I can't give you an answer on the way it drives. I have never driven cars, minivans, or crossovers. I don't have anything to compare driving an SUV or Tacoma to so I don't know the difference. To me it just drives like I expect an SUV to drive and maybe a little better than my past ones, which is all I ever wanted. I don't notice things like amount of body roll or nose dive because I have nothing to compare it to. My guess is vehicles with less body roll probably hit bumps much harder, and to be honest I'd take the body roll.

 

[LandCruiser]

I really like the purple/blue LE with red/brown interior.

Put some black FJ or TRD PRO 17" rims on it and some mud tires, have all the exterior chrome bits blacked out.

 

[M1911]

The V8 in the GX460 isn't that great, and the sub 50k model doesn't have the premium interior, which is what you'd really want if you're spending money on it.

I test drove a GX460 recently. I was very unimpressed with the V8. It was refined and smooth, but acceleration seemed lackluster compared to my '03 V8 4Runner. I think the GX460 engine is just overwhelmed by the weight of the truck -- I think it is about 500 lbs heavier than my 4Runner.