2011's are $35,500 all day with KDSS and no-NAV. Toyota is realizing they have a problem and aren't getting sales like they expected. A lot of folks aren't turning in their leases on 2008's as Toyota expected and switching out to 2011's because they prefer the Torsen and/or V8's.
I spoke to one dealer here that says Toyota is so set on forcing leases to try to generate repeat buyers that they are only offering lease incentives and not cash incentives of any sort on most books and requiring them to be financed through Toyota Financial for them to even work with you on price. They are getting desperate due to some bad logistical decisions by Toyota on what to do when designing the Trail. The thing has essentially the same stuff as an FJ with the exception of real doors. Other than that they share an engine, a frame, the drivetrain (except the fancy crawl control and the dials). But they are about the same, and you can find an FJ that is just as capable on the dealer lot for $29,000. The Trail Edition is 6-8 thousand more dollars without the option for full time 4x4 (Torsen) the V8 and the interior quality has been changed to FJ standards (lots of plastic). I've owned multiples of both vehicles and the 4Runner appeals to me because it has 4 doors. Other than that, I don't think it's worth an extra 6-8 grand for the doors. The current FJ I have competes with the 4R Trail almost identically in behavior offroad.
My old 4Runner (2007) is better than either of them for everyday driving, towing, driving up into the hills, and smoothness. It also feels MUCH safer on the freeway. This is a dead thread... as they say... so don't let the pricing fool you. The demand wasn't there for 2011 Trails and they are still on the dealer lots, but they are getting directives from Toyota to be very sticky on price as they depreciate on the lot a bit more everyday. They want to wait it out until somebody leases the thing, so they come back and get another 4Runner with the options people want in 3 years and keep you trapped in a series of short term loans. I guess it works for their business, but Nissan tried this same method when they flooded the market with leased Altimas and it nearly led to their bankruptcy. It's better to get repeat buyers coming in and paying cash and making good trade ins every few years than making people feel "trapped" to your company because you're stuck in leases. Honda went through this too and has finally moved away from it a bit and regained some brand loyalty. I think it wreaks of desperation, and there is no bigger Toyota fan than myself. I've had 4 of them over the past 5 years and loved them all in their own way.
