"What would you do if you were me" on upcoming T4R-Need your thoughts and opinions.

[serpico6969]

"What would you do if you were me" on upcoming T4R-Need your thoughts and opinions.

OK gents this is going to be a long one so maybe grab a beer and at the end please give me your thoughts and expert opinions.
I have lived in New York for many years and I am finally moving down south and needing actually to buy a new SUV.

I had a fourth generation 4Runner and absolutely loved it. My search is over there’s no question I want to buy a 4Runner. I have had a BMW X5, jeep Rubicon, And now that I need a new rig the decision is very easy. My only problem is I need advice on what year to buy meaning now or wait for 2020, and the TRD pro or a Trd off-road premium. I know I know there are 10,000 articles on the web and on forums comparing the two. But I wanted to throw a few things out there and see what you guys thought.

To back up a little bit, a couple years ago before moving to New York I actually bought a Land Cruiser. What an absolute monster. The build quality was unbelievable, it was so smooth on the road. I will say though if I had to buy it again money aside I probably would not because I did feel it was a little sluggish, the brakes were mushy and I didn’t have confidence behind the wheel and the gas mileage was worse than a Ferrari Enzo and believe it or not it’s actually not that big. But it was pretty cool to own it for about a year being an icon but I traded it in when I moved.

So here we are. A few weeks ago...

I went to one of the largest Toyota dealers in central Florida and had a great experience with one of the managers. I did some emailing I had a time so I didn’t walk in blind and sat calmly and spoke in his office for about an hour.

And by the way they had a black and Calvary blue TRD pro sitting there unsold and they only sell that MSRP. I do not mark up their cars They seem to be a good dealership pretty straightforward which I appreciate.

I know everyone says this but this is probably really my last really nice SUV purchase. I’m getting older almost (50) and I like to keep cars a long time anyway and I will probably keep this for the next 10-12 years. Perhaps longer because I only drive about 10 to 12,000 miles a year. So I want to make sure I buy my perfect last SUV.

I’ll go out there and say that I’m not an off roader ,I don’t go camping but I do like to go mountain biking, I do take long road trips, etc. I am into quality, durability, capability (never know when you need it) and value!

So here is my question to the forum and I thank everyone in advance for their thoughts and opinions.

I’ve worked my ass off, 70 hour weeks for years and have enough money to buy the TRD pro. But..I am not loaded and still watch my money as we all do.

I’m sure it’s been said here but let me just throw it out there. The MSRP price from Toyota website difference as everyone knows is about $5500 between the TRD pro and the off-road premium. But that number means nothing because we all know we can get about $1500 under invoice for the TRD off-road premium. The TRD pro is at MSRP.

So for purposes of this discussion the TRD pro is about $10,000 more than the off-road premium.

I can get an off-road premium for $38,500 plus tax and a couple options and it’s $41,500 out the door. The TRD pro is about $51,000 out the door same options, meaning only the predator tube step. So let’s lock that number down to $10,000 difference between the TRD pro and the off-road premium.

I was actually going to buy a 2019 off-road premium in silver. Then I got home and started thinking about buyers remorse. As much as I would love and appreciate the silver TRD off-road premium, I would always be lusting after the TRD pro. And yes I get it I’m not gonna be off in Moab or the rubicon trail but people like what they like right.

I do think the infotainment navigation in the Toyotas are horrible and with the announcement of the 2020 having Apple play and a bigger screen it made me take a step back and say maybe I’ll just buy a beater used car and drive it for the next six months until the 2020 shows up. Plus being able to buy the TRD pro an army green may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

So my choice is to spend 51 grand and get the 2020 TRD pro in army green in October. I do think that color is amazing and will be a classic and one that I will never tire of especially since I’m gonna keep it for about 10 years.

Or I can just buy the 2020 off-road premium save the $10,000 and just be happy to be happy.

There’s an old expression that says I’m not your CPA. I know it’s my money and it’s hard to give financial advice but if it were you guys “ what would you do”?

Last technical question about resale value. I already know the TRD pro is going to be incredibly strong and sought after even many years down the line. We all know the 4Runner has tremendous resale value almost every model included.
I’m wondering financially speaking if it will be equal with the $10,000 extra investment needed to buy the TRD pro versus the off-road premium when it comes time to sell. What do you guys think?

One last thank you for taking the time to read my post and I look forward to hearing everybody’s thoughts.

This is a great forum and I enjoy and learn quite a bit from each of you.

 

[KingTaco]

[MENTION=299200]serpico6969[/MENTION] I think if you are really going to keep it for 10-12+ years, the resale question won't really be much of an issue. There will be so many 5th and 6th Gens for sale, that I wouldn't expect a massive difference.

I had a similar question when I bought my 2016, but I pretty quickly decided to go with the Trail version instead of the Pro because it just didn't seem worth the price hike. I liked the Pro color better, but you can always beat it up for five years and get a wrap or new paint job for $5k (of course you can spend more or less; $5k is just a nice round number). My Trail is plenty capable. I've spent money in MODs, sure, but I would've probably changed the same stuff if I had bought that Pro.


If you think you will absolutely love the army green, and that's what you really want, then wait it out and get what you want. I don't know how much of a test drive you took, but a 5th Gen may be as sluggish as that LC, just so you're ready for that.

Personally, I can do a lot with $10k, and I don't think the Pro is much more capable. As far as I'm concerned, buying the Pro is paying for wheels that everyone seems to have anyway, and the admittedly cool paint colors. Good luck!

 

[JPOVS]

$10K is a lot to swallow. I would choose the 2019 TRD Off-Road and keep the 10k for going on more trips or buying another cool toy. In a couple years will the color matter that much to you? I think about things really hard too, but after a few years I look back and think why did I waist all that time when now it really didn't matter that much.

 

[jthoms1]

I’m on my third 5th Gen. Unlike you I’m a habitual car flipper...but obviously like my 4Runners. The last two were Trails (2014 and now 2017). I love KDSS...have had it on both (did not on my 2011 SR5). I love the front end of the Pro and the trim on the Pro. So, I just factored int to the cost difference buying the grill and bits to make my KDSS equipped Trail and TRD ORP look like a Pro but ultimately have a better equipped vehicle. The 2017 I bought from a guy on here because he had already done it for me. All in that would cost you about 3k if you swap out the suspension to something comparable with the Fox’s. I wanted lifts so I would have swapped suspension parts anyway. My two cents.

 

[thoyu]

I recently bought a off road premium with KDSS and love it. The $10,000 difference between the PRO and off road is pretty steep for what you're getting (paint, wheels, supension, etc) If it was up to me I'd get the off road premium. You can use the money saved to get a nice paint job, wheels, front grill, etc and still have funds leftover

 

[Peadog]

Buy the Pro.

 

[tls3601]

Buy the Pro.

 

[northcoast]

Get the Pro. Sounds like that's what you want. And that's not a bad thing.

 

[A10MileHusker]

Personally, I was under a similar predicament. TRD Pro or Off Road. I went with the Off Road because it seemed like paying the extra money for the grille and wheels wasn't worth it (I was going to get Black no matter what).

My cousin is the GM of a Toyota Dealership and he too advised for me not to get a TRD Pro. The Price hike for that is simply just money for the dealership.

The colors of course are what make it truly different and at the time I didn't want an orange or white rig.

The army green looks like an awesome color but my friend just wrapped his 4R in army green and it looks just as awesome for a fraction of the price.

In the end, its your money, your choice. Take our comments with a grain of salt because we aren't you and we aren't in control of your money.

Good luck!

 

[SCMountaineer]

I could be wrong, but sounds like you want the Pro. Get it. You’ve worked hard, you’re gonna keep it a long time, and I think five years from now you’re more likely to wish you’d bought it every time you see an army green one than you are to be sitting in your army green one wishing you had that money back

 

[Bayou_Pro]

If you are truly going to keep it for that long then get what you really want. If you do that then you stay happier years down the road. If you want the most capable rig and don't plan to modify it then I'd bite the bullet and get the Pro. That's just me.


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[mrblah]

I'd only get the Pro in a specialty color, otherwise, trail/OR all day every day. Anyways, doesn't matter what I want, get what your heart wants. I'm sure OP made up its mine already.....just needs a push in one direction or the other.

 

[Angelo]

Only buy the Pro if you're absolutely in love with the color. You can put a wrap, suspension, and the grille / garnishes on for way less than 10K. I think all of the special colors have been great in their own way, but for me it's also a double edged sword- most of them stick out like a sore thumb and I got a little tired of everyone recognizing me everywhere I went. "Hey whatcha doing at the bank?", "Hey get me some groceries too!", etc.

I know that sounds kind of silly, but I traded in my Quicksand Pro for a MGM TRDOR / KDSS for mainly this reason. Yes, I'm spoiled.

Also, FWIW, if you haven't driven a KDSS model you should. It sounds like you're mainly on-road driving and the handling difference is noticeable. Whatever you choose, you can't lose. Good luck man and let us know what you decide.

 

[Carolina Roscoe]

Get an Off Road Premium and put a nice suspension on it. No matter what you buy, you'll want to tinker with it. And the Pro suspension is nothing special, trust me.

 

[Baystate4Runner]

….And by the way they had a black and Calvary blue TRD pro sitting there unsold and they only sell that MSRP….

This must be a Voodoo Blue (2019) 4Runner on their lot - with the big demand for Cavalry blue (2018) I doubt there is any unsold left in the country.

As for your choice - buyers remorse is the worst. It looks like you want the Army Green Pro - get it! $10,000 is not much if you keep your car 10+ years.

 

[rochmpr]

First off, I appreciate the fact you came here with a well thought out question and have done your research.

I would same I am in a similar boat that I "could" afford Y, but am somewhat of a cheap ass so will on,y fork out for X. That is unless it's something I really want and plan to keep and wantbthe quality that goes with that.

You could easily by the ORP, same money and upgrade the suspension to a better set up for less than the 10k difference. If the Pro is the only model available in the green and that is what really makes your heart flutter, and if you plan to keep for a long time and that is what you feel would not regret, then I think that is you answer, the Pro in green.

But hey, my other suggestion would be wire me the cash, and I'll spend it for you. :bigok:

Good luck

 

[serpico6969]

I appreciate the opinions gents...

I will definitely let you guys know what I decided to get. Thanks again!

 

[VoodooPro]

I got my pro for $51.1k. I was in the same boat wait till 2020? I don't care for the safety features, a bigger screen would have been nice as well as push to start. I'm happy with my pro I thought the ride quality was far superior. I also love to mountain bike and snowboard. I can pedal to the trails but I can't wait to take it to the mtn for DH season and next winter. However, I don't think we'd be able to get a 2020 pro for $51k. Im thinking it'll be $55-57k...

 

[DreamsOfDirt]

Questions for OP

How much do you value the other features the PRO offers beyond color and car play?
Are you interested/willing to do work yourself or have another shop do it for you?
How much do you value the unique paint color?

Most of the pro features can be added aftermarket to a TRDORP for less than the $10K. The paint might be the one exception.

Since you asked what I'd do...check out my profile pic and signature.

Best of luck - You're getting a 4Runner, so you're already a winner!

 

[Prado]

Have you driven both?

Have you driven both... because the KDSS in the ORP really helps in cutting down the somewhat sloppy, 'cumbersome' handling/driving experience of the models without it. You may just like it better (while saving money).