Which used 5th gen 10-13 Trail or 14-16 Sr5?

[Trialrun]

Hands down 10-13 Trail. I love mine and I prefer the shift lever as was stated above. Plus the 10-13's look way better

are you referring to the manual gear shifting into hi and low 4wd vs electronic in the newer runners? If so, what are the reasons against the electronic version?

 

[smallfry]

10-13 Trail.

I swap the headlights when I added my front bumper and updated to the newer tail light (newer tail lights look better in my opinion).

 

[STX4Runner]

10-13 Trail. I'm surprised you're finding them with under 40K miles and for that price.

 

[philsey]

are you referring to the manual gear shifting into hi and low 4wd vs electronic in the newer runners? If so, what are the reasons against the electronic version?

It's akin to penis measuring ... it's kinda more studly to pull a lever than turn a knob. I've had both. They both get you in/out of 4WD. The lever vibrates/buzzes, the boot catches dirt, the lever is in the way, and sometimes it's a PITA to shift.
I much prefer the knob. I've never read of reliability issues either way. Oh, and my wife can easily work one but not the other.

 

[Trialrun]

10-13 Trail.

I swap the headlights when I added my front bumper and updated to the newer tail light (newer tail lights look better in my opinion).

the headlight conversion looks awesome, I wasn't aware that was a viable option.

 

[Throwback]

Just aesthetically I prefer the early 5th Gen Trails, plus they seem much more uncommon which is cool. I've always like that blue color they did, but silver looks great too.

I wonder how the late 5th Gens will age aesthetically. The early 5ths are pretty normal but the transformer face of the late 5ths may look weird in 15 years since it's so over-styled. Unless the 6th Gens look even more like robot bugs.

 

[Trialrun]

10-13 Trail. I'm surprised you're finding them with under 40K miles and for that price.

Take it with a grain of salt, the bulk of vehicles in New England have rust issues in some form or fashion. You definitely won't find a "rust free" example in that price range or even in my area

 

[Trialrun]

It's akin to penis measuring ... it's kinda more studly to pull a lever than turn a knob. I've had both. They both get you in/out of 4WD. The lever vibrates/buzzes, the boot catches dirt, the lever is in the way, and sometimes it's a PITA to shift.
I much prefer the knob. I've never read of reliability issues either way. Oh, and my wife can easily work one but not the other.

haa! love the analogy, makes perfect sense

 

[Throwback]

It's akin to penis measuring ... it's kinda more studly to pull a lever than turn a knob. I've had both. They both get you in/out of 4WD. The lever vibrates/buzzes, the boot catches dirt, the lever is in the way, and sometimes it's a PITA to shift.
I much prefer the knob. I've never read of reliability issues either way. Oh, and my wife can easily work one but not the other.

I completely agree. Pulling the lever like a stud activates the electronics that lock the front hubs so it's still all contingent on the electronics not failing.

I also hate the hood scoop because it reflects the sun right into my eyes.

 

[STX4Runner]

Take it with a grain of salt, the bulk of vehicles in New England have rust issues in some form or fashion. You definitely won't find a "rust free" example in that price range or even in my area

Hadn't thought about that. I would expand your search nationwide if you're looking for an older one so you can find one from a non rust state. As someone else said, the 10-13 Trails were much rarer than the 14+ Trails. I rarely ever see one, but I frequently see newer Trails. I think I remember reading that about 4% of the 10-13 4Runners were Trails and it's now about 10%.

 

[comtn4x4]

are you referring to the manual gear shifting into hi and low 4wd vs electronic in the newer runners? If so, what are the reasons against the electronic version?

Yes the 4wd shifter. For me I feel it's more reliable and akin to every 4x4 I ever owned. And yes it is more manly lol