You guys make me want a TE

[Laubage]

I just bought my 2011 SR5 2wd in January.... now I found this forum and it makes me want a trail edition! There's only 5,000 miles on it so far.

I didn't know much about cars and didn't understand all the things the TE had to offer. Now that I've done some research, I am feeling inadequate. I already got stuck in the snow once this last winter. :nono:

I like the look of the TE better, I like the e-locker, the 4x4, the gauges... the list goes on.

Sigh... what should I do?

 

[Lineman]

There's a lot of answers to this question.

Where do you live? How often does it snow?

Do you really need 4wd? Do you off road?

If snow is an issue you might need better (snow) tires i.e. Bridgestone Blizzaks.. instead of 4wd

I had a 2wd Titan here in ND and ran the Blizzaks. Never got stuck.

Is your current Runner paid off? Are you willing to loose money?

 

[snow&surf]

Were you aware there are 3 different models to choose from when you purchased?

If trading/selling is not an option you can actually swap out the front/rear bumpers, fenders, as well as the rocker panels for TE ones. A few members have done so (see harper7 and Okki). Changing to the optiron gauge cluster may be expensive (not sure it can be done either). I'm not mechanically inclined (hopefully other members can chime in) but maybe you can add an air locker to the rear differential to help in low traction situations.

 

[joneseyyy]

If you can take the loss, trade/sell your truck for a TE. Granted, this advice comes from a dude notorious for making less than rational decisions...but then again, I doubt the "rational" folks have as much fun, or as good of stories as me!

 

[Turn_down]

I feel your pain. I knew of the three models, but tried to make a "wise money decision" and just get what I needed (i.e. base model with leather). Not what I wanted.

Well, a few months later, I wish I would have gotten a TE with all the bells and whistles. Oh well, my kid goes to college in 6 years, so I'll probably give it to him then, and buy me a new one!

 

[robotkiller]

I just bought my 2011 SR5 2wd in January.... now I found this forum and it makes me want a trail edition! There's only 5,000 miles on it so far.

I didn't know much about cars and didn't understand all the things the TE had to offer. Now that I've done some research, I am feeling inadequate. I already got stuck in the snow once this last winter. :nono:

I like the look of the TE better, I like the e-locker, the 4x4, the gauges... the list goes on.

Sigh... what should I do?

Lift, tires, wheels. You'll get over it. I'd personally not even entertain the idea of flipping the sr5 for a TE. You will get financially killed and it will ruin all the fun.

Lemons, lemonade, etc.

 

[Winstondvm]

Lift, tires, wheels. You'll get over it. I'd personally not even entertain the idea of flipping the sr5 for a TE. You will get financially killed and it will ruin all the fun.

Lemons, lemonade, etc.

Exactly. One of the most capable off road vehicles I ever had was a 1980 Fiat brava car. Feeling of inadequacy then? Yes. But you can make that sr5 into anything you want--looks wise, and still get in and out of almost anywhere you desire. Rock crawling? Maybe not, but you still have an awesome vehicle.

 

[brockeverly]

I am a firm believer in you only live once. If you can financially float it, do it. Will you lose your ass, probably, but who cares. If it makes you happy, do it! Find a TCUV, get the 2.9% interest, and call it a day.

 

[Laubage]

4runner

Yea, it is paid off already. I made sure I did that within 2 months or so. I know it will be a huge money sink if I try to trade it in for the TE now... it's just so tempting after all of the pics/videos I've seen here!

I could probably swing the money to do it, but the only reason I paid it off so quickly in the first place was by not making crazy financial decisions. Like some of you said, though, you only live once!

I live in Oklahoma City, so the snow is only but twice a year. I know I could get by without a 4x4, but there's some sort of pride knowing that your car cannot be stopped ... plus like I said, I like the looks of it better.

Do new tires really make that much of a difference? If it does, I could probably just do that and be ok. I could spend the $7k that I would lose in a trade on retrofitting an e-locker or something later.

 

[Laubage]

3 models

Oh yea, and I was "aware" of the 3 models, but my last car was an Infiniti G35 coupe, so I didn't want anything too purty that I would be mad about scratching. I wanted something rugged... and cheap

I didn't realize that the Trail Edition had a different look to it, and I also didn't realize how capable it was. After reading all the researching and learning about suspensions and differentials, I now see why there's so much hype.

 

[robotkiller]

Yea, it is paid off already. I made sure I did that within 2 months or so. I know it will be a huge money sink if I try to trade it in for the TE now... it's just so tempting after all of the pics/videos I've seen here!

I could probably swing the money to do it, but the only reason I paid it off so quickly in the first place was by not making crazy financial decisions. Like some of you said, though, you only live once!

I live in Oklahoma City, so the snow is only but twice a year. I know I could get by without a 4x4, but there's some sort of pride knowing that your car cannot be stopped ... plus like I said, I like the looks of it better.

Do new tires really make that much of a difference? If it does, I could probably just do that and be ok. I could spend the $7k that I would lose in a trade on retrofitting an e-locker or something later.

Tires make a huge difference. Putting an LT all terrain tire will transform the look and drive of the truck.

 

[Jtraskell]

Yea, it is paid off already. I made sure I did that within 2 months or so. I know it will be a huge money sink if I try to trade it in for the TE now... it's just so tempting after all of the pics/videos I've seen here!

I could probably swing the money to do it, but the only reason I paid it off so quickly in the first place was by not making crazy financial decisions. Like some of you said, though, you only live once!

I live in Oklahoma City, so the snow is only but twice a year. I know I could get by without a 4x4, but there's some sort of pride knowing that your car cannot be stopped ... plus like I said, I like the looks of it better.

Do new tires really make that much of a difference? If it does, I could probably just do that and be ok. I could spend the $7k that I would lose in a trade on retrofitting an e-locker or something later.

Leave your ego in the golf bag, "drive for show, putt for dough"! Do you go off roading? Doesn't sound like it. Money is important to you. You already have a great utility vehicle. Compared to selling and buying a whole new vehicle, as suggested above, new shoes will make a big difference and relatively cheap. However, if you are hell bent on getting a new TE, then I suggest selling your vehicle on your own. Do the market research, you may be surprised that the "retail" value of your used vehicle is not that bad, depending on your mileage and condition right now. Keep the dealers profit yourself. Then go to the dealer and make your best cash deal, or better yet, find a slightly used TE for even less money. Keep in mind, if you buy a new TE, you are probably going to want to change out the OEM tires anyways. So there you go, the money still flows. Good luck and be safe.

 

[KCcarguy]

Yea, it is paid off already. I made sure I did that within 2 months or so. I know it will be a huge money sink if I try to trade it in for the TE now... it's just so tempting after all of the pics/videos I've seen here!

I could probably swing the money to do it, but the only reason I paid it off so quickly in the first place was by not making crazy financial decisions. Like some of you said, though, you only live once!

I live in Oklahoma City, so the snow is only but twice a year. I know I could get by without a 4x4, but there's some sort of pride knowing that your car cannot be stopped ... plus like I said, I like the looks of it better.

Do new tires really make that much of a difference? If it does, I could probably just do that and be ok. I could spend the $7k that I would lose in a trade on retrofitting an e-locker or something later.

Cut your losses and get what you want. It sounds like it won't hurt you financially. Why keep a vehicle you're not happy with and let it depreciate further? It would be an even worse decision to throw a bunch of money into your SR5 trying to convince yourself that you like it. Just get it over with and keep the TE for the long-haul. You know there's that saying in poker....."never throw good money after bad".

 

[FERAL 4R]

Get rid of the "two wheeler" and get the TE (If you can find one)..Or at least an SR5 4x4....

 

[robotkiller]

Leave your ego in the golf bag, "drive for show, putt for dough"! Do you go off roading? Doesn't sound like it. Money is important to you. You already have a great utility vehicle. Compared to selling and buying a whole new vehicle, as suggested above, new shoes will make a big difference and relatively cheap. However, if you are hell bent on getting a new TE, then I suggest selling your vehicle on your own. Do the market research, you may be surprised that the "retail" value of your used vehicle is not that bad, depending on your mileage and condition right now. Keep the dealers profit yourself. Then go to the dealer and make your best cash deal, or better yet, find a slightly used TE for even less money. Keep in mind, if you buy a new TE, you are probably going to want to change out the OEM tires anyways. So there you go, the money still flows. Good luck and be safe.

This is a good point. I would reserve $2-3k aside for mods if you decide to flip.

If you do a private sale, you'll end up losing maybe $3k? Then you have to find a TE, and understand that you will probably not get anything better than $500 under invoice - and that's assuming a local dealer has one to sell. You can expect to pay more if they need to trade out for one -which may end up being maybe $8k more than what you paid for the SR5?

It will start adding up.

 

[wanderer33y]

This is a good point. I would reserve $2-3k aside for mods if you decide to flip.

If you do a private sale, you'll end up losing maybe $3k? Then you have to find a TE, and understand that you will probably not get anything better than $500 under invoice - and that's assuming a local dealer has one to sell. You can expect to pay more if they need to trade out for one -which may end up being maybe $8k more than what you paid for the SR5?

It will start adding up.

This was the point (8K) i've decided to buy a cheap Jeep (TJ) and keep my runner nice. Put my wheelin' money into it.

 

[Laubage]

I guess I will just hang on to it for now. It just doesn't make much financial sense right now.... My SR5 might not be a tank when it comes to obstacles, but it sounds like I can make it good enough to make it 90% of the places I need to, including most trails.

If the military puts me in a place that has some harsh weather (ie Alaska or Colorado), I will treat myself to a TE. Plus by then, I can take my rims/tires off of my current SR5 and put them on my new TE later!

 

[Lurker]

I guess I will just hang on to it for now. It just doesn't make much financial sense right now.... My SR5 might not be a tank when it comes to obstacles, but it sounds like I can make it good enough to make it 90% of the places I need to, including most trails.

If the military puts me in a place that has some harsh weather (ie Alaska or Colorado), I will treat myself to a TE. Plus by then, I can take my rims/tires off of my current SR5 and put them on my new TE later!

BIG mistake! Get rid of that hunk of junk and get the capability you know you want! (Easy for me to say, right?)

 

[Laubage]

BIG mistake! Get rid of that hunk of junk and get the capability you know you want! (Easy for me to say, right?)

Haha, I would love to. I just need an excuse because deep down inside, I know that I don't "need" anything more than a 2wd. I don't drive down the street and see boulders in the middle of the road I need to crawl over. And most of the offroading I'd be looking at are probably mostly dirt trails.

Now if I got stationed in Alaska or something, my hand would be force. :shrug:

 

[Jtraskell]

Haha, I would love to. I just need an excuse because deep down inside, I know that I don't "need" anything more than a 2wd. I don't drive down the street and see boulders in the middle of the road I need to crawl over. And most of the offroading I'd be looking at are probably mostly dirt trails.

Now if I got stationed in Alaska or something, my hand would be force. :shrug:

Are you at Tinker?