Need some advice.

Dalko43

Explorer
They where asking 37500

$37,500 for a 2015 trail with 19k miles on it? That sounds a bit steep to me. You could probably get a brand new trail for about that price.

I thought you were originally going to get a used SR5 or Limited?

As I said, you can get a SR5 10-12 for about $24k, maybe even less.
The Limited's from that time will be a bit more.
If you really want the trail edition, expect to pay $29k-$31k, at least, for a mildly used one.
The key for all of the above is finding a 4runner from 10-13 model years. The newer ones (14-15) will cost more, even used, due to the exterior face lift, even though the inner mechanical parts didn't really change much.

This is totally a subjective issue, but IMO I don't see a point in paying for these SUV's at their brand new MSRP's. Yes they are Toyotas and yes they are reliable. But after 2-3 years of ownership, you'll see about 25% depreciation. I say let someone else buy the car new and suck up that loss, while you be the one who buys it off them for a nice discount. This requires a bit more research on your part, but it will be worth it in the end. These are Toyotas, so buying used should be a viable option; just make sure the SUV is mechanically sound and look for an extended or original factory warranty and you'll be fine.
 
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Martinjmpr

Wiffleball Batter
You better go tell all the landcruiser guys that they've been getting an inferior offroad 4wd system for the past couple of decades.
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Not to mention every 4th gen V8 4x4 since they also had full time 4wd transfer cases.
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I do think a traditional 4wd is advantageous on rough terrain because it eliminates the need for another diff. It reduces the complexity of the drivetrain and so there is less stuff to break on the trail.....
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I've never heard of a center diff "breaking". Actually the most failure-prone part of the 4wd system is the electric shifter. When the 5th gen 4runners first came out I was happy to see they went back to a manual shifter, but now I see they've gone back to the electric one, which is a shame. I hate electric t-case shifters, it just seems stupid to put a potential failure point in a vehicle that doesn't need to be there but that's a rant for another day.
 

Vandy

Adventurer
I really like the new front ends. Its what go me looking back into them in the 1st place. I found a clean 13 limited, but they where still asking what I could get an sr5 premium for.

The 14 trail asking price was just a few hundred below nada retail. That said the truck has a 3 inch lift after market tires wheels and some aux lighting. Tinted window tinted tails etc. After a LOT of back and forth I ended up buying it and am pretty happy about the price I got it for.

Selling points for me where the manual transfer case shifter, the crawl mode/kdss and it's set up how I would have ended up having it sit. All in all it was a good night. Wife is happy, kiddo is excited about it. I get a new toy to drive for a while (she's scared to drive it to work) and in a few years when she's bored and wanting a new toy, I get to have the truck I wanted. All and all a win win. Now I just need to pray for snow butt deep to a 7 foot red neck
 

Dalko43

Explorer
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I've never heard of a center diff "breaking". Actually the most failure-prone part of the 4wd system is the electric shifter. When the 5th gen 4runners first came out I was happy to see they went back to a manual shifter, but now I see they've gone back to the electric one, which is a shame. I hate electric t-case shifters, it just seems stupid to put a potential failure point in a vehicle that doesn't need to be there but that's a rant for another day.

That's exactly why I prefer the old school, manual 4wd system. It certainly is a lot more rudimentary then some of the newer types, but that means that there is bit less that can go wrong or malfunction.

I've had a center diff on a 4th gen 4runner and it never went bad (still going good at 140k miles). But it is another mechanical piece that can go bad vs the somewhat more basic traditional 4wd system....but the center diff does allow a more practical use of 4wd on pavement, whereas the traditional 4wd requires some careful use on pavement....there are compromises involved with either setup.

Also, the 5th gen 4runner still has the manual shifter as far as I know. All of the trail editions, and the TRD Pro, still have it from what I've seen and read.
 

Taco04

Toyota Junkie!
Sorry I would not pay 37K for that truck! Did the price on trails go up that much? I could have bought a new trail in 2014 for 35K and some change but I knew what I was going to do with mine so it wasn't worth it for me. What size wheels are those 18 or 19"? first thing I would do is rid my self of them but to each their own.... What lift is on it as well? Ps we have 1st gen Tundras at work with 300+K on them and electric t-case shifters and they have had zero problems so I see that as a moot point! Not trying to bash but what can you BUY a New Trail for?
 
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toyotech

Expedition Leader
Nice. That's a trail? They must have went back to a normal looking rack. The older trails had a different roof rack


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

Vandy

Adventurer
I wouldn't have paid that either lol. Nada is like 37995 or something like that. The original sticker was still in it for 49k. Dealer added the tires lift wheels lights etc, so you know they charged a premium for it all. Wheels are a little more than I'd like. I may talk her into some TRD wheels. All and all I'm happy with it and what I ended up paying for it
 

Dalko43

Explorer
I wouldn't have paid that either lol. Nada is like 37995 or something like that. The original sticker was still in it for 49k. Dealer added the tires lift wheels lights etc, so you know they charged a premium for it all. Wheels are a little more than I'd like. I may talk her into some TRD wheels. All and all I'm happy with it and what I ended up paying for it

I hate to be that guy, but I'll say it since I'm sure many others are thinking it. $49k for an original sticker price on a mostly stock 4runner is pretty insane. $38k for a used 4runner (with 19k miles, if I remember correctly) is not a very good deal. Unless we are talking about a top tier of suspension rework (think Icon Suspension stage 7), I'd find it very hard to pay that kind of money for that truck.

The wheels look like show wheels, not really optimized for offroading. For the $ you paid, the TRD wheels should have come with the truck.

Ultimately, if you are happy with the purchase then good for you. But unless I'm missing something that was put on the truck by the dealer, I don't think you got a good deal...NADA provides a vague guideline on buying prices; you really should rely more on ebay and autotrader prices, and word of mouth on the forums (e.g. the feedback some people were providing you earlier in this thread).
 

Vandy

Adventurer
I agree the price these local dealers ask for the upgrades they do is insane!. That said I don't recall stating what I paid for the truck. It Definitely wasn't sticker new, and was not NADA either.

The wheels may stay or may go. I'm unsure yet. But mama likes it. I'm happy with what I did pay for it. So all in all
 

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