Could use some guidance - 4runner prospective buyer

[Cook]

First time posting here, but been lurking for a month or two. I think I finally decided that a 4Runner is my next vehicle. In a perfect world, I'd buy a Trailhunter, but the interior "mineral" color looks like it has a blue/green hue to it, and I want a sunroof. I can't do the TRD Pro either because I don't like the red interior accents.

I like the looks of the TRD Sport Premium and TRD Offroad Premium, but I'm told the FT 4WD in the limited is better to have and the real leather interior is superior. What I think I'd do is get a Limited and swap the grille and other chrome accents, plus get a different set of wheels. Is there any reason I should not go this route? I feel like every day I research I find something else new between the trim levels.

Also, I'm still undecided between the hybrid and non-hybrid. I read pro/cons to both sides, but think I'd need to drive both to see which I like best.

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[chasedstream641]

if you do go limited (id recommend) SR5 grille i could ship to you for cheap.

 

[NotApplicable]

Grille and rims seems like a manageable list of mods that seem commonly done (based on these forums) across the trims

 

[SC4Runner]

If you plan on keeping it forever, stay away from the hybrid and a sunroof. The battery will eventually require replacing, and the sunroof will eventually leak. I went with the ORP as it seemed to be the best value.

 

[gmarcucio]

When I was looking to buy I liked the idea of the FT 4wd too. I was looking at the Limited, but I don't like the silver on the wheels and the silver front valance under the bumper. So then I had my mind set on the Platinum because that has the black wheels, Black grille and valance, and FT 4Wd. But then in the meantime a TRD Pro showed up at my local dealership and I ended purchasing it. It doesn't have the FT 4WD but I have a Colorado ZR2 with FT 4WD so I really didn't have to have that in the 4Runner.

 

[Cook]

thanks all. The backstory to all of this is that I'm a lifetime chevy owner and currently daily drive my Silverado. It's a 2018 with 57k miles. I was going to trade in for a new GMC Sierra but the price delta between mine and what I'd want is sizeable, enough so that it pays for a good chunk of an additional vehicle. I like the size of my wife's X5 so I started to look for an SUV similar in size for the days I need to drive into Boston. I plan on keeping my Silverado, so the FT vs PT 4WD isn't much of an issue for me. I just heard FT 4WD is nicer, especially on rainy days as the PT slips a lot (not sure if true). My wifes old Grand Cherokee was FT 4WD and it was great year round.

I like the Platinum minus the navy interior.

Is it true the sunroof will leak? is that a common issue? usually it's just the matter of keeping the drains and track clean of debris. If its a common issue, perhaps I consider the Trail Hunter again (and delete the snorkel) if the interior color looks ok in person. Or look at the Grand Cherokee.

 

[Salukidawg]

If you plan on keeping it forever, stay away from the hybrid and a sunroof. The battery will eventually require replacing, and the sunroof will eventually leak. I went with the ORP as it seemed to be the best value.

Huh? Have you ever owned a 4Runner before? The sunroof has never been a problem on Toyota Trucks and the hybrid battery is a system that’s been in existence in Toyota vehicles for over 20 years without issue either. I have the sunroof and the iForce Max and have zero concerns for long term ownership or longevity. This is my 3rd 4Runner over a 20 year period and I’ve owned 3 different generations an average of 10 years each time.

 

[gmarcucio]

Doesn't the battery have a 10 year/150,000 mile warranty?

 

[Nodak]

hybrid battery is 10/150k

moonroof typically dont leak, but they have had issues in the past where the rubber seals go bad or dont get replaced correctly or initially installed correctly (but that has been a rare occurence)

if you need ft4wd then its the limited, you can option out a limited to almost a platinum and save roughly 2k sticker price (you can save even more if you go gas only ft4wd vs the hybrid version, around 5k i think vs the platinum). there is only a small subset of things that are exclusive to the platinum you cant option on a limited. its mostly creature comforts and QoL things.

platinum :

rain sensing wipers (plat only)
black roof rails vs chrome limited
black wheels vs grey limited
clear tail lights vs red limited
prem leather vs regular leather limited (meh)
heated 2nd row (plat only)
digital key std vs option limited (its a wash since i can never get mine to stay downloaded to my phone)
hud (plat only)


compare here

https://www.toyota.com/4runner/features/mpg_other_price/8668/8632/8638

 

[sstarrx2]

hybrid battery is 10/150k

moonroof typically dont leak, but they have had issues in the past where the rubber seals go bad or dont get replaced correctly or initially installed correctly (but that has been a rare occurence)

if you need ft4wd then its the limited, you can option out a limited to almost a platinum and save roughly 2k sticker price (you can save even more if you go gas only ft4wd vs the hybrid version, around 5k i think vs the platinum). there is only a small subset of things that are exclusive to the platinum you cant option on a limited. its mostly creature comforts and QoL things.

platinum :

rain sensing wipers (plat only)
black roof rails vs chrome limited
black wheels vs grey limited
clear tail lights vs red limited
prem leather vs regular leather limited (meh)
heated 2nd row (plat only)
digital key std vs option limited (its a wash since i can never get mine to stay downloaded to my phone)
hud (plat only)


compare here

https://www.toyota.com/4runner/features/mpg_other_price/8668/8632/8638

The fact you have to pay an extra $25000 for all these little comforts is straight up insanity too!!

 

[shine]

The fact you have to pay an extra $25000 for all these little comforts is straight up insanity too!!

You're off by an order of magnitude there my friend...

 

[sstarrx2]

You're off by an order of magnitude there my friend...

Well...was not talking about Limited to Platinum. I was talking SR5 to any of the upper level trims...I have seen them for $67000.

 

[shine]

Well...was not talking about Limited to Platinum. I was talking SR5 to any of the upper level trims...I have seen them for $67000.

Yeah, but @Nodak was comparing limited to platinum...

We all have different preferences and priorities, and that's okay! It's great to see Toyota offering different trims at different price points for us to choose from!

 

[SC4Runner]

Huh? Have you ever owned a 4Runner before? The sunroof has never been a problem on Toyota Trucks and the hybrid battery is a system that’s been in existence in Toyota vehicles for over 20 years without issue either. I have the sunroof and the iForce Max and have zero concerns for long term ownership or longevity. This is my 3rd 4Runner over a 20 year period and I’ve owned 3 different generations an average of 10 years each time.

This is my first 4Runner, and I plan to keep it 20+ years. Something tells me the hybrid battery and/or the sunroof will cause the most headache over the long term. Anything I’ve ever had with a sunroof, it was a disaster at some point. I’ve also been on this forum and 6G4R FB pages long enough to see that the biggest problems have been with the hybrids IMO. No thanks. Hard pass for me. Not knocking any other opinions, I’m just giving my $0.02!

 

[NWRes]

thanks all. The backstory to all of this is that I'm a lifetime chevy owner and currently daily drive my Silverado. It's a 2018 with 57k miles. I was going to trade in for a new GMC Sierra but the price delta between mine and what I'd want is sizeable, enough so that it pays for a good chunk of an additional vehicle. I like the size of my wife's X5 so I started to look for an SUV similar in size for the days I need to drive into Boston. I plan on keeping my Silverado, so the FT vs PT 4WD isn't much of an issue for me. I just heard FT 4WD is nicer, especially on rainy days as the PT slips a lot (not sure if true). My wifes old Grand Cherokee was FT 4WD and it was great year round.

I like the Platinum minus the navy interior.

Is it true the sunroof will leak? is that a common issue? usually it's just the matter of keeping the drains and track clean of debris. If its a common issue, perhaps I consider the Trail Hunter again (and delete the snorkel) if the interior color looks ok in person. Or look at the Grand Cherokee.

I have owned a few Chevy trucks and a few Toyotas. Back in March I sold the 2003 Sequoia that we purchased new and picked up a TRD Off Road Premium. With about 1,000 miles on it we drove it from NW WA to San Antonio and back. Took it in for the 10,000 mile service today. Very pleased with it and no regrets. The Sequoia was nice but was developing more age related issues, stuff you would expect but it was time to downsize and for technology upgrades. I still have a 2004 2500HD that I have no plans to let go of for now, also purchased new. Also has age related issues but dealer mechanics have been telling me not to sell it because it does not have a DEF system. Do as you planned. Keep the Silverado and pick up a new 4Runner. You will be happy you did.

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