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Looking for Buying Advice

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by Agar426, Oct 11, 2020.

  1. Oct 11, 2020 at 3:43 PM
    #1
    Agar426

    Agar426 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2020
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    Male
    Hello everyone! I am looking to purchase a new SUV, and the 4Runner is one of my choices. The vehicles will be my wife's primary driver, as well as used for camping, fishing, etc., which is the easy stuff, but also for long distance road trips.

    Although it's been around ten years, I am definitely wanting the current platform. I like the body on frame, the looks, the 4.0 vs. 3.5, etc., etc., and I like the 2020 updates to the interior.

    • I am primarily looking at the TRD Pro, but, the OR and ORP are less money, and I am wondering if the TRD Pro is worth it? What does the TRD get that would be hard to replicate for the difference in cost, keeping in mind the TRD would have those things with a warranty.
    • Suspension - I do plan on running 285s....does the Pro come with a stock lift? If not, is lifting a TRD Pro going to ruin the upgrades that make it a TRD Pro? What are the go to suspensions for the 4Runner?
    • I live at 7,400 ft, and am a little concerned about on road performance. I realize the supercharger is no longer a dealer option, but is it still an option in the aftermarket (compatibility with newer calibrations, etc.)? Are there any pitfalls to running a supercharger? I am ok with running premium, but am I cutting engine/tranny life down? Etc, etc, etc....
    • What are the known issues with the current platform? Anything I should look out for?
    • Purchasing - The Toyota dealerships in my area are among my least favorite people....they are almost the same as a Honda ATV dealership, in that every response to every question is "Hey bro, it's a Toyota....." For Ex: How does the Fox suspension work? "Hey bro, it's a Toyota, it goes wherever you point it." How does that 4.0 run? "Hey bro, it's a Toyota, you'll never have any problems." I am well aware of the reputation, but I hate that approach from the dealerships. When I ask a question, I want a real answer. Is it that way in other areas? I have no problem jumping on a plane and driving it home. So, my question is where are the big places to buy? When I bought my CTD Ram, everyone knows that Dave Smith Motors has the best deals....where is the Dave Smith of the Toyota world? Does such a thing exist?
    • Any other comments on the TRD Pro vs the OR or ORP?
    Thank you for any help!
     
  2. Oct 11, 2020 at 3:58 PM
    #2
    Jynarik

    Jynarik I like boobies

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2019
    Member:
    #10510
    Messages:
    2,183
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    Male
    Austin Texas
    Vehicle:
    2019 trd pro voodoo
    The pro has exclusive color, wheels, fox suspension and pro skid plate. Around 1” higher than other trims. Only worth it if you don’t want to do any mods or want the color.

    the pro will also hold slightly better value.
     
    Agar426[OP] likes this.
  3. Oct 11, 2020 at 4:31 PM
    #3
    Mohoman

    Mohoman New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2019
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    #8517
    Messages:
    377
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Sean
    Vehicle:
    99 Limited
    Queen of Battle
    Welcome from Austin!!! By the list of things the vehicle is utilized for, the ORP should be somewhat overkill. True, it won’t hold its value like a TRDPRO but if you have intentions on modifying the vehicle, why spend >10k to justify swapping out components. Budget suspensions start around 1k (for performance and go all the up to 7k or more).

    Next, you’ll have the giddiness of being a PRO owner but, in the grand scheme of things, upon your use, spend the 10k on a trip with the runner after you buy it.

    I expect someone to chime in with a different perspective however, this is a long debated topic and there people that will let their opinion be known but, yours is the only that matters.

    I bought a 2020 TRD ORP and yes, I think about whether purchasing a PRO would have been a better choice. In the end, I decided to do some after market mods and took the money I saved for said mods and an all inclusive trip to Disney Word for the wife. Feel like I’m winning the life game pretty hard right now!!

    best of luck and cheers!!
     
    Agar426[OP] likes this.
  4. Oct 11, 2020 at 4:48 PM
    #4
    MI-FL off roader

    MI-FL off roader T4R Hobby/Addict

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2015
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    #878
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    First Name:
    Brett
    Merritt Island, FL
    Vehicle:
    03' SR5 Sport - 12' Limited
    Too many mods and too much money
    I think I read that a SC isn't ready for the 2020 yet due to some changes in the ECU with safety sense and developing a tune for it. URD and Magnuson are the only ones making one that I'm aware of. This was in an email back in late may from Magnuson:

    Thank you for contacting Magnuson Products.

    Currently not available at this present time however, we know the supercharger system and components will be the same while Toyota has changed their computer/ECU architecture on the new 2020 4Runner models.

    We have received several computers/ECU’s in for testing but have not been able to read/write and we’re still waiting for the aftermarket software companies to provide tuning capabilities so we can then provide our calibration for the supercharger system. Unfortunately, we do not have a time table for availability, and feel free to sign-up for our newsletter: Mailing List it’ll keep you informed on new products as they become available.

    Kind regards,



    Kevin Woodruff

    Field Sales Manager
    Magnuson Products LLC.
     
    Agar426[OP] likes this.
  5. Oct 11, 2020 at 5:09 PM
    #5
    SlvrSlug

    SlvrSlug Slightly bent.

    Joined:
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    First Name:
    John
    Ramona Ca.
    Vehicle:
    2017 4-Runner SR-5 P. Kings, Built Right uca’s, Durabumps, RSG sliders
    Welcome to the forum.
     
    Agar426[OP] likes this.
  6. Oct 11, 2020 at 6:12 PM
    #6
    Agar426

    Agar426 [OP] New Member

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    Thank you everyone for the comments, as well as the welcome! There is definitely a lot to think about. I come from the Jeep world (not leaving it....just looking to add! ;) ), which I am very famiiar with what the aftermarket has to offer. I know the 4Runner has a huge following as well, but I still need to learn, what's available, what to avoid, what to consider, etc. Great forum, great info.....thank you everyone!
     
  7. Oct 11, 2020 at 6:37 PM
    #7
    DreamsComeTrue

    DreamsComeTrue New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2020
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    #16308
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    Vehicle:
    2020 Venture
    Let me just tell you something important. BUY. THE. PRO. Don’t try to save few thousand on such an important purchase. It will hold value better than any other vehicle. I bought a Venture and while it’s an amazing truck, if I went back I’d get a Pro.
     
    Agar426[OP] likes this.
  8. Oct 11, 2020 at 6:46 PM
    #8
    RusPro17

    RusPro17 Back home again!!

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2017
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    #4821
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    1,556
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    Don
    Pa.
    Vehicle:
    2023 TRD Pro Solar Octane
    SCS wheels and Westcott lift
    Welcome aboard!! Me personally I prefer the Pro. I have owned a lot of Toyota trucks over the years. I’m all about numbers when it comes to owning a Toyota truck. I traded my 17 Pro in on my 2020 AG Pro. I got almost what I paid for my 17 Pro. Yes I made some changes to my 2020 Pro but not a big expense. I removed the roof rack and sold it. No use for it. Yes I wanted to run 285’s and for $350 you can add the new Eibach springs to your fox suspension to lift it high enough. Which is a bargain considering your going to spends a couple thousands of dollars to add a lifted suspension. I’m very happy with my Eibach springs. If you plan on holding onto the vehicle the Pro is going to hold its value better. Good luck on your decision.
     
    Agar426[OP] and DreamsComeTrue like this.
  9. Oct 11, 2020 at 6:46 PM
    #9
    Oldtoyotaguy

    Oldtoyotaguy Paid cash for it

    Joined:
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    2018 Toyota 4 Runner Offroad
    Hey Agar426. A Pro and an Off Road are basically the same vehicle, except the OR has KDSS. The best way to find out what KDSS is, is to YouTube it. I wouldn’t want a 4 Runner without it, personally. The suspension on the Pro can easily be duplicated on the OR if that’s what you want. These vehicles are tough and reliable. 8 air bags. You can’t go wrong buying one. If you decide you don’t like it, it’s easy to sell, and you won’t lose much money on it. Good luck!
    BTW, welcome from Canada to the forum!
     
  10. Oct 12, 2020 at 6:17 AM
    #10
    mousemeat

    mousemeat New Member

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    Memphis, TN.
    Vehicle:
    1997 4 runner limited
    upgraded suspension, large all terrain tires
    buy the pro...if you can, etc....welcome to the forum...and hello from memphis.
     
    Agar426[OP] likes this.
  11. Oct 12, 2020 at 7:32 AM
    #11
    Agar426

    Agar426 [OP] New Member

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    Thank you everyone for the welcome!

    Any thoughts on which dealerships, or areas of the country tend to have the best deals? Toyota seems to operate differently than other brands. Whenever I go in and try to talk about having one ordered, they don't seem to be interested. They seem to be more interested in finding one that matches the order specs at another dealership. That tells me their network is more closely tied than the other brands, making it difficult to find a deal that's much different.
     
    Oldtoyotaguy likes this.
  12. Oct 12, 2020 at 10:22 AM
    #12
    Agent_Outside

    Agent_Outside A Guy A Girl and A Trail

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2018
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    #8098
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    1,933
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    Built 2011 T4R Limited
    For a long time the Pro was a bullshit packed of port installed accessories slapped onto an Off-Road. That’s not the case anymore. The new Pro has a few things you can’t get with Off Road Premium (not including the regular Pro stuff they are known for obviously) like auto headlights, LED high beams, premium JBL audio, dual zone climate control, heated sidemirror glass, and I’m not 100% on this but I believe the Pro gets smart key now and Off Road still does not? For the first time a valid argument can made for the value of a Pro.

    Edit - but you also have to factor in Pros don’t get discounted like Off-Roads do, and Toyota finance deals don’t apply to TRD Pro models.
     
    Agar426[OP] likes this.
  13. Oct 12, 2020 at 10:36 AM
    #13
    RusPro17

    RusPro17 Back home again!!

    Joined:
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    Don
    Pa.
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    2023 TRD Pro Solar Octane
    SCS wheels and Westcott lift
    I was recently down at my dealership getting state inspection. First oil change and alignment done because of lifting it. Chatting with my salesman. Been dealing with him for last couple of years. They have a Lunar Rock 4runner Pro coming in. 2 people were interested but turned it down. I was joking with him maybe I would be please. Then I said no thanks. I like my AG Pro. Not going anywhere.
     

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