Hello from Michigan - First Toyota, First Post, Lengthy!

Hello from the Mitten a.k.a. Michigan! I've lurked and exhausted a lot of time researching prior to my purchase. I suppose a bit of background will help add some substance to the purpose of this thread.

• I am coming from a 2017 Honda Civic Sport. I purchased it brand new in 2017 - mistake (sorta). Insurance is ridiculous and it does not perform well in the winter to say the least. However, I traveled a lot for work and would often see upwards of 42 miles to the gallon

• COVID-19 happened. I no longer travel as much, thinking ahead to winter, had a decent amount of equity in the Honda, timing was right. SOLD.

• The search started with a Wrangler (another story, another time), then shifted toward a Toyota Tacoma. I went to the dealership to sit in one, and as I was passing through the service bay to get to the Tacoma, a beautiful blue Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro rolled in. I drooled, sat in the Tacoma - thought about 4Runner - exited Tacoma. I didn't know what they were (never had a Toyota anything), but I spent the next several weeks learning (thank you to this Forum, YouTube and other sources).

• After a review of every trim, I landed on a TRD Pro. My first choice was Quicksand. I then learned that most TRD Pro's last only hours on a lot, let alone trying to find a specialty color - this was going to be work, and work it was. I began the nationwide search. I was willing to fly anywhere.

• I downloaded every known vehicle sale app, and after weeks of chronically checking, I found a 2015 Inferno Orange 4Runner TRD Pro. I spent 1 week in total conducting the negotiating, virtual tour, scheduled inspection, and concluding by purchasing a one-way ticket with the plan to drive 2 days back home.

• I did just that.

All of that said, I am now the proud owner of not only my first vehicle in the Toyota family, but that of a 4Runner TRD Pro in a color I love. Now that sounds like a happy ending, and for the most part it is - now. However, I discovered a few gremlins shortly after getting it back home. I suppose that is for another post, another time - as long as I can figure out where to start that thread (yes, it will have pictures to go with the gremlins).

 

Welcome! I have the same roof rack

 

Perfect! In that case you'll want to stay tuned for the follow-up post as that is 1 of the gremlins. I will likely write that up in the next day or two - just have to find the proper place on the forum.

 

Welcome to the forum! Nice 4runner!

 

Welcome.

 

welcome, nice

 

I like your style!!! Once you go PRO, you never want anything else...... (this always gets the other owners riled up!!!)

 

Ok I will be watching im curious to hear what it is and hopefully I wont have the same issues or maybe I can help you out. I did install mine so might have some answers for ya.

 

Haha truth. Welcome to the Pro side of the trenches.

 

Where'd you fly to get it?

 

Welcome! (Also from the mitten, also in a Pro)
Luckily I didn't have to fly to get mine - it fell in my lap pretty easily.

 

Welcome! I'm from the mitten as well.

 

Welcome. Great introduction! I love that color on a Pro

 

Welcome. Very nice.

 

I have a feeling there is a lot of truth to this .. on both fronts

 

Sounds great! I got your contact info as well (thank you!). I will write that post up and we can connect afterwards - how does that sound?

 

All in!

 

I flew down to Birmingham, Alabama.

 

If only it worked out that way! The first one I set eyes on was in Utah, the second was Portland, and this one (3rd time is a charm) was in Alabama.

Great to see another Michigander! I've seen a couple of Pro's on the highway, but outside of that I haven't seen much. Whereabouts are you located?

 

Thanks! Whereabouts?

 

Sounds good

 

Alabama isn't that bad I suppose. Mine was local and I got it dirt cheap. (I may have connections, though, so I cheated)
I'm around Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti.

 

Welcome to the family!

Which part of Michigan? I grew up just outside of Flint. (2008 wasn't the best time to be driving a Japanese car)

 

Killer color, I just purchased mine in April and had no idea how rare the color is!

 

Ive seen that color twice in real life. I love it but would have probably pulled my hair out looking for one.

 

Ha! I concur w/ your thoughts - especially consider the word Pro and dirt cheap do not belong in the same sentence.

 

Thanks! Just outside of G.R.

 

Same! Multiple apps as mentioned, and regardless of how I filtered it (even w/ max price and nationwide), I still couldn't find another Inferno Orange. Granted they are out there and I am sure the trickle on the market from time to time.

 

I am beginning to see how true that is.

 

Great post! Great truck! Welcome aboard!

PS maybe I can hit you up for some intel on Michigan spots to see, places to go in a 4R. I'll be traveling through there this weekend!