Torn between a TRD Pro and the Venture Special Edition

Hi all. I am new member from New Jersey and was torn between a TRD Pro and the Venture Special Edition. I'm leaning more toward the Venture Special addition because of a good finance rate and them being in stock in my area. My question is regarding the KDSS suspension. Is that an option that is hard to get or more available in one region than another? None of the dealership inventory in my area on the Toyota website show any 4 Runner with the KDSS. Not a deal breaker but I would get it if it were available.

 

Welcome.

 

welcome

 

Try Koch33 in Easton PA. Better pricing and fees are capped vs. New Jersey dealers

 

Thanks! I might try that. I was trying to avoid buying out of state because of our Motor Vehicle Services here are in bad shape. Impossible to get anything done with the constant closings. If I remember correctly I would be responsible to get the license plates and registration if I buy out of state. Its been over 10 years since I bought a new car out of state and I do remember that.

 

If you are a Costco member - try their car buyers program, you can score a great deal without any haggling

 

I bought my last 4Runner from Koch. I received the plates and registration in the mail within a few weeks. You do have to go to MVC and get a new car inspection sticker, but that is easy. You do not have to wait in the normal line.

 

Welcome from Arizona!

 

welcome from Memphis, TN....

 

Welcome from Orange County, CA! The PRO will give you much better resale value. I haven't experienced the KDSS but I hear it's pretty great

 

Welcome to the forum!

FYI, KDSS is not available on the Pro.

 

Love my Venture but wish I had gotten a Pro. And I'm a modder. Lots of folks will say don't get a Pro if you plan to mod. I guess it depends on which mods you do. It really comes down to price, IMO. Some dealers will haggle on Pro's, others wont. I hard-balled our local dealer on a Pro and they wouldn't get to where I wanted to go, so we ended up with the Venture. Of course, I was only willing to spend like 1-2 grand more for a Pro than a Venture, which I think is fair, but other's obviously disagree.

The reason I say it depends on which mods, is because I will already be out a grand to put the Pro roof rack and front grille on my Venture... getting closer to that Pro price! It would be nice to have the better stereo and suspension that the Pro have, for sure. And I think it gets remote start and memory seats, a few other small nice bells and whistles to boot. IMO, if you can afford the Pro and they are willing to discount it some (~5%?), I say go for it. Still have a little buyer's regret over here TBH. =P So don't be like me, and take your time!

 

I considered Venture but decided to go ORP from Springfield Conicelli Toyota. I got a pretty good deal (MSRP was $44,800 and I paid $41,300) and its my understanding I can turn my car into a Venture for essentially less than the retail difference between the two.

If I had a little more budget I would have leapfrogged the Venture and gone Pro. Its just such a beauty and the resale value is tough to beat.

Good luck!

 

Few things to consider.. Venture wheels are skinnier than ORP wheels, so if you plan on getting big tires and don't want to replace wheels, ORP is better. Venture has black valences which IMO makes the largest visual difference. Venture has the roof basket which, if you don't use, is kinda pointless.. don't expect to sell it for much. Venture has nice rubber floor mats but you do NOT get the fabric ones, too, in case you care. Like I said, they're all similar so it comes down to price. Yes, the Venture is more like a slightly modded ORP, so I wouldn't pay much more for one, or any more unless you just like the looks more. Whereas the Pro has "mods" that one cannot really do later on without a TON of work such as the stereo and other electrical differences.

If you have time and patience, hold out for exactly what you want. We ended up with the Venture more because COVID shut the factory down and our options were pretty pathetic for new car shopping. They didn't want to sell a silver ORP for what I wanted to pay, they didn't want to sell a black Pro for what I wanted to pay, so then I found this black Venture and the appearance immediately grabbed us. We probably overpaid a bit in the end but whatever, I was so tired of and done with the whole car buying process at that point. There's always the "what if," but I was over it. Didn't feel like haggling away more hours of my life in a distant city trying to get a good deal on a Pro.

 

Oh another nice thing about the Pro is it already actually has A/T tires which will save you some coin if you plan to actually go off-road much. I still can't believe that a TRD Off-Road RAV4 has A/T tires, but a TRD Off-Road / Venture 4Runner has Highway Tires. I mean seriously WTF Toyota?

 

I agree with this. But, they need to justify the $10K markup somehow.

 

Well, 7K =P , but yeah...

 

I guess you're right. But, most dealers won't budge on PRO MSRP, and some even sell above MSRP. meanwhile, you can get 3-4K off an ORP pretty easily.

For only 7K difference, though, the PRO isn't too bad of a deal anymore, as long as you don't plan to modify it.

 

All true. I'm actually surprised, I was pushing hard and directly for a TRD Pro out the door for like 48K. He was trying to get me to come up to 50 and I just wouldn't. I think I offered 49 and they declined. TBH, who knows if they would have even sold it for 50 if I agreed, they were a little sleazy . But I'm sure there are guys that would be like "WHAAT, you refused a Pro at 50K??" In all honesty, 50 was just out of my realistic budget, or I probably would have managed to make something happen there. I had a monthly payment that I wanted to stick to.

 

Go Pro!

 

I never second guess myself. I had a 17 Pro 4runner and traded on the AG2020 Pro. One thing I like I don’t see many Pro’s in my area. Yes once and a while just like my SCS wheels. I barely ever see those wheels on a Toyota in my area. I like that.

 

I appreciate everyone's replies. Lots of great points. I did call the Toyota dealer sales guy I used to deal with and he told me he moved onto another brand dealership. He did tell me the dealer will usually work with you on every model except the Pro. He said when those Pros are on the lot all they did was move it to the front and it would sell within hours. Even the finance rate is higher. Right now they are offering a 2.9% finance rate on every 4 Runner excluding the Pro.

 

That just shows you no matter how many guys complain about the Pro the dealers will sell them. Even my local dealer as soon as they get one someone will buy it even out of the area they will come to buy it.

 

We ended up with the Venture. I like the White with blacked out handles and no badging except front and back. Ended up with a great deal on my trade in and they discounted the 4R. With my trade we were out the door for a little over $20k. Already ditched the stock OEM tires for KO2's. Still debating on suspension/lift. Will go mild if anything. We go to the beach 90% of the time and never got stuck with my TRDOR Tacoma. Plus I have my FJ when we head to the hills. Love the Icon on the FJ, just that's a lot of coin.
They also only had 4 $r's on the lot. Our venture, limited and 2x TRDOR. Not much of a choice. We were set on the 4R or a slightly used GX460.

 

True. Very good marketing by Toyota. Just stick the word PRO on a vehicle and throw in a few minor upgrades, and people will line up to pay full price.

 

If you ever find a Pro under msrp you’d be crazy not to buy it if it fits into your budget. I paid msrp and wasn’t thrilled about it but more I’ve found that’s decent and they pushed me over the edge because they gave me about $2k more for my Jeep trade in than others were offering me. I say that to tell you if you’re trading in try to negotiate that way so they’re still getting their price but you can make up some on the trade in. And lastly if you see a Pro you like at msrp jump on it. It’ll be gone. As someone mentioned earlier, it’s not that it worth it or not, but it’s nice having something this capable and nice that is rarely seen. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

 

If you don't mind a stiff ride, the 6112's have been very good for my uses. Plus, you can really choose the height you want. Although, coilovers can be adjusted as well.

Yup. The OR is the same as a PRO, minus the tires and shocks. As far as off-road goodies.

 

Don’t forget radio , wheels, roof rack, front garnish, social status and complimentary case of white claw included with every one lol.

 

Correct. Main reason for the 4R as a daily is the ride quality and drivability over my TRDOR Tacoma.

 

I was just referring to mechanical features.

I had a Tacoma as well, and agree. The Tacoma always sounded like a window was cracked. It was a cool truck, though. The 4runner just suits me better. I'm currently really impressed with the ride quality even with a lift and 33" tires!