This is the first time I've heard of any constraints on the wheels, but I can see where Toyota is coming from. Did they do something similar with the black BBS wheels for the Tundra?
I agree that the cut-out in the wheel well is unsightly, but I assume it's possible to order the HE version of the wheel wells that don't have the missing portion. Wonder what that mark-up would be? The one thing I do like about the HE is the cargo cover in the back. Do the base models accommodate cargo covers? My T4R was broken into <6 months into ownership for a gym gag full of sweaty clothes. After that, I decided I would always want a cover for an SUV.
Going back to the HE premium: if you look at used prices for the handful of HEs for sale, they seem to be selling for about ~$7k more than the equivalent base with similar miles. Of course, the sample size is pretty small, and that's probably a function of the current market. What would seem reasonable to me is that HEs will sell for a few thousand more than base versions depending on mileage, vehicle condition, and of course, gas prices (don't know what the used 200 market looks like at $4-$5/gallon).
