I am looking at a 2007 V8 Limited at the dealership I work for that I can purchase with my discount. At my rate, I would get it for what we paid for it at auction, plus $500. I'm not very versed on what is an option on the Limited vs. what is standard as part of the package so your opinions are welcomed. Here's the info on it:

2007 4Runner V8 Limited
48K Miles
1 Owner (Titled as a corporate lease vehicle in PA before purchased by my dealer at auction)
Clean carfax

Options(?)
- JBL Sound System
- Sunroof
- Heated Front Seats
- Tow Hitch

(again, I'm not sure what of the above is an option or standard with the package)

My cost on it once it is prepared for delivery would be around $28500 before tax, tag and title.

Thoughts, opinions, comments, questions WELCOMED. Please help me decide!



J

Okay here is the deal!

I leased and 08 SR5 in early 08.

Decided to purchase it mainly because I don't really like the new version.

Keeping in mind it's an SR5 4WD V-6 with 30765 miles sunroof, auto temp, 17 wheels it's not a low budget but a mid to higher SR5 and our total with the tax and best you can get extended warranty and Toyota used car certification was just over $23,000 out the door. The most the Limited package is worth maybe another 1200 to 1500 dollars.

Best I could come up with checking all the used car valuation sites our truck with the mileage and the Toyota used car re certification retailed it at just over 28,000.

I'm in Cincinnati so I hope this helps.

Seems kind of steep, especially with all of the discounts. I could be way off here, but I paid 22,900 for my 2007 Sport Edition (v6) with only 30,000 miles.

It may be that the vehicle took a premium at auction... keep in mind the dealer only gets $500 profit from the sale to me. Effectively, what they paid is what I pay.

Thats not to say the dealer didn't spend too much, but in my neck of the woods a V8 Limited 4WD is rare due to the rarity of snow... especially in the charcoal gray with the JBL system. It has pretty much everything I am looking for (including no navigation, which I've learned to hate Toyota's nav).


Keep the thoughts and opinions coming... they are much appreciated. I know that area to area is tough to compare, but I still would like the feedback.

J

I paid $28k for a new '08 V6 Sport with sunroof, tow package and a few other extras in '08. I'd think a used '07, limited or not, would be a good bit lower.

That seems really steep. Especially with all the discounts you are claiming. I am in the market for an 05-07 Limited 4wd v8 myself, and I'm seeing them with 50k or less miles for $18K-$25K all day long. Sounds like they gave a high dollar at auction, or someone is lying to ya. Of course, location could have something to do with it. I'm in the Southeast.

I've run the stock number myself, so I know I'm getting what we paid. The dealer has $27,800 in it and I basically pay $500 over that.

I'm stuck on a double-edged sword here. I could wait for a trade in... usually thats where we make a killing, but finding another V8 4WD Limited in NC is rare. We go to auctions in PA and FL and even then those models are all but non-existent in FL and rust-covered in PA. This is one of the few that I have seen in good condition with all the options I would want. Its not likely we would get one on trade in as they are not common in this area at all.

Retail is around $32,000 everywhere I looked, so I know I'm not getting a killer deal, but I also know its the truck I would get if I was able to hand pick all options right down to the color.

Called the bank today for loan approval. Could be a new owner by week's end. I got a steal on my S2000 from the dealership, so I guess I can stomach nearly breaking even on this one.

J

That does seem really expensive.

I bought my 07 V8 4WD Sport (with leather, sunroof & tow package) for $24,500 out the door (including tax, title, and license fees) back in October of 2009.

I live in South TX and the V8 4Runners are definitely hard to come by around here.

I think you can do a lot better. Just take a look at autotrader and see what they're going for.

Sounds like you've got yourself talked into getting it even if it is somewhat overpriced. This summer I got an 08 sport w/25k one owner with all the options you listed minus heated seats but I also had them pay for and install a pioneer nav/dvd for 25.9. I think I overpaid a bit and that's fine, they are few and far between in my neck of the woods.

I'm just going to say it, if it's exactly what you want, you plan on keeping it for a good long while, then the price is probably good for you. I paid a little extra than I needed to as well, mine was a lease trade in so the dealer did just fine. Like you, it was the only SE V8 in Las Vegas when I was buying. I still don't see them today. Limiteds are avail, but I didn't want leather. If you are happy, than go for it.

You know, if the bank finances you, then your price may be right. I don't think a bank will finance an overpriced car.

If it is exactly what you want, and you can stomach the price, go for it.
I would check Cars.com with a 250 mile radius. you might find one in TN....

<------ I bought this one out in Shelby, NC back in 2008 and got a killer deal because I was willing to drive from Chattanooga to get it. V8 4WD SR5 w/60K miles for $12,300 in Dec 08. It still blue books for $12,500 with 103k miles on it.

Trust me... I did my research. I am positive I want V8 4WD limited and they are just rare in this area. NC rarely gets the type of weather that 4WD is needed and most everyone in my area is tree-hugging through town in the Prius, so the V8 is even rarer. Add in the fact that I want the Limited and it makes it even tougher.

I drive a 2005 Honda S2000 every day. Its lowered 2 inches, intake, header, exaust... pretty much set up for track duty. It may handle like its on rails but it will shake the teeth out of your skull. I am looking to have something nicer to drive every day, and pull the S2000 to the track once I really go crazy with it next year. Not to mention it would be nice to still be able to get to work on the one day a year we get a half inch of snow and everything in town shuts down. NC drivers can't drive in the rain, so snow creates pandemonium.

Here's whats on auto trader within 300 miles of me (all Limited V8 4WD):

2006 - Black - 59K miles - $26,875
2006 - Grey - 27K miles - $27,995
2007 - Silver - 64K miles - $27,980
2007 - White - 47K miles - $32,998
2008 - Silver - 40K miles - $29,392 (this one is near Boston, so prob rusty)

I definitely do not want Black or White. The Silver 2007 is ok, but for $400 more I'd rather have the one with almost 20k fewer miles. The grey 2006 is pretty close to the one I found, but again for about $400 having one more year of powertrain warranty is worth it whether I'll actually ever use it or not.

As you can see, in this area, they all seem to fetch a premium. I'm not sure all of them have the JBL audio system, and that is a MUST for me. (Someone correct me, was the JBL audio standard on the Limited or an option?)

I appreciate ALL of your feedback, and I'm not trying to be argumentative at all. I asked for your feedback and opinions and I respect them all.

At the end of the day, I won't be proudly strutting around for the killer deal I got, just happy to be driving what I really want. Hoping to bring it home Wednesday. I look forward to all of your help and opinions as I go along. If any of you saw my Honda, you'd know that I'll never be able to leave the 4Runner alone.

J

Sounds like you have already talked yourself into it so just go ahead. My Runner is an 03 Limited with 46,000 miles. It is like new and I get constant compliments. You should have it for a good long time so if you pay a premium it is still worth it.

Just do it.