In need of a new vehicle - what would you do?
 

I've hit a point where I need to buy a new vehicle. My 4th gen 4runner (2006) is getting long in the tooth, and my 5th gen (2014) just broke the 100K mark and will probably be going to a new driver in the household.

Toyota is making this difficult with no 6th gen on the horizon.

I'm a die-hard Toyota fan, and have had multiple 4runners (3rd through 5th gen) and pickups (1987 pickup - 2014 Tacoma). My driving is mostly on-road, but I have always liked the ruggedness and potential in the 4runner.

My options right now, as I see them:

• New 4Runner - Though this could give me the chance to step up from an SR5 to a higher trim model like the Limited, I've been so disappointed in the lack of change over the years. I just don't think there's enough different from my 2014 to make this worthwhile to pay new car prices.
• Sequoia - I know little about them yet, but I like the look of the new Sequoia. Fuel economy looks no better than the 4Runner, and I don't know that this gives me much more than a little more room (which I probably don't need) and a few extra bells and whistles. Plus they are pricey and hardly available in my neck of the woods.
• RAV4 Adventure/Off-Road - I don't particularly like downsizing, but the Adventure and Off-Road models look more rugged than I would have imagined. The fuel economy is a plus considering gas prices. Similar to the Sequoia, availability isn't great, but the pricing is a little more affordable.

Looking for thoughts on what you all are doing as you wait for the 6th gen.

And as a side question, I haven't bought a new vehicle in 6 years. What's the deal with pricing nowadays? My last purchase (Ford) was a special order, and I paid less than invoice pricing. Have supply chain issues and supply/demand driven the prices up to where the buyer has no leverage? What's typical to expect to pay for a new Toyota these days?

Thanks in advance!

Yeah, this is arguably the worst time in the history of automobiles to buy a car due to supply chain issues and crazy pricing. If you must, you must though. There are dealers selling at MSRP if you search, but getting a deal below that is not really heard of lately.

I was at my local dealer last week and they were tacking on a $25,000 dealer markup on a Rav4 Prime. 65 grand for a Rav4.

My 19 4R should be around for a long time to come. Just approaching 20K miles.

Carmax recently said during financial guidance they expect a significant downturn in used car prices. IF you can hold off 6 months expect better purchase environment.

Absolutely wait. 1 more year is not a big deal. Agree with other posters, environment is crap right now.

I would wait, but if not buy a used 2018 or something. I wouldn’t buy a rav 4 or sequoia unless you really like the sequoia.

mooch91,

I’m in a position right now where I want a new 4Runner, but don’t really need one right away. I have a 2006 Toyota Tundra SR5 Double Cab 4WD, that I bought brand new for myself. Currently at 187,XXX miles.

The Tundra is doing great, but I find myself with new truck fever. I have my heart set on a 4Runner as my next vehicle of choice. My needs have changed over the years and I am at the point where I could get along without another open bed pickup truck, and willing to transition in to a closed cabin SUV.

I’ve test driven a couple of 4Runners at the dealer, and also driven a friend’s Limited model. I do not require a Limited, and will end up with either the SR5, or possibly SR5 Premium.

I have two problems that are keeping me from taking the plunge right now.

1) I am finding that none of the three dealers I have visited are willing to deal on a new 4Runner. They are flagrantly / stubbornly staying at sticker price, and do not have a customer friendly attitude. As such, I do not feel compelled to buy.

All my life, I’ve been very satisfied with the deals that I’ve been able to negotiate for myself on new vehicles. For now, I’ve disciplined myself to dig my heels in as well, and have decided that I’m not going to pay sticker. I will wait those thieving bass-turds out, thanks to having a perfectly good set of wheels to drive in my current Tundra.

My wife drives a 2019 BMW that we bought brand new for her in 2019. We got a very satisfactory deal on her BMW back in 2019. The BMW dealer was very accommodating and a complete pleasure to deal with, unlike the snobby Toyota dealers I am currently encountering.

Incidentally, I am not expecting to trade my Tundra in at the dealer for a 4Runner. It will be a straight out purchase with no trade involved to complicate the figures. I have two potential private sale buyers for my Tundra whenever I decide to sell it. One of them is my brother, lol. Of course, that situation could always change over time, especially the longer I wait, but for now they both are bugging me wanting my Tundra. Lol.

My wife is suggesting that I just find myself a nice clean used 4Runner instead, but I have a bug when it comes to buying a vehicle that I MUST buy it brand new. I tend to hold on to my vehicles for a long time once I buy them, so I feel that I have to start out with a brand new one. But, that’s just me.

2) Now then, there is the thing about the next gen 4Runner. I am very curious about just what this thing is going to be like. Part of me thinks I should wait and see what the next gen looks like and drives like before I make such a major purchase decision. I have a bit of a fear of buying a current gen, and then having it immediately becoming old news in the shadow of the next gen.

On the other hand, what if the next gen turns out to be a turd?

And so here I set, in limbo right now- waiting for either something to happen which will cause the dealers to change their attitudes and start dealing again, or, waiting to see, touch and drive the next gen before making my final purchase decision. Perhaps once more is learned about the next gen, prices will start dropping on the current gen. Or not???? That theory may backfire on me if the next gen is a turd as I previously mentioned. What a dilemma.

Just wait till you find something you truly want. We are in the market for a crew cab or large suv. Crew cab not that practical with three kids but still an option. Tundra is on our list but leaning towards a gmc sierra. Sequoia is nice but for the price you can do better with other models ( yukon, tahoe, expedition etc) more features compared to the new sequoia.

We are in no rush and plan on waiting till we see the next gen 4runner unless we come across a great deal. Used car prices are dropping and new cars are basically at msrp.

You bought the BMW before Covid and the supply chain armageddon. I guarantee you if you were working with that dealer today they would not be cutting you a deal below sticker either.

Post Covid buying at MSRP is considered a good price. Don't be afraid to travel. I drove past multiple dealers to find the dealer, price and options I wanted. I liked the handling of the TRD Offroad. I did have to wait on multiple boats loaded with 4runners to arrive before finding the option package I preferred. Pre Covid the Toyota ships would arrive every three weeks. No idea on current supplies.

I was slightly different, I was in a panic last year because I wanted a 4runner but NOT a sixth Gen version! I wanted the tried and true 5th gen. Blessedly for me, the 2023s are still fifth gen so it worked perfectly.

I visited multiple dealers in my area and contacted many more farther away. They ALL were charging MSRP and ALL telling me everyone else was charging over (not true). I paid cash, but not a penny discounted. I was happy to get my strongly preferred Off Road in Barcelona Red, so that was my happy point.

If I were you (had a working vehicle and wanted the next gen), I would wait. I had a ticking tomb bomb of a 2004 Explorer with 269,000 miles, $2800 of exhaust system repairs a breath away, already showing transmission issues, rusting (paid $1800 for new rocker panels two years ago), needed new tires, plus some other issues. So, I really needed to buy a new vehicle.

In my area, they are charging MORE for used vehicles than new. No way I would buy used now. That may be changing though, I noticed one of those expensive used 4runners has been sitting on the lot for a couple months now.....

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The 4Runner is a reliable and capable vehicle, but if you feel that there haven't been enough updates to justify the cost of a new model, then it may not be the best choice for you.

The Sequoia is a larger vehicle with more space and features, but it also has lower fuel economy and may not be as practical for your mostly on-road driving. It's also more expensive and harder to find, which could be drawbacks.

The RAV4 Adventure and Off-Road models could be good options if you want a more fuel-efficient and potentially more affordable vehicle that still has some ruggedness to it. The availability may be an issue, but it's worth checking to see if any dealers in your area have these models in stock.

Moving to General Discussion

We have a '19 SR5 Premium and a '13 RAV4 XLE. Live in snow country (eastern Cascades=got 6" last night and more coming down now!). Both have low miles. The 'Runner had ~17K and the RAV ~23K miles. When I retired, I wanted NO car payments or costly repairs, so we went Toyota. Had a '69 FJ40 that I was restoring/modding, a '95 Frontier Crew Cab and a '95 Xterra. All three were starting to need repairs. Took money out of my 401(k). Never looked back. Days like today when things MIGHT be a bit much for the RAV, the wife borrows my 'Runner. Been through blizzard conditions all along the Sierras and Cascades= no sweat. Both the RAV and the 'Runner are great cars. Will you have access to your 4Runner if need be? Will the Rav be big enough? Those seem to be the pertinent questions!

I would try to wait until next year for any car purchase. I'm trying to wait until at least '25 MY cars come out. May even replace the 4runners Eibach garbage
suspension to make it a more pleasant wait.

Check out Lexus.

@mooch91 I definitely concur with waiting for the market to go down a little bit, as long as you're able to wait. But in the meantime, why not try seeking out another tried and true 3rd gen? I mean, we all know they're the best gen...