12' 4RTE vs 15' 4RTE Premium Cost Benefit?

[MATTYDIRT]

So - I've found a 12' 4R TE with Nav that has 15k miles on it and I could purchase for around $31k (certified pre-owned). I test drove a brand new 15' 4RTE Premium and really liked it. I got the dealer down to $38,385 -

I'm a bit weary about the large price tag, but I'm putting it out to the group to see if the 15' is worth the price difference?

I'm a long time Tacoma owner, but I'm transitioning to a T4R and I'm a little less versed on this vehicle.

Any and all input is much appreciated!

 

[Engineer]

Only you can know if the difference is worth it. You are going down the right path by trying to understand the differences. My logic would be:

Mechanically they are very similar so you are paying for cosmetics and the knowledge of exactly how the truck was treated and maintained for the 1st 3 years of its life. To me this was worth the premium, when I was looking I quickly saw how high used prices were (although that price doesn’t seem bad for a Trail Premium with only 15k) and knew that I would be buying new.

 

[JayceeP]

Yeah, assuming you don't care about the front end or other minor changes, you're basically paying $7,000 for the extra 1-2 years of warranty that you lose on buying the used one. Tough call.

 

[Donkey]

Are you paying cash and do you have a trade? Not sure how your state handles vehicle sales tax, that could also figure in to the overall cost. I'd rather have the extra cash myself, functionally they are pretty much the same.

 

[mtvp]

I would go with the new one myself. I'm kind of in the same boat.I'm looking at a buddies used LE 2010 who wants 30K and 40 K on the clock. Babied but still five yrs. old and no warranty left really.
Koon's has a 2015 for 40K . I'd buy new. This is coming from a 3 rd gen owner with 172 K on the clock.

 

[Landy]

For me personally I got a new one ('14) because of the interior upgrades. I also like the new front end, but the white interior lighting is much easier for my colorblind eyes. The black interior, the brushed metal, and everything else is just really nice overall. With the prices of used trail editions the way they are, it was an easy decision for me.

 

[Seatown]

Do both vehicles have KDSS? How about the '12, does it have the JBL system? That is a damn good price on the '12 and its a super tough call. It's going to come down to what look you like best...also leather vs cloth. Maybe backup camera in rear view camera vs larger screen. $7k is a lot of money, but you'll need to place values on the items everyone has listed above.

Good luck and keep us updated.

 

[4FL]

I had this issue as well; buy used or buy new. I was not in a hurry, so I had time to shop around.

I ended up buying new. The reason was that after years of car hopping as my income grew, the 4r was "the one" that I plan on keeping for a long time, no matter how much more I make, because I do not think there is anything better. Since I planned on keeping it for a while, I wanted it to have everything I desired, color and options.

I would consider a used one, but after searching for a while, I could not find one that I exactly wanted for the price being demanded. In comparison to the new one, it has everything I wanted, including the color.

The price to me was not much of a difference, but this is highly dependent on your financial situation. No matter what your desires, sometimes the $31k one is just the one you have to go with as it makes the most financial sense in your situation.

 

[ic0517]

Am I the only one wondering when I first clicked on the topic what is a 12 foot or 15 foot 4Runner?

 

[txbonds]

For what it's worth, I bought my new 15 TE for $35k so $31k for a 3 yr old truck seems to high to me.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Am I the only one wondering when I first clicked on the topic what is a 12 foot or 15 foot 4Runner?

I would go with the 15 footer for sure.

 

[mnofpeace]

Similar situation with my SR5...buy a demo 2014 for $28.9 with 20K miles or a nicer 2011 SR5 with 44K for $27.7.

yes, the 2011 had moon roof, a touch here or there, but i went with the 2014 with the back up camera, and it was, uh-hem...NEW. Like has been said, sure the 2011 had a few more creature comforts...but I, too, am the type of person who keeps his vehicles until they die. I have a 2003 F150 with 235k miles that runs like a top, and my new T4R is my new daily driver to take the burden for the next 5-25 years or more. i have a couple kids who will be needing transport to sporting events, and eventually college, and my 4R will be the vehicle that will take them there and back, into the next decade hopefully.

Id go with the newer model. yes, it might be a bigger sting for your wallet for the next few yrs, but if you think long run/big picture, it will be that much newer come 2020 and beyond and you are still enjoying it.

just my 2 cents.

 

[AZrunner11]

12 te

I would go for the '12 purely for the exterior appearance....but that is just me. However, like Engineer said the piece of mind of knowing the life of the truck its entire life is worth the premium.

 

[Kennyr44]

I never buy new but the price of the used ones in Denver is so high it was a no brainer for me. I bought a 2014 Premium 4 months ago for $37,000 with 3 years financing with no interest from Toyota. We already have 9,500 miles on it. Drove it from Denver to the east coast and down to the Florida Keys and back home. We dont off road much but love driving a real truck. It replaced a full size 2001 Mitsubishi Montero we bought one year old and drove 200k. Great truck. We gave it to our daughter after getting the 4 Runner. She totaled it in 2 weeks. We also have a 2006 Mercedes Ml350 with 126k. Beautiful car but piece of German Shit. Cant get any real money for it so its staying. As long as Im telling my life story our 3rd car is a 1991 Lexus LS400 with 200k. Best sedan ever built. Im taking that one to my grave.

 

[MATTYDIRT]

Thanks for all the input. I used to love car shopping, ha.

So, just after putting a deposit down on the '12 (footer), the dealership peppered in that if I wanted to have it "certified pre-owned", which includes a 7 year 100k mile drivetrain warranty, I'd have to throw in another $1000, which brings the truck to $32,9. At that point, when I factor in what I could buy a brand new '15 Trail (non-premium) in NH and not in NY (where the '12 TE is) and after getting a taste of what kind of dealership it is, I decided to to let that one glide. I saw a '13 TE on the road today, I do like the stylings a bit better, but I'm also looking for the latest and greatest to last me the longest.

So I'm swallowing the initial cost and plan on kissing a hefty down payment good bye on a new '15 4R. I was settled on a Mag Gray TEP until I saw one of my local dealers had a black TRD Pro..aaaand now I'm back to making a tough decision, but that discussion is for another thread.

Thanks all for piece of your mind. I look forward to being a 4runner owner soon and utilizing this site!

Cheers

 

[4runnerKC]

I've never bought a new car before - typically I buy low mileage 1-3 year old cars and let someone else take the depreciation hit. But when I saw 2-3 year old 4Runners selling for $3-5k less than new with 30-50k miles, it didnt really make sense to me...so for the first time ever, I bought a new car and came home with a '15 SR5 Premium that I absolutely love.

 

[MATTYDIRT]

I've never bought a new car before - typically I buy low mileage 1-3 year old cars and let someone else take the depreciation hit. But when I saw 2-3 year old 4Runners selling for $3-5k less than new with 30-50k miles, it didnt really make sense to me...so for the first time ever, I bought a new car and came home with a '15 SR5 Premium that I absolutely love.

I agree with you, completely on buying a new one. I usually look for the cream puff, end of a lease vehicle, but those too come at a premium.

So, after long debate and many hours spent researching/car shopping at dealerships (and not working), Im locking down a great deal on a Black 2015 4RTEP. I opted for the TEP vs. the TRD Pro for the added features and ability to "grow" into the car (aka, do the mods myself down the road when I'm looking for an update). I think the novelty will wear off, for me personally, but if I see a black TRD Pro on the road...."AWWW!! That thing is so sick!"

Cheers and thanks for the info.