Hi Guys
I know this has been covered before, but my situation is very specific. One year ago, I bought a 03 4runner. It's been a great car, I have the V8 Limited 2wd. The torque is amazing, and recently I even installed tundra 17s on the car. This was the best mod ever as the tundra 17s are 15mm and the stock 4runner are 30mm. I replaced the stock shocks with Bilstein oem replacements. The added track width increased highway stability SO MUCH you would not believe. It is very stiff in the sweepers and hardly rolls. Probably handles better than a porsche cayenne S. It handles very well, I have track experience, and am very happy with what this suv can do. I also have a aftermarket Pioneer Navigation system DVD player.
The car currently has 85k miles, and needs new rotors, brake pads, and will be needing the timing belt service all within the next year. I should also clean the throttle body. All this equals to at around 1200 dollars as I would only use quality aftermarket pads and rotors. I bought the car for 16.7k including tax and license- used one year ago, including the shocks I am in about 17.2k. The car is under warranty for another couple months, and it has a slowly developing exhaust rattle at very very low rpms, which is most likely a gasket- I have not yet fixed but it will be covered, just probably have to pay my 50 deductible and maybe a little bit more to diagnose.
Now, I went to the dealership and found a 07 FJ cruiser Black 6 speed 4wd with 45k miles. The car is a package 1 without the roof rack, also has that compass thing. Parking sensor, traction control, rear lsd locker. The car looks perfect. I checked everything and everything looks so clean and perfect, the rotors show no signs of hard braking, the tires are original at 45k miles and show very little wear. Original owner traded it in, the car is beautiful and drove like new. The tires were made in october of 06, I do not know when the car was manufactured. I have driven stock FJs and the TRD shock equipped one. This FJ drove very well, shifted very well, the engine response was very good. I think I can get this car for 20k out the door if I try hard enough.
Now, the FJ cruiser has softer suspension. It rolls a bit more, doesn't handle as good as much 4runner but has 40k miles less. I live in LA, and we drive all highway, but there are trails that I am sure I will visit. Also, my 4runner has the noisy moonroof, the fj cruiser was so quiet I could not believe. 4runner is way faster in terms of horsepower, and can tow, but it is getting older and will require big services soon, $1200 within a year.
If I can sell the 4runner for 15k, should I tag on another 5k and get the FJ cruiser? It is newer, has 40,000 fewer miles, and if we include the cost of that 1200 upcoming service I need to do on the runner, the FJ will only be an extra 3800 dollars. and it's 4 years newer.
Seems like a no brainer huh? I am a student who doesn't have that much income, some of these above costs will be financed for credit purposes. I also want to learn to fly propeller airplanes this summer, that will cost 4500. Should I just keep the 4runner, do the services, and just run it for another 50k miles, or should i just pay get the FJ and dont' worry about any maintenance for the next four years. I guess I will still find a way to take my flying classes.
Thanks in advance guys!!!
I know this has been covered before, but my situation is very specific. One year ago, I bought a 03 4runner. It's been a great car, I have the V8 Limited 2wd. The torque is amazing, and recently I even installed tundra 17s on the car. This was the best mod ever as the tundra 17s are 15mm and the stock 4runner are 30mm. I replaced the stock shocks with Bilstein oem replacements. The added track width increased highway stability SO MUCH you would not believe. It is very stiff in the sweepers and hardly rolls. Probably handles better than a porsche cayenne S. It handles very well, I have track experience, and am very happy with what this suv can do. I also have a aftermarket Pioneer Navigation system DVD player.
The car currently has 85k miles, and needs new rotors, brake pads, and will be needing the timing belt service all within the next year. I should also clean the throttle body. All this equals to at around 1200 dollars as I would only use quality aftermarket pads and rotors. I bought the car for 16.7k including tax and license- used one year ago, including the shocks I am in about 17.2k. The car is under warranty for another couple months, and it has a slowly developing exhaust rattle at very very low rpms, which is most likely a gasket- I have not yet fixed but it will be covered, just probably have to pay my 50 deductible and maybe a little bit more to diagnose.
Now, I went to the dealership and found a 07 FJ cruiser Black 6 speed 4wd with 45k miles. The car is a package 1 without the roof rack, also has that compass thing. Parking sensor, traction control, rear lsd locker. The car looks perfect. I checked everything and everything looks so clean and perfect, the rotors show no signs of hard braking, the tires are original at 45k miles and show very little wear. Original owner traded it in, the car is beautiful and drove like new. The tires were made in october of 06, I do not know when the car was manufactured. I have driven stock FJs and the TRD shock equipped one. This FJ drove very well, shifted very well, the engine response was very good. I think I can get this car for 20k out the door if I try hard enough.
Now, the FJ cruiser has softer suspension. It rolls a bit more, doesn't handle as good as much 4runner but has 40k miles less. I live in LA, and we drive all highway, but there are trails that I am sure I will visit. Also, my 4runner has the noisy moonroof, the fj cruiser was so quiet I could not believe. 4runner is way faster in terms of horsepower, and can tow, but it is getting older and will require big services soon, $1200 within a year.
If I can sell the 4runner for 15k, should I tag on another 5k and get the FJ cruiser? It is newer, has 40,000 fewer miles, and if we include the cost of that 1200 upcoming service I need to do on the runner, the FJ will only be an extra 3800 dollars. and it's 4 years newer.
Seems like a no brainer huh? I am a student who doesn't have that much income, some of these above costs will be financed for credit purposes. I also want to learn to fly propeller airplanes this summer, that will cost 4500. Should I just keep the 4runner, do the services, and just run it for another 50k miles, or should i just pay get the FJ and dont' worry about any maintenance for the next four years. I guess I will still find a way to take my flying classes.
Thanks in advance guys!!!
), but now I wouldn't consider acquiring the current generation FJ. Just my opinion, but I'd wait until the next generation addresses the front fender/body/frame issue (appears to be affecting as much as 1/4 of active FJ forum members) and improvements like better enty/exit for the rear passenger doors, power rear hatch window, better driving visibility, etc. I realize this may be asking too much however . . .
