2008 4runner question
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eskimochaos
Banned
nope
Nuke
New member
My '08 is as fantastic as my '90 and '00 were; even better.
When I bought my '08 late in that year, there were quite a few '08 leftovers plus new '09s on the lot. The auto industry was in the pits at that time so cars weren't moving. If you've found a lot of '08s be thankful. That means you should be able to swing a kick azz deal if you have the balls to go head-to-head with the sales manager or owner. I paid close to $2500 below invoice before taxes and fees.
When I bought my '08 late in that year, there were quite a few '08 leftovers plus new '09s on the lot. The auto industry was in the pits at that time so cars weren't moving. If you've found a lot of '08s be thankful. That means you should be able to swing a kick azz deal if you have the balls to go head-to-head with the sales manager or owner. I paid close to $2500 below invoice before taxes and fees.
maine runner
New member
These most likely are leased vehicles. Many don't buy out the lease when it expires.
CaliDreamer
New member
I just bought an 08' T4R with about 52k miles for around $21k. I'm with you though. I wasn't looking to spend that much and preferred an older model just for price reasons. But try as I might,.. there were very few earlier models available. In fact, I was thinking about the exact same question on here just a couple of days ago.
I just bought an '08 with 51,000 on it for $19,900. I've only changed oil (it was a little over-filled) and air filter... plan on a 60k service with new plugs lube, general checkover, etc. So far I love it, added a 2.5" Daystar lift. It was a lease or rental car... should I be scared?
Nuke
New member
Incredible deal! If it seems to be running fine and everything was checked over by a mechanic you can trust, I'd say you struck gold. Enjoy. I've been a Toyota owner since '81 (6 Toyotas total) including 3 4Runners. All I can say is, maintain these cars and you'll wonder why you ever bought domestic.
With 51k on the odometer, it sounds like it saw a lot of highway which is MUCH easier on the car than stop-and-go city driving.
No more than buying any used vehicle. Most of the reputable rental sales lots offer certified cars and cherry pick only the best for sale. I work for one, and I wouldn't hesitate getting the "right" one from them. Sadly, my choice was an 09 TE, which won't show up on our lots until next summer, if at all, so I bought new, but my last car came from a rental lot.
Of course the "drive it like a rental car" mentality doesn't help the business. (wait--you could be the next driver after one of those--think about it--or is that why the rental rates are so high--always having to replace the abused cars.)
Bill W
Thanks for the encouraging words. I didn't have a mechanic check it out; in fact I bought it hurriedly while on a trip to another state... it sounded good, looked clean and leak free so I pulled the trigger and continued my journey. I haven't bought domestic since the mid seventies, first Toyota was a new '86 pickup, (was the label Tacoma in effect then?) sold it at 256,000 miles, still didn't need oil between changes and the closest thing to engine work ever performed was replacement of the brushes in the alternator at 186,000 miles and a little clean up of the copper in the starter solenoid.
This is my second 4-Runner, had a used '96 that was great, and three Tacomas. Was a little disappointed that the '08 seemed to have notably less road clearance than the '96, but Daystar fixed that. I'm sure there are other good vehicles out there, I hear nice things about Hyundai, but the investment is so large for me, I can't see me having the courage to ever get anything but Toyota...
Here in the Portland area, there was a glut of rental sales last month. Picked one up from the dealer - '08, SR5, V6, 38k on the clock, Toyota certified, $21,700.
Apparently, the way to tell if it is a rental - SR5, 3rd row seats (so they can market it as a "7 passenger" vehicle), no roof rack and no tow package (so people don't ding the thing up trying to use these features).
Apparently, the way to tell if it is a rental - SR5, 3rd row seats (so they can market it as a "7 passenger" vehicle), no roof rack and no tow package (so people don't ding the thing up trying to use these features).
I was shopping 4Runners awhile back and there are tons of these out there as rental returns. As mentioned above, they don't have the tow package which makes them useless to me. It would cost too much to add that plus I'm just not fond of buying a rental. Quite a few lease returns showing up from '07 (36 month leases). Not crazy about buying a lease vehicle either because they usually only get the minimum maintenance, if that.
eskimochaos
Banned
Dont get a rental - thats just silly.