4Runner Overall Price- Any regrets

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reusha01

New member
Hey guys, just curious, obviously the 4Runner is an unbelievable SUV. One thing I am struggling with is the overall purchase price. I would love a 2008 or 2009 Limited with either a V6 or V8 4x4 and I figured that would run about $40K.

I make a good living and could afford it, but sometimes struggle with the fact that I might pay $40K for a SUV. That is a ton of money to anyone.

Does anyone have any regrets? Is it worth the price tag? I realize that you live once and should enjoy what you drive, but sometimes still struggle with the price.

I guess I could lower my expectations for a Limited, but I love the feel of the leather and heated seats and all of the bells and whistles that come with the Limited. Just curious on anyones thoughts.

I think I already know that answer that I am going to get from this crowd, but any objective advice would be great! Thanks
 
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$40,000 seems like a good price for a 4runner considering how versitle it is. If you don't feel like spending that much, I'm sure you could buy a used one that has only a few miles on it and save a good bit.
 
NO. No regrets! I have an '08 Limited with the bells and whistles.

Here's how to self-rationalize it:

1. You bought it with all the bells and whistles so you won't regret missing something later on (e.g. navigation, leather, 4x4 always on)
2. You're going to keep it for years and years so it'll be an "investment" and save you money the longer you keep it.
3. It is fairly economical (gas versus capacity versus utility) for what you get.

Everyday, you want to only be reminded of the positives of why you have it - and not have one or two nagging thoughts of things you "could have had" if you paid the extra few bucks.

'08 Limited, X-ReAS, Self Levelling, Navigation, Shadow Mica, 4WD, V8.

It's only after 25,000 miles as I think of "lift upgrades" do I think "Hmmm, did I get too much?"

Then you go out and buy HID for fog & driving lights, LEDs for the inside and out, 3M clear protection, a cargo rack, a bike rack, weathertech floormats, to compensate and think "at least it's cheaper than a lift!"
 
I have owned my truck for 9 years and it is the best vehicle. If it had 90k more miles on it, I would by a new one without hesitation.

Here is one opinion -

Finding buyers is hard. Most people don't have the cash for the down payment, trades are worth less and qualifiying for a loan is hard.

If you plan to finance, before you contact the first dealer, check your credit report (3 reports) to see what your FICO score is. Without a good number (750+) the rate will be higher and there is a decent chance your bank will turn you down. Don't do financing through the dealer and get pre approved before you make the offer.

With the state of car/truck sales, I doubt you should have to pay $40k for a '08 Limited V6 4x4. I think if you were smart, you could get a dealer to take $35k maybe less. Find out the invoice price for your options, subtract any current factory incentive and holdback. The more inventory they have, the more they will be able to bargain. Inventory that sits costs them money.


If a new one does not sit well, consider all of the 06 and 07's that are coming off leases. You can get a good deal if you are educated and can negotiate/play hardball.

It is a buyers market.
 

Take this for consideration. I bought a 1999 Range Rover 4.6 HSE for $85,000. It hit 100,000 miles and started shittin the bed immediately. You can take a 4R to 200k and still have a reliable truck.

Just my food for thought.

Doug
 
No regrets from me even with me trading in my (demo) 2WD 2006 V6 Limited on my (brand-spanking-new-ordered-by-me-for-me) 2008 V8 4WD Limited. I suppose it was kind of a dumb thing in retrospect, but I drive it every day and I love it. I ordered my truck with all the options I wanted and was able to keep the stuff I didn't want (rear entertainment system and air suspension) and the Toyoguard protection package. No regrets. My wife says I love my truck a little too much, but whatever! It's exactly what I wanted and I'm happy with it. :D
 
Bought my 4runner in Nov '03 and after 5 good years, I just start it up and go.

After payments are complete, you'll be very happy with your investment (albeit it depreciates).

The SUV is not a 'drivers car' by any means. I think it becomes more utilitarian and should match your lifestyle more than anything else. It sure doesn't give me a passion to drive like a little sporty car does.

40K is a lot though and with today's uncertain job market, if you want to treat yourself go for it. But, I think you can get a decent 4runner, nicely equipped at 30K out the door.

The cost of opperating a 4runner daily, if I recall toyota's commercial, is one of the lowest in the industry...
 
If you can truely swing it financially then now is the time to do it. I just looked up incentives and here in the Midwest you can get a $3,000 rebate. That is my only regret, when I bought my truck in May of '05 I only got a $500 rebate. I have 70,000 miles on my truck with zero problems I still love to drive it and plan to well after I pay it off.

Looking into a slightly used one might not be a bad idea either, avoid some of the immediate depreciation. Good luck!
 
I bought my 08 Limited 4x4 V8 juust a few weeks ago. Yes, the sticker was $43k. No, I didn't pay quite that much for it - and I got 0% financing which saves a TON of money in the long run (thousands of $$) and upgraded to the 7year/100k mile warranty.

But the more I am with it, the more I not only DO NOT have buyer's remorse, but I feel like a crook - in that I got a lot of vehicle for the money in today's economic climate. I am basically a GM and Toyota guy at the end of the day. Being a patriotic American (lol), I auditioned a loaded Silverado before deciding on the 4Runner - I already have a Tundra (2WD) and simply wanted to replace my 4x4 (Chevy Colorado crew cab Z71) with another 4x4, that didn't necessarily have to be a pickup truck.

After driving them both, several times, I can say the 4Runner rode and drove much better, even as a pseudo-AWD. The Silverado I was trying out was a 4x4 crew cab, 5.3L V8 (with active fuel technology - or displacement on demand) and came standard with the 6spd transmission. But to have added a backup camera, Z71 suspension (closest they get to X-REAS), and the Nav System to the Silverado, would've meant a sicker closer to 44k-46k - and GM (no one else either) was offerring 0% financing at that time. The best my credit union could do was 4.75%

Needless to say, the choice was very easy. I wish Toyota could come up with their own AFT/DoD system (it works GREAT in the GMs I've owned with it - and very effectively increases MPG), but aside from that, the 4Runner is a nicer vehicle, more vehicle for the money, and honestly its quality should surpass that of GM's any day of the week.

People may look at SUV's like the T4R Limited and ask "why pay so much?". I tell them to come to places like this board, and read up on all the folks that want to add things to their trucks that came with ours - radio controls on the wheel, nav systems, backup cameras, moonroofs, etc...and I tell them that in the long run, it is cheaper to buy it loaded that way - no shipping or sales tax on the parts they order later to add, no taking the time for DIY installs or paying for pro installs, original OEM parts "tend to work better"...etc. I bought mine loaded, added my WeatherTech goodies (in-channel visors, front, rear and cargo mats) and wired up my Sirius radio to the Nav System (which works great) and I am done. Don't want to lift it. Happy with the lights on it for now (though those LED interior lights are cool lookin'), don't want to jack it up, don't want to lower it down, don't want **** Cepek Super Swampers on it - nadda. It was decked out @ about 98% of what I wanted and it is worth the higher cost to get it that way from the word go (IMHO).
 
I just picked up a 06 Limited, all the bells and whistles + NAV. One owner who took supreme care of it. i think buying of a lease is the way to go. That being said, finding used Limiteds in cherry condition with relativley low miles can be tough. They go quickly and the dealers know this and they can be so damn stubborn!
 
No not at all but then as the resident tightwad, I picked up the a new 2007 4Runner SR5 V8 4x4 for 29029 plus tax and I still view that as an absolute steal. I con't think any SUV comes close in terms of value. Heated mirrors is about the only regret. Sure could use those with these winters. But then that would have been a different package and the cost would have gone up markedly.
 
Are you set on buying a brand new vehicle. You could find a gently used and certified with warranty for around $36K if that takes some pain away.
 
I bought the 2008 LTD in May with everything but the rear DVD. List was about 43K - actually paid 35.4K from Fitzmall in MD. Also wanted all the goodies and have absolutely no regrets. Retired in December and will be using for cross-country travel. Best vehicle I've ever owned.
 
A10MileHusker said:

Take this for consideration. I bought a 1999 Range Rover 4.6 HSE for $85,000. It hit 100,000 miles and started shittin the bed immediately. You can take a 4R to 200k and still have a reliable truck.

Just my food for thought.

Doug
Click to expand...

$85k .......holy crap !!!!

reusha, It's your money so do what you wish. Personally thats a lot of money , this is such a buyers market you can get a better deal or buy an 08 used one. I'm not one for the bells and whistles , but thats just me. The SR5's are a excellent bang for the buck .
 
Subsonic

"I bought mine loaded, added my WeatherTech goodies (in-channel visors,"

Have considered these myself. Were they a fairly easy install and are you happy with them? Any downsides?
 
I guess I'm a cheapo. . . I can't imagine spending more than $30k for any vehicle I own. But hey, who knows what I'll do next.

My 2005 SR5 V-6 is my fourth T4R I've owned and I bought it in mid summer 2006 with 19k mi on it, for $24k with tax ($22k before tax). All my prior T4Rs were SR5 V-6: 1991, 1994, and 1996 (which I Supercharged).

The only regret I have about my 2005 SR5 is that it does not have the VSC shutoff switch. This was my mistake as I didn't research the issue before buying. I presumed I would like what Toyota put in the vehicle. Big mistake (here's my soapbox): I simply would not have bought my 2005 had I realized how much I hate the VSC on the Toyotas. VSC / TRAC WILL KILL YOU IF YOU ARE NOT USED TO IT TAKING OVER and powering down the engine! I've stomped the gas and grabbed my ass screaming like a little girl making a left at a busy intersection a hand full of times since buying it, wondering if I was going to get T-Boned. The T4R faithfully crept through the intersection at 1 mph, until it decided I could controll it again. I swear I'll never own another vehicle with skid control unless I can shut if off. VSC / TRAC (which ever the heck powers the motor down) is really a gem when I'm being honked at by front weel drive cars because I'm creeping through an intersetion at 1 mph in my big 4x4 SUV. Even had one guy start to pass me in a civic (but the T4R decided I could drive again, so I took off). Its pretty embarrasing at times as well. The VSC will likely to be the reason I'll dump it way before I hit 100k miles. I'll get off my soapbox now.

ANYWAY, look for what you want and make sure it has the VSC shutoff! People are hurting now and dumping the $40,000 T4R's they couldn't afford in the first place. Spend time on CL, or autotrader. The deals are out there. If you are willing to fly to pick one up, then that opens a lot more deals to you.

As for me, my next one will likely be the T4R with a V-8 (so I can supercharge it). I've heard they are FAST! And trust me when I say that the next one will have the life-saving VSC override! Live and learn.

Good luck.
 
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I've stomped the gas and grabbed my ass screaming like a little girl making a left at a busy intersection a hand full of times since buying it, wondering if I was going to get T-Boned. The T4R faithfully crept through the intersection at 1 mph, until it decided I could controll it again.

Have to say that with an '08 I do have the "off" switch - but have yet to need it. If I were you I would have that checked out as I have NEVER found that type of problem and would certainly be very upset if I did.
 
Thanks jimmy,

One clarification, the powerdowns do not happen on dry pavement.

The surface was always slick and when making the left, I spun the rear (2wd) inside wheel, which caused the safety system to take over. I've had the powerdown happen in 4x4 mode as well. Very frustrating.

On dry pavement, this truck rocks. On any slick surface, (frosted asphalt, snow/ice, or wet surface) that would cause the wheel to spin a little I have to drive very conservatively and leave lots of extra space when making lefts. I'm in "granny mode" when making lefts on slick surfaces.

I think it was designed that way, but will talk again with the service people at the next oil change. One parts guy (while I was asking how to disable it) said the company was trying to "idiot proof" the T4R to limit rollovers, so the system is designed agressively. I think people just need to drive responsibly and develop skills like countersteering in a skid. In stead, people now want to have the vehicle save them. So the rest of us suffer through the developing technology.

I didn't mean to hijak this thread but wanted to clarify (and especially wanted to make the point to the OP since he's still looking to buy).
 
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