Adulting is Hard: Keep 3rd Gen or go Commuter

[HulkSm4sh]

Paid off wife's car, and bought a new Taco. Almost got a new runner, but we had to go truck bed. Trailer wasn't an option due to space. I have a 60mi round trip for work, and we are at a spot where we can handle a commuting car.

3rd Gen Runner has 244k miles, gets about 18mpg to work and back. No issues. "We"... :crybaby: have been tossing the idea of selling "my precious", and getting a commuter. I'm hearing things like, "244k is a ton of miles, it will get costly to keep once it busts, the mpg's aren't that great, commutes are move comfy in a car, etc..."

Have any of you had to have this "Talk", any advice? My wife is ok with keeping it, but thinks a commuter may be a better choice. I feel like this is a trap or a test. I mean, I'd keep it and slowly, secretly and magically modify things and drive it into the ground. This has to be a trap situation? Help?

 

[A.Wilson013]

So you've got wife's car, Taco, and 3rd gen currently? Who's driving the Taco?

With 3 cars in the family I think it would be foolish to purchase a commuter unless it's cheaper than the sale price of the 3rd gen and/or gets nearly twice the fuel economy.

If the 4Runner breaks, thank it for not eating $200+ of your paycheck every month, drive the Taco for a few weeks, and fix the 4Runner.

Or, what seems more likely, when the Taco breaks, thank your 4Runner for not eating $200+ of your paycheck every month, continue driving the 4Runner, and fix the Taco.

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

Yes and I came to the conclusion once it was time to move on to something newer that it would be in my best interest to keep my rig as a back up than to trade in because #1 I own it and #2 I would miss my 3rd gen and loose my butt in what a dealer would offer me. When I was in the market a couple years ago the trade in I was offered by two lots was $1200 & $2800. I currently sit at 264,000 miles with a maintenance record log... :hiding:

 

[A.Wilson013]

Yes and I came to the conclusion once it was time to move on to something newer that it would be in my best interest to keep my rig as a back up than to trade in because #1 I own it and #2 I would miss my 3rd gen and loose my butt in what a dealer would offer me. When I was in the market a couple years ago the trade in I was offered by two lots was $1200 & $2800. I currently sit at 264,000 miles with a maintenance record log... :hiding:

We drove my 4Runner to Lexus of Bellevue (lol...) to get my wife's new car and the first thing they asked was if I was trading it. Uh... Nope, but lets hear your offer. Let's just say it didn't have 5 digits.

 

[HulkSm4sh]

So you've got wife's car, Taco, and 3rd gen currently? Who's driving the Taco?

With 3 cars in the family I think it would be foolish to purchase a commuter unless it's cheaper than the sale price of the 3rd gen and/or gets nearly twice the fuel economy.

If the 4Runner breaks, thank it for not eating $200+ of your paycheck every month, drive the Taco for a few weeks, and fix the 4Runner.

Or, what seems more likely, when the Taco breaks, thank your 4Runner for not eating $200+ of your paycheck every month, continue driving the 4Runner, and fix the Taco.

I drive the Taco. I've been driving 3rd Gen to work and back to avoid the 15k miles a year I'd accrue on the new vehicle. Don't think I have to worry about Taco breaking anytime soon. 3rd Gen I at least know the vehicle, and would be able to fix it. Although, I doubt an mpg car is going to be all that difficult in comparison to fix. I've seen odo of 3rd Gen go well beyond what mine is at, I like your POV. Taking notes now for later.

 

[HulkSm4sh]

Yes and I came to the conclusion once it was time to move on to something newer that it would be in my best interest to keep my rig as a back up than to trade in because #1 I own it and #2 I would miss my 3rd gen and loose my butt in what a dealer would offer me. When I was in the market a couple years ago the trade in I was offered by two lots was $1200 & $2800. I currently sit at 264,000 miles with a maintenance record log... :hiding:

There is no way I'd trade it in. When we were looking at new vehicles, I kept getting asked if I'd like to trade it in. One of the service guys even asked if it was for sale, and told me not to trade it in. I found it pretty damn funny. My wife had proposed selling it, and using the sale to buy commuter. She was seeing hondas and such with 140k for lower than we would be able to sell. She is on this MPG commuter POV. This was sort of her plan, I'm the hiccup in it .

 

[diverscale]

Are you man at home doing nothing but living on your wife's hard work?

If not, what about getting your man card back?

I wonder how much joy that extra 50$ of gas savings a month will bring to your couple.

 

[HulkSm4sh]

Are you man at home doing nothing but living on your wife's hard work?

If not, what about getting your man card back?

I wonder how much joy that extra 50$ of gas savings a month will bring to your couple.

If I was man at home doing nothing, I wouldn't have to entertain the idea of a commuter car would I? It'd be nice though, I think I could pull it off. We are just a fair pairing. I hear her out, as she does the same. I seek other opinions to prevent tunnel vision and/or biased POV's. Also helps me see things I didn't think of. Mancard, that's funny and way cuter than balls, stones or the other similar phrases. Have you had good luck with post 250k 3rd Gen?

 

[Brique]

Why have the Tacoma if the 3rd been Iis what you're loving and driving? Sounds at least from what I'm reading that the taco is just an expensive driveway decoration at this point.

If it were me, I'd either drive the Tacoma and keep the 3rd gen as a fun-truck or sell the taco and drive the 3rd gen. I get the impression that the taco is newish, am I right? What you'd get from selling it would more than offset the cost of repairs and the difference in fuel economy.

My truck is at 235k, and it's the family's main vehicle. My wife drives the Mazda, but the car seats are in the 3rd gen and whenever we go somewhere as a family, the 3rd gen is what we take. Road trips: 3rd gen. Groceries: 3rd gen. You get the idea. I'm not worried about fuel economy or repairs because the truck is paid for and completely depreciated. Whatever I spend on gas and repairs is a helluva lot less than what a newer car would cost. And besides, I love the damn thing. I don't want to be driving something else.

Anyway, something to think about.

If it were me, like I said, I'd sell the taco and get my savings there.

 

[theesotericone]

So the wife wants better MPG that's a little easier on the purse and is worried about the miles. You seem to want to keep the 4runner.

This seems like a perfect opportunity to compromise. Put a VW TDI motor in the 4runner. :lol:

 

[JayRolla]

Why have the Tacoma if the 3rd been Iis what you're loving and driving? Sounds at least from what I'm reading that the taco is just an expensive driveway decoration at this point.

If it were me, I'd either drive the Tacoma and keep the 3rd gen as a fun-truck or sell the taco and drive the 3rd gen. I get the impression that the taco is newish, am I right? What you'd get from selling it would more than offset the cost of repairs and the difference in fuel economy.

My truck is at 235k, and it's the family's main vehicle. My wife drives the Mazda, but the car seats are in the 3rd gen and whenever we go somewhere as a family, the 3rd gen is what we take. Road trips: 3rd gen. Groceries: 3rd gen. You get the idea. I'm not worried about fuel economy or repairs because the truck is paid for and completely depreciated. Whatever I spend on gas and repairs is a helluva lot less than what a newer car would cost. And besides, I love the damn thing. I don't want to be driving something else.

Anyway, something to think about.

If it were me, like I said, I'd sell the taco and get my savings there.

Newer Tacoma with lower miles is no comparison to a 3rd gen. It's just as rugged. More power. Newer. Sometimes better mileage. In would never drive my 3rd gen over a newer tacoma. I'm just at 270k miles and since I broke 250k everything is slowly failing. These are reliable but at this mileage the reliability is close to over. Not fun commuting in a high milage car when if a 4runner. Just spent 300 miles limping my truck home after I told wife the truck would make our trip no problem.

 

[1985taylor1925]

I have had to learn to make some more "adult" decisions lately as well. I had to put my 88 4Runner (which I desperately wanted to keep and restore) up for sale, as I needed money for medical expenses. It sounds like you need the taco more for the bed. I say sell your 3rd gen and get the commuter. It's not forever. You can always bring a 3rd gen back into your life down the road

 

[Brique]

Newer Tacoma with lower miles is no comparison to a 3rd gen. It's just as rugged. More power. Newer. Sometimes better mileage. In would never drive my 3rd gen over a newer tacoma. I'm just at 270k miles and since I broke 250k everything is slowly failing. These are reliable but at this mileage the reliability is close to over. Not fun commuting in a high milage car when if a 4runner. Just spent 300 miles limping my truck home after I told wife the truck would make our trip no problem.

That's what op is doing now, though. He's commuting in the t4r to avoid putting miles on the taco. If he likes the taco better he should drive that, but from the way I was reading it, he likes the runner better.

No point in buying a newer vehicle not to drive it. Use the taco or sell it.

 

[repo]

Paid off wife's car, and bought a new Taco. Almost got a new runner, but we had to go truck bed. Trailer wasn't an option due to space. I have a 60mi round trip for work, and we are at a spot where we can handle a commuting car.

3rd Gen Runner has 244k miles, gets about 18mpg to work and back. No issues. "We"... :crybaby: have been tossing the idea of selling "my precious", and getting a commuter. I'm hearing things like, "244k is a ton of miles, it will get costly to keep once it busts, the mpg's aren't that great, commutes are move comfy in a car, etc..."

Have any of you had to have this "Talk", any advice? My wife is ok with keeping it, but thinks a commuter may be a better choice. I feel like this is a trap or a test. I mean, I'd keep it and slowly, secretly and magically modify things and drive it into the ground. This has to be a trap situation? Help?

How much would you spend to buy a new car after selling the 4R? What would the difference in insurance and tax be on the new car? How much gas and maintenance would the sum of that that buy for the 4R?

 

[JayRolla]

That's what op is doing now, though. He's commuting in the t4r to avoid putting miles on the taco. If he likes the taco better he should drive that, but from the way I was reading it, he likes the runner better.

No point in buying a newer vehicle not to drive it. Use the taco or sell it.

You are right. What you thinking OP. No reason to own a car if you don't drive it!!! A little better mileage in the end cost you very little. What it does cost you is worth it since your in a tacoma and bit a Prius.

 

[jeremyc74]

Have you considered divorce? :bump2:

I'm only joking of course, and I feel your pain. I need something with lower miles and better highway manners, but I hate the thought of parting with my 3rd gen.

I'm considering just buying something else and taking the 4Runner up to my parent's place in VA, and using it when I'm up there for holidays. Problem is, I'm already storing an RV there, and I'm planning on putting the BMW up there in the spring, so it's starting to feel like a used car lot. :lookout:

One option would be to buy a commuter that's cheap and reliable, and keep the 4Runner. Something like an older Corolla with a manual transmission maybe? Do you have plenty of parking?

Lets work the math for a minute.
Gas = $2.75 (varies by location of course)
4Runner = 18MPG
Corolla = 35MPG
60 x 30 = 1800 miles/month commuting.

4Runner = $275/month in fuel
Corolla = $141/month in fuel

Fuel savings = $134/month for commuting only.

If you could find a decent beater for $2500, it's still going to take nearly two years to get a ROI when you factor in tax tittle and license fees associated with buying it. And that's assuming it doesn't need any major repairs.

 

[nissanh]

How about safety? Runner will protect you and the family in case of an accident. A commuter (like camry and corolla) will not. I am not a fan of Honda's as these are junk cars after 140K miles. They break down for no reason.

Since you have no payments to make for your runner and knowing you are not getting $5000 for it towards your commuter, I'd keep the runner and like someone mentioned above, keep it as a family vehicle. With cargo right behind you, 4 runner is much simpler and convenient vehicle compared to the taco.

I have 3 vehicles and two are driven daily (4runner and Toyota Sprinter aka "Geo Prizm in N. America"). The third (00 cruiser) is my backup vehicle and trip vehicle. In case if one breaks down (which I don't think going to happen with knowing toyota's for past 25 years) we are going to have the cruiser until other is fixed. With this additional vehicle, I have the peace of mind in every morning and getting the repair done right with OEM parts.

A friend of mine sold his beloved 98 camry sometime ago. It was his 3rd vehicle and had no real use for it. I said to keep it as a backup (which he didn't listen). He then drove his 03 Accord to work. That damn car suddenly started hitting an exhaust valve on the piston and now it is junk at 140K miles). Timing chain is intact and the cause is unknown. Honda's at this year range had that trouble! He couldn't get to work for 2 days and went without pay.

 

[3bears]

..........if there was a wreck between a smart car ( or small commuter) or a 4runner at hiway speeds and you could pick the car you were in, which one would it be

 

[BE4Runner]

I've commuted 60 miles roundtrip to work everyday in my 4Runner for the last year or so that I've owned it. No, it's not as comfortable as a little car, and yes, the gas mileage is a little worse. But I enjoy it more than any other car/truck I've owned, and the low cost of ownership (no payments, low insurance, repairs are cheap) allows me to make the decision for something I want instead of a maybe more rational 'commuter.' As others have pointed out, you'd be hard pressed to actually save much money by adding another car into the mix. I'm assuming you know your way around the 4Runner at this point - if something goes wrong, you can fix it yourself for cheap. I love commuting in the 4Runner, highways are fine, etc.

If I were in your exact situation though, I'd probably be driving the new Taco. Why buy a car and then not drive it to slow down depreciation a little bit? It's depreciating whether you are driving it or not, it's not a collector's item. Drive the damn thing and enjoy what you spent your money on. Will be fun and better in a lot of ways than the 3rd gen to commute in.

 

[jeremyc74]

..........if there was a wreck between a smart car ( or small commuter) or a 4runner at hiway speeds and you could pick the car you were in, which one would it be

Smart cars actually do VERY well in crash testing.

Obviously a larger vehicle has more room for crumple zones to absorb energy, but if you're going to be in a crash in a small car, the Smart is one of the better ones.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnI-LiKCtuE