Am I crazy???

J

joshuay04

New member
Hello everyone, I have a dilemma that requires your extensive knowledge/experience with the 4runner (may require a crystal ball).

My wife is now between jobs, and we can no longer afford her expensive van payment. We have a 2017 Pacifica (38K miles) and 3 small kids. In order to accomadate the decrease in income, we have 2 options so here is where I need your help. I have no experience with Toyota, so I am stuck between options.

Option 1: Refinance the Pacifica and drive it for the next 10 years ($25K owe)
Option 2: Sell the Pacifica and buy a 2008 4Runner V8 122K Miles $11K

I am leaning towards the 4Runner (that is why I am here), as I hear they have a long lifespan and are extremely reliable. We take 3 cross country trips a year, so the mileage does scare me.

Does anyone see any risk in using the 4Runner (122K miles) as a daily driver that includes multiple long distance vacations?

Any help will be greatly appreciated!
 
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joshuay04 said:
Hello everyone, I have a dilemma that requires your extensive knowledge/experience with the 4runner (may require a crystal ball).

My wife is now between jobs, and we can no longer afford her expensive van payment. We have a 2017 Pacifica (38K miles) and 3 small kids. In order to accomadate the decrease in income, we have 2 options so here is where I need your help. I have no experience with Toyota, so I am stuck between options.

Option 1: Refinance the Pacifica and drive it for the next 10 years ($25K owe)
Option 2: Sell the Pacifica and buy a 2008 4Runner V8 122K Miles $11K

I am leaning towards the 4Runner (that is why I am here), as I hear they have a long lifespan and are extremely reliable. We take 3 cross country trips a year, so the mileage does scare me.

Does anyone see any risk in using the 4Runner (122K miles) as a daily driver that includes multiple long distance vacations?

Any help will be greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...

If you can buy a V8 4X4 Runner with 122K miles for $11K do that. You'll be able to resell it anytime, fast, for not a lot less than what you paid for it. The truck you see floating in the flood waters in my avatar was a V8 I miss each and every day. Irreplaceable.
 
joshuay04 said:
Hello everyone, I have a dilemma that requires your extensive knowledge/experience with the 4runner (may require a crystal ball).

My wife is now between jobs, and we can no longer afford her expensive van payment. We have a 2017 Pacifica (38K miles) and 3 small kids. In order to accomadate the decrease in income, we have 2 options so here is where I need your help. I have no experience with Toyota, so I am stuck between options.

Option 1: Refinance the Pacifica and drive it for the next 10 years ($25K owe)
Option 2: Sell the Pacifica and buy a 2008 4Runner V8 122K Miles $11K

I am leaning towards the 4Runner (that is why I am here), as I hear they have a long lifespan and are extremely reliable. We take 3 cross country trips a year, so the mileage does scare me.

Does anyone see any risk in using the 4Runner (122K miles) as a daily driver that includes multiple long distance vacations?

Any help will be greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...

Option 1. Your money is tight. A new “potentially” shitty car (Pacifica) is probably still more reliable (aka less money pit) than a 122k 11 years old 4runner. That is a really old 4runner that can potentially be a money pit, esp if not cared well by previous owner(s).

Now, if your Pacifica is ALREADY shitty, then i guess it is a toss up.

Maybe take less cross country trips (if reliability is a concern for either option) until you guys are more financially secure??
 
Toyota for sure

I'm gonna make it short and simple, I worked for Chrysler/Dodge for 22 years and will never buy any of their product except for a Ram with a diesel and Aisin or 6 speed trans. I just bought a 2003 T4R V8 with 250k on it and still runs and drive like a dream my wife loves it even if it needs new suspension stuff wait till I rebuild the suspension she probably won't let me drive it.
 
If money was that tight I'd look into something like a Camry if you wanted to stick with Toyota.

Not sure what all the cross country trips are for or if necessary.
 
Thai said:
Option 1. Your money is tight. A new “potentially” shitty car (Pacifica) is probably still more reliable (aka less money pit) than a 122k 11 years old 4runner. That is a really old 4runner that can potentially be a money pit, esp if not cared well by previous owner(s).

Now, if your Pacifica is ALREADY shitty, then i guess it is a toss up.

Maybe take less cross country trips (if reliability is a concern for either option) until you guys are more financially secure??
Click to expand...

This is a great point. Your Pacifica is still under warranty right? Although the Chrysler isn't as reliable as the Toyota, if your transmission blows up next month you aren't paying for it.

Option 3 might be sell the Pacifica and buy a Sienna or Highlander, which you could probably get newer and/or less miles than the 4runner for the same $11k budget.
 
What do you want out of this thread really? It seems pretty centered on your personal financial situation so anyone offering advice really can't since you haven't shared your income, bank account balances, etc., which you shouldn't do anyway.

When it comes down to just which vehicle is more reliable, a new Chrysler van versus a used 4Runner, it really comes down to the current condition and previous use of each individual vehicle.

If you legitimately are to a point where you cannot make a monthly payment on the van you need to make some much bigger choices than what you've brought up here.

If it's all about getting your monthly payment down and then working to get rid of debt I would run a few scenarios.

Maybe do some research on the most economic vehicles out there (Camry, Accord, etc.) and then if you have to lose money trading in the van at least you would be getting into something that would last through a 5 year finance period (plus financing your debt from the van.)

I would probably look into some kind of Certified Pre Owned Toyota or Honda sedan and go that route. Cheapest, base trim level, with warranty, and lowest miles you can reasonably afford.

If you don't have enough in savings to offset major repairs on the 4Runner (probably $5k minimum) I wouldn't risk it.
 
I'll just throw this out there too, why the V8? I mean, I have a V8 but if I didn't off-road, live in a mountain state, and run big tires, I would be way OK with a V6. Just something to consider.
 
Considering that trading in a Chrysler will result in HUGE loss, i would keep the minivan. It is great on gas vs. 4runner...again another point to consider in your finances, esp with those trips.
 
Dillusion said:
If money was that tight I'd look into something like a Camry if you wanted to stick with Toyota.

Not sure what all the cross country trips are for or if necessary.
Click to expand...
This, probably. Buying a used 4Runner probably isn't your only other option versus keeping the Pacifica. Selling the van and getting a vehicle that's much less expensive to maintain and gets significantly better gas mileage is probably the way to go.

Don't get me wrong - a 4Runner is a great vehicle. But you're at a point where you need to make a FINANCIAL decision, not a vehicle-preference one. We had a '93 Camry years ago, our kids were still small, and it did a fine job. I think it had the same seating room as a 4Runner, and I had to be wise at the time. So I think your best move is to first come up with a number you can afford and stick with it.

My suggestion: research what paying off the van will mean financially (you going to break even? You going to have to eat a couple thousand dollars?). Here in Ohio, you can snag a 2010 Camry for around $8k with the same miles as the T4R you mentioned. Fuel mileage is about 33 on the highway, so you'll save 50% there versus the Runner. If the Pacifica is 2 years old, you're driving it 19,000 miles a year. With the 4Runner, you'll spend about $2375 on gas at 20mpg. With the Camry at 33mpg, it would be about $1440, or almost $1000/year less in fuel. That $80 a month or so savings can help.

After researching selling the van and knowing where you stand financially, research a vehicle that makes practical sense and fits your number. Vehicle and service histories are very important here. I'm comparing a Camry, but there are other options. The point I'm trying to make is that I think you need to be wise with your vehicle-money at the moment. For right now, look at it as a transportation appliance. If you can get out from under the van, that's $25,000 lifted off your shoulders, minus any hit you take. If you sell it for $21k, at least afterward you're only carrying a $4k load. If you can get into something for $8k-$10k, you'll have a $12k-$14k loan if you combine them.

Anyway, I hope this helps in one way or another. Best wishes!
 
>> " 3 Kids "

IMHO: Stick with the van... or get something else
that has adequate room.

4Runner will get way too 'tight' when they start growing.
 
Keep the van.

You're on a 4Runner forum asking 4Runner owners if you should buy a 4Runner. Of course people are going to think that's the right idea.

But you know the history of your van. Buying a used off road vehicle whose history you don't know is a huge risk for someone who is looking for a low-risk option
 
Fwiw - IMO you're making the right choice to dump the Pacifica. Like all Chrysler products, it's likely to be a very quickly deteriorating product. It's unlikely you'll drive a Pacifica for 10 years. Very few of them will see 10 years of service due to poor build quality. Meaning more $$ in repairs and low resale value. Cutting vehicle expenses is a great step in scaling back your ongoing costs.

You can compare vehciles here: Chrysler Pacifica Reliability - Dashboard Light for reliability data based on actual repair information over time. The Pacifica is among the worst vehicles that are sold in terms of reliability. Toyota sienna minivan is among the best. Toyota Sienna Reliability - Dashboard Light



I would probably not buy the 4Runner though. Yes, 122k miles is still probably more reliable than a Pacifica and should have a lot more low cost miles left in it. However, with 3 kids, there are a lot better alternatives. Like a Toyota Highlander as an example. It's the same or larger inside. A LOT more kid friendly interior. Very reliable. And more highway friendly. It's basically an AWD minivan without sliding doors. And Toyota reliability. Like this one Used Toyota Highlander For Sale Salt Lake City, UT - CarGurus

Another alternative to get by on a low budget is to simply buy an older Toyota or Honda minivan. If you're worried about reliability on cross country trips - rent a van once a year.
This is a typical AWD Sienna with ~120k miles for under $10k. I'd bet it has more trouble free miles left in it than a new Pacifica. It's not going to be as fancy or have as many features. But it should be rock solid reliable and easy to live with.
Used Toyota Sienna For Sale Salt Lake City, UT - CarGurus
 
get the 4runner.


122k is low miles, no reason to be concerned. make sure the water pump and timing belt were replaced on schedule. there are a few other minor things to look for, but the timing belt is a big one.
 
The slam dunk advice in my opinion, is get a used Sienna or Odyssey, or bite the bullet on your Pacifica and ride it out.

Forget the 4runner, no way you'll be able to fit 3 little kids and your stuff in there for road trips. 3 little kids and a daytrip will be tight. You'll end up with a hitch carrier and rooftop cargo box getting 12 mpg on your cross country trips. I have 2 little kids and we barely fit in the 4runner with our gear for a weekend trip, let alone another kid and supplies/ luggage for a cross country trip? No way.

Some people have suggested a Camry, no way you'll all fit. Now if they made a current Camry wagon that could be a great option, but they don't.

The best advice I've seen so far is get a used Honda or Toyota minivan. Get the lowest mile, newest, best kept example your budget will allow- skip the Touring/ Elite/ Limited trim levels... At $11K many examples will be over 100K miles. You don't want to inherit a prior owners issues so if buying private party get it checked out by a mechanic.

A CPO Sienna or Odyssey could be a good option as they've been checked over and carry an extended warranty, but getting a fair trade on your Pacifica might be the issue. CPO for $11K might not compute though. BUT you'll pay a bit of a premium for CPO, and they might give you a little bump on the trade-in value of your Pacifica in turn.

Or suck it up and stick with your current Pacifica. But if you're considering refinancing I assume that means you're upside down on it? Not fun.
 
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When it comes down to $$$. You are better doing what you can to stay in the pacifica. No doubt you are in the deep end of the pool financially with it and getting rid of it will only make it worse. When things are all said and done, you will probably be in the neighbor hood of losing 60%.

If you must get out of it, like already suggested, go with a toyota passenger car gas sipper.

Being your family's only cross country daily driver. I'm just not comfortable recommending the 4 runner. One of the best drive trains on the market but 2008 is getting old...
 
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