invisible4Runner
New member
Hey everyone,
Long time lurker (mostly) here, looking to get legit and actually pull the trigger on a 4Runner.
I presently have a 2001 Volvo XC70, which has treated me well for many years. However, I'm spending a fair bit of money on maintenance/repairs now, as you'd expect for a 14 year old car. It recently has had a few breakdowns, and now needs new tires/brakes/bearings, and I have a firstborn due in a month or two - so I'm thinking it's time I sold it off and got something newer.
I've always lusted after the 4Runner, and now as I look at new vehicles I can't find anything that I think is a better fit. While the fuel economy isn't great, it will be about the same as what I'm currently getting, so at least won't be a step back. I won't do any major offroading, but I do regularly find myself on backroad logging trails for recreation and volunteering with search & rescue. What I like most about the 4Runner is it's fair cargo capacity, tank-like protection for my soon to be son, and it's legendary reliability.
I'm presently looking at two options:
1) 2015 Trail (Canadian model, so similar to U.S. Trail Premium w/KDSS)
I dig the new look, like the fully black interior, cargo tray (don't see the need for 3rd row seats), high aspect tires for absorbing bumps, and KDSS for apparently helping on-road performance. The rest of the trail features will probably rarely (if ever) be used by me. After tax and all that crap, I expect it will cost $50k even.
2) 2011 Limited
Two identical tucks for sale near by, both about 105,000km (~66,000 miles). I like the full-time 4WD for when my wife uses it. The auto headlights are nice, as well is the auto climate control - both pretty basic features that my 14yr old car has that are nice to have, but not essential. It would feel strange buying a new vehicle for $50k without these basics, but I do understand the tradeoff. For downsides of the 2011 LE's, I don't like the two tone interiors, and have heard they ride rough over potholes, for which there are lots here. Both used 2011 Limited's cost about $33,300 including tax.
I have driven a new SR5, but have never driven a Trail (as there are none around), and have not driven the LE's either.
So my first question is: Are there any features or benefits to the 2011 the Limited that I have not considered? Or maybe inversely, big benefits to the 2015 TE that I haven't noticed?
And secondly: is it just me, or are the resale value of the 2011 Limited extremely high? They seem to be representative of the local 4Runner resale market. It just seems that a $17k savings over a new one is fairly minor when you consider they are 4yrs old, have over 100,000km, and are out of warranty. I keep crunching the numbers and over 5yrs it seems like a new 4Runner will end up costing about the same out of pocket as a used one, when factoring projected resale value of both. Not sure if my math is totally off, or if 4Runners hold their value ridiculously well. I never considered buying new, but it seems like financially it's a wash.
Any input would be much appreciated!
Long time lurker (mostly) here, looking to get legit and actually pull the trigger on a 4Runner.
I presently have a 2001 Volvo XC70, which has treated me well for many years. However, I'm spending a fair bit of money on maintenance/repairs now, as you'd expect for a 14 year old car. It recently has had a few breakdowns, and now needs new tires/brakes/bearings, and I have a firstborn due in a month or two - so I'm thinking it's time I sold it off and got something newer.
I've always lusted after the 4Runner, and now as I look at new vehicles I can't find anything that I think is a better fit. While the fuel economy isn't great, it will be about the same as what I'm currently getting, so at least won't be a step back. I won't do any major offroading, but I do regularly find myself on backroad logging trails for recreation and volunteering with search & rescue. What I like most about the 4Runner is it's fair cargo capacity, tank-like protection for my soon to be son, and it's legendary reliability.
I'm presently looking at two options:
1) 2015 Trail (Canadian model, so similar to U.S. Trail Premium w/KDSS)
I dig the new look, like the fully black interior, cargo tray (don't see the need for 3rd row seats), high aspect tires for absorbing bumps, and KDSS for apparently helping on-road performance. The rest of the trail features will probably rarely (if ever) be used by me. After tax and all that crap, I expect it will cost $50k even.
2) 2011 Limited
Two identical tucks for sale near by, both about 105,000km (~66,000 miles). I like the full-time 4WD for when my wife uses it. The auto headlights are nice, as well is the auto climate control - both pretty basic features that my 14yr old car has that are nice to have, but not essential. It would feel strange buying a new vehicle for $50k without these basics, but I do understand the tradeoff. For downsides of the 2011 LE's, I don't like the two tone interiors, and have heard they ride rough over potholes, for which there are lots here. Both used 2011 Limited's cost about $33,300 including tax.
I have driven a new SR5, but have never driven a Trail (as there are none around), and have not driven the LE's either.
So my first question is: Are there any features or benefits to the 2011 the Limited that I have not considered? Or maybe inversely, big benefits to the 2015 TE that I haven't noticed?
And secondly: is it just me, or are the resale value of the 2011 Limited extremely high? They seem to be representative of the local 4Runner resale market. It just seems that a $17k savings over a new one is fairly minor when you consider they are 4yrs old, have over 100,000km, and are out of warranty. I keep crunching the numbers and over 5yrs it seems like a new 4Runner will end up costing about the same out of pocket as a used one, when factoring projected resale value of both. Not sure if my math is totally off, or if 4Runners hold their value ridiculously well. I never considered buying new, but it seems like financially it's a wash.
Any input would be much appreciated!
