Goodbye T4R - Decided to sell

[Scotty_T]

Well guys, I hate to say and do it but I have decided to sell the 4Runner. It is eatting me alive on gas right now and I really want to get something better on gas and my wallet since I am unemployed. I hate it, I had such big dreams for the 4Runner but alas reality must set in at some time, and for me it was yersterday when I got 35 miles to a quarter tank of gas, horrible, I have to get back to a 4cyl. car. So I guess this is goodbye guys!!

 

[Mellow77]

Nooooooooooooo, sorry to see you go but I guess you have to do what keeps you afloat. Hopefully you'll be back sooner than later!

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Though the gas gauge on 99's is especially inaccurate, i hear ya.

 

[durrell]

I know the feeling. I went from an 04 GMC Sierra 4x4 to my Runner, though, so gas mileage isn't so bad to me.

If it goes up too much more, however, I'll be trading with the wife and driving her 06 Civic to work.

 

[brian2sun]

Just don't do what most people do and buy a newer car for $$thousands$$ more so they can save a few hundred a year at the pump. Seems like a lot of people don't realize it takes about 10-15 years to break even on a deal like that. I would guess that 98% of people never have the new car long enough to save a dime.

 

[Pikeman]

Just don't do what most people do and buy a newer car for $$thousands$$ more so they can save a few hundred a year at the pump. Seems like a lot of people don't realize it takes about 10-15 years to break even on a deal like that. I would guess that 98% of people never have the new car long enough to save a dime.

x2

I am hoping for a tax refund this year to go get a $1000 90's honda or toyota to get around in.

 

[JohnsD90]

x2

I am hoping for a tax refund this year to go get a $1000 90's honda or toyota to get around in.

This is why i personally dont put big tires on mine and bumpers and roof racks, because i don't want mine to be a weekend wheeler that is expensive to run on the street, because i like love driving it on road.

 

[Pikeman]

This is why i personally dont put big tires on mine and bumpers and roof racks, because i don't want mine to be a weekend wheeler that is expensive to run on the street, because i like love driving it on road.

A little education for you- Factory fuel rating for my truck when new was 16-19mpg. When purchased July 08 150k I was tracking 17.5-18.2mpg well within factory rating. After adding the larger tires, heavy bumpers, sliders and roof rack I am still tracking 15.9-16.4(still at factory rating) mpg which once I regear will re-gain the 1-2mpg loss which was more then compensated by capability. On a recent 900 mile road trip with cruise set I averaged 20-21mpg. The option to go with a smaller 4 cyl is I have more commuting trips for work coming up and 30mpg is far better on the wallet but my 4Runner will always be my primary vehicle.

John any further comments can be by PM


Scotty- sorry you have to sell your Runner and wish you the best of luck with a job and your replacement vehicle.

 

[etc.]

Just don't do what most people do and buy a newer car for $$thousands$$ more so they can save a few hundred a year at the pump. Seems like a lot of people don't realize it takes about 10-15 years to break even on a deal like that. I would guess that 98% of people never have the new car long enough to save a dime.

I actually find humor in it. My buddy bought a new Nissan Altima to save money from driving his truck (20 mpg hwy) to work. I asked him how much the car payment was and he said IIRC it was $300+.

400 miles a week to work and back = ~$60 a week in gas in his truck and ~$40 a week in the Altima.

Hes spending atleast $180 more a month not including the full coverage insurance he has to carry on his car.

 

[durrell]

Just don't do what most people do and buy a newer car for $$thousands$$ more so they can save a few hundred a year at the pump. Seems like a lot of people don't realize it takes about 10-15 years to break even on a deal like that. I would guess that 98% of people never have the new car long enough to save a dime.

That is so true. People sell their older SUV or truck to buy a car, but end up with a payment that is double. I've put 2500 dollars into the 4Runner so far and I'm still well in the green in terms of gas and payments. And once my maintenance is done I'll be able to drive another 150-200k miles trouble free (knock on wood) and save a ton of money.

It almost never pays off to ditch a vehicle you already have for a newer one.

 

[brian2sun]

I actually find humor in it. My buddy bought a new Nissan Altima to save money from driving his truck (20 mpg hwy) to work. I asked him how much the car payment was and he said IIRC it was $300+.

400 miles a week to work and back = ~$60 a week in gas in his truck and ~$40 a week in the Altima.

Hes spending atleast $180 more a month not including the full coverage insurance he has to carry on his car.

LOL, it makes me wonder how far these people got in math. My own sister sold me the CR-V I have now and she spent another $10K or so on a friggin Yaris. She saves ~$150 on gas, but her payment is $290. I tried to reason with her, but she didn't want to hear a word. So instead I bought her CR-V for what the dealer offered her and now I stand to make ~$3K on it as soon as I sell it in a week or 2 (hopefully). Now that's how you save/make $$!

That is so true. People sell their older SUV or truck to buy a car, but end up with a payment that is double. I've put 2500 dollars into the 4Runner so far and I'm still well in the green in terms of gas and payments. And once my maintenance is done I'll be able to drive another 150-200k miles trouble free (knock on wood) and save a ton of money.

It almost never pays off to ditch a vehicle you already have for a newer one.

Yup.

I think Pikeman's idea of buying a $1K car is the most cost effective way to save $$ on gas if you're current car gets lousy mpgs. You'll probably save that in your 1st year or 2 and you'll also have the benefit of a 2nd car (which I am blessed to have at the moment while my 4runner's engine is getting rebuilt). After the 4runner is up and running great again, I plan to sell my Honda quickly. I'm tossing the idea around of making the 4runner my DD again and putting the $$ in the bank, or possibly buying a '99-04 standard cab, 4 banger, manual, 4x4 Taco for a DD.

Now, if I sell the Honda and buy the Taco I won't see any money actually being saved until it's totally paid off and the money I've "saved" on gas outweighs the cost of the vehicle minus whatever I sell it for in the future. That will take several years. But in my case, I didn't buy my 2nd car to save money (obviously I had to pay for it), I bought it to have a comfortable, reliable DD (which at the time my 4runner was no longer that) and to make money because I got a good deal. The only reason I'm even thnking of selling it and getting the Taco is because they are worth almost exactly the same amount so it will be an even trade. The Taco will just suit me better.

 

[Duhockey]

See if I was to get another car for good weather use, it would be a Honda Prelude,

I miss my little 88 2.0 Si,
although I would love to get a 2001 Vtec SH too... ah the choices, but then its not so much an MPG thing as a change of pace vehicle. Kinda like when football teams put in their 3rd down back, change of pace.

 

[SQ.MD]

or drive a more fuel efficient 4 cylinder 4runner like me?

:hiding:

 

[Blitzkrieg]

My '02 4Runner has been paid off for years, still looks like new and my plate renewal cost me the whopping sum of $37 this year.

Add in the costs of insurance, plates, etc.. and this thing could suck gas @ 5 MPG it I'd still be ahead financially.

But it doesn't - I average 16.2 - 17.8 mpg in city driving over the last couple of years depending on time of year.

You can take my 4Runner from me when you pry my cold, dead hands from the steering wheel.

Did the new car thing every two years when I was younger but as I got older started to look at what it cost and it's just not worth it to me.

Just my .02

 

[Deceptiwave]

Carpooling has saved my butt.
I was working nights for the last 3 months and driving 60 miles a day solo. And my truck gets 18-19 highway on a good day no traffic... but now I am back to days and only drive a couple days a week.
Back in the day I had a 89 camry 4 banger that would not die. I had it for 2 years, bought it totaled for $100 and fixed it up. Never chainged the oil, never even thought of routine work. It got damn near 40 mpg.
I wish I hadnt sold it.

 

[BigFishAllDay]

Poor dude. First post sounds like a suicide note.

Brian2sun... congrats ahead of time on the Taco. I want one too. I think once I pass the '97 on to it's new home I may go that route... it'd be nice to have something similar to the runner that you can just toss gravel, brush, furniture... whatever... in the back and not worry about it.

RE getting a cheap-o 4cylinder, if you keep an eye out for deals, you could make some bucks on it. I helped my brother purchase a '93 accord for $1200 and a buddy of his helped him put a new timing belt, plugs, water pump, cam/crank/balance shaft seals in it.... with that work, he'll probably be able to flip it for $1750 (book value).

 

[smallfry]

Good luck with whatever you decide to do :thumb3:.

I was in the same boat about year and half ago and considered selling my 4runner but after it was all said and done I just kept the 4runner. It just made more sense to me.

 

[brian2sun]

Thanks BigFish, I can't wait to have a manual again too! I feel lazy driving autos all the time. Tacos are hard to find around here, no one wants to part with them. I'm picky though because I gotta have a standard cab (so the 4 banger will have a little more climbing power) and it's gotta have about 100K or less because I want to drive it for 10 years.

 

[Scotty_T]

I am starting to second guess this, the big thing is I have to find out where this gas leak is that is causing my MPG to go down the drain, and also get my gas gauge fixed...

 

[00runr]

I am starting to second guess this, the big thing is I have to find out where this gas leak is that is causing my MPG to go down the drain, and also get my gas gauge fixed...

Wow your right down the road from me! If you do decide to sell it what would you want for it?