I need an opinion guys.

[knightsfs4]

You guys all know me, I'm 17 and I have a sweet 4runner. Problem is gas mileage. I get around 14.5-15.5 MPGs and it is killing me. I have so many places to go to during the week and I find myself filling up every 5 or 6 days. I love the car, but it is just a little too rich for me since I'm so young and I have to make car payments and pay for gas. I've been debating back and forth and I'm stuck between a 2010+ Ford Mustang V6, or a 2008+ Nissan Altima Coupe V6. Both get at least 19 which would help me out a bunch. The Mustang would cost about 21K and the Altima 18K-ish. I love the 4Runner, but I just think I'd rather have something better on gas for when I get older. Just kinda stuck here. Plus I don't know what my car is worth so.... Anyway your opinion is greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.

Jack

 

[honda_nos]

I'm not 17 but I was at one time. Over the last 15 years, I've had over 30 different cars, not all new, not all rust buckets. Changing a car because of gas prices is not generally the root reason of why you want to change a car and the financial justification rarely make sense.

If you want to do it because you are young and have time to waste and earn money, go ahead. There is plenty of time to do the right thing when you are older. But with that said it likely isn't because of gas prices.

Cheers!

 

[AleksV]

take it easy on the gas pedal, and keep the car. getting rid of a 4runner for a mustang to save gas is one of the stupider things I've heard of. sorry for the brutal honesty, but you wanted an opinion.

 

[jaybird93000]

know you'd hate to even consider it, but could drop it back down to stock height and tires, that had to kill it a lot... And the money you'd make off reselling the DS and FJ coils would pay for gas for a while! Not saying that at all because I'm buying all of that stuff, but jus think that would be a good option if you're still comfortable with the runner

 

[knightsfs4]

I thought about that, but I honestly just didn't really enjoy the runner until I got the lift and tires. Sure I could sell the tires for $500 and the coils for $100 but It's just the long term. I don't make much money and I'd like to spend less if I could. I try to baby the pedal but it just doesnt help. Still get around 15 which is too low for me :/

 

[combatmedic]

Enjoy the repair bills on the mustang.

 

[Gecko123]

I wouldnt trade it for a mustang. If you want to save gas look for other cars than the two you mentioned, because those arent easy on gas either Go for a Civic or something.

When the time is right and you are in a better financial position then buy a 4runner. That's my opinion.

 

[NJshadow93]

I'm 19 and commute to college (16 miles one way) and work (8 miles one way). I baby my V8 to save gas and get about 17.5-18.2 (computer) and let it run about 310 miles per tank max and find myself filling up once a week. I plan on lifting the truck within the next few months but I think after I do that, throwing money at the truck for mods would slow down rapidly and I would have more money for gas

 

[settytb]

Yeah and if you sold the runner for a newer car for a longer payment... you would just be making payments for like another 5 years...when you're already a few years (i assume) into the runner. If you are going to sell it for finances or something go for it. but if it's for gas...upgrading 4mpg's isn't worth it to me. I would get like a new cruze/civic/elantra/focus or something that gets like 30-40mpg's rather than something that gets just a few mpg's better. but that's just my 2 cents.

 

[jimithing]

I was in your position at one time. I had a 4x4 truck in college and that sucker ate gas like there was no tomorrow. I think i got like 8 mpg city and 11 mpg highway. And I was making just a little over minimum wage working my way through school. So I didn't take many trips. Luckily most things I wanted to do were within walking distance of my college apartment. I could have lived at a nicer apartment further away but didn't want to deal with the hassle of driving to school every day. So I lived closer and walked. I'm assuming you'll be in a similar position soon since you're 17 and probably about to go to college.

When I finished college and started to commute in traffic every day I had to find something more fuel efficient so I bought a Honda Accord. I think it had 210k on it when I traded it in for a newer Accord. So I stuck with accords for 7 or 8 years out of college while I was establishing myself in the working world. When things were stabilized a bit and I had some extra money I traded the 2nd Accord in for a 4Runner. I'd do it all over again.

I guess the point is that at this point in your life your vehicle should match your lifestyle and means. If you use your 4Runner to it's potential - hauling things or taking it off road or whatever and you can afford to keep it then I would. But if all you do is go to work or hang out with your friends then I wouldn't keep the 4Runner. You'd be better off buying a car with whatever cash you could scrape together and not have a car payment. I'd go find an older Accord or Camry - I'm not impressed with the build quality of the Nissan's. And I wouldn't touch the Mustang - certainly not in a V6.

 

[drforton]

FORD??? (Found On Road Dead)!!!. Don't buy a mustang. I understand you're young, but don't waste your money on domestic. Stick with JDM. You're young, stick with a coupe, and the Altima coupe is pretty sick, IMO. With Nissan, at lease your depreciation value isn't going to go down to drain like any other domestic.

If I were you, and you want a change, I would look into the new Subaru BRZ. It's pretty sick, good power, coupe, and subaru's are know to be reliable. Not that you would have to care about reliability with a new warranty, but it's nice to know.

I would lease or finance something if I were in your shoes.

 

[deedst4r]

are you for sure selling?

 

[04rnr]

You guys all know me, I'm 17 and I have a sweet 4runner. Problem is gas mileage. I get around 14.5-15.5 MPGs and it is killing me. I have so many places to go to during the week and I find myself filling up every 5 or 6 days. I love the car, but it is just a little too rich for me since I'm so young and I have to make car payments and pay for gas. I've been debating back and forth and I'm stuck between a 2010+ Ford Mustang V6, or a 2008+ Nissan Altima Coupe V6. Both get at least 19 which would help me out a bunch. The Mustang would cost about 21K and the Altima 18K-ish. I love the 4Runner, but I just think I'd rather have something better on gas for when I get older. Just kinda stuck here. Plus I don't know what my car is worth so.... Anyway your opinion is greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.

Jack

dont take this the wrong way, but if you cant afford the gas, either buy a honda civic or take the bus.
a good used civic you should get about 25+ MPH

 

[Geosh]

I am selling my V6 Mustang and just bought a V6 4Runner to replace it. I get close to the same gas mileage (within 1 mpg) now and I am much happier with the 4Runner.

If you are only looking to get better fuel economy, then buy a Prius.

 

[Gecko123]

Your at a age where you want something sporty but at the same time cannot afford it. Best advice is to get something like a Civic. There are reliable, good on gas, and are sporty looking too. you will get the best bang for you buck this way. You will get more enjoyment of your vehicle if you can actually drive it and for long distances without having to worry about the gas.

There's no point in buying a car you can't afford to maintain and that just sits in the garage or having to worry about gas prices constantly.

 

[rockwall]

When I was 17 I had a 1979 Blackbird Trans Am with a 403 V8. I sold it and got a "sensible" car, a Chevrolet Cavalier 4 banger. I drove the Cavalier for a few years and then it developed mysterious electrical gremlins. I dumped it shortly thereafter.

I would give anything to have my Trans Am back and lost out financially in the deal.

Be logical and figure out what your true savings would be. If you can't afford the payments then that is one thing, but saving gas will not make or break you financially.

 

[black_120]

No one wants to trade their 2wd v6 for his 4x4 v8 limited?

Honestly, i would actually consider it. But im so happy with my gas mileage, I just cant do it. I came from an 08' Tundra with 35s so I know the feeling of getting crappy mileage.

I've gone from averaging $100 a week in gas to $70.

 

[black_120]

When I was 17 I had a 1979 Blackbird Trans Am with a 403 V8.

 

[Mr. Banks]

Re:

Selling the 4runner because of gas, and then driving a v6 altima or v6 mustang? Are you sure it is because of gas? I don't buy it

It isn't the gas otherwise you would have mentioned a hybrid prius if you wanted the "savings" Any new car is really just a means between points A and B with the payment counter reset to zero.

Payoff is where you are really going to make a difference in how much you save. Is it really the gas prices or is this something else you aren't aware of yourself? Are you bored with the 4runner and you want a sporty car instead and you are blaming the gas prices? I'm not going to hide the fact that yes they suck but your formula just doesn't add up and it seems like you have your eyes on something else. Find out why or what it is. The end all say all is you are going to want to do what makes you happy. Have you figured out what that is yet?

 

[450exc115]

Man at 17 I was driving a 81 toyota corrolla hand me down that was 8 years old.

First off DO NOT HAVE A CAR PAYMENT at that age. Good habits last a life time and owing people money is not a good one. The only "payment" anyone should make is a morgage. The only reason why my 4runner is financed is we are using the money to paying down the higher interest morgage loan

Second, what should your priority in life be? School, college, work, hobby? Just from experience the better you do in school now often leads to the better life you have in the future. A good work ethic often compliments that too. How does a 4runner that gets 15mpg fit into that priority? My vehicle in college was a Nissan pickup, it hauled my dirtbike and my crap to and from school and was paid for and got 22mpg back when gas was just over a dollar.

I'm not trying to be a PITA but after working in the "real world" for the last 15 years I think if I was more focus and took the risks earlier I'd be further than I am and doing something I enjoy more. Don't get me wrong I've had a lot of fun especially with all the off road motorcycle racing that I've done in the last 15 years.

IF I got a redo back in HS and college I would probably own a 2wd pickup with a 4banger. mid 20s for mileage and I could still tote the bike around on the weekends. Then when I started my engineering job I would get a nice truck and a beater car for driving to and from work. Something that got good mileage like a VW TDI. Oh and buy a house with in 2-3 years of graduating college even if it was a condo.