Looking at 2007 SE V8. Good buy?

[9704Runner]

I was really hoping for a Limited 4x4 V8 but it doesn't look like I'll be able to find a good one in my first color choice which is white. A SE will be cheaper anyway. I found this one online about 5 hours from where I live and I want your opinions on if it's worth the drive to go check it out (would have to be tomorrow the 21st or Sat. the 28th, maybe Tuesday but that's a big maybe). What about the price?

Used 2007 Toyota 4Runner For Sale | Colorado Springs CO

I can't tell, does it look like this one have a lift? I would like to add a lift down the road so if it's already done, that would be so nice. I'm not too crazy about the rims so when the tires wear out I'd go back to 17". Carfax says 1 owner in St. George, Utah, dealer serviced every 5-6k miles except the service between 6k and 16k isn't on there. The low mileage is a huge plus since I'll be going about 30k a year. The DVD receiver installed in it is very similar to one I was looking at installing anyway and if the speakers are already upgraded that would save me a lot of money :jump:

 

[inscarguy]

it looks like it has a leveling kit in it.

it looks like someone painted the radio-a/c bezel white and black instead of the dark silver/black combo. looks nice otherwise.

good luck.

 

[drbiii]

it definitely has some kind of lift on it. Not much though (probably spacers as mentioned earlier).

The price seems a little high. I bought my 07 SE V8 4x4 with 45k and leather for $24.5K out the door (TT&L included) close to a year ago.

I REALLY like the color. I looked high and low for a white SE 4x4 in TX, but I couldn't find one so I settled for black instead.

 

[9704Runner]

Well, I think I found one and it's actually here where I live and is at a dealer with a pretty good reputation among people I know. I never really looked at it since it has 78k miles but it is white and has just about every option available for the 2006 SE. The only thing I wouldn't get that I wanted is heated seats but that can be fixed with Wet Okole seat covers. I went and drove it today and it's in good shape. I checked everything I could think of, including 4 Lo, and it all worked but I'm going to get it checked out by a mechanic Monday and get the Carfax. My only concern is it made a knocking noise when the guy first started it but I don't think it's been started for quite a while. They want $25,000 so I'll have to talk them down. No trade and I'm paying cash thanks to a family member loaning me the money. What price should I aim for? I've never really negotiated for a car before.

2006 Toyota 4Runner | Grand Junction CO Western Slope Auto

 

[Maz]

Well, I think I found one and it's actually here where I live and is at a dealer with a pretty good reputation among people I know. I never really looked at it since it has 78k miles but it is white and has just about every option available for the 2006 SE. The only thing I wouldn't get that I wanted is heated seats but that can be fixed with Wet Okole seat covers. I went and drove it today and it's in good shape. I checked everything I could think of, including 4 Lo, and it all worked but I'm going to get it checked out by a mechanic Monday and get the Carfax. My only concern is it made a knocking noise when the guy first started it but I don't think it's been started for quite a while. They want $25,000 so I'll have to talk them down. No trade and I'm paying cash thanks to a family member loaning me the money. What price should I aim for? I've never really negotiated for a car before.

2006 Toyota 4Runner | Grand Junction CO Western Slope Auto

A 2007 with 29K Miles is less than 10,000 miles per year vs. a 2006 with 78K Miles at almost double 19,500 miles per year use. The asking prices are roughly $4,000. apart with up to half that amount reasonable for getting a one year newer car. You'd essentially be paying 12.25 cents per mile PLUS getting a one year newer vehicle. Or put anther way assuming one year newer is worth around $2,000. you'd be paying a very cheap 6 cents a mile to get a much lower mileage car.

This isn't even a no brainer, it's obvious saving so little while giving up so much is a mistake. Get the 2007, you'll be sorry later if you don't.

 

[9704Runner]

Trust me, I would love to get the 2007. Unfortunately money is a huge factor right now with my student loans coming due pretty soon otherwise it would be a no brainer. With the 2007 I'd be stuck with buying 20" tires or 17" rims and tires if those tires turn out to not work for the winter. Besides, when I called them today they were kinda rude about the whole thing when they finally did pick up the phone.

My mechanic will have to say the 2006 is in pristine mechanical condition before I seriously consider getting it. The Honda I have right now I bought with 70,000 miles in really good mechanical condition and I haven't had a single problem with it. Based on my interactions with the two dealers I think I'm going to be able to negotiate a much better deal for the 2006 than I would be able to for the 2007. Oh, and there is NO WAY I'm paying $25,000 for it - I'm hoping for more like $20k. I can sell my car instead of trading it if I get the dealer that low. I don't think I can realistically manage a $25k loan anyway

 

[FourEyedWilly]

I'm just going to say it, that white bezel is fugly. I'm not one for buying other people's "mods". Not a fan of the rims or firey tires either. Plus the price seems out to lunch to me. 78K is not horrible, but remember you have a timing belt coming in 12K miles. I'd keep looking around to be honest. I got my 06 V8 SE for $23.5K about a year ago now 34K miles in Vegas.

Here save some money. get a V8 and Limited, 04 though...

Edit: How's your eyes, it's silver!! Sorry.

2004 Toyota 4Runner Limited, $19,998 - Cars.com

 

[Maz]

Trust me, I would love to get the 2007. Unfortunately money is a huge factor right now with my student loans coming due pretty soon otherwise it would be a no brainer. With the 2007 I'd be stuck with buying 20" tires or 17" rims and tires if those tires turn out to not work for the winter. Besides, when I called them today they were kinda rude about the whole thing when they finally did pick up the phone.

My mechanic will have to say the 2006 is in pristine mechanical condition before I seriously consider getting it. The Honda I have right now I bought with 70,000 miles in really good mechanical condition and I haven't had a single problem with it. Based on my interactions with the two dealers I think I'm going to be able to negotiate a much better deal for the 2006 than I would be able to for the 2007. Oh, and there is NO WAY I'm paying $25,000 for it - I'm hoping for more like $20k. I can sell my car instead of trading it if I get the dealer that low. I don't think I can realistically manage a $25k loan anyway

You can get 16" or 17" OEM T4R rims (with nice, maybe even new, tires very cheap). Assuming the 20" tires are in good condition, then perhaps for a nominal difference in what you could sell the tires / rims for that are currently on the car.

As to the total price I understand your financial limitations may make this all mute. However you should know in the final analysis we're likely talking about a $4,000. difference in price between the two vehicles (I think it's impossible they've built in more than $5,000. for profit on the 2006 by the way). As others have mentioned driving 30K miles a year, you're going to have a rather expensive repair coming up very, very quickly on the 78K mile car. This will reduce the expected $4,000. "savings" markedly downword.

Then we have the fact with the high miles your driving you'll have a 100K vehicle in 2011. Whereas in the 2007 it could be 2013 before you hit the century mark. People can tell you how long Toyotas last, and last all they want, and they may well be right. However the resale value of any vehicle, Toyota or otherwise, plummets when you get into 6 digits on the oddometer. Based on being a year newer and soooo much less mileage, a $4,000. difference in price is a bargain.

Before you write this off, call the 2007 dealer back, and ask to speak to the manager and tell him or her about your experience (in a respectful way so as to not make it sound like your trashing anyone). It may well be you just got someone on a bad day, which wouldn't be the first time something like that has happened. I negotiate for a living, and successfully use that tactic all the time. The point is judging any company by the actions of one or two individuals is not necessarily going to be accurate.

 

[Tusa123]

agree with Maz, the minute you hit 100k miles your resale plummets. I purchased a 2007 SE with 22k miles for $25k about a year ago (plus T&L). Mine came off auction, single owner lease return and it was certified by Toyota. Point is I think you can do far better in price on either vehicle (though I would personally avoid both). The 2007 with 28k miles is HIGHLY inflated in price, I am guessing because of the mods. The other, while better in price is actually considered a high mileage vehicle, considering that you are also a high mileage driver you will be under water on that rig even more a year from now given your miles. A vehicle is by no means an investment however you want to do your best to stay above ground in a finance situation and unfortunately neither of these looks promising. I personally would keep looking or like Naz said continue beating up the dealer on the lower mileage 4Runner. Best of luck!