Merits of finding ways for others to take the (initial) depreciation hit...

[cjacob316]

Exactly. If he were talking about almost any other vehicle the first hit is the hardest. With the 4runner? Not really.

Wasn't MSRP of the 2012 like 32k? So $6k off after 4 years and 50k miles?


Look for my whole life I've been one of those, "it's a waste to buy new" people. I have always purchased used and got long life out of my vehicles afterward. Except those that were wrecked (not all my fault). Then I started shopping for a 5th gen, and, unless I just wanted a cheaper price, I saw no value in buying a used $36k vehicle over a new $36k vehicle.

 

[1engineer]

Wasn't MSRP of the 2012 like 32k? So $6k off after 4 years and 50k miles?


Look for my whole life I've been one of those, "it's a waste to buy new" people. I have always purchased used and got long life out of my vehicles afterward. Except those that were wrecked (not all my fault). Then I started shopping for a 5th gen, and, unless I just wanted a cheaper price, I saw no value in buying a used $36k vehicle over a new $36k vehicle.

I was like that until I figured life is too short and a few dollars more is not going to break me.

 

[Boardmember]

Good discussion. I'm ending my part and going home before someone jumps through my iPad and whips my ass for dissing the value of their truck.

To 1engineer's point: I neglected to mention that two of my 4Runners are driven college student daughters...

 

[Willie G]

Sounds like you have found some gems.

Here where I live recent 5th gens are very hard to come by, and a 2-3 year old truck with 30K - 50K miles on it only saves you a 2 - 4 grand, so in my view it isn't worth the tradeoff.

x2 My experience as well. So there's a new 2016 LE in the garage.

 

[jrandom]

The new to near-new-used price difference certainly wasn't worth the what-happened-during-those-20k to me questions.

You would not believe the crap people try to hide in used cars here. It is unreal (I suspect this happens elsewhere too) But with 6 proximal highly driven 4-season steep canyon roads, a majority population that have champagne taste on beer budget, mash gas to brake drivers, and quite a bit of accessible off-road... no thanks.

On the other hand if I were just planning to turn and burn every few years (or pass them down), sure I would find the best price to year to mileage ratio.

 

[ArthurHawk]

This theory applies to every other car except ( 4Runner,Jeep Wrangler, FJ Cruiser and Tacoma) There is no initial hit. These cars keep their value close to 90% of the MSRP or more. I am currently looking at a used 4Runners 1-2 years old between 10k-30k in miles and they are going $2000 cheaper then MSRP or worse. I can get this car for invoice which is almost 10% off the MSRP I would not buy a used 4Runner. If this was a Mercedes forum or BMW yes the initial hit within the first 2-3 years is about 50%-60% off the MSRP. I almost feel like they are collectibles as they are priced, and also being so little of them out there it is not helping.

 

[williamlv282]

I waited a very long time to find a 2012 Silver Trail edition with less than 50k miles because that's exactly what I wanted, but it never showed up in my area so I ended up just buying a new one with all the features I wanted.

They hold their value so well it's almost a shame to buy one that's used because when I looked I would only be getting around $3-4k in savings.

 

[philsey]

Good discussion....

Good thread OP. Interesting, the differing views.

I hope it stays :whoo:

 

[Jhalko]

Good thread OP. Interesting, the differing views.

I hope it stays :whoo:

This thread would be better with some actual data or maybe a price curve on 4Runner depreciation, because some seem to think a 4Runner depreciates like a Chevy or a dodge.

Oh and OP, your response to cjacob 316 reads as somewhat condescending, I'm sure you didn't mean it that way. But to then turn around and assume people are going to attack you so you are quitting the discussion you started is just silly, if that is your attitude maybe posting your opinions in public isn't the wisest outlet.

 

[cjacob316]

Cjacob - I disagree. But that's one thing forums are good for.

Find an old Econ textbook and refresh: depreciation curve. It's not a flat line. We might discuss our opinions of the shape over the life of the vehicle (we appear to be doing that, actually) and we may have life experience showing us two entirely different models. But a curve nonetheless.

You also may have misread the title to fit your opinion. Read it again and start with the word "Merits..." That implies there may be more than one opinion here, which is what I was wanting to see if there was any interest in discussion.

This forum is home to an enthusiast group and some of the responses, in my mind, coincide with that.

I don't disagree that it's a curve, I just think that the curve gets steeper as a second owner half way to 100k miles. If a 6th gen comes out and when you hit 100k miles, the value will drop more rapidly for you as a second owner. In the 1st 4 years that '12 dropped $6k in retail value, in the next 4 years it will drop faster.

Your title says initial depreciation, I think just about all of us interpret initial as the Immediate loss you take when you purchase at a dealer.

Btw, I misread your purchase price, you got closer to the low end of the sale value than I thought, so I don't think you took as big of an initial hit as I previously assumed. But, to me, it looks like you got a good deal, and on average the hit would be much higher than you took.

 

[Patriot12]

Good discussion. I'm ending my part and going home before someone jumps through my iPad and whips my ass for dissing the value of their truck.

To 1engineer's point: I neglected to mention that two of my 4Runners are driven college student daughters...

Either way, whether you buy new, CPO, used, I think it's pretty awesome you are capable of buying 3 relatively new 4R's for your family. Wish I will be in that position in the future.... Tip my hat to you sir!

 

[Auntie Soshul]

Really, I was sitting here on a Sunday afternoon and thought this might garner some thoughts.

Looks like it did.