Possibly selling 4runner

[JTEZT]

Due to the wife's long commute (64miles round trip) we may be seeling our 4runner.Its a v8 4x2 with the 5spd atm.I really like the truck it's just the gas consumption that's hurting our budget.Our other option is to sell my mint condition 97 T100 4x4 thats been nothing but awesome for 11 years.I would end up with the 4runner and she will get a BMW335 sedan which we will share.The 4runner is only 6 months old and has 8k miles.I am a semi-retired Toyota factory trained technician, been with Toyota since 1987and I really have a issue with letting my T100 go just because the truck has really been good to me,I believe this was the last model trucks that were still assembled in Japan.The T100 has 92k miles and has no oil leaks whatsoever it looks new underneath and under the hood.What do you guys think let the older truck go or try to sell the 4runner because the trade in value we are getting from dealers is somewhat of a joke.
Thank You.

 

[Uneek]

Because of where gas prices are, anything outside of an econobox, fuel miser or hybrid, the desirability are low.

I would recommend swapping with your wife, let her drive the BMW and you take the 4Runner. Not sure how long of a commute you have and how much driving you do. But SUVs have taken quite a hit on resale value. And the T100 being over 10 years old, IMO, it's not worth selling.

 

[Dave858]

I wouldn't sell either

The difference in Gas Mileage between the 335 and 4R is about 6 to 7. Based on the 64 mile round trip and $4.50 per gallon, you will save less than $1,000 per year. Is this savings worth the additional cost of the BMW? The brakes and rotors need to be replaced twice as often on a BMW (I have and X5). Z rated tires are double...Premium Gas, etc.

 

[charlier180]

JTEZT, if you have not already done so I STRONGLY suggest you sit down and crunch some numbers. Selling an 8 month old 4Runner when trade-in/resale values are going down is going to cost you (possibly dearly). Trading the 4Runner that runs on regular unleaded for a vehicle that runs on preminum unleaded (even tho is gets better MPG) may not save you very much money.
What about vehicle insurance? Will a different vehicle cost you more money or save you money when it comes to insurance? Then there is the cost of maintenance, repairs and parts to consider. Being a auto Tech will save you some money but warranty claims could get tricky if you have been doing all the maintenance/repair on a non-Toyota brand vehicle and need warranty repairs. What happens if you trade the 4Runner in and end up "upside down" in the loan for the new vehicle? Then, heaven forbid, that vehicle is involved in an accident, is totalled and you are faced with having to lay down a BIG chunk of cash to settle up with the bank on the totalled vehicle's loan?

I guess the bottom line is that I urge you and your wife to look at the BIG PICTURE when it comes to a decision like this. Crunch ALL THE NUMBERS, not just gasoline costs. How much money is there really to be saved by replacing the current vehicle with a slightly more fuel efficient one when you consider all the costs involved?

Too many people are trading new, less fuel efficient vehicles based on incomplete information. Some of those people are getting a HUGE Surprise when they realize that they are not saving nearly as much as money they thought they would when they total EVERYTHING up.

 

[nighthawk]

Crunch the numbers and see. The 4Runner's desirability is going down due to rising fuel prices, but in the end, is it worth taking such a big hit on depreciation? Also, in the end, is the fuel price that significant because although the BMW has better mileage, the premium gas may negate the savings. I honestly think it'll be best to just keep things status quo and see how it goes. Also, with 09's just around the corner, then the price on the 08 is gonna go down.

 

[spy008]

your wife just wants a new bimmer.

 

[JTEZT]

I want to thank everyone for the good advise I appreciate all the input.I need to say that the reason for the 335 purchase was both slightly better mpg and a replacement for my stage 3 subaru sti that I sold last year.I really miss that car,although the t100 is in great shape after driving it since new back in 1997 I'm kinda tired of it.Everytime I use the 4runner i'm in heaven with the smooth ride and awesome driveability of the v8.If we got the 335 she would use that on weekdays and on weekends I would get it.I also may just hang tight and see what our economy and fuel prices do in the coming months.

 

[4runDiZZLe]

I\\I also may just hang tight and see what our economy and fuel prices do in the coming months.

Gas prices are not going down that's for sure!!! sucks for all us t4r owners... my friends dad owns gas stations in so cal and he said he thinks gas will be $7/gal. here in so cal by december!!!

 

[nc211]

Gas prices are not going down that's for sure!!! sucks for all us t4r owners... my friends dad owns gas stations in so cal and he said he thinks gas will be $7/gal. here in so cal by december!!!

I'll bet you $100 that never happens. Economics 101 = prices are dictated by market ability, and today's prices are causing the market to tank. Give this 11 more weeks...you'll see...the bubble has leaks already, and will soon burst.

 

[TheBlueWave]

I saw an interesting article in CR about this (linked with MSN) subject of selling a gas hog to get a more fuel friendly ride.
Generally, selling any vehicle before 5 years isn't worth the gains in fuel economy, assuming of course that you want the same general type of vehicle (like a 3 row SUV for a more efficient mini van or a 4runner for a RAV4, etc.). The article brings up the obvious that people often overlook and that's depreciation. In the first three years of ownership, its by far the biggest cost, even with Toyotas! We seem to forget that most of the time.
Hell, I was trying to sell my rig, but now I'm really looking to trade private party + cash or whatever because trading it in to a stealer is not even close to being worth the cost.
Just my $0.02.
Keep the runner and get a civic to drive to work, or sell the old truck that is practically done depreciating and replace that.

 

[slane]

My husband and I have been waiting to buy a v8 4Runner 2005 or newer...Please keep me in mind if you do decide to sell....

 

[nc211]

your wife just wants a new bimmer.

Hahaha!! I'd have to agree though. I could understand the whole "economic reasons" backing for the decision, if you guys were looking to replace the 4runner with a 4 cylinder Honda Accord, Camry, Corola, etc... But a luxury high performance turbo charged 6 cylinder german sports sedan? I kind of get the feeling that gas prices aren't too impactful on the ole' family budget?

 

[JTEZT]

Performance is kinda important to both of us,we both have never liked the Camry its just too vanilla.The 4cylinder Camry is sluggish and rough especially with 4 people and ac on.We had a 2006 gs300 which got 30mpg all day long.Too bad it got t-boned on her way to work one morning.Wish I had a crystal ball to see what our future is regarding gas prices.More and more of my older customers are having me restore older 4 cylinder Toyota trucks and 4runners.

 

[arouth]

If you do a google search you will find a lot of articles about speculation and rising oil prices. Basically, everytime there is some negative oil news the price goes up, and there are people investing in oil simply b/c they believe it will continue to rise.

I'm hoping the bubble will burst soon and prices come down, but by down I don't mean to like $1.50 a gallon, but probably to around $3 a gallon. Also, in the next few years it is going to rise again b/c of China, India, etc... CNN did a piece where they were predicting $7 a gallon by 2011 or 2012.

Fortunately, that is when a lot of the vehicles that are designed with fuel economy in mind are coming to the market. There should be a lot of diesels and hybrids on the market to choose from.

Oh, and swap with your wife! Let her drive the BMW and you drive the 4runner.

 

[JTEZT]

Fuel Prices

I saw the thread you started about 4runners losing value due to the mpg thing.A friend sent me a youtube clip of some govt.guy talking about Brazil just discovered oil in the Atlantic that raised their oil reserves from 10 billion barrels to 90 billion barrels.Its in the area where congress has passed laws making it illegal for US based companies to dig for oil and yet Brazil,China and others are drilling in an area thats close to the east coast.This irritates me, due to politics we are paying more.The oil speculators are taking advantage of this and making money.I believe its on youtube,just dont know the guys name

 

[JTEZT]

If anybody is interested in buying the 4runner send me a pm.