Purchase Advice

[JerzeyRunner]

Was looking for some advice on a 4runner purchase and this seemed to be a good place to come. Been surfing the forums for a few months now and decided it was time to join the community. I am looking to pull the trigger in the near future, which could be anywhere from a day or two, or a week or two. I have problems making decisions(anxiety) so any help would be great! The current situation looks like this. I have 4 options on the table, they are 3 new 2013 4runners, SR5 premium packages (2 at the same dealer), and a used 2012 SR5 premium package with 9,500 miles on it.

Current Prices, The used 2012 is listed at 33,995, but the dealer has said he is willing to come down, just not sure how much he has in mind. (it has been on his lot for almost 90 days). The 2 new ones that are at the same dealer are listed at 39,623, the dealer already told me he would sell to me at invoice which is 36,895. The 3rd one is listed at 39,966 and he hasn't gotten back to me yet on my low ball offer, so for now he is kinda out of the picture. He originally made me a great offer (his words) of $1000 off the sticker price, I laughed and walked out.

So as it stands now, there is about a 3,000 dollar difference between the used one and the invoice price I was offered on the new one. Which is the better option, I like to save money, but is the money saved worth passing on a new one. Assuming the used price comes down, how much should I look to save to make the used one worth the purchase over the new one? The idea of a used one can make me worry a bit, it only has 9,500 miles on it, but what was the original owner doing during that time. Has a clean carfax.

Purchase is going to come down to price difference, or some other insight that is provided to me here. The only major difference I see from an interior standpoint is the 4wd lever/knob. Any reason to purchase one over the other?

I just wrote this really fast so if there is something that doesn't make sense, I apologize. Please feel free to ask any questions. Any feedback would make my life a whole lot easier in the stress department.

Thanks

 

[NoDak]

have to be a tad more specific on the options/packages the used and new ones have to get a general ballpark number.

but at $3k diff, I would go new. your only looking at worst case, $45 payment difference between new and used.

 

[JerzeyRunner]

When I say premium package, I know it has leather seats, power seats, heated seats, navigation system. I'm sure there is plenty more I'm leaving out, but I think that covers the basics.

Thanks

 

[dekeman]

Buy new. Who knows what happened, or how it was broken in, during those critical first 10,000 miles.

 

[splash101]

You can get a new 2013 Limited for under 39K.

I PM'd you a dealer link in the DC area.

 

[JayceeP]

My opinion:

Depends on how you want to rationalize the purchase. I would also be interested in knowing what the in-service date is for the used '12. If it was less than a year ago, financially speaking, it may make sense to buy used because essentially you are paying $3k for less than a 1-year extension of the factory warranties (bumper-bumper, power train etc) by buying the new ones assuming both models in question have the same options (which it appears they do). Is 1 year of protection worth 3 grand + tax? Seems kind of expensive. Now, if it's been on the road 2 years or something and is just a very low km vehicle that may be a different story.

Having said all that, I would likely purchase new for the 1st owner novelty and certainty of how those miles were driven.

I would shop around more. Definitely some brand new leftover '13 deals to be had.

 

[JerzeyRunner]

When you say in-service date I'm assuming you meant when was it sold. If I remember the carfax report correctly, I believe it was sold middle or the beginning of october 2012.

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

Is the used one Certified Pre-Owned? I only ask because that will bump up the warranty length considerably. Usually I just say buy the new one, but the used vehicles normally have a lot more than 9k miles. My 2012 has over 2x the miles of that SR5 and was purchased in October. Seems like the SR5 was not driven a lot. You will never know how it was broken in, however these vehicles are designed to be driven by people from all different life styles, many of who could care less about vehicle break-in. Toyota knows this, and engineers the vehicles accordingly. "Legendary" Toyota reliability does not come from the few of us that care about vehicle break-in and following service dates exactly. It comes from the multitudes of people that treat their vehicles like crap, but can't seem to kill them. Personally, I can see the dilemma because I would feel the same way. I guess you gotta ask your self when your new vehicle hits 9500 miles, will you be wanting that $3k back? However, if you are nervous about a used vehicle, then just buy new for the peace of mind. Anyways, good luck which ever way you go!

 

[JerzeyRunner]

It is not a certified pre-owned, the dealer said I would only get what is left on the original warranty. It does provide a dilemma with saving or spending the 3,000. I keep going back and forth in my head. If the dealer of the used one somehow stretches that 3,000 to 4,000 or 5,000. Then I think the used one becomes more appealing.....but still not definite.

 

[sn_85]

I would take the new one all day if the difference is only $3,000. You have to consider the warranty, miles already on it, and how it was driven. $3,000 is not a whole lot different to get that brand new car feeling and some piece of mind.

Also when he told you that he'd sell it at invoice is that the invoice sheet that he printed out for you or is that what you calculated off Edmunds or Truecar? For a 2013 you should be getting well under the invoice that edmunds or truecar reports, I wouldn't settle for anything less than $1000-$2000 under invoice.

If you have anxiety about making big decisions then I would definitely go for a brand new one instead of used.

 

[NoDak]

just to give you a ballpark, a 2012 sr5 4x4 base no options/packages runs about $29k at outstanding condition.

 

[BobsTrail]

T4r

Don't compromise to save on the payments. Over 36 to 60 months it won't be much and you may keep it for a long time to help spread out the cost.

Get the color and options you really want and order one if you have to. Don't settle for what a dealer wants to sell.

Then begin the mods and make it even better.

 

[snzscooter]

Everyone on here is just reaffirming my decision to wait for a '14 with the exact color and options I wanted. Although, I really am damn excited ... can't wait to get that truck.

 

[PGRunner]

Go new..You should be able to get it under invoice since the 2014's are on the lot.

 

[mattleegee]

This is the problems with 4runners and Tacomas.... resell value to high and 1-3 year old vehicles its hard to get a good deal on used, as others have said just get the new ones for a couple grand extra, unless you can get a good deal on used with certified 100,000 warranty from Toyota

 

[Alex T4R]

Was looking for some advice on a 4runner purchase and this seemed to be a good place to come. Been surfing the forums for a few months now and decided it was time to join the community. I am looking to pull the trigger in the near future, which could be anywhere from a day or two, or a week or two. I have problems making decisions(anxiety) so any help would be great! The current situation looks like this. I have 4 options on the table, they are 3 new 2013 4runners, SR5 premium packages (2 at the same dealer), and a used 2012 SR5 premium package with 9,500 miles on it.

Current Prices, The used 2012 is listed at 33,995, but the dealer has said he is willing to come down, just not sure how much he has in mind. (it has been on his lot for almost 90 days). The 2 new ones that are at the same dealer are listed at 39,623, the dealer already told me he would sell to me at invoice which is 36,895. The 3rd one is listed at 39,966 and he hasn't gotten back to me yet on my low ball offer, so for now he is kinda out of the picture. He originally made me a great offer (his words) of $1000 off the sticker price, I laughed and walked out.

So as it stands now, there is about a 3,000 dollar difference between the used one and the invoice price I was offered on the new one. Which is the better option, I like to save money, but is the money saved worth passing on a new one. Assuming the used price comes down, how much should I look to save to make the used one worth the purchase over the new one? The idea of a used one can make me worry a bit, it only has 9,500 miles on it, but what was the original owner doing during that time. Has a clean carfax.

Purchase is going to come down to price difference, or some other insight that is provided to me here. The only major difference I see from an interior standpoint is the 4wd lever/knob. Any reason to purchase one over the other?

I just wrote this really fast so if there is something that doesn't make sense, I apologize. Please feel free to ask any questions. Any feedback would make my life a whole lot easier in the stress department.

Thanks

You received all good opinions here, but one think I can tell you is that if you go buy the 4runner today, you can bargain even more. Each dealer have to make a certain sale number and usually at the end of the month they are more then willing to discount the cars. I bought 2013 sr5 with premium package in February of this year, way under invoice, but the best advice I got is ultimately comes to what you are happy with and comfortable paying, because no matter how many people you asked for prices and opinions they will all be different.