Sell it or store it??

Bftfan

Bftfan

New member
I had a seizure in March (first one EVER) and ended up breaking both shoulders and arms from the violent nature of the seizure. The docs still don't know what happened but I can't drive until March 2012. I just purchased my 2008 4Runner in Sept 2010, put new tires on it and did all the maintenance. Now she just sits in the garage... :moping: My wife won't drive it because she says it's too big and I'm still paying on it while no miles goes on her. I start it once a week and let it run for 15 mins and my wife will drive it on the street so things like the brake pistons don't freeze up but what do you think? Do I sell it or store it in the garage? As long and I remain seizure free <fingers crossed> until March 2012 I can drive again. Really sucks...
 
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First off I am sorry to hear about the seizure. It is a tough call to keep or sell when you have a known length of time you wont be using a vehicle. I have gone through it with military deployments. Key deciding factors are:

1. Is it a financial burden/strain to keep(do you need that money to pay other bills)?
2. Could you be disciplined to put at least half the payment away to go towards a car later when you are able to drive again.
3. Condition of the vehicle and ability to get similar condition or better later on.

Unless you have a sentimental attachment to the car most find it easier to sell and replace it when they are able to use again.
 
This might just be a SF bay area thing, but you could look into loaning it out. There's a couple popular services here, where you can rent your car out for an amount you set per hour or per day... fully insured etc... it's pretty cool. You could just rent it out enough to cover your payments or something.
 
Tough call because I don't think there is a right answer. I personally would be inclined to sell it to avoid the payments and interest and then put the difference between what you get and what is owed into a savings account to use for another one come next March if you can return to driving. You could also continue to make the same payments, but putting them into the savings account. When you are ready you will have more money available for the new rig and less money needed to borrow.
 
Pikeman said:
First off I am sorry to hear about the seizure. It is a tough call to keep or sell when you have a known length of time you wont be using a vehicle. I have gone through it with military deployments. Key deciding factors are:

1. Is it a financial burden/strain to keep(do you need that money to pay other bills)?
2. Could you be disciplined to put at least half the payment away to go towards a car later when you are able to drive again.
3. Condition of the vehicle and ability to get similar condition or better later on.

Unless you have a sentimental attachment to the car most find it easier to sell and replace it when they are able to use again.
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This pretty much hits the topic dead on. I hate to hear about your seizure, I had a friend pass away about 3 weeks ago from a seizure in his sleep. He was not much different from you, it was only like his 3rd seizure he ever had. The Dr gave him some kind of medicine, no idea what, but he didnt take it. So if you are prescribed something I'd suggest sticking to it.

As far as the truck goes thats something you'd have to decide based on financial situation and love for the thing. Remember you can always get another one. I personally would hate to pay for something (including interest) for a year and not be able to drive it. On the other hand its a year's worth of payments taken off your balance anyway.

Today's market is so bad if you sell it I can't see you getting back all the money that you put into it already. If you really love it why not keep it. Send in all the extra money you'll save from gas, maintenance, etc that you wont be spending to take even more off your balance.

Im sure you will be spending some money to prepare it for driving again in 2012 so keep that in mind as well. Personally, if the situation happened to me I'd sell it, save every penny and buy a 5th gen lol. Those are looking pretty sweet. That being said mostly because mine is 5 years older than yours and has 120k miles. Since you have a 2008 it probably will still be in decent shape once you can drive it after a little TLC.
 
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Probably a silly question, but do you have a family member who would want to drive it for a year and pay you for the privilege? Would your car loan allow for that? Might be a way around the problem.

Other than that, I think the other comments are very instructive. You could always go to a couple dealers and see what they'd give you for the truck, or put an ad on Craigslist and see if there is any interest. Doesn't mean you have to sell it.
 
Thanks for the input guys. I might take some pics and put some feelers out there, it's really super clean. I've gone through this twice before with deployments in the Navy, but those vehicles were paid off and I didn't have to look at them everyday just sitting in the garage. Still need to think this over...
 
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What I should have said at the beginning of my first post was that I hope you are okay, and I'm sorry you are having to deal with all of this. It must be very scary for you and your family.

I know what you mean on the whether to sell or not - we are moving to a city, probably can't get garage parking for the truck, and I hate to think of it sitting out on the street getting trashed by people who can't park/want to see what's in it. I think I've come to the conclusion that we are going to use it to move and then take it to a few dealers, post a few ads, and see if I can get a decent price. It's a shame though becuase, like yours, it's in fantastic shape. What to do, what to do.
 
wombie said:
Probably a silly question, but do you have a family member who would want to drive it for a year and pay you for the privilege? Would your car loan allow for that? Might be a way around the problem.

Other than that, I think the other comments are very instructive. You could always go to a couple dealers and see what they'd give you for the truck, or put an ad on Craigslist and see if there is any interest. Doesn't mean you have to sell it.
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I am trying to figure out the exact same thing although my situation is for work. I will be out of the country for 2 years starting in December.

I am absolutely in love with my 4R so I am trying to talk my brother into driving it for half of my payment until it is paid for.

If you love your 4R, keep it. If you think it is replaceable, get rid of it for now
 
MICA4R said:
Sorry to hear about the sz man, but they ain't gonna make the 4runners any better anytime soon.
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I agree^. Its nine months away and in march are you going to be looking for one again? You could end up paying more for one than you sold yours for and then have to do the tires and what not over again. It might save you quite a bit in the long run to hang on to it and wait it out.
 
Sorry to hear about the seizure - hope you are well now and remain so.

If you owe less than its worth you have money locked up in the truck that you could use for other things - investing, paying down other debt or just having fun or a combination of all 3. In that case I'd be tempted to sell. If you are upside down on it, the decision would not be so clear cut depending more on what other resources you have to draw on.

What is certain is the truck will lose value while you are paying it down even if you don't drive it. What are you doing re insurance by the way - have you dropped it to just fire and theft etc?
 
I also remember when my 04' was totaled. Trying to find a v8, Limited, 4x4 in black or gray was a major PITA! I spent nearly 2 months searching for one that wasnt grossly overpriced.
 
Thanks for the input. The seizure was scary because no one in my family EVER had one of these and the docs don't know what triggered it and may never know. Great huh?

I keep flip/floppin' on the sell or stay. I sold my Jeep Wrangler a few yrs ago because I needed the money for an addition on my home. It was just a toy but I never found another one that cheap and that clean so that still stings. I got lots of equity in my T4R because I put half down on it but I have to mull this over a bit...
 
Bftfan said:
Thanks for the input. The seizure was scary because no one in my family EVER had one of these and the docs don't know what triggered it and may never know. Great huh?

I keep flip/floppin' on the sell or stay. I sold my Jeep Wrangler a few yrs ago because I needed the money for an addition on my home. It was just a toy but I never found another one that cheap and that clean so that still stings. I got lots of equity in my T4R because I put half down on it but I have to mull this over a bit...
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Good luck bro!

Maybe cellphone usage? Dietary? Let us know if you find the trigger. (my sony ps3 has a warning before starting the game Infamous (if you have a seizure d/o contact your doctor before playing this game.)

WHO on cellphones:
WHO | Electromagnetic fields and public health: mobile phones
 
Best of health to you!

I say keep it, since you always lose money when you flip cars. If you want to get something other than a Runner later, maybe sell.
 
Bftfan said:
Thanks for the input. The seizure was scary because no one in my family EVER had one of these and the docs don't know what triggered it and may never know. Great huh?

I keep flip/floppin' on the sell or stay. I sold my Jeep Wrangler a few yrs ago because I needed the money for an addition on my home. It was just a toy but I never found another one that cheap and that clean so that still stings. I got lots of equity in my T4R because I put half down on it but I have to mull this over a bit...
Click to expand...

Having just traded in a 4th gen for a 5th gen, I will say that the 4th gen on the used market are demanding quite a bit and holding their value pretty well. The Torsen center diff on the 4th gen is only found on the limited of the 5th gen so the 4th gen has more "bang for the buck". That being said, I'm quite happy with the 5th. If the payments are not an issue, I'd say to keep the 4th gen. :surfer:
 
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