Should I buy my 06 T4R off lease?

[NJ4Runner]

Hello All,
I have been going back ond forth on this. My 06 T4R SR5 is comming off lease and I can purchase it for 18,500 (+ tax of course). It's in mint condition inside and out, has 33k miles, and I haven't had a problem with it. I really do love this car and take pretty good care of it. I could be more dilligent on the maintenace, but I drive it like an old lady and I never tow or do any off roading (hope to someday though).

Here's my main issue. I really need a 3rd row (which I don't have). I mean, I could live without it, w only 2 kids, but I can never have any extra guests on board w/ the kids. I have looked into buying another T4R w/ a 3rd row, but then the price jumps up into the mid 20's, party becuase the dealers jack up the price and my buyout is pretty tough to beat. Also lookes in the Acura MDX and Honda Pilot and they both have 3rd for close to the price of the 4runnes I've been seeing.

Here's my question. Since I feel like my $18,500 buyout is a steal, considering I know how I've driven it and it's in mint condition, I'm leaning towards buying it.

Am I wrong on thinking $18,500 is a steal on an 06 T4R SR5 w/ sunroof and 33k miles? If we all agree that it's not, I may look elsewhere for that 3rd row. Money is a little tight these days and I really need to make a sound decision...

Thanks in advance...

 

[chaz]

in my opinion, 18500 is a decent price for a mint condition 06 with 33k miles. also, your the only ones who have driven it, & know what has/hasnt been done to it. its truck based as opposed to crossover based like the pilot & mdx, dont know if that is of importantance to you. have you asked if the dealer can install a 3rd row in the t4r for you? or buy one off a member in forums or ebay it wont be cheap & you might have to install it yourself, but its an idea. also, if you ever intend to offroad someday, those 2 others probably wont cut it.

 

[NJ4Runner]

Thanks for your reply. I have heard from a few members on this forum that you cannot add a 3rd row if it was done from the factory.

I too, feel the same way about knowing who drove it and how they drove it. I know I treated her well and never abused, not once. I think that goes a long way. I'm just torn, because I would really like to have that 3rd row...

 

[Slvr RnR]

Good points by Chaz. Although, I don't think you can simply buy 3rd row seats and put them in a runner that didn't come with that option.

If money really is a significant issue then the discussion ends. Keep you dependable 4runner. With the way you drive and regular maint it will last for years. There may be an inconvenience with occasionally having to take 2 cars instead of having seating for 7, but it's only an inconvenience. IMO minor inconvenience is less stressful than worrying about money.

Let us know what you decide... and keep looking around while your thinking. Never know what you'll find.

 

[chaz]

the brothers are most like right, but i believe anything can be done for the right price. you ever see west coast customs in action.

 

[chaz]

run a search for "3rd row seat" it seems the reason guys say it cant be done is because the 2nd row seats tilt forward to allow access to the rear. but there are suppositly aftermarket options that you can do. but it seems the area is too small , with no leg room to be of any use anyway. oh well, just thought id chime in, goodluck.

 

[chaz]

try littlepassengerseats.com its an aftermarket option that cost around 500-100 depending on year & options needed. hope this helps .

 

[GatorGreg]

Here's a link to a 7 passenger 1999 for sale locally so I suppose there are some aftermarket alternatives:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...mission=&max_price=&cardist=20&standard=false

You can't really see the 3rd row too well in the ad though and I'm not sure I'd want a loved one to sit in one of these aftermarket 3rd row contraptions. (and yes, I'm always on the lookout for a nice low mileage '99/'00 4x4 Sport Edition with rear locker )

 

[chaz]

well as far as i know, the factory 3rd row seat is removable too, & if the seat on the site im referring to meets federal safety standards & comes available with all belts it may not be bad. im not sure it can be called a contraption out right. of course it would be nice to see its quality & how sturdy it is first, maybe it is a contraption, who knows, all im saying is if he likes his present 06 t4r, but has to have a 3rd row seat, this may be an alternative to spending thousands more, & buying a new pilot or mdx,

 

[Falls]

I would buy it. I bought mine out of lease 06 4x4 V8 Sport.

 

[LBeard87]

off lease...YES!

Hello All,
I have been going back ond forth on this. My 06 T4R SR5 is comming off lease and I can purchase it for 18,500 (+ tax of course). It's in mint condition inside and out, has 33k miles, and I haven't had a problem with it. I really do love this car and take pretty good care of it. I could be more dilligent on the maintenace, but I drive it like an old lady and I never tow or do any off roading (hope to someday though).

Here's my main issue. I really need a 3rd row (which I don't have). I mean, I could live without it, w only 2 kids, but I can never have any extra guests on board w/ the kids. I have looked into buying another T4R w/ a 3rd row, but then the price jumps up into the mid 20's, party becuase the dealers jack up the price and my buyout is pretty tough to beat. Also lookes in the Acura MDX and Honda Pilot and they both have 3rd for close to the price of the 4runnes I've been seeing.

Here's my question. Since I feel like my $18,500 buyout is a steal, considering I know how I've driven it and it's in mint condition, I'm leaning towards buying it.

Am I wrong on thinking $18,500 is a steal on an 06 T4R SR5 w/ sunroof and 33k miles? If we all agree that it's not, I may look elsewhere for that 3rd row. Money is a little tight these days and I really need to make a sound decision...

Thanks in advance...

little story for you...last september (2008) i purchased my 2005 of lease with 36k for about $16,000. now it does have the V8 which was a real bargaining chip with gas @ $4 a gallon. if gas was what it was at now, i would have paid about 18,500 or more for it. the buyout is a really great price and if you like the car the go for it. you will not get the same satisfaction from a pilot or mdx.

if you do really need the 3rd row then it is time to look for something else. the 4runner is big, but if you are that concerned about more people to drive around then that is something you need to consider. im engaged with no kiddies so i barely use that back seats, but i've had to drive around the neices and one you add 2 carseats and toys and a pack and play there aint too much room. its all in what you need and want. my advise, look into what its gonna cost for a similar suv with 3 rows and compare. really the best thing to help you make a decision is the money factor. thats my 2 cents.

 

[NJ4Runner]

Thanks for the great feedback and thanks for the links Chaz & GG.

I'm going to at least check out those aftermarket seats. Let's face the facts, my mother would let me strap her on the roof if it meant she could be near her grandkids. =) Safty is the most concern obviusly, behind cost that is. =)

Thanks again guys. Oh, and I looked at a few few more vehicles. Highlander and Cadialac SRX.. I can prob get either in the low to mid 20's, but I just don't have the same feeling for those models. There is something about the 4Runner. I feel the quality every time I drive it. In addition, from what I hear from others on this board it can last quite a long time if I take care of it.

Sorry for the long post but here is my dream plan.. Down the road 5-10 years, I would love to get some land out in the country (I live in Jersey, so prob NY or PA).. I'm envisioning having this 4Runner, paying it off, and when it's old and grey, retire it to the land and use it as fun toy to haul stuff and to go joy riding.. So that would mean that it would be like 10 years old with upwards of like 120-150k miles on it... Am I dreaming or could this thing last that long and still be useful?

Thanks again and I'll keep you posted on the 3rd row research.. --NJR

 

[Mtn.Rush]

Sorry for the long post but here is my dream plan.. Down the road 5-10 years, I would love to get some land out in the country (I live in Jersey, so prob NY or PA).. I'm envisioning having this 4Runner, paying it off, and when it's old and grey, retire it to the land and use it as fun toy to haul stuff and to go joy riding.. So that would mean that it would be like 10 years old with upwards of like 120-150k miles on it... Am I dreaming or could this thing last that long and still be useful?

Thanks again and I'll keep you posted on the 3rd row research.. --NJR

When I first leased my 1996 SR5 I knew from the day I drove it off the lot that I would buy it off lease. I did just that and after 10 years I had put 145,000 on the clock and it still felt like day one. If thats your dream, it can and will be a reality with these trucks. Take care of them and they return the favor........almost forever. Good luck.

 

[GatorGreg]

well as far as i know, the factory 3rd row seat is removable too, & if the seat on the site im referring to meets federal safety standards & comes available with all belts it may not be bad. im not sure it can be called a contraption out right. of course it would be nice to see its quality & how sturdy it is first, maybe it is a contraption, who knows, all im saying is if he likes his present 06 t4r, but has to have a 3rd row seat, this may be an alternative to spending thousands more, & buying a new pilot or mdx,

Chaz I totally agree with you, when I used the word "contraption" I just meant that I would closely scrutinize any such product before I'd ever use it. It could be that it's an even better engineered product than the original equipment Toyota version for all I know.