Suggestions on purchasing a used 4WD SR5?

[bjnick]

I moved to Tennessee a month ago (about an hour east of Nashville), and one of my first goals is to trade in my 2020 Outback Onyx XT for a 4runner. I love off-roading, couldn't do it in the OB, but a 4runner wouldn't fit in my parking space in CA. Looking for an SR5 4WD 2016-2020 for ~$35-36G. I see lots of 'em for just above that. Generally ~45,000-60,000 mi. For $38-39G, I see 2021's as well, but my hope is to get as
close as possible to a straight trade: they take my (beautiful condition) Onyx w/19,000 mi. on it, I get the SR5. KBB for a trade-in on my Onyx (in not even absolute peak condition), is $36-37K. I know I won't get that from a dealer, but hopefully reasonably close....as in, I'm out a couple grand and I have my 4runner.

I'd really appreciate some guidance on this. Fwiw: I got a great deal on the Onyx, did my research, knew the prices, got rival salespeople working to beat a deal, ultimately wound up with an excellent price. But that was for a new vehicle; I've never bought one used.

I know I won't get as much from a dealer as private, and not as much trading in a rival car (such as trading in a Subaru at a Toyota place.)

How much of a price break might I expect.....or at least work towards? Is 5% off advertised price in the ballpark? Less? More? I know it depends....just in general.

Any suggestions? I could add a bunch of specific questions, but I'd rather just hear from your collective wisdom. I want to move on this NOW.

Thank you!

 

[fourwd1]

Sorry, sometimes people post when things are slow.
Since you're interested in a 5th Gen Runner, you'll get a lot more response if you inquire there. A lottt more.

 

[fourwd1]

HERE

 

[fourwd1]

No worries, I'll move your post there for you

 

[jp.vegas]

I'm pretty confident in saying that price breaks off the listed price of a used (or new) 4Runner aren't a thing these days. Maybe wait 6-9 months for the recession to kick in and then see.

 

[DAW89446]

It might be that your query would apply to a very small percentage of readers who actually experienced what you are wanting to do; while the rest of responses would lean toward more suggestion / speculation.

I am not going to suggest anything, as you would have to likely visit multiple dealers with T4Rs that interest you and see what can be worked out to your satisfaction for the true picture. Today’s market situation doesn’t help matters either.

As for me, I bought my ‘18 SR5 with 24,000 miles at a local Ford dealer in my small, rural town. It is part of a larger consortium with Toyota dealerships scattered throughout the northwest, so they’ve been bringing them in and they’ve been selling very well. That was in July, 2019 before the surge. With tax and license I paid a few dollars over $36,000. I paid in full. I had a ‘02 Tacoma TRD 4x4 but didn’t trade it in, but kept it in the family.

I know I can’t out play a car dealer at his own game, but I know the sales manager and he’s a square shooter. I had already done some homework on pricing at other dealerships in the region and I’m happy with both the purchase and the truck.

 

[bjnick]

Thank you for that, it's all good information. My default position is I will accept basically the list price they offer but I'll try for at least a little bit off. I am checking out the vehicle from many different dealers online. That is, Carguru, Carmax, all of those. Gives me a good idea of what they're going for. My biggest worry is getting the best price I can on my trade in for the Outback so that I'm not much out of pocket.

 

[JoeBand]

i got my '16 trail edition premium (basically now the TRD OR)
with 73k miles for $37k. was super clean and well maintained.

lot of $ but seemed like a fair price for west coast. damn things hold their value.

 

[Mark Linkous]

While I get not wanting to spend more, to spend $10000 to get a brand new one over one with 75,000 miles or so and 4-5 years older would be problematic for me.
At that budget, I would also consider the Lexus GX as their resale value tends to be not as strong

 

[bjnick]

Hi, can you clarify that message? Not sure what you're saying exactly.

 

[Mark Linkous]

If your budget is in the mid 30s, to spend the additional $10,000 or so makes sense to me. I get not wanting to do so, but to have 60-70,000 less miles, warranty, etc….
And consider the Lexus GX which shares the same platform.

 

[osugsxr]

I moved to Tennessee a month ago (about an hour east of Nashville), and one of my first goals is to trade in my 2020 Outback Onyx XT for a 4runner. I love off-roading, couldn't do it in the OB, but a 4runner wouldn't fit in my parking space in CA. Looking for an SR5 4WD 2016-2020 for ~$35-36G. I see lots of 'em for just above that. Generally ~45,000-60,000 mi. For $38-39G, I see 2021's as well, but my hope is to get as
close as possible to a straight trade: they take my (beautiful condition) Onyx w/19,000 mi. on it, I get the SR5. KBB for a trade-in on my Onyx (in not even absolute peak condition), is $36-37K. I know I won't get that from a dealer, but hopefully reasonably close....as in, I'm out a couple grand and I have my 4runner.

I'd really appreciate some guidance on this. Fwiw: I got a great deal on the Onyx, did my research, knew the prices, got rival salespeople working to beat a deal, ultimately wound up with an excellent price. But that was for a new vehicle; I've never bought one used.

I know I won't get as much from a dealer as private, and not as much trading in a rival car (such as trading in a Subaru at a Toyota place.)

How much of a price break might I expect.....or at least work towards? Is 5% off advertised price in the ballpark? Less? More? I know it depends....just in general.

Any suggestions? I could add a bunch of specific questions, but I'd rather just hear from your collective wisdom. I want to move on this NOW.

Thank you!

I purchased new in 2017 and used 4runners were only a few thousand less than a new one. Todays market is :wtf: and people with 10 year old used cars expect to get more than what they paid.

If you plan on serious off roading the goto 4runner is the trd off road (crawl control) plus you mod it with suspension vs paying for the trd pro. SR5 are solid as well (3rd row) if needed. As for pricing midwest is near msrp and few dealers maybe tad lower , may need to travel some though. Some states you'll save on taxes with trade in, pay the difference of trade in value of sale price. Be patient and search , this market should hopefully cool down some.

 

[bjnick]

When I mention "off-roading," I should clarify: I like to explore trails, hang out in the backcountry, but no interest in Moab/Rubicon - level stuff. My favorite trails include things like steep ascents/descents, occasional rocky patches, etc. Not hardcore, not super challenging. I just want a vehicle that will handle basic stuff no problem. I had a 2001 Chevy tracker w/4wd for many years and it was perfect. 4Runners are a step up from that, and I believe an SR5 w/4wd and good AT's will be perfect for my needs.

 

[DEF4Runner]

Also, don't be afraid to travel a bit when looking in your desired price bracket. I just did a quick search on Auto Trader and came up with about 700 4Runners within a 300 mile radius of my old stoming ground in Marietta, Ga (30066) with a price celing of $36,000...about 3-4 hours away from you. I didn't filter for 4X4 or trim level, so some might not meet your needs.

If the link works, here's the results: Autotrader - page unavailable

Good luck!

 

[bjnick]

Interesting, I have it filtered for SR5 four-wheel drive within 75 mi, under $40,000, under 70,000 mi., and there's quite a few. I'm thinking getting a good trade-in value with the purchase is key right now. Don't really want to do purchase/ private sale separately. The hassle to me isn't worth it for a small difference; for a huge difference I have to look at that.

 

[John in NC]

I bought my SR5 4x4 out of West Palm Beach FL and had it shipped up to Wilmington NC. Had like 55,000 miles on it, was a trade-in at an Audi dealership. They had it on Ebay.
Smelled a bit like Guido the killer pimp when I got it, but has been a great car and now is at almost 150,000 miles.
If you can wait that might let the market calm a bit and you could get what might feel like a better deal. If I could do it again I'd have held out for one with a backup camera and 3rd row seat. Kids/ kids friends... but the wife's Highlander has all that and more (XLE trim).
Pearl white and super white have paint issues (some do). There's a recall available to some.
Refresh was 2014+ if that appeals to you. If you run across a 2010-2013 Shoreline Blue Trail grab it! I had the chance to get one and balked, gone.

 

[bjnick]

I should have mentioned up front that my urgency is based on the fact that my 20/20 Outback has only 19,000 miles on it, but the 3-year warranty is up starting December. So I'm thinking 5 months of warranty coverage is worth something to a buyer, which makes me not want to wait to see if the market changes.

 

[bjnick]

When I purchased my previous car new, my strategy was simple: research, find best advertised price, ask dealer if they can beat it, went with dealer that beat it by plenty. Given that price breaks seem doubtful right now, I'm thinking w/my trade-in situation (act now, capitalize on June-Nov. warranty coverage), maybe I just look for the dealer that gives me the best trade-in value? Presumed wisdom is generally not to mention a trade-in till you get your best price, THEN bring up the trade-in.....but maybe that's not as applicable here, and would considerably simplify my search/dealings/etc. Thoughts?

 

[osugsxr]

When I purchased my previous car new, my strategy was simple: research, find best advertised price, ask dealer if they can beat it, went with dealer that beat it by plenty. Given that price breaks seem doubtful right now, I'm thinking w/my trade-in situation (act now, capitalize on June-Nov. warranty coverage), maybe I just look for the dealer that gives me the best trade-in value? Presumed wisdom is generally not to mention a trade-in till you get your best price, THEN bring up the trade-in.....but maybe that's not as applicable here, and would considerable simplify my search/dealings/etc. Thoughts?

overthinking the process, the warranty doesn't make much of a difference. Find the color & model you want , search within a radius you are willing to travel. Basically if at MSRP or lower its a good buy now with the market, capitalize on your trade. Consider carmax , and others to have a better idea as a base TIV.

 

[jp.vegas]

When I purchased my previous car new, my strategy was simple: research, find best advertised price, ask dealer if they can beat it, went with dealer that beat it by plenty. Given that price breaks seem doubtful right now, I'm thinking w/my trade-in situation (act now, capitalize on June-Nov. warranty coverage), maybe I just look for the dealer that gives me the best trade-in value? Presumed wisdom is generally not to mention a trade-in till you get your best price, THEN bring up the trade-in.....but maybe that's not as applicable here, and would considerable simplify my search/dealings/etc. Thoughts?

“Surprising” the dealer with the trade after you’ve negotiated a price for the new vehicle just means they’ll give you less for the trade. You’re not getting something for nothing :frusty: