Talk me out of this.

[Nevek08]

I own an 04 Limited 182k miles 4wd. Needs a head gasket job and I'm planning to overhaul everything while I'm in there. Timing chain water pump etc. I've been presented with an opportunity to purchase a 2015 Runner for $15k with only 20k miles. Moving special from a close friend of mine and the special pricing is only for me. Problem is it's 2wd. -__-


Is this too good a deal to pass up or should I just keep my 4x4? What would you do?

 

[MissouriBreaks]

Do you use/need the 4wd in your current 4Runner? I realize that the Limited is full-time 4wd, but do you need it?

 

[Nevek08]

Do you use/need the 4wd in your current 4Runner? I realize that the Limited is full-time 4wd, but do you need it?

I do use it. I live in a rural area in Tennessee. I borrowed the 2015 and I was able to get around on our dirt roads but it just didn't feel the same lol therein lies the conflict. That 2015 is a baby and 15k is a steal. I don't overland or nothing. Just the occasional fishing and hiking trip.

Even started watching videos of people offroading with 2wd. I suppose this is what denial feels like lol

 

[Thai]

As the saying goes... better to have it and not needed it than to need it and not have it.

I would wait for a 4wd Model to become available.

 

[itr1275]

2wd 4runners are pretty cheap, about $10K less where I'm at. So the equivalent to that in 4wd would be $25K? I don't think so. Probably more like $20K-$25K max.

The 20K miles is nice but 20K or 50K is about the same. No warranty either way.

If you are buying 2wd why get the 4runner?

Buy once cry once.

Did that do it?

 

[Nevek08]

2wd 4runners are pretty cheap, about $10K less where I'm at. So the equivalent to that in 4wd would be $25K? I don't think so. Probably more like $20K-$25K max.

The 20K miles is nice but 20K or 50K is about the same. No warranty either way.

If you are buying 2wd why get the 4runner?

Buy once cry once.

Did that do it?

Indeed it did. Now I just have to fix the head gasket issues the rust issues and anything else that may pop up on this 04. But hey at least it's four wheel drive

 

[TacoRunn0517]

I think whatever money you're saving up front will be overshadowed by the fact you wouldn't have 4x4/AWD. A decent deal but the vehicle is missing a critical component based on your environment.

 

[RichinRidgewood]

Can you use the 2x4 as a trade in for more than you pay for it or can you sell it to a private party for more?

If so broom both of them and get a 2020 4x4 SR5.

Thats what I would do. YMMV.

 

[cb1111]

Can you use the 2x4 as a trade in for more than you pay for it or can you sell it to a private party for more?

If so broom both of them and get a 2020 4x4 SR5.

Thats what I would do. YMMV.

That would be good advice, but the OP would have to calculate the tax and registration fees that he has to pay and then see if it is still cheaper to the point where he could flip it.

 

[Nevek08]

Can you use the 2x4 as a trade in for more than you pay for it or can you sell it to a private party for more?

If so broom both of them and get a 2020 4x4 SR5.

Thats what I would do. YMMV.

This would be awesome if I could get what the 5th gen was actually worth. Rebuilt title, unfortunately. Got it valued at $13,500.
Its a tough decision. I'm basically choosing between 4wd and reliability.

I came to this section because I bought into the Tacoma/Prerunner solution. A/T tires and a rear locker in the near future and was hoping for some possible reinforcement lol.

I figured if the Tacoma can do some light off roading maybe the 4runner w/ tires and locker can do it too.

 

[cwilliams563]

I own an 04 Limited 182k miles 4wd. Needs a head gasket job and I'm planning to overhaul everything while I'm in there. Timing chain water pump etc. I've been presented with an opportunity to purchase a 2015 Runner for $15k with only 20k miles. Moving special from a close friend of mine and the special pricing is only for me. Problem is it's 2wd. -__-


Is this too good a deal to pass up or should I just keep my 4x4? What would you do?

Don’t do it! Even my car is AWD and wheels pretty good for what it is. Getting stuck sucks and depending on where and when could potentially be life or death. Nobody plans on getting stuck (typically), sometimes stuff just happens. If there’s even a small percent chance a 2wd could fail you offroad then look elsewhere for a 4wd.

I agree with the money up front will probably be spent on the back end replacing the 2wd.

This would be awesome if I could get what the 5th gen was actually worth. Rebuilt title, unfortunately. Got it valued at $13,500.

Also if it’s a rebuilt title and valued at $13,500 then is $15,000 really that good of a deal?

 

[Nevek08]

Don’t do it! Even my car is AWD and wheels pretty good for what it is. Getting stuck sucks and depending on where and when could potentially be life or death. Nobody plans on getting stuck (typically), sometimes stuff just happens. If there’s even a small percent chance a 2wd could fail you offroad then look elsewhere for a 4wd.

I agree with the money up front will probably be spent on the back end replacing the 2wd.



Also if it’s a rebuilt title and valued at $13,500 then is $15,000 really that good of a deal?

Good question. I kbb the truck before being told about the title status. KBB valued it at 27k.
My friend is a mechanic and fixed everything replaced bags and passed inspections and was going to sell it for 21k. Apparently, when you have a rebuilt title the general rule of thumb is that the value of the car/truck is decreased anywhere from 20% to 40%.

I went to a dealership with the truck and asked how much they would give me for the truck if I traded it in. They said 13,500 because of title status. I laughed because I know they would get more than that at the auctions lol.

So the question remains... is it a good deal? Based on the condition of the truck, I certainly believe so. Sorry for the longwindedness but I think context helps.

 

[Nevek08]

Don’t do it! Even my car is AWD and wheels pretty good for what it is. Getting stuck sucks and depending on where and when could potentially be life or death. Nobody plans on getting stuck (typically), sometimes stuff just happens. If there’s even a small percent chance a 2wd could fail you offroad then look elsewhere for a 4wd.

I agree with the money up front will probably be spent on the back end replacing the 2wd.



Also if it’s a rebuilt title and valued at $13,500 then is $15,000 really that good of a deal?

Good question. I kbb the truck before being told about the title status. KBB valued it at 27k.
My friend is a mechanic and fixed everything replaced bags and passed inspections and was going to sell it for 21k. Apparently, when you have a rebuilt title the general rule of thumb is that the value of the car/truck is decreased anywhere from 20% to 40%.

I went to a dealership with the truck and asked how much they would give me for the truck if I traded it in. They said 13,500 because of title status. I laughed because I know they would get more than that at the auctions lol.

So the question remains... is it a good deal? Based on the condition of the truck, I believe so..

 

[cwilliams563]

Good question. I kbb the truck before being told about the title status. KBB valued it at 27k.
My friend is a mechanic and fixed everything replaced bags and passed inspections and was going to sell it for 21k. Apparently, when you have a rebuilt title the general rule of thumb is that the value of the car/truck is decreased anywhere from 20% to 40%.

I went to a dealership with the truck and asked how much they would give me for the truck if I traded it in. They said 13,500 because of title status. I laughed because I know they would get more than that at the auctions lol.

So the question remains... is it a good deal? Based on the condition of the truck, I believe so..

Yeah that’s true, they dealerships will low ball the crap out of you trading in lol. People are leery of buying restored/rebuilt/salvaged titles. I know I steered clear of them while looking for my new to me 4th Gen. my last 4wd truck had a salvaged title only because it was in a major hail storm in Phoenix and insurance company totaled it and most of the other vehicles in the parking lot at work. I bought it back from them though with the title now being salvaged.

I sold it for super cheap to my neighbor. We both knew why it was salvaged but nobody else would probably believe that so I hear ha there. Too bad it’s only 2wd though.

 

[RichinRidgewood]

There is no way I would not spend that much money a a car with a bad title.
It’s not a 4x4 either.

I would not buy it.

As for your own vehicle, investing that much time in a vehicle that has 182k miles is questionable. I’m not sure why a head gasket would have started leaking. It’s not normal from what I have read here. Maybe the previous owner over heated it somehow and now the damage is showing up. I would save yourself the headache and broom it (fixed or unfixed) and look into a new 4R 4x4 if you have the means.

 

[Gamma Ray]

Rebuilt, $1,500 more than valued, you're concerned about it being 2WD.

It sounds like an open shut case. Do we really need to talk you out of this? I'd overhaul your existing 4Runner long before I'd consider buying that other one.

 

[Nevek08]

There is no way I would not spend that much money a a car with a bad title.
It’s not a 4x4 either.

I would not buy it.

As for your own vehicle, investing that much time in a vehicle that has 182k miles is questionable. I’m not sure why a head gasket would have started leaking. It’s not normal from what I have read here. Maybe the previous owner over heated it somehow and now the damage is showing up. I would save yourself the headache and broom it (fixed or unfixed) and look into a new 4R 4x4 if you have the means.

Yeah man. Head gasket going is actually a well known issue for years 03-05. Head gasket was redesigned in 06. I would like to sell it but I feel bad selling it to another 4R lover and them not know about the HG problem.

 

[Nevek08]

Rebuilt, $1,500 more than valued, you're concerned about it being 2WD.

It sounds like an open shut case. Do we really need to talk you out of this? I'd overhaul your existing 4Runner long before I'd consider buying that other one.

Point taken.

 

[RichinRidgewood]

Yeah man. Head gasket going is actually a well known issue for years 03-05. Head gasket was redesigned in 06. I would like to sell it but I feel bad selling it to another 4R lover and them not know about the HG problem.

Ok then there would be a lot of information how to fix it. Do that. Broom it. Get another (new SR5 4x4 imho) so you don't have to 'off around with it anymore and you and your family can have fun on the trips.

 

[Nevek08]

Ok then there would be a lot of information how to fix it. Do that. Broom it. Get another (new SR5 4x4 imho) so you don't have to 'off around with it anymore and you and your family can have fun on the trips.

Sounds reasonable to be. Love this forum. Thanks man