Trade my '14 TE for an '09 TE Unicorn?

[Throwback]

Currently I have a 2014 Trail Edition with 30k miles that I bought this April. I basically owe what it's worth in trade. Great, beautiful truck.

I found a 2009 Trail Edition with 115k miles listed for $17k. Yes, a real 4th gen Trail with e-locker and A-TRAC. It is in excellent condition and looks to have never been off road.

I got to thinking that it would be nice to lessen my financial liability, and get a 4Runner that I wouldn't feel as bad about taking in the woods. However, I need my 4Runner to be totally reliable for work travel out of state so the age and mileage are mildly concerning.

Any opinions?

 

[Billy_R]

You have a reliable vehicle now that should last you a long time. I'm guessing you owe a little north of 28K on your truck. So lets say that you have a $475/mo payment and 4 1/2 years left to pay it off. Say you drive it 12,000 miles a year. At the end of your 4 1/2 years you will have a 8 year old truck with 85,000 miles on it and no car payment. On the other hand you trade in your truck get relieved of the loan and then take out a smaller loan for 17K over 4 years. Your payments go to $355/month and when your done paying off that vehicle your are left with a 13 year old truck with 163K on it.

While you might be reducing your monthly car payment buy 25%, you are going to be left with a truck worth 20K (with under 100K miles on it) vs a truck worth maybe 6-7K entering into a stage where it is going to need more routine maintenance.

I'm also not saying you will in inheriting a heap by going to the 2009, its proven that vehicle will last you until 250K miles, but I'd rather be left with more assurance when I'm done paying my car off.

If it were me I would build the equity in your current vehicle and be better of in the end and have more options if I wanted to upgrade at that time.

And if you want a off-road toy, find something for 5K-6K that you will enjoy for that purpose.

 

[toybox]

The 4runner is one of THE most reliable vehicles. I wouldn't worry about that at all. I would only be concerned about frame rust as trucks from certain areas rust more than others, like mine.

V8 or V6 in the '09?

 

[Throwback]

V6 in the '09, which was the only engine offered on the Trail Edition.

Yes, it's a true 4th Gen Trail Edition, which is apparently extremely rare. I didn't know they existed until I found this one. It's the 4th Gen body style with special 5-spoke 16" wheels, the same "water resistant" seats as the 5th Gen Trails, Bilstein/Toyota shocks, e-locker, ATRAC, and built-in TomTom navigation. They only came in Titanium Metallic, Shadow Mica, and White.

 

[SirBarton]

I can understand the financial issues, but I wouldn't be swayed by the fact that it's a "rare" Trail model from that year. If it had the V8, that would be rare.

It's a pretty big downgrade from your current truck and you lose out on the remainder of your 5 year powertrain warranty on the 5th gen. Granted, it's highly unlikely that you'll have a problem with your 2014 powertrain, but I think it's worth mentioning because you also prioritize reliability for work travel. The 2009 model year is almost 10 years old.

It's hard to advise anyone when money is an issue, but I can't imagine anything that would get me to swap a 5th gen for a 4th gen V6.

 

[Throwback]

Yeah I'm not big on openly discussing money either. I'll put it this way. I could write a check for my 5th Gen and be fine, leaving me with just a mortgage in terms of debt.

It's just nice to think about owing less money since ideally I'd like to be completely debt free some day (33 years old now).

The 20 year outlook may make more sense to hold on to the 5th Gen and ride it to 300k+ miles.

 

[leftyguns21]

first, I hope that the TomTom navigation isn't a selling point for you. that thing is garbage.

second, as others pointed out. it would be a downgrade.

third, financial reasons I get. I bought my 08' brand new trading in an 01' that I was way upside down on. At the time I couldn't afford it at all but my 01' was becoming unreliable due to mileage and other issues. I even took out an 8year loan to help with the car payments but I was still car poor. Having reliable new car peace of mind was worth it. As most people do over time you start making more money and become smarter with your money. Thanks to raises and thriftiness I managed to pay it off in 5 1/2 years. Even though it was a struggle for awhile I am so glad I did it. car payment free is nice, but car payment free and a reliable car is even better.

 

[RUNTHAT]

Yeah I'm not big on openly discussing money either. I'll put it this way. I could write a check for my 5th Gen and be fine, leaving me with just a mortgage in terms of debt.

It's just nice to think about owing less money since ideally I'd like to be completely debt free some day (33 years old now).

The 20 year outlook may make more sense to hold on to the 5th Gen and ride it to 300k+ miles.

If they're going to give you what you owe for the 5th gen, why not trade it in and cut a check for the '09. You'll have a cool rig that YOU like, and you'll be debt free minus the house. Build up your nest egg again, and then tackle the mortgage. :guitar2:

Edit: Didn't mean to turn this thread into one about finances. I'm pretty private in that aspect, myself. Good luck with either choice.

 

[Hitman]

I can understand the financial issues, but I wouldn't be swayed by the fact that it's a "rare" Trail model from that year. If it had the V8, that would be rare.

It wouldn't be rare with the V8 from the factory, it would be a one-of-a-kind. The V8 was not an option on the '09 Trail 4Runner.

 

[techno]

Test drive the 09, you might really like it. A buddy of mine just did a similar thing, he sold his '11 and bought a low mileage V6 '08 because he like the slightly smaller size and better acceleration. The 4th gens definitely get up and go better than the 5ths and even more so with the V8.

Like someone else suggested, I would eliminate your car payment completely for many years by selling the 14 and outright buying the 09. Use the left over funds for other things in your life or invest them somewhere to use as a down payment on your next car purchase in x years.

 

[sn_85]

To anyone who is not on the 5th gen forums, the OP constantly talks about trading or selling his 4Runner. He originally had a 2014 TE w/ KDSS and traded it for a non-KDSS because he said the KDSS was too stiff. Then wants to trade the 4Runner because of the Takata airbag problem. He's constantly making posts/threads about whether or not he should trade in his 4R for whatever reason.

So yes, do us all a favor and trade it for whatever vehicle you like because you seem intent on doing so anyways.

 

[RUNTHAT]

To anyone who is not on the 5th gen forums, the OP constantly talks about trading or selling his 4Runner. He originally had a 2014 TE w/ KDSS and traded it for a non-KDSS because he said the KDSS was too stiff. Then wants to trade the 4Runner because of the Takata airbag problem. He's constantly making posts/threads about whether or not he should trade in his 4R for whatever reason.

So yes, do us all a favor and trade it for whatever vehicle you like because you seem intent on doing so anyways.

Didn't realize it was the same dude.
:brick:

 

[Throwback]

Wow. Constantly? Tell me how I'm constantly talking about trading my 4runner please.

I did talk about it back when I DID trade it for a non-KDSS truck. I gave my experience and feedback. There's at least one other guy posting the same dilemma right now. Better go tell him to not talk about trading!

I made ONE post in the Takata thread, not even seriously.

I then talk about trading for a 4th Gen and you come here and blast me like that? What the hell is your problem guy?

Did I miss some memo where discussing buying/selling/trading 4Runners isn't acceptable on a 4Runner modification forum?

 

[RUNTHAT]

Wow. Constantly? Tell me how I'm constantly talking about trading my 4runner please.

I did talk about it back when I DID trade it for a non-KDSS truck. I gave my experience and feedback. There's at least one other guy posting the same dilemma right now. Better go tell him to not talk about trading!

I made ONE post in the Takata thread, not even seriously.

I then talk about trading for a 4th Gen and you come here and blast me like that? What the hell is your problem guy?

Did I miss some memo where discussing buying/selling/trading 4Runners isn't acceptable on a 4Runner modification forum?

Perception :shrug:

 

[Hitman]

To anyone who is not on the 5th gen forums, the OP constantly talks about trading or selling his 4Runner. He originally had a 2014 TE w/ KDSS and traded it for a non-KDSS because he said the KDSS was too stiff. Then wants to trade the 4Runner because of the Takata airbag problem. He's constantly making posts/threads about whether or not he should trade in his 4R for whatever reason.

So yes, do us all a favor and trade it for whatever vehicle you like because you seem intent on doing so anyways.

So what? He's a 4Runner owner. If he wants to trade for another 4Runner or another vehicle entirely, what's the problem with that? Or if he just wants to talk about it and never do it, who cares?

 

[RUNTHAT]

So what? He's a 4Runner owner. If he wants to trade for another 4Runner or another vehicle entirely, what's the problem with that? Or if he just wants to talk about it and never do it, who cares?

What if he wants to trade it for/talk about a Ford Raptor?
:fishing:

 

[sn_85]

Wow. Constantly? Tell me how I'm constantly talking about trading my 4runner please.

I did talk about it back when I DID trade it for a non-KDSS truck. I gave my experience and feedback. There's at least one other guy posting the same dilemma right now. Better go tell him to not talk about trading!

I made ONE post in the Takata thread, not even seriously.

I then talk about trading for a 4th Gen and you come here and blast me like that? What the hell is your problem guy?

Did I miss some memo where discussing buying/selling/trading 4Runners isn't acceptable on a 4Runner modification forum?

Not blasting you, like I said you're free to do what you want. I'm just not surprised you're looking to trade the 4Runner again for whatever vehicle. So does mine or anyone else's opinion matter?

 

[Throwback]

Yes. I value the opinion of anyone who knows about this specific 2009 Trail Edition that seems to be an extremely rare production 4Runner. I had one 4th Gen guy tell me that it would sell easily for $20k to 4th Gen enthusiasts because it's what they consider a unicorn.

If the dollars made sense being what that particular vehicle is, and the reliability was awesome it would make sense to do the trade.

If it is actually no different than any other SR5 4th Gen with 100k miles than it's a bland discussion that really is no more than a financial priority conversation.

For what it's worth everything of mine is always for sale and if there's an easy, honest way to put myself in a better financial situation I will do so. It's that reason I only lived in my last house three years. I was able to sell it for a $50k profit in that time period with zero upgrades or remodeling. Sometimes opportunity knocks.

 

[nb rob]

do it.

 

[Throwback]

I think I'm going to pass on trading. I was thinking about outright buying the 4th Gen in addition to my 14 if it is indeed that desirable.