Value of the 4runner

[Benjamin Choi]

Choi,

I agree that buying the fully loaded, top of the line vehicle in any model is not a smart move simply because many car companies and dealers make their money on the overpriced options. So your $43k 4wd, V8 Ltd, fully loaded 4runner example IS a dumb move, but to blanket every potential 4runner consumer with "always buy used" is a statement I don't agree with. I got a new Ltd 2wd v6 back in '05 for just over 30k in Columbia, SC, brand new w/ 5 year warranty (yes it's still in effect). I'm not stupid, contrary to your last post. I know a guy in Easley, SC that got a 2wd '04 SR5 new for 23,5 - I saw the paperwork. He's also not stupid. There are smart new 4runner buyers and dumb ones (43k). There are smart used car buyers and very dumb ones.

FTR i've had 2 used and 1 new car in my years of driving/buying cars. So I'm not a nutty 'new car only' guy, just thought it was necessary to state the other side of the coin. I fully respect your opinion though - and especially you Falls - you consistently post very good points in here.

A car purchase like this is a practical and emotional decision. We all don't need an SUV. We all don't need a nice SUV because you can certainly find much cheaper to haul you around reliably (e.g. Jeep XJs).

Sorry for the "stupid" reference. I wasn't speaking to a particular individual per se, but more to the mentality of those who think new is the best option hands down.

For those people in my life I know and care about, I would totally steer them away from buying a new 4Runner. It's irrational, but boy, I'm known to make some irrational purchases myself so I won't be forcing anyone to do anything.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[hamiltonj2w1]

I almost bought a used 4runner back in 04 when I bought mine new but the used one I looked at was still 24k for a 02 limted 4wd with 60k miles and mine was only another 6k so in my opinon I would rather have the new one cause I know how I take car of vehicles and I plan on keeping mine for a good long time or until the new car bug bites me lol. I just though it was kinda disapointing at how the value went right down the drain with these gas prices but I won't give up my 4runner for a shit box gas saver just to save a few dollars a tank

 

[4RunnerFan]

I almost bought a used 4runner back in 04 when I bought mine new but the used one I looked at was still 24k for a 02 limted 4wd with 60k miles and mine was only another 6k so in my opinon I would rather have the new one cause I know how I take car of vehicles and I plan on keeping mine for a good long time or until the new car bug bites me lol. I just though it was kinda disapointing at how the value went right down the drain with these gas prices but I won't give up my 4runner for a shit box gas saver just to save a few dollars a tank

Yep, I'm one of those "stupid" ones who bought a new fully loaded '08 Limited 4WD V6. Truth be known, it was actually half of a retirement gift to wife and myself. The other half was a new 2008 Lund 17'6" Fisherman fishing boat with double console and all the goodies.

It is nice to buy used, especially if you can find a good deal on one that's in peach condition. But I've had mixed results buying used. The best experience was just okay; the worst was absolutely miserable.

Like Hamilton2W1 posted above, I like knowing what I've got and take personal responsibilty in making sure everything is maintained correctly. The vehicle and the boat each have their own 3-ring binders with receipts and notes.

Worried about resale value? Don't, especially if you absolutely positively love your 4Runner has much as we and others on this board do.

Besides, like others have said, 4Runners are holding their own compared to their U.S. counterparts, and for good reason. Build quality is vastly superior. As far as gas mileage is concerned, we averaged 17.6 mpg towing our 2800# boat, motor and trailer on a 440 mile trip this summer. Without the boat we are getting 25 on the highway. We're perfectly happy with those results. And we're thrilled with how easy it tows the boat.

I guess what is a little confusing to me is how the 4Runner's value isn't better than it is in light of the falling value of the dollar against the yen. 4Runners are 100 percent contented and assembled in Japan. When we bought ours a year ago, the dollar fetched 125 yen. Today it fetched only 98.7 yen (last week it was as low at 92 yen). It's a good 20% increase in the value of the yen (or drop in the value of the dollar, whichever way you want to look at it), so the truck has actually INCREASED in value!!!

 

[Uneek]

I bought mine new and it was $40k+. From a financial move, any new car is stupid because it's a depreciating asset. It loses vale the instant you sign the paperwork at the dealer taking ownership. I guess my defense is I'm smarter than the guy who bought a $50k, $75k, etc. car.

Ultimately it boils down to does one want a used car possibly dealing with any problems it may have or what the previous owner has done to it. Granted it's a 4Runner, it should be more reliable and trouble free than something else.

Whether it's owning a brand new car or being the first on the block with newest, latest or hottest item (iPod, iPhone, big screen TV, etc.) there's a price that only the owner can attribute a price tag to it and that it was worth it. Some of my friends pay more in rent to live in a spot with plush wall to wall carpeting and granite countertops. (I personally wouldn't because it's NOT mine to own.) My brother's boss/CEO, doesn't keep any of his exotic cars for more than two years and none of which have more than 10-15k miles. He has a fleet of Bentleys, Ferraris, Lambos, Porsches and so on. Some of them are doubles.

As the old saying goes, gotta pay to play.

 

[arouth]

I would say that if you are going to sell your 4Runner the time is now or in the next month or two b/c gas prices have plummeted so much.

In August when I filled up it was $4 a gallon and now on November 1st it is $2.10. Some people might be thinking the oil bubble has burst and gas won't go back up.

I'm going to hold on to mine for a year or two longer. It's a good reliable vehicle with AWD and is very safe. I'll probably sell it at the 6 or 7 year mark and get a hybrid or diesel SUV.

Also we have no idea what the price of fuel is going to due. The oil bubble may well have burst and if it has we are going to feel like a bunch of morons if we give up the vehicles we love to go buy damned Prius!!! :bash:

 

[Falls]

Personally for me the deciding factor is IF I CAN AFFORD it , Just like with my mortgage ( which is paid off , no not rubbing it in just stating a fact ) I worked hard to do that , but for me if I can afford a new truck and want or need one and it's justified I will buy one. I think things like this through a lot a am a major number cruncher on larger purchase's .

Although a vehicle is a terrible waste of money , I like having a nice vehicle IF I CAN AFFORD IT AND WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY and can afford to without being even close to over extending myself.

When my lease is up in 09/Feb I plan on buying this one out since I have little of my own money into it ( long story ) and get get something (granted it will have 55-60k on it )but I know the in's and outs of it. If the value is not there at buyout I will turn it in and get a new one or if I can find a used 08 I would get that. I will not lease again 1st and last time unless my acct. say's I need to for business tax purposes. If I didn't lease I would have paid this of buy now. They do have excellent deals on 08's at the 0% , thats free money , but you still have to pay it out of YOUR pocket and it you can afford it comfortably great , if not don't buy it !! Also yes it is free money BUT you still pay for the depreciation.

FREE financing yes ....... bottom line free money........ NO!! I hear the free money term thrown around alot , NO such thing . A benefit to the buyer as far as paying interest ....yes and able to invest the money at a higher interest rate someplace else..

If you can't afford it .....don't buy it !!! If you can , then yes more power to ya and enjoy the life you have and you only live once.

God knows I don't want the next thing to be paying/bailing out peoples cars from the bank. j/k

Write or wrong , just my .02

 

[snhrph]

if you're entering the 4runner world today, BUY USED. heck always BUY used unless you're specing out a new Ferrari Scuderia.

That's a sound advice, especially considering the shape of our economy: $ valuation, cost of crude oil and gas, dropping home sales and prices, credit freeze, etc, etc, etc...

But to each their own... Some people just love the scent of a new vehicle, Ferrari or not... I leased my 1st new car in 1995, fresh out of college. And I've been leasing or buying new since then. WTH, why not According to Barack, my family is rich :bash: and my wealth (that I worked so hard for) should be re-distributed... Re-distribute this :flipoff:

 

[Benjamin Choi]

That's a sound advice, especially considering the shape of our economy: $ valuation, cost of crude oil and gas, dropping home sales and prices, credit freeze, etc, etc, etc...

But to each their own... Some people just love the scent of a new vehicle, Ferrari or not... I leased my 1st new car in 1995, fresh out of college. And I've been leasing or buying new since then. WTH, why not According to Barack, my family is rich :bash: and my wealth (that I worked so hard for) should be re-distributed... Re-distribute this :flipoff:

hopefully it gets better soon.

VOTE OBAMA!

 

[bigt2148]

if you guys are worrying about a massively produced car's resale value... you guys need to seriously make time with a financial advisor assuming you already don't have one because it's a no-win $ scenario. you lose out PERIOD. it's a depreciating asset that requires regular upkeep (expenses, neg cash flow).

just spend that money knowing the value you get out of it is... a nice, reliable truck that'll haul you and your sh!t from point A to B and C and in between.

the toyotas, the 4runner, do keep value well... compared to other mid-sized SUVs. but in the money in your pockets scheme of things (where it counts), your 4runner is a drain.

enjoy your trucks. they're really nice to have. stress more about your investments (home, stocks, retirement, roth ira, trust funds, etc).

i will admit that this advice is coming from a guy who bought his very nice '03 v8 4x4 limited for... $15.5K + $1.5K taxes = $17,000.
i'd never, ever pay $40K + $3.6K = $43.6 for a new 4runner. that's just plain stupid. even discounted it's stupid. if you're entering the 4runner world today, BUY USED. heck always BUY used unless you're specing out a new Ferrari Scuderia.

This is some really great advise on buying.
I will have ti disagree though. I have always been a new car guy but now that I have bought a toyota....I love it!
My business professor in college told everyone that the smart thing to do with a car is............ Go to the Toyota dealership.....BUY WHAT YOU WANT NEW. If you want leather and sunroof of whatever then buy it!!! Buy the Toyota and get it paid for. It may take years but get the darn thing paid for and drive it until it dies. Why? Because Toyotas dont die! Get a new car so you know it has been taken care of and you got the vehicle you wanted! Take care of it and get it paid for! Drive it until it dies b/c Toyotas dont die!

So thats what I did! Bought a LOADED out Urban runner and its nice!
I also just bought a 2009 Corolla as my run around car. My 4 Runner is my baby and sits at home in the garage spotless!