What do I need to know?!?!

[thatpilotguy]

Doing some research it doesn't seem that there is a lot of difference between a year or 2 old SR5 or a Sport. Maybe $1000 or so. But there is a big difference between a new and used SR5 or Sport. So, I guess the correct answer is that price is somewhat of an issue, but not when you are comparing a year or 2 old vehicle.

I didn't get into too much detail about the XREAS system. It was actually the first time I had heard of it, and he just mentioned it in passing. He is putting financing together to buy my motorcycle so I'm hoping that I can get some more info out of him regarding it. It's always good to know a mechanic!

 

[alaskaman]

Have you had a chance to really drive the sport model? I mean freeway long curve entrance up hill and down dale?

 

[thatpilotguy]

Nope, no test drives yet. Here is my rationalization and yes it may be a little flawed.

I have driven everything in the same class as the 4 Runner. My search actually started with the FJ, but I quickly realized that they are still selling for above sticker here and would really like something used that has already taken some of the depreciation away. I have been waiting to drive the 4 Runner being that it was my "favorite." I wanted to drive everything else and besure that there wasn't something that I was overlooking. And of course there wasn't. My goal in the next couple of days is to drive both a new and used Sport and SR5. I know that I will most likely like the Sport more, and finding out that I can add the extended warranty my concerns for the suspension repair costs are slipping away. I'm in no ruch to buy a new truck, my goal is to find the right used truck at the right price...most peoples goals really...but I'm an anal shopper.

 

[alaskaman]

copy anal shopper. I thought about mine for several years finally choosing the Sport V-6. The ride seemed a little stiff but now when I take a ride it seems very good and in fact I am so glad that I made that decision.......it provides lateral support and stability in the smallest ways that give me a feeling that I am driving a competent vehicle. In addition, the XREAS provides a lateral boost in any kind of hard stop by stablizing the lateral torque in stop which tweeks the weight of this vehicle which is not a light weight truck. Finally, the XREAS yields a positive support for passengers and driver as around round a bouts similar to freeway on ramps it produces a movement back the other way and the more you push it the more it yields.....Hope this helps.

 

[thatpilotguy]

I understand that most if not all Sport owners love the suspension. I'm not as apposed to it as I was previosly. I just didn't want to get into a truck that I know I will over for over a 100,000 miles and have an expensive repair. I know that there is no way to forcast that, but if it's avoidable then I'm all for it. With the option of the extended warranty I will consider it.

All of you guys have been very helpful!

 

[alaskaman]

Happy shopping.

 

[charlier180]

I'm in no ruch to buy a new truck, my goal is to find the right used truck at the right price...most peoples goals really...but I'm an anal shopper.

Since you are not in a rush here is another option for you to consider. Wait until late in the year (November or December) then go shopping fopr a new 4Runner.
From what I am told Toyota sends the model year leftovers to certain high volume Toyota dealers at that time and helps them clear them out with special incentives.

When I purchased my '04 4Runner I went to two local Toyota dealers. One did not have a single '04 on their lot (smaller dealer).
The other had 8-10 on the lot all Marked Down $3-4K (larger dealer).
At that time Toyota was also offering cash back. Personally, I did not care about buying an '04 in late November versus an '05.
For me, the $$$ I saved made the decision a no-brainer.

Heck the dealer I bought my 4Runner from even gave me the bug sheild and rubber floor mats at cost in addition to two tanks of gas
(one during my "extended test drive" and one at purchase.)

If you can find year end savings like these on a 4Runner you want you might consider buying a new one if the final sale numbers fit your budget.

 

[thatpilotguy]

Thats good advice. I'm a little concerned that the model year change in the winter here in Colorado won't be affect as much as the savings on a year old used unit. If we have a winter here like we did last year SUV sales went nuts despite of the high gas prices. So my thoughts are that I might get a better deal this summer. I will keep the model year change in mind during my search.

 

[thatpilotguy]

Interesting info...

So I came across a '05 V8 Sport at a non-toyota dealership. Nice truck. It had a pushed in corner on the rear bumper, and I had some questions regarding how it was maintained. So, this morning I picked it up and took it to an independent toyota shop to have it checked out. Interesting that the truck has about 28000 miles and both rear shocks where leaking. It's still under warranty and I'm guessing I could have it fixed, but I was concerned that at 28000 miles both rear shocks where leaking. Does that mean that at 60000 and 90000 I'm going to have to do a $2500 repair? They didn't find anything else major, but I took my concerns and the truck back to the dealership and told them what I found, and what I thought. I have never really been "run off" from a dealership. I guess my low ball offer was not taken seriously. Oh well...there are more trucks out there, and I'm still going to get one. Maybe not one with the XREAS, but I will have one!

 

[alaskaman]

hmmm. sounds like a bumpy ride in that one (pun intended). I have thought about your posts and at least IMHO if I faced an expensive repair of the XREAS after 100K I would still do purchase the vehicle. The XREAS improves performance, lateral stability, and safety. Don't mean to rag on this point but the vehicle performance is simply superior with it than without.:zoom:

 

[airbur]

Welcome thatpilotguy. Since you're right around the corner from me, I'd be happy to let you check out my 2004 Sport to get a baseline of the condition it can be in. It's in excellent shape with 30,000 miles. Either way, you can't go wrong with the 4Runner.

 

[RamThis]

Bought mine a year old, 9800 miles, and added the Platinum 7yr/100K warranty that covers things like tires, towing, and, what sealed the deal, it coverd DOOR DINGS!! I HATE door dings. They will pay to fix all door dings for 7 years, 100K miles, with a small deductible, I think it was $50 or $100.

Only bumped up the monthly price by like 12 bucks.

 

[thatpilotguy]

I appreciate your advice. Airbur...I would like to check out your truck sometime. I'm guessing my your avitar that your a pilot, like myself and thus our schedules are going to be kinda messy. This week is good for me up until midweek then I am disapearing to the mountains for the weekend. Early next week is good as well. Let me know what works for you.

I think the extended warranty is the the way to go even if I don't go the route of the Sport. What I would really like is an SR5 V8 with some added features...sunroof, stearing wheel radio controls...that kinda thing. Seems hard to find...

 

[thatpilotguy]

What's do you guys think about buying a used rental car. I have been against it knowing how I drive rental cars, but I might have the opportunity to pick up an 06 previous rental. Of course I would insist on getting it looked at by an independent shop, but I'm still on the fence with the idea. It's still under warranty, and I would of course extend the warranty...I'm just not sure...

 

[alpha]

I personally don't like buying a previous rental car. A lot of different drivers, abuse, and people always use the cheapest gas they can find.

You also don't know how the rental car company maintained the vehicle; if they did the proper maintenance at each interval. For example, they may not have done differential fluid changes, etc. Also, they may have not used the proper oil or oil filter.

Too many factors with a rental car that would make me stay away from one.

 

[alaskaman]

previous rental..........uhh....no.

 

[JungleJim]

My wife previously purchased two different rental cars. She ended up taking each over 150,000 miles with no problems.

Even if you get an abusive driver now and then, they don't have the vehicle for very long. The rental companies maintain their vehicles because it pays for them to do so.

I don't abuse rental cars. If fact, I'm just the opposite.

I'd purchase a rental vehicle any day over a leased vehicle.

 

[airbur]

Here's how I sum up rentals.....Recently, I was in the "holding" area at the Denver Internation Airport waiting to pickup my wife. As usual, I attempted to pick a parking place for my Runner that was free of neighbors to overt door dings etc. My wait was extended a bit and soon there were vehicles parked on both sides of me. The lady on my right threw her door open and it hit my back quarter panel. This person didn't even notice as she went to talk with a friend of hers also waiting in another car.

I got out and waited for her to return, the door still open resting against my Runner. These were the words that came out of her mouth when she saw me, and then looked a the door:

"Oh!....did I hit your car? I'm so sorry, this is a rental and not my personal vehicle." (Which obviously ment she became oblivious when driving a rental.)

To which I replied: "Well, thank you for apologizing but this is not a rental and it's normally best not to throw common sense out the window when you're driving someone else's vehicle."

Luckily I was able to buff out the red scuff.