Which vehicle should I keep? T4R or LX470

[dstewart3ss]

Would love some opinions on my dilemma. I’ve got about the same amount of money in both cars ($20k+): ‘04 Lexus LX 470, 116k miles and ‘01 T4R 4x4 SR5, 45k miles. Which one should I keep?

I just bought the T4R sight unseen intending to sell my LX. Turns out my wife hates the T4R. Says it’s way smaller than she thought it would be, seats kill her back, and just feels cheap. I personally love it.

My LX is in great shape, no problems with it but I anticipate I’ll be putting a good bit more $ in it over the next few years for regular maintenance - just has more stuff that can go wrong in comparison. Where the T4R just had everything done that was recommended by the dealer including TB and WP.

Ny wife definitely wants me to sell the T4R (have it listed currently). I feel like it’s best to keep the T4R against my wife’s wishes mainly because I feel like it will keep it’s value a little better given the extra low miles, the fact that all services were just done and I think I’ll put less $ into it over the next few years compared to the LX. And just know that most every time we go out as a family (me, wife, 5 yr old) we’ll be taking my wife’s car which is a newer Lexus GX460.

Thoughts, opinions? I need some outside perspective!!

 

[Old Tanker]

As I read it, I was first thinking "sell the T4R and make her happy", then I saw that her car is a GX460, so this is about your car. Keep the one that makes you happy.

 

[HiLife]

I am in the hunt for a reasonably priced LX. Prices are up there, so no LX for us yet. And I think the LX will appreciate better than the 4R in the long run. But at 45k miles, the 01 is worth $$$ if you decide to sell it.

Happy wife, happy life.

Try to convince her in keeping the 4R, and sell that LX to me, ha.

 

[Devbot]

Only 45k miles? Keep it, absolutely. Even ignoring the mileage I'd sell the Lexus if I had to, but mostly cause I don't care for it's looks. If you go wheeling and are in a location where trails get tight and twisty, the size of the LX would be very concerning to me (I find my 4Runner a little too big at times already.) I think your reasoning is right on the money, and while I totally understand her complaints, it's ultimately not her car so what does it matter? Especially considering she already has a GX of her own. That's a little absurd to me, though I realize that statement never really sits well with married folk. But I still firmly believe do what makes you happy.
Since the LX and GX are fairly similar - looks aside one is just more outdated than the other - I would peg her with the question "well why do we NEED it if we already have this?" Since those LX470s have always been popular with women I'm thinking she just likes the look of it in the driveway more than anything :decision:

 

[dstewart3ss]

I think she would be ok with the T4R if it was super cheap and I didn’t have much money in it. But she says if I’ve got about the same money in both, the LX is better all around to her. But her “better” is bigger and more comfortable to ride in. And she likes the fact that we can travel in either vehicle and not rack up all the miles on her GX. If I keep the 4R I don’t think we’d be traveling in it.

I think more about total cost of ownership, depreciation vs appreciation and whether or not I enjoy driving it. I enjoy driving both honestly about equal. The LX is definitely smoother but I just can’t bring myself to get rid of this 45k mile gem that I have that doesn’t need a single thing and will likely not have me dropping near the money to maintain as the LX. And I don’t typically do much of my own wrenching.

 

[dstewart3ss]

And keep the feedback coming this is great...super helpful.

 

[Devbot]

But her “better” is bigger and more comfortable to ride in. And she likes the fact that we can travel in either vehicle and not rack up all the miles on her GX.

Idk that sounds oddly selfish to me :hand: And a little assbackwards that when it comes to travelling she prefers NOT to take the newer car that's both more comfortable and much safer for your children, but also more fuel efficient with much less that's likely to go wrong than it's ~10 year old counterpart. Probably has better insurance on it too, I assume?
At that point I'd get the 4Runner and use that same logic; "don't wanna rack up the mileage, I wanna keep it new!" She either learns to love it or learns to take her own vehicle. Win win all around :cheers: Though at that point you might be smoking too close to the powder keg! Might end up in the dog house before you know it :lol:

 

[PRG3K]

Keep the 4Runner.
The GX is a great truck but you're much more likely to find another one just like it down the road if you ever get the itch again.

 

[SeaCreechur]

I am going to give you and other readers some advise that you don't want to hear but here goes. I'd sell both and put the money in a 529B for your child. You can also purchase 2 nice cars later when you can really afford them. By the time your child goes to college, it will cost between $120,000 to $150,000 for an undergraduate degree. I am from NC and a commercial banker. I just spent $120,000 for our sons undergrad and MBA. I was raised on a large tobacco farm and our parents paid for our college and my wife and i could not see making him get a student loan. I sub-contracted out our home myself, drove half the nails in it, painted it, landscaped it, and helped my plumber install the irrigation. I also financed it for 15 years and as soon as I made my last payment, I put the same amount as the mgt. payment($1500) each month in a 529. I made my last payment in the 529 the yr that he obtained his undergrad degree. He graduated magna cum laude....and puts $1500 a month in a MMK savings also. My neighbors couldn't believe it ..they all drove new Suburbans, Tahoes, and GMC 4x4 trucks. Now its time for their kids to go to college and none of the have saved a dime to pay for it either.
If you want to get ahead in life be a saver, not a spender. If you want to put a ball and chain (student loan) around your child's ankle for the next 15 years of their adult life, keep both cars. But you will never get ahead in life buying depreciating assets.
Michael

 

[thennen]

I am going to give you and other readers some advise that you don't want to hear but here goes. I'd sell both and put the money in a 529B for your child. You can also purchase 2 nice cars later when you can really afford them. By the time your child goes to college, it will cost between $120,000 to $150,000 for an undergraduate degree. I am from NC and a commercial banker. I just spent $120,000 for our sons undergrad and MBA. I was raised on a large tobacco farm and our parents paid for our college and my wife and i could not see making him get a student loan. I sub-contracted out our home myself, drove half the nails in it, painted it, landscaped it, and helped my plumber install the irrigation. I also financed it for 15 years and as soon as I made my last payment, I put the same amount as the mgt. payment($1500) each month in a 529. I made my last payment in the 529 the yr that he obtained his undergrad degree. He graduated magna cum laude....and puts $1500 a month in a MMK savings also. My neighbors couldn't believe it ..they all drove new Suburbans, Tahoes, and GMC 4x4 trucks. Now its time for their kids to go to college and none of the have saved a dime to pay for it either.
If you want to get ahead in life be a saver, not a spender. If you want to put a ball and chain (student loan) around your child's ankle for the next 15 years of their adult life, keep both cars. But you will never get ahead in life buying depreciating assets.
Michael

Why give advice that you claim nobody wants to hear? OP is asking for opinions on two older vehicles. Since he didn't mention college planning, how do you know where he stands on that?

 

[Brian.]

Logically, from a one-person point of view, keep what you like best.

Emotionally, from a "happy wife, happy life" point of view, keep what makes Her happiest.


But the reality isn't ever so cut a dried, black and white. Try to get more input from your wife, if money is tight (or time if you do work yourself), lay it out that the 4R will take less of both over the next few years. She may not care, it may Really just be a first-impression call on the 4R not suiting her self image and there is *NOTHING* you can do to change that. But without you doing the communicating, presenting your point of view and reasons for it and then actually Listening to hers (I know it can be a challenge, I still struggle to actually hear what my wife wants and not just the words she's saying and we've been together 21 years), there's no way you can make the right decision.

I'm firmly from the camp of "cars are liabilities, not assets/investments", so the whole "retaining value" thing is complete nonsense. That might be true for some rare vehicles, but not the 4R with it's ~800,000 produced units.

 

[Ripper238]

Sounds like you now have a GX460 (for the wife) LX470 (for the wife) and a 4Runner (that wife does not like).

I would get rid of the LX470, GX460 and wife. Keep the 4R and maybe the kid. lol

Seriously if you want the 4R keep the 4R. The wife's happiness is important but it appears she has her vehicle of choice, it's important for you to have yours.

Now if it comes to financial reasons or going down to 1 car that's a whole different discussion. It's also a great time to sell a 4R, there value is sky high so there is some logic in selling it now and getting one later when the prices come down. The money you make can go to fixing the older cars for a few more years.

 

[dstewart3ss]

Yeah the wife is pretty much set on keeping the GX. Thought I had her convinced to drive the LX but she keeps going back to her GX. Can’t really blame her. Anyone have experience with LX/LC and can compare expected maintenance in the 100-200k range vs what I should expect with this T4R?

 

[cl4Rk]

What is your vehicle for? I mean, what do you use your vehicle for?

 

[dstewart3ss]

What is your vehicle for? I mean, what do you use your vehicle for?

Basically driving around town. Commuting to work when I’m back in the office. Occasional family travel within 4 hours from home. No off-roading for me at this point.

 

[cl4Rk]

Basically driving around town. Commuting to work when I’m back in the office. Occasional family travel within 4 hours from home. No off-roading for me at this point.

Since you’re asking for opinions: to me personally that sounds like LX wins by a little bit.

 

[Zingvs]

It's not your wife's car, so all that matters is what makes you happy. A 45k mile t4r will be worth $20k in a few years!

 

[FD7683]

Man just buy a shed and hide the 4Runner while keeping the Lexus LOL.

 

[02_SE_Runner_DAD]

Nothing against the wife, but if you could afford to keep the T4R I'd personally keep it.

 

[tcT4R]

I have a 99 T4R and my wife drives a 17 gx460. We take the 460 about 75% of the time for family outings. I say keep the 4runner, unless you need money now then sell it (market is crazy as others have mentioned). Keeping the 4runner gives a little diversity to your fleet, you like it more, and you can use your wifes issues with it to mod it out and make it "safer". She doesn't like the ride quality? Tell her it needs new suspension.

Random idea: sell both, you take the gx, and buy something different for your wife? I've put a lot of time and energy into my own T4R but I plan on taking over my wife's gx once she's tired of it, or might just weld on sliders the next time she's out of town.