Your thoughts on a trade in...

2K34R

2K34R

New member
So my 2004 4runner has 140,000 miles on it...

It does run great. I have also made many modifications to it, and with the exception of a couple issues (1. spark knock that never went away even with premium 2. sulfer smell that never went away even after two cat changes 3. and now the recent wheel bearings wearing out) I have had no major issues at all.

It is also almost paid off.

But I have this itch see.. I saw that new Urban 4runner 4x4 in white, and I am thinking I need a new one.

Doesn't make any sense at all.
Almost paif off 4runner with everything I need that runs amazing well at 140k miles.

So I am wondering what you all think.

1) Be responsible, fix the wheel bearings, pay it off, and keep it til' it dies with no car payment.

2) Get the latest and greatest. A 2008 v6 4x4 Sport Edition with all the new extras. A lot of changes since 2004. Start another 5 years of payments and expensive gas tank fill ups.

I wonder if I'll even get anything for my 2004 with the milage that it has?

What are you thoughts? I would really appreciate it.

The 2008 Urban 4runner hits my local dealer on May 26th.

Thanks in advance guys!
 
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Its likely that my opinion does not count for much since I just bought a new one - BUT it is a lot easier to manage the increased price of fuel if you do not have a giant car payment. If we would have had to handle the fuel cost with a car payment, I would have bought something far more fuel efficient, especially if it was going to be used as a daily driver.
 
Look at it another way... In about 2 model years the next generation 4Runner is supposed to be released.
If you buy the '08 now you would have 3+ years left to pay on it before you could "scratch your itch" with a 5th gen 4Runner.

Does it make sense to hold onto your current 4Runner, fix the little things, pay it off and keep putting those monthly payments
away to build up some down money for a next gen 4Runner?

One also has to wonder if Toyota will have different engine choices in the next generation 4Runner.
What if a hybrid system or a diesel engine or more fuel efficient gas engine/tranny combinations are offered in the next generation?
How will that make you feel having purchased an '08 model???
With fuel prices in the USA having nowhere to go but up, I cannot help but feel that Toyota will be making some changes in the next gen 4Runner.
The only questions are: what changes will they make and when will we see them in the USA?
 
I'm all about making depreciating assets last as long as possible. That being said, I also would rather try and sell to a private party outright than trade in. Yes, its a hassle to sell to a private party, but you make so much more off your truck that way.

If I were you, I would heed the advice and save the dough for a 5th gen or something when it comes out.
 
I never understand the folks that instantly trade in thier payed off vehicles, just so they can owe some more money for another 5 years. It's their cash though...
 
I'd definitely hang on to the nearly paid off 4Runner and start putting some money away for a down payment on the 5th generation 4Runner. You'll be kicking yourself if you buy the 08' once you see the 5th generation.

Also having no car payments for a little while would be nice!
 
Red said:
I'd definitely hang on to the nearly paid off 4Runner and start putting some money away for a down payment on the 5th generation 4Runner. You'll be kicking yourself if you buy the 08' once you see the 5th generation.

Also having no car payments for a little while would be nice!
Click to expand...

+1

You can purchase A LOT of fuel at higher costs and not cringe too much (which unfortunately you're going to have to currently) when you have no payments to make for a 4Runner.

Plus, you might not like the 5th generation or want to buy one in the first year of manufacture.

I know for me, I will be looking at a hybrid years from now currently owning a 2007 V8 Sport that was paid off in the first month after purchase.

I don't cringe 'too much' at the high cost of fuel but my gut is telling me that we've seen nothing yet re: high prices of fuel.

Living out west where we drive lots of miles, fuel goes fast through a 4Runner V8.

;):
 
Drive it 'til the wheels fall off. It's a depreciable asset and worth more to you than a private party or dealer. Once paid off, save you car payments up for a down payment on the next gen. T4R or something completely different. Paying my 4Runner off was my best mod!

My $.02
 
Red said:
I'd definitely hang on to the nearly paid off 4Runner and start putting some money away for a down payment on the 5th generation 4Runner. You'll be kicking yourself if you buy the 08' once you see the 5th generation.

Also having no car payments for a little while would be nice!
Click to expand...

It will cost a bunch more by then. As will gas.
And Toyota's quality will likely continue to slip as they max production to overtake GM.
I won't be kicking myself. :biggrin2:
 
I wouldn't trade for another vehicle of the same generation. I would add another one to the stable, much like many of the members here though. Why take on another payment? Save up and get the next gen or just build up a rainy day fund, IMHO.
 
Thanks guys. I apprecaite your input. I agree. I will keep it. It makes sense to have a paid off vehicle in a time with such high gas prices.


Besides, after my mods this 4runner has eveything I need but Nav, but my cell phone does that.

I always wondered how may miles I could put on it until it died.

I guess we'll find out now.
 
with the way things are now in the economy, and what's predicted to come, making large purchases like that, is pretty risky business... values on everything is falling, and costs are rising across the board. You're smart to just sit tight for a little while until we get through this election year, and the economy can see the path of the next 4 years a little clearer. I think once that happens, things in the economy will adjust back to normal. Infact, it's my prediction, oil prices will tank right around the time of the election, as the wall streeters will peak out oil prices and dump it. Unless if you can pretty much buy it with cash, or in an income stream that would allow you to buy it with cash over the next 24 months....I'd hold onto that sweet ride you got now! If Toyota is known for anything, it's their ablity to go far beyond normal mileage levels of most other cars.
 
Also, I've had my 4runner for about 4 years now and I'm at 70,000 miles. What is the best way to check up and make sure nothing is about to break down (like the alternator for example).

When my warranty ran out I took it to Toyota and had like a 30 point inspection done on it for free. Something like that or would the dealership be too expensive?

thanks
 
Red said:
I'd definitely hang on to the nearly paid off 4Runner and start putting some money away for a down payment on the 5th generation 4Runner. You'll be kicking yourself if you buy the 08' once you see the 5th generation.

Also having no car payments for a little while would be nice!
Click to expand...

No one even knows what a 5th gen. will be like , look like , ect.....

I would keep the one you have , if you hell bound on trading it at this point get an FJ or atleast something different.
 
Yeah,

I replaced the wheel bearings yesterday.

The knocking stopped when I run premium Chevron.

So really no other worries. I'm going to run it into the ground.

I wonder who else has my kind of milage. 140k on an 2004?
 
Have you thought about running some seafoam through the intake to clean it out, and then replace the plugs? At that mileage, I would not be suprised if you're due for a little cleaning in there. I haven't figured out how to remove the throttle bodies on these yet, but I do know from my old LS400 days, we would pull the throttle body off and clean the butterfly opening and intake housing, to produce increadibly smooth idles, restore some punch, and quiet the engine down even further. That might help with your pinging?
 
Oh wow... DEFINITELY keep your vehicle. Toyota engines will run forever if you take care of them (and sometimes even if you don't). I have a '92 SR5 V6 with 141,000 miles that runs like a dream. It's all about maintenance :biggrin2:
 
I'm going to keep me leased 4R , lease is almost up , and if I buy another down the road I'll but a used one with low miles. My 4R will be 25k under lease miles and I'll be damed if I'll give them that many free miles. I have very little money out of my own pocket into this lease so and I love it so ??
 
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