I want a 4x4!

I bought a 2007 DCSB TRD Sport Pre-runner in November. I am already regretting that decision and want a 4x4 now.

I have had an offer from someone to trade me straight up for their 2007 DCSB 4x4 TRD Sport. Great condition, but their truck has 113k miles while mine have only 71k. Is this a worthwhile trade? assuming everything checks out in an inspection that will be done by Toyota?

The FJ Cruisers have also caught my eye, except the only ones I think look good are the black ones. I found one locally, with 99k miles, 6MT, with all options. Would this be a better vehicle?

The main reason I want 4wd is to take me, the girlfriend and 2 70+ lb dogs out on the beach in the summer, to spend the day, camp out over night, ect. The sand is VERY soft and a 2wd will not work. Other than that the truck is on road taking me back and forth to work. Although with a 4wd I would probably get the itch to get off road more.

Any insight is appreciated, and I know I'll hear get what you like, but I am hoping to hear from someone who has had both and has spent a good amount of time in both. I havent driven a FJ yet. I am 6'5" and fit in the Tacdoma well, does the FJ have as much room?

Thanks!

 

I would start by checking KBB values. If those look about the same, it then comes down to what you feel comfortable doing. IMO

 

I wouldn't trade for one with that many more miles personally. I like my cars with lower then average miles, and definitely less then 100k (yes i realize toyotas last a lot longer, but thats just me)

No offense, but why didn't you think about this before you bought it? Also, is your truck paid off? If so, sell it on the open market and buy a 4x4...... or buy some paddle tires

 

I'm not sure I would ever be compfortable with trading trucks. I would always feel there is a hidden agenda. I like the sell it on the open market idea. You might find you could do fine on sand by just airing down the tire to like 15psi. Many threads here about doing that. My only experience on sand was in 4hi with 35psi. I do love 4wd though. Had alot of snow here recently. Airing down doesn't help enough on ice.

 

Considering the amount of 2wd cars that needs pulling in OBX during the summer I am gonna say either airing down is not working as programmed, or sand there is quite not what people expect it.

 

I'd seriously question why the fella with the 4x4 would trade down to a 2 wheel drive. The mileage is not enough of a reason IMO.

 

The sand at the OBX definitely requires 4wd. You can drive through it not aired down, however airing down makes driving on it A LOT easier. I usually air down to ~18-20 psi.

I lol everytime I see people in their AWD vehicles stuck about 20 ft off the ramp.

To the OP, I would just sell your truck private party and buy a 4x4 with similar mileage.

 

Trading is no different then buying used. In both cases good inspection is needed.
If you ask why somebody is trading you will never get 100% truthful answer. Same why somebody sold his truck and got another one.
When you get used vehicle there is always possibility that you getting money pit. Regardless if you bought from dealer or somebody private.

So I would say if you want to trade go ahead just make sure you do your inspections right.

 

thanks guys, and yes the sand here is tough with a 2wd. The LADY that wants to trade said she was looking for a white 2wd prerunner and ended up with the 4x4. I am a little upside down on the truck, had to get rid of my Infiniti fast and didnt have time to wait for a private party sale so I took a $2k hit on it which put me financing more on the truck. I owe $21k on it and think I would have a hard time selling it for that.

No feedback on the FJ's?

 

I would keep what you have for now, pay it down and spend the time in between researching what you want and what best meets your needs. I have a 4*4 and love it, but I know people that have the prerunner and also love it. If you are only going to the beach sometimes, then maybe you will be fine with what you have.

 

On a side note, I am surprised by what you owe on the truck. I paid 19 for my 2007 double cab 4*4 a year ago.

 

Yeah me too. I paid 20k for my '07 dbl cab short bed 4x4 about a year and a half ago. I owe just under 16k on it now.

 

If inspection works out I'd do it. It's a Toyota, miles won't hurt it.

The benefits of 4x4 and the fact that someone would do it straight across I'd be on it. Especially in your situation of what you owe etc., other options could be harder and take time. What if you sold your truck and couldn't find another? That way just adds more steps to the final result you could do quickly now.

As for the FJ part, depends on what you're looking for out of your 4x4. Big dogs could make the interior smelly/dirty. Easier to keep that outside with a truck. My $.02.

 

I cannot relate to your concern fitting in the FJ.. you are 6'5 i am 5'9 in the morning
you will be fine in the front seat though. as far as camping in the back of the fj...with the seats folded and moved forward, rear bottoms removed...the rear cargo area of just over 6' of room to sleep. forgot how wide though. I made the switch from a locked prerunner to a 4x fj and have been happy since. seems to be the new trend though. people are making the switch from a tacoma to the fj. If you dont need the bed space...the fj is a great vehicle with awesome offroad capabilities. It is like driving a mini tank. but gay looking. jk.
don't expect the tacoma guys to talk you into buying an fgay, i mean FJ
I am still addicted to TW so i stick around

 

pricewise, I got the truck for $18k, then added the amount I was losing on the Infiniti and financed a total of 21k. I have made 1 payment, so I basically still owe $21k on it. Also different markets demand different prices for vehicles. I think I am going to set up a time to look at the 4x4 trade. Pretty sure that will be my best option to get into a 4wd at this point.

 

I don't understand how you're going to trade vehicles when you still have such a high outstanding balance on financing for your vehicle.

A loan for the 4x4 would probably be quite a few thousand less than what you owe on the prerunner, so you'll have to make up the difference before you can transfer title over to the new owner. And if she's smart, she's not going to transfer title of her 4x4 over to you until you're ready to hand over clear title to the prerunner...which you can't do until you pay it off.

 

+2

Also, does she still owe on her truck and if so what is the payoff for her truck?

 

Her truck is paid off. My thinking was, go to the bank, tell them what we are doing. They 'trade' titles, so I am now financing the 4x4 for $20,xxx and she has the title to the prerunner free and clear, since the 4x4 title was clear.

 

It will not work that way. They will only give you what they state the truck is worth, and they will give you a loan on that truck to which you can pay against the other truck. Any difference in price will have to be made up. You also might get a higher interest rate since at the time, it will look like you are buying two trucks.

 

Interest will be the same, and the credit union will finance 110% of NADA retail value which would be close to $25k on the 4x4. So I get the loan on the new truck for the payoff of the old truck and then sign the prerunner title over to her. I know it can be done, that wasnt really the question, but I am going to take a look at her 4x4 and see if I even want it.

Believe me, I would much rather sell the truck outright, but I think it would be hard to get what I want out of it.