Should I keep the ’04 4Runer or buy the ’10 Taco

Alright… just the other day I was about ready to pull the plug and sell the 4Runner because I was having way many troubles and it was frustrating.

My 4Runner: 2005, V6, Limited, 159,000 miles and most factory options installed. I have thrown on a couple mods; 2” Daystar lift, BFG Rugged Terrian with 30k miles (these would stay). Last weekend rebuilt the front suspension (new CV Axles & seals, Whiteline Lower Control Arm Bushings and new Caster/Camber bolts). I still owe $8,000 or ~2 yrs left on the loan.


The contender:
Certified Used 2010 Tacoma Extended/Access Cab, V6 with 6sp manual with 49k miles with what looks like the SR5 #2 package. Stock/no mods.


Price wise and am starting a new loan and the out the door price which includes trade in, tax, tags, gap and other fees is $21,000. This works out to be just under $400 per month for 60 months (same payment as before, just 3 years longer).

 

Call me paranoid but look at the details about the 2010.

It was not a lease turn in based on the over 36K miles / 36 months old.

A lot of people who have problems with vehicles trade them in and say "now it's someone else's problem now"

If the data doesn't support a legit trade in I would think the odds are not in your favor and the salesman sure as hell isn't going to know or if he did tell you the truth about it.

I feel guilty whenever I sell any vehicle and spend 20 minutes disclosing all of the problems instead of highlighting all of the work I have done on it and I'm sure 90% of the time the new owner could care less but I don;t want anyone to feel I ripped them off.

It's your money and your call but remember as others who have purchased "Toyota Certified Preowned" and posted about plugged filters and other issues it just means that they changed the oil and washed it.

 

Do you need the space in the bed of the truck?
If so, then yes.

If not, I'd save my money. The Tacoma is not at all an investment truck.
You could fix the 4runner a lot cheaper than the $13,000 you'll spend on the Tacoma.

I know this might not be the answer you want to hear. But money wise it is the best option.

 

I agree.

What kind of problems are you having?

 

I don't need a bed in a truck... But at the same time I was looking at this as a newer truck with less potential issues. I was getting frustrated with the 4Runner because lately it's been fix something, another thing breaks or a new issue comes up.

I was just wondering if it was a good move... I looked at similar 5th gen 4Runners and the are $27k+ before added expenses.

 

Well, I traded the 4Runner in... And purchased a brand new 2014 Tacoma 4X4 Access Cab in Sky Silver Metalic with the 2.7L I4 and 5speed manual trans; it came with the Convenience and SR packages. Also, I did purchase the 5yr/100k Toyota Extended Service Plan.

I couldn't me more happier!!!! Yes, I did spend a few grand more than originally planned, but I now don't need to worry about anything for a good while.

 

Congrats on the new truck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Congrats!!!! Freakn killer looking truck!!!!!!!!!

 

How much did they give you for the 4runner?!

 

that's the funny thing, I went to 6 different dealerships looking at Tacomas and each dealerships prices varied. The lowest trade value was $5000 and then the highest was $8500. The lower trade value dealer was taking more off the Tacoma, but the highest trade wasn't marking down the Tacoma.

I went to 6 different dealers trying to figure out which Tacoma feature & packages I wanted. If I didn't like something about it, I knew I was going walk away from it but every dealer said let's play with numbers. I had the first couple dealers call around for Tacoma's but no dealership is giving them up unless you have another "like" one to trade/swap. The Tacoma's are scarce right now because about 1-2 months ago they stop production on 2014s and in 1 month the production of the 2015s are going to begin.