Norcal Spotted and BS Thread

No worries, I have a bunch just sitting around my garage.

 

You didn't forget the e break again did you

New bumper? What you going with?

 

Better be getting a high clearance!!

 

yeah, ultimately decided on ATO hi-clearance. Looked to be the most hi-clearance than some of the other guys (rear portion), lead time was the best, and overall price was best.

now I just wait

 

Had a thought today, just for shits n gigs; lookin for input.

I have an 08 prerunner. Title in hand. Just got married and between the two of us, 20k in student loans and other expenses. I have kicked myself in the butt for not getting 4x4.

Do I:
1) Keep the prerunner reliable for now and pay off loans in increments, maybe do a 4x4 swap later on. (i have knowledge, tools, etc, just need parts)

or

2) Sell PreRunner and find a clean double cab 1st gen 4x4 and use leftover cash to pay off bills/loans.

or

3) Sell Prerunner, find older toyota 4x4 as a trail rig, and buy a daily driver.

 

Thats what I was thinking

 

Ted-

4. Sell the prerunner and get a 2nd gen 4x4. Over time pay off student debt (low APR), and mod truck, then eventually buy a DD.

 

I have thought this too. The dealership that has Justins red 2nd gen hasn't had an offers, at all. Wonder if he'll consider a trade.

 

ATO FTW

 

how often have you needed 4x4 in the past year?

I used to have a ridiculous truck payment, owed for 5+ years and it finally caught up to me. Im just about paid off with the 4runner and i cant be more excited. Ill never finance again if i can get it. Im so sick of payments.

Personally, i dont know what you do nor if you need 4x4 but i wheeled a ton in 2wd and did just fine. Since its paid off, i wouldnt do anything unless someone blows you away with an offer. Then make a move.

 

What add ons are ya gonna have with the bumper?

 

Is ATO and 4x innovations the same? Both have the same photos for the same products. 4xinnovations has a sale right now thru 12/1.

 

I don't know how much you will save by buying a DC 1st gen. Those things are freaking expensive around here. I've thought about selling my 4runner and buying a cheap dd to get out of debt, but always realize it is only money and I can get by/chip away at my debt at it is.

 

Thats how I've been getting by lately. I do trips when I can, but often have to turn around. I go to tahoe a bit in the winters, so 4x4 would be nice there. I'm sure i can make it work for now. It's one of those thing i wish i had it. Like better to have it and not need it than to be stuck without it.

 

Yea thats what I'm finding in sac too. Ridiculous.

 

I got this one because of my Tahoe trips and Pismo trips. Now i wish i got 2wd because lift spindles. I hate that 3" is all i can go without a drop bracket. Im used to taller rides.

Id say wait it out and see if the temptation passes, rent a truck or 4x4 suv for tahoe trips. its not too expensive. I used to do that.

 

Yea I know what you mean. It's been in my mind since the first trip to deer valley with all of the guys last year. Had to bum rides along the trail and left my truck at the campsite haha.

I've debating spindles, but the thought of doing a 4x4 conversion in the future has got me putting it off. I'm not happy with my lift. Rear springs are now 'W' and sitting at stock height. Front 5100s/OME are rough and sagging.

 

Keep the reliable truck. You'll do better on paying down your debts by having a reliable paid off transportation and not shuffling money around buying or selling and/or worse, unplanned repair and maintenance expenses.

Every time you buy or sell - there's financial "friction loss". You pay the deferred maintenance on whatever you buy and you pay tax / registration/ transfer/ smog. The older it is, the less tax, but the more deferred maintenance and chance of unplanned repairs. The newer it is, the more depreciation and tax.

No transfer tax on what you already own, minimal depreciation and maintenance on a tacoma. So, keep your existing newer truck FTW.

If you're going to the snow, sandbags in the back and tirechains.

From a pure financial perspective, - TW is a lousy way to pass time because it tends to make you want expensive stuff you don't have.

Key to financial success is learning to be content with what you have, paying down debt, and then saving for the future once debt is paid off.

 

Good points, Thanks Steve! TW is definitely an enemy to the piggy bank haha