I'm thinking of buying a new V6 DC PreRunner. Am I an idiot?

Prerunners are nice but its not the same as 4x4. You will never have problem trading 4x4, DC V6.
PreRunner you may or may not get good price.
4x4s are always in demand they get shipped up north for people replacing their used trucks, and they get shipped South out of US. so There is steady demand for 4x4's. TRD Sport is nice especially if you like the look (many people do). With Recent crazy winter I am going to guess much more people will be looking to trade prerunners for 4x4.

 

Well, let me back up and say that the price really depends on where you're located. If you check out the thread on "what did you pay for your 2014", you'll see the vast differences. I personally have seen Pre-Runners in my area (central Texas) going for $28k on the sticker, so to me $30k for the same truck is high.

I wouldn't worry about being taken for a sucker, there are people on here who got the same truck as I for cheaper. I would worry more about getting the truck you want, exactly how you want it.

 

Just to give you a heads up, the info under your name says gender: Male

 

What's the Premium Security System cost? For reference my Viper Alarm/Remote Start was $500 installed.

I wouldn't waste the $120 on carpeted floor mats. I'd be more apt to lean towards Weathertechs (maybe I'm biased because I have a set) but then you never have to worry about the carpet getting ruined.

 

I used trucar.com when I went to negotiate the price on my truck (first time owner). It allowed me to compare by region (zip code) what people in my area were paying. It also allowed me to "lock in" a price with multiple dealerships so that I could go to my local one and say "hey look, these guys in LA are advertising it for almost 3K less than you, even though you said I was basically raping you by asking for that price". Salesmen are good are trying to make you feel guilty. Often times you just need to be firm- "give me this price or I'm walking" AND still walk out. They will always call and try to find a way to keep you.

About those STUPID floor mats. I tried and tried to refuse them but they said it was mandatory that the truck be sold with a set of mats in the truck. I told them I didn't want them and that 120 was steep for a set of carpet mats (my weathertechs were less than that and way nicer). Find a way if they are adamant about you having to purchase mats with the truck, to buy the CHEAPEST ones and then just toss them in the back of the garage when you get your truck. Put a set of weathertechs/cabelas in. Especially with a dog, they are awesome because of the dirt/hair/sand/mud/etc that gets accumulated. All you have to do is pull it out, rinse and dry and they are good as new!

I also opted out of Entune. It raised the price over 1K for me. I figured I would rather pay for the LoJack system than a fancy radio.

They may try and tell you that you have to buy the stupid towing package, because "that's how most truck are built from the factory" and may make you wait longer to get a "custom" without-the-package truck.

And truthfully I paid for a DC v6 4x4 off road for 33K out the door- before TTL it was $30,650. So I think paying 30K for a pre runner W/O 4x4 is steep. Granted mine was a 2013. I knew I wanted 4x4 because I like going on the road less traveled with my dog, I like going to the snow/sand and maybe I will grow into crawling rocks or going to Moab. So far it's worth it…as long as you can get by the crappy mpg.

Good luck, hope you get what you want, and don't settle for less!

 

Totaled my 04 with significantly more miles than that. Got 15,000 from the insurance company for it. To say these things hold their value would be an understatement.

 

If you dont need or want 4x4, dont get it. You'll save on the overall price of the truck, the insurance and possible repairs like cv boots. In my case I wish I had gone with 4wd, buuuutttt I did get my prerunner used for a hell of a deal. Bought my 05 in 2011, with 24k on the odometer, for 16,999 out the door. KBB is 18k on my truck now. If anything, look around and dont shy away from used. These trucks will run forever with the right care. Good luck!!

 

^ good advice!

my '04 ext cab with <120k is still "worth" around 12-14k clean sell. I paid 24k otd with 3k trade-in


to the OP, if you don't care about all the fancy options and want a truck that will not ever need 4wd then SR5 PreRunner would fit the bill. Save yourself the money on the packages and get better floor mats and seat covers to protect against the pooch. My brother looked for a few weeks to find his SR5 4cyl 5sp 4wd, didn't care about anything else that came with it (it doesn't have tow pkg either).

 

Default gender is male on this forum. That tells me a lot. Speeding to correct it now!

 

Good scoop - trucar.com is kicking out the same price that I got from Costco for my exact make, model, and build options (it's actually $200 more, but that's negotiable on a $30K+ purchase). So I digress, unless you already have a Costco discount or don't need all the shit paper take a hard look at trucar.com as well. Or do both!

 

When I had the dealer order my AC all I got was the TRD Sport package, towing package and the very basic Entune. No floor mats at all. Another thing to consider with the sport or off-road package is the cab floor height is several inches higher than the SR5. I am 5' 10" and have to step up slightly to get in the truck.

 

All the 6 lug trucks are the same height , Sport , Offroad , SR5 and Base unless there is a tire diameter difference

 

I live in an area with little snow, Va Beach area, and the PreRunner was fine for my needs.

I have a 2012 TRD Sport I paid $26,000 for, down from the $29,000 sticker price. I can't believe prices have increased that much in two years. Stick with the stock floor mats, you'll regret getting carpet. The Entune may be a nice addition, I'm not familiar with it. If you don't need the tow package don't get it, don't add options that sound good now for resale, eight years down the road they could be worthless. Get what you need now.

 

Sounds like you really want a Sport package. If it's more money you're trying to save, look at a base SR5 Prerunner as mentioned above. Add your own mats/liners, alarm, etc and call it a day. I think you'd be happy.

 

Maybe there is a new X-Runner sitting on a lot somewhere. Just your size.

 

Based on the needs that you describe I would at least consider a 'Double Cab Base' or 5 lug as they're called on here. They do make them and they only come with a 4 cylinder. Granted I am biased as I own a Access Cab 5 lug. But to be completely honest the truck has always served me well and always performed "truck duties" flawlessly. The 4 cylinder is not a powerhouse but it is adequate for the vehicle. You will average at least 2-3mpg better than the equivalent Prerunner v6, regardless of what the window sticker says.

Although I would not recommend a prerunner with a 4 cylinder b/c the gearing and the larger tires makes them underpowered.

Just my .02

 

True

Also true. My prerunner 4 cylinder was way underpowered. One of the biggest reasons I went with the 2nd gen 6 cylinder

 

Keeping 8 years then buy new. Prerunner is all you need. I would skip the Entune. Shoot for 10% off MSRP. Go to Edmunds and get invoice. Invoice is usually a good deal. Skip as many dealer add ons as possible. If not towing look for one without tow package. If you think you might tow then get it. If you do not need locker than just go SR5 or Sport.

 

30k for a pre runner is too much.

I'm curious what it is that you like about the TRD Sport Package? Are you familiar with what that package has and the other packages offered?


Get Weathtech floor liners/mat instead of paying for the Toyota ones.

 

Get a 4x4 DBSB TRD Sport and you will be happy you did