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Tacoma and 4Runner advice

Discussion in 'Other Toyota Vehicles' started by Rockanock, Apr 29, 2020.

  1. Apr 29, 2020 at 5:37 PM
    #1
    Rockanock

    Rockanock [OP] 21 Chevy 2500

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    My wife and I are in the process of making some financial decisions to better set ourselves up for our future. Part of this is minimizing some payments so that we can hopefully save more and buy land and our dream home sooner. My wife is set on getting a 4Runner. She doesn’t want brand new so we are looking at certified pre-owned with lower miles. I am also looking at possibly buying a Tacoma as I don’t “need” the tundra. I have a work truck and I honestly don’t mind a midsize truck. I will be looking at certified pre-owned also. I will be looking at a couple older tundras with a little more miles as well. For those who have or have had both the Tacoma and 4Runner what should we look for and what are your techniques for making a good deal? If we find the right vehicles at the right place we
    May do both at the same time. I think that would also give us a little more pressure to put on the dealer since we would be buying two so we could get a better outcome.
     
  2. Apr 29, 2020 at 5:47 PM
    #2
    Juanjoolio007

    Juanjoolio007 New Member

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    I have had all these. 11 Tacoma, 14 4 runner(traded for my last Tundra) and currently another 19 4Runner. Good news they hold their value really well. Like most Toyota’s. You may be able to get a new for fairly close to a CPO late model used. When I traded mine in it sold before I took delivery of my tundra(I actually caused the sale) and sold for just a few hundred less then a new SR5. To be fare it had lift, wheels, stereo and DVD player... that is what sold it. Maybe try an auto buying program like Costco.
     
    rebmo likes this.
  3. Apr 29, 2020 at 5:55 PM
    #3
    shellshock

    shellshock Guy who drives a lot

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    You can get a new Tacoma for nearly the same price as a used ones, especially when you consider financing. They are currently running 0% and dealers are taking off quite a bit since sales are slow right now.
     
  4. Apr 29, 2020 at 6:15 PM
    #4
    Jernik

    Jernik New Member

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    We have a 14 4R and now also a Tundra. We looked at the new Taco when trying to choose between Taco/Tundra. The 4R is a no-brainer - we absolutely love ours. The Taco... be sure you like the seating position both for driver AND passenger. It's nowhere near the same as the 4R. Seating position has been the biggest complaint I've read about (beside the 3.5 and transmission shift pattern) in the Tacomas. My wife absolutely did not like the pass seat in the Taco and could not get comfortable. That said, a lot of people like them so it may work for you. Just wasn't a good fit for us.

    Good luck!
     
    Warreng likes this.
  5. Apr 29, 2020 at 6:28 PM
    #5
    shellshock

    shellshock Guy who drives a lot

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    The 3rd gen taco is way better with the manual transmission. I had one with with the auto and traded it for the MT after about 1.5 years. The ratios are so much better suited for the motor

    if I was buying an auto, my first stop would be the gear shop for 4.88s
     
  6. Apr 29, 2020 at 7:08 PM
    #6
    Rockanock

    Rockanock [OP] 21 Chevy 2500

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    Thanks for the input. I’m willing to find a used one with more miles so she can have a newer with less. As long as it’s got 4x4 and AC I’m good
     
  7. Apr 29, 2020 at 7:42 PM
    #7
    Jernik

    Jernik New Member

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    Just one final suggestion... if you aren't already familiar with the 4R do some research on them. For instance, there are several variations in the suspension systems alone. With the 5th gen (2010+) there is the base SR5 and Trail (also known as Off Road after 2018 I think) with the basic suspension. KDSS is offered on Trail/OR Premium models as an option (possibly on SR5 Premium too, but I don't recall for sure). Limited has XReas suspension and all the fancy comfortable goodies (like real leather) PLUS auto 4wd which may be an attractive option for your wife if inclement weather is often a factor.
     
  8. Apr 30, 2020 at 5:21 AM
    #8
    Rockanock

    Rockanock [OP] 21 Chevy 2500

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    She does want leather and the third row. So that narrows down the selection on used pretty good. And I agree with getting 4x4.
     
  9. Apr 30, 2020 at 5:48 AM
    #9
    shawn474

    shawn474 Lego connoisseur

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    The 4runner is bulletproof. I had a 2014 sr5 with 100k miles before I got the tundra. It was totaled by a guy running red light. Payout from insurance was Damn near 80% of my purchase price on The five year old suv. The good news is they hold their value extremely well. The bad news, when you’re buying used, is they hold their value extremely well. I bought my daughter an 08 4runner from a family member (she just got completed drivers ed and will be getting her learners soon). You can’t go wrong with it. All I ever did was changes oil, brakes and tires on mine. I was leaning heavily towards getting a new one but have always wanted a tundra and was able to afford it after the insurance payout.
     
  10. Apr 30, 2020 at 6:18 AM
    #10
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    Alot of them
    The 4Runner is a beast and solid as a rock. Do the research on prices. In 2017, I looked at a 2015 SR5 with 26,000 miles on it. They wanted 32,000. I bought her a brand new 2017 with 6 miles on it for $35,000. Cargurus.com will help...it shows you if the price is good, bad, fair etc.
     
  11. Apr 30, 2020 at 6:46 AM
    #11
    Hammerdog

    Hammerdog YCMTSUP

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    I looked forever for a used 4Runner, it became a no brainer to buy a new one for just a couple thousand dollars, lower financing and full warranty. They are a great vehicle and if I ever get rid of my Tundra I’m getting a 4Runner for myself. I have many Tacos, loved them all. Must son has a 19 and sometimes complains about the low seat, but otherwise he loves it. Cargurus or just sending Internet request and putting the dealers against each other always works for me. You can’t go wrong with either one of those vehicles. If you don’t like them you will get most of your money back when you sell it!
     
  12. Apr 30, 2020 at 8:24 AM
    #12
    frichco228

    frichco228 Valued Member

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    Don't get a Tacoma. 4Runner is such a better vehicle. The 4.0 engine rocks and the 4Runners are super solid, great off road, better for family/travel. The engine/trans alone is worth choosing a 4runner alone.
     
  13. Apr 30, 2020 at 9:16 AM
    #13
    Rngr188

    Rngr188 Ranked the best new member of all time

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    Wife test drove a 20 Tacoma (they now have power seats) and a 20 4R TRD OR Premium and that is what she got really based on the seating position. They do have a TSB to change the shift points on the Tacoma which people say really makes it what it should. I preached to my wife before she test drove both that the 4R still has the 4.0 and is 100% Japanese made. We chose the ORP for the locking rear diff, hill descent, crawl control, and faux leather seats (she fell in love with the red TRD stitched to the headrest). She had a coworker that bought a Tacoma TRD OR right when they changed body styles in 16 and lost the transmission, it was bought back so he got another but TRD Sport again transmission went out and he doesn't tow. Bought a Tundra and loves it he had been a Toyota guy forever and was ready to give up until he got the Tundra. If you could find a 14 or 15 Tacoma that would be golden.
     
  14. May 12, 2020 at 11:11 AM
    #14
    sensei

    sensei master and teacher of nothing

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    trd boosted, trd bbk, fox stage 4, corsa, amp, jl/kenwood
    had a 01 4runner and it was as everyone says...bulletproof. we ended up selling for a sienna as the family grew and we wanted an awd (toyota) van.

    when i was truck shopping in 08 i was looking for a tacoma to haul my dirt bike around. in stock form the mpg's were listed as similar to the tundra and the tundra base model was just a little more plus na v8. went with the tundra but if mpg's are on your mind i don't think they are much diff in stock form. could be wrong tho as things may have changes in 12yrs. good luck.
     
  15. May 12, 2020 at 1:08 PM
    #15
    taco supreme

    taco supreme New Member

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    had a 15 limited 4r, traded for a gx460. shoulda started with the gx460. gained mpg as well, gx460 20.7mpg and 4r 18.8.
     
  16. May 12, 2020 at 1:25 PM
    #16
    jeremyd

    jeremyd 2014 Crewmax SR5

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    You can always go older ! These things last forever !
    2002.jpg
     
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  17. May 17, 2020 at 7:13 AM
    #17
    Shifless Joe

    Shifless Joe New Member

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    My 2007 V8 4Runner with 170,000 miles on it is the best all-around vehicle I've ever owned by far; if you offered me any brand new Chevy or Ford in trade, I'd tell you to pound sand.
     
    jeremyd likes this.

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