quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
$6k a year for how many years?

I’ve had one computer go bad; the BCM in my 2001 Dodge Dakota.

I’m not the least bit worried about dodads, sensors, or computers going bad and wouldn’t use that a reason to switch vehicles.

I owe just under $21 on it, I think that the loan final pmt is Dec 2027
Not overly worried about all the 'dodads' just the potential $ repair costs on them down the road as it ages. Current long-term plan is for it to go to my oldest when she starts driving. She'll be 16 in 2027 a few months before it would be paid off at the current rate.
Still need to get it in for the backup camera recall, but otherwise things have been fine since getting all the little niggles resolved last year under warranty.

quote:

Originally posted by jimmy123x:
I would NEVER dump a reliable 4 year old vehicle to go to a 15 year old vehicle of unknown origion. People usually don't sell vehicles because they're reliable. The 4 runners have never been a fan of. Seat is too close to the floor, so not comfortable on long trips. They sway on the highway. Just pay the explorer off and continue driving it for years later until you can't anymore.

I get this angle as well, once I got the warranty stuff resolved, it's not given me any trouble nor reason to dump it other than the note pmt.
Long trip comfort isn't an issue, as I've done several multi-hour drives in a couple 4G 4Runners without issue. Don't recall any excessive sway, and I'd be my Expedition sways more with a crosswind.

quote:

Originally posted by jljones:
4Runner. I would actually look for a 2012 or so. The creature comforts are a little nicer.

I bought a 2012 4WD 4Runner with 2000 miles on it in 2012. I gave it to my Ex when we divorced. She totaled it on a deer a couple of months ago. I gave it to her at about 60k and it was serviced regularly. After that, not so much. When she totaled it, it had 330k on it. State Farm still gave her $15,000 on the settlement. Even at that mileage, it held its value.

My GF has a 2006 RAV with 290k that’s a daily driver. She also bought a 2021 and traded again for a 2022 4Runner. She wanted a nice car for travel and had the cash. Both were bought new, and traded for a new year model. She then decided she wanted a Camry (huge mistake) and wasn’t happy with it. She decided a couple weeks ago to trade the 23 Camry even for a 2019 4Runner. I personally love the 4Runner.

The RAV has been serviced regularly and has been problem free up till about Christmas. It started missing bad. $330 worth of coil replacement later, back to trouble free.

I do like the look of the 5G, they're just few & far between for what I could reasonably pay cash for. I've only found 1 or 2 that are lower mileage & in decent shape for similar prices to what the 06-09 fetch.

I say keep the Explorer. Buying a twenty one year old vehicle with an unknown history, well I wouldn’t do it. If you knew the previous owner and the vehicle’s history, well maybe but definitely not as a only car daily driver.

You have no idea how it was serviced, was it truly serviced or oil changes six months after the “change engine oil” light came on? Has anyone ever changed axle, transmission or transfer case fluids? Which oil did they use?

How was it used? Any off-roading and how severe? My Wrangler has 138k on it, it’s been off roading maybe three times on two tracks but I can show you Wranglers with less miles that have a lot more hard off road use than mine with no damage evident, which one would you rather have?

And while I can’t speak for how Toyota handles service replacement parts for past year models, my experience was with GM vehicles but when I got out of the business in ‘17 there were a lot of gaps with seven or eight year old vehicles in parts availability. For example what happens if you need a part like a shift cable and the factory has discontinued it and there’s no aftermarket replacement available? You know your next stop is a salvage yard. Whereas thirty years ago I’d lay on the ground to pull a part off at 70+ I’m less likely to do so.

Just things to ponder.

Thanks for everyone's perspectives on this.
Current plan is to keep on with what we have & if something cherry falls in my lap, maybe rethink it then. My oldest will start driving in just over 2 years & will have her license in just over 3, right around when the Exp will be almost paid off. I'd have always been in trouble with 300hp under my right foot, but she's not as daring as I was.

Looking around more, an Urban Runner would be just about right, 2009 only I believe, but seems not overly common. Otherwise, a 2010 or newer.

Holy cow, I see why you were looking at 10+ year old ones. For what they are asking for newer ones with over 100,000 miles, I'd be looking at new ones. I see the appeal of having $21,000 in your pocket as well.

10+ year old vehicle with 150,000 miles, $21,000 in your pocket

or

3 year old vehicle with 37,000 miles

I'm glad you came to a decision because I don't see a clear choice.

Well, more like 7-10k in my pocket. NADA on my Explorer is in the 27-30k range.
A couple years ago, probably could've grabbed a T4R in that year range for under 10k

The CarMax asking prices were from $31k-$37k.

If I could get >$30k for it, I'd be mighty tempted to take the money & run, especiallyifitwas over $35k. Id pretty much have driven it for free at that point.
Maybe get something like a Honda Fit to daily to work & have $$ to sock away.