2008 LX750. It's pretty capable machine. We had intended to use it's capabilities. Off-road, or at least off pavement. Kayak on lakes only accessible with 4WD. Drive / park on beaches lakeside (or ocean side). Visit snow country more often.

In the 3 or so years of ownership, we've gone to Moab once. We've used it on the beach once. We have used it numerous times to go kayaking but no place a smaller vehicle probably couldn't handle (subaru, Rav4, Highlander).

It's rugged. It's pretty capable. It's comfortable with several nice amenities. But it's probably overkill for how we're actually using it.

I'm wondering if I should sell it and get something smaller. I feel like I'm saving it for trips we will never take. Moab was fun but it was tedious and tiresome to drive there and back.

On one hand - it's in great shape, very capable and hate to sell it. On the other, it's expensive to own and maintain and I could probably buy something that's sufficiently capable, have money left over and be cheaper to maintain and operate.

Decisions, decisions....

What color is it?

Maybe 'downgrade' to a GX? Or to a higher trim 4Runner?

It's a depreciating asset. If it doesn't suit your needs, what's the point of owning something that is less valuable every day you own it? What utility or benefit are you deriving from it? Get rid of it and move on.

If you ever want to get another, it will always be cheaper tomorrow than it was yesterday.

Keep it if you don't fall out of the truck's bed.

quote:

2008 LX750. It's pretty capable machine. We had intended to use it's capabilities. Off-road, or at least off pavement. Kayak on lakes only accessible with 4WD. Drive / park on beaches lakeside (or ocean side). Visit snow country more often.

It is a capable machine. But does it meet your needs?
I remember when you bought it... because I bought a 4Runner of the same year around the same time. I'm on my third 4Runner since, all 2008 models.
I still like the 4Runner of that era and don't find it expensive to maintain. But I think yours is a V8 and my experience is with the 4.0 V6.
If it no longer suits your needs... sell it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: chellim1, January 20, 2020 05:30 PM

The devil you know is better than the devil you don't. If it's working for you, I wouldn't mess with it. If the goal is to save money...rarely do you come out ahead trying to sell one vehicle for another, especially when you're talking 12 y/o vehicles. Even if you only pay a few thousand on top of what you get for the '08, you can buy a LOT of gas for that. And you never know what mechanical problems/upgrades you're going to be out of pocket for when you buy a used vehicle. Not to mention the tax, plates, etc. that you have to shell out for when you purchase a car.

Now, if you're wanting to move it because you're tired of it, having major mechanical issues with it, or simply want something else, that's a whole different story. But unless it's an absolute mechanical nightmare right now, I highly doubt you're going to save significant dollars by trading it for something else.

quote:

2008 LX750

Being a 12 year old gas hog, I'd get rid of it. I ditched a Sequoia after two years of 14 mpg on the highway. (Assuming we are talking a Lexus LS570 rather than 750)

I too remember when you bought it and the drama about whether or not you liked it.
Guessing you are just wanting to move to something different which is fine.
Most of the time you lose $ when you sell after figuring the expense's of owning it.
And the new one will cost more.
But if you are not happy with it. That is that.
There is always something else better to serve you needs

What have your costs been to maintain it?

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:
Keep it if you don't fall out of the truck's bed.

Hahahahahahahahahaha!!!

It's not that it doesn't meet my needs. It does more than I need it to do. I thought we would use its capabilities more than we are. My reservation is in how much it costs (gas is a big thing - premium at about 13mpg avg; 16-18mpg on the highway). Haven't done much to it - just maintenance per mileage as expected (oil changes; changed the rotors/pads in all four corners; changed all four tires; changed the rear height adjusting shocks; transmission fluid change). It's in good shape - should last another 100k miles easily.

I'm just not sure I should keep it - spending more in gas than I probably need to be since a smaller 4wd is probably sufficiently capable for trails and snow.

But as pointed out - it would suck to sell this (good shape, maintained) and buy something that ends up being a money pit - I'm not good a judging used cars. I think I got pretty lucky with this one.

It's not that it doesn't suit my needs. It's just that I'm probably paying extra for capabilities I'm not really using.

The amount you spend on gas is minimal in reality. It really is.
You have easily put $2500 into it I bet.
A good quality lower mileage SUV that has some room and is completely capable of going to the store or a camping trip out in the bush is something I personally would keep.

But as I said if you are trying to talk yourself into another rig. Go for it.

Get a Tacoma nd be done with it.

Assuming 10k miles, I’m guessing up to about $1000/yr delta for gas between the lx and a smaller vehicle. You’re right, not really that much. Thinking about this more: I think what’s bothering me is that the lx just sits there unless we take the kayaks out or go on a trip. 3000 miles / yr. if I got something smaller, I’d just have one every day car instead of one car and one truck. More effective insurance and more garage space.

But it is nice to have a capable car just in case.

I’ll keep it for now again. I need to get out and use it more this summer.

If your life works with one vehicle, then sell one of them. The insurance savings will pay for quite a bit of gas, so keep the LS570. It sounds like it does everything you need it to do, while your other vehicle doesn't.

I went the other way and bought a second vehicle to keep the miles off of my truck. I also drive enough miles that the fuel savings alone more than compensate for the second insurance payment. I still need the truck, but it's now dedicated to towing/hauling 100% of it's miles.

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:
It's a depreciating asset. If it doesn't suit your needs, what's the point of owning something that is less valuable every day you own it? What utility or benefit are you deriving from it? Get rid of it and move on.

If you ever want to get another, it will always be cheaper tomorrow than it was yesterday.

That's actually not great advice when dealing with certain Toyota models like this one.

His LX has fully depreciated by now and still worth a whole bunch of money. They don't ever really depreciate past 20k if they are in good condition.

So he can continue to drive this vehicle and lose little to now value or he can sell it and buy something either further up the curve or with a steeper curve.

Unless he replaces it with a Tacoma, keeping it will probably be the better financial decision

You already have it. It is MORE than capable.

I'd keep it.

If it's paid off, every mile you drive in it saves you money compared to getting a new car.

If you do decide to sell...

What color is it and does it have lockers? I am always looking for Land Cruisers and their cousins.
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