Am I making a bad move?

So,

I had a Tacoma for about 7 years and loved everything about the reliability and versatility. During Covid I switched the the wrangler 4xe due to comically high gas prices in California and…had bad experiences. I just got the lemon law settlement for it and I’m turning it in.

I am looking for an affordable 4Runner to get the best of both worlds and found a 2015 with about 90k miles with one owner and extensive service records. Solid interior condition and no damage.

After carvana warranty I’ll be dropping around 34k with tax and licensing.

Is it a bad move to get a 90k 10 year old 4 runner even with a warranty and my independent inspection?

Figure you guys would know better than me.

 

No. Price sounds a bit high, but other than that, if the inspection checks out, buy it. They don't make these anymore. The gas mileage isn't great, but not terrible either. Are gas prices in Commiefornia ever not comical?

 

Well, let me rephrase for pricing. It’s about 28.5k for the truck itself and the rest is the carvana 2 year warranty (2nd highest level), tax and licensing. It’s annoying that lower mileage ones are comically more expensive with a warranty and certified used ones are hard to find around me.

Man, they got close to 8 a gallon at that time so I thought the plug in was a good idea. I’m in TN now so it’s not a concern anymore.

 

Price seems a bit steep to me but if it’s in-line with the market, don’t mind me. It’s all about value to you and what compromises you want.

Not sure I’d want to shell out for the warranty/insurance/whatever though but that depends on its price.

Of course so far it’s sight-unseen other than the photos you’ve seen so just be ready to return it if you spot things that aren’t quite right.

 

The 34k is factoring in the caravana warranty at like 3.3k for the 60 months. I can get a lower tier power train one for like 2.7k

 

I'm of the opinion that if your third party, independent inspection checks all the boxes a warranty is wasted money on these vehicles. Especially a 10+ year old vehicle. It's already proven. There's just not much that goes wrong. But if it gives you the warm fuzzies, you do you and it's your money.

 

I think that’s a lot of money for it, and a worse deal for powertrain only - go through the fine print with a fine comb but I’d (usually) rather self-insure especially if everything checks out.

When you say extensive service records, is it just regular oil changes documented or are you seeing other fluids like transmission or coolant done? (not sure if it’d show up but that much neglected driveshaft greasing comes to mind)

Of course I don’t have a crystal ball, just spouting my opinion.

 

It is high price i think as well. It needs to be at a minimum below 30K. Keep searching.

 

Too much $$$ for a ten year old approaching 100K IMO

 

No man, your guys opinions is what I’m after.
I agree that it’s a pricey power train, I think just jaded by my jeep experience. I’ve even seen third party power train warranties I can add after for the fact through like endurance for half the cost.

As for the records it just says oil and fluids changed etc. Some tire rotations in there and all that. All at the same shop too.

 

Am I just emotionally damaged from my jeep and it’s made me scared to not have a warranty?

 

Well, it’s 28.5k and the 34k is me adding the 3.3k carvana warranty.

 

Even without the 3.3k warranty? It’s a 28.5k truck before it.

 

I live in Southern Illinois, I did a 500 mile search and found this truck. Expand your search, find a reputable dealer. I ,personally, don't think I would buy an extended warranty on a 4runner. There are 1000's of donor trucks out there if you need replacement parts.

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...tedEntity=d290#listing=401661599/NONE/DEFAULT

 

Going by purely ‘numbers’ the price seems a bit high but then the current resale market demand skews all decent perspective…US economy aside.

If the mechanicals check out, that mileage is just past ‘break-in’ even though there wouldn’t be any remaining factory (or extended) warranty remaining due to age. All rubber components (especially bushings) should not have any signs of cracking/compression wear, CV boots in good condition, driveline quick check should not ‘clunk’ hard when shifting between Drive and Reverse…brakes (disks namely) should not have much of a ‘lip’ on the outermost perimeter but I would check to see if any brake work has been done (specifically if rotors were turned), rotors typically can be turned a maximum of 2-3 times before they need to be replaced, this comes from a good mechanic friend whom took care of my 2000 Limited for over 365K miles.

Begs the question, what does the Carvana warranty cover? Any noteable exclusions for coverage? Use OEM parts or like some insurance agencies only pay out for aftermarket parts?…etc.

 

Most of the Tacoma known issues apply to the 4Runner as well - rust, secondary air injection pump, rust, steering rack...

At 10 years old, stuff will wear out or break randomly - wheel bearings, alternator, starter, fan clutch...

If you're paying $3k+ for a warranty, make sure it covers those above items, preferably with OEM parts.

 

I don't really think the warranty is necessary. At 90k miles, it's highly unlikely that anything will break in 2 years. I bought mine with 80k and 6 years/110K miles later it still hasn't needed any repairs worth mentioning.

Anything it needed was wear and tear items that wouldn't be covered under warranty anyway.

Also, that DOES seem a bit high for a ten year old one, but if it's in good condition and it's what you want, that's your call. Maybe look at one that's a little older and/or higher mileage for a much lower price.

 

Considering the base price was $35K when new and it's 10 years old with nearly 100K miles, yes.

peruse this list:https://www.carfax.com/Used-2015-Toyota-4Runner_z5789

There are limiteds and trails same year with similar mileage that are $5K or more less even after removing your warranty, which I would not buy personally.

 

Any Stellantis product will have a tendency to do that to you.

 

Hmmmmm

What would you think about this sr5?

https://www.carfax.com/vehicle/JTEBU5JR9F5231574?no_ul=1

More miles but about 7k less and no accidents.

I’d take off the cow catcher though…

 

LOL, that bull bar is comical.

Anyway, it has lived its life in NY. I would very carefully inspect for rust. 3 owners...

 

Honestly, yea.

I get a little over involved and dive in. It’s not even available anymore. Man, everything less than 110k miles is even pricey.

 

Well the price is high, but its not going to get better, so a close call IMO. But i wouldn't buy anything from Carvana, and especially a warranty on a pre 2019 4Runner.

 

Yeah price seems high but anymore everything is going up for a while anyway.

 

Yet people will keep paying for these arguably non-essential life style goods since virtually no one buying 4Rs "needs" one.

That's that part of the American economy that is psychologically broken, in a rational economy when prices of non-essential goods go up the demand should decrease as a result. Yet in this country every time there is a spike in price of goods, people rush out and pay even more for shiny things that they don't need.

Meanwhile my local dealerships can't move their 22k corollas and 25k corolla crosses. LOL.

 

20K seems closer to actual value. And as others have said, it's well broken in and what ever comes up will be in the normal repair/replace time. It could very well be into the 250/300K miles range before anything major comes up.
If an independent and reliable source has checked it out and passed their 'good to go feelings', I wouldn't even get the extended warranty.
That $$ could be used for minor repairs, mods or replacement parts, such as tires and the like.

 

This Tread prompted me to check NADA and see what my 2021 TRD-ORP/MR was worth, with 25,000 miles. Shows the average price people paid was $42,900.00
I paid $42,800.00 new back in March 2021. Talk about retaining it's value.

 

Seems like a lot of money for a 10 year old vehicle. Check it extensively for rust. Remove the skid plate to see how rusty the frame is above and also look above the spare tire. I would skip the warranty as anything that is likely to break or need replacement is going to be cheaper than 3.3K to replace

 

Welcome

 

Did i miss where you are located? I’m in SoCal where prices are unusually high, that being said that price is high even in SoCal.. what trim level & confirm it’s 4wd … as others mentioned expand your search