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Is the 4runner's rep worth its extra price on the used market?

Discussion in 'General 4Runner Talk' started by Iron Chef, Jan 24, 2021.

  1. Jan 24, 2021 at 7:11 PM
    #1
    Iron Chef

    Iron Chef [OP] New Member

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    I'm in the used market for a fairly off-road capable SUV. Of course I know about the 4runner's rep (reliability, relatively low maintenance), but that comes out to a hefty premium on the used market.

    For sake of simplicity, I'd be paying a mileage penalty of around 100,000 miles or $5K, vs another SUV in roughly the same class of the same year, even luxury SUVs like Porsche Cayennes.

    For example, I see listings of 08 4Runners with 200,000 miles for $12,000. On the other hand, I see listings of 09 Porsche Cayennes with 93K miles for $13K, and 08 Touregs with 110K mi for $7800. Other good SUVs I would consider are Xterra Pro 4X, Lexus GX470

    I get 4runners have their reputation, but is that worth the extra 100,000 miles or $5K at the start?

    Appreciate any insightful discussion on this.
     
  2. Jan 24, 2021 at 7:17 PM
    #2
    gunsnob

    gunsnob New Member

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    The VW's are cool... TFL Trucks did a a couple of tests using the Toureg... I wouldn't mind having one... we've always liked them... 4Runner's are worth whatever you want to pay... within reason of course... that is why I bought new....it wasn't worth it to me...

    The Nissan... hard pass....
     
    POWERPLANTHOMER and 4Runner fun like this.
  3. Jan 24, 2021 at 7:32 PM
    #3
    ForRun

    ForRun 4Runner

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    Nope, just like Jeeps(pre Fiat) it was cheaper in the long run to buy new.
     
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  4. Jan 24, 2021 at 8:37 PM
    #4
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    My brother had a Touareg. Don't buy a Touareg.

    A Cayenne is hardly an off-road capable SUV from what I can tell.

    Xterras were cool, but I'm not sure about longevity or reliability.

    The first two 4runners I've owned never gave me any trouble. The 5th gen has a few quirks, but they seem easy enough to fix.

    The GX is a good option as well. They're more luxurious, and have the V8 which is a great engine. And, they kick ass off-road like a 4Runner.

    I think the price is generally justified. Shop around and you might find a better deal. Like @ForRun , it made more sense to buy new in my case. If you're not looking to spend that much, used ones are just fine.
     
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2021
    4Runner fun likes this.
  5. Jan 24, 2021 at 8:50 PM
    #5
    Trekker

    Trekker Regular Member

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    Xterra was good if you got it with the manual. From what I understand the automatic transmission on them was the weakest part
     
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  6. Jan 24, 2021 at 10:36 PM
    #6
    flyinhoot

    flyinhoot When in doubt, Throttle out.

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    The only rig worth competing in your list is also the Toyota lol. Just look around and see what’s on the road still. You don’t see old porsches or vws, you see some xterras but they seem beat, you see tons of Toyota 4Runners and Lexus.
     
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  7. Jan 24, 2021 at 10:37 PM
    #7
    06_dark_knight

    06_dark_knight New Member

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    I think the price is justified for what you’re getting. I paid $14k for mine 6 years ago and it’s an 06 4x4 that had 115k miles when I bout it. I’ve had minimal issues with it and the aftermarket for them is huge!

    Good luck on ur search!!
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  8. Jan 25, 2021 at 10:00 AM
    #8
    Sixgunz

    Sixgunz Gold Member

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    The GX is also a great vehicle. You get a V8, more headroom and it's also a Japanese-made rig. We had an '04 GX470 (IIRC) for a couple years and sold it to my parents. They still have it & it has around 250k on it. The major issue with them (the older ones anyway) is the factory air suspension - it will go bad and it is expensive to replace (like thousands of dollars expensive). Most people just remove it and put in normal suspension. I'd stay away from the VW and especially the Porsche. The newer Xterra's have a cult following & you'll be paying a premium. But, they're a body on frame rig with a normal transmission (a lot of their newer stuff is CVT).
     
  9. Jan 25, 2021 at 10:11 AM
    #9
    captsolo

    captsolo New Member

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    I rented a 2021 Nissen for 4 days of driving in Florida last week. I own a 2005 4runner from new.
    I was impressed with the Nissen. They are building quality now. Plenty of power for little 4 bangers (or whatever the rent-a-car engine it had).

    New is better than 5 years old. They always build better and better - making them last longer - according to Scotty Kilmer.

    I think the rental (Zezgo) had 190,000 miles.
     
  10. Jan 28, 2021 at 4:51 AM
    #10
    rns0504

    rns0504 New Member

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    I feel like we are in a bit of a pricing bubble right now anyways. Not massively overvalued, but definitely seen prices for the same vehicles rise over the last year and a half. I feel like they will drop a bit in time (maybe not quite 5k), especially if gas continues to rise. Will continue my search for a 3rd row 5th gen then
     
  11. Jan 28, 2021 at 6:04 AM
    #11
    EffinNewGuy

    EffinNewGuy Completely clueless

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    GX and 4runner are pretty safe bets, but they come with a premium (more so for the 4Runner, but GXs are starting to catch on and catch up).

    I was looking into first gen Xterra's for my 15 y/o's first car a while back (we got her an '05 CR-V instead). As long as you know what to look for, 1st and 2nd gen Xterra's can be had cheaper than a 4Runner with no issues. Do the research on what to look for, though. 1st gens are different than 2nd gens, and so are the known issues. As long as those issues have been handled, it should be good. I would never discourage anyone from an Xterra, but make sure you know how to spot the major issues for each generation.
     
  12. Jan 29, 2021 at 9:33 AM
    #12
    Trekker

    Trekker Regular Member

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    There is probably a bit of a bubble right now. I think that a manual 4runner should be at most 6000$ in good condition, which pays me to say because I spend a few thousand more than I should of. You should never NEVER BUY A 4Runner IN THE SUMMER MONTHS, ESPCIALLY JULY/AUGUST. If you look at google trends, there is almost a spike in "4runners for sale" in the summer months.
     
  13. Jan 29, 2021 at 10:55 AM
    #13
    Bonitobob

    Bonitobob New Member

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    Let me say the opposite. Buy when the supply is high.
     
  14. Feb 1, 2021 at 4:16 PM
    #14
    Trekker

    Trekker Regular Member

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    This would be true for most 3rd gens, but I wanted a rare combination with the 4wd and the 5 speed manual. That combination would get snapped up lightning fast, within a few hours at a higher price. People lose interest in out door vehicles in the winter when they cant go camping or whatever, so those rarer combinations would not have as many eyes on them and stay on the market longer
     
    mrmike7189 likes this.
  15. Feb 5, 2021 at 3:03 PM
    #15
    CUSTOMCREGG

    CUSTOMCREGG New Member

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    There is a bubble in the pre owned vehicle market across the country due to the lack of new cars in the market caused by shut downs. Dealerships are forced to pay retail for inventory as they are not getting the trade in's they typically see. This limited supply and steady demand has increased prices across the board. Also, 4wd/all terrain vehicles are in high demand currently because people are not traveling like they usually do. We will only see a swing back to where we were once this market is able to catch up. The only way this happens is if there is a disruption in the economy or if the used/new market equalizes which could take years at this pace.
     

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