Thinking of trading in my Tacoma for a 4Runner (advice)

Hey from Tacomaworld!

Been thinking about this for a long time and sort of itching to get into a T4R before they redesign it. Probably going for just an SR5 premium or maybe a TRD OR, not sure. What's the ideal "best value" trim? SR5?

My main Tacoma pain points;
-I'm 6'0, rather large guy, seating position is awkward with manual seats and small cabin
-DCLB's huge ass turning radius is getting annoying.
-I'm at the point where I need to plan out the vehicle I drive for the next 7-8 years and while I could definitely make the Tacoma work as a family vehicle, a T4R would be be much better suited to a kid if that's the direction my wife and I go.
-Never really needed the bed (but it's been handy).

But honestly I've wanted a 4Runner since my dad had a 3rd gen way back.

But there's also the numbers that need to make sense. I have 2 years left on my lease and I for sure have equity, the only question is how much I can get a dealer to pay me for it.

2017 Tacoma TRD Sport premium, <30,000km (~18,000 miles), pretty clean, K02s all around with less than 6000 miles on them.

Buyout amount on the lease contract right now: $23500 USD. Used SR5s with way more miles are being listed for $33K all day in my area. What I'd like to get for the truck? At least $31K USD.

The problem is the lease-end buyout is a bargain - $14900. I can project to still be under 45K kilometers in two years and at that price I could make a decent chunk back on trade.

So a few questions;
1. What is the lowest I should settle on trade for my truck? I know these guys will turn around and list it for $35K but what can I reasonably insist on getting for it towards trade?
2. Am I leaving money on the table by not waiting until lease-end to buy at the residual price?
3. I am totally prepared to walk away from any raw deals since I have a pretty sweet truck already and I'm not desperate but is the current market on Toyota trucks likely to remain in a "shortage" situation for another year or more? When should I just say screw it? I mean dealers don't really haggle on T4Rs anyway right?
4. Another problem is the availability of 4Runners right now, all of my local dealers don't have any inventory. I'd have to order and wait who know how many months while also putting a deposit in. Any advice in these regards?

 

What would it cost you to do an early buyout? If you did that. What's it worth on the open market? Spitballing.

 

I sold my ‘17 Tacoma with decent mods last year with 49k miles for $30.5
I think Tacoma’s will always hold up to their reputation, which is why they retain their value like the 4runners but that’s just my opinion. I’m also a fairly big guy and get cramped in the Tacoma. The 4runner is superior in every way, minus not having the 6ft bed to haul stuff. In short, my vote is yes get the 4runner

 

where are you located? you mention km's... for what it's worth, I'm in BC Canada and just traded my 2018 Tacoma DCSB OR with 28,000km in on a 2021 4runner Venture. I got 38k CAD trade on my taco and $2000 off MSRP on my 4runner. I thought it was a fair deal, but they didn't have any tacos on the lot and they wanted mine... they did have 2 runners.

I'm very happy with the 4runner. if you don't need the bed, its a far superior vehicle.

 

I recently traded out of a 2017 TRD OR for a 2021 Venture. I got $29k for my Tacoma with 55k miles on it. Bought is used in March 2017 for $32k. Did decent on the Venture approx 5k off plus the military discount and what ever other promo they had. I think it was $750 off road or something like that. Could we have done better always.
Biggest reason for trade was even though the 4runner power train is older it's just so much more a pleasure to drive

 

$29500 CAD approx. How much it's worth on the market? I see SR5s with may more km being listed for $$0-41K all day.

I'm hoping to get $39K on trade but not sure if that a realistic figure.

 

Ontario. That's a decent trade on your Taco, looking to 39-39K for my truck as well but I'm sure the dealer will try to low ball me.

 

I don’t have kids so I don’t have first hand experience, but I’ve heard its a tight fit in the back of the Tacoma with car seats.

 

It is! The 4runner can get snug as well but a noticeable difference

 

Not sure what your local dealer is like but normally they always want to help facilitate a new car sale and some dealers will throw in some equity on a lease trade because they can sell it as a CPO. Getting out of the lease in the positive + 2-3k would be a win IMO. Really just depends on the rate of depreciation versus the rate at which your lease payments reduce the total buyout. First step is always just going to get it appraised for a trade.

In terms of the truck itself, I came from a 2nd gen taco access cab and also looked at getting a '21 taco double cab, but the backseat is noticeably larger in the T4R, adults fit comfortably so I'm sure it would be great for kids.

 

If you want a 4R with this body style engine/transmission then I would do it in the near term as we all know this is going away. I would compare your buyout vs what you can sell it for first (but soon). Maybe you can make a few bucks or break even on the Taco. Do you have spare vehicle to get buy for 12 weeks if you had to order one? The used car market is hot for the right vehicle right now.

 

So I'm guessing when you trade a leased vehicle in on a new(er) purchase/lease, they pay off the balance of the lease contract, and the difference, if the vehicle is worth more, is applied to the new purchase? Sorry, I know nothing about leases.

 

On the two vehicles themselves, Hmmmm.....It might come down to what you plan to haul - when you do. I think the Tacoma is the best looking truck on the market. My brother owns a 2015 with a bed cover. Just like having a big trunk. But the 4R is a better fit for me for the type of items I haul around.

Rick

 

Exactly or if you owe you pay that or they can roll it into the new deal.

 

My understanding is that they will look a the buyout price of the vehicle at the end of the lease; lets say that number is $30k to buy out the truck at the end of the lease (the residual value what its worth); then they say what is that vehicle worth today and dealer will always win here. So let's say the dealer says that truck is only worth $25k now you are $5k under on your truck. You pay the dealer that $5k.

But let's say you want to sell it yourself, maybe you can sell that truck for $30k that is owed on it at the end of the lease. If so you break even and go get what you want.

This is difficult to do though but some people do it. My uncle may he rest in piece used to lease cars with the highest residuals on them and then try to sell them just before the end of the lease. You run into issues though as you have to pay tax usually on that $30k also and buy it from Toyota before selling to John Doe; so effectively taxes get paid twice on this which usually turns the deal upside down and not worth while. Its tough to do it and a lot of hassle.

 

Only 2-3K on trade wouldn't be worth it and I'd keep the Tacoma. They'll list my truck for 40K CAD, so if they only give me like 33K for it I'm getting ripped off.

Buyout is under 30K, but used 3rd gen Tacomas with these miles have asking prices of ~40K CAD... so definitely looking for more than breaking even. Otherwise I'll just keep the Taco.

 

Dealer can say whatever they want but I have access to the internet and market prices for my truck. These same guys were telling me how much the Tacoma holds it's value only a few years ago, so I won't let them get away with any funny business on what the truck is actually worth.

Correct, the only question is how cute they'll try to be and whether they will lowball me. If I'm lowballed I walk out the door for sure, I don't want a T4R that bad.

 

Hi A&P

LOL Like you, I will miss my 2010 FJ. I would buy another if they still sold them in the U.S. (Still available in the Middle East and Philippines I believe). Like you, I want the same mechanicals as on my FJ. So I have a 2021 TRD/ORP due to hit the dealership between mid-late April. Going to be hard letting the FJ go. Put 160,000 miles on her without a single issue. But at 70 years old, depending on my DNA, the 4R may be my last vehicle. LOL

Rick

 

I agree. Many people go in not understanding what is going on and roll money into a new loan. It’s crazy. Do your homework for sure. All dealers want to make money and everyone has to make a buck too.

I am not saying they should not make money the question is what is a fair deal to each party.

Sadly I think it would be tough for you to break even. These 4Rs sell like hot cakes

 

Yeah but so do Tacomas. As much as I want a T4R I'm not desperate for one. I already put money down on the lease so I should be ahead but we'll see.

 

The only thing I miss after trading my Tacoma was the ability to haul oversized stuff. Do not miss the under powered constantly shifting poorer mileage truck. Extremely content with my 2020 SR5.

 

UPDATE

Came back from the dealer.

So first of all it'll be a 2-3 month waiting list.

And they offered me 9000 above the payout amount. So I'd be getting $9k towards a new lease/buy on 4Runner which is great.

But they won't budge on the price, straight MSRP for an SR5 or TRD OR...thoughts?

 

Depending on your use obviously, but I'd highly suggest the OR. I feel it's the best value and the only one that you can get KDSS on. Mine is a daily driver so that swayed (hahaha) my decision to the OR.

 

The key here is the value of your trade. Because like you said, the used car market is off the hook like never before. They are absolutely going to sell that taco for 40k+. It looks like you’re doing great! And the dealer is STILL going to make money. Make no mistake about that. As long as you can live with yourself by paying sticker. I feel like I’m going to get over it after I sign the docs with my eyes closed LOL.

 

How great is KDSS? Does it make on-road better?

 

I’m 6’1 and traded in my 2015 Tacoma DCLB TRD Sport last year for a TRD OR premium. I loved my Tacoma, but man I fit way better in this thing. Haven’t looked back since except maybe to admire the Runner parked in my driveway.

 

Ouch! I sold my 2018 Tacoma Trd Pro and went to a 2020 Trd Pro 4Runner and there is No looking back I do not miss the under powered Taco at all except for the Manual Transmission (always enjoy shifting). being 6' 2 the 4Runner is So much more comfortable and don't have to duck down to get in.

 

It’s funny to read you dumped the underpowered taco for a runner. Isn’t the runner a bit of a dog as well? I have read more than a few things that talk about how the 4Runner is slow.

 

I agree on the manual transmission, the only thing that kept stopping me from shopping the 4Runner, but we finally got past that when found one we couldn’t pass up last year.

 

I like going off road. 4x4 plus a locking rear differential were requirements when I bought my 4Runner.
I'm 6'4 225 and just didn't find the Tacoma comfortable. Too tight for me.

Are there any dealers in nearby cities that have a 4Runner you like? Dealers are able to transfer vehicles amongst themselves. There may be a fee involved with that. I personally would ask the dealer to check inventory at other locations before waiting weeks / months on a new one to come into the Port.