Why are some obsessed with getting the last year of the 5th gen?

Perhaps obsessed is too strong a word. Maybe adamant is more appropriate.

Nevertheless, I've seen people mention this quite often.

I can understand not wanting to get a new gen, but what's the obsession with getting the last year?

Do people think they will be more valuable one day?

 

Next gen is always a hard pill to swallow with 4Runner historically. It took me 3 years to warm up to 5th gen design. In 2010 owning 4th gen I thought Toyota went backwards with design and many downgrades such as lack of soft close cargo door, no in-glass radio antenna, no inside opener for fuel door and delete of V8 engine. Next gen will be the bomb but wait few years for aftermarket to catch up if you into mods.

 

First, it's a proven platform. Second, the 6th gen will not be proven for a few years.

 

I don't want a hybrid or a 4 cylinder turbo engine.

 

I ordered my 2022 in November of 2021, when 2022 was rumored to be the last year of the 5th Gen.

I think it’s even money that the 6th Gen will compromise capability and/or reliability for efficiency (as is the case with new SUV models from many manufacturers.) Of course hard information about the 6th Gen is thin, and the 5th Gen is proven. My reasoning was that I can buy a new 5th Gen today — and if the 6th Gen turns out to be a significant improvement I can always get one later if I choose. On the other hand if the 6th Gen turns out to be lacking by comparison then I will already have a 5th Gen that I bought new and whose maintenance and abuse history I already know.

 

I want this. 40th anniversary edition....but sadly supply and my finances wont allow it. 6th gen will probably be too pricey for me too. At least I can dream about it

 

Maybe, the last vehicle capable of 300k miles.

 

The reason for my newest ride came down my dealer giving me an insane amount for my 2021 when getting my 2022. Figured it was a win - win for less than 2 hours of my trouble to get a 2022.

 

I'm one of those odd people I have trust on our 2019 more than our newer 2021. I like the 2019 the last year without TSS.

There was a time I was thinking to trade the 2019 for a newer but few times the 2021 gave me unnecessary brake warning and sometimes apply brakes on me I kinda like no nonsense 2019 over our 2021.

 

I understand the reasoning behind wanting a 5th gen vs. a 6th gen, but I'm not asking about that.

I'm asking about the people specifically holding out to buy the last year of the 5th gen. I've seen people mention this quite a few times.

What's the benefit to buying the last year of the 5th gen vs another year of the 5th gen?

 

They incorporated TSS because when people get in an accident it’s a defense mechanism to let off the brakes, at the last second, and think your going to do less damage.

 

I’m guessing this same conversation came up years ago when the 5th gen was coming out.

I think we should chill and wait until the 6th gen hits the streets before we pass judgment.

 

Well, if it is going to be anything like the new Tundra...

Cheers,

Sean

 

My guess would be for possible resale purposes.

 

Probably. I think it's more of the second hand buyers would be more concerned with getting the last year of any given generation.

Back in 2012 I was shopping for a P2 Volvo XC70 (2001-2007). I specifically wanted a 2007, because that was the last and "best" model year of that body style. I did end up finding my 2007, and I paid a premium for it over an earlier model. Even now, there are still people that are big fans of that generation, and still specifically seek out the '07's.

 

I feel like it’s more of a I want the newest vehicle I can possibly get while keeping the old style.

 

I remember the “I want a 4runner” phases I’ve been through over the years. I really liked the 3rd gens. I was a bit meh over the 4th gen from a styling point of view. The early 5th gens looked awesome to me, and even went on my radar as a possible new car, but at that tiMe it was just too expensive for me.

I was pissed at toyota when they did the current facelift. They killed the 5th gen look so quickly! I thought the new one was so ugly, especially with the gansgter-teardrop looking front end. I put the 4runner out of my mind until the next refresh (which I thought would be in a couple of years lol). Well, the refresh never came. Toyota farted, and it didnt care what anybody thought about it haha. I finally softened and got my 21 after giving up on finding a decently priced early 5th gen, or getting a used 4th gen (they are all rust buckets around here). It had to be magnetic gray, just to help hide the front fang thing.

Toyota may make good cars, but they have a record of really messing up styling for decades at a time. To my eye, they just get worse and worse and worse. The newer corollas, and camry are the first toyota cars that have not made me gag in a long time.

I agree, people holding out specifically to buy the last year of a model, are banking on selling it to somebody like me. Somebody that hates change for the worse. Yes, I have issues lol

 

I think the 5th gen is so rugged and refined at the same time in addition to being incredibly reliable. We all seem to think the 6th gen will be less rugged, more refined with unknowns regarding the long term reliability. But who really wants that among most 4R owners? There are so many crossover SUV's out there now they are indistinguishable from one another. There are plenty of options out there for those that want a more refined SUV. Of course we all would like to have better MPG's, but to achieve that sacrifices will be made! Other than wishing my 2021 4R got 25 MPG's, I would not change a thing!

 

Problem is, folks have been thinking they are buying the last year of the 5th gen since 2021. Every year we find out there's another year before the next gen will appear, and no one even knows for sure. Most would have bet the farm that 2024 would finally be that magical year of the 6th gen, but even the people who run 4Runners.com have now listed 2024 as a 5th gen.

Edit: In looking back, it seems even in 2017 this was being considered for 2018:

https://www.4runners.com/threads/2018-revisions.3731/#post-38085

No one really knows what the mythical 'last year' of the 5th gen 4R is or will be.

 

And every additional year makes the 5th gen more legendary. Very few vehicles make it this far unchanged. Usually because nobody wants them anymore. That says something.

 

When is the last year of the 5th gen?

 

Resale.. When somebody goes to sell that last model year of any Gen., the pitch may be..."The last year of the 5th. Gen., low miles on the odometer, all up-dates complete, never in an accident, etc. etc." That's probably not ALL the reasons.

 

A couple reasons... Holding out to the last year ensures that you get all the extra updated features and creature comforts not available on the earlier model years. And of course resale. These make the most sense.

With that said, I agree with kmeeg... My perfect year would be a 2019, before TSS was added.

 

I don't care if I have the last year before 6th Gen is released, but I did want the 5th Gen without hesitation or doubt! When I began seriously shopping in May 2022 (with checkbook in hand), rumors were 2023 would probably be 6th Gen, so I was in a hurry to buy a 4runner ASAP. It all worked out great and I have a 5th gen 2023 Off Road sitting outside now.

 

This I completely understand.

But I've heard people talking about selling or trading in their 2021's (or similar) so they could get the last year of the 5th gen on more than a few occasions.

I kind of get it from a resale perspective as @Trail Runnah points out. Perhaps the last year of the 5th gen is more sought after which gives it a higher value. But are these people trading for the last year just so they can eventually make a buck on it?

Also, the argument that people want the latest tech from the current gen is a bit ironic. Many are saying they will not be purchasing a 6th gen because of the tech, yet wanting the most tech they can get out of the current gen? Lower tech seems like a big selling point around here. So shouldn't the lower tech 5th gens be more desirable as @kmeeg points out?

 

Odd. I've never come across any of these conversations specifically stating the desire to purchase the definitive last year of the 5th gen 4R. I have seen many (me included) stating they are looking for or are glad they did get the last 5th gen 4R without TSS - 2019.

 

I'm not. I wanted a 5th Gen because they are a proven product with an enviable track record. Circumstances took us to a '19 SR5 Premium. Had everything I wanted (basics only) = some want bells and whistles, I didn't. Just a good-looking (Nautical Blue) rig with very low miles. Couldn't/can't see spending more for stuff I don't want/need.

 

I've seen people sell their basically new 22 in hopes for the last year. I think people think there's going to be some kind of significance with the last year but really it's the same thing since 2010 and a Runner will never be any kind of classic or valuable vehicle.

 

Honestly, the less its worth, the better it is for those that really like to use them.

Something about rubs me the wrong way about seeing these high priced 4x4s sold as collector items. These are 4x4s for crying out loud lol.

But I’ll admit, I go all googly-eyed when I see some of the Land Cruisers from the 90s. Good thing the markets are safe from me!!!

 

Everyone has there own reasoning why they want the last year. I have had Toyota’s and Corvettes most of my life. When I traded my 2020AG 4runner Pro in on my 21 LunaRock Tundra Pro I wanted no parts of the new Tundra. Will not buy the first 3 years and also wanted the last year with the V8 and decided I never had a tundra only Tacomas and 4Runners so I chose the Tundra. Now after having it almost 2 years I do love driving it. But my 2 big issues is finding parking somewhere and tight places with it. I love the 4runner for the size. So that could change. But I feel I will regret trading it in so that’s why I’m no hurry to move back to the 4runner.

Same thing with my C7 Corvette Z06 wanted the last year with the rear wheel and Manual. No more manuals in the Corvettes. So I’m in a great situation where my Corvette I can sell for more than I paid because of what it is. And trading the Tundra Pro in a great position.