Buy a 2020 Pro or keep the Highlander and save up?

Hi Everyone,
I have wanted a 4R TRD Pro for as long as I can remember, and in this market I was lucky to stumble upon this:
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/vdp.action?listingId=341431326#listing=341431326

I currently have a 2013 Highlander Limited. I'm tired of feeling like a grandma. However, it's full paid for.

Question is: do I buy the 20 Pro or keep the Highlander and save up while I wait for new car prices to come down? I'd really like to have a 5th Gen, so I suppose I wouldn't have long to save up.

The markups on new ones these days are just insane, so I feel like I can find a used one that I can stomach the payment a little easier.

Thanks, everyone.

 

51K for a 3 year old vehicle with 31k miles is a lot of money. I would save up more and wait. Used car prices are slowly dropping as are new ones. I would stick with the Highlander. Remember you only want it, you don't really need it and there can be only one!

 

Yeah, I have a feeling that's the right answer. I suppose I just needed someone to say it. Thanks!

 

If you must have a Pro, then don't expect prices to come down below MSRP. There are a few used Pro's that are priced fairly well. Always have a 3rd party mechanic inspect the car, even if buying from a dealer. Better to spend a $100 and find no issues, than not and have $1000's in repairs.

 

With the way things are heading right now with the economy, Me personally, I would hold off for about another year.

I didn't head my advice and purchased my current 4Runner in June 2022.

Now being self employed, It does make you think a little more when making large purchases.

I am hoping things pick up going into 2023.

Rock on!

 

YOLO

 

I keep saying that to myself!

 

To me 2013 Highlander, that generation is little too old. I would go for a 4runner if you like outdoors. If not I would use that money for the newer Highlander Hybrid before Toyota ruin it with a turbo.

So on 4runner topic personally would never pay a higher price for a used TRD Pro as I don't see its a big deal. I personally like SR5 with 7 seats and build it to my needs. SR5 can even build with twin lockers front and rear, have far better suspension than a TRD Pro and other stuff like skids and sliders.

Even 4runner Limited with 7 seats is an excellent choice for little more money and you can enjoy full-time 4wd where you don't have to switch to any mode for winter conditions.

TRD Offroad trim as exact same offroad tech as TRD Pro if you are looking for that from factory.

But you have to remember 4runner is not build for on road manners like the Highlander. 4runner like be slow in acceleration and need more effort to stop.

Again, just my personal opinion.

 

In the end, some people like top of the line and end it there. Like my husband.

I but lower end and older models cuz i know I'm modding.

 

I would probably order a new one, I don't think price for 4Runners will go down significantly and by the time newly ordered 4Runner comes to dealership you might be able to save up some money.

 

Paying almost $51,000 for a used 4Runner with 30k miles is pretty much paying a huge markup on a used one. I personally wouldn’t feel any better about that than I would paying ADM on a new one.

 

My local dealership has a brand new 2023 TRD Off Road for 52k. I much rather buy the new off road vs a used TRD Pro specifically at that price and miles. Not to mention the new and redesigned 4R its around the corner as well!

 

I'd keep the Highlander if I were you assuming it's running well and you're not in the need of another vehicle immediately. If you absolutely must have a 4Runner, try to find a lower trim for less money and then build it up over time to better than TRD Pro specifications for about the same money, give or take. TRD Pro is good, but people routinely build better rigs out of TRDOR or even SR5.

 

Money comes and goes!! If it makes you happy then go for it. If you’re looking at 50k plus vehicle I’m sure your finances are in order.

 

I paid $53K for a new 2022 4Runner TRD Pro so no I think $51K is too much for a 3 year old Pro with 30K miles.

 

I was able to find a 2023 TRD ORP for right at $50k. Would that change anyone's response? Previously I was considering a 2020 Pro for $51k, but the dealer just dropped the price to $47k.
So, now I have trouble deciding between the two. My heart leans towards the ORP because there isn't much of a difference between that and the Pro.

 

I would not pay $50,000 for any 4 runner period.

 

OP, I think your heart is set on TRD Pro. Email few dealerships and buy 2023 4runner TRD Pro at MSRP. Sometimes they will add accessories and few BS like tint, paint protection, etc..

2023 has ton of new features than 2020 4runner TRD Pro.

Also its a little risk when you buy a used vehicle like 4runner TRD Pro with Fox suspension you don't know if they needs to be rebuild/ replaced depending on the previous owners usage. (These type of suspension Fox, King, ELKA have quick service intervals than regular suspension as far as I see.)

 

How quickly do you want this? I think 50K for the ORP is high (46,500 is ORP with no added stuff), but I don't know what they slapped on it for extras. If you really want a new runner, contact dealers, find one that will sell at MSRP or less and put a deposit down.

 

I'm not in a hurry at all to purchase a vehicle. I'm obsessed with the TRD Pro wheels, so that add-on (plus others) usually gets the MSRP to around $50k.
The dealer on the used TRD Pro agreed to reduce the price to $47k and purchase my Highlander for $15k. That makes it a pretty good deal.
At the same time my 2013 Highlander Limited has 95,000 miles but has never had an issue. I need to get new tires now which will be $1,200.
I don't know if jumping through so many hoops for a 7-year newer car is worth it. I know I'm rambling... just a lot of thoughts bouncing around in my head.

 

If you are worried about affording the payments on a $56k new car, frankly you probably cant afford a $51k used car either (especially considering the rate on a used vehicle loan will be 1-2% higher).

Everyone is different but I've never had a combined car payments of more than 5-7% of our household after tax/after retirement take home. If its up their with your mortgage/rent or causing real stress in your budget you need to think about your priorities.

 

So for 50k, would you rather have something that has been used by someone else, or something brand new? And from what I can see the TRD pro wheels are 1700 bucks more. Good luck with your choice. If money is tight, think about gas mileage, it am very confident that the highlander gets way better than the gas hog 4runner.

 

Seems we were in same boat. Sold my perfectly running paid off 2012 Honda Pilot. 96k miles. I drive 8/9k Miles per year
Bought the 2022 T4R.

Because I had my heart set on driving a T4R - Rugged and holds value.

The driving experience btw Pilot/Highlander/Camry isn't same though. Day and Night

Though its not comparing Apples to Apples.

Unless you are planning on off-roading. Best to hold on until your highlander develops a major fault.
Then off load to latest T4R. You may have to wait a few years though.

You can be saving that car payment into Treasury iBond e series for now

Sports or Limited may probably work best for you.

Just my 2cs

 

I'm not worried about the affordability, per se. It's more a question of "Should I do this?" Is having a 4R worth it over a Highlander considering the age of both vehicles?
I'm leaning towards not purchasing the vehicle, saving up using Series I Bonds, and buying when the market calms down.
However, from everyone I talk to, it seems like the market for 4Rs will never calm down.

 

How about a Lexus GX 460? Its very closer to the Highlander. Almost same off the ground 8.1in (vs 8.0in on Highlander). Since its relatively low to the ground it would have better road manners like the Highlander. Smaller tires with not too tall side wall would have good handling on road as well than the 4runner with higher profile tires. GX460 has full-time 4wd so you can drive just like AWD in winter conditions. If you add the "off road" packages to the GX460 you would get the full fuel tank skid like a 4runner as well (yes the 4runner its standard on all trims).

Just another option since affordability is not a concern here.

 

Not a bad strategy, but keep in mind that using them to save for a short term goal like a car in a couple years could be a bit of a headache due to the 10k annual buy limit, 12month hold period and the 3mo interest penalty for the first 5 years.


Having said all that, I think IBonds are great and do have a chunk in my portfolio as an inflation hedge/medium term emergency fund parking spot.

 

I saw that after I wrote my message. Sure glad I caught it. I think I'll just sock it away in savings for now.

 

Am deep in iBonds too. Loss of Interest not a big deal. Unlike loss of Principals with stocks

 

Something can be excellent, and overpriced at the same time.

4runners are awesome vehicles, and many agree. That pretty much guarantees they’ll hold value. But there is such a thing as paying stupid money for a used 4runner (or new). When I first started to look at getting one (a few years before covid), I was looking at 4th gens. Even then, I had trouble justifying buying someone else’s deferred maintanance with all the high prices I was seeing.

I decided to save up and buy a new 2021 OR . Pulled the trigger before the shortages, and bought below MSRP. The Pro trim in general might be priced higher above it’s actual value as a vehicle. Even if it’s just for the look, the same look and performance can be matched by an sr5 with less money.

Good luck on your search!

 

Ask yourself why you want a Trd Pro. You can replicate them for less money. The real men are in the SR5 or TrdOR. Now if you want the eternal resale and have money to burn, go for it.