Sell 4Runner for Tacoma?

Hello 4Runners, my wife has a 2018 4Runner SR5 Premium with leather, sunroof, TRD wheels, 3rd row seatin, etc…. We got new in 2018 for 38k out the door. it currently set at 70,000 miles and has had every single maintenance done at the dealership. Today, she got an offer of $35,000 for it. we have the opportunity to buy a brand new 2023 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4x4, for $43,000 out the door. We are on the fence…. For what it’s worth we don’t use the 4Runner for towing, nor do we use the third row. We also have a 2021 Camry for commuting. Another option would be to save a bit and add a brand new Tacoma in about 6 months but in that case it would be an access cab 4x4 with the 2.7 for about $33,000 out the door. Thanks for any input.

 

Do you need 2 vehicles right now? If not, take the money. I’d hold out for the new Tacoma and go that route so long they don’t have issues like the new tundra

 

If you want the Taco, get it.

Are you just looking to get something newer with less miles? Or, would you just rather have a Tacoma than a 4Runner?

 

we need 2 vehicles cause I drive whatever the wife isn’t

 

I assume the 4Runner can go 300k plus? The new zero miles is appealing. It sure 3.5 motor and longevity. Appreciate any thoughts or suggestions. We don’t really have preference for either as both seem like they would work.

 

No, keep the 4Runner. But if you are dead set on getting rid of it, you could easily get 40+, selling it on your own.

 

I wouldn’t buy the first year of a new model.

 

Same! Especially after all the problems the new gen Tundra having right now.

 

Id say thats a great offer for your 4runner. And tacomas are awesome, but I wouldn't get the 2.7.

 

My .02 is that unless you need a bed, the Taco is worse than the 4Runner in every way. I personally would not want a Taco.

OTOH, I can see the appeal of getting into a new vehicle for only 8k. If you drove the Taco and liked it, go for it.

If your other option meant you would keep the 4R then spend 33k on a base Tacoma.... Why? That makes zero sense if you don't need a truck. And I'd definitely not get a 2.7.

 

4.0 5-speed auto > 3.5 6-speed auto. If your temped at the trade value to just get something new (makes sense), I would just get a new SR5 4x4 4R.

I had a 17 3.5 auto and hated it. The transmission is especially awful. Bought a 22 3.5 6speed manual recently. I liked it, but the clutch position really sucks (at least for me), and the 3.5 is still a dog. I know the 4.0 isn't a beast, but the power delivery is more linear to me. 4R is also way more comfortable.

 

If you need room, keep the T4R. If you need a bed, keep the Taco. I would get the SR5 and build it, instead of paying more to remove things. But my opinion only.

 

I had the itch for a Taco and thought to buy one as extra vehicle. I loved the looks.

I read about the seat height and I am 5’10 and found my knees almost hit the wheel with wheel all the way up. In my opinion as much as I wanted to love it and buy it the comfort was not there.

I also forgot how light they are in the back when doing u turns etc. Maybe you get used to it.

The demise of V6 engines encouraged me to seriously consider it. I stopped looking. I have a 21 4R and was going to keep both for fun.

I don’t need a truck either per se just thought it would be different and fun. So I just stopped looking and saved myself some cash.

 

I had been back and forth about selling my 4Runner and getting a Tacoma. I used to own a second gen Tacoma, and have test drove multiple 3rd gen Tacomas.

In comparison to the 4Runner, the cab of the Tacoma is much smaller. The interior is not nearly as nice, and the seats are borderline uncomfortable. The once in awhile need for a bed wasn’t enough for me to give up the 4Runner.

 

Had a 19 Tacoma that I traded for a 4Runner. Thought I would like it but the transmission got very annoying. For any type of long road trip the ride was not very comfortable.

If you do want to get one see if you can rent one for a couple days to see what it’s like. Don’t just test drive it and think you can be ok with it.

Now if I had it as an extra vehicle I would have been ok with it but as a daily driver I really did hate it. I would also be ok with the 2.7 if it was an extra vehicle as it would last a long time.

 

I went from 2014 Tacoma -> 2021 4Runner and haven't looked back once. A truck is inherently a worse vehicle to live with unless you absolutely need a bed - and need it often. Even if you have a topper for your bed, things will stay more or less dry but you'll only have about 2' tall storage - which fits about a stroller and that's it. The 4Runner also has a much more comfortable ride as well. I can't speak to the 3.5 from the turd gen Tacoma, but it's my understanding that a lot of people prefer the 4.0. Also, the 2.7 is anemic at best.


What is your actual reasoning to wanting a Tacoma? Just another daily, or do you need a bed? If you need a bed - can you just spend a couple grand on a trailer and call it a day? A trailer will have a lower floor which makes loading things easier, and you can easily get an 8' long trailer which will haul much more than any Tacoma bed will.

 

Yeah, the 4Rs are pretty legendary for longevity. There's been at least one 4.0 that I know of that has gone to 500K and counting.

I'm not sure how proven the 3.5/6AT combo is. Those vehicles are all still relatively new.

 

Agree with the others on build quality and fit and finish, 4Runner is miles ahead of the Taco. I only missed my Tacoma for about a month after I switched.

You don't tow, currently don't need a bed, so to me it's a no brainer. 4Runner is also easier to drive and park.

 

I guess I'm weird for keeping eye for 2.7 i4 well over the 3.5 v6 engine. It would be for groceries, hardware store runs, etc.. while 4Runner would be trail & touring vehicle.

 

The 2.7 is great, and its just as reliable as the 4.0. But the mpg aren't much better then the 3.5 and its a dog.

All in all it depends on what you need/want.

 

So appreciate everyone’s input. Have us leaning towards just keeping the 4Runner and waiting a couple years to see where Tacoma’s and possibly even Tundras go.

 

A lot of here (including me) came to 4R from Taco. No slight on Taco, it's just a different need and experience.

 

amen to that. I bought the SR5 and just built it the way I want it.

 

I did the opposite, I sold the Taco for a 4Runner, LOL. They are both fantastic trucks but I was not using the Taco bed as often as I was assuming I would.

 

I traded a 2020 tacoma for a 2023 4runner, the tacoma was so cramped and barely room in the back even for little kids. I loved the tacoma and never got stuck but I needed more room for my growing boy.

 

I was considering a Taco too. What’s funny is that over on Tacoma world, most any “tacoma vs 4Runner” thread was full of tacoma owners saying the 4Runner is a better truck in almost every way. Obviously, the bed is the one thing you can’t beat.

Once the sting of the new 4Runner purchase wears off, my goal is to find a 1st or 2nd gen taco for 10-15k. We’ll see if the wife is on board by then lol.

 

Do whatever you can to keep it. Any 2019 and earlier are worth there weight in Gold, its likely we will never see a vehicle as reliable and refined like these ever again. Besides it should go 500k with minor repairs.

 

I have to say this sounds like endowment effect. There isn't anything complicated that was added in 2020+. Certainly nothing that would make the vehicle go dead, the power train is same.

 

Endowment effect to some degree. But 2019 and earlier we don't have any COVID QC issues we seem to be seeing lately. Also not a fan of the Nanny systems, but that's personal preference. But I agree, noting in 2020+ that would make the vehicle go dead, or is there?.....

 

Did that in 2021: