Considering 4Runner Limited RWD, new or pre-owned?

Hello everyone,

Well like the title says, I'm looking at possibly buying a 4runner in near future as my beater is finally is on its last leg here pretty soon. Question is do I buy New or Pre-Owned? I'm looking at ones with less than 20k miles and would prefer one with factory automatic running boards. Best deal I can find on a new one is MSRP.. I've seen a few with discounts of $500-2k but never having my specs that I like (color combo or options)

I've considered buying other makes and models but I kinda feel like I've narrowed down to a 4runner Limited Trim preferably a Rwd model (I'm in East TX so have light winters) I know the resale value isn't quite as good as 4wd and I do agree I like the looks better on the Off road versions but I like the few extra amenities on the limited.
I plan on keeping till at least 150-200k miles. I've read up on the XREAS suspension so I'm aware of the potential issues that could arise.
Anybody have any leads and/or suggestions? Thanks

 

If you’re planning on keeping it a long time, then I would buy new.

 

All Limited trim 4Runners are full time AWD.

 

There’s a 2wd limited.

 

Yeah I feel like new is prob the better choice despite that a slightly used one is about 6-7k cheaper. However depreciation of 6-7k don't really matter when your keeping something 10+years anyways I guess lol

 

@whippersnapper02 Wow, I didn’t know that. I learned something today.

 

Welcome to the forum!

If you're looking at low mileage used ones, you might as well look at new ones. The resale value is so high that it sometimes makes more sense to buy new than used.

If you know the trim you want, you could start emailing different dealerships to see who will give you the best deal. That is how I started once I was ready to buy. I ended up getting a very good deal, although that was before the market got really stupid, lol.

Good luck! Post pictures once you find one!

 

Thanks, yeah the market has went crazy that's for sure. Especially since the last time I purchased. I've emailed a few dealers best I've got so far is MSRP with no add ons. I found a used one in CA for $45×××k with 12k miles but I'd have to pay CA tax unless I truck it out of there and after all said and done it was gonna be $49,500 OTD plus trip expenses

 

hmm, if you're willing to travel, there are currently 4X4 limited being discounted $3-4k, it's worth the trip if you have the time

 

I am willing to Travel except to CA since their tax law for out of state buyers are different than most other states.. unless they were offering a Huge Discount! Most of the ones I've found with Automatic Running boards are in the West Coast Region for some reason

 

I'm highly against buying 2wd 4runner. Buying Limited with already having low hanging bumper could make it worse in 2wd with low ground clearance than 4wd models.

If you like the body style of Limited there is also TRD Sport available in Part-time 4wd which you can run in 2wd.

My top choice is SR5 with part-time 4wd.(Edit - My vote for SR5 for better clearance bumpers, rocker panels and highest payload / same as Limited yet you can be in 2wd and have 4wd when needed in off pavement hill situations not put strain been on 2WD.)

On a side note, I watch videos like Miami boat ramps, it's so much fun how 2wd vehicles make fool out of themselves on boat ramps.

 

I can definitely understand that, I'm not too worried about clearance as I'm about 99% sure I'll never see a dirt road or hook up a trailer of any kind. I can see why people just automatically opt for the Full time 4wd though. Appreciate your insight though.

 

I would generally agree with you, unless the buyer is only going to do on-road duty with it. This only works if the buyer is honest with themselves and really, really, really, has no intention of ever doing the “off road” thing.

Because if thats the case, a 2wd body on frame wagon has zero competition. It’s the last one standing, and it makes a damn fine road-going wagon if you ask me.

 

If you are not going to take it off-road - and you live in an area where you don't get any snow, and don't plan on driving it anywhere there would be snow - a 2WD Limited should fit your needs. I'd ask if you plan on driving the vehicle for a long time? I would expect that the resale value on a 2WD 4Runner would be significantly less than a 4WD - regardless of which trim level you get with available RWD. However, if you plan to drive it until it dies - that is less of a concern. If you plan to drive it 5-6 years and then trade it in - I think it would be a concern. But if you're not going to drive in the snow - and all you'll ever see is an occasional gravel/dirt road - you don't really need 4WD.

 

Yes I live in TX and we do get the occasional snow but everything shuts down here so really no need to drive anywhere lol. I do plan keeping for very long time. I kinda looked at it like 4wd for me is just another maintenance item that I won't hardly ever use

 

NEW


maybe extended warranty if you travel less than 10k miles a year

if new then you know exactly how it has been treated and a full factory warranty that starts the day of delivery, what is not to like

 

Aren’t the automatic running boards a dealer option? Couldn’t you have them added to any Limited?

 

Not sure since its shows up on dash. I bet its installed from factory.

Edit -
I often do this mistake and lucky the indicator shows up on dash if its not retracted properly. So normally I start the car when the door is still open or wait till the board retract fully before I hit start button.

 

I've been getting used/previous model year vehicles for most of my adult life, including my 2019 4Runner. Mine was a rental vehicle that got rotated out of the fleet when the 20's came out. Never had any issues. Never had an xreas equipped vehicle though....that's the one thing I would do some research on if buying used.

 

According to a friend of mine that works for Toyota dealer in DFW he said he can't even get one with the auto boards as of now. I asked him about adding and he said by the time I paid for everything it would come out cheaper just to buy somewhere else and make the trip if I had to

 

A running board motor is somewhere around $1300 plus installation per side and even with careful cleaning and lubrication don't stand up to any amount ice or mud, most friends who had gotten factory auto boards on their trucks when those were popular took them off after burning out a motor which around here usually lasted less than a year.

 

Welcome!
Go new if possible.

 

It's a Toyota. Will the 4WD be absolute zero maintenance? No. Will it break? Not likely. It's a Toyota.

If you wish to take it to see the kids in Massachusetts in January or whatever, you'll be glad you had the 4WD. If you never need it, it'll barely make its presence known.

 

When I check service manual 4WD only have addition 3 items to be inspected (not replaced) for normal driving conditions till the end of the service log 120,000miles/ 144months.

 

Update: From what I've researched it seems that (from a guess) about 80% of the new Limited model 4runners with auto running boards are out in the West coast area.

I sent out some emails and best deal I've found so far is $53150.00 OTD on a 2023 Rwd Limited with a $51,800.00 MSRP. I'd have to pay AZ State taxes as I'm in TX so that adds about an extra $900 out the window compared to register plus expenses. Tried to get them to budge another $450 to cover half that but they won't budge. I'm prob being a little bit greedy on my end but I feel like with it being a Rwd Limited I'm that needle in a haystack person that's wanting a not so desirable combo and I need to get the most off I can upfront.

Also found a 2023 CPO 4wd Limited in TX that a dealer bought from auction. I'm pretty sure it's a non titled car as it has 22 miles on it. I think it's a $53,900 msrp and their asking 51k but adding a $995 CPO fee to it. I offered $50,500 plus TTL and no additional added fees but they won't budge either so I'm in limbo mode right now. Maybe something else will come thru

 

A AWD 4Runner will hold its value better.

 

Oh yeah for sure. Im not much for the off-road scene and being in East TX we don't get horrible weather very often so the simplicity of a limited Rwd was more appealing to me but you're definitely right though

 

So why didn’t you pull the trigger on the Arizona car?

 

I thought they would be willing to accommodate either a little lower selling price and/or allow me to ship It to avoid paying AZ taxes. Either way it would have been about the same

 

So you’re not going to buy it because they wouldn’t cave in to your negotiation? When you say you’re “in limbo” what does that mean? What is the highest OTD cost you’re willing to pay?