Trade the 4Runner or sell private (on time?)

[AMISLANDER]

Still hanging on to my 2000 4Runner SRV. Currently has 127K miles and I'd put it in fair condition.

KBBV (fair) private sale= $6,750K
trade in = $4,950K

With the thought that the gas is going up this summer and may really not come down . . .(where is that genie in the lamp when you need him????)...I'm thinking of whether to trade it in or possibly sell it to a friend.

Issues: I would only have $1,500 cash to work with on a downpayment (would be getting $50/week and holding the title till truck is paid off, if I go private sale). I really have to work out my budget & see if I could handle this option.

I'd be looking to get into a toyota celica (like the older 98/99 models), acura integra, mitsubishi eclipse...or good forbid, a Honda Passport (except I'm still thinking gas issue there?)...Had a 96 passport before & loved it just as much as the 4Runner.

I currently get 18-20 mpg and my commute to work during the week without any other driving is 22 miles a day x 5. I live downtown so driving is pretty minimal on the weekends/during week. My big drive is usually on Sundays going from Sarasota to West Bradenton to take mom out for dinner & a movie....that could be a 45 mile day.


What should I do?????

[bkhelper]

It is always good to re-establish your credit, but you currently have the perfect vehicle,(paid for). You want to be careful not to completely run your vehicle into the ground, if you are really considering trading the 4Runner. At this point you still have some trade value. You should get around Trade-in for any Toyota (assuming that the miles aren't too high).

If you decide to finance a vehicle, just make sure you find someone in your area that specializes in Bankruptcies.

[AMISLANDER]

It is always good to re-establish your credit, but you currently have the perfect vehicle,(paid for). You want to be careful not to completely run your vehicle into the ground, if you are really considering trading the 4Runner. At this point you still have some trade value. You should get around Trade-in for any Toyota (assuming that the miles aren't too high).

If you decide to finance a vehicle, just make sure you find someone in your area that specializes in Bankruptcies.

You know, I was totally not thinking about the bk till this point! I'm only one year out of being done....ok...that puts another twist on things.

Since my 4Runner is in what I consider fair to good shape (really probably just needs a tune up and new front brakes....no catalytic needs at the moment as FL doesn't require inspection)...I know I still have trade in power for awhile....I tried to get financing last year and was totally turned down everywhere.

I do now have a credit card payment history on three cards, all of which will be paid off in the next 30 days. My credit levels have been increased, of course, but I will not fall into the same credit trap again! I do have a $100/mo. IRS payment that's automaticly taken out & leaves me with $400 a month after rent & bills are paid....not quite enough, in my opinion to add a car payment to...

[Minnymouth]

Amislander,

Bought my house back, remember?

Real good reason to keep driving a 1987 Chrysler Lebaron with only 93,000 miles on it............ YEAH, a 1987!!!

Now since I have my home back, am working on downpayment on another vehicle...... will keep my 1987 as a collectors item....

It's still in excellent condition...

Next vehicle a "pickup".............. had one before, loved it!!

[AMISLANDER]

Amislander,

Bought my house back, remember?

Real good reason to keep driving a 1987 Chrysler Lebaron with only 93,000 miles on it............ YEAH, a 1987!!!

Now since I have my home back, am working on downpayment on another vehicle...... will keep my 1987 as a collectors item....

It's still in excellent condition...

Next vehicle a "pickup".............. had one before, loved it!!

Remember, I bought mine back? Well, the only issue is the "price of gas"....I don't know which way to go on this issue.....I guess the gas cost becomes a little car payment? I spend $25 a week now, just back and forth to work....more than I probably spend in the supermarket for myself!

[FLBK7]

Remember too that you KNOW your 4Runner. If you trade it in for a used vehicle you may be inheriting someone else's problem. The carfax reports help as far as determining clean title, etc. goes, but you have no real guarantee that the vehicle has been well maintained. Also, most vehicles have several parts that need replacement after X number of miles or years. The last time I bought a used vehicle, it was a one-owner Corolla with only 70,000 miles and in beautiful shape. However, I soon had to start replacing parts that wore out from normal wear and tear, and believe me, Toyota parts are expensive!

I know what you mean about gas being so expensive, but personally, I'd keep the vehicle. 4Runners are great, and the best thing is that... it's paid for.

[robivi3]

I would be VERY hesitant over trading for anything used. Private sales are for me out of the question, a pain, and in Florida a real risk because of all the scammers. You hear it in the news daily AMIS. Unless you are going new, which is best I'd stay with my 4runner. And the "buy here, pay here" personal payment plan, ASKING FOR TROUBLE!

Carfax may not show even a major accident, I know this for a fact, fender benders RARELY appear. NEW, NEW , NEW or keep, keep, keep. I am driving 60 miles round trip to work per day. My Bus gets 9 mpg City and 12 highway (Ford windsheild figures), I actually coaxed 13.5 out of her last week (I drive nearly all highway). I would lose big bucks right now for trading, our lives have changed alot in the two years since we bought her. Keeping her.

[FLBK7]

NEW, NEW , NEW or keep, keep, keep.

I've only bought a brand-new vehicle once in my life, and this was back in 1976. I was quite young and had been driving a beater all through high school and college, so I treated myself. BUT, I quickly learned from financial planners, Consumer Reports and car dealership employees that the MINUTE you drive a new car off the lot, it depreciates by a couple or a few thousand dollars, depending on the vehicle's value. I decided I would never again buy brand-new.

What we used to do (before the BK) was buy good cars that were 1-2 years old, with full factory warranty still. Never had any problems whatsoever. In fact, the very BEST car I ever owned was a Toyota Camry that I purchased when it was 1 year old, and had had only one owner. It came with full factory warranty. I drove that car for 14 years, and then sold it for $2K! You can't beat that! But then again, this is what happens with Toyotas. They are just awesome cars.

After the BK I didn't want any more car payments if I could help it. I bought a used Corolla that was in great shape but had reached the point where it needed a few parts replaced just because of normal wear and tear. I now drive a 2006 Saturn that I purchased, used, from someone who was desperate to sell and move back home. I paid cash and got an excellent deal. It's still under warranty and runs and looks beautiful. It's not a Toyota, but it will do very well for now. Plus, it's paid for. NO CAR PAYMENTS.

[AMISLANDER]

I've only bought a brand-new vehicle once in my life, and this was back in 1976. I was quite young and had been driving a beater all through high school and college, so I treated myself. BUT, I quickly learned from financial planners, Consumer Reports and car dealership employees that the MINUTE you drive a new car off the lot, it depreciates by a couple or a few thousand dollars, depending on the vehicle's value. I decided I would never again buy brand-new.

What we used to do (before the BK) was buy good cars that were 1-2 years old, with full factory warranty still. Never had any problems whatsoever. In fact, the very BEST car I ever owned was a Toyota Camry that I purchased when it was 1 year old, and had had only one owner. It came with full factory warranty. I drove that car for 14 years, and then sold it for $2K! You can't beat that! But then again, this is what happens with Toyotas. They are just awesome cars.

After the BK I didn't want any more car payments if I could help it. I bought a used Corolla that was in great shape but had reached the point where it needed a few parts replaced just because of normal wear and tear. I now drive a 2006 Saturn that I purchased, used, from someone who was desperate to sell and move back home. I paid cash and got an excellent deal. It's still under warranty and runs and looks beautiful. It's not a Toyota, but it will do very well for now. Plus, it's paid for. NO CAR PAYMENTS.

Back when the I could fling my bling, I leased a 2001 Black 4Runner SRV with the sport hood scoop...ended up seized by repo man and then for some stupid reason, I bought it to get it back? (hazy crazy days), turned it in on a silver 2002 Sport edition 4Runner w/hood scoop, then turned that it on the 2003 (black, V8 w/hs) and it was the year they changed the body style....I had it for five months and kept running over cars because the mirrors just didn't work for me...turned it in on the 2000 in Oct 2003 and I am still driving this one.....

Yes, I do know my SUV's issues, that's 4sure! I'd really like to have my 2001 black sport edition back...however...I've gotten all mine through the same toyota dealership, so at least they have me on record as a loyal customer...If my friend who wants to buy the truck gave me 5K cash, then I'd scout out a 2001 from the dealership and/or have them find one for me....I could probably handle a 5 year note of 5K , if they could make a deal with me like that....

When you're a 4runner driver, it's pretty hard to be comfortable with anything else....

[bmcmull]

Still hanging on to my 2000 4Runner SRV. Currently has 127K miles and I'd put it in fair condition.

KBBV (fair) private sale= $6,750K
trade in = $4,950K

With the thought that the gas is going up this summer and may really not come down . . .(where is that genie in the lamp when you need him????)...I'm thinking of whether to trade it in or possibly sell it to a friend.

Issues: I would only have $1,500 cash to work with on a downpayment (would be getting $50/week and holding the title till truck is paid off, if I go private sale). I really have to work out my budget & see if I could handle this option.

I'd be looking to get into a toyota celica (like the older 98/99 models), acura integra, mitsubishi eclipse...or good forbid, a Honda Passport (except I'm still thinking gas issue there?)...Had a 96 passport before & loved it just as much as the 4Runner.

I currently get 18-20 mpg and my commute to work during the week without any other driving is 22 miles a day x 5. I live downtown so driving is pretty minimal on the weekends/during week. My big drive is usually on Sundays going from Sarasota to West Bradenton to take mom out for dinner & a movie....that could be a 45 mile day.


What should I do?????

Dont kid oyurself KEEP THE TRUCK. go to Autozone and get some RXP gas additive for the thing, probably need to little jars at about $6.00 each burn the carbon out of the injectors and let the HP take over. You will get better gas mileage from this.

[krielly]

There's definitely something to be said for a car you know.
I bought new once, but wouldn't do it again.
Bought my 1999 Nissan Altima in 2001. It was only 2 years old with 22,000 miles on it. The original sticker on it when new was 17,900, I got it for 11,500. (depreciation hit is HUGE first 2 years) Still have it today. I have it undercoated every fall (we live in VT) for $65 - cheap insurance against rust. I also have the oil changed RELIGIOUSLY every 3 thousand miles.
I've had it paid off since Aug 05. Gotta love not having a payment. Just hit 100K a few weeks ago, and hope to get another 100K out of it!!!!!!!!!!! Love my Nissan!!!!!! Best car I ever owned. We're in a 60 mos chapt 13 plan. 28 payments down, 32 to go. Glad I've got a vehicle I can depend on.

[AMISLANDER]

Well, you just know that everytime I see a Mitsubishi 3000GT, I drool! ( used to have a 1989 Starion ).

The 4Runner is paid off, dependable, and safe....until I win Florida lotto, I suppose I'll be driving it.

[robivi3]

FLBK, that is a good point. In fact I bought my last two vehicles that way. Two cars I have bought brand new and really did not feel ripped off, one Mistubishi Mighty Max I bought I was hammered for a brand new peice of PURE junk, had it for two years, garbage.

My 2001 GMC Sierra was $26,500.00 at the dealer. I first picked a white one, bare bones for 21,200.00. The dealer was moving from Hollywood to Pembroke Pines (was Hollywood Pontiac/GMC now Pines Pontiac/GMC, owned by the Zinn's and not Maroone or shall we say Wayne Huizenga, I would never buy from Maroone). I picked the bare bones truck and went back the next day after looking at NISSAN's comparitively dissappointing selection. The White Truck was sold but still there. The manager immediately told me that they still had eight other GMC Sierra's to choose from. These were the 26000.00 ones and I could have one 21,200.00. There was the first I wanted, my Big Red with everything I wanted. I walked out that day with all tax, tag, title, bed liner, sidesteps, loaded with all the comfy extra's for under 25k at 5.3%. Seven years, not one problem, 105,000 trouble free miles and sold her late last year for 7900.00 to a co-worker, she looks new to this day. I see her everyday. He paid with new Michelins, tax, transfer close to 9500.00 and considers her a deal and several othe coworkers have offered to buy her and are still bugging him for her. Absolutely the finest "losing" investment I ever made. I sold her because I added another 10 acres to the land I bought in Colorado and wanted to pay it off.

My "Bus", that is what Ford, the DMV and Geico call it was $34,000.00 new. Out of the question. I bought it six months old for 19,000.00 with under 20k miles. Perfect, no problems.

Our Jetta, believe it or not, Carmax, two years old. Fine with it but I wall buy a new one next time. I bought the extended warranty from Eastern Financial, theirs is excellent, I go straight to Gunther VW. No problems but with high resale on a Jetta it makes more sense to just buy it new.

But remember, I was an auto mechanic at 16. I was a heavy line diesel mechanic for a large Metropolitan Transit Agency for 19 years eleven months. I was until just afew months ago a Master ASE Certified Technician. I can get them back anytime, but don't need it right now.

I am now an Electronics Technician for the last five years, eleven months for the same Agency. I have worked dealers and up until 10 years ago part time retail automotive. I crawl in, around, under, check and recheck and understand what I am buying. Certain cars, Chevy, Nissan, certain Fords, in fact nearly all GM I would never buy used. I had up until ten years ago alot of off and on dealer experience.

In used cars, things can still get by me, I still miss things. Be very careful buying used. CARMAX does buy accident vehicles, they go to auction when caught, the lot when not caught.