Johnny_P wrote: ↑Fri Jan 24, 2020 2:08 pm
Go for it if you can swing it. From everything I've heard/read, the Trail/TRD Off Road with the KDSS hydraulic disconnecting sway bars (optional) and the limited with the cross-linked dampers drive much nicer than the regular SR5 and Trail do. I think all Limiteds had the linked dampers, in addition to full time AWD. The Trail / Off Road... the discos were an option so good luck finding one used with that. Might be next to impossible without seeing each truck individually. Most dealers won't list that out.
The SR5's I drove were very quiet and calm. They plow over shit roads. Super comfy. But kind of a barge with lots of roll, dive, and lazy feeling. But I dunno. Nothing will go wrong on that thing, and resale is awesome. So even if you "overpay" for it, you'll get most of that back when/if you sell it. If you go into it knowing it isn't sporty at all, could be a really nice pick.
"Can" and "want to" are two very different things. I certainly can, but I really don't want another car payment.
I'm trying to look at this whole thing from a total cost of ownership standpoint, not just a cash outlay, though.
That Mercedes, for example. After trading in the GTI I could be out the door for all of $1,500. Cut them a check, leave, still debt free. But if I do 12k miles per year and keep that car for 5 years, now it's a 145k mile Mercedes and is basically worthless. That $16,900 car is now worth $5,000, and I'm easily at $10k+ of depreciation even though I bought a 7 year old car. On top of that I'd be dealing with more maintenance plus probably several random German engineering quirks & their related $2,000 repair bills.
Buy a $43k TRD Off-Road for say $3k off, leave with a $25k note, sure, but 5 years and 60k miles from now it's still worth close to $30k somehow. No old car shit, no unexpected repairs, nothing but fluid changes, tire rotations, and an alignment here or there.
Every used 4Runner under $25k seemingly has 100k miles on it already.
bother? I might kill myself in something like a Pilot, even if from a cash-flow standpoint it's easier to manage and I end up in a similar spot from a net worth perspective.
Blah. The idea of another car loan makes me
, even if it's for something cool like a 4Runner.