Purchase Advice

[Jsosa]

Trying to decide between a 2001 land cruiser and a 2008 Tacoma double cab w/ 5' bed. I am 6'3 and wife is 5'11 we have a 6 year old a 5 year old and a 4 year old. They are all about 6" taller than most kids their ages. Someone in our family is almost giving us the Tacoma for $8,000 and it has 80,000 miles. The cruiser has 140,000 miles but is in great condition the tacoma is in great condition also. The cruiser had an arb front bumper with winch, arb rear with tire and Jerry can holder, sliders, 3" ome lift, 285 BFF mud terrains, and a Baja rack put on last year. 90k service was done at 100k and at 120k all fluids were replaced, bearings packed, drive belt replaced, and axle boots replaced.
The cruiser would cost us $18,000. I think it is over priced but is also exactly what I would want in a cruiser so I don not mind paying a little more if I am going to keep it for 20 years. The tacoma has to be the be the better value its kbb value is 18,500 and the owner knows that but says he doesn't want the tacoma anymore and wants to sell it to us cheap since we have 3 kids and he knows how expensive that is. My commute is only 13 miles roundtrip and I drive less than 6,000 miles a year. I have never been a truck guy but the truck has a camper shell. I would have already bought the tacoma but I feel a little quilty for taking the offer and also i do not know that my family would fit in the tacoma by the time they are tennagers of course as soon as the 1st one turns 16 they will proabally never ride with me anyway so that might be that big of deal.

Share with me your thoughts thanks

 

[itsstellerbluepearl]

Buy the Tacoma, sell it to me for $9000, then buy the cruiser!

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi all,

From what you've told us about your family & vehicle needs it seems that the UZJ100 would be a better choice than the double-cab Tacoma.

Either way you might need a Sequoia or (horrors!) a Suburban someday in the (not too distant) future!

Good luck,

Alan

 

[ThreeFJman]

Go with the LC if its affordable. Hold it's value better, not that the Taco doesn't but the LC's are far better at value. I feel that your family would fit into the LC better since you and the rest of your family appear to be heads above the rest of us. That's just my .02!
Good luck, they are both awesome choices.

TFJM

 

[Thundra]

You people are huge. Get a Sequoia. 2006 or so. Nearly 300 hp. I have one. Went from an FZJ80 to an 03 Sequoia. So much more room. Split the difference in the price between the two.

 

[jynx]

Not sure where you are (mobile app doesn't show) but if the double cab is 4x4 then it is easily worth several grand more. If the family member won't get their panties in a wad, I would buy the Tacoma and then turn around and sell it for a small profit, then turn around and apply that profit to the purchase of the cruiser. Otherwise I agree with the others, the cruiser sounds like it would fit your family needs better.

 

[ken_79-fj40]

I had one of those double cab tacomas and loved it. Mine was a little rough around the edges as it was someone's work truck before I got it. With 135k miles on an 05 I sold it cheap last fall for 12 grand. I would grab one for 8 in a heartbeat. They are surprisingly roomy inside and mileage is better than a cruiser for sure. Unless you're off roading it seriously I doubt longevity would be much different either. I know of a few well over 200k going strong.

 

[89s rule]

I will go against the grain here....

Tacos hold their value better than most LC. Most Tacos are overpriced because of the market. Trucks hold thier value more so than almost any other vehicle on the market.

For your family the LC would be a better fit, but from a price stand point I would make the Tacoma work, you guys will fit fine and its a great vehicle. I would add a topper for carrying items.

 

[Jsosa]

Thanks everyone for their advice, I finally made a purchase. I ended up getting what I think was a good deal on a 2006 V8 4runner paid $7,200 for one with 150k miles. Thing is nice leather all service has been upkept except timing belt. New tires and a battery installed within the last 4 months. Just dropped it off with a friend of mine who is a toyota mechanic he is going to replace the timing belt and water pump and overhaul the brakes for $800. So for $8,000 I think I got a nice 4runner that should be good to go, serving my families needs for many years. If the tiers weren't so new I would be looking for a mild lift.

 

[jynx]

I didn't know 4Runners were on the table.. an 06 for $7,200 that is a hell of a deal. Around here the 02+ models generally run $10k+ so I think you made a good call.

They are pretty roomy and the V8 has plenty of ummph, now let's see some pictures!!

 

[Haggis]

Sounds like a nice rig and deal. Congrats and pics!

 

[ken_79-fj40]

That is a great deal. Around here the V8 4Runners always seem to be cheaper than the V6's though. Last week I actually bought another 05 double cab Tacoma myself. Nice to be able to fit my kid in the back without her staring at a headrest 6 inches from her face. And this one is really, really, clean. I plan on keeping it for the long haul now that I'm cruiserless and probably staying that way. A small lift, some nice wheels and tires, and I'll be good to go.