Thoughts on pre-owned cruiser vs. new tacoma purchase

[motorhead]

I've been a lurker mostly for some time now on the forums, and have really been trying to make a firm decision whether to spend approximately $40k on a pre-owned LC, or purchase a new 4wd Tacoma or similar truck. Most of the cruisers that I am seeing in this range will have around 100k on them already, which I must say does concern me a bit for that amount of money. I've tried to absorb as much info as poss from the forum, including what to look for etc. on a pre-owned vehicle.
Would a 2011 vehicle with 105K on it be concerning if the vehicle was well maintained?
Any idea of a fair price for such?
Thoughts always appreciated.

 

[motorhead]

I've been a lurker mostly for some time now on the forums, and have really been trying to make a firm decision whether to spend approximately $40k on a pre-owned LC, or purchase a new 4wd Tacoma or similar truck. Most of the cruisers that I am seeing in this range will have around 100k on them already, which I must say does concern me a bit for that amount of money. I've tried to absorb as much info as poss from the forum, including what to look for etc. on a pre-owned vehicle.
Would a 2011 vehicle with 105K on it be concerning if the vehicle was well maintained?
Any idea of a fair price for such?
Thoughts always appreciated.

a new Trail edition 4runner is also an option

 

[jblatl]

I love my 2011, just hit 90k last weekend. The Tacoma and 4Runner are not comparable to a 200 series cruiser. The Tacoma is underpowered, small and still has to much road noise in the 2016 models. The 4Runner is what you buy your wife.

She loves her 2015, it has no balls and is all plastic.

Let's remember I paid 40k for the 4Runner new and 40k for my 2011 with 82k on the clock. I hate driving the 4Runner.

Not bad for the money, and wife loves it.

Here they are at a lunch date...

 

[RS6tofj80]

I tried to like the trail as the entry point was 10k lower but ..... as nice as it is ... the LC is far more machine and the power of the 4runner was really lacking.... with no upgrade avail. aftermarket support is there but the mods cost about the same for the usual things... I've had literally every generation of a 4runner from my 84' onward but suspect I'll skip this one.... the new Taco is interesting and if you need external storage a great option but spendy.....

there are 30k LC's out there - one here in Houstone recently that I looked at for a friend that was well serviced..... he decided to step up to a 13' as I did to get some of the extra features he wanted and was mid 40's on a 70k truck.

E

 

[motorhead]

I tried to like the trail as the entry point was 10k lower but ..... as nice as it is ... the LC is far more machine and the power of the 4runner was really lacking.... with no upgrade avail. aftermarket support is there but the mods cost about the same for the usual things... I've had literally every generation of a 4runner from my 84' onward but suspect I'll skip this one.... the new Taco is interesting and if you need external storage a great option but spendy.....

there are 30k LC's out there - one here in Houstone recently that I looked at for a friend that was well serviced..... he decided to step up to a 13' as I did to get some of the extra features he wanted and was mid 40's on a 70k truck.

E

Not far from me here in la. I probably looked at the one you are talking about....they sure go quick when they become available. This particular I'm looking at appears to be well maintained, did show a minor rear accident but service has been kept up to date ever since a few years ago. asking right at 40k but thinking with higher mileage for the year they may have a little play. Theres also a higher mileage 13', with 90k on it for $44k.

these are the two current possibilities

 

[Narkhelek]

The 5th Gen 4Runner is actually an awesome off road platform and all around vehicle. I would know I had a well built 2010 4Runner Trail. The main short coming of the 5th Gen is the weak motor. Stock it does fine but once you add weight or put on larger tires even going up hills it struggles. Forget pulling anything with it. My 4Runner would pull my trailer 35mph max up certain hills. My LC will pull the same trailer at 70 up the same hills without breaking a sweat.

 

[Markuson]

I've been a lurker mostly for some time now on the forums, and have really been trying to make a firm decision whether to spend approximately $40k on a pre-owned LC, or purchase a new 4wd Tacoma or similar truck. Most of the cruisers that I am seeing in this range will have around 100k on them already, which I must say does concern me a bit for that amount of money. I've tried to absorb as much info as poss from the forum, including what to look for etc. on a pre-owned vehicle.
Would a 2011 vehicle with 105K on it be concerning if the vehicle was well maintained?
Any idea of a fair price for such?
Thoughts always appreciated.

I paid $40k for my 2008 with just 48k miles on it less than two years ago and it was literally perfect. Like new. So clean that the white, paper part stickers weren't even dirty underneath it. Deals are out there. Keep hunting.

 

[motorhead]

thanks for the input everyone. I'll keep the hunt alive

 

[RickC5]

I've owned all three (2006 Tacoma TRD, 2014 4Runner Trail & 2015 LC 200). As far as I'm concerned, the LC is easily the best of the 3--by far. Both the Tacoma and the 4Runner are woefully underpowered as compared to the LC, both are noisier, and both ride rougher. You really get what you pay for in the LC.

Keep looking.....

 

[mgeiger]

I had the same thought. I drove a new TRD Pro Tacoma. It was awesome, but in so many obvious, and not so obvious ways, it is not a LC. Having come from a 100-Series, I found some more in the budget to stick with a LC.

 

[Tripledave]

There really is no comparison. I own both '14 Taco and '08 LC fwiw. Don't let the miles scare you on a well maintained LC. The fit and finish on LC is far superior to either top of the line Taco or T4R. Hell for that matter, even the 150 series GX (albeit the '14 + are butt ugly) are a solid platform with the 4.6l V8 providing a better driving feel than the 6cyl in T4R or Taco. Just my opinions of course but I'm forever sold on the LC. Good luck to you.

 

[motorhead]

have any of you noticed reoccurring brake noise that seemed out of the ordinary? reason being, one of the vehicles that I'm checking out has been brought to the dealer for this twice in the last 5 months. seems there was a hard spot in the pad causing grooving in the rotor. I've seen this brought up a couple of times so was curious if anyone has experienced brake issues?

 

[sickspeed]

Those are really quite different vehicles. I've owned 3 Tacomas, and older 4runner, a Sequoia, a 100-series, and currently starting to look for a 200-series. That being said, they're all good vehicles so you'll want to think about what features and capability you want for your purposes. For instance, I've really come to appreciate the split clam shell rear hatch, 8-passenger seating, and the drive train on the Land Cruiser. For sure, the Land Cruiser drives much smoother than the rest and is arguably more capable. The LC is also more compact than some other options with similar capability. Just my 2 cents.

 

[alexinWC]

I had a 2011 4runner Trail with 80k miles that I sold after purchasing a 2008 LX570 with 130k miles and haven't regretted the decision once.

The engine/drivetain is incomparable. The 4.0 in the 4runner has all its power in the upper revs but the transmission is geared towards fuel economy and doesn't want you to get there. In all speed tests, the 4runner boasts a respectable 0-60 time but the real world usage of the power is limited. It's also lacking low end grunt off the line. The 200 offers much more power, 6 vs 5 speed transmission, and the fuel economy is only 1-2 mpg lower.

That being said, the 4runner was a great car with no real weakness. The size was nice as well.

I enjoyed my old 100 more than the 4runner. Build quality was higher. Felt more solid. Smoother at ideal and acceleration.

 

[ryanCA]

The Tacoma is underpowered, small and still has to much road noise in the 2016 models..

My 2017 Tacoma Pro is not underpowered and it doesn't have too much road noise. It is a fantastic machine, and has an amazing resale value.

The 4Runner is what you buy your wife.

Never thought of 4Runner as a girly car.


My Tacoma (43K) and my LX/LC (83-92k) are not in the same class, and my expectations aren't the same of them. If I were to have one vehicle and lived in USA, I would have the Tacoma. If I were to have only one vehicle and lived in the middle east, I would take my LC with me.

Glad we have choices, and aren't relegated to a single vehicle.

 

[Docboy]

I went through a similar ordeal recently. I had a Acura TL and wanted to trade for a 4th gen 4Runner Limited <90k miles. Could not find one that was in good condition. Pretty much every 4R I looked at was beat up or rusted from the East Coast or heavily abused. Gave up on the 4R and thought about the new 4R. For $45k the 4R Limited was just too under powered, didn't like the styling, and the interior was just cheap. Couldn't justify $45k for a cheap interior of the new 4R. Thought about a Tacoma briefly, but I like my rear cargo area covered

Then my wife saw a LX470; the thing was awesome, just didn't like that it was also under powered and again, the 2 LX470s I saw were beat up, rusted, etc...

Then luck would have it I found a loaded Lexus certified 2009 LX 570 w/83k miles, and the deal was sealed. This thing is a tank and absolutely rock solid; if not for the odometer I would not have known it had 80k miles. The high mileage on the LC/LX would not worry me b/c these tanks are rated to go 300k+ miles in a rugged terrain. Heck, ISIS has the LC as their choice vehicle in the desert!

The 200 series is truly in a class of its own. You won't regret it!

 

[codyaustin5]

I've owned most of these vehicles and all are great and serve their purpose in their respective market. I recently sold my 14 4R trail and got a new GX460. I absolutely loved driving the 4R. Looks great, drives smoothly and enough power up the mountains. You can't beat the 4R quality. GX is as step up from the 4R overall but the 4.6 is not as powerful as I would have hoped. I think the old 4.7 had more power personally.

What truck will you find that is better than the Tacoma in its price range? Tacoma everyday.

200. Love mine. enough said.

If I had $40k to work with I would buy a new 4R Trail. $50k used 200.

 

[milkyxj]

I considered a 2016 Tacoma TRD Offroad vs the 200. Went with the 200. Seating for 7, can tow more, and it's a Cruiser. I know I'll be able to hand it down to my daughter in 10 years when she turns 16.

Pro's for the Tacoma: Truck bed, better gas mileage, cheaper

 

[Canyonero]

Personally, I'd rather have a new Tacoma over a used LC. But that's just because I put a huge premium on new vs. used vehicles. That's my irrational, but personal preference.

My father in law has a brand new (2016) Tacoma and I love that truck! It has the OEM bed cover that rolls up and is water proof and lockable, and removable with one bolt.

There are just things you can't do with an SUV. Hauling anything dirty, anything too big, the truck bed is golden.

My father in law also got Katzkins leather installed inside his truck so it has a more premium feel to it.

If you don't need more seating than a Tacoma offers, I think it's a great truck and a great value.

Not to throw a wrench in this-and sorry if I missed any utility neeeds you mentioned--but why not get a used FJ? You could get a fantastic FJ for even less...

 

[Markuson]

Personally, I'd rather have a new Tacoma over a used LC. But that's just because I put a huge premium on new vs. used vehicles. That's my irrational, but personal preference.

My father in law has a brand new (2016) Tacoma and I love that truck! It has the OEM bed cover that rolls up and is water proof and lockable, and removable with one bolt.

There are just things you can't do with an SUV. Hauling anything dirty, anything too big, the truck bed is golden.

My father in law also got Katzkins leather installed inside his truck so it has a more premium feel to it.

If you don't need more seating than a Tacoma offers, I think it's a great truck and a great value.

Not to throw a wrench in this-and sorry if I missed any utility neeeds you mentioned--but why not get a used FJ? You could get a fantastic FJ for even less...

Or.... You could always buy a cheap, used utility trailer for those dirty, junk-hauling needs?