Here we go again... should I trade?

[MysticGold04]

My 04 Tacoma for an 04 RAV4? Taco is a v6, RAV is an I4, same engine as in my Highlander. I've driven the newer RAV4 2006+ and hated it. It felt cheap and was not comfortable.

2004 Rav is a Certified Used at my local dealer. The sales manager told me they *did* sell this from that dealership.. I asked him to check. 63,000+ on the clock, Manual Trans, power windows, power locks, A/C etc. Clean CARFAX. Has the white faced gauges like my Taco. Asking is $14998, but I have yet to go look at it. I at least want to go drive it to see if I like it better than the 06 I drove.

What do you guys think? My taco is modified for off-road use, so I'd probably be taking all that junk off and selling it before trade in. I think I'd like to go back to a stock vehicle that takes little maintenance and gets good gas mileage like this RAV4, but can still handle cargo and go mild offroading like camping, etc.

 

[Ausfahrt]

What's wrong with the Tacoma?

Unless there is a mechanical or usage (need more space) issue then it is almost always financially better to keep what you have now.

Got the itch, huh? Get a motorcycle and sell the wife on its gas mileage. Worked for me 2X!!!

Good luck.

 

[Anduril]

Originally Posted By: bigdreama
sell the wife

Best financial decision a man could make.

 

[MrCritical]

Rav4 AWD?

 

[eljefino]

Keep up the automotive ADHD and sooner or later you'll get a lemon you can't get out of.

That said those years RAVs are real nice before they fattened up.

You could get smaller still and get a matrix/vibe.

 

[bretfraz]

Wholesale on that is $10500-11500 but values on Toyotas in CA can be all over the place. The trans and the miles hurt it a bit value wise. Manual trans eliminate about 70-80% of the potential buyers.

If its got some good reconditioning done (new tires, new brakes, 60K service fully completed, etc) it might be worth $14000 or so. Otherwise I'd be looking at $13-13500 out the door. With a manny transmission they know real customers are few and far between so be aggressive on price.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: Anduril
Originally Posted By: bigdreama
sell the wife

Best financial decision a man could make.


Problem is, you're almost always "upside-down" with that transaction.

Joel

 

[CivicFan]

Originally Posted By: Anduril
Originally Posted By: bigdreama
sell the wife

Best financial decision a man could make.


***?

 

[Ausfahrt]

Quote:
Best financial decision a man could make.


It has been my experience that it is cheaper to keep her.

 

[XS650]

Originally Posted By: bigdreama
Quote:
Best financial decision a man could make.


It has been my experience that it is cheaper to keep her.


Reminds me of the woman who was asked what she did for a living and said she was a housekeeper. When questioned further, she elaborated by saying she had divorced 4 times and kept the house each time.

 

[MysticGold04]

Ok... I went and looked at it and test drove it. Very nice. I was surprised I could still drive a manual, though I suppose its just like riding a bike. Shifts were nice and clean, and the engine had lots of torque.. I chirped the tires at one point too...

It is clean inside and out. 62,xxx miles. Fairly new tires, lots of tread left. It is more comfortable than the 06-08 models no doubt. Interior did not feel cheap. I suppose I just need to decide what to do.

Nothing wrong with the Tacoma at all. I just feel the need to get something a little smaller and with better mileage than the Taco gets. I probably average 15-16 with in town driving, and I rarely take it out on the highway. We use the wife's Highlander for highway trips.

 

[MysticGold04]

Ok guys... here's an update. I spent some time over at the dealer yesterday and looked at the certification reports and what they had done to the RAV to recondition it. Obviously, the oil and filter changed, 4 new tires, new serp belt, clean/adj brakes, (Toyota cert says brakes have to be at least 50%) new wiper blades, etc. They really didn't overlook anything. To be honest I wanted to hand them the keys to my truck right then, but I didnt. I checked kbb, and excellent condition is about 15600 for the RAVand their asking price was 14988. No too bad there, but still some room IMO.

I told him before I got into this too deep, I needed to remove all of the aftermarket stuff on my truck to bring him a stock vehicle to trade in.

They quoted me 12500 for my Tacoma... I was like are you serious? I almost walked at that point. I KNOW my truck is worth more than that... around 16625 in good condition by kbb standards. He told me that he'd like to keep me as a customer so he checked and at this point they'll only give me 14000 with all of the stuff on it still. So for now I think I've cooled off unless I can at LEAST break even on it. I do not want to pay the additional 2500 they are asking for and wont. My other alternative is to sell my truck private party and then go shopping too.

 

[addyguy]

I really wouldn't do it....for a few reasons..

Like you said, you end up just breaking even (at best) for a smaller vehicle, with more mileage, that gets slightly better gas mileage.

You already have a more fuel-effecient vehicle for longer trips, so you don't really need anything else for longer trips.

The Tacoma is a V-6 truck, as opposed to a small SUV. If you ever do have the need for a stronger vehicle to tow or haul 'stuff', you have it. If you get the RAV4, you will then have 2 4-cylinder smll SUV's that aren't going to be as useful for this task, should it come up - you got more 'utility' with your current fleet.

Just some thoughts......

 

[firemachine69]

Originally Posted By: MysticGold04
Ok guys... here's an update. I spent some time over at the dealer yesterday and looked at the certification reports and what they had done to the RAV to recondition it. Obviously, the oil and filter changed, 4 new tires, new serp belt, clean/adj brakes, (Toyota cert says brakes have to be at least 50%) new wiper blades, etc. They really didn't overlook anything. To be honest I wanted to hand them the keys to my truck right then, but I didnt. I checked kbb, and excellent condition is about 15600 for the RAVand their asking price was 14988. No too bad there, but still some room IMO.

I told him before I got into this too deep, I needed to remove all of the aftermarket stuff on my truck to bring him a stock vehicle to trade in.

They quoted me 12500 for my Tacoma... I was like are you serious? I almost walked at that point. I KNOW my truck is worth more than that... around 16625 in good condition by kbb standards. He told me that he'd like to keep me as a customer so he checked and at this point they'll only give me 14000 with all of the stuff on it still. So for now I think I've cooled off unless I can at LEAST break even on it. I do not want to pay the additional 2500 they are asking for and wont. My other alternative is to sell my truck private party and then go shopping too.




Sorry partner, but KBB is way off with the current gas situation. Your truck isn't worth "that much", your truck is worth what the market will pay for it (well below KBB).

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: firemachine69

Sorry partner, but KBB is way off with the current gas situation. Your truck isn't worth "that much", your truck is worth what the market will pay for it (well below KBB).


That's true. If it's a 'demand' vehicle you'll get blue book. If not? ehh.. not so much. Only once did I actually exceed blue book value. It's when I traded my 2002 Isuzu Rodeo 4x4 for a 2005 Trailblazer 4x4. Trading in a slow mover for a fast mover is the worst possible situation.

Joel

 

[MysticGold04]

Ok... the guy I was working with called to ask about my decision. I told him I'd have to break even on the deal to even consider it any further. So we were done.. I told him I would come back to see him in the future if I needed anything though.

Thanks guys for all your comments and help (again) I went through this very same thing back in March with a Corolla.

 

[Tosh]

At least you are raising your prospects step by step (Corolla to RAV4). Seen the new "Avalon wagon?" Venza, is it? I see one in your future.

 

[Spector]

To trade in for better mpg when the vehicle runs fine and not many miles are put on it in the first place, keep it til it dies. Only way to save or break even with any vehicle is to drive till it dies.

As a trade, always to the private sale, or sometimes Car Max will give you much more then a trade if you have one in your area. Personally, I would just keep it

 

[milwaukee]

Originally Posted By: Spector
.... or sometimes Car Max will give you much more then a trade if you have one in your area. Personally, I would just keep it


Carmax usually pays about 10% below rough trade. A traditional trade/purchase worked properly will alway get more for your car than selling to carmax.

 

[Da Game]

A friend had the RAV4, it flip over on her when a gust of wind blew by. She was on the highway doing 45mph. The car was total, witness said they never seen anything like it. The car rolled twice before coming to rest. She had just minor bruises and was plenty sore.