Ok guys, I've been thinking a lot about my truck and need another opinion to give me a different point of view.

The situation: I still owe a little over $10,000 on my 03 double cab Pre-runner (2wd) w/ 42,XXX mi.

I know I paid way to much to start with for the truck but I really wanted it and it was the only one like it in Vegas. But now I'm starting to wonder if I should try to sell it before it loses any more value and try to get a 05+ double cab? Is the 2005's 4.0 engine as "sturdy" as the 3.4?


1. I want to someday SC the 03 for a little more power (that ='s $$$), or I could just get a 05 and call it good.

2. (this one is more my fault) I got stuck labor day weekend (bad driving) in some mud that I feel would have been simple to navigate through in a 4wd. It was a fun time with everyone trying to help me out and all but it made me second guess if a 2wd would keep me happy for the next 5 years.

(Should I just invest in a winch?)

3. (This one doesn't matter as much) I get a lot of "That's a cute little truck" comments. (actually makes me just want to show them what my "little" truck can do!)


1. I'm comfortable with my current payments and insurance.

2. I do like the stock look of the 03 over the 05. (but I know that can all be changed)

3. Really there isn't anything "broken" with the 03. I.E. I am still extremely happy and still overly obsessive with my 03.


p.s. I am in college which means limited funds, should I just forget about all of this till I'm out of school?

Thanks for taking the time to read this all guys & gals. I'd appreciate your feedback.

 

The 4.0 is a well proven motor.
I have had my rig since July of '06, and the torque and responsiveness of the 4.0 is amazing.

Are you looking at getting into a 4WD too, or sticking with 2WD.
You will have to weigh those factors too if it is worth trading up.

And the 4.0 can be supercharged.
There are a few or so running URD's supercharger, and TRD is working on one too I hear.

The 4.0 may surprise you though, it may put out more HP than a supercharged 3.4, not sure on that completely, but it moves my heavy rig just fine.
Stock 3.4 is what, 180 HP?
How much supercharged?

The 4.0 puts out around 239 HP in the FJ Cruiser, and that can be bettered with a TRD intake and free flowing muffler/exhaust.

 

Hey Corey, thanks for some insite. I would deffenatly get 4wd on my next vehicle. I just have to figure out how long it's going to be before I get a newer truck. Originaly I wanted a 4wd but couldn't find any 4wd double cabs so I settled for the 2wd thinking i could make it more of a pre-runner/desert race truck, but I've decided I really don't want to just beat the heck out of my truck. I'd rather stick to the mud/hills. I've rode in a FJ and the lady driving it wasn't light on the skinny pedal, I know those 4.0 can move. So I just need to decide if I should do with what I have for now and be careful about the situations I put my 2wd truck in or should I seriously start looking for a 05+ 4wd tacoma.

 

Corey, I was in the same situation a few years ago when I bought mine. I have two Golden retreivers and needed the extra room behind the drivers seat. I looked all over for a double cab and never did find one. They had a 4-Runner on the lot and let me take it home for the weekend. Once I got to put some seat time in it I was HOOKED. I have an SR5 4 wheel drive and 3.4. I gave my other truck to my son. The dogs love all the room in the back and I have no regrets about spending the extra on 4x4 (I live in New England). Either way if you stick with a TOYOTA you can't go wrong

 

I agree, Toyota all the way!

 

I drove several newer Tacos and although I loved the 4.0, I hated everything else, especially the styling and "forever searching for right gear" auto tranny.
I currently have a '93 extra-cab and used to have a '98 extra-cab, I'd love to find a nice "older-model" 4dr Taco TRD 4x4 for everyday and keep the '93 for wheelin'.
Keep your truck if you love it and buy an older model 4x4 for wheelin'!

 

If you were out of school I think this would be different. You're going to have plenty of bills showing up when you graduate and I wouldn't recommend adding a high car payment to that. If you can get out of your current truck and into a 4x4 for less money (less money owed, not a lower payment) then that's probably not a bad idea. If it's more $$$ then I'd recommend keeping your current setup since you're still fairly happy with it. Once you're out and start making some money I'd get a 4x4 as a second vehicle and wheel that. It's much more enjoyable wheeling when you know that you can still get to work the next week no matter what you do that day. It's also much more relaxing wheeling a rig that you don't have tons of money tied up in.

Just my opinion.

 

So down the road invest in a 2nd truck that's 4x4. That's not a bad idea. I have to say I feel a lot better about my truck now. I just have to remind myself that it will hold its value as good as any truck on the road and not sweat the 4x4 for now. Who knows how I'll feel about everything in 5 years.
All I can be sure is that Toyota's will still be my vehicle of choice! Thanks guys!

 

my $.02

If I were you, I'd sell the '03 and go for a 4x4 of lesser value. Get a 96-00 4Runner. Gets you 4wd, locker, all the room of your DC prerunner, but you lose the pickup bed, and some of that monthly payment. The cash you save on the payment and insurance can go into mods (lift/tires/gears/front locker/bumpers/sliders/winch/OBA/cup holder...), and wheelin trips.

 

Haha, I guess I don't use the bed that often. Lol that's all to tempting of a idea. My g/f would kill me if I dropped a bunch of cash on mods for my truck. haha

 

I agree, sell the truck because you're obviously not 100% satisfied with it. Get something that is 4x4 but with a smaller payment.

 

My 2 cents, always pay cash for cars.

I would sell it and get a cheaper commuter car till done with school

 

In that case don't marry her.

 

catching up on an old thread, but BLKNBLU makes a solid point.

My wife encouraged me to get an ARB for my birthday. Choose wisely young jedi...

 

I think you should sell it and find an older 4x4, 4runner would be a good idea.

 

I guess I should clear that little g/f remark up. She is really ok with me spending money on my truck. It's only if I'm spending really irresponsibly that she would say something. I'm slowly getting her into enjoying off road driving. She's one of a kind guys! What can I say...? "Love is blind!"

 

i would just get 4WD on your current truck. cheaper than buying a new one and if you want to go faster geta TRD super charger for your 3.4L. i lov my 3.0L V6, i wouldnt change it for any motor except a 4.7L V8 but that wont happen anytime soon. so i recommend just sticking with what you got. why change something you say your happy with? so you get more power with the 4.0, so what, it's not like it's 100hp more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Comparing the 3.4L to 4.0L, there is a big difference. If I could get over the styling of the new 4Runner, I'd do it right now. But nevertheless, the 4.0 is a solid motor--true to Toyota's tradition. More power, same MPG, and timing chain--what's not to love?

Also, how is converting his current ride to a 4WD cheaper?

 

keep the truck. man, you dont need to supercharge it. its a truck. gets you from point a to point b. if you want to invest, think about a stereo, or some other cool things that you can add.

i feel ya on the 2wd man, i had no choice in the matter either.

all in all, if you treat your 4runner well, take care of it, and use good products with it, why would you wanna trade it in?

 

SAS it.

Seriously though, it probably wouldn't be too cost prohibitive to convert it to 4wd if you found a decent donor Tacoma. Then you would have it all.