Hmmm...should I spend more money than I should?

"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
11/26/2014 at 00:50 • Filed to: None

Because the dealer !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! did such a good job handling the situation, I've been looking at their inventory. I've found something tempting, although it's rather more than I was considering before. An '07 4Runner Sport V6 with some Cooper Discoverer A/T3 tires on it.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

It's got 123k miles on it, which doesn't concern me too much. The 4.0 V6 in these has a timing chain, no belt to worry about. It's got the full-time 4wd like I want, with a nice Torsen center differential. No rear locking diff (the only 4th gen 4Runner with a rear locker is the '09 Trail Edition and these are rare), but it does have some electronic doodads like Hill-Start Assist Control and Downhill Assist Control. Plenty of ground clearance, obviously.

Good tires—check.

Really my only concerns with this are:

1. They're asking just shy of $15k, but given the whole situation I just went through I'm sure they'd give me a good deal. That said, I'd have to take out a longer loan than I probably should for a supposedly-but-not-really cheap winter car in order to keep the payments where I want.

2. The 4th gen 4Runner didn't get a traction/stability control disable switch until 2008. Locking the center differential disables stability control but not traction control, which can work against you if you get stuck in deep snow and really just want to spin the wheels to break loose.

Hmm...maybe #2 means I should look for an '08-'09...

DISCUSSION (14)

Steve in Manhattan > Textured Soy Protein
11/26/2014 at 00:53

Is this something you would keep for 8 or 9 years? That you wouldn't get bored with? Might be worth the extra investment.

Steve in Manhattan > Textured Soy Protein
11/26/2014 at 00:54

And running boards!

Textured Soy Protein > Steve in Manhattan
11/26/2014 at 01:01

Funny you mention that.

The 3rd gen 4Runner they just bought back from me had running boards, which were kinda annoying because the step-in height wasn't so high that you needed the running boards, but the running boards stuck out enough that you pretty much needed to step on them to get in gracefully.

The 5th gen I had as a loaner didn't have running boards, but it's so damn high off the ground that it really needs them. Like I had to swing my leg wayyyyy up in there and kinda hop up. And I'm 5'11" so it's not like I'm super short.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Steve in Manhattan
11/26/2014 at 01:02

I learned the hard way that that isn't necessarily a good thing. Water gets caught in the grip slots and freezes. The resulting fall hurts like hell.

Textured Soy Protein > Steve in Manhattan
11/26/2014 at 01:02

I wouldn't necessarily keep it that long, but who knows? My 135is is a lease so whatever winter vehicle I end up with, I'd probably make that my only vehicle for a while after turning in the 135is. Then worry about getting another silly performance car once I've taken a while to enjoy not paying for the 135is.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Textured Soy Protein
11/26/2014 at 01:14

They also hold water and freeze. It's sucks to fall on your back directly onto concrete.

Textured Soy Protein > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
11/26/2014 at 01:18

I see your point—especially valid since this will often be parked outside in snow. My Grand Cherokee doesn't have running boards, but it really doesn't need them since it's a unibody and the step-in height is a lot lower than the 4Runner.

The ones on this 4Runner Sport look more like tubular step bars than full-on running boards, and they seem like they might not get in the way too much where you can avoid stepping on them if you want. I'd have to try them out.

wallaby13 > Textured Soy Protein
11/26/2014 at 01:18

If the other 4Runner was a bit over budget, this one has to be really pushing it right?

You know if you go in to "talk" about it you're going to walk out with the keys.

Edit Swoon them with a bottle of old booze.....

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Textured Soy Protein
11/26/2014 at 01:23

Oh, definitely don't make that a deciding factor. It was just a warning from a lesson learned. They are super easy to take off if you don't like them.

Textured Soy Protein > wallaby13
11/26/2014 at 01:25

Well, the other 4Runner was a hair over budget for a cheap old used vehicle where I take out a quick-n-dirty little 3-year loan from my credit union that gives low rates on old cars as long as you keep the loan to 3 years or less.

Something like this could still fit the budget if I got a similarly low rate on a longer-term loan, like 5 years, and keep it long enough where if I get rid of it before paying off the loan, there's at least some decent value left in it where I can get some money out of it in addition to paying off the loan.

Steve in Manhattan > Textured Soy Protein
11/26/2014 at 01:41

Who knows indeed? That truck will likely last until 2027 and beyond.

bob and john > Textured Soy Protein
11/26/2014 at 05:36

hmm.
for the traction control. I'm assuming it has a fuse yes? would it possible to splice a switch into the system so that you can turn it off at your will?

a pro for buying this as well is that you can also buy a track car and use this to tow it to the track! (i know, I'm not helping your wallet)

Tohru > Textured Soy Protein
11/26/2014 at 08:09

My dad is actually starting work at Smart Toyota as a salesman on Monday. You probably won't see him out on the floor right away, they do a 3 week training course.

Textured Soy Protein > bob and john
11/26/2014 at 08:59

In my quick search for info about this, there are various hacks out there to wire up a switch to defeat the traction and stability control, but I'd have to read up on it more before deciding if that's something I want to mess with.