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Do I pass my 4Runner on to my kids?

Posted on 1/25/24 at 9:39 am
Posted by Highway_Man
Member since May 2014
291 posts
Posted on 1/25/24 at 9:39 am
I have a 2011 4Runner (SR5 4WD), purchased brand new. ~140k miles and will last until 400k miles easily I feel. I love it and really don't want to get a new vehicle, but have a dilemma.

I have three kids, two that will be driving soon. There is a possibility that they'll share a vehicle at first, but we're super busy, they're in all kinds of activities and it won't be long before getting them each a vehicle makes more sense.

Do I give one of them the 4Runner and buy something else for me and a cheaper vehicle for the other, keep the 4Runner and buy two cheaper vehicles- maybe a camry/rav4/cheaper tacoma (leaning towards this).

I could definitely use a truck, so wouldn't be against buying myself a Tacoma or Tundra, but financially that might not be the best decision. I can easily afford it but try not to live beyond our means when possible.

I'd be pretty upset if I handed down the 4Runner and they wreck it- and I know just about ever teen will have a minor accident at least.

Also how fricked am I in terms of insurance, car payments etc (assuming I don't buy outright).
This post was edited on 1/25/24 at 9:41 am
Posted by canyon
Member since Dec 2003
18607 posts
Posted on 1/25/24 at 9:41 am to
Highway_Man?
You should have the manual already written baw.

But seriously keep that for yourself and let the two oldest share a Honda Accord.
This post was edited on 1/25/24 at 9:42 am
Posted by Chad504boy
4 posts
Member since Feb 2005
167035 posts
Posted on 1/25/24 at 9:42 am to
quote:

I'd be pretty upset if I handed down the 4Runner and they wreck it-


It's a 13 year old vehicle. Jesus. Get over yourself.
Posted by el Gaucho
He/They
Member since Dec 2010
53463 posts
Posted on 1/25/24 at 9:43 am to
You should trade in that Chinese soyota and get your kids a real American vehicle like a Chevy
Posted by AllsGroovn
Metairie, LA
Member since Jun 2005
1949 posts
Posted on 1/25/24 at 9:44 am to
No matter how responsible the kids are, they won't take care of it like you would. The most financial sense would be to get them a used car that gets good mileage with relatively low maintenance costs (if such a thing exists today).

No matter how good of a driver they are, it will get wrecked or damaged. It's going to happen.
Posted by YOURADHERE
Member since Dec 2006
8064 posts
Posted on 1/25/24 at 9:46 am to
Keep it and let one of them drive it. Pre-update 5th Gens aren't really worth a whole bunch, plus it's super reliable so assuming it's cared for will last one of them quite a while.
Posted by WonPercent
BATON ROUGE
Member since Aug 2023
497 posts
Posted on 1/25/24 at 9:46 am to
What's the wife drive? Maybe pass down both her vehicle and the 4Runner and you both get a new vehicle. Def makes life a little easier when the kids become mobile.
Posted by XenScott
Pensacola
Member since Oct 2016
3190 posts
Posted on 1/25/24 at 9:47 am to
When you put a teenager on your insurance your jaw will drop.
Posted by Gaston
Dirty Coast
Member since Aug 2008
39183 posts
Posted on 1/25/24 at 9:48 am to
I didn’t want my son to have a vehicle loaded down with friends, so I bought him a GR86. Can barely fit one other normal sized human in there…perfect.
Posted by sosaysmorvant
River Parishes, LA
Member since Feb 2008
1321 posts
Posted on 1/25/24 at 9:50 am to
No brainer. Keep it
Posted by MrWhipple
West of the Mississippi
Member since Jun 2016
733 posts
Posted on 1/25/24 at 9:51 am to
You should consider where/if they are going to college in this decision. You are only 3-5 years away from them potentially leaving the house.

I have 3 kids. I bought a high mileage beater for their high school days. This was shared and handed down as each went off to college. I purchased a better used car for them to take to college. I sold the beater when the last one graduated HS.
Posted by Shamoan
Member since Feb 2019
9428 posts
Posted on 1/25/24 at 9:53 am to
I am in this exact same dilemma. mine are spaced 4 years apart (range from 13 yr old to 5 yr old) and i just bought a new to me '21 tacoma with the plan of handing it over in 3 years, but im already deciding to keep the tacoma and find a much cheaper one to pass to them.
Posted by gumbo2176
Member since May 2018
15421 posts
Posted on 1/25/24 at 9:54 am to
Chances are that vehicle won't come close to seeing 400K miles if you pass it on to teenagers.
Posted by TopWaterTiger
Lake Charles, LA
Member since May 2006
10269 posts
Posted on 1/25/24 at 9:56 am to
quote:

Do I give one of them the 4Runner and buy something else for me and a cheaper vehicle for the other, keep the 4Runner and buy two cheaper vehicles- maybe a camry/rav4/cheaper tacoma (leaning towards this).


There's no right answer here. I mean you'll have to buy something, so the cost vs. the risk ratio is up to you and your budget.

I'm not sure if you've priced anything lately but all cars are severely over inflated.

At the end of the day, you currently have a 13 year old vehicle that is paid off. I'd prob pass that one down the line to one of the kids and get myself something newer.
Posted by Thundercles
Mars
Member since Sep 2010
5216 posts
Posted on 1/25/24 at 9:56 am to
Buy a reliable used for the kids. Make em share at first. People hating on you here must not know the joy of having an old car still running after a decade with several more years in front of you.
Posted by WhiskeyThrottle
Weatherford Tx
Member since Nov 2017
5407 posts
Posted on 1/25/24 at 9:58 am to
It's a vehicle that is a depreciating asset. Don't get too attached to it. What is the current market value of the 4Runner and what is the market value of something you would get them. If you need a truck, I'd get a truck and let the kids drive the 4Runner. Personally, I'd get a Tundra over the Taco. The Tundra gets roughly the same mileage that I've seen as the Tacoma, and all you're giving up is towing capacity you may or may not need in the future.
Posted by dewster
Chicago
Member since Aug 2006
25445 posts
Posted on 1/25/24 at 9:59 am to
I’d find a used vehicle with a manual transmission for your kids first ride. Not a sports car though.
Posted by BilbeauTBaggins
probably stuck in traffic
Member since May 2021
4889 posts
Posted on 1/25/24 at 10:04 am to
quote:

I have a 2011 4Runner (SR5 4WD), purchased brand new. ~140k miles and will last until 400k miles easily I feel. I love it and really don't want to get a new vehicle, but have a dilemma.

You will not get a whole lot for your trade in. You're better off letting your kids drive it until the wheels possibly fall off.

quote:

Do I give one of them the 4Runner and buy something else for me and a cheaper vehicle for the other, keep the 4Runner and buy two cheaper vehicles- maybe a camry/rav4/cheaper tacoma (leaning towards this).

Does anyone NEED to be anywhere besides school? If they work then your situation is different.

quote:

I'd be pretty upset if I handed down the 4Runner and they wreck it- and I know just about ever teen will have a minor accident at least.


I only ever got a speeding ticket. Never caused an accident with the two vehicles that my parents had let me drive. Not every teen is an accident prone driver.

quote:

Also how fricked am I in terms of insurance, car payments etc (assuming I don't buy outright).

Car payments are awful right now. I have heard of some parents just straight up not putting their kids on the policy and pray they don't wreck. Insurance will still cover things at the end.


Do not overthink cars. They are built so that you can get from A to B to C and back to A. It just needs to help you travel. Anything else is extra. If you want extra, sure, add it on but it will not change what the car will do for you 99% of the time. You can teach your kids how to properly maintain your car. Show them that this is the only car they get and if something happens to it, they'll need to figure it out.
Posted by H2O Tiger
Delta Sky Club
Member since May 2021
6644 posts
Posted on 1/25/24 at 10:20 am to
My parents bought me a CPO 4Runner my senior year of HS. I'm 30 now and one of the dumbest things I did was sell that car. I wish I still had it.

Posted by greenbean
USAF Retired
Member since Feb 2019
4762 posts
Posted on 1/25/24 at 10:20 am to
Don't buy the newest gen Tundra.
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