New Sequoia or used?

Nathans_Dad · Nathans_Dad's Garage

Usually the obvious answer would be used. My question is with the market on these things theoretically being near bottom and dealers willing to take about $10k off MSRP, does it make sense to buy one off the lot right now?

We have a Tahoe with about 75k miles on it now and the wife has her heart set on a Sequoia. The ones we are looking at sticker for $45-50k, according to the Sequoia forums on the net most people are getting about 10k off sticker once you factor in the 3k from Toyota. I looked at used ones and they are low to mid 30s for the new body style, so it would be saving me around $3-4k to buy used.

Is it worth it?

Vipergrün · 06-04-2009, 04:23 PM

Buy new, let the dealer eat the depreciation. Get the 5.7L with 6 speed tranny.....buttah.. I really like my Tundra.

speeder · speeder's Garage

They are phenomenally great vehicles and I would not hesitate to buy a used one w/ 100k miles on it if it was clean. That said, obviously you want near-new and if that's really the difference I'd say that new is a no-brainer. I assume that the low-30s ones are '09s w/ a few miles on them?

They must be holding value even in this economy. I'm surprised that the supply/price of new ones isn't applying downward pressure on used ones.

My Dad has had every series of 4-runner since they came out and now a Lexus RX, they just don't break if you do the (very minimal) scheduled maintenance.

Nathans_Dad · Nathans_Dad's Garage

Yeah, the low $30's Sequoias are 2008 models (Toyota didn't make any 2009s) with less than 20k on the odo. Those are SR5s (base model) with few options. A new base SR5 starts at $38k. Most SR5s are going for low $40s once they get a few options on them. New you could probably get a low $40s SR5 for mid $30s. The weird thing is there are very few used Sequoias with the new body style out there. On Carmax there are only 4, all on the west coast. Cars.com has a few more, but most are program type cars or demos. I'm not sure if they just haven't sold that many or whether people are hanging on to them to avoid taking the hit on the resale. The other option would be a Tahoe, but the wife really wants a Sequoia and I figure the Toyota will last longer than the Chevy.

Most of what I am seeing on the lots (at least from the internet sites) are Limiteds which are stickering in the upper $40s, which would translate to upper $30s actual price.

Rot 911 · 06-05-2009, 05:35 AM

Same thing happened to the Grand Cherokees for a few years. With the rebates and discounts you could buy new for almost the same price as a 1 year old Grand with 12K miles. If that is the case, I would buy new.

kaisen · 06-05-2009, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathans_Dad

I figure the Toyota will last longer than the Chevy.

Really?

Are you looking for 2wd or 4wd?

71T Targa · 06-05-2009, 10:40 AM

We have an '02 with about 140k on the clock. Other than having undersized brakes, that thing is rock solid. I think they've resolved the brake issue, but I don't know what year they made the change.

Vipergrün · 06-05-2009, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71T Targa

We have an '02 with about 140k on the clock. Other than having undersized brakes, that thing is rock solid. I think they've resolved the brake issue, but I don't know what year they made the change.

I have an 07 Tundra and warped the front rotors. I simply added slotted aftermarket rotors and problem solved. Took an hour to change rotors and pads, piece of cake. So, I think the 'problem' still exists, at least on the Tundra.

vash · vash's Garage

i think low new car prices tend to push used car prices even lower. i would still explore used.

speeder · speeder's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaisen

Really?

Are you looking for 2wd or 4wd?

Do you think that a new Chev/GMC will outlast a Toyota?

Serious question, FWIW.

MikeSid · 06-05-2009, 02:51 PM

I have a straight 6 Lexus GS and a '00 Land Cruiser. Both cars eat rotors.

Understandable with the weight of the LC, not so much with the GS.

Haven't had a single problem with either one other than changing fluids and filters and replacing pads and rotors. I'll take that kind of vehicle 6 days a week and twice on Sundays.

Zef · Zef's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by speeder

Do you think that a new Chev/GMC will outlast a Toyota?

Serious question, FWIW.

Come on guys.....Nothing will outlast a Toyota...and surely not a GM crap.

MikeSid · 06-05-2009, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zef

Come on guys.....Nothing will outlast a Toyota...and surely not a GM crap.

Depends on how many crate motors you put in the Chebby.

911pcars · 06-05-2009, 03:31 PM

Grocery getter or need to transport 7-passengers?

Will it ever touch real dirt?

Depends on your needs versus wants.

For many, a mini-van is a better overall solution.

Sherwood

Flyer88 · 06-05-2009, 05:28 PM

Ours is at 89K and the only thing I've had to do is tires, brake pads, oil and an oil pressure sensor. It will get the 90K treatment next week and be ready to go for another 90K. I bought it used with 4800 miles on it from a guy who wanted more bells and wistles (Escalade) and was just going to sell it back to the dealer - saved me about 13K off sticker - Limited version with everything but nav system. Towed with it last year to VIR and Watkins Glen and it was a champ!

Nathans_Dad · Nathans_Dad's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaisen

Really?

Are you looking for 2wd or 4wd?

2wd

kaisen · 06-07-2009, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speeder

Do you think that a new Chev/GMC will outlast a Toyota?

Serious question, FWIW.

ND said he "figured the Toyota would last longer than the Chevy"

Honestly, I'd say flip a coin.
Ford and GM trucks are better than people give them credit for.
Toyota full-size trucks have been slightly worse than people give them credit for.

The real arguement comes from purchase price. A used 2008 Tahoe LS 2WD runs about $5000 less than a 2008 Sequoia SR5 2WD. About thirty versus mid-thirties.

So if there is not a huge difference in reliability / longevity, save the money.
If there is, $5000 can buy a couple GM 5.3L motors, for example.

The Tahoe drivetrains should last a couple hundred thousand miles.
The Sequoia is a nice truck in most ways. Is it worth the money?

Rufblackbird · 06-07-2009, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vipergrün

I have an 07 Tundra and warped the front rotors. I simply added slotted aftermarket rotors and problem solved. Took an hour to change rotors and pads, piece of cake. So, I think the 'problem' still exists, at least on the Tundra.

No more brake problems if you get the TRD brakes with the 16" rotors