Not sure if I want to go through with it!

polly5585 · Jul 3, 2025

So according to the dealerships website my new TRD ORP has arrived. Nobody has called me yet but I’m sure they will be soon. I’m feeling super nervous about following through with this purchase. I currently have a paid in full 2023 4Runner Limited. It’s been good to me so far. It has a little over 25,000 miles on it. I’m fully aware of all of the upgrades with the new 4Runner and I would only be borrowing about 10,000 for it. Payments wouldn’t be a big deal even though I’m retired. Just not sure if I should stick with what I know or do I go ahead and get the new one. Any of you been in this dilemma?

TRD_Alex · Jul 3, 2025

If I was in your position with an essentially brand new vehicle that's paid off and is known to hold it's value, I'd put another 25k miles on it, wait until 2027 then get a 6th gen. You'll most likely lose VERY little if any on your 2023 by waiting a couple of years. Just my two cents.

3Putt · Jul 3, 2025

My trade in was a 2014. No matter how small, car payments are a pita. Its not like there won’t be options in 2026 or 2027.

Bronconomore · Jul 3, 2025

Keep your 2023 Limited, too many unknowns with this new Gen 4Runner.
Just wait and enjoy the fact you don't have any growing pains, with your paid off workhorse.

CrispyTacoLover · Jul 3, 2025

Keep the limited a while longer.

sixfourgarage · Jul 3, 2025

100% Keep the Limited longer. Your current car is tried and tested. From personal experience, Toyota has some things to work out in terms of quality / assembly. Not sure why you'd want to switch up to begin with.. hopefully it's not for gas mileage (because its really not that great).

SC4Runner · Jul 4, 2025

This is my first 4Runner, so I can’t compare them. However, I’m loving this 6th gen so far! The payments And taxes…. Those are the only negatives.

Hacksaw · Jul 4, 2025

None of us know the thought process behind why you signed a fully worked out deal in the first place. Is there something about your 2023 that you really dislike and that is improved with the 2025 ORP? If no, there’s your answer; stick with the 2023 (if you can actually get out of this deal without a penalty).

From a quick search, a 2023 limited with 25k miles is probably worth around $50k if in great condition, as a private party sale; a few thousand less as a trade-in. Do you also have to put money down in addition to the $10k financed? And why finance 10k, paying thousands in interest in addition; pay cash if you can since you’re retired and presumably not going to have any more W2 income for the rest of your life.

Did you just recently retire or have been retired for years? If just recently, maybe there’s some psychology going on where you just feel like you want to buy yourself a present to reward all your years of working and saving, and a new 4runner fits the bill for that.

JR1 · Jul 4, 2025

I’m semi retired and bought a 25 sight unseen because of the engine and tech upgrades. I liked our 5th gen 4Runners but they are definitely a slug but super reliable. I am very happy with the choice. I hope the 25 is as reliable as all of the other generations we have owned. Still have a 2008 SR5 with 265,000 miles and never a major repair.

polly5585 · Jul 4, 2025

Hacksaw said:
None of us know the thought process behind why you signed a fully worked out deal in the first place. Is there something about your 2023 that you really dislike and that is improved with the 2025 ORP? If no, there’s your answer; stick with the 2023 (if you can actually get out of this deal without a penalty).

From a quick search, a 2023 limited with 25k miles is probably worth around $50k if in great condition, as a private party sale; a few thousand less as a trade-in. Do you also have to put money down in addition to the $10k financed? And why finance 10k, paying thousands in interest in addition; pay cash if you can since you’re retired and presumably not going to have any more W2 income for the rest of your life.

Did you just recently retire or have been retired for years? If just recently, maybe there’s some psychology going on where you just feel like you want to buy yourself a present to reward all your years of working and saving, and a new 4runner fits the bill for that.

Thanks for your reply! There isn’t anything in particular that I dislike about my 2023 Limited other than it doesn’t have the power lift gate. I have issues with my right shoulder so sometimes it’s a little painful when I go to close it. As far as “ penalties “ I guess the worst that would happen is I would lose my 500.00 deposit. Not crazy at all about that idea but what can you do? I’ve also tussled with the idea of just paying the 10,000 in cash and be done with it but that scares me because I am on a very fixed income. But yes, it would save me on all of that interest incurred from a loan. I’m just struggling with this: I love the looks and technology of the 2025 but I also love the reliability of my 2023 ( and it’s paid

Hacksaw said:
None of us know the thought process behind why you signed a fully worked out deal in the first place. Is there something about your 2023 that you really dislike and that is improved with the 2025 ORP? If no, there’s your answer; stick with the 2023 (if you can actually get out of this deal without a penalty).

From a quick search, a 2023 limited with 25k miles is probably worth around $50k if in great condition, as a private party sale; a few thousand less as a trade-in. Do you also have to put money down in addition to the $10k financed? And why finance 10k, paying thousands in interest in addition; pay cash if you can since you’re retired and presumably not going to have any more W2 income for the rest of your life.

Did you just recently retire or have been retired for years? If just recently, maybe there’s some psychology going on where you just feel like you want to buy yourself a present to reward all your years of working and saving, and a new 4runner fits the bill for that.

Thanks for your response!So I have been retired for one year now. I’ve had my 2023 Limited since 11/23. I’m just loving the looks and technology of the 2025 plus I drive on the beach so I am confident that a TRD ORP would be more than sufficient. I will say that my 2023 handles the soft sand just fine. As far as “penalties “ the worst that could happen is I would lose my 500.00 deposit. I’m not crazy about that idea but what can you do? I’ve also tossed the idea around of just paying the 10,000 up front but that scares me because of my fixed income. When I went to look at the 2025’s I didn’t have the intention of buying and I made that clear to the sales manager. He made me a very attractive offer for mine ( 50,000) so essentially I wouldn’t be losing any money on the trade. There isn’t anything I dislike about my 2023 other than there isn’t a power lift gate and it can be trying at times because my right shoulder has some issues. With the 2025 Runner I love the technology and the peppy motor and how improved the steering is compared to mine. When I signed the contract I felt confident in my decision but since the new runner isn’t there yet I’ve had time to really think so that is where I’m at.

FoozGrind · Jul 4, 2025

I traded in my paid off 2016 with 68k sr5 prem for a trd sport prem and it’s really nice and drives nice however I have some issues I am pissed about but it is whatever for now.

1. my brakes squeal loud AF. So much that I skip driving it sometimes. Nobody will fix it.

2. Trans feels clunky af from gear 2 to 1. Just trying to stay at 15 miles hour feels like your riding bull.

3. My rear spoiler clips separate really easy on the back left side of the center light (have not shown the dealership yet)

4. There is this stupidly odd rattle noise on certain songs that you can hear next to your ear on the driver side (haven’t reported it to Toyota)

Honestly the brakes are the biggest thing that makes me want my old 4Runner back. Brakes squeal regardless of which way I stop. Extremely worse in the morning like really loud. Had I known ahead of time this could have been an issue I would have tested the brakes. If you test them make sure you get be the first person to back it up in the morning. If it squeals run. I have a TAC case open and filed multiple complaints with Toyota care every week. I’ve asked them now to buy it back so just waiting. I have had my 4Runner since March 22nd with the noise happening right away and I didn’t think anything of it till I started googling and seeing tundras and landcruisers with the problem. Why would Toyota release a brand new redesigned vehicle with the same brake shit that has happened with other models. I only got 1900 miles and it’s just been not fun.

This is my 3rd 4Runner. I had a 2008 till 2016 and 2016 to 2025 so I was super excited and waited a long while for the tech and engine upgrades and I was ready for something new.

Hacksaw · Jul 4, 2025

FoozGrind said:
1. my brakes squeal loud AF. So much that I skip driving it sometimes. Nobody will fix it.

There seems to be a high correlation between living in Florida and brake squeal for new 4runner owners. Humidity and/or dew point related, I would guess. Maybe there should be a new brake squeal poll asking if you live in a humid area and have brake squeal vs dryer areas.

Are there any 2025 4runner owners in Florida (no idea if the entire state is generally humid this time of year) that DON'T have brake squeal?

Since the OP is in Florida, this is definitely something to check when your ORP comes in. Might even be a way to get out of the contract without a penalty if the brakes do squeal. Don't let the dealer tell you, don't worry, we can fix it (they probably could, but Toyota won't compensate them for it yet). Point them to all the threads on this forum about the squeal and Toyota's non-action so far.

LARIN · Jul 4, 2025

Wait a few years then decide. I was going to buy a 5th gen 2022-2024, but they drove like a Jeep at Highway Speeds felt like it could roll over with one wrong move. If you are comfortable driving it it on the Highway no need to update

2222CareBearStare · Jul 4, 2025

My wife and I have a 2023 and 2025 4runner, both TRD ORPs. Honestly, I'd keep the limited you have. The prev gen has better interior materials and overall feels like a more solid, well-built vehicle. Plus the ride quality in the prev gen is better (IMO).

polly5585 · Jul 4, 2025

Hacksaw said:
There seems to be a high correlation between living in Florida and brake squeal for new 4runner owners. Humidity and/or dew point related, I would guess. Maybe there should be a new brake squeal poll asking if you live in a humid area and have brake squeal vs dryer areas.

Are there any 2025 4runner owners in Florida (no idea if the entire state is generally humid this time of year) that DON'T have brake squeal?

Since the OP is in Florida, this is definitely something to check when your ORP comes in. Might even be a way to get out of the contract without a penalty if the brakes do squeal. Don't let the dealer tell you, don't worry, we can fix it (they probably could, but Toyota won't compensate them for it yet). Point them to all the threads on this forum about the squeal and Toyota's non-action so far.

Thank you for this… I am glad that the 2025 I put a small deposit on hasn’t arrived yet because I’m learning about some issues ( the brakes being a big one with all of the noise!) Whenever they call me to let me know it’s ready I hope to have enough clarity as to what I will do but one thing for sure, I will definitely go through it VERY thoroughly and I won’t take possession of it if there are any issues be it the brakes, the fenders not lining up, whatever it might be.