New Wheels

An AWD 3.5L V-6 powered 2018 Toyota Highlander LE Plus with 70,000 miles on it for $24K

Stock photo. Too many breadcrumbs with the dealer's photos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah, I know... it's black.😒 Difficult to keep clean. The annual spring pine pollen scourge will turn it a putrid green color. Last black vehicle I had was a 1973 Jeep Commando 45 years ago. Oh well, beggars can't be choosers and the color will prevent my wife from commandeering it once she sees all that glorious cargo space because she hates black vehicles.

It has 3rd row seats that fold down completely flat making for the generous cargo area. Fold down the 2nd row and I could easily overnight camp inside. The car originated at that dealership as a 3 year lease, that was bought out at the end by the same owner. She ended up trading it in. The CarFax report is clean and shows all the services being done at the original dealership. I ended up getting handed the check for $9245 when I went to the Progressive office to sign over the title for Big Red. I will add $755 cash to make the down payment an even $10K. The plan is to return the rental to the Enterprise office across from the dealership, and drive home my new ride on Tuesday. Speaking of the rental, I stopped in to Enterprise after the Progressive office to extend the rental for a week. Hopefully I will be rid of it before the week is up and save a little dough.

New vehicles are just stupid money and totally out of the question. Used vehicles have some interesting proportions as far as prices go. My target price was $25K but could approach $30K. I was leaning heavy towards Toyota and wanted a mid-size SUV or Tacoma.

Lots of vehicles under $10K but nothing I want or approaching 200K miles. 

Older but with low miles = on target (what I got)

Even older but loaded with options and 100K plus miles = target or below but don't need or want all the bells and whistles.

2020-2023 with 150K miles or more = $30K and up

2023 and newer with decent mileage = low $40K 

Saw a couple of Tundras but definitely nothing for me. A 2016 Tundra Doublecab SR5 with 176K miles for $17,648. A 2025 Crew Max SR5 with the 5.5' bed and 26,433 miles for $45,524. And a 2024 Crew Max Limited with a 6.5' bed and 7,531 miles for $54,648. I already knew a comparable deal on a Tundra like I got back in 2010 wasn't happening... not these days. In hindsight, I probably should have sold my Tundra right after I did all that work on it two summer ago. I probably could have got $15,000 or better for it!

I submitted a credit check authorization form to their finance office because the salesman thought that with my 816 credit score they should be able to get me 7% or better. Because the vehicle is older than 2019, my credit union's rate was going to be 8.39% with a 72 month limit. My loan will either be 48 or 60 months but either way it will never go to term. I have NEVER taken a loan of any kind to term.