Question about my situation with two different dealerships

[MyThirdEye]

I've been shopping around looking at purchasing an SUV. I have narrowed my decisions down to two: Nissan Pathfinder and the Toyota 4runner.

I found a 2005 4runner at a small, family owned dealership. They had it priced for $14500, the guy said it had one owner, and let me drive it. It drove fine, and had no notcable things wrong with it.

I went to a larger dealership and found a 2006 that was the same 4x4 sport model. They had it priced for $23000, and had the same deal with it, one owner, no wrecks.

Anyway, my question is: How can the smaller dealership have it so much cheaper, even when it's only one year older, and a 'tad bit more dirty?

 

[MyThirdEye]

I'm probably not going to end up getting that new of a 4runner, probably get the '02.

 

[Zenmervolt]

How many miles on each? That's a huge variable that you're not listing. You also don't list the trim level of the 2005 or tell us whether or not it is 4WD. Basically, you aren't even close to providing enough information for us to answer your question.

ZV

 

[MyThirdEye]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
How many miles on each? That's a huge variable that you're not listing. You also don't list the trim level of the 2005 or tell us whether or not it is 4WD. Basically, you aren't even close to providing enough information for us to answer your question.

ZV

Whoops!

Both trims are the SR5 4x4.
2005 = 60k miles
2006 = 40k miles

 

[woodie1]

My guess -

The small dealership is willing to accept a small profit and the large one is one of those greedy, make $5K on every vehicle, type.

 

[DVad3r]

Is the larger dealership a Toyota one? Toyota pre-owned certified cars will be much more than regular no name places. In some cases you overpay, in some cases you don't, but I think it's a safer bet buying from them, chances are the car won't be a total sham.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

what is the warranty provided by each dealership?

 

[MyThirdEye]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
what is the warranty provided by each dealership?

I'm not sure what the warranty is, I know the guy wanted $800 for a warranty on the 4-Wheel drive.

 

[olds]

One dealer has a bigger boat payment than the other.

 

[StageLeft]

There's a reason they are called stealerships. However, it's possible that buying from toyota will get you a "certified" one, which in many cases means a huge powertrain warranty.

Probalby the mom and pop has a third party warranty service, which is of much lower quality than a factory toyota one on a certified. I don't know that the difference is worth the big money, though. That's a huge difference in cost. I'd personally opt toward the cheaper one based on what you said here.

 

[iamwiz82]

2006 was a refresh year for the 4Runner.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
2006 was a refresh year for the 4Runner.

Ah, important point!

 

[MyThirdEye]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
2006 was a refresh year for the 4Runner.

refresh year? please explain.

 

[earthman]

If I paid that much for a Toyota with only 40-60k on it, I'd expect it to last another 200k at least. What are you worried about?

 

[MyThirdEye]

Originally posted by: earthman
If I paid that much for a Toyota with only 40-60k on it, I'd expect it to last another 200k at least. What are you worried about?

I just don't want it to crap out, and I have to buy new everything. I'm 17 and want to get everything paid off in 18 months.