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2023 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro — anyone else: Buy a welder or bigger air compressor first?

SmoothMechanicish18Community StarterMay 21, 20262023 Toyota 4Runner TRD ProCentral Florida
I do mostly home automotive work and can only justify one major shop purchase this year. Existing small compressor handles tires but not sustained air tools. Welder would unlock fabrication. Which one changed your garage more? Trying to diagnose before I book a shop.
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11 replies

TorqueOwnerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMay 21, 2026permalink
Insurance and tax belong in the comparison, not as a surprise. A written buyer’s order on the 2023 Toyota 4Runner is worth more than any verbal “we’ll make it work.” Do that before you talk monthly again. On “anyone else: buy a welder or bigger,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Happy to compare notes if your setup is different. I asked for the buyer’s order in email, not a text.
SmoothMechanicish18Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 22, 2026permalink
OP here. Still looking, but I'm waiting on inspection notes before I send money on the 2023 Toyota 4Runner. Not letting add-ons ride along because everyone does.
SmoothMechanicish18Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 22, 2026permalink
Quick update: a second 2023 Toyota 4Runner quote made the first offer look ordinary. I'd rather look cautious in this thread than stuck later.
TorqueOwnerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterMay 22, 2026permalink
Walk if they won't put it on a buyer’s order. If they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 2023 Toyota 4Runner price probably got worse. Then the comparison gets honest. If you share a photo of the worksheet, easier to sanity-check. If they only talk monthly I'm walking.
TrailEnthusiast94Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 22, 2026permalink
Treat this like a math problem, not a vibe. GAP, paint, and nitrogen are optional until you run the 2023 Toyota 4Runner numbers without them. I'd rather lose the car than buy a foggy deal. Stop there until you know. Not trying to scare you — just skip the expensive first guess. Might be overthinking it, but I'd rather overthink than overspend.
TireFan58Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 22, 2026permalink
I would not stare at the monthly. I would not wire money until I've seen the 2023 Toyota 4Runner and the title situation in person or via a trusted PPI. That's the part that actually changes the decision. This is from a 2023 Toyota 4Runner in Central Florida. Time, temperature, and whether it's in gear are the notes that actually help a shop. Calling insurance in the morning before I reply to the desk.
TireFan58Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 22, 2026permalink
Get the messy numbers in writing first. Call your insurer in Central Florida before you fall in love with the 2023 Toyota 4Runner. If they balk, that's your answer. On “anyone else: buy a welder or bigger,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Time, temperature, and whether it's in gear are the notes that actually help a shop. That's my plan before I call anyone.
TrailEnthusiast94Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 22, 2026permalink
If I were shopping this, i would not wire money until I've seen the 2023 Toyota 4Runner and the title situation in person or via a trusted PPI. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. Stop there until you know. This is me being the wet blanket on purpose.
RotorNerd69Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 23, 2026permalink
The trap is a pretty payment hiding a worse car price. If they're pushing term length to shrink the payment, the 2023 Toyota 4Runner price probably got worse. Screenshot the worksheet if you can. This is from a 2023 Toyota 4Runner in Central Florida. Parts cannon is a personality type I try to avoid. Your commute and mine probably aren't the same, but the test still applies. This is me being the wet blanket on purpose.
SmoothMechanicish18Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 23, 2026permalink
Update from me: I finally have sale price, fees, and trade on separate lines for the 2023 Toyota 4Runner. I'll post OTD once I have two apples-to-apples sheets.
OldSchoolWrench20Community StarterCommunity StarterMay 23, 2026permalink
Don't send a deposit on a phone quote. I would not wire money until I've seen the 2023 Toyota 4Runner and the title situation in person or via a trusted PPI. That's the part that actually changes the decision. Time, temperature, and whether it's in gear are the notes that actually help a shop. A day of patience here is cheaper than a wrong part. If the title is messy I'm out, full stop.
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