I have 03 SE 4Rnry V6 4WD - happy with it.  Get realistic 16-22 actual
mileage on regular although computer says 18.4MPG.  Why not get another
Highlander if you were happy with that and don't need heavier off road
vehicle which stretches your budget?  Or buy you brother a normal car that
gets good mileage?

kandle2075@hotmail.com, 9/29/2005, 6:20:26 PM,
<1128032426.675651.90130@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> wrote:

I used to have Nissans before I converted to Toyota.  The newest one
was a 1989 Sentra.  They're okay, but not nearly as reliable as the
Toyotas I have had since.  Nissans tend to be more agile and powerful,
but noisier and cheaper in all around quality.  I cannot speak for
newer models.

If you were pleased with the Highlander you might consider their
six-cylinder model.  You will get more power and the vehicle is lighter
than the 4Runner.  Total performance of the 4Runner may be similar to
your old Highlander since it is much bigger and heavier.

As always, make sure you drive each vehicle for a while before
deciding.  Some dealerships will let you keep it overnight.  Chances
are you will find something else you love or hate about either one that
will make your decision easier.

Excuse me?  You were not involved in any part of buying two cars except for
the almost insignificant bit about paying for them?  If I'm buying
something, I usually demand sort of a strong voice in what gets bought.
Usually, the guy that brings the money calls the shots.

Now you're forced to sell to your brother who is down on his luck?  And
giving your car to your brother is going to eliminate your trade-in on your
new car, so you'll be over budget on your new car?  This sure isn't working
in your favor, is it?

Maybe your brother would be better off with a small inexpensive car (a Kia
or Hyundai, even) that will run OK for a few years and cost him very little
to buy, probably less monthly than the payments on your Highlander and would
get
better gas mileage and cost less to drive and insure, saving him more money
down the road.

If your brother so badly needs a new vehicle, why is this waiting until the
end of the year?  If his car is fixable/driveable, you should postpone this
indefinitely.

Here's my advice:
1. Keep your Highlander.  They're nice cars.  Enjoy driving it.
2. Let your brother solve his own problems.  Don't co-sign a loan for him,
either.  If you are bound and determined to help him (not recommended), see
a lawyer (or find a free legal aid office) for help writing up a legally
binding loan contract and loan him a small down payment on reasonable terms.
Have the loan witnessed and/or notarized by people who are not your
relatives.  They laywer fee may eat up some of your savings but this will
help ensure you get your money back, someday. If you don't get a signed,
legally enforceable loan contract for it, any money you give your brother is
a "gift."  Be absolutely prepared to take him to small claims court and do
not loan him more than you could recover in a small claims court.
3. If you don't already have a house, work on buying one.  Even with a small
amount of money, you may be able to afford an inexpensive condo/towhouse in
a good neighborhood.  Be sure to watch out for the condo fees.  If you don't
turn over your Highlander and your savings to your brother, you can probably
afford a house sooner.  You want to know what house values are like, so
check the sale reports (published in some papers) to see the real prices of
houses.  If you don't know a little bit about carpentry and plumbing, see if
there's a night classe at the community college or whatever to help you out.
Get a home inspection before you buy.  Always offer less.
4. When you buy a house, move there without giving the rest of your family
the address.  Get a post office box and have your brother mail his loan
payments (if he makes any) there.
5. Once you have a house, start putting some of your savings into the stock
market.
Buy low (when everybody else has bailed) and favor stocks from healthy
companies that pay dividends.  If you don't trust your own judgement on
stock purchasing, buy into some no-load diversified funds.
6. When you do replace your Highlander, I'd recommend something that gets
better gas mileage.  Since you've just got 2WD on your Highlander, why not
just drive a regular sedan, like a Camry?   If you like sitting up high and
looking down on the road, the Rav4 is a nice choice that also gets better
gas mileage than the Highlaner (although not a whole lot better).