WHICH 2012 TACOMA DO I CHOOSE???

Why buy new? Esp if you're unsure? If after 6 mths you decided you really don't need/care for it, you'll take a beating on selling it used. You can get in an out of a used one in a short period of time w/o much friction at all. Find a really sweet deal and you can even break even or turn a few bucks; yes, even after driving it for a year.

 

Might be a good option. I saw a sweet 2011 4x4 access auto TRD MGM for $25k with only like 8k miles. I've only bought new once but buying a new tacoma is appealing b/c of it's a truck I want to keep for as long as it runs. Also, I can get the $1k grad discount b/c I just graduated, that's a one time deal that's hard to pass up.

 

IMO, the $1k is relative to a new price, which may not be all that. Compared to say that 2011, someone has to get out of that one and likely you can score a bigger discount. No one buys for a year unless something has changed (family, job, location, etc), so you are in a good position as a buyer. Plus, if a dealer knows you're getting $1k, you know he wants to factor that in....unless you tell him after all real negotiations are done!

Tacoma's are known for being reliable too. I bought with 50k on the clock and wasn't at all concerned.

 

Yeah I'll weigh all of my options. I will not tell them about the grad discount until I settle on the price OTD, then I will break the good news about graduating from college. lol If I can get a 2012 within $2-3k of a used 2011, I will definitly jump on the 2012. If the spread is more than $5k than I will settle for a sweet used one. I have a feeling I'm going to be sitting in a 2012 b/c some dealers just like to move product quick. Who knows I may even end up as one of the first to get my hands on a new 2013! I hope to deal no later than December.

There is a science to this truck buying ordeal, I just have to figure out the formula that will yield a number closest to zero.

My goal is to get a better deal than anyone on TW b/c I'm highly competitive and a cheap mofo. I've got time and patience on my side. if I have to run the tables on dealers nationwide, I will.

 

I bought a new white 2012 Tacoma TRD Off Road V6 automatic double cab without the entune back in october of lastnice year I had to get it order it I love it its fun to drive I got 19.8 mpg best avg 18.5 22 fuel ups so far paid way more than everyone on here I think sticker was about 35k paid 32k for it. I have seen people pay 31k with the entune I wish I had gotten the entune system but I haven't played with one

 

As some have mentioned, mpg shouldn't be a big factor here -- the differences are minimal at best, and your mileage may vary completely from what you expect.

Your hobby requires gear, so Access Cab is probably the minimum you want. A standard cab can maneuver well and weighs less, but it's a pain if all your gear always has to go in the bed.

If you don't have kids or a lot of friends and an active social life, you probably don't need a DC.

Personally, if I went Access Cab or Regular Cab, I would want a standard, and if I had the standard I would want the I4. But I come from the old 20R motor days, so it is a nostalgic thing for me. We used to do just fine with < 130hp, and I think more than 4 cylinders and a standard is just strange.

My choice would be a 4x4 AC standard with I4, probably in the SR5 trim. When stuff wears out, upgrade and it will be like a free TRD since you'd have to replace stuff anyway.

A 4x4 requires additional maintenance, but with the I4 and SR5 package your overall cost concerns might be best met while giving you the capability you feel you need.

 

If I was concerned about MPG I wouldn't get a brand new vehicle. Which is why I got a 1st gen.

 

in my opinion, truck is like a tool, get the best you can afford... good luck

 

All those Chicken Little types have been "forecasting" $5 gas for years now.

 

go in and jew the dealership down on the price. I did i got a 2012 DCSB TRD OR 4x4 for 28,200 out the door with extra warranty and maintenance they wanted 34,000 and i put 3,000 down so go in and dont take no for an answer. REMEMBER THEY NEED TO SALE you just want it so if they cant meet you at what you think is fair then walk out and find another stealership.

 

Buy what you really want or don't buy at all. If you settle for the beach house on the 2nd row, you will always wish you had bought beach front.

 

so true my friend...thats pretty deep thinking.

 

I vote v6, but you gotta get that price down. NEVER pay sticker. I got my 11 double cab TRD OR for 28k. You just got to tell them you'l walk away and be willing to do it. You can alway check edmunds.com for a realitic price on what they are going for. I think that the site anayway.

 

CONGRATS! YOU GOT A HELL OF A DEAL.

I figure if I wait more towards the end of the year I can pull a sweeter deal for an 2012 inventory truck they want to clear out quick or even get a jump on a 2013 model.

 

You know my econ teacher in high school once told me that you NEVER finance a car because the car will own you and make you a slave to drive it. The teacher said to save up for the car and when you buy the car pay yourself back what the car note would have been had you financed. It's better to own the car than the car to own you, wouldn't you say?

The best financial advice I ever got. Cash is King. Debt = slavery.

 

If Iran starts some crap you can count on it.

 

Also, I need to factor in resale value and demand. 4x4 V6 auto access or dc are HIGHLY sought after and lose the least amount of value out of any truck being made today.

I've made my mind up thanks to you guys, it's written in stone that I will be getting a 4x4 V6 auto Access cab, Sr5 or TRD. I may wait it out till the fall to snag a TRD for cheaper when are they trying to clear out their existing 2012 model year inventory.

I will never forget when I bought a then brand new 2001Frontier king cab w/ 4cyl auto. That was THEE slowest gas pig of a automobile that I ever drove. That truck sucked so bad on gas and I would literally have to floor the pedal to climb the hills/mtns in Colorado and it would crawl up the incline with the pedal to the floor. What a POS. I quickly got rid of that for a 98 Pathfinder 4x4 V6 which was awesome.

 

Get the 4cyl 4x4 but get the stick. The auto is an absolute dog.

 

I assume you are luvin your 4cyl manual taco? I would consider a manual 4cyl taco but I don't like manual shift, I hate working while I drive. I like to chill and listen to music while I drive. So 4x4 V6 auto is my ticket. I'll just have to be light footed to save some coin at the pump.