Cant decide...Which Taco to get from carmax

So I am going to finance a Taco until I can pay it off. Originally I was going to buy it straight cash so interest/and full cover insurance doesnt screw me over,but I need to start building my credit I think this will be a great way to do so with a steady job I have right now I think right now is a perfect time.
So what I am going for is a 9inch lift with big tires more for looks then performance as I am going to be probably on pavement all year round this is gonna probably take me about year and half to complete my build if all goes as planed. I have been looking on carmax and came between these two taco which do you think is the better choice? I really like what the 2010 TRDsport package has to offer ,but man a 2012 Pre runner with less miles for the same price you cant really beat that. I just hate all the chrome esp. that rear bumper I HATE the look of that ,but since I work at a paint and body im going to probably just paint over the chrome or replace it. Which one you think I should go with and please tell me why?

2010 Taco TRDsport
http://www.carmax.com/enus/view-car...8+15+9&Q=3935ff30-a7df-423d-b532-a735230567c3
2012 Taco Base
http://www.carmax.com/enus/view-car...8+15+9&Q=3935ff30-a7df-423d-b532-a735230567c3

 

its a mileage difference of 9k . Thats barely the break in period for the tacoma. I would go with the sport since its a TRD package and will include the better seats , tonneu cover and already painted parts so its less hassle for you... not to mention the Sport will have the power converter in the bed that the Base doesnt.... My vote is for Sport

 

Get the Sport! The hood scoop alone is worth it!

 

Yes that hood does make a big diff on how the truck looks.

 

If you want to do a 9 inch lift (which I highly recommend you don't, stick with the 6 inch), I'd do the SR5.

There's no point in paying the same price for an older truck just because it has a different seat patter, hood scoop, and matching bumper and grill. You said it yourself, you can paint over all that.

I knew I wanted a mid-travel suspension, so I went with an SR5 and I couldn't be happier. Also got my truck from CarMax

 

I would go with the sport too because it has more to offer for you. Also being 2yrs older insurance might be a little less. First thing to go should be the factory grill insert, it's fugly.

 

What is a mid travel suspension and what all did your SR5 package come with? and is your SR5 4x4? What is wrong with lifting it 3more inches?

 

I wouldn't buy squat from Carmax. The "We won't sell you a wrecked car" is complete bull.

 

Mid-travel is a suspension system (shocks, springs, control arms) that are built specifically to travel a certain distance up and down. It's mainly for off-roading, but it seems like you're not interested in doing any of that. My SR5 came with everything that 2012 has, and yes...it's 4x4. 6 inch lifts on our trucks are pretty tall as it is. Adding a 3 inch spacer on top of that is not advised for a the driveability of the truck, not to mention the risk of breaking a shock from traveling too far down without hitting a bumpstop.

 

SR5 is basically power options , fog lights and a tow hitch

TRD Sport adds radio controls , back up camera , power outlet in bed , "premium rims" and color matched bits and pieces


i think the SR5 could have the back up camera too but in this case the Sport will also hold its value better if you ever re sell and you will be over paying on a 2012 SR5. Went I went in to look at SR5s on the lot I had gotten them down to 25k OTD so I dont see this as a "good price"

 

And I'm not sure where you get your information from, but all you need to do is simply look at the amount of happy customers they have, including me. They make buying a car very easy, no bullshit, straight walk in, pay and walk out with keys.

 

I bought one. Something wasn't quite right about it. That Monday when I called the insurance company, they told me that they had paid out 7k on that VIN for accident repair.

 

^ true story... being on Ft.Bragg Ive heard quite a few of these stories. Last one was about 2 weeks ago on a white 02 4 door tacoma. It made some kind of creaking noise and low and behold it had been side swiped and the transmission didnt really sit right

 

Agreed. The best car to buy from
Carmax is the one from
The dealer next door


How do I know? I have friends that are car buyers (at auction) for other large regional chains and they see the cars Carmax is bidding on.

 

My 12 SR5 and all 12+ SR5 have radio controls and rear view camera.

Sorry but a older TRD is not worth it when I bought my truck.
Why pay for upgraded Cloth seats that stain easy? The billies that come on the TRD are not so great either. I knoiw the sport has the scoop and painted parts. The off road has the A-trac and locker. Don't want to forget about that JBL system either.

My vote is for the 12 unless you really like a two year older truck.

Call around and I'm sure you can get a brand new 13 for what you would be paying for those trucks. I got a 12 prerunner sport talked down to right around 27K OTD.

 

My SR5 has a backup cam and radio controls on the wheel.

And to the OP, no offense at all, but you might rethink your plans there if common sense is telling you that 1. financing a '12 from carmax is a good idea and 2. buying a '12 with cash and then not getting full coverage insurance on it is a good idea.

 

I got a brand new 13 for just $2000 more. I would compare each model for towing packages. The TRD does have the power outlet in the bed. I prefer the painted over the chrome. You can always plastidip over the chrome. Decisions...

 

I would buy a new trd sport prerunner . I paid 26000 for my trd sport prerunner brand new last year .

 

YUP!!

They said mine hadn't been in a wreck.. Fast forward a couple months, I notice my TRD Sport stickers are in two different places on the bed. I look closer and can tell there had been body work. Plus the rear bumper seems to sag. Never noticed it until then.

My vote is get something through Toyota or private seller and thoroughly go through the vehicle.

 

I say go for the 2012, it will hold its value better because it is the most recent body (yes I know it is still a 2nd gen)