Who buys these used Tacoma's?

I'm about to buy a new 13 or 14 DC SB 4x4 TRD OR. I would prefer to buy a 3-5 year old under 60k mile example, BUT...........

I can't see paying within $5-6k of the price of a new one. I swear some I see for sale are advertised for more than they cost when new. Heck I've seen '12 models for more than I can buy a NEW 13 for NOW!

These are not all stealership examples either. This is from Craigslist, Auto Trader, etc. MOST of the 1-2 year old ones would cost you MORE $ per month when you figure the incentive interest rates versus what you're going to pay on a used one. EVERYBODY is not just asking too much. I'm sure most of them sell for close to asking price.

To WHOM is my question. Why would you pay $28k for a 2 year old 30k mile truck when you could buy the SAME truck new for $32k ? Four thousand dollars for two years and those miles doesn't seem worthwhile to me, but it obviously does for somebody. This is the only vehicle on the planet that it probably makes sense to lease (if you're gonna keep it mostly stock and not get nuts with the miles). You can keep it 4-5 years and if you have an open end lease where you can buy it at any time, you're PROBABLY in an equity position within two years.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. It's a wonderful thing for Tacoma owners. It's just inconvenient for people like me who would like a fairly late model low mile used truck. Makes no sense to buy one like that.

 

Lots of us can tell the same story. Tacos are one of the trucks you might as well buy new. I bought my auto SR5 '10 for $27k new with every option an SR5 can have. and a year later a buddy bought an '09, manual, with 80k on it for $21k and had to drive 10 hrs round trip to get it. His is an OR, but It still didn't make a lot of sense to me. They hold their value quite well.

 

I have been scratching my head for the longest time over this. It proves one thing, how desirable these trucks really are. Resale value is one of the highest it seems. I finally took the plung and decided to spend the extra 5-6k and purchased myself a 13 dcsb just last month. The payments are just a bit higher, but now you have a brand new truck, and are not getting into a used vehicle which you have no idea if it was babied or uncared for.

 

this used to piss me off when i was in the market. i never figured it out. ultimately, i just gave up on lo mileage, recent model Tacomas and just looked for a new one. it's tough to save on a used Tacoma - you have to be patient and in the right place at the right time.

 

Fjs are even better I bought mine used for 19,500 and 4 years later I traded in for 19,000 and I bought a used 10 dbcb 4x4 trd off road w/ 30,000 miles for 24,000.Toyota does not give many offers on Tacomas I could have bought a new Tundra for cheaper but I didn't want a full size.

 

Looking at this logically, the Tacoma powertrain can easily go for 200k miles. No fluid change or major maintenance items need to happen within the first 30k miles. The fact the Tacoma hasn't had a major redesign in 9 years is probably helping residual value, too. Evidently enough people don't care for the new-car smell.

Your '04 depreciates even slower.

My friend was looking for a 4x4 winter vehicle and couldn't justify paying almost $10k for a rusted 1st gen. He eventually ended up getting an S10 ZR2, very carefully picking a powertrain combination with few known issues.

4Runners depreciate faster for some reason. If you don't need a truck bed, the 4R is a good alternative. Interestingly, the best prices are on the V8 models, which are thirstier.

 

if you plan on wheeling save the 4k.. and use it on mods... other than that go new

 

5-6k is a lot of money... in fact, around 20%. Personally, I'll take the savings!

 

Like another said, its worth it if you are at the right place at the right time. I bought my 2010 dcsb sport 4x4 used about 4 months ago. It had 34k on it and i paid exactly $24,000 for it. It was one owner immaculate shape, even came with bilstein 5100s, nfab bars and toolbox. All i did was switch to coilovers on the front and put on rims/tires. I was looking at new ones myself until i ran across a guy selling this one. Best part is, i used my local credit union for an awesome interest rate. = no dealer and no money down.

 

KenLyns I really wouldn't mind a 4R (especially a V8 one), but wouldn't relish the idea of loading a dead deer in the rear cargo area.

Tell you what I really have in mind. I have an 8 yr old son and I have a company truck. I intend to buy myself my FIRST new truck, AND as it won't be my primary vehicle, drive it until he's ready for it. Hopefully by then it will have 100-150k miles and will be perfect for a young new driver. You were right about the first gen. I bought it for $17k with 60k miles and new tires. Drove it a year plus, sold it for $14,900 (to the FIRST caller mind you) with 100k miles (I used it for a company truck, and got paid 55 cents a mile) and worn out tires.

I could have looked for some used tires with good tread (would have been hard to find as it had BBS wheels off a Limited, and were a weird size), taken my time and probably sold it closer to $16k. That's ridiculous. I operated it next to free as it was.

I REALLY believe you could buy a new truck every 4 years, and keep the miles under control and keep it clean, and get close to 85-90% of what you paid for it when it's time to buy the next one (partially due to the increase in price each year).

On a related note, does anyone know EXACTLY what is different on 14's? Not much $ difference as best I can tell looking at stickers. Saw a NICE 14 at SpringHill Toyota in Mobile today. Had leather seats ($1399 option) but called them "all weather seating" on the sticker.

 

That was a good deal for both parties. You bought for ($8k?) under new sticker, and he owned that truck for 3+- years and 34k miles for what $5-6k ? Owning a truck like that for 15 cents a mile seems cheap to me.

 

This is why I finally bought a new one. Couldn't find a used one much cheaper than a new unless it had over 100k miles on it. Was looking for a year.

 

Yup same reason I bought a new one. It's outrageous for a used truck that has some wear and tear and cost to the price of a new one.

 

I traded in my '06 with 98K miles on it.

I got into an '08 for the same payment and it had 4K miles on it. I got the '08 for 17ish. Essentially, I turned in my old one and got the '08 with a fresh loan even up.

Yea, I'm still looking at a 5 year loan. But its under 300 a month and I have a basically brand new truck. Even today I have 33K on her 1.5 years into the loan...it'll be paid off around 90-110K and free & clear from then on.

I got mine cause noone drives a stick any more, and the dealer couldn't move it.

 

Bought 03 new 19,500 sold 6 years later with 60k on it for 18,200
Bought 98 for $4500 sold if a year later for $6000
Bought an 02 with 27k on it for $12k drove for a few years sold it for $12k
Bought 2011 (rental from dealer) with 7k on it for $27,300 sold it a year later for $28k
Now I'm in a 13 and I'm never sellin it

As you can see you won't loose money on these trucks. And if you do it's because you kept the truck forever and used the crap out of it. As far as tacomas are concerned buy new or consider getting a deal on a rental from a dealer.

 

You guys are insane buying a new truck every two years lol. The main draw to the Taco for me was the longevity and reliability of the truck.

If I was just going to buy a new truck every two years I wouldn't just keep buying the same truck over and over just in a new colour.



As for the high prices you get what you pay for. I don't know why somebody looking at 28k trucks wouldn't just make the jump to a brand new one for 32k though.

 

Yes, i got a steal of a deal. The guy was in the Army and was having a baby. He needed the cash. He actually put money out of his own pocket towards the payoff just to get out of the loan. I couldnt pass it up, especially for how nice of shape it was in.

 

I am one of those guys. I always wanted a tacoma but with all my other payments like mortgage etc I didn't wanna push for a 2013 at the time. I'll own my truck soon then after a bit I'll be looking into a 2013. Gotta start somewhere!

 

Yeah, I browsed for used Tacos when I bought the 2012 and there wasn't enough savings to justify the used angst. Plus I got a $1000 dealer incentive. Plus all the used were doublecab short beds, and I was looking for the access cab long bed. Plus they were all autos, and I wanted an MT. It wasn't worth the trouble of chasing all over the place to find the right truck when the dealer had a huge selection of new trucks.

Just now looking at AutoTrader I see some certified 2012 doublecab shortbed 4x4 SR5's listed for $32500, that's crazy.

Hell there's only 18 certified listings for 2011-2012's within 100 miles of my house. 14 are 4WD, 11 are double cabs, none are MT's, only one is an access cab. Aaaand, that's why when shopping for the 2012 looking back a couple years for low-mileage Tacos the lack of selection used made me buy new.

The lone access cab is a nice looking certified 2011 TRD Offroad 4WD AC for $27k with 23k miles, looks bone stock but the JBL entune. That seems like a good deal. Auto trans, tow package. Good deal for someone that wants the auto.

 

^^This is true. I couldnt believe how lucky i felt to find my tacoma. I was looking for a dcsb trd sport 4x4 with a 6spd. Gave up looking at dealers on used ones and even new, then a used one just fell in my lap for a great deal. I had been looking for a good solid month though