Truck is paid off... Trade in worth it?

Hey guys just wanted some input, and wanted to see what you guys think.


I have a 2008 Tacoma with 85k miles
TRD sport
4 x 4


I have been thinking about possibly trading it in. KBB shows a trade in value right around $19,000.


I test drove a 2015 subaru wrx and 2014 subaru BRZ.

Both of these cars should average between 24-27 MPG

My tacoma currently gets 15 mpg. I fill up about once a week.

If i decide to go with the wrx or brz they should run about $26-28k before taxes and license.

The way i look at it i would save about $180 in gas a month with a more economical car like these two options...


Do you guys think it will make sense to trade in and get a new car? Or should i just keep the tacoma, despite not getting the greatest gas mileage?


Attached is a picture of my truck

Thanks

 

Well it is tacoma world, so you know people are gonna say keep it.
soooo yeah I'm gonna say keep it! Why would you want to downgrade to pimpmobile when you could have a tacoma

But also, factor in the cost of the new vehicle? Is it worth the gas mileage?

 

Compare your current MPG with your EPA rating.
Divide.
Apply that factor to the 24-27 on the Subies.
That is closer to what you are going to get out of them.

Two things absolutely hammer MPG on the Tacoma (and other vehicles)... slow, in-town driving with short commutes, and speed.

I can refuel when I get home Friday night, reset the Ultragauge, and after a weekend shopping with my wife, be looking at an average of 15-17mpg on the Ultragauge.
Couple of trips to work and back and it's back up to 23-25.

Out on the open highway, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas where the highway limit is 75-80, I get around 22mpg.
I get 23.5 to 25.5 around Los Angeles with a 45 mile commute... 65-70mph in the morning and (hopefully) 35-50 on the way home.

But even if the Subies actually do get 24-27, it's going to take a LOT of driving to make up what they are going to cost you.
Don't count on getting KBB trade value on your Tacoma unless MAYBE you are buying a 40k+ vehicle. You aren't going to trade the Tacoma for a $22k Subie and get away only handing the dealer $3k. He's in business to sell new vehicles, not to pay top dollar for your old one.

And 85k is nothing for the Tacoma. I bought mine with 53k on it and have 110k on it now.
Other than a new water pump, it's needed nothing other than normal maintenance.
Do keep an eye on your brakes... mine were done at 95k.

Also, if you are much over 6 foot, forget the BRZ.
I sat in the FRS and I literally had less than a half inch between the top of my head and the headliner.

 

I gotta say keep the truck! But if you do decide to trade... I really like your grill

 

Oh ya... the HomerRaptor....

 

i dont understand now that your truck is paid off your saving the 400-600$ of not paying a monthly bill but you wanna trade it in after paying 30,000 somewhat, for 19k and pay another 10k so you can save 200$ month on gas,

 

Ask yourself, what vehicle best suits your lifestyle?

 

Everyone has great points. It would take a long time for me to see enough savings for a smaller car to be worth it.

Well i guess i'll just keep modding the truck

 

It will take you 61 months for the cost of the new car ($11,000) to pay itself off in fuel savings. Keep in mind if you buy something like a BRZ, you are not going to be getting 24mpg, unless you can drive like an absolute grandpa all the time.

But that's not why you want a BRZ is it?

Also insurance will be higher on the BRZ.

 

Excellent point.

It's going to be a LOT higher, and with the truck paid off, he can reduce some of his coverage (I'd never dump it completely, if a vehicle is worth driving it is worth comp/collision)

 

My 8 year-old Audi with a KBB of $8,5000 cost 50% more than my brand new Tacoma to insure (with the same exact coverage).

The difference in insurance makes up for some of the mileage difference.

 

Truck looks great, keep it.

 

First I would be very surprised if they gave you 19,000 trade in. More like 12 to 15 thousand. Not that the truck is not worth that but dealers will rip you off on a trade.
Second if MPG is what you are after why settle for those low numbers. Go for at least 35 or even 40 and really save. You do not have to give up comfort for those numbers today and you will save money on the price of the vehicle if you choose another make from the two you suggested. The Toyota Corolla L, 6 speed standard is rated near 40 as well is the automatic. Also it is priced at around 17,600 for the standard and will save you close to 10,000 up front. The automatic is about 18,200. These are not cramped cars and they do have a reasonable amount of power for the engines. I have a 2007 and I am averaging 46 to 48 mixed driving.

 

I'd keep the truck and buy a reliable used commuter like a corolla or a civic.

 

I had a 07 Tacoma,with the work...lift,tires,etc etc...got rid of it and within 6 months was missing her daily until a ur went by and I purchased my 08....so my answer is don't do it.

 

This!!
Buy a used commuter and let the gas savings pay for it.

 

I can't speak for the BRZ, but with the WRX you probably won't actually get those mileage numbers.

Fuel economy was not good at all in my WRX, and fuel is more expensive because you have to run premium in it.

But hey, give it try. You'll have fun in a quick little car like that for a while, then when you're bored with it, you can get another Tacoma, because everyone comes back.

 

If the primary allure of the Subarus is their improved efficiency...consider selling your bumper, lift, and going back to smaller wheels and tires. That would likely lead to at least marginal gains in the Tacoma.

 

Keep the paid off Tacoma. Buying a BRZ is not going to save you any money for a long time and you do know just how small those cars are, correct? I know I personally could not have one as a primary vehicle. If gas saving is what you want, then the BRZ is not the car for you. My bet goes to you modifying the BRZ and destroying your "savings" in gas.

 

Rarely does spending money buying new ever pay off in gas savings.
Rarely does spending money on two cars ever pay off in the long run.

Purchase cost, insurance and maintenance on the second car ends up costing more then just driving the one.

Note, this is from a financial perspective (cost of ownership). Only way to actually know is to run all the numbers yourself. There are cases where it makes sense, but they are much fewer than you might think.