Finally Joining the Taco Club - Looking for Some Input

Hi all,

I've always been infatuated with single cab Tacomas, but just couldn't justify throwing down the money for one until now.. My '98 Passat finally bit the dust for good. My dad (former Taco owner) and many others I have talked to have tried to convince me I need an access cab, but I'm not having it. I love the look of the 4x4 standard cabs, and I don't have any other people to haul around nor do I need extra interior space. I like the idea of having more maneuverability as well. I'll be using my new purchase mostly as a bicycle hauler and winter commuter. Otherwise, I ride my motorcycle pretty much everywhere. I'd like to get a dirtbike in the near future, too, so I'll probably be throwing that in the bed when the time comes.

Anyway, I'm curious as to what you guys think on a couple things. Namely, should I buy new or used?

The MSRP on a new Standard Cab 4x4 Taco is $22,835. From what I've read, I can expect to pay around $23,000 to drive off the lot with one. Sound right?

If that's the case, I feel I should go with a used rig. Here are a couple I'm considering:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/4480040608.html (Seems really well taken care of and a decent price.)

or

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ctd/4475543042.html (My favorite from the listings I've looked at.)

If these used trucks were well cared for, as it appears they were, there's no reason I shouldn't just pull the trigger on one, right? I guess it would give me peace of mind to have the warranty that comes with a new truck, but I feel it's something that I realistically would not ever use. Thoughts?

What would you do? How much can I expect to talk the price down on these used ones? $500 or so?

All input much appreciated. I've just a young buck and I've never bought anyhing this expensive before. Haha. Much thanks. Looking forward to input.

 

I have a 2011 reb cab 4x4 auto tranny I love it!!!

 

good luck with your purchase!

if you get one, this is the place for you:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/4-cylinder/197043-2-7l-single-cab-thread.html

 

My input fwiw is get what you want. I would love a reg cab w/a v6 but im hauling kids. Keep in mind your future plans, bicycles are easy to haul around in any pickup but a dirt bike is going to have some weight to it, let alone adding in some camp gear and that 4 banger may not be enough power, or maybe it will. I bought used, don't rush i to anything if you have the time shop around drive some trucks and sleep on it so you can buy with confidence!

 

It's gotta be a manual tranny for me! Part of the reason that a Tacoma is so appealing over any other boring truck.

VRod, I've already spend a good amount of time lurking in that thread! Haha.

 

smart man you are sir!

 

If buying used I would get slightly higher miles. I got mine with 60k for $13k, I drive roughly 30k a year so spending $7k more for one year less miles wasn't really worth it. If you want one with that low miles you might as well look new, full warranty may be worth it.

A dirt bike isn't going to slow you down at all, I'd be very surprised if you even noticed it.

I love my reg cab 2.7 5 speed, fits though the tight trails much easier than the big rigs

 

avw, Something like this?

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/ctd/4490508280.html

Price seems way to high for this one, yeah? I guess I could always lowball.

DrinknMolson, I'm not worried about being underpowered. You should see some of the shit I've hauled on my motorcycle. Even my old 250 Ninja. haha. There's some pleasure to be had in using something to it's limit.

 

$23K for new or $20k used,
I'll go new every time.
$3k is not enough to take a chance on used.
I know I'm one of the few that feels this way.
I HATE used unless we are talking old, old, old.
If we are looking at newer used vehicles, I go new.
Warranty and history.
Whenever someone I know gets rid of a "almost new" vehicle, it is because something serious is wrong with it or it has been in a major wreck.

 

I would poke around more. If you're going to spend over 18k it's sorta hard to justify not buying new just for the warranty. Unless it's very low miles I wouldn't buy a used reg cab for anything more than 16k


Like I said I got mine with 60k for $13k, deals are out there if you keep your eyes peeled. I wouldn't even bother trying to lowball that one, price is way too high IMO

 

I really like the look of the 2011 you posted first. Nice free perks - good tires, rear bumper, tonneau cover. That would cost you a couple grand if you bought that stuff for a new one. I wouldn't be scared to buy a used one. If you find one that you like go for it. Extra warranty isn't worth a few thousand to me. If it was a Dodge, yeah. Bigger deal.

Integrated bluetooth is a nice factory option though.

 

Id buy used. Got mine somewhere close to 20k with 500 miles and got to keep the warranty...not like I will ever use it though. I have no problem buying used...I think buying new is one of the dumbest things you could do. I could have turn around and sold my truck a year after for close to the same price easily. I would have found one with higher miles but it was tough to find a 4x4 that didn't have some stupid body lift on it.

 

The first truck you have listed is from a member on here. You might be able to talk to him about the truck.
But like some other people said in this thread, if your looking to pay almost new prices on a used truck, I would just go new. Unless your looking to spend less, keep searching. That's what I had to do to find my truck (took a few months of looking).

 

As stated a few times above. When paying almost new prices, I would go new. I liked having a warranty.

 

Good God, If I could find a deal like that, I'd be on it in a second! How is that even possible? haha.

I can hold off for a while (commuting on the moto is no prob), but I'm really getting sick of riding only the MTB trails near my house. I need a bike hauler!

But from the input you all have provided, it sounds like I'll either buy new or wait around for a deal to pop up. Sigh...

 

It seems that much of the motivation for buying new is the fact that a new vehicle comes with a warranty. That second Taco I linked to in my original post is certified, which means it comes with 12mo/12,000 mile comprehensive warranty and a 7 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty. I also like that it comes with the extras. I think I'm sold. I'll probably go for a Certified used truck. Unfortunately, I think the truck above is already sold...

 

Not a Tacoma, but I recently bought a new 2014 Honda Civic to DD. I started out looking at used, but if you're buying "slightly used" it's hardly ever worth it. I test drove a 2012 Civic with 66k miles and they wanted $4k less than a new one. For a new one with 8 miles on the ODO, its worth the extra $4k. Just my .02

 

Come over to the other side of the mountains.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/ctd/4490508280.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/ctd/4490753877.html

 

I bought new so my vote is buy new. Doesn't cost a whole lot more to buy new than used. Also the 4x4 regular cabs are the sexiest trucks on the planet. That's not an opinion that's a fact. Girls used to not talk to me. I now own a regular cab and they can't stop bothering me... but not really. Just go to the dealership and see if it's your lucky day.

 

The resale on the Tacomas is pretty good, so hard to justify getting one that's just 2-3 yrs old when a few extra grand gets you brand new with warranty and very low mileage.

For me, I love looking at the odometer and thinking "These miles are all mine and all my memories." Maybe it's a littler weird or cheesey but that's me.

Not to say pre-owned is bad, especially if you find a good deal. Good luck, OP!