Tacoma soon to retire.Whats next?

Hello folks! I have a 2014 tacoma 4x4 that will soon be paid off in January 2016. I'm in outside sales and put about 40k miles a year on the truck. My company pays about 400 a month for my truck and pays for gas. So my plan is to get a second car and keep my truck for trucks sake! I'm always hauling something so I will always need a truck. So I'm looking between two very different vehicles. I can get a brand new fiesta ST model (the turbo model) or a fj cruiser with about 60k miles. What are your thoughts? I want something that's fun to drive and something I will either trade-in in 3 years or retire it to my garage.

 

Yeah that's true. I have owned a fj cruiser before and I really liked it. We sold it because it was my wife's DD and it was a pain with a baby. Part of me wanted the fj because I feel like it will eventually be hard to find one and I could pay it off and build a pretty sweet rig. Also the resale value is great. The fiesta ST is a pretty good value and would be comfortable and nice to have the nav.

 

Don't get a Ford.

 

How about a fr-s

 

Actually I was looking at that as well. Can get one with about 20k in my price range. Not sure I would be alright with a two seater. The idea of being able to load up a few folks would be nice.

 

Is your Tacoma a 4 door? And your keeping it.

 

Yeah it's a four door.

 

I actually owned the focus st before I purchased my truck. I bought the focus ST thinking I didn't need a truck but after a year I reliazed with all of my hobbies I need the truck. So now that the truck is almost paid off I'm looking at the fiesta st as a fun second car. The Focus ST was a fun car and I really liked it. As a second car it would be great but it's about 24k fully loaded where as the fiesta is about 19k

 

Do they pay for gas or do they pay IRS rate for mileage?

If the former (what it sounds like), fuel economy wouldn't matter to me as much. If it's the latter, the better the mileage the more you benefit from the mileage checks.

I get paid IRS rate for mileage when I use my truck for work, but it doesn't amount to much--usually no more than $50/month.

 

They Give me a company card for gas. Gas mileage is not super important but I wouldnt go and get a f350 either.

 

A new 3rd generation Tacoma!Nah go with the Ford.You already have a truck so just add the car to the mix now.

 

I want a four door under 20k

 

Since you're into the turbo fun thing....I don't know what your budget is.... (sorry, I'm not a Ford person)

How about a Subaru WRX?
I'm not a VW person either, but they have some turbocharged fun too.

Good Luck!!

 

Or a Lancer. I'm partial to the EVO IX myself.

 

I've been in similar circumstances. I decided to take financial advantage over the fun factor. I chose to roll will equipped econo boxes, like Accord Ex's. Efficient, low maintenance, decent comfort, good resale value etc etc.

I'd buy them with 50k and roll them till 150k or so, with basically tires/oil/brakes for expense. By setting aside excess reimbursement over actual cost, I was able to build up a cash pool that not only handled maintenance, but set me up for cash when it was time to swap/upgrade. Eventually I was able to operate 4 vehicles (2 teens) with very little out of pocket. When the kids went on their own, I was in a position to resume my toy parade

In that same vein, there are lots of choices. The Hyundai line has some interesting rides. The Elantra & Sonata are both nice. The Elantra GT is worth considering if a hatch is of interest. If you really want sporty and MPG isn't a factor, the Genesis is worth a spin.

Also love some Mazdas. A Mazda 6 wagon would be on my short list. And of course there are the traditional Honda/Toyota products as well.

 

Janster I love the wrx but I'm looking for the 20k range.....if things go well and I have some extra cash then the wrx would be a first choice. This side the lancer is great but way out of my range. Clearwater that is probably the right thing to do financially and would probably the the way to go with the fj. I could get a fj with 60k for under 20k and drive it for two years and it would still be worth alot. I really don't want to go with an econo box because I find them boring and I basicily spend my life in the darn thing. As for a hyundia or kia I have had bad exspereince with the Kia Optima and Hyundai accent. Both had all sorts of nagging quality issues. I'm not a VW fan at all.

 

I don't blame you. People constantly tell me I should buy an old beater Civic or something to offset fuel costs and the mileage I put onto my truck. I know myself well enough to know I'd never drive it because I'd hate it, though. I've gotten way too used to having power, sitting high, etc.

 

If you have to drive alot look at diesels, the price of gas going down has made diesel cars and truck less expensive to purchase (as they are not selling as well right now).

My brother in-law sales rep for a marine supply company has a VW Jetta TDI diesel he realy likes it. His driving area is Georgia through Virgina.

 

Not a big fan of VWs.

 

So I have been playing with a few other options. A used GX470 with about 70k miles. GX470's are a pretty rugged machine. Also been thinking about a bare bones Jeep Wrangler sport. It would be fun messing with one of those