From Dieselgate to TW

Greetings! New to the forum. Looking to dump my TDI Volkswagen for a used Tacoma. Would you warn against buying a clean tacoma (Toyota Used Certified) with 135,000 miles?

• 2010 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner SR5 Truck Double Cab
• V6
• 4x2
• 135k
• $17,800

 

It wouldn't be certified if it's that old and high mileage.

 

the price is a little high. If you're willing to take your time and look you might find a better deal. I found an older, lower mile truck in great condition. Paid $16,700 a few months ago. It's an 06 prerunner double cab long bed with just 68k miles on it. But I looked for months.

with that said, 135k isn't bad if you take care of it. Should go 200k no problem.

 

I wouldn't pay one dime over Blue Book or market price for a CPO Toyota. Mine was and turns out the 1 year bumper-to-bumper warranty is bullshit if you actually try and have something fixed.

BTW, for Toyota to put it through the CPO the vehicle must have less than 85,000 miles so this one isn't anyway.

 

Great input! Glad I posted!

You are right, I misread the information, it is not CPO. Here is the posting - http://www.cavendertoyota.com/used/...tonio-TX-bc74093a0a0e0ae75cec617f670b1385.htm

Looks like it has only had one owner, that's a plus. Bluebook is saying 16.8k to 17.2k. I've heard Toyota doesn't negotiate much with new vehicles. Does this apply to used? I might attempt to talk them down.

 

I was able to negotiate a little but dealers are generally pretty proud of Tacomas. I should mention that a true CPO does have a few advantages, road-side service if something happens, they extend the powertrain warranty, etc. So it's something. But getting anything done under warranty was a pain since their first position is always "Well, it's a used truck." I got them to do a few things, a few I just let go.

 

I wasn't able to negotiate at all on my used. Granted it only had 7k miles on it when I bought it, but the dealer flat out told me "This truck will be gone by the end of the weekend most likely so I can't negotiate too much".

 

I probably won't be able to negotiate much. I can always try though!

I'm also looking at a 2013 (CPO) with 45k miles (4x2, Double Cab, V6) for $26k. This seems to be a little under bluebook and it's CPO. Planning on test driving Saturday. Any tips on what I should look for when test driving? I'm really looking forward to having a Taco! Thanks for the input!

 

What state do you live in? Check for rust on the frame, even though its a 2013 it could still show signs of it.

Is this for the TRD or non-TRD model? For reference I got my 4x2 TRD Off Road/ Double-Cab V6 with 7k miles on it for $29k. Maybe I could have done better but I bought in San Diego, prices seemed high there.

 

Toyota negotiates pretty well. I got my 09 TRD-OR access cab 4x4 new for $25k. My wife just got a new Yota Camry Hybrid top of the line model for $30k. Toyota negotiates as well as any other dealer.

 

I live in TX. My budget is capped at 25k, but would love to find something cheaper. I am looking in the 2012-2014 range, double-cab, pre-runner & SR5. Don't think I need the TRD for how I will use it. Looking for something that gets me through the next 3-4 years, when I will trade-up for a newer 4x4.

 

TRD is not just for how you use it. TRD has much better seats, the outlet in the bed etc.

 

Tell me more. Do you know off hand how much the price difference usually is between TRD and SR5? Also, is the ride stiffer?

 

Howdy from SATX good luck OP.

 

Howdy from Austin! And, thanks! Can't wait to get the right vehicle in the driveway. Spending this much money always stresses me out!

 

You're probably going to be very annoyed by the lack of interior and convenience amenities in a 2nd gen Tacoma...I went from a mk6 jsw to a mk7 gti to a 2015 tacoma trd sport w/ nav...and it didn't take me long to go back to volkswagen for a DD. i now have an '06 4runner limited v8 for my 4x4 toy and it's honestly got everything the 2015 tacoma did, with more power and a nicer interior. you may want to try and spend as much time behind the wheel, ESPECIALLY on the highway, as you can. it's going to be quite the change from a tdi.

 

You've got one hell of a point. My 13' Golf TDI is fully loaded, extremely comfortable and it's even more fun to drive. The low end torque is amazing! Those of you that have driven a TDI know what i'm talking about. So much fun. I've considered purchasing an Outback to blend the comfort elements i'm used to, with utility, but decided on the Tacoma. I am a truck guy at heart. My father in law has a '13 Tacoma and everytime I see it and ride in it, I picture myself driving it. I also often reminisce of one of my earlier vehicles, a 95' F150 with the straight 6. I enjoyed the ruggedness of the truck, as well as the convenience of an open bed. I think the Tacoma is the right vehicle for me.

 

Good luck man...just remember my advice when you get aggravated by the lack of one-touch windows, convenience signaling, intelligent cruise control that doesn't freak out going up a hill, and then you toss in the incredible wind noise at highway speeds in a crosswind that sounds like a kazoo playing in your ear. oh and the archaic separate key & keyfob. and dealers that charge you for a rental for services and warranty work.

The GOOD news, is that when you do get tired of that stuff..your Tacoma's value will have barely dropped, so you can move back to VW at little to no cost. lol.

Seriously though, I don't want to sound like I'm upset I ventured over to a Tacoma, as it was a great truck and it was REALLY dependable. But I'm telling you, if you've enjoyed your VW and are simply turned off by dieselgate, I get it...but you still enjoyed the car for the things that made it a VW, and Toyota ain't got none of that. Toyota has very different perks. But nothing similar to the feel of a VW on the road.

(That's why I have a MK7 and a 4th gen 4Runner.)

 

That line's been in use since the invention of the wheel.

 

That's a total BS line...
"Gone by the end of the weekend."
Don't walk in the door saying "I need a truck."
Walk in the door saying " I don't need a truck, I have a car already."
"The price I'm going to pay is....."
And then be prepared to walk out without the truck.
You name the price on used vehicles... What you think is a fair value. That's period!
You have a car, maybe for trade in value, but the moment you think you are getting skrewed...
Walk away,
Tell the salesman you'll see him next month.
I'm completely serious.
You don't need but a 90 day warranty.
If something ain't right in 90 days you'll know.
Take it for a trip within the first month so you can take it back if something is wrong with it.