First Tacoma, new or used?

Hi guys,

This will be my first post, and hopefully the first of many!

I am looking to finally purchase a Tacoma as I have the amount of money saved up for a new one which I have been saving since I started school.

I struggle to drop my life savings on a Tacoma and not invest it in a Roth IRA, 401k or stocks but I figure one of the least depreciated vehicles you can buy is a strong second.

I’ve browsed the forums before and figured you all would give me the best advice on where my money should go. I have spoke to a few dealers and test driven a 3rd and 2nd gen.

I enjoy both platforms and think they both have their strengths and weaknesses.

I will be using the Tacoma strictly to commute (about 40 miles a day), as well as occasionally haul camping equipment, bicycles, motorcycles, quads etc.

And of course I want to lift it, put some Ray10s on it and some mud grapplers

I want to own this Tacoma for a LONG time, however I figure if it turns out I get in a financial bind or god forbid my girlfriend has a kid, I purchase something that I can get my money back out of fairly close to what I paid.

So these are my options

2015 Double Cab TRD Off-Road 44k Miles for 24,990

2015 Double Cab TRD Sport 20k Miles - 27,791

2018 Double Cab TRD Sport - $34,500

Or save a lot of my money and go for a sub 15k Tacoma with 100k+ miles?

I know no one can tell me exactly what I need to do but what would you do, what have you done or how would you spend upwards of $35k?

Thanks fellas!

 

Yes. All 4x4. And you mean the 1st or 2nd ‘15?

 

If you go with the 3rd gen you practically have to go with a new one due to the spotty troubles users are having. Of course, lifting it voids warranties. So really, getting a 3rd gen is kind of dumb for what you want to do.

That leaves you with a 2nd gen.

 

I’d put half in a 401k and use the remainder to get a nice used Taco. Win-Win!

 

Welcome to the Madhouse!!!

Good Luck Keeping your wallet.

 

There's no financial justification for buying a new car. You'll be better off buying something lightly used in the long run. Let someone else eat the depreciation. There are personal and practical reasons for buying a new car (warranties and knowing every hour of its history), but those are relative luxuries that need to be budgeted and afforded IMHO.

 

Welcome to TW! Personally I'd go with the 2014 Off road and then turn that thing into a BEAST!

 

Welcome to TW- Buy used , Finance it & Save YOUR Money!

 

Since you asked.........

Get a decent commuter appliance and a trailer. Put the savings in the bank and thank me later.

Commuters are cheap now, as the nearsighted are ignoring them. But when gas blossoms again, (and it will) the soccer dad truck crowd will have a lot of moaners and used commuters will be hot. And a nicely kept trailer is always easy to sell.

As for the baby risk, you can lower that to zero for free.

 

Buy used with low miles, I have purchased 3 used Tacoma's with no problems. The biggest issue I have had was with my 2000. I bought truck for $13,000 then had rust perforation on the frame and Toyota bought the truck back for $11,775 after driving it for 7 years.

 

I second that take the 15 offroad n try to talk them down. Personal rather look for a mt ac though.

 

Talk down all the prices before final decision,good luck!

 

I picked this bad boy up in November and love it. 2005 TRD OR MT w/ 183k is just getting broken in. Completely stock. I am in love

 

Point is, was able to pay cash for a 2nd gen and avoid a car payment. If you want to go that option.

 

Welcome to TW !!

 

Thanks for all the help guys. I’d love to get myself into a 3rd gen, but after looking into it I think saving $10-15k and buying a 2nd gen TRD Sport Access Cab with a manual would be much more favorable. (Or a first gen, but can’t locate one of those without frame rust here in Ohio)

However I have been looking at the Nissan Frontier just because it seems like they have fairly good reviews, decent reliability and I know the VQ engine (from the 350z) makes pretty good power.

Only problem with the Frontier is it’s not a Tacoma.

 

?

 

Looks like the one i picked up in dec 08 or ac mt. Been loving it since i bought it.