Taco Shopping Question

Greetings. Love this forum - great info!

My son will soon be getting his license so I’m shopping for a Tacoma to surprise him. My initial thought was to get a fairly basic 2018 4wd, manual transmission access cab. However, as I search I’m being offered some great deals/deep discounts on highly optioned upper-trim level models.

My question is: If overall affordability is not an issue, does it make sense to spend more than I planned if the savings is significantly better (I.e., save ~10% on an SR5 or save ≥15% on an OR)? In other words: ‘wasn’t planning on spending that much but the deal was too good to pass up.’

I appreciate your thoughts.

Semper Fi

 

The lowest model manual you are going to find in a new Tacoma is the sport, none available in the SR or SR5, hope you find him a nice truck!

 

Would you like to adopt me?

 

Unsolicited advice, but coming from the motorcycle perspective, always buy used first. The simple fact is that a first car is going to get dinged in some little situation. Just like a first bike is gonna get dropped in the driveway. A ding on a used car isn't going to affect the value like it will on something new. Once that is out of the way, sell it and use that money toward something new or mods. Dinging a new car is going to make it feel like a used one real fast.

But like @shakerhood said, the Sport is the only AC that has an MT if you're looking for a new one. Great machine, IMHO.

 

Everyone drops there first bike that’s a fact.
My first car was a 98 Toyota Corolla and it was my trophy truck so I agree on buying used but that’s just my .02

 

Growing up watching Dukes of Hazard and Knight Rider, my first car was a damn trophy truck also. Thankfully it was under-powered (1983 3.8l Malibu).

 

Thank you for the replies!

@shakerhood - That’s unfortunate but for a variety of reasons I feel strongly that he should have a MT. So, Sport or OR it will be.

@Tallgrass - Lol, as tempting as that is, I must respectfully decline as I am currently at full capacity.

@tonered - Firstly, it was not unsolicited and I really appreciate your input. Throughout my life I’ve had more motorcycles than any other type vehicle and know exactly what you mean. And, certainly, conventional wisdom (and my initial thought/plan was) is to buy a teen a used vehicle for many reasons, including the ones you cited. However, I am seeing used late-model tacos listed for prices very close to (and in some cases >) similarly optioned new ones (particularly when considering these end of year discounts). Additionally, as it’s for a teen I put a LOT of value in the Toyota Safety Sense features that became standard on the 2018s.

@glamis313 - As I said above, I don’t disagree with that logic; but circumstances are pushing me to buy new in this use case. That said, if I come across a viable used taco, I’ll jump on it.

Regards

 

Thanks!

Oh yeah. That was a the situation that I was in looking for a used Taco. Even 10yr old, 140k+ ones were just not making sense since they held their value so well.

Good luck with the purchase and Ride On!

 

Have you considered a Ford? While for him getting good at driving, will also force him to become a good mechanic. Don't forget AAA full package tow option.

 

Yea I agree with you on your points also I paid 23k for my 2013 with 90 k miles but I was after a gen 2 if I wasn’t so stuck on looks and the 4.0 I’d probably do the same.

 

Since you don’t treat nickels like manhole covers...I would get most expensive TRD OR you can find!