Insight/advice for trading in a 3rd Gen?

The Tacoma was my first new truck, I shopped for years, pulled the trigger and have since decided I am not all that happy driving it anymore. The bed is great and I enjoy being able to go anywhere.

BUT as my daily driver it’s kind of a TuRD. I’m looking to give it one last shot with the OV Tune once it’s back in stock, and if that doesn’t work I’m thinking I may venture back into fast cars.

so I don’t mean to upset any of you, but with the Tacoma having pretty great resale value, I’m wondering how well you’ve done (or could have done) when trading into Carmax, Carvana or a dealer of another manufacturer.

I figured you all are a bit more wise than my 20 year old mind in this department. My plan was to buy the truck and have it for a good couple decades, but I’m sitting on $30k+ driving something I don’t really know if I want.

any help and lack of flaming is appreciated. And yes, before you ask I have test driven a manual thinking that would be the ultimate “upgrade”, but I did not enjoy it and was pretty disappointed. That’s just one mans opinion though, all the “save the manual” guys, I am not bashing your choice of transmission

 

Truck and "fast car" are totally different birds.......Do you NEED a truck?? Why did you buy one - if you like "fast cars"?? I have had pick ups or SUV's/4X4s most of my life due to practicality for my life style.......

You would be MUCH better off selling private party as opposed to trading in or selling to one of the "re-sellers" you mentioned. I am not the happiest with my '16 compared to the '09 Tundra I came from.......BUT I am SATISFIED with it - you get used to it!!!

 

^^^ all that AND OVtune might very well make you happy ...it was just what I needed to enjoy the truck

 

I’m upset, I’ll take it off your hands for up to $24K. What did I just buy?

 

Trade in will be mid to upper 20s depending on options, miles, etc

Buy the tune and TT kit. Problem solved.

 

When all the “1st time / only time / last time” truck owners come flooding back into the sports sedan market, some maker better be ready with some cool products.

OP: Add up the total value of your mods and subtract that from the retail value, then take off another $5K and you have the used selling price.

Contrary to popular belief, every $1000 you spend on mods reduces the truck’s value by at least $1000. It’s usually about 1:1.

 

I hear the Camry has a nice engine

 

OP, I think if you trade it in, you're gonna regret it when you really are in need of a truck. Going from all my WRXs and STi was night and day, when I switched to the Tacoma. I think that if you really want a "fast car", I would just find a project car to fulfill your need for speed.

There are days when I miss driving my 05 STI, but having a fast car as a daily just got boring after driving every day. My plan is to find a clean Datsun Z and restore it. It's not a fast car by any means but it will fulfill my sports car itch.

 

I used to have a WRX too! Funny how the subie guys always flock to the Tacoma... I’d be lying if I said I haven’t toyed with buying a Miata
,FR-S or MR2 instead of trading.

Was seriously considering getting into an STI or Type R this go around, with the exception of my V8 desires.

thanks for your help though you may have helped me be talked out of it

 

well it certainly sucks to suck then

 

good point, we live in an age where satisfaction is undesirable. My millennial roots are peeking through I think.

thanks for the help

 

How do you throw dead deer in the back of a fast car? Haul the boat? Where do you put mulch and gravel? I never understood the need for a car. Like ever. I guess if I wanted to go fast I would buy a crotch rocket or track car, both a waste of money and time though. It’s a truck. Use it and drive it like a truck, they are great for that.

 

Hey OP! I'm about at your age (28). I like fast cars and off roading. I can't afford (nor want to park) two cars so I had to choose: have the truck for towing my jet skis and wheeling? Or have the car (likely a WRX or similar) that might not necessarily be rated or set up to tow the skis. I chose utility (but also got a stick to keep me entertained). If you have no use for the utility, trade away! Find the vehicle that fits your NEEDS before your WANTS. Later in life, us millenials may be able to afford two vehicles. Luckily, you chose a vehicle that holds its value well. Sell private party...I guarantee you'll get WAY more money and have no issues selling it.

 

Buy a project L and do an RSTI conversion & keep the truck.

 

be happy get a fast car

 

It is truly baffling to me that people are actually like I NEED a “fast car” who the fuck do you think you are Dale Earnhardt.. You want a fast car.

It’s a truck for goodness sake.

 

I own a Camry as well. Fantastic car. Not a single complaint. A highly refined design that Toyota has perfected. Best vehicle I own, Tacoma included.

 

I grew up at race tracks and helping my buddies build subies and nissans. I got into wheeling when I was 16 and bought a 94 4Runner as a trail rig. Since then I caught the bug and sold both the runner and my daily (exploder) to buy a new taco when I was 19. I paid the truck off last year (after 2 years) and pretty much immediately bought a 370z because I really missed the track and driving fast cars. The heavily modded taco is still my daily and the z is basically stock. In terms of a daily, a mid size truck is way more practical than a fast car (especially for me because I work in construct management). So my advise would be if you use the truck as a truck, or are super into wheeling, try to find a way to keep the truck and have something fast in the garage. If you don’t need the space or capability of a truck, then there’s no real reason to keep it

 

I'm similar in age as well and like fast cars however like others have suggested I would get a project car instead of trading in my truck. I like my truck and I need my truck for the life I choose to live and having a project car would be the perfect balance for me. Likewise you could trade in for a fast car and get a beater of a truck if you need/want a bed and to go anywhere. I recognize that space is limited for most people under 35 though and you may not have space for two vehicles.

Whatever you choose, good luck and have fun.

 

I'll second buying a fixer upper sports car. How cool would it be to go pick up your hot rod's freshly rebuilt engine or transmission in your own truck? Rather than begging your buddy to do it, and listening to him bark at you about how your vehicle doesn't fit your lifestyle, the whole way there and back.
I just got on my brother about this, not a hotrod, but his new car can't haul shit. 4 consecutive weeks in a row, he needed help hauling and picking up shit. I love him, but my weekends are not his weekends.