My first Taco - advice needed.

Hey all!

Don from Texas here - been reading through threads over the past 5-6 weeks and doing my best to learn as much as possible.

During this time I've also been exploring FB marketplace, craigslist, autotrader/autotempest, and searching individual dealer sites to get a sense of the market.

I wanted to gather some advice before I possibly jumped on a new 2021 Taco. I'm looking for a 4x4 long bed with a moderate lift and good all terrain tires to add a topper to and build out a bed platform in the back to travel the country to remote trailheads to climb mountains while working remotely, you know that whole lifestyle.

I never thought I'd be considering a new vehicle, but with the used market being what it is, here we are.

I'm currently looking at the 3 best following options based off everything I've gathered:

1) 2021 Tacoma SR ACLB 4x4 w/ 4-cyl base utility package: currently $26,800 out the door.

Based off my calculations I've gotten them to 12.6% down off MSRP ($28,755) from the email buying guide here. The speakers are shit, the 4 cyl engine isn't necessarily fun to drive, and it will need the lift and all terrain tires - but everything else looks great and it fits what I need.

2) 2011 Tacoma SR5 DCLB 4x4 w/ 4.0L V6 (144,000 miles): $17,250 out the door from a Chevy dealer.

This has the fun V6 and a lift, but high miles and absolutely no guarantees once I'm off the lot.

3) 2014 Tacoma SR ACLB 4x4 w/ 4.0L V6 (90,000 miles): $20,500 out the door from a Ford dealer.

Also fun V6 and a lift.



Anyway --- is there a consensus here about buying brand new with all these incentives and that price that I have from a dealer versus holding out for exactly what I want via private party, or going with a used Taco via a dealer? Any other random advice or threads I should read?

I can definitely sit for a couple of more months if needed - but I can't imagine the time will be better to buy new truck that the end of this month.

Thanks for your time and attention!
-Don

 

Welcome! Very formal into lol

Personally where I'm at, I'd buy new and make it what you want and build it as you go. I bought my truck new as a 15-20 year truck so buying new, I knew where it's been, whats been done to it, no previous owner surprises, blah blah blah. 2014 seems to hit your sweet spot though

4 cyl may not seem great at first but people re-gear and tune it.. IDK, I guess it depends where you're at and what your comfortable with...

 

If you go the 4cyl route, go for a manual if you can. If you don’t need extra cab space, the access cab is an easy way to get the ‘long’ bed without extending the whole vehicle length.

lift and tires will be hard on the 4cyl if it’s a daily driver or loaded down too.

Incentives and rates are great for new vehicles right now. I vote new access cab 3.5 manual if they can still be had. Might need to get a 2020 though.

 

I would never want someone else's mods.

Also the 'Fun' aspect is what YOU make of it. Plenty of 4 bangers are 'fun'.

 

I love my 2019 2.7 4cyl access cab long bed. Buy the new truck!!

 

Yeah the 2014 seems solid. Based off my depreciation research via caredge it seems like both options would just about break even - depending on actual maintenance costs which seems like less of a gamble with the 2021.

No experience at all with a manual so not too comfortable going that route. Definitely just going to use the access cab for storage and a cooler or mini fridge - hence the utility package being acceptable on the 2021.

And with it being loaded down driving mountain roads, this is what I'm most worried about with the 4-cyl. Do you think a RWD with all terrain tires and V6 would do better on those easy 4wd trail roads than the 4-cyl 4x4?

This rings as very true thanks for the reminder.

No regrets on not going for the V6? Do you ever drive in the mountains? (my main concern)

 

The new 4 banger 4x4 all day long (but not if you’re in a hurry like most people, here)

 

#2 FOR $15,900

 

Yeah there's not necessarily a rush, but I would like to have one by early January so I can start working on the build out before I leave in April.

Ha I was trying to get them to exactly that and they wouldn't budge. Makes the 2014 look like a better option - but is only $6,300 less than the brand new 2021 4-cyl...

 

Check and see if the OffRoad in RWD (not 4x4) can be had in the 4cyl? That might get you an access cab with a rear stock locker.

 

So, go get a new one, now. Tonight

 

Buy new - its cheap to borrow money and you of course won't need to worry about anything with a Tacoma for quite some time. Plus that feeling of buying something new, that's yours from day one...

 

i've had the v6 trd sport 4x4 and i love it, that being said, the sr 4 banger sounds fun too... as long as you're not planning on towing a 25 foot trailer, as long as you keep things realistic, i think that's the good choice. the v6 is rad don't get me wrong, but i'd be happy with that four considering they last so much longer and are more efficient in the long run.

 

The 4 banger isn’t “fun” but it gets you there...... eventually. You must understand the 4 cylinder Tacoma is the slowest ( edit: 0-30 mph) vehicle on the Planet then you’re golden

 

I’ve had a pre Tacoma 4cyl. That thing just wouldn’t die, and was lots of fun to drive in a manual. I wouldn’t have an auto 4cyl in a taco though. Too big.

 

There has to be more options out there, especially used in the 25-30k range if you’re willing to spend that.

But if I needed a car now and those were my only options - #1 unless #3 is mint with all maintenance records and no issues.

Don’t like any car with 144k miles unless I put those miles on myself. Used for 8-10k sure. But that’s not reality with Tacomas. I’d pass on #2 whatever you do.

 

WElcome aboard! I have a SR AC 4 banger with a 5 spd. It's fun to drive. I take it offroad. I don't need a lift to go offroad I don't need a lift to run 265 75 16s. It was 25 881 out the door, in 2017

I removed the craptastic factory "sound system" and put in a Pioneer head unit replaced the 6x9 door speakers with Pioneer and put two rockford fosgate power series 6x9 in the back with a 300w Alpine amp boosting the signal.

 

Followed closely by the 3.5L V6, unless you like to wring out a workman, pedestrian 6 cylinder.

 

Definitely new; don't you want to me the guy selling a miled-out truck for nearly $20k,,,, rather than the guy buying?