Should I Buy Used???

It's just the production line slowing because of COVID and supply just hasn't caught up yet.

 

If service was done at a Toyota dealership you can look it up online with the VIN.

 

I am sorry to hear that your car was stolen. Bummer. I hate to say it but with the SoCal market so tough, it might be worth trying to rent a car to buy yourself sometime to find the right deal. Sometimes that makes sense. A lot of times, deals made on the clock are the best deals for the moment but not great deals overall. Just something to consider.

You could buy a truck out of market and have it shipped. I know a lot of folks do that and they still come out ahead.

Maybe not this far away but look at this SR5 (which is, in my opinion, the sweet spot of the Tacoma market):
https://www.torringtontoyota.com/in...oma-sr5-four-wheel-drive-4-3tycz5an0mt023831/

 

Also, shortage of semiconductors is causing temporary plant shutdowns. Toyota and other manufacturers are affected.

 

You know what is crazy? I am not sure that is true. I don't get it. I hear that supply is tight but the dealer I bought at has 16 Tacomas on the lot:
https://www.torringtontoyota.com/ne...coma&_dFR[type][0]=New&_paymentType=our_price

It is almost as if they are regulating supply to artificially jack up the prices in CA!

 

Everything in CA right now is inflated.

 

Plants shut down all over the world, slowed down the production of all new vehicles and thus drove up the cost of used rides. Then folks get free money and gas’s prices were cheap, thus the demand grows. I believe we are starting to see the market correct itself, but anyone with half a brain cell knows when prices go up, they never come back down to where they once were.

 

15K mile per year is not that high if much of it was interstate highway miles. I live in CT and most travels in the northeast are not like they are elsewhere in the US, yet I could still rack up 15-20K per year.
It's not so much the total miles on the odometer as it is the 'quality' of those miles. 2 1-hour drives each day tends to result in less wear & tear than does 8 15-minute jaunts.
Something to consider.

 

My 2018 Sport shifts fine, always has. I think some just like bitching.

 

Funny I ran into this forum...Purchased my Tacoma a year ago today. $28,500 plus Tax Tag and Title right about $31,500. 32,000 miles, 4x4 off-road, longed, with premium interior upgrade (leather, sunroof, JBL). I sold vehicles for 4 years but not during this odd pandemic market. However, I do believe that the market will soon fix itself. More Tacomas will be manufactured as plants begin to open. If you have the opportunity, I would settle for something a lot less expensive while waiting for a better deal to arrive.

 

I completely agree. I actually started looking myself (bad timing) and saw one at CarMax, a 2018 TRD Off Road, $35k with 32k miles. OTD came out to $38,580 before MaxCare was added on. Seems almost everywhere is around this price with the same mileage, if not more.

I ended up looking out of state for a new one without the mark up all these ridiculous dealers are asking here in California. Figure another $3k-$5k I can get a brand new one. That’s just my opinion as well as I know everyones financial situation is different. Good luck!!!

 

I agree with you ... And you are right, of course. Everyone's financial situation is different. But the OP had his car stolen, unfortunately. I guess if it was me I wouldn't pay that much for a used car with a lot of miles (22K per year; but I see the point from @CT Yankee and it is very reasonable). I would look for other strategies -- probably out of state rather than get a two year old car with high mileage. But then again, that is just what I would do. I understand there are very reasonable arguments to the contrary.

Good luck, OP!

 

I bought my ‘21 TRD OR 4x4 DCSB last November here in Socal. Sticker was $39,800. I paid just under $41K OTD (which I wasn’t super thrilled with at the time, but it was the only 4x4 Taco within 50 miles at the time and the color I wanted too). But now hearing about all the dealers jacking up the prices all of a sudden lately, I guess I got a pretty good price. I’m sure the TTL fees had to be about $4000, so I guess that means I got about $3K below sticker price. Glad I bought when I did because I was thinking about holding off until after the Holidays.

I remember last April, all the dealers around were offering 0% financing on Tacomas (which never ever happens around here at least)... I wish I would have bought one then and I almost did. I think everyone was so terrified to go out and test drive only a month into the pandemic, that they were desperate to sell them. Probably could have gotten my same truck for $35K OTD a year ago!

 

For a reference, I bought my 2021 DCLB TRD OR as a “certified pre owned.” With that being said, the deal from the dealership was as follows: every Toyota dealership gets X amount of cars in to loan out. Mine just happened to arrive at the dealership and never be loaned out so I bought a “certified pre owned” with 2 miles, 6 after test drive, for right at 37,500 before taxes. BUT if you feel you’re getting a deal on a Tacoma, run with it. The resale value will help offset the cost, or at least that what I told myself.

 

Buy new for a few thousand more with a FULL warranty.

 

I love these kinds of conversations. I find the strategy kind of fun and if it all works out people can save some money and get the truck of their dreams. And, as they say, there is more than one way to skin a cat.

A few comments for you to consider:

1) If you can back off the color Cement, it may open up your options. I know that is not ideal and some people are locked on one color at all costs. But if you are willing to consider another color what does the market look like? If it were me it would be worth knowing what that color would cost me in terms of options, flexibility and cost.

2) I have no evidence for this yet but I suspect that used Tacomas in the range of two to three years old have such high resale value that I doubt you save a lot buying used. I freely admit that I could be wrong about this but it is worth considering. To me, and this is just me, a gap of $2K might make it worth jumping into new, if it makes sense for your financial situation. Yes, I get that the traditional argument is that you avoid rapid depreciation but you gain new, you gain warranty and it is not like the Tacoma depreciates at the same rate of other vehicles. I would guess -- and again I have no evidence for it -- but the three to five year used Tacomas (possibly CPO or extended warranty) would be a better buy.

3) I hate to say it but you are in a tight market. The West is where all of these trucks go -- and Arizona is impacted by the significant demand from CA. It might make sense to look at buying outside of your area and doing a road trip or arranging to have the car shipped. There was a person here who did just that (after a dealer screw up) and got a very strong deal on a new Tacoma. If I were you I would look seriously then at slightly used far away and see how much you save and how much the shipping to you would be. Not saying that is 100 percent the way to go but it could be worth it in your situation.

Good luck you ! Definitely post back how it all works out. These forums are super helpful for people looking at various buying strategies.

 

good advice above. My cousin lives in Marin County and he wanted a slightly used F450 duallie. Found one in Tacoma for about 10 grand less than the ones in Cali. Flew up to Tacoma, picked it up and drove it home. Saved about 9 grand when all said and done. And it was in excellent condition, so he got lucky the dealer was honest in their description of the truck.

 

Weekdays a day or two before the month ends.

 

If you're not picky about color and/or options, you can ask for the oldest stock on the lot. That usually gets you a pretty hefty discount.

 

I do not have any trust in Carfax....my girlfriend bought a used car with a "clean" Carfax before I knew her..turns out the entire front end was replaced due to an accident. Buy new if you can ,especially on a vehicle with a high resale value.