Moving to Colorado and have a few questions about getting a 4WD truck

Hi, I'd like some input from more experienced folks. Not sure if this the right section so please advise otherwise.

I am currently in AZ and moving to Northern Colorado in 2 months. I never see snow which is why I still have my '07 2wd 5spd 4cyl (non prerunner, low pickup). It's served me very well and I stumbled upon it 3 years back for ONLY $3,000 with 110k miles (screaming deal). I've loved every minute of owning it as I don't do much real off roading anymore, only fireroads. I have a platform setup in the back with a camper shell and hitch bike rack. It's simple and I frequently take it camping.

But that is changing. Being a remote employee, I have been approved to relocate to Northern Colorado. And now being in a different climate and on the front range with more free time these days as a single 24 year old, I am wanting to get a 4wd. But wondering if it is even necessary. I don't plan on rock crawling or anything extreme but rather traversing the terrain to get to the camping spots for good gravel/mountain biking and hiking. So I have narrowed it down to 3 options and am hoping the CO folks chime in as well. Here they are:

1. Keep current 2WD Tacoma and get a good set of all terrain tires that are capable of handling snow when it does. (Northern Colorado does not really get heavy storms but when it does, I'd likely stay home to play it safe.) Though, will this be sufficient for getting to the good camping spots on the front range? Again, I'm not going crazy or anything...yet
2. Sell current tacoma for 12k and find the same truck in 4wd and finance it. I got approved through a local CU for 3% for a 8k loan on an 07 tacoma with 150k miles (used just as an estimate to see where I was at). This rate will of course go down as mileage decreases and year increases. It's also my first loan and I'd be putting half or more down and I'd use this to build 'real' credit which will help in buying a home down the line if I do want to do that. Who knows, don't see my self buying a house in the next 5 years.
3. Sell current tacoma, take cash and dump it into my brokerage account and spend about 2k fixing up my Tundra that has been sitting for 2 years. It is a 2000 4wd with 310k miles and runs strong. But - it needs some work since it's been sitting. New upper and lower Ball joints, outer tie rod ends, transfer case seal, and fresh fluid all through out. Will also need a set of all new AT tires. And will need some paint and body work done as well as some parts for the camper. Besides that, I put a new rear end, cv axles, driveshaft, rack and pinion, PS pump, and bilsteins all around right before it sat. New timing belt as well. It's a reliable truck.

Which option sounds best? Does my current truck sound like it'll do just fine for what I plan on doing? I've never lived in the snow but have driven in it. I know to take it slow and controlled but the 2wd worries me especially in the mountain passes. Selling my taco and dumping money in the tundra sounds appealing since the market is super hot right now and I can get quite the money for it and invest it immediately.

I've been spinning my wheels on this for a minute now and would like some guidance from the wiser folks here.
Thanks in advance and please let me know if you have any questions at all.

 

2nd option 1. Keep the Tundra.

Edit:, lol, that was a deep edit on your part, so yeah, 3rd option, keep Tundra, sell Taco.

 

I just fixed the numbering...good catch.

But I don't quite follow. So you're saying sell tacoma and keep Tundra? That'd be option 3 (now), correct? Second option 1 is to sell current taco and pick up a new one.

 

If you have a 4wd Tundra that you consider dependable then use it until you have your own opinion about what you will need. That truck will allow you some time to think and learn over your first winter. And anything Denver and north will definitely be 4X4 country. You'll be glad you have one.

On the other hand. if you absolutely must spend your money on a 4X4 Tacoma, I have a 2012 with 88K miles for 16K...

 

Edited, thanks.

That makes sense considering I have not lived there yet. ~2k into the Tundra now is not too much considering it's not really showing signs of any quit and will give me time to really nail down what I need. I'm heavily leaning towards this option.

As for your taco for sale, i'll send a PM. Thanks.

 

Long time CO resident. Option 3!
Sell your Tacoma, invest most of the money, spend what you need on the Tundra. It has 4 wheel drive, and a V8. You want a V8 at altitude, or a forced induction V6. Naturally aspirated V6 at elevation is sub-optimal.

 

I don't live in Colorado, but have been there many times. I wouldn't live in the higher elevations without 4X4. I've had to use 4X4 to get through icy spots in June. It can, and does sometimes snow all 12 months of the year at the higher elevations. Summer snow is usually light and short lived, but it does happen. July and August are really the only 2 months where you can feel pretty good that you won't see blizzard conditions. From September-May you have a good chance of getting more than a foot of snow dumped on you.

If you can sell a truck you paid $3K for and get $12K let it go. I'd replace it with something newer than an 07 though. With a new, or newer truck you can get interest at 2% or less. A $20K loan at 2% interest over 5 years is $350/month and you'll only pay $1030 total in interest on the life of the loan. Chances are real good you'll spend more than $1000 in repairs on an older vehicle. With mechanics charging $120-$150/hour it is usually cheaper to pay the bank than a shop.

 

24 years old, save your cash. Tundra's burn more fuel, but with 4x4, it will give you more options.

You summed it up with "not needed to get to work." Challenge is where do you want to play? I've camped in ideal perfect conditions only to wake to pouring rain and slicker than snot conditions.

At 24 good goals: six months cash (cover living expenses); zero debt (use and pay credit cards in full every month); 20% of your take-home into long-term savings/retirement. It sneaks up on you. I was once that 24 old kid who drove beaters and lived in Hovels. People asked me, "why don't you buy a new car? Why don't you rent a nicer place?" So simple I liked to do things! I was a fool and kept working when first out of college, finally realized I had the finances to tell work to stuff it! I took six weeks off, went cycling around New Zealand, and moved to Germany for a job and new adventure. Never looked back.

 

Yeah the fuel expense is not too much a concern as my new place is right next to the mtb trails and I'm minutes away from the stores. Many of the miles will come from going to the trailheads/camping spots.

As for my finances, I think I've got all that covered. Luckily I discovered Jack Bogle and passive investing. I have 6 months EF, carry no debt, save ~50% of my income, have maxed out my Roth IRA and HSA for 2 years now and will always do so, and am on track to max my 401k this year for the first time. I also have a down payment fund for the next few years that I will continue to add to but am in no real rush to buy a house. I live very simply as well. Main downside is my job is in public accounting which can get brutal during busy season hence my desire to save a lot of money and become financially independent. Which is also why I don't really want to finance anything right now.

 

Yeah, I think option 1 is out based on the other responses. I will def sell my current tacoma but am hesitant to finance a truck. I know I listed it as an option but I am so averse to carrying any debt despite the rate. But considering my portfolio is giving me more returns (not guaranteed for the life of the loan of course, regression to the mean), <3% is not all that bad. And I'd be doing the work myself time permitted or deferring to my mechanic who charges $75/hr and does not upsell on parts. Great relationship with they guy and family have used him for several years.

 

That makes sense and the option I am leaning towards. Thanks for chiming in.

 

You need 4X4, I have no idea why people would chose to live in a snow region with 2 wheel drive. I live in a similar region and the tacoma is awful in 2WD even with dedicated snow tires and weight.

 

Damn, I wish I had figured money out at your age. At 24 I couldn't spend it fast enough. I think you sell the 2 wheeler while you are still in AZ. It might be hard to sell in CO. I'm only in SE-PA and very rarely see a 2wd truck. If the Tundra has a solid frame I would fix that up. I think it's badass to kick around in an old high mileage car while maxing out your IRA, 401k and saving for a house. You are going to be a millionaire by 40.

You've got the EF, so I would fix the Tundra up and run it. If it takes a real dump, you have the cash on hand to easily replace the engine or trans if you want to and rent a car for the week it's in the shop. The money you didn't spend on a new or different truck will go to work in one of your investments. Average car payment in America is $500/mo. $500/mo invested in growth funds for 30 years is ~$4.2m.

Keeping this discipline now will help you as you get older, make more money and are tempted to buy (and finance) more expensive things.

 

Thank you, I'm fortunate to be in the position I am in now having grown up poor to a single mom.

I think I'm getting a lot of votes for option 3 and I've priced it all out - I think I am going with that option and investing the rest. I'd sell the 2wd here in AZ of course. And yes the Tundra frame is solid - just cosmetic issues and the mechanical issues I listed. New tires will be the biggest expense but I never skimp on tires and always get the certs at discount tire.

I am planning on keeping this discipline as I am slowly settling into my personality as well. Don't see that changing any time soon. Thank you for the response.

 

MDFM31 makes a great point about selling your 2wd in Arizona. The market for 2wd trucks in snow country is crap.

 

Excellent. I'm sure saving that much $ is a grind, but I'm very excited for you. 10 years from now you will be in way better shape than most people at age 70. Also something to think about-if your 401k has any kind of company match, I would max that one out first and get that interest compounding asap. Hopefully it's got a Roth option, too.

With the truck, maybe consider getting some woolwax/fluid film, etc AFTER the work is done, and preferably before you move. You'd probably have to do it yourself in AZ- I bet most people dont know what it is down there. If you wanted to wait until CO I'm sure they have shops that do it. It's a great investment for a couple hundred $. That Tundra will live forever. In 60 years your grand kids will be telling their kids stories about pop-pop's truck that they learned to drive on and how it burnt dinosaurs.

 

You're going to want a 4x4 in Colorado. Their winters are no joke.

 

Yep, it's a grind but well worth it as you've said. And yes, company matches 3% of traditional. So I'm dropping enough in my traditional to get the match and so the pretax contributions combined with my standard deduction and HSA contributions knocks me down to the 12% tax rate (mostly) and then I dump the rest in the roth 401k. Tax rates are at historical lows and will only go up after TCJA expires and to fund our ever growing debt and stimulus. Will transition all traditional contributions to lower tax burden as my income grows in the next few years.

I did not even think of the fluid film. Good suggestion. Will get that done as you're right - nonexistent in AZ. And hopefully my grandkids will take good care of it as well Haha! Thanks again man.

 

Sell both and buy a new ride

Ps. Not getting 12k for a five lugger

 

I mean, there are tons of 2wd cars here in CO, you can be OK with it. Just don't plan on going to the mountains during the winter and accept the fact that for most winter storms you're gonna be compromised in where you can go. Here in Fort Collins, we got ~3 feet of snow back in early April, it took them five days before they plowed my neighborhood, but most folks were stuck at home without 4wd. I could get out, but even with 4wd, good tires, and a lift, I was still high centering and all over the place.

I'll never ever ever ever buy a 2wd again.

Also, if you can relocate anywhere in CO, I'd highly recommend somewhere other than the Front Range, unless you just like crowded places. Way better options west of the FRange. Salida, BV, Grand Junction, to name a few.