Help me find a truck!

Hey everybody, I'm the new guy who doesn't have a Tacoma yet. But I live in Tacoma! So it's inevitable, really.

ANYWAY. I've been lurking the past couple of days and it sounds like most people are paying 8-12k for the first gens, with ~15k being the upper limit. Does that sound about accurate? I'm looking to spend as little as possible (duh!) because I will have to take out a loan and just the very idea of paying for money makes me want to hurt people. The problem is I'm like Hank in that one episode of King of the Hill and I get suckered into paying waaay too much for things.

Here's what I KNOW I want: 4wd, 5 speed, V6, under 100k miles
Here's what I'm pretty sure I want but could be convinced otherwise: Xtra cab, TRD

That being said I found the perfect truck: http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/ctd/2153403494.html. For you non-link-clickers: "2002 Toyota Tacoma Xtra Cab SR5 TRD 4WD V6 with only 78,000 miles on it." They're asking $14k for it. KBB puts it at 11,990 for a dealer in excellent condition so I know I can talk them down... but how low do you think I can go? I'm easily intimidated by salesmen, not gonna lie. But if I KNOW I'm right (and if the internet says it, dammit, it's the truth!) than I'll be fine.

SO: What would ya'll pay for this?

P.S. I know about the frame rust thing... I'll have to check that out when I see it.

 

Get pre-qualified at a local credit union for14k, go in and offer the dealer 13k CASH. Don't ever finance through those scum dealerships. If they take the 13k, I would say it is one hell of a steal. It's even already got the timing belt service done!!!

 

Oooh yeah, I'm getting it through a credit union. I'm not letting no stealership do it!

You think 13 is a good deal? Even though KBB says 12? I've never bought a car from a dealership before and never paid more than $4,000 for one, either... so all this sounds like a lot to me.

It IS pretty much everything I want in a truck... It seems perfect but then again I've only been looking for what, 3 days? So I imagine if i pass this one up I'll find another soon enough.

 

Seems like a good deal from here, but you'll have to make the decision as far as overall condition of vehicle. Tacomas always go for more than bluebook...always. I bought mine for $14,850 with 81k miles on it, and it needs timing belt soon, and had shitty fabtech shocks that i had to replace. But it was mint overall.

I say go for it!

 

I think its too much - I have the same truck except its a 2004 and auto w 23,000mi and I would take $16000 for mine (2g more for 2 yrs newer and 50k less mi). I would say look around a bit more or maybe for a private seller.

 

It must vary from region to region.....you could get 20k for that truck here. Just saw a similiar truck with 34k go for 19.5k here. Sold in no time.

 

Hmm well thanks for the info! I'll probably offer 12 and see what I can get from there... can't hurt to try, right? Wish me luck!!!

 

Damn! Autotrader here I come haha. Yeah I posted it on craigslist in my area for $17 and I was getting a lot of offers but for like $14. People were telling me I was crazy for asking that much???

 

14???!!!!!!! Wow, yeah I would definitely do ebay or autotrader. Trucks that go for 14 here usually are in the 75-110k miles area. Depending on condition.


To the OP...best of luck! Keep us posted.

 

Clean, well maintained, 1st Gen 4x4s, despite mileage, usually get 13-14k here in S. California. Very popular and desireable trucks here.

Flash

 

It sounds like a good price for your location. The east coast trucks see a lot of salt the older trucks sell for a lot less out there. I payed 14,995 for mine with 89,000 miles on it and it was KBBed at 13,995. I worked it out with the dealer and they gave me a used mint LEER cap and a few other things. These trucks go way over blue book on the west coast and there worth it. So if you can get it for 13,000 you got a hell of a deal. Cash talks so if your getting a loan you have less leverage I walked in with a check and still couldn't get them to budge much.

 

Well it turns out because I have NO credit the credit union wants to charge me 18% interest, if they loan to me at all. I could get my mom to co-sign but I'd still be paying 11%.

On top of that I gave them all the vehicle info and they value it at around $9500 wholesale (which is all they will go off) and they can only give me 90% of that... which comes to $8100. So even if I can talk them down to $12k for the truck I'm still looking at a $3900 down payment (which I COULD do but I would have to save up for a few months... not a bad idea anywy) with a crazy high interest rate.

WELL DANG. I'm going to ask the dealer what they can do for financing but I'm not holding my breath... and I imagine that will hurt my bargaining position. On the other hand maybe telling them the truck was only valued at $9500 will help me get the price down a bit more? I have no idea... I've never done this before.

What do you all think?

 

Sorry to hear that man - As far as the financing it can't hurt to see what the dealer maybe be able to offer. Not sure if Toyota will finance since its 9yrs old. If you mom will help you out and co-sign I would say def let her cause thats gonna help you with 7% interest which is a ton. Unfortunately with the price of the truck I don't think that by telling them the book value on it is only $9500 will matter -- they won't care they'll have a reason why that doesn't matter BUT I would try anything to get them down. There asking $14 so theres definitely some room to lower the price. Hope everything works out for you -- Good Luck!

 

Unless you have $$$ just sitting in the bank.... Thats why I try to finance through the dealer... One stop... You like the vehicle, you get approved, your sign your name you drive away... No running in circles and getting let down. Financing through a dealer has some advantages. Yes they will bump the interest rate on you but thats how the finance person makes their money. I financed my current Infiniti G35 used through a dealership. They still got me a better rate than my local banks could. I am sure some dealers will rape you on that but I don't know that its all that common. I believe most states have a cap on it. It I am remembering right, in WV you can only bump the rate the bank gives the dealership up 2.5% to the vehicle buyer. That 2.5% is what the finance person is paid out of.... The dealer gets a big cut then they get the crumbs.