Keep or Trade?

I already posted this on the 2G forum but I would be remiss if I did not get 3G opinions as well. I own a 2009 Tacoma TRD Off Road in Barcelona red. I love this truck! It has been well maintained and is in very good condition however the paint on the roof and hood has started to peel or fade in the last year or two and there are several little insignificant things that don't quite work right anymore. The vehicle has about 181,000 miles (I know it could go a lot more but I feel it's resale appeal will wane soon at 200K, and yes I suppose something major could break). Here is my dilemma: Since 2020, I've been agonizing whether to trade it in for a new, next generation Tacoma TRD. I see them on the road all the time and always take a second look. I've been shopping on-line and sending inquiries to various dealers (for two years!) but cannot seem to pull the trigger and buy (I came very close a couple times and even took one home overnight). Side note, I'm kicking myself for not buying in 2020 when prices were low and Toyota was offering $1000 incentives. Anyway, here I am trying to decide whether to keep my 09 and maybe get the hood and roof repainted ($1700) or trade it in for a new one (unfortunately around MSRP). I guess I don't care between another Off Road or a Sport even though a Sport would be different than what I currently have. Another thing, I don't owe anything on my 09 (and I get free lifetime oil changes from the dealer) but a new Tacoma will result in a $30K car loan. Finally, there really isn't a ton of differences between my truck and the new generation and honestly, I like my truck's upholstery better. I also like my Barcelona red better than my second choice of silver or gray (I would not buy the red again since I would want a different color for sure.). Do I keep or trade-in? What is the reasoning and rationale? HELP! I can't agonize for two more years!

 

You only live once!
Sell it!

 

with that kind of mileage, I’d trade up…. Tacomas, the next generation will most likely cost even more, this actually may be the best time to get a brand new tacoma. Even though you’re paying MSRP, You will be getting the difference on the trade so it’s a wash. At that mileage, you will be replacing things coming soon.

 

Order a 2022 4x4 SR. Best deal out there and you can get it in Barcelona Red, just like you like.

It's time.

 

Test drive all the trims available at the dealership and shop around for the best deal. You’ll know what you want right after you see the numbers you like best.

 

Trade it up before the transmission fails and end up with a lot $$$ Dow; the drain. Don’t even bother painting the roof and the hood.

 

If you are getting good trade in value on the current truck (I got almost $20K for my 2010 with 120k miles) and can get the new ride for MSRP (a rarity today), then do it. This is what I did this last August.

I would not do the deal if you are getting hit with a dealer surcharge. My local dealer had a $7,500 mark-up on a 4Runner Pro. I’d bet Tacoma’s are similar.

There is no way I’d pay over MSRP for a vehicle.

 

Today's trade in prices, trade it but only if you get a good dealer. At least msrp,no more.

 

I know a lot of people are saying trade it in, but be careful. I bought my 2021 TRD OR last June. The dealer (Toyota Of Tacoma) offered me $1500 for my 2000 Tacoma 2x4 that had 90,000 miles. I gladly kept the lil black truck and sold it private party for $8000 in 1 day. I think the "trade in" sites like Carvana are a better bet than actually trading into the dealer. You get the tax benefits if trading in at the dealer but in my case, $6500 in my pocket outweighed $150 in sales tax. Just my 2 cents. BTW, I'll never buy from Toyota Of Tacoma again.

 

I’d go on an extended test drive before deciding on a 3rd gen. I liked my 2nd gen in regards to motor and transmission WAY better, I have to re gear tune just to make it feel right and that’s not how it should be. The 3rd gen does get over 20 mpg on average tho that’s better then the 2nd gen but 200k is not a lot on the 4.0. Ya you may need to change a water pump spark plugs and fluids like normal but I just don’t see that thing starting to give up out of the blue. If you off road the 3rd gen is more capable stock and rides pretty smooth after a few thousand miles of driving it. I already did the intake mod and working to get it re geared and a tune to make it stop the constant shifting while driveling down the freeway. In the end it’s your choice but just do some research.

 

Having had both I definitely felt like the second gen felt a bit stronger in normal driving. The 3.5 and six speed auto are totally for fuel economy. But it can certainly go if you stomp on it. But speaking of fuel economy.... Way better. Second gen is WAY easier for oil changes too. I sold my last second gen with 185k on it and it was flawless. But I had one before it where I had all kinds of odd behavior from the auto trans before it hit 120k miles. I sold that one pretty quick. I think the interior on the 3rd gen is finished a lot better. Not quite as nice as the 5th gen 4runner I traded in when I got my 2017 but nicer than the second gen. Really the second and third gens are basically the same truck underneath outside of the engine/trans.

 

I’m going to go in a different direction here…

I have a 2021 TRD OR and love it. But I only got it because I couldn’t find a 2nd Gen in desirable condition at the price I wanted to pay. I suspect most of the comments here are from 3rd gen guys who are on their first Tacoma (don’t have much experience or knowledge on the 2nd Gen and how desirable they are). Having said that I only have 1st gen Tacoma to compare to.

It’s widely believed that the 2nd Gen is a superior truck vs 3rd gen (obviously subjective and debatable, but still widely believed).

if I were you, I’d first repaint the roof and give yourself more time to do the research (it’ll increase the value anyway if you sell to private party).

My #1 reco is to KEEP the 2nd Gen and then buy a new one (you said you’d take out a loan anyway), if that is possible for you. Drive the new one for a while and see how you like it. You can still sell one of them down the line if you can’t or don’t want to keep both.

Bottom line…4.0L is a great motor that will last a while. If you’re happy with it, why give up a good thing for an uncertain thing?

 

Private sale if you go any direction outside of keeping it. The market is nuts, people will pay well over bluebook for a Taco regardless of miles or some paint. Clean trucks like that are worth stupid money right now. Go test drive the new ones. Honestly, I wouldn't expect 200k miles on the 3.5, but they are still good trucks. Remember when you get into the TRD/Tech stuff, it's all crap that will break. A 4x4 SR bare bones isn't a bad way to go. Good luck.

 

Keep your current vehicle. Car payments suck the life out of you. Drive it until the wheels literally fall off. 300k miles+ is easily achievable with your current truck.

 

My 95 cents worth

I hear you! I love my truck too and keep it well maintained (I only have 96000 KMs)
Agree with others. Sell yourself if you cross that bridge. You'll get more in your pocket!
If you sell you may want to repaint areas. It may pay for itself at resale.
I understand the new thing as well. But have you considered someone wanting a take over of payments or lease (sad if someone is in that position but you are helping them).
Debt free is great! But wise controlled debt isn't bad.
It was said above other models may have everything you need and add later. You know that hidden MOD FEVER option that comes with all Tacomas.
Agree with you on difference in model years. I like my interior far more than the newer standard. But I do like the overall look of 3rd gen.
Agree on red. Bin there done that. Time for a change.

Trust all of us have helped you with your decision.

Sorry I creeped on 3rd gen

 

100%!

 

I know this is for the 3G guys and I have a 2G. I happen to like each generation of Tacoma's and while Toyota in general isn't perfect, they have made a believer out of me. The only difference between you and I with regards to our "trucks" is there nothing wrong with mine, electromechanically or cosmetically. I am constantly looking at 3G's because I' while I'd love to have a new one. If I applied logic to the decision, I really don't know if an internal combustion engine or an EV equivalent makes the most sense. What do you think?

I drove several of the earlier 3G model years. It used to be I didn't care for the lower end performance of the engine and trans. Today though, with turbo and supercharger options and custom tunes, the drivetrain seems to be more than capable., if not ideal for a small truck. I'm thinking a Tacoma now offers a reasonable path of upgrades to plenty of top and lower end performance. In my mind, this makes the 3G darn near perfect.

If I found the "perfect for me" 3G I would love to be able to jump on it. For me, there are too many things totally out of my control in the world today. Too damn much economic, civil, and political unrest. If I feel the need to fight again I would rather do so leaving my family debt free.

 

If you haven't ran out and just done the deal then it sounds like you're not really ready to move on from the 2nd gen. The mileage is getting up there but it's also nice not having a big car loan. You could keep the second gen and make payments to yourself for what the new truck would cost ya, see how that feels having a payment, then save that money and put it towards the new one when you feel you are really ready to make the move.

 

I absolutely loved my 2nd gen. If it had 4WD i would have never traded it. got a decent deal on my 3rd gen pre covid/chip shortage and am pretty happy with it, but that 4.0 was a nice engine. It is nice to have a few of the newer features though. Its a knife that cuts both ways.
I dont think you could be faulted either direction you decide.

 

Is this the one with the 4.0 v6? I would have gotten that but it’s only available in the 4 runner.