What is your age and gender, Tacoma owner?

As a 22 year old (23 in April), let me respond to this (Bought the car completely on my own):

1.) You can save up for a house while paying off a car. I contribute to 1 checking and 2 savings accounts as well as contributing to my 401k at the max my company matches. I don't spend outside my means and I keep a good budget. My apartment is in the wealthiest county in the US: Loudoun County-- believe me I'm not even close to rich/well off, I am; however, very blessed and have worked very hard to get the job that I have. Fiscal responsibility doesn't mean not spending at all...

2.) People get their drivers license at age 16 in case you didn't know. For me, that was 6 years of driving old cars (2) and fixing old cars.

3.) If a girl is completely judging you based on your automotive know-how there are other problems with that relationship.

My cars prior to this one:
1992 Toyota Pickup (Access Cab) - 6 Cylinder Engine
1995 Toyota Tacoma SX (Regular Cab) - 4 Cylinder Engine

The first one I inherited and sold for $5000, the second one I bought for $7500 and traded in for my current 2010 Tacoma.

-SP

 

Most live at home and don't have jobs to even think about getting a bank loan for a house not to mention most have not developed a credit history.
A very small handful will do as you belive should be done and as I did. But the majority will either get their vehicles as a gift, family loans, or personal loans. Living at home and working for even minimum wage with a co signer will buy a truck.

Many don't see past next week....nevermind next year. I never had a desire for a new car when I was 25. Wheels were not a statement. They were simply transportation. Some kids had muscle cars, others had old Corollas, some had conversion vans, others had pick ups. Few had a new car. In fact I cannot remember any of my youthful friends having new cars before 25. people did not drive or dress from the outside in.....they did everything from the inside out. Few people judged. It just wasn't a big deal. Priorities were different. Values were way different. For young guys today females control and determine the value system. If a new truck gets girls...boys buy new trucks..

We cannot expect those values to have been passed on in this credit card consumption society. Thankfully I had grandparents who were able to pass their values on.

"You can spend your life paying interest or collecting it" Its a choice we all have. I chose the latter and the big bad "recession" wasn't so bad in this household.

 

18 male 2004 toyota tacoma

 

Hell, I must be the oldest fart in here 57, no wonder I get lost. My 25 year old son loves the Taco too. He need's to get his own. Best truck I've ever owned!
06 pre runner 4 dr. super white V-6 auto, Billy's, indigo dash, satashi grill, texas tint.

 

ha man you must be dont turn into dust

 

I am one of the grey beards here...this would be my third Toyota truck in the last 20 years, 85 FJ60, 94 Pickup, 2011 Tacoma. It looks like these trucks have gotten FANCY in the last 15 years, back up camera, air bags, electronic four wheel drive and anti-slip...

Howard

 

34 2010 sr5 Loving it

 

-->Yes, I am in an apartment, but that is what I chose to be in. I'm not married yet, thus I don't want to invest in a house or property-- not because I couldn't afford it, but I don't want to be locked down among other things. I know it is money down the drain, but there are times in life when an apartment simply works out to be the best plan of action.

-->There was definitely practical reasons to get the new car outside of just wanting it. Having a car without Air Bags and ABS isn't the safest to name 2 of many.
-->All the money fixing the cars constantly could be going towards an investment too . For instance, eventually I got tired of having to constantly fix my car before I went anywhere and then wondering if I could keep it running. On my last truck ALONE I had to replace: Both Leaf Spring, all 4 shocks, both O2 sensors, Catalytic Converter 3x, Alternator, Steering harness, 2 wheels and all 4 tires.

-->I understand your point.

Additionally, in case people didn't know, Toyota offers a "Recent College Graduate" program (Up to 1 year after you graduate) in which you get $1000 off the car as well as a VERY reasonable APR on a car loan. Makes for a very reasonable purchase.

I understand what you are saying in that a car is a depreciating investment which isn't the greatest to invest in; however, there are those of us in our 20's who are in a position to do so while keeping our eyes on the future still. Like I said, I am very blessed to be in the position I am financially and in my life to be able to pay for a car while still putting significant money away for the future.

That said, I agree there are a lot of people who seem to have had their car fall into their lap in 1 way or another. It may seem unreasonable or unfair, but who are we to belittle that or judge that especially without knowing each person individual position in life?

-SP

 

It really bugs me that people say you shouldnt have nice things if your younger than 25... When i bought my truck when i was 19 because i knew it would be paid off in 5 years and still be a perfectly good running vehicle. I knew once it was paid off i would have children why wait to buy a car and then have kids and then buy a house. I wanted to have a nice vehicle for my childrens sake and not owe money on it... I also just bought my own house recently.. So dont try and say you should wait if you can afford it and know it go for it.

 

Who cares .

 

If you make good money and have the ability to buy what you need and it also makes you happy then buy it! Thats my excuse for putting a bunch of upgrades into my Tacoma

 

Are you honestly arguing there is only 1 way to approach buying expensive things in life?

-SP

 

Old enough to make bombing runs on the Ho Chi Minh Trail..2011 Access cab.

 

26/male w/ a 2006 Double cab 4x4

 

No I think he said there is only one easy way to have the good things in life..the alternative is someone who did things the easy way collecting your rent money to pay for their new trucks every three years!!

You can go through life as a perpetual debtor or creditor...The longer you are the former the less likely the latter will be a reality. Bank owned possessions are not possessions at all.

 

36, male, 2010 prerunner double cab TRD. love it!

 

23 male 2011 DoubleCab V6 Auto TRD Offroad

 

The Tacoma is my wife's truck -- a 68-year-old retired kindergarten teacher. Her fourth Toyota 4X4 and her first with an automatic transmission. She's finally starting to act her age. What do I drive? A Ram Hemi 4X4. We may be old but we "ain't" slow. Oh, she lets me drive the Taco every once in a while.

 

Wow genius since you totally didnt read what i was saying..I bought my truck in 08 to the intent to have kids after it was paid off im 21 thats not happening for another 2 years. Im not going to drive my newborn child in a freakin beater that could kill them if somebody rear ends me. If thats what you want to happen to your child then your sick in the head.