Decisions, decisions..

Hello my fellow Taco brethren..

Today I have a dilemma - do I trade in my 21’ ORDCSB for a new 22’ WRX?

First let me say, I do not NEED a truck. I sold my boat (thus have no towing needs), have only used the bed a total of about 3 times in 1 1/2 years of ownership. I don’t do any serious/regular offroading. But.. I do like having one. Maybe it’s the novelty or ego in me, but I like having the option to use the bed and having a truck in general. Even though my lifestyle doesn’t necessitate needing a truck..

That being said, the kid in me has always lusted after WRX’s. Probably one of the few cars I would consider getting out of a truck for..

My local Subaru dealer was willing to take $1.5k off MSRP and get my payments to around $175 cheaper than my current taco payments at the same term. I test drove a “Premium” trim WRX and.. it was a lot of fun, I have to admit. The huge 12” screen and spirited turbo/manual transmission had me giggling.

Going the WRX route would also save me a bit (though definitely not night/day) on fuel economy.

I’m torn. The WRX seems like it would be a blast (and marginally cheaper), but I’m also in love with my taco, since.. well, it’s a taco.

What are everyone’s thoughts?

 

This is a Tacoma Forum. We spend time, money, energy and bragging rights talking about our Tacomas here on the board. There is no way we provide you an opinion of any value. Conversely a Subaru WRX Board will equally unhelpful. Do what you want. That is the final answer. I would only pose one thought... If you are asking us for opinion do you really want to get rid of it or hoping we will try to talk you out of it. If it is the latter then you have your answer.

 

Asking here everyone will say keep the truck. Ask a WRX forum and they’ll say trade.

 

Very valid points - to answer your latter question, I’m honestly torn down the middle.. Wasn’t necessarily looking to be swayed in either direction.

 

If you were not looking to be swayed then why post the question at all? (insert Yoda voice here) For Guidance inward look.

 

I agree with comments above.

Call your dad or other significant parent and throw down your pros and cons for both rigs. The adult view will help focus your kid view into the right decision.

 

Or....

If you have the means, keep the Taco and buy a nice used WRX.

 

I have more use for a Tacoma
I can understand your situation, a WRX is a fun ride
You have money with the WRX
Sounds like the WRX would suit your needs
You LUST for the WRX, you LOVE the Tacoma

Man…..what a pickle

 

Pay off the truck and then buy a WRX. When you can pay cash and have a repair fund stashed.

 

I did consider that avenue for a minute, but (not surprisingly) used semi-late model WRX’s were a bit more spendy that I was anticipating. I suppose that’s a positive thing that they retain their resale value though!

 

Man it is a pickle! You summarized my predicament perfectly..

 

Still might be the better route with a used one.

You can ALWAYS sell the Tacoma for a pretty penny if you find that it no longer serves your needs.

Just don't finance your life away. That's not worth the financial hit.

 

Only you can decide what is best for you. In your first sentence, you are saying a Subaru dealer has a new 22 WRX on their lot. How many 2022 new Tacomas do you think are left on a Toyota dealer’s lot in Feb 2023?

Even if you go WRX, it does not have to be forever. You can always come back to Tacoma.

 

You made the case that this transaction would be better if you went the WRX route. Are you considering the total cost of ownership? It may make the case more for the WRX (or maybe less) if you looked at the total cost of ownership. Evaluate...

• The cost to insure the WRX vs the Taco
• The cost to replace your truck tires vs the cost to replace WRX tires
• Fuel mileage estimates (noting Tacos rarely get the EPA estimate, and your WRX probably will not as well because you'll be driving it like you stole it)
• Money you have invested in upgrades to your Taco that you will lose on trade in, or have to strip and spend time/effort selling. Your time is an opportunity cost.
• Financing costs... you are speaking in terms of payments coming down however, you are not talking in absolute costs of financing. Are your terms the same or is your monthly payment going down on a WRX because you are financing it for 7 or 14 years? That would put you is a significantly worse place than you are today if you have 3,4, or 5 year financing on the Taco. Sales personnel speak in terms of monthly payments. Shrewd buyers talk in terms of overall cost to finance, not monthly payments.

Give yourself a few weeks to speak to people you know and carefully consider this transaction. Make it easy for yourself and look at objective measures that can be compared to side by side -- like cost to insure, cost to finance, cost to replace 4 tires, etc. etc. It may make the WRX decision a no-brainer and you will have objective measures to support your decision.

 

And they are willing to sell UNDER msrp (I’m assuming since it’s a 22’ leftover).

Very good point in your last sentence I could always come back if I find the need later in life for a truck/Tacoma..

 

He could be taking a picture of a subaru driving by on the dirt?

 

Get a manual WRX for bad weather and car stuff and pick up a 2wd Ranger, Frontier or Tacoma for truck stuff. $70k should cover it.

 

To some folks a vehicle is an appliance, their goal might be the most functional or economical transportation.

To others it is an image thing, they might spend a lot of time thinking about (or talking about) how cool they are.

Some folks treat vehicles as never ending projects, "shiny object syndrome" some might say.

To still others it is about the drive, the experience. They might genuinely enjoy driving just for driving and their priority might be to enjoy what they drive.

What is most important to you?
You only go around once in life - if you can buy what you want in a financially responsible manner than do just that, drive what you want.


The Tacoma looked cool to me, I wanted it, I enjoyed the way it drove so I bought it.

 

Always get or keep what you really want and can afford. Life is too short.

 

Get the X and don’t look back. Post pics