Buying advice

Hey all, first post here. Thanks for having me!

I am seriously considering buying a 2008 Sr5 Pre-Runner TRD Sport, v6 automatic with 79k miles at a dealership here in Maryland. The dealer is asking 21,900 for the truck. Looking at KBB that says retail on this is almost $1000 more so this looks like a good price. The truck is a super clean and I couldnt find a flaw on it. Drove like new. They even add a limited lifetime warranty on the powertrain that is supposedly transferrable to all other Toy dealers.

however, to complicate matters, they are offering me $9000 on a 2008 Saturn Astra with only 24k miles on it which is also in great shape (other than a scratched up bumper) I owe 10,330, paid 23k for it.

What do you all think of this deal?

 

To bad you are upside down on your trade. The Tacoma will hold the value long enough for you to have equity out of it...more than your trade.

As far as the truck, the Pre-Runner looks nice, I live just North of your border in PA and have 4WD....depending on where you live in Md you may someday regret not getting the 4WD....

 

Both thoughts crossed my mind. Thank you for confirming it. The saturns value is dropping like a stone, this time next year id prolly be lucky to get 7 for it, and yes, I would prefer 4x4. Its a pickle, because the longer I wait for just the right Taco, the less the Saturn is worth.

All I can ask of you guys is to comment on the price of the package the dealer is offering.

If you all think it is still a little high, I am spring loaded to ask them to make this offer Out The Door, or throw in After Market leather, (I HATE cloth - the only thing I dislike about Tacos!) or something like that.

 

The price seems ...OK. The mileage is what has me worried. My 2010 4 cyl. Regular Cab 4x4 cost $19,500, new. No extra bells and whistles but I'm finding all the extra stuff I want on-line or at the wrecking yards and it's kind of fun being able to build it my way.


Steve

 

High mi. for a lot of $$. I know used prices are going up as no one wants to buy new anymore. If you use it a lot in the snow I would hold out for a 4x4. Jim

 

21,900 is a little high for that mileage. especially for a prerunner.

I paid 20k for my 07 SR5 double cab 4x4 2 years ago w/ 42k miles. I would look around somewhere else for a better deal.

If you are upside down on the car, why trade it in and put yourself even further upside down? sell it private party for what you owe on it. I just looked up Astras for sale around me and they were selling from 10,500-14k

I still don't understand why people trade in cars. You're throwing money away. Nowadays with ebay, craigslist, and autotrader selling a car private party is easy as cake. I sold my last vehicle in 2 days on craigslist, I never even had to list it on autotrader.

 

Believe me, I hear you. I have tried and tried to sell this danged Astra for better than trade in. Best offers I could get 3rd party was 9k or worse. I did everything - cleaned it up real nice, posted lots of good pics and listed it on clist (didnt try ebay though) etc. Barely got any nibbles let alone decent offers. I think it is because Saturn went belly up, so no one wants to touch it (which is also kind of why I want to sell it) What this dealer is offering me is better than any 3rd party guy did. I am sure he is just playing with the numbers to make it look good on paper though (over charging on the truck and over paying on the astra).

 

Ur right. The more I think of it, I should hold out for 4x4. its what, about 2k more? Better to have it and not need it than the opposite. Besides, I dont think this one has a tow package (checking today) which I would want.

Thanks for the insight fellahs!

 

I wouldn't go for that deal for all the reasons mentioned above. That sounds high for that kind of mileage and 2wd. I'd try to get them under 20,000 for the truck or over 11,000 for your trade at the very least (doesn't really matter if they lower the sale price or offer more for your trade, it's the net difference you need to be concerned with).

 

I know I am hijacking my own thread but you all have pretty much helped me decide to go ahead and wait. so...

New Taco - what are the rumors on the 2012 units? Are they interesting enough to wait for those to surface you think? The only thing really hastening my decision to get a Taco is to unload the saturn and get what I really want and that is a mini-truck...but its not a need but a want, so I suppose I could wait, especially if the 2012's are going to be amazingly different...course, then you have the 1st year of a new gen. issues that could come up. Wise to buy the year AFTER a new generation comes out, give em a chance to work the bugs out. AND if the 12's arent all that, they will prolly lower the price on new 11's!

what do do. what to do.

 

New body in 013 is the grapevine,keep looking for a good used one that you will be happy with. Bad news to get something cuz you have to have it and 3 mo later its WTF did i do. Keep looking in your home town and auto trader,cars.com,flea bay 2or3 hundred mi.is ok to go and look after you car fax it. Hold out for what you need and want. Its the only way you will not be pissed making out the check the 1 of each mo. Been there done that,its not fun.. Good luck on the hunt and take your time.. Jim

 

If you think you're gonna need it; you do.

Sorry about the Astra. An older truck (and sometimes alot older) with alot lower mileage and price (obviously) is what you need; I think. If you buy used from a big dealer get the longest warranty you can.

Alot of times you can get SCREAMIN" deals from private sellers. Keep looking, it's out there and good luck!


Steve