Which to buy

KBB and others are often way off on these trucks. The Tacoma literally has the best resale out of any vehicle sold in North America. Look at what other similar trucks are going for in your area and negotiate accordingly. Never hurts to try. If they are a "sticker is the price" shop, don't let them ding you with 'documentary fees' or other misc fees and put it back on them.

 

not sure how an individual can get actual selling price. Dealers can get sales price info on used vehicles and they use it to value trades. Best you can do is see what people are listing for which is almost always inflated.

 

IMHO, neither.

The 'all trail' is priced too high for the miles. 96k would have been a 12k/yr., and I'm willing to bet no major service has been done, and/or the seller can't provide paperwork to prove it if they claim it. Dealer added cosmetics float some peoples boats, but they don't add basic value. As in ask your insurance agent if they pay more on a total for that stuff. Not.

The other is more truck than your described purpose calls for, although that's ok, it's not worth straining your budget.

If the all trail were to check out with an independent mechanics inspection (should include a compression check)(something you should do w/any used purchase over 50k or so anyway), and you can get the price down significantly, you might consider it still. Keep in mind that most independent lots have a hefty mark up to 'allow' a buyer more for their clap trap trade. If you can make a cash offer, you might have more bargain power.

Good luck shopping!

 

Here's my experience recently with a 2009 4x2 v6 base with 42,500 miles on it.

Toyota dealer had sticker of $21,995, I went in just to look, took it for a test drive and seemed fine. It was the first Tacoma I looked at and drove so I was not buying no matter what that day. So the typical BS happens, manager comes over after I tell guy I'm not buying today. Manager says, we got some room on that truck and can let it go for $18,000. I said, thanks but not buying today.

This was end of last month, this Monday, the 15th of August, the truck is listed for $14,995. $7,000 off, what a miracle!

Edmunds has trade in of $10,147.00 and dealers always go under Edmunds.com. They probably paid $8,800.

I sold cars for a two short stints many years ago, a $5,000.00 mark up was normal on used cars. We used to tell people to go sell their trade to Edmunds if they wanted that "trade-in" price they quoted. Here in New Jersey, dealers use Galves which is what the cars are selling at auction. If I recall, the little yellow book came out every two weeks or once a month.

Here's another personal experience of mine:

In 2008, I saw a 2006 Mercedes Benz S-Class 430 4-matic for $47,000.00, offered $40,000 out the door. They said no way, we own the car for a lot more than that, yada, yada, yada..... That was end of 1st week into the month.

Two weeks later, sales guy calls to see if I was still interested and told him, that my offer of $40,000 out the door stood. He said he would talk to manager but didn't think it would fly. Calls back an hour later saying he can't believe it but manager says I got a deal but I have to sign/pickup on 31st of month or it's no good. I bought the car.

So, there's always room on used cars and yes, end of month is the time to do it.

I have other tales from my sales day related to selling used cars. Everyone wanted to work in that department because buyers have no idea what the dealer paid for the cars and there was money to be made.

Good luck in your hunt!

 

Dealers buy a lot of vehicles at auction for dirt cheap. They put them on their lot after cleaning them up and marking way up hoping some sucker comes in and pays asking price. They make their money buying and selling used cars not new ones. They are in control because they have access to the auction and used car sales data.

 

I would pass on the 2009. Too many miles for that year. The 2011 has a lot more bells and whistles, but if it is outside of your budget there is no point in considering it.

For my area, KBB and NADA values were less than most dealer asking prices, but substantially higher than Edmunds and VMR Auto Guide valuations. It took a lot of time and patience, but I was able to get my Taco for less than Edmunds true market value. As you noted, these trucks have great resale value, but there are also a lot of them available on dealer lots. I combined that fact, along with going to the dealership on a Tuesday at the end of the month, to get the price I wanted. In other words, there good deals to be had if you are not in a hurry to buy.

 

Good strategy as the sales guys are always trying to meet the month end numbers.