How to know fair value / spotting deals / Taco mentor?

Hi everyone-

It took me 34 years to get here but I'm finally in a position where I can afford my dream truck: A 2nd gen double cab long bed, 4x4.

Now the hard part: Making the decision.

I'm trying to figure out the right way to spot 'the one'. There are lots and lots of options in my area (Oregon), but with so many variables (drivetrain, motor, trim, mileage, condition, etc.) it feels like I have no way of really knowing if I'm getting a decent deal.

I'm wondering if anyone here would be willing to keep an eye on CL/Autotrader/these forums for a great deal on a truck for me. I'd even consider paying this person....knowledge is worth a lot, in my book, and can save a ton of money.

I tried posting a 'wanted' ad in the marketplace but there is a 30 day hold on new accounts...and I'm hoping to get looking right away, as my current rig is on it's last legs.

1.) Does anyone want to help here?
2.) It seems kelly blue book is inconsistent with Taco's. I've seen it right 'on the money' (i.e. at the asking price of the seller), and I've also seen it way, way low and way, way high! I've concluded it's not a real useful tool. So how does one determine a reasonable price??

Thanks for any help.

 

No love for this post eh?

how do you guys know what a Taco is worth, if KBB is so often way off the mark?

 

You can do this Ryan, look at trucks locally and see what the going prices are. Read as much as you can on this forum. Good luck!

 

Like he said, read the forum. Spend a few weeks reading what dudes on here post.

You will get a feel for things. There are plenty of threads where guys will post a truck they are looking to buy. Members will reply with their opinion. These threads will come in handy.

What is your budget?

 

Yep, took a year of research before we got our truck, and that included having one in the family that we could test..

Look at what you want and need, we tow with our so the 6500lb tow package was requirement - that narrowed it down to either TRD Sport or one with it added option. It had to be 4 doors, and long box was what we wanted.

We started looking locally and learned the differences between the years of the 2nd gens. Looked at a few different trucks, and then found ours..
Price wise it was interesting to see the difference between new, dealership used, and private sale.. We had just decided to save our money for an 2009-2010 and this 2005 with one owner and low km showed up. That's how it goes.

 

Problem is that what people are asking isn't what they're selling for....a truck that was listed locally for $6500, people on this forum were saying was worth 1-2K tops. I suppose most trucks probably sell for within 10% of the asking price, but I'm not even sure about that.

 

We have a pretty wide budget window. I'd say the least I'd want to spend is probably 8k, but could swing 17k if needed. I'm more of a 'value buyer'....i.e. I'll take an older truck if its a great deal, or I'm willing to splash out a lot more, again, if its a great deal

But I guess maybe everyone is that way!

DCLB 4x4 is what I need. Beyond that, I'm flexible.

 

I started by looking for an year range I wanted, looked up the values between KBB, NADA and Edmund's. One will be high, one will be low, and the other somewhere in the middle. The middle to low end is what I was looking to pay. I looked for over a year before I found one I liked, looked at a few and began to extend my search radius. I ended up driving 300+ miles to get the truck I have now and I got what I felt was a great deal. Craigslist autotrader , you name it I searched it almost every day for a year. I mostly avoided dealers and concentrated on private party sales.

I initially was looking at 1st gen tacos 2000-2004, but when I saw what the price difference would be to step into a 2nd gen, I made the switch. Also depending on what part of the country you're in, prices vary drastically. For some reason here in the PNW Toyotas are worth gold.

 

Bring plenty of patience if you want to try and find a great deal. Tacos go fast and not always cheap!

 

Out of curiosity, what was the biggest advantage to making the switch into 2nd gen? I'm still sort of on the fence about it. At this point I'd rather have a 2004 than a 2005, just because I like the more compact size, but that damn no-long-bed-with-double-cab thing is kind of a deal breaker. I'm trying to convince myself that a short bed is enough. But I dunno man...can't fit my 6' surfboard into the back of a DCSB...ouch.

Anyway, thanks for the responses, all. It sounds like I need to just be patient and keep reading.

 

It was basically the current body style, had more creature comforts and the dash and interior was more appealing to me in the 2nd gen. The layout between 1st and 2nd is night and day. I would have settled for a 1st gen at the right price but I found a 2nd gen at the right price.

Don't get in a hurry. If the truck you want sells and you cant seal the deal, it wasnt meant to be. The truck you seek shall present itself when everything is feng shui... Or something like that.

 

Did this search last month, I was looking for a 2013-15 DCLB. I used cargurus website with the best luck. If a dealer didnt want to work with me on price I just waited for the manager to email me and deals were made.

 

Check KB and Black Book (It's what the dealers use) and find out the wholesale with accessories and what the dealers will charge. Then you'll know the price range of what a private party or dealer will want.

 

If you are buying from a private seller, pay close attention to the seller. Ask for repair notes/records. A detalied seller will usually take good care of their vehicle. Always have the truck inspected by an experienced mechanic before buying.

 

My suggestion - find one you like and purchase before the next guy comes along. I had my eye on one for 3-4 days and got the willpower to finally check on a test drive. It was gone. It had EVERYTHING I wanted for around $28k. Kicking myself to this day but I do love my current truck.

 

I searched several times a day for about 3 months before I found mine. I broke it down to the exact truck I WANTED and then started my search. I set my max budget. For me I had just sold my old truck and had $19,000 to spend, that was for a truck and to cover tax, title and license cost. Then I knew I wanted a TRD Off-road, 4 door, short bed, 6 speed manual in black or MGM. I realized a 2012+ was out of the question unless it had high miles. I wanted the AUX plug, back up camera and LED tail lights so that put me searching for a 2009-2011. I then set out on my search with no flexibility aside from color really. Found several but they were to expensive or in poor shape. One day searching Craigslist is stumbled upon exactly what I was looking for. He had it listed at $23k so I knew it would be a long shot. Next thing I know we agreed upon a price that would put me about $500 over budget and I was heading to Chattanooga. My advice to you, make a list of EXACTLY what you want and then after looking for the same truck over and over you will get an idea for pricing. Look 2k or so over your budget anticipating a haggle. Lots of great info on here regarding issues of specific years, use that to narrow your search.

 

Tacoma values are stupid high here in SE Wisconsin.

Everything is either beat or super high miles or both.

A clean low-mileage Tacoma is hard to find.

It took me 6 months to find mine.

There is a 2006 D/C at a local new car dealer with 98K miles and their no-haggle price is $16,825.

 

Just gotta be patient till the right deal comes around