Pulling the trigger. Is going new worth the warranty?

I've been spamming this forum with Tacoma advice and hopefully I don't get banned, but I have one last question for anyone who has bought a used Tacoma vs. a new Tacoma.


I am looking at buying a used Tacoma, but am crunching numbers at buying new vs. buying used and cannot decide if it's a better investment to go new, get the warranty but more expensive insurance or buy used, save a couple bucks and potentially not have a warranty.


Here's my options:


2015 Tacoma TRD Sport, Access, 4x4 26k miles - $28,500


2014 Tacoma TRD Sport, Access, 4x4 23k miles - $26,900


2017 Tacoma TRD Sport Access 4x4 - $32450


I am making my decision this weekend, I am sick of looking for a deal and tired of talking to dealers. Life is too short!

 

18s will be out soon. Any significant updates 17 vs 18? I would rather have a warranty than the older model.

I buy new trucks and hold onto them for awhile. I don't trust other owners to maintain or even treat their vehicle the same as I do. At least I know what I have or have not done to it.

If it was a grocery getter or commuter car, I'd grab something used.

 

CARS/TRUCKS ARE NOT INVESTMENTS!!!! EVER!

Ok? Got it?!

Certified Used will come with any extra warranty, but who cares? Vehicles are a gamble no matter what and it's more likely than not that you will ever need to use it.

Not sure why people get so turned on by warranties. Most of the time its pissing money down the drain.

You always maintain the original factory warranty with the truck so unless you are getting a 2015 with 100k miles why would you assume no warranty?

 

Not a fan of 3rd gens but you may get a good deal on a leftover right as the 18's come out. Find a dealer with a lot of 17's on the lot and your chances are better.

 

I'd say go with the 2015 or 2014, but I have a second gen and am bias.

Warranty? Meh. I didn't use mine. Plus, if you're looking at doing mods to it, especially big stuff, the warranty may not be valid if you caused a part to fail. If you wanna keep it stock, then go new and let the stealership deal with the problems.

 

Looks to me like all 3 of those have a warranty.

2nd gens I would worry less about. 3rd gen I would want a warranty on.

If you are buying from a dealer then you can always add on a warranty if you desire. My wife's runner had the 100k mile warranty on it and it was bought used.

Paid off on her's when the lock actuators went out. They replaced all 4 of them which would have been $1000.

 

Have you taken all of those for a test drive? I would see how much of a sacrifice it is to not have the new amenities that the 17 can have from an interior perspective. Suspension wise, Toyota kept the truck virtually the same with a 1 inch increase in lift in their stock leaf springs on the new gens. If you plan to mod your taco in time like many on this forum, then the 1 inch added lift will likely not matter in the long run.

I have a 2012 and I love the body style of this gen with the new upgraded front and better looking interior. The third gens have a really nice interior that many companies are starting to provide some really cool interior upgrades for. Personally, I am used to being behind in the current gen/technology so it doesn't bother me to not have the latest digital screen displays as my interior still functions for what I need in my 2012.

The motor is what stresses many in the long run, I would try to get a decent feel for what the motor can be from a few test drives and be sure that this WILL NOT affect you driving it. I have always driven a Toyota from a 95 4runner (slow AF), first gen taco (decent speed), to the my latest rig. All of these were V6 platforms, so they have some more pep than a 4 banger, but obviously I am not used to the WRX lifestyle of speed. I think as long as you arnt the type that NEEDS a V8 or a sportscar acceleration, then the 3rd gen will be a welcome addition.

I would def give the 3rd gens a few test drives though, as from what I hear they take about 1500 to 2000 miles to break in the computer on the drive train which up to that period is constantly trying to learn your acceleration and cruising habits. This can cause a poor first impression if you are the sort who wants to floor it a lot vs just cruising around. The second gens do not have this drive train smart technology and will drive exactly in the same manners as the test drive will go.

Good luck!

 

I do not believe there are any significant updates. I think rumors of smart sense have been the extent of it

 

I honestly don't know how the warranty works. I know that cars aren't an investment but in terms of buying a vehicle with depreciation in mind, I feel like a Tacoma wikk have a much higher return rate when I go to sell it than most cars, whether I decide to sell it in 20 years or 2 years

 

Lots of info in this post. I certainly like the 2nd generation tacoma more in terms of styling ans driving, but if you are right about the third gens not knowing my driving habits that could be why I didn't care for the drive.

I'm not much of an interior guy either.

 

I think as some others have said, you can still get a used with a solid warranty. Considering the growing pains still in effect with the current third gens out there...I wouldn't get one of those without a warranty. The second gens IMO are pretty solid and have been around long enough that some of the unique bugs have even been caught. At the same time though, I always mod my stuff and so the dealership is always trying to point a finger that my install will revoke the warranty on that said part, etc. so it wouldn't hurt to take into account the type of owner that you honestly are.

I have enough issue dropping my truck off when it was under the factory warranty just for an oil change. Glad that they wont get mine anymore.

 

Well it could be worth it to drive a third gen with maybe 3-5k on it? Like you said, its an investment especially with a Tacoma no matter how you slice it. Its worth knowing that from a "broken in" third gen that you can get the honest feel out of it. I also prefer the second gen body style, mainly due to the front grill area. I know to some it is pretty, but to me it reminds of a domestic front end with the big surface area. That is strictly subjective though.

Long story short, get EXACTLY what you like. If you settle, it might only lead to a future sell instead of a joy for life!

 

I've heard from many at the dealer that the third gens have issues. That's why I bought a second 2012 Tacoma. It's a proven machine that is reliable and already had all the issues worked out for quite some time. I've never had to use the warranty on any of my 2nd Gens.

 

I believe certified used from Toyota dealerships come with 7yr, 100k mile warranties. Get it inspected by an independent shop before you buy, and make sure it's certified with the warranty and you should be just fine going used.

 

Get a 2015 the 3rd gen motor (v6) and transmission isn't the proper set up for a pick up truck.

 

How many 2nd gens you got...I see you @90yota!

 

ehh I am biased, but I would be very careful 2012-2015.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/secondary-air-injection-switching-valve.381997/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/secondary-injection-pump-failure.418668/

These two are most common on the 2012 since that is when that design feature was introduced.

 

Yep very true, and something I always am expecting to die on me. I think the 2014s and 2015s corrected this though right? Me personally...I would shoot for an inferno pro 15. This might partially be due to my butt-hurtness from @big_jarv!

 

I have a 15 I bought in April I like the truck just fine had minor issues when I got it was fixed. But test drove a 16 trd or fully loaded drove great sluggish off the line compared to 4.0 but better power overall really liked it but love my 15. You can get new car % rates on a CPO but ultimately what are you willing to pay an be satisfied. Grass ain't always greener on the other side kinda thing. Older good and proven drivetrain or newer still being tried an trued stuff it's a gamble for sure but one thing is for both is resale value is outstanding they offered me 27000 for mine paid 1500 more

 

ehh, they are far less common but still occur. I've gone through every one of those pages on both threads. 2012's have it the most, followed by early model 2013. After that 2014 and 15 are a crab-shoot, but it does happen.