Buying?

GUYS I FINALLY GET TO BUY A TACOMA

This thread is a "what would you do" thread...Heres the skinny....

-Just got a new job
-heading out to Cali
-will be living in an apt... so I wont have all my tools or a driveway to wrench
-will be used to commute, drive back and forth between AZ, and various camping/weekend trips
-long term plans would be to build an all around wheeling rig...not to extreme in anything but capable (but hey, up the air, ill need a driveway first )

Basically I am up in the air on whether to buy an older 1st gen and cash out savings or a brand spanking new 2nd gen exactly how I want it...
-white access cab V6 4x4 TRD with the e-locker

Also, manual or auto.... ?!


My misc. questions:

1.) I understand that the 1st and 2nd gen tacomas are super reliable...but I wont have the means to do much fixing in an apartment parking lot so I have tried to push my search towards 2nd gens. Am I worrying for nothing? I would hate to buy a 200K mile 1st gen and have to pay (since I wont have the means to fix it myself) to keep it running for another 100k

2.) I am not opposed to financing, I can get a decent rate if I buy new, but this good rate doesnt work for buying used from dealer (i dont think). Financing would mean I dont cash out my savings account and I wont be limited to older 1st gen.

3.) Auto or Manual!? I will be in some traffic....I have never owned a manual, but I can drive it no problem. Will this recommendation change based on buying new or used?



Thanks guys! I am planning to go kick some tires on Friday. STOKED!!!!!

 

DCSB SR5 auto. Prerunner or 4x4. My opinion is the TRD OR is overpriced. You can upgrade your SR5 down the road to be more capable at much cheaper cost than paying for the TRD. The SR5 is already a capable truck and a pre runner will save you fuel on commuting. just my 2cents.

 

bump

 

buy a new trd offroad

 

Just realize that the MPG sucks, so depending on your commute, you might be better off buying a used Yaris to commute, and a 1st gen to play with.

 

Go for what you can afford. It's nice to not have payments but cashing out your savings for a used truck might not be such a good idea. They are both good as I have both but I can't say the 1st gen didn't come with problems even though they were minor. That's just how it goes with an older vehicle, something will need attention and not having garage/driveway to work is definately a disadvantage. If you have good credit, I'd say go for new and get exactly what you want and enjoy paying the low interest without having to empty out your savings. As far as TRD or SR5, mostly just a preference. It's nice to have the extras but they do come with a price. I got my TRD OR 4x4 6speed new in 2009 for about $28.5K plus ttl. Got my 2011 TRD Sport 4x4 for $29.7K plus ttl. 1st gens can still be pricey. Lower mileage 4x4 are around $10-18K from when I searched. I got my 2004 AC 4x4 for about $14-15K.

 

No driveway to wrench, so maybe a new one with a warranty, Depending on your new job put some cash down and do an affordable loan, When I was younger I liked a manual but I just bought a 2014 TRD Sport DCSB auto and love it. Good luck!

Jay

 

Hey guys, thanks for all of the responses. I am going to take a look this afternoon and test drive some new ones.

This was exactly what I was thinking. I like the idea of being able to get exactly what I want, pay a bit more, and be happy with it for a very long time.

now... White or silver? hmmmm

 

Both good colors. Try to get a good price. Use truecar.com. Good luck with your search

 

MAN. Went and looked today... its pretty tough to find an access cab TRD offroad... at least here in AZ.

I drove a silver TRD offroad DCSB and it was very nice, I love the way the backseats fold down, but it was pricey after taxes... right around 38k.... this was without any sort of haggling, just msrp + taxes.

Honestly after messing around with the rear seats in the DC I am hesitant to go with the access cab... i love the way the AC looks, and love the idea of an extended cab (I hate driving people around...especially in the desert/woods...more dirt/mud for me to clean) and the extra bed space is appealing, but the way the backseat in the AC is setup leaves much to be desired. For a small increase in price, the DC definitely seems like the way to go.

Those with the AC, how do you like it? Ever have any issues with the "uneven" rear floor? I guess I am really impressed with the DC's lay flat seats and the ability to slide bins in there. To me it just seems like the AC rear seat area got very little thought, while the DC rear seat area got a ton of attention..... My brothers 94 F150 extended cab has a super simple bench that will lie flat... I would expect much more from a 32K truck....

For the record, I am definitely nit picking... this will be my first financed purchase and I am definitely putting a lot of thought in.

 

I have '13 DCSB TRD Offroad and it is amazing! The A-Trak system is well worth it. I also purchased an automatic 5-speed trans. Not trying to work three peddles and letting the computer do a lot of the work makes things soooo much nicer when you're near vertical. However, because of the payment and its higher price, budgeting for upgrades has taken longer than I thought it would. I am just now ready to get my first set of sliders. Of course, fixing body damage that could have been prevented by the sliders in the first place has set me back a bit

 

We my cousin has an AC and I have a DC. I've driven both and been at the back seat of both as well. The AC rear seats aren't really designed for comfort. It's good for less than half hour trips. Unless it's a sports car, I always prefer 4 doors and a back seat. I don't use it, but it sure comes in handy when I do. DC is a little bit more but worth it. Always nice to have room for growth.

 

Guys, thanks for all of the responses. I am going to take a look at a used 2014 access cab, TRD off road, e locker, in gold with 95K miles tomorrow..... Sweet truck and its exactly what I want... and doesnt cost 38K out the door.

I will report back

 

2014 with 95k miles? Damn! LOL!

 

How in the heck can you put 95k on a truck in 1 year?? Wow!

 

9.5k perhaps?
If it's 95k then the starting motor should be good. Only started once and hasn't stopped yet.

 

Ah man I meant 2004! 2004 with 95K miles. Big typo hahaha

Anyways, I checked it out.... it had some pretty heavy AZ pin striping and it was apparent it had been wheeled. Cracked grill, dented bumper, skid plate was pushed in, and the rear end had been drug over stuff. Thats not a $15K truck to me.... although the interior did look pretty decent.

Im looking at a 2001 today with 130K

 

Good luck. 1st gens are harder to find where I am in good condition and with lower mileage.

 

Skunked again.....Truck I looked at today was molested

2001 with 130K.....just repainted, looked horrible. Shutter on accel. Nasty clanks all over. tons of rust ( THIS IS AZ....WTF) on seat mounts, under dash...everything metal. Bed wasnt straight, tailgate didnt shut....

I forget that everyone with a good one keeps it

 

Try expanding your search. 1st gens are harder to find. I had to drive 4 hours (one state over) to find a good one and another 2 hours away.