Possible new vehicle

Hey guys! Ive been presented with an awesome opportunity to where my note for a lease will be payed up to $400 a month for 5 years. I currently have a 1st gen Tacoma. Its in rough shape mechanically but with a couple of grand, it'll last forever. So, I've come up with a few possibilities. I could 1) Keep my current truck and repair it and get a car for going to and from school (want to get the new Lexus IS lol. Its a bad bitch). 2) Trade the current Tacoma for a new one. 3) Get a used Tundra (saw one with only 4k miles nicely equipped 2013 for $30k. What do you guys think I should do?

 

It comes down to what you're looking for use wise. Do you use your truck for work? Fun? If I were you, I'd go with option 1. Mod the truck and use the IS as a DD/go fast.

 

My dad owns rental properties and is looking to get another after we finish remodeling our house. So as of late, the truck has been used for everything. And because of the condition, I'm paying out my ass for gas getting 10 MPG. I was really leaning towards option 1. If not, 2. Ive only test driven the new Tacos. Is there any draw backs?

 

If you can afford it, I would go with option 1. Construction work is hard on a vehicle. Still going to have wear and tear after fixing it. 10 MPG sounds pretty rough, but it would still take a while for the cost of a new/used IS to break even with the cost of gas. I'm a bit biased because I still sometimes wish I had something sporty to drive haha. If you're asking about drawbacks of a 2nd gen, there are a few threads on here about complaints yada yada. Personally, my only gripe is the aging motor lacking a little bit of oomph and MPGs. Babying it on summer blend gets in the low 20's. Otherwise a DC 2nd gen looks about the same size as a first gen Tundra. Compared to your first gen, it's bigger, more creature comforts

 

Get a 4x4.

 

Food for thought, at the end of the lease, who pays the wear & tear penalty? Like DPC08 said construction is hard on a vehicle.

 

Option 2

 

I just came out of a 2011 Tundra and into a 2014 Taco. If I was doing construction work I would go with the Tundra. Not that the Taco isn't capable of doing the job. The Tundra is a beast. It'll tow a house down and give you a lot more bed space. It's an awesome truck. I simply didn't need it. Most of my use is running my kids to sports practices and driving to work. With an occasional home project and towing a light fishing boat. If you go with the lease look into the protection program, which covers any unuasl wear and tear so you are not liable for scratches and dents.

 

I've taken the Tundra out of the equation. I test drove one today. Its nice and all, but too big for me. Thinking about keping my current one and buying a car for DD.

 

Any particular reason you recommend a 4X4?

 

Its a hell of a lot more fun for offroading.

Also you may need it for work someday to get materials down a muddy road or something.

 

option 1 sounds good to me, thats what i plan on doing when i have the chance. Maybe find a nice WRX for DD/fun and keep the truck off the road as much as possible.

 

I was looking at the 250 not 350. And with good credit, you can get one for under $400