2nd gen to a first gen? what u think?

Need you first gen guys opinion. I have a 06 trd sport pre runner. All my specs are in my signature. I am getting out of the Air Force in about a year. Thinking about the future. I still owe a lot on my 06. My payments are high. And as my first "new" vehicle the experiance has been "ho-hum". Would I be a total idiot if I was looking at maybe trading my 06 in on an 04 or 03 that has the same miles (if I can find it) and 4x4? Lower my payments a bit? All I hear about is how the first gens are made so much better than the 05+. Just playing with the idea. what do you guys think?

 

look into refinancing, it helped me alot

 

I don't think you're an idiot for considering such an idea, but I'm not sure how much money (overall) you'd be saving.

The economy's in the toilet, so it won't be easy to sell the 2006 for a good price. Now that it's 3 model years old, a lot of the depreciation is now 'built in'. PreRunners aren't in demand like 4X4's.

Older Tacomas (especially 4X4's) are commanding relatively high prices used. On top of all that, equipping the older Taco to match your current equipment will only add to your transition costs (especially since none of your current equipment other than the wheels / tires can be swapped).

I'd suggest doing a lot of market research to see what 2006's like yours are selling for.

 

ya. I think I still owe to much for that. Only have had the truck for a year or so, but I hear ya. But the high payment is only half of it. Looking for lower payment, 4x4, and just a better truck.

 

Wouldn't be the first time someone does that. Look at Tacomaman06

 

Kelly Blue book on my truck = $16k. I owe = $25k Up side down loan left over from trade in. I kind of "F"ed my self when I got into this truck. In my defence I thought it was going to blow my mind, but like I said, even with all the crap I have put on my 06 to fix the stuff i don't like about it it is still eeehh, Ho-Hum. I don't know. Maybe Im just bumming today.

 

i say go for it Tacomaman06 has not regretted his decision of going from a 2nd gen to 1st

 

I love my Gen1 and will most likely keep it when I get a 2012.

 

tacomaman06 has got to chime in here! I was thinking of going to a 2nd gen. but quickly changed my mind after talking to some of the guys here. might as well just start looking and see what you find. if you find a good deal, look into it.

 

If I could find a super low mile extended cab prerunner, I'd swap in a heartbeat. I like the lines of the gen 1 better. I am very happy with my 08, but just could not find a suitable gen 1 at the time.


To the original poster..make sure you have a ROCK SOLID deal before you get out of the AF. As an AF recruiter many years ago, I had an endless stream of folks that got out and were looking to get back in due to numerous reasons. Bottom line on the civilian side is, it's unpredictable at the best with little security. No matter what you think it's going to be like...it'll change.
Something to think about...if you don't like your job, crosstrain. If you don't like where you are, put in for orders. The lifestyle is still there no matter where you are or what you are doing. 22yrs here...I've seen a lot and been around the block a few times. .02