A Tough Choice - Help!

Just about ready to go buy my new Taco, so I've been shopping around for deals. I have appointments at both dealerships for this weekend. Just wanted to get some feedback about what ya'll think:

Just some notes: I love the TRD sport package. I only do commuter driving and I live really close to my office, my daily commute is only 10mi roundtrip. I don't do any offroading. I'm a DJ and Musician on the side and I use my truck to haul my musical gear. I don't tow anything nor do I own any trailers. Having said all that, I have zero need for the 4x4 option.

Here are my choices:

2017 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab V6 TRD Sport 4WD - $33,789

Dealer's Price: $33,789
Mileage: 13,449 miles
Transmission: Automatic
Exterior Color: Blazing Blue Pearl
Interior Color: Unknown (GRA)
Gas Mileage: 18 MPG City
23 MPG Highway
Engine: V6
Drivetrain: Four-Wheel Drive
Major Options: Suspension Package, Bluetooth, Backup Camera


2017 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab V6 TRD Sport - $32,955

Dealer's Price: $32,955
Mileage: 2,585 miles
Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic
Exterior Color: Black
Interior Color: ---
Gas Mileage: 19 MPG City
24 MPG Highway
Engine: V6
Drivetrain: 4X2
Major Options: Navigation System, Alloy Wheels
Certified: Yes



Color is the absolute LAST thing I consider when buying a truck, however I really dislike black vehicles. Especially in the heat of the California summer, they can turn into ovens fast, PLUS they have to be cleaned and washed constantly or they look like crap the minute they get a little dusty. That being said, it's fairly obvious that the black one is the better deal. Less mileage, it's practically new. PLUS it's Toyota CPO, so it has an even better warranty than a brand new truck! (7yr/100k mile powertrain)

As I said color is the last thing I consider, but the blazing blue pearl is my absolute favorite color out of all the new 3rd gens. There is a little more mileage, but it is a 4x4, so the cost on that is pretty sweet compared to a new one, AND the resale value is better on 4x4s. I tend to keep my vehicles for a very long time (still trying to sell my Gen 1 '03 Taco) but when it does come time to upgrade again, I like to have the value there to get the best return on my investment. The other downside of the blue is that it's a Hertz used car, so it was a rental, and it only comes with the existing vehicle warranty plus the Hertz 1 year/12,000 mile guarantee.

So... what does everyone else think? Opinions and thoughts please!

 

Never buy a rental car.

Some people give zero fucks in a rental

 

For a grand or two more bud you could likely get new. I paid $35k for my 2016 TRD OR 4WD with tow package new, might even save on interest rate.

You're also confused on the warranty Toyota certified are 7yr/100k powertrain not bumper to bumper.

 

I just re-read the ad right after you posted it and caught that. Thanks for the heads up!

 

^this...

Also, the blue one isn't a sport, just an offroad 4x4. For those prices I'd rather buy new, I got my ACLB Sport 2wd for 29k+TTL.

 

Where do you live?! Is So cal just unreasonable on prices? I can't find any new deals like that. All the dealers around me want at least $36k to start with a nicely loaded TRD Sport package.

 

Just noticed your socal, ya thats a tough market, if your willing to travel tons of deals in AZ. Got my loaded 17 for $4k off MSRP.

 

I live in San Diego. I was laughed out of Toyota San Diego when I offered them 30k+TTL for an ACLB Sport with tow package. They said I would never find one for that price. I then emailed all the dealerships in the SD area and ended up getting <30K first quote from Toyota of El Cajon for pretty much the same color and configuration as they had at toyota san diego. Then I just sent the quotes around to the two or three dealerships to see how much lower they would go.

 

Absolutely I'd travel for that. Any suggestions on sites to browse? I use CarGurus and Autotrader

 

Awesome strategy! Sorry, I'm not clear on what TTL means...

 

also, great name OP, one of my favorite movies from back in the day. I actually saw the red elvises perform once at tio leos...

 

tax, title, and license...so my out the door price was closer to 31-32ish

 

Cars.com, my dealer is Precision Toyota they are a high volume dealer, always really rare tacomas like JBL loaded and Pros, also where I got my awesome deal in June. I'll PM you details.

 

It does take A LOT of the headache out of it to just email them and deal that way. I still had to haggle because they tried to lowball me on my trade in, but I got what I wanted out of it and got them to throw the alarm in

 

Yep, last 3 trucks everything I insisted done through email, had deal worked out prior to arrival, even trade, hate that BS they try to give you especially on newer trades "we really need to see it to give you a price" please.

 

Ahh ok, thanks! Don't know why I couldn't figure that out in my brain, makes sense!

Thankfully I'm selling my '03 privately so I don't have to haggle with a trade in. My credit union approved me for up to $40k, but obviously I'm not going to tell the dealer that! LOL.

"The only one going to Vegas around here is me." Haha! Yeah man. I play guitar, and I actually took some samurai sword fighting classes, so I naturally adopted the moniker.

 

At that price, travel and buy new.

Never buy an ex-rental.

 

First, I used to frown on ppl that bought rentals because the ppl who rent them treat them like chit, but after seeing ppl buying them and turning out to be good vehicles, that's gone.

Second, If you don't need 4X4, don't buy it, it's more to break and maintain not worth it if you don't need want or care to have.

Third, color is the first thing I consider. Why is that?

Visibility is big in accident avoidance, but its never fool proof. It's the reason motorcycle vets want to be loud. They're hard to see so you want to be heard and then seen with headlight on, thus we now have dtrl standard on most vehicles.
Then there's appearance and maintenance. Some colors are easier to see and maintain, choose wisely, but only you know what you can and can't keep up with.

Last but not least, its your money you're spending and you only get to make/keep a certain amount, use it wisely. Its your journey and yours alone. All we can do is give advice based on our journey which might be a different path than yours.
Be wise and take the path of least resistance, life is hard enough as it is, no need to make it harder by taking a path that's just not right for you.

Hope that helps
Cheers!

 

The first one looks to actually be a TRD Offroad not a TRD Sport so the blue one for a grand more gets 4x4 plus crawl control and a rear locker. All that is worth way more than $1000. I would get the blue one just for that. Way better deal

 

As I read your needs, you do not need a four wheel drive, cost more to buy, higher maintenance expense cost more to insure, give up more MPG. Having owned both the OR will ride rougher.
I cannot speak for the market where you are But in Texas where they are built, people will pass on a OR and buy the 2WD because of the extra expence. Just saying!!
Hell, pick a color you like, ( I agree, Stay away from the Black) Go drive both, and buy one you like....