Advice on my first Tacoma

interest rate is usually higher on used though so that kills some savings if financing.

 

My advice: Don't do it if you like having money lol

 

I would have to agree with what has been said. See if all of the numbers work out, not just car payment per month but also insurance payment per month. (you see a lot of folks selling newer trucks that cannot afford them) I went new in 2018 and have zero regrets. Second Tacoma I have owned. Here the PNW there is a Tacoma tax, also why I went new. My father in law is a used car dealer and has access to the auction sites, even on there, a used Tacoma was only $3,000 to $5000, cheaper. If you know you will have the truck for 10 years, I would say buy new.

 

My brother bought a mint 2001 highlander limited from florida with 18k miles that was about 16 months old at the time. Ran it though carfax...it came back a clean vehicle, no accidents. The shop doing the oil change a few months later asked if he recently was in a accident. Apparently the entire front passenger quarter was replaced along with many suspension parts, and who knows whatever else. At least it was a good repair job. At any rate at a little over 70k miles without a single issue the engine croaked....ran nearly out of oil. Toyota claimed it was one of their sludge engines, and offered him something toward a 4 runner he was looking at.

 

How did I miss this advice a couple months ago! lol

 

OP,

There is absolutely nothing wrong with buying used but run the numbers. When I traded in my 2005 Access Cab, I was really looking for a low mileage used Tacoma (SR5 or OR) from 2017 to 2019. I managed to find a few but when I ran the numbers the delta between used and new was close enough that I went new.

One thing to consider -- look for the SR5. Personally, I think this is the sweet spot in terms of value and capability, especially if you are going to modify your truck at all. My plan was to get an SR5, put Bilstein's on the front and back and call it a day. That would have taken care of pretty much all of my needs. But I just couldn't find an SR5 -- so went with an OR. I am happy with it but it is more truck than I need.

Also, check out Carvana. I saw some pretty interesting trucks there -- prices were a bit higher but there we still some good values. Also be prepared to travel far and wide as supplies are tight -- even though they will start to expand in the Fall.

Best of luck to you !

 

Rather have a new SR5 than used OR with 30-40k miles

 

Agree 100%. I had a 2005 SR5. Did everything I needed it to do and then some. I ended up in an OR because I couldn't find an SR5 but I still consider it to be the best value in the entire truck market. But then again I don't actually know anything ...

 

As a Texan, not sure if I agree with this... Truck inventory here is def not an issue, as some Tacoma’s are made in San Antonio and we’re close to the port to receive shipments of trucks. Resale value of any truck here is pretty good I would think as demand is generally higher than other parts of nation. Everybody drives a new truck in Dallas and Houston especially.

 

Problem with buying used, there's always a good chance your buying someone else's problems.

 

If you are going to buy used, I would try and find a 1 owner car and something that has zero modifications to it. Or as close to no modifications as possible. As stated, you do not want some one else's problems.

 

Welcome to TW. I actually intended to buy a truck 2-3 years old...I HATE new car depreciation and over my lifetime I have thrown away TONs of cash on new vehicles. I'd have to echo what MANY others have said - buying a new Tacoma can make a lot of sense. In my case - (as someone said) I would have saved 3-5K buying used...it just made sense to me to buy new....maybe different for you. However, buying a NEW Tacoma is not the same as buying a NEW _____________(insert most any other vehicle - at least ones I've bought). Good luck and be safe!

 

I am not sure it is with other cars, but I did a refinance on my 2018 Tacoma through my bank within the last year. They appraised my truck at current market value for $1500 more than I paid for my truck 2+ year ago. Not sure how it happened but it is nice have a car that appreciated.

 

I don't buy vehicles that often. I'd rather buy something new with less miles.... Just not enough savings buying used 4X4 Tacos.

I look at it more like 50K miles is a quarter or a sixth used up without even thinking of the wear and tear on the interior..... purely mechanical.

 

tacos seem to hold their resale pretty well. for me, if i was to budget that kinda skrill on a used one, i would squeeze a little more so you could get brand new. at 33k youre right about there i reckon with the good prices in the mainland and all.

 

Especially with holiday savings going on, I know Toyota was offering some great financing on Tacoma's.