Getting the Taco you want or need or could afford?

If you can afford it? The rest is easy. Went from a 4Runner, never happy with it, then a double cab 4x2, (2.7)great truck, (2016) first vehicle in over 20 years that was not a 4x4, It was a lease was going to buy it out. decided to go new, CU made it Painless.

 

first and foremost, decide what you can afford, then go see whats in that price range. Out of those options, what meets your needs, and out of those what do you want. There best of all three.

This time I got what I wanted at first, but with in a few months, I wanted something different. Love my truck, just wish it was the cement color. It needed to be a double cab, manual trans v6, anything else was a bonus. If you get what you can afford, then eventually what you can afford will be what you want, atleast for a few months.

 

or every month when the payment is due and you can't feed yourself let alone your dog.

 

Well there's obviously a difference in a $300 payment vs a $600 payment. Not everyone can afford to go balls to the wall.

 

Yep, which is why I'm in the market for a basic as shit early model second gen for that exact reason. The first few model years are surprisingly inexpensive if you get them basic bitch. I really want a reg cab but then there's nowhere for my dog to ride.

 

Yep, that's what I'm looking for! And it's got to be a manual. No question about that.

 

My comment was in reply to the

But again, buy what you can afford, if you do this then at some point you should be able to afford what you want.

 

The first car I bought myself was both what I wanted and what I could afford. A 1980 Ford F-150 stripped. Not even a rear bumper back in those days, but I had dealer add it for $50. I knew it was a play truck and didn't want all the cushy carpet, etc. besides, back then there were not a lot of options except air conditioning or power windows and stereo. I put in a much better after market stereo.

Every other vehicle I bought was what I wanted. I'd just save up until I could afford it. No skimping within reason. I mean I'm never going to be able to afford a 100 thousand dollar car but then I don't really want one. Well maybe an M5.

My new Tacoma, it's loaded with everything I wanted.

 

I got married so the wife feeds me and the dog!

 

Obviously don't get something you can't afford, but I suggest you get what you want/need the first time and don't have any regrets or second thoughts about it.

If what you want/need is out of your price range and you aren't in desperate need for a new vehicle right now, wait a little longer and save up some more money. Keep your eyes on the market during that time; Your local dealer(s) may have a sale that will help get what you want/need down in to your price range. If you are buying new, you may be able to find a better deal or negotiate a better price on last year's model as the new models are rolling in. Dealers need to clear out inventory space for the new models.

If you are in desperate need of a vehicle, have to get one soon, and what you want/need is out of your price range, focus on what you need over what you want.

 

First hand experience when it comes to this topic. Had a 2008 Tundra Crewmax TRD Off Road 4x4, really what sold me on Toyota trucks, thing was amazing had low miles but was so huge it just wasn't practical for me, having the interior space for passengers was nice but usually was only myself driving it. Next purchased a 2016 Tacoma 4x4 Off Road and loved everything about it, when purchased it already had a nice Leer camper shell installed but just didnt enjoy not having an open bed without removing the top. It all came down to I really wanted the TRD Pro in the Cement color, was browsing the local Toyota dealer inventory and saw they had gotten one in stock so went and signed the papers. At the end of the day, in my opinion, as much as all of us work to have things, might as well spend the extra money and get exactly what you want because you are paying for it either way. Going to include pics. of my 3 trucks i've owned.

 

I surely wanted a DCSB Quicksand TRD Sport 6MT 4x4, but that price tag coupled with early 3.5L issues kept me away.

I came from two previous 4 cyl Toyota trucks, and this SR exceeded my expectations. I enjoy driving it every day.

In the end, a cheap and proven 5MT 4x4 will do what I need for many years to come. Next stop is probably a Tundra in about 10 years, I can go all out on that when it is time. Unless they bring over a diesel MT Taco that isn't ridiculously regulated by CARB standards, then I'll go with that.

 

1. I purchased a 2017 DCSB TRD OR 4x4 in white. That is what I wanted, 4x4, DCSB, had to be white (1st gen was white). In terms of need, an SR5 with 4WD would have been more than enough, but I wanted a moon roof hah. The new truck was well within budget.
2. Without speaking to your personal needs/wants. Buy a truck you need, but you still have a to enjoy it. No one needs a smart car, people buy them because of gas mileage? At the same time, don't buy a 40K with $600/month payments for 6 years if you cannot afford a $600 payment. Do not buy a 4x4 if you never plan on letting it see dirt/snow etc, but if you could even see that, buy all means buy a 4x4.
3. Not all the time. When I was new truck shopping, I considered a 4 Runner and a Tundra because they were still both within my allotted budget. I do not plan on towing a boat or space shuttle and from what I read tundra MPG was way worse than a Tacoma, but a bigger truck bed for truck stuff would be nice. I feel like you can buy more Tacoma than 4Runner, so that got tossed out, plus again, truckstuff.
Mods are expensive too, right?
4. Buy what you want you will keep thinking about something else. Buy what you need because if it does not meet need it is useless. Buy what you can afford because having a truck is better than no truck. Ask anyone who has ever moved anything. The TV you just bought or the couch you just stole from your friends house doesn't care whether an 87 Ford Ranger or a 17 Tacoma is carrying it.

 

I bought what I could afford and what made sense for me. I didn't need 4x4 or dc, I have a sequoia for that.needed a daily driver and weekend toy. Found a good price for cali and a zero down and less than $200 a month payment.

 

Along with most here, I got what I wanted and most importantly could afford.

Could I have gotten a new 2017 right off the lot.... Of course. But financially i try to keep my payments to a minimum. Much rather have my 2009 DCSB 4x4 paid off with mods then having a monthly payment for the next 5 years. You never know what might happen with jobs, life emergencies etc.

 

Are you the same GoLowDrew from driveaccord.net?

 

I've paid cash for every single vehicle I bought for the last 15 years, and that's probably over 10 new vehicles.

I hate payments and interest.

 

I got what I wanted. I'd do the same if you're going to be buying a new truck. Just my opinion.

 

Get what need. Take the difference in money from what you need vs what you want and put it in a 401K or IRA.

My. 02 opinion

 

I like em all. From the SR with steelies to the Limited or Pro. All pretty cool in their own way. I wanted a V6/Auto and 4X4 so I went with an SR5. Still pinch myself everytime I get in it. Get what you want, in budget, and enjoy it for what it is.