Question about Tacoma resell value

In a few months I'm giving my son my '96 Tacoma. My plan was to buy a 1 to 3 year old Tacoma with low miles (<30K miles). You know, the other guy drives it off the lot, takes the big depreciation hit, and I save $X,000 off MSRP. And I get that Tacomas retain their value, but....

I just don't get it. I've had ebay and craigslist alerts for a few months now, so I'm seeing most of the Gen-2 Tacoma's as they come on the market in Colorado. I see trucks with 20K or 30K miles that are just a few thousand dollars less than I can get a new 2015. And I've seen so many quotes here in TW more or less backing up this pricing.

What I can't figure out it is who is buying a truck with 25K miles for a few thousand dollars less than brand new? I'm in my 50's and I'll pay cash for whatever I buy, so maybe I'm a little bit price insensitive (actually I'm the cheapest guy you'll ever find which is why I can afford to pay cash ). But why not spend a few thousand more and get a new truck, full warranty etc. It is a bit frustrating for me, because I like to shop around for months and find a really good deal. But it seems to me for low mileage, buying new is the best deal.

Am I missing something here? Or if you are buying Gen-2, <30K miles you might as well buy new? <== That's my question!! I'm also stuck thinking I should wait and see what the Gen-3 has to offer this fall, but that is a completely different can of worms.

ps: This isn't me complaining or bitching. I've owned Toyota trucks for the last 21 years, obviously a loyal fan. I'm just surprised/confused by the used price being so close to brand new MSRP.

 

Tacomas hold their value as well as any vehicle on the road. You are probably better off just buying a new one unless you stumble across a great deal on a used one.

 

Good deals on Tacoma's just don't exist in Colorado. Trust me, I'm in the same position.

No lie, here in the Springs at the Toyota dealer, they have their used Tacomas listed for MORE than the brand new ones! Figure that one out. Normally I'm one to buy used but I'll probably end up buying new for those same reasons you mentioned. I'm actually waiting to see what the 16s have to offer.

And BTW, they will be bringing one of the 2016 Tacoma's to the Denver Auto Show in April if you want to get a peek at it early.

 

Hope your son appreciates the 96!Recently i was at a Toyota dealership for a maintenance oil change and noticed a yr model 2010 DC TRD OR for $28k and had 37k miles and some change on the odo.The truck was immaculate but had no Toyota oem upgrades or anything aftermarket upgraded.It did include a 3yr extended warranty.That wasn't the final sale price with sales tax and all the other bs i call it.It did puzzle me a bit and i got to thinking.I purchased my brand new fully loaded 2012 TRD sport prerunner DC SB for $31K and some change out the door including all the sales tax and other bs.My truck only had 2miles on it and i exhausted the salesman and others through the whole sales process that they even threw in the TRD catback exhaust at no charge.I did pay for the labor on that though when it was ordered/shipped to the dealer but it didn't bother me because i negotiated a great final deal on the truck.Yes we all know Toyota Tacoma's hold there value.You may spend a few thousand dollars more but might not get the same truck or the one you desire.Be patient and look into buying a new one pre 3rd gen or 3rd gen.Locations where you live,truck availability etc all come with a price we question or know can be negotiated.Good luck!

 

I found out the same thing and bought a new one.

 

Pretty much what I saw. Used 4x4s are very expensive in Alaska, Tacomas more so.

I found on 2009 Ranger with 12k on the clock, I could have had it with a 7/75 Ford Warranty for $27k. 3yo Tacos with 36-50k miles were $20-25k.

I got my 2015 for $31.3k. I'll be right side up on my zero down loan in about three more days I think...

 

I was looking for a newly used Tacoma here in Texas.

Between the high resale price, interest rate difference between new and used vehicles, and getting what I wanted in the truck, it was very worth it to just buy new.

Over the life of the note, I'll be only about $3k higher than had I bought used.

 

Same here, I just bought a new one. No idea why someone would pay 1 or 2 grand less for one that has a couple ten thousand miles on it.

 

I'm very cheap/frugal like you, and I kept my eyes open for a used Tacoma for around 6 months with no luck. Everything I found that met my strict criteria of years/mileage were only a few thousand less than new. So I gave in, ordered what I wanted for the first time in my life and paid cash. I'll have this truck for decades to come, so might as well get what I want.

Pretty sure this is what most of us end up doing.

 

Same as everyone else. I was looking at used Tacoma and discovered the same thing about them holding their value. So I just waited and saved a little more and bought a new one.

 

Ditto here. Spent 8 months looking for a slightly used truck. Ended up buying new for a few thousand more.

 

I saw the same thing too and I also agree with you.
Plus the South East Toyota Dealers in GA and all around GA are providing LIFETIME WARRANTY on the Drive Train. To me, thats a no brainer.

 

To keep that in force don't you have to have all of your service completed at the dealer? Most do this.

 

Same as a lot of folks, I was looking at <30k miles but ended up buying new. I'm sure there are deals out there, but I got tired of waiting. I'll bet the 2nd gen resale takes a hit when the 3rd gen hits the dealerships, so you may want to wait and see at that point.

 

same... Looked at used bought new

 

I bought my '13 used with 30K on it. I tried to buy this truck from a Toyota dealer as Certified Used but they wouldn't budge on the price. About 3 months later it showed up at a small town Buick dealer who was located closer to me. Buick bought it at auction. I ended up getting it at a lower price plus Buick honored my wife's sales tax exemption (Native American). I was able to pay cash but financed it for 1 year for my credit history.

All in all I saved close to 6 grand buying used which has paid for new Leer XQ plus a set of LT Hankook Dynapros. I still have enough cash for roof rack or a suspension lift.

So was it worth it to me to fork over 6K+ more to put the first 30K on the clock and buy a bone stock truck? No.

 

+ another on buying new. When I bought my 2009 dealer had a 2008 with 30k and no tow non TRD for only $2500 less. When they started whining about what they paid for it I said just find me a new one.

 

You have stated the exact reasons why I do not drive a second generation tacoma, I cannot get enough separation in price for a low mileage used one and new one, 2005,06 and 07 models with low miles are still mid $20k. I invest in expensive equipment for my business and always buy new, but when it comes to my trucks I buy used. I will spend 40k for a piece of equipment because in 10 years it will pay for itself 8 to 10 times over.

 

Same thing here in AZ. I looked and looked and realized it is smarter to just buy new.

Tacoma's are #1 in resale value out of every vehicle out there, so buying new is the way to go.

Honestly, Toyota does it right. They hold strong on their MSRP which keeps resale value up. That is why other brands like Dodge and Ford take such a dump when you drive them off the lott, the last guy just got $9000 off the MSRP.

 

These new car dealers know what it is. They use the fact that the used tacomas with low miles sell for a few thousand less. He knew after i went to look at used then came back to the new car dealership he had me. He had the lot attendant wash the car and put in new trd floor mats before i said yes.