Should I buy a used 2012-2015 or a new 2017/2018

What are you guys paying for your 2017/2018 Tacoma’s brand new?

Would you guys buy a 2012-2015 over a 2016+?

If you could do it all over again would you have bought a double cab over an Access Cab or vice versa?

I am having the worst time deciding between a ‘13 and a ‘17/‘18 and if I need a double cab or an Access Cab

Primarily using the Tacoma for

1. Modify with exterior mods to “look pretty”
2. Going to be a mall crawler, only off road it’ll see will be the beach
3. Throw dirt bikes, 4 wheelers, kayaks, fishing and hunting gear in the bed

I know I want:

1. TRD Sport
2. 4x4
3. Either Spruce Mica, Pyrite Mica, Blue ribbon metallic or Barcelona Red for a 2nd gen
4. Either quicksand, cement or white in 3rd gen

Any help is appreciated, wanting to pull the trigger in the next 2 weeks

What’s your guys experience/ suggestions?

 

Why not the 2011?

 

All '12-'15 Tacoma (DC, 4WD, TRD OR) I looked at were in the mid-$20k's plus. With 90-120k miles. Wasn't worth it to me. Bought a new '17, DC, 4WD, TRD OR with PP.

The only thing I may do different buying over again is to just get a base SR, but still DC, 4WD. That would put you around $30k.

 

2012-2015 looks better IMO

 

Yeah the TRD double cab does not depreciate at all...

 

I vote 2013

 

As far as DC vs AC will you carry passengers? I've owned two DCs both shortbeds. I really wish I had a longbed now since starting my gardening business. Rakes and shovels all had to be modified to fit. I often do not have passengers but carry a lot of tools & gear in my truck bed. Just saying after 10 years with a short bed. The AC would fit my needs so much better now.

 

Go drive both, then make a decision?

Either way, it sounds like you need a long bed.

 

How dare you suggest he test drive both... TW would be devoid of further "my 3rd gen sucks" posts if people did this!!

 

Have 1 girlfriend and 1 dog. I have had no other "regular" passengers in my vehicle since I started driving. So I guess my use for a DC is small. I was more worried about resale value if I bought an AC as they seem to be less popular

 

I was looking at trucks not to long ago and in the same spot. I was only looking for double cab short beds and found that a 2013 was roughly 30K and a 2016 was 36-37K which made it a pretty easy decision in terms of miles and cost. A lot of people arent a fan of the new 2016 trans and 3.5 engine tho.

 

I've own a Toyota truck of some sort since 1987. The resale is always good imo. Upkeep is the number one thing I look at with buying anything. You still have to get someone to hand you over money no matter what configuration it is. Plus they will be doing the same thing we do, as in I'll just pay a little more for new. I just wanted to give a perspective on the longbed aspect. I don't hate my SB BUT no one who has the longbed ever says I wish I had less

 

Skip 2012's - air injection issues.
AC comes with a long bed to accommodate your dirt bikes
DC SR5/Sport can also come with a long bed but harder to find
Don't know if you need 4x4 but they hold their value

Before buying a 3rd gen, I suggest you read up on the trans shifting issues as it seems to be number 1 complaint followed by no low end torque.

Also like someone else suggested, drive both 2nd and 3rd gen.

 

Truer words have never been spoken.

If I didn't have kids, we'd be rolling an AC.

Or an earthroamer

 

No way I’d buy a late model used Tacoma. I see 2016’s with 30,000-34,000 miles on them selling for more than what I paid for my brand new 2017 TRDORDC 0 miles truck.

You can get a smoking deal on a 2017 right now WITH a warranty. Difference between a new and a 2012-2015 will only be about 10,000.00 dollars. The used will have little to no warranty at all and about 70,000-120,000 miles on them.

The only used Tacoma I would by would be a 90’s 1st gen.

 

I got my 2017 TRD DC OR with P&T in April for $36,600

I chose not to for a couple of reasons: I really wanted to get the exact truck I wanted. I had surveyed local used inventory for a while, but couldn't really find exactly what I wanted. Coupled with the great value retention of used tacomas, I just decided I'd rather pay for a new one. I'm also a bit of a technology nerd and wanted to get the latest gizmos available.

No. I went double cab because I have a kid so the rear seat gets used frequently. I find the extra rear room to be very useful as well.

I can only say that my choice was right for me, and I have no regrets. Get what you can afford and don't look back.

 

OP posted the same thing in the 2nd Gen forum but for some reason left out this piece on his post here:

so long story short is I have found a pretty good deal on a 2013 TRD Sport Access 4x4 with 28k Miles. Dealer wants $23k after negotiating from $25k. Figured this was a good deal but when you’re only $10k away from a brand new vehicle with a warranty does it make more sense to go new?

28k miles, means plenty of life left on the warranty. 10 grand less expensive than a 2017. Pretty tempting if you ask me

 

If you're in the used tacoma market... this seems like the most realistic best case deal you could hope for. What was the year length on warranties for the 2013 tacomas? Wouldn't the original manufacturers warranty for this be done?

 

Ah thats a good point, I was thinking more in terms of mileage. Generally it's 60k miles OR 5 years (whichever comes first) unless you get some extended warranty. So you are right, technically it may be over soon. Depending on exact warranty specifics.