Should I Buy Used???

In my area it appears to me that one would be better off buying new, IF you can find what you want. Stock is still not high at the dealers I have driven past or looked at the stock on their websites. Prices on used Tacomas are only a few thousand less than a new one, which is good for me, I guess, as i own one, but bad for a used buyer. Perhaps as dealer stock builds up again post-pandemic the prices on used trucks will go down again. But if you need to buy now, it's a tough market, at least by me.

 

You must be on the East Coast, as am I. We are just not seeing the crazy markups that our friends in the West are seeing. The interesting thing is everyone keeps saying production is down but that is not really the case. Look at this article:

https://www.cars.com/articles/global-microchip-shortage-makes-now-the-time-to-shop-for-cars-432067/

This jumped out at me:

"Cars.com data shows an overall drop in dealer Tundra inventory of almost 27% for the month but an average price increase of only $133 (0.3%). This represents a rapid drop in inventory for a short period; scarcity-induced price increases typically take time to register.

In instances of price increases following production cuts, the cause may be anything from scarcity driving prices upward to a change in the equipment mix based on what the manufacturer chooses to build. It stands to reason that automakers will favor their loaded and most profitable models when limiting production — should chip availability allow it. Whatever the reason, the end result is higher overall prices.

To wit, Tacoma inventory is down only 4% for the same period, but prices are up $584 (1.6%) on average. This reflects an inventory increase of the more expensive TRD trim level (3.5%) and a 15.4% decrease of the more modest SR5 trim, with an accompanying average price boost of 1.6%."

Fascinating.

And I suspect, and I have no evidence of this, Toyota / Dealer driven scarcity allocations in the West to drive inflated vehicles prices. Am I wrong? Probably. But it does make some sense.

 

Interesting points. Ive looked all around the San Diego County in California. So far all the dealers have been pretty difficult. Not budging and charging at least MSRP for most tacomas... If I was gonna return my carvana Tacoma and wait, what would be my options of a temporary car? Lease? Rent? I have a feeling I'll be waiting for a few more months before I see any price drop in tacomas.

 

Honestly, in a market like the one you are seeing I am not sure waiting will work. You may want to try to buy a truck and have it shipped from out of market. Have you considered that as an option? Normally, it wouldn't make sense but in the market you are in it may pay off for you. What do you think?

Edit:

Here is a thread about someone who ordered a truck delivered -- yes, they sold it out from under her, but then they got her another truck and had it delivered. Long saga but it worked out. Maybe buying way out of market and paying the delivery fee would be the smart play? You would have to look at the numbers but if I was in your shoes that is what I would do:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/dealer-sold-my-truck-resolved.703401/

 

Lease a sub $200 Honda Civic. If you get a good enough deal, you can flip it in a year and make a few $$ by selling to Carvana, Vroom, Shift etc.

 

Hey guys. Thanks for all of your advice! I think given with my current situation and the condition of the car, I've decided to just stick with it. I definitely see the pros of just buying new since the resale value is so high, but given that I need a car and this is the best deal I can find, I've decided to keep it. Thanks for all the support and awesome to be apart of Tacoma world. Here's a PIC of my taco.

 

As long as you're happy with it, you can't go too far wrong. At least the Tacoma shouldn't depreciate into oblivion, which is nice.

 

Best of luck. I know you’ll enjoy it. In the end we have to do what we feel is right for us.

 

For $34K just get a new one at $40ish.

 

If I recall, it was $34k out the door. He got a good deal being he is in southern California. Everyone’s situation is different. Maybe an extra 5-6k was to much of a stretch for him.

 

I can see that.

 

Got another “is it worth is?” Question.

2018 Tacoma TRD Sport, Access Cab, 6spd Manual, and in the color I want.

86,000 miles. All oil changes, diffs and transfer case just done (should have happened at every 30, dealer said it’s probably fine if I start doing service every 30k), pretty clean body, little dings that’ll happen quickly in my case. Service department said it was pretty clean and not missing anything.

Should I be concerned with the missing diff / transfer case service?

$26-28000

Thoughts?

 

Here is an interesting article, "Top 15 cars that cost more used than new". Tacoma is #10 on the list. Also has a chart "Top used cars more expensive than new by city".

https://www.iseecars.com/used-cars-cost-more-than-new-study#v=202204

 

I think that's a fair price for a used 2018 TRD OR 4x4 Tacoma with 44k miles, especially considering the current market for used cars. The fact that Carvana is paying for new tires and a new battery is a big plus, and the clean Carfax is a good indication that the truck has been well-maintained. I would definitely recommend to vistit auto buysers market and then getting the truck inspected by an independent mechanic before you buy it, but if everything checks out, I think you're getting a good deal.