SR5, Sport, Off Road, or Pro? Regrets?

Hey guys I'll be graduating cool-ege in three weeks, and I'm looking to celebrate my degree, no college loans and my first job!

I want to buy a third gen Tacoma. I plan to keep it as my weekend toy and date night rig while I daily driver old reliable.

I'll be living near Richmond,VA and don't really know if there's many places to off road there.

So my question(s) are

used or new?
Which trim?
Leather,heated seats,tech package necessary?
Do you regret the trim, color or configuration you chose?

Thank you gents

 

Test drive and see what you like and which one fits you. I chose an OR Manual with P&T, no regrets.

 

I got a used 2017 OR with 11k miles, no regrets. If my commute didn't have traffic I probably would have shopped for a manual, but like I said it was basically a no go with my commute. No leather or heated seats but those are easy enough to add with the Clazzio covers and heated seat kit.

My buddy has a 2018 Limited and while his interior is definitely nicer (leather and all) I like the wheels and tires on the OR much more.

 

I honestly like my pro more and more each day. But I’m sure this same sentiment would have existed with the other trims as well.

However, on some days I regret not going MT. Hopefully an OV Tune will fix the inherent problems from the factory.

 

I would go and test drive all the different brands before automatically buying a Toyota....Maybe possibly waiting to see what Ford has to offer in the new Ranger later this year.
But definitely drive a manual and an automatic in the Tacoma to see if you can live with the slush box.

 

If you're up for the drive, I'd recommend Sheehy Toyota in Stafford. Great customer service and not hard to negotiate with.

 

- Used cost almost as much as New.
- Off-Road offers more than the Sport for virtually the same price
- No regrets!

 

Congratulations on completing school!

Excellent. You are ahead of many already!

Great! Often graduates struggle to find work.

Well...............

Consider an alternative.

Take those monthly payments and insurance and gas and other operating costs (called total cost of ownership) and stuff them in a Roth. Something low cost, like Vanguard total stock market.

Being a graduate, you know how to make a spread sheet or use online tools. Using a low return, like 5%, and not adding any more funds after the truck would be paid off, see how much those funds will be worth when you are 65. You may be shocked.

Time/compounding is your friend. The same amount of $ saved between 20 and 30 will be worth much more than that amount saved between 30 and 40.

Yea, sounds like a downer, right? Until you're 65 and say wow, I really can see the world. And buy a new jet pack for my Tacoma.

If the 'date' needs more than old reliable, it's not about you, it's about your stuff. That never ends well.

 

I have a 2016 SR5 with almost 27k on it, bought it new and no issues, love it.
Plenty of used ones out there like someone said but I personally would save as much cash and put a lot down so your payments are low and IMHO..congratulations on graduating and welcome to the forum and keep your wallet closed, they become money pits...

 

Don't regret getting my SR5 but i do think i should have gotten the long bed

 

Stay out of debt. Buy something cheap until you can pay cash.

 

You beat me to it, sir. As Clearwater Bill said, now is the most important time in your life to be making good financial decisions, as they will have huge implications in 20-30 years etc. Not as fun, I know, but believe me it is worth it. Don’t blow your lead in life on a toy.

 

No Limited regrets?

 

Welcome to TW! As an RVA native I can tell you that there are almost no legal places to off-road around Richmond. The closest places are going to be in Hampton Roads, Charlottesville, or GW National Forest. If you have plans for offroading, I recommend you grab the TRD OR. Also you dont need to shell out for a brand new Taco, you can get a used 2nd Gen that still looks pretty good, deck it out, and use it as a toy.

 

I got a 2017 Sport after my 2000 took it’s toll from island life! I traded for a 2017 OR after 1yr. The Sport looks awesome and capable! If you take it Offroad the hood scoop really bothered me! I have always driven a manual and the 6speed auto feels awkward. My ailing joints chose the auto.if you are accustomed to automatic then an automatic will suit you fine.you could probably get a SR5 if you are looking to modify it and come out cheaper! If you are changing the bumpers,then you may not be able to use all your idiot features!

 

I would go new. Used is almost the same price. If you can find a 2017 that you like Toyota is offering zero percent financing on them.
Congratulations on graduating, getting a job and especially no college debt!

 

^^^^this

 

@BakingEggs

You appear to be on a successful trajectory, and are getting good sound financial advice here.

Just wanted to add something that I have witnessed personally- people who are so focused on achieving their goals very early in life sometimes have pent up regrets later in life, i.e "midlife crisis" angst.

Live a little and make some mistakes- the world is much more forgiving of stupid behavior for someone in their 20's as opposed to stupid behavior from someone in their 40's-50's.

Good luck on all your future endeavors!

 

OP, this is the worst, dullest advice ever! Bill has clearly (like the wordplay eh?) Lost his mind. Here's what you do:

Quit your job you have not started yet. Dump the girlfriend. Find another major. Stay in school as long as you can. (Watch movie "old school" for reference)

Being an adult is a terrible thing. Too much responsibility. Too much grief. Too much pain.

Son, you are leaving the absolute best years of your life and beginning the worst years.

My advice? Stay in school.