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

Damn right, Looking at katzkin seats and while im in there ripping off the old fabric I might as well put the aftermarket heaters in.. just katzkins are expensive man.

 

What you described is what I just bought a couple of weeks ago. TRD Sport with Premium and Tech packages, 6MT, in Cement. The only add-ons were all weather mats, tonneau cover, and spare tire lock.

 

Thanks for all the feedback guys. As I've been able to get great advice from all sides of the spectrum!

Just to clarify I only said I would use the truck for "date night" to justify that I would really only like to use the truck on certain special occasions.

That being said I now have to decide whether I'd like to pretty much use my entire life savings on my dream truck, buy a nice 2nd gen and build it with what I have left, or just stick with the beater until I can comfortably afford a really nice pro.

While I normally take my dad's advice, who is pretty good with finances, he advised me just to buy the pro. Buy what I want the first go around, and not think about "what if" later on. Then if I decide that it's really not what I want, I can always sell it.

I'm wondering if I should just buy it, use it, and since these trucks have a pretty high resale value, just sell it if I feel like I would rather have something else.

I've yet to receive that first big boy paycheck, but I know sure as anything that I would be maxing out my Roth IRA and 401k before I ever thought of buying a new truck.

I have to do some research again, but I believe you can max out both of those for around $23k a year?

With a decent down payment and 0% interest on a TRD Offroad I found, I'd be looking at about 36k OTD and payments right under $300 for 48 months

While I'm not here to flaunt the blessed life the Lord has given me, I felt that it was reasonable to inform TW, since you guys have given such great advice

As of now, my thoughts are to either pick up a 2nd gen sport, a 3rd gen Offroad or just go with a Pro.

Lastly, my buddy let me drive his new 2018 WRX, and having come from a 2014 hatchback I'm really starting to think about a new subject.

Last question I have:

Manual or automatic?
I love driving a manual transmission, but really begin to despise it in the stop and go traffic

Also, do you find it more difficult to sell your trucks with a manual since it seems they are becoming s dying breed?

 

I have an access cab sport, and I still think it's the best looking of the trim levels. That said, I've also been led to believe the remarkably stiff suspension is a "feature" to make it more sporty. You definitely pay for it on a bumpy road.

 

Your down would have to be somewhere around $15K-20k ballpark to get that payment for 48 months...

 

Where are you located, because in southern California in late December early January it was pretty much impossible! I have to purchase out of state to get what I wanted at a great deal.

 

Unfortunately in Ohio.

 

Like someone else said, get what you can afford and get what you like.

I went with the PRO because it had the look I wanted and I didn't have to do much to it. Of course it didn't have some of the things that were on the OR I wanted, but I was okay with it, and am ultimately happy with my choice.

 

I wanted a MT and needed a D.Cab, so my choice was limited to Sport, OR, or Pro. My opinion, NO WAY was I or will I paying 40+g's for a effing Tacoma so Pro was out. They had the truck I wanted in a Sport model, so a sport is what I got. I really do not off-road so the Sport is perfect for me. Knowing what I know now, the OR offers more goodies for virtually the same price. However, I love the stiffer suspension in the sport helps cruising Walmart parking lots... If the made the SR or SR5 in the MT DC configuration, I would have gotten one of those...

 

What kind of job did you get? And what is your degree in? Yes you should be saving but depending on what you're doing work-wise, the Taco isn't a bad way to spend some cash for something you'll enjoy. I'd just plan to pay it off early if you're going to make payments and always plan for a % of your money to always be going to a Roth or 401k. If you can, say, afford to throw 10% of your income into retirement, another 5-10% into savings and still afford the truck and your other living expenses I'd say enjoy it.

 

It sounds like you have done your homework and explored all your "realistic options"... I just got done doing the same and signed my papers for a brand new 18' DCSB OR Cement Grey. To put it into perspective I'm 27, no student loans, no CC debt and have been selling Toyota Forklifts for 3 years now. I have accumulated $17K for a DP that I was holding back on for this very purchase. I drove my 06' VW GTI for 11 years and this will be my first vehicle purchase. And yes I have two Roth 401Ks as well as two mutual funds while still being able to afford my this at $363 1.9%

Get what you want and have a plan in place months prior. Don't impulse on your biggest purchase thus far.

 

Same here. No regrets.

 

I use my Tacoma as my daily... and I had a boss once who said something that always stuck with me. "We work hard, long hours and at the end of one of those stressful days one of the most satisfying things can be getting in a vehicle you appreciate and enjoy driving." I agree and while I don't get into a lot of material things I will always conserve the cash needed to drive a vehicle I truly enjoy and appreciate then I drive it until the wheels fall off. Best thing you can do is buy the truck you want now, and then keep "making payments to yourself" after your loan is up. Then by the time the Taco does start to age you'll have the coin needed to pay cash for a replacement.

 

No regrets, per se. I have a DCSB OR with P+T, auto. Engine, transmission have been great for me--no complaints there. If I were to do it again, I would probably go SR. Reasons: I don't use the sunroof. Let the kids ride around the park at the neighborhood with their heads sticking out of it. Yipee. Loss of headroom is not worth it to me. Aftermarket rear bumper options are limited. Actually, non-existent, unless I just disable the sonar/BSM systems. And I hate the smartkey. I'd rather just have the good ol fashioned key. One, only driver's side has the sensor, which is beyond dumb, and two, I can't count how many times I've gotten to a place, put it in park, and wanted to hear the rest of the segment on the radio, back it out of park, push the button, put it back into park, and have to hear that annoying beeping sound. Yes, pretty small thing, but still annoying.

Each trim has it's advantages and disadvantages. Sometimes, I'm glad I've got sonar/BSM (witnessed a kid on a bike yesterday about get run over by a neighbor backing into his driveway. Scary moment), rear locker, auto climate control, etc. Other times, not. Just depends on your tolerance on being able to do without certain amenities.

 

I drove beaters for years. My 2017 Taco was my first new truck (paid for it with cash) since 1988 when I bought a VW Fox for $7K. I own my house now in the NJ suburbs by NYC. Paid for my older son’s BS Degree from Stevens Institute of Technology ($68K/yr). I have been socking away money into 401k for decades and I can take early retirement at about the age of 58. That new truck smell is not work the price. Do not live beyond your means.

On the other extreme, my brother and sister-in-law are financially irresponsible... they are 48 yr old with 28 years left on the mortgage for a new $325K house. They will be dead before the House is paid off. He works 1 FT job and 2side jobs due to his mistakes with money. Don’t be my Bro.

 

Good on you. I paid for my own schooling and i think i'd have a hard time agreeing to pay for a child's schooling. I'd probably be driving an F-250 Platinum driving down the road getting my ass massaged and heated at the same time before paying 68k a year for school!

 

If you can afford to buy a nice truck and still start putting money away I say go for it. Life is short, and for most people who care enough to go on a vehicle forum having the vehicle we like and enjoy is worth spending some hard earned cash on.

I like TRD Sports. I had a 15 and now I have an 18, I don't go an anything worse than dirt and gravel roads, don't need an Off Road. I like the tighter ride of the Sport for my driving. I do think the Pro is a sharp truck, especially in the new blue color, but I wouldn't pay more than MSRP for one.

I sure do enjoy all the new interior features in my '18, much nicer and more modern interior than my 2nd gen, but other than that the 2nd gens are great trucks. And if you're going automatic the 4.0 and 5 speed auto is a more satisfying driving experience than the 3.5 auto in my opinion. I'd go for a 6MT if you go third gen. Oh yeah, Cement is sure a damn pretty color on these trucks.

 

Correct.

 

That was originally my first choice. (Cement TRD sport) then I saw the off road with the black fenders and decided that I actually liked the looks better...and I think I'd like to search for a TRD sport hood. Think it would be cool to look for months on end and finally find one lol

 

That's great advice. Pretty much makes sense when I look forward to leaving work or school, going to the gym etc. Just because I can't wait to ride my Yamaha R6.

I feel like the Tacoma would be a similar feeling