When your young always buy used until you've bought a home and have a nice nest egg saved up, then buy whatever you want cash. I drove a cargo van for 18 years and when I finally had my finance's in order I bought my first ever sports car with cash. I was 40 years old and it was a 2000 GTS Dodge Viper and the first stick shift I ever owned. It was a long wait and hard earned but I really appreciated it then and it was fun dreaming about it for so many years then seeing the dream come true. Dream On.
I dabble in cars ALOT. While I hope you can get what your asking for on those vehicles, you'd be wise to look at trade in value instead of blue book. Most people won't pay anywhere near blue book. For example, I just bought a 2005 Camry LE with 14K miles for $9200, but you're pretty close on your truck as they hold their value pretty fair. I've bought and sold your same truck twice in a Lariat with less miles for close to what your book is and made good money. The good and bad thing about cars is they're only worth what someone will pay your for them. As far as buying a new Taco, I'd comb craigslist. There always someone getting ready to lose they're vehicle. I buy right before they go back, and I've worked it out with the bank to buy it as soon as they repo it. Taco's are tough to find used for a good buy, everybody's so proud of them. I'd look at a Frontier, for the money they ride as good as the Yota's and can be had much cheaper.
Agreed, Car price may be a stretch but based on the local prices I know I can get 11-12K. I figured 11 and 14 makes 25k at a minimum. One thing that helps me is a good friend of mine sells my vehicles for me through his dealership. Having financing available helps cars sell for MUCH higher prices than cash buyers can bargain. I originally wanted to buy a used Tacoma until I researched it and saw that they hold their value insanely well. Like, 2 year old models are fetching within 2-3K of a new one. As for spending my money elsewhere, I'm at a standstill in my life. I could easily afford a down payment on a house now, but my landing place from school is still up in the air. I plan to move to Anchorage to do a residency upon graduation, which would leave a house in AL or KY useless. I am not worried about student loans as my career path will likely pay for over half of them if I commit to 4-5 years of work at one place. I just HATE upkeep and maintenance. My current F-150 has absolutely raped me in repairs. I stood to make a fair amount of money on the truck when I originally bought it, but now I'd only break even at 14k which is likely top dollar. I've broke even or made money on every vehicle I've bought by buying used online really good deals. I bought an F-150 in Cincinnati for 16k drove it for 2 years then sold it for 19k. Bought an F250 in San Antonio for 22k drove it for 8 months and sold it for 23k. After some research on gas mileages I realized F-150 and many full sized pickups can get as good of mileage. The problem is what you guys refer to, their prices plummet until they reach the mid teens a few years after they are off the lot. A New F-150 that costs you 35k to drive home will be worth 25k 1 year later. A new Tacoma that cost 32k to drive home is worth 29-30k a year later. I wish it was the other way around, I'd buy a 2 year old Tacoma and be done with it.
Just to add a little side note/hijack regarding mileage figures. The Tacoma doesn't get AMAZING gas mileage, but for EQUIVALENT (that's the key) driving conditions, I know it gets ~2-3mpg better than Fullsize trucks (Ecoboost and possibly the 5.0 aside). I have larger than stock tires (265/75/16s), and they're aggressive (Duratracs), and I'm STILL getting 19mpg in mixed driving. I have friends that own everything from Sierra 1500s, to Rams, Titans, F150s, and Tundras (not to mention the 3/4 ton and diesel owners), and driving the same terrain/weather conditions as me, it's not the same. The problem with mileage claims on the internet is everyone has different driving styles, terrain, temps, etc,. that all factor in. A guy driving an F150 in Kansas is going to get better mileage than a guy driving in the mountains of Alaska. Tacomas hold their value incredibly well, and mine has been great reliability wise, just like my previous Tacoma, and my brother-in-laws Tacoma, my in-laws 4Runner, neighbors 86 Toyota Pickup, etc, etc,. My dad's 03 F250 with under 100K is in and out of the shop constantly, so I understand your concern with repairs. They're not the end-all-be-all truck, but they're solid.
If you are looking to buy a new Toyota, now is the time to do it. I was in the market for a new truck recently looking for a Tundra. I have usually bought used to avoid the depreciation, so I started looking for a used truck again but with the new 2013 Tundras (and Tacomas) now arriving on the lots, I was able to get a 2012 Tundra for a great Price. I picked up a 2012, 4 door Tundra for $3000 more than a 2010, 4 door Tundra with 34,000 miles on it. To me that was a no brainer, $3000 more and get 2 years newer, 34,000 less miles and pick up toyota's 2 year free maintenance. With the rebates and zero percent financing, the 2012 Toyota trucks are really priced to sell. True you are limited on colors and such, but you could almost buy one now, and turn around and sell it outright and almost make money.
