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The new rig conundrum

Tonkaman

Tonkaman

Well-Known Member
Location
West Jordan
ttora4runner said:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/152308-AT-Built-2008-Nemo-Tacoma-Fully-loaded!!
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Yeah it's a sweet ride! I already had a link to it in post #44. I wish it didn't have the mileage and she that it does. If I could find those same mods on something 5 years newer and under 50k miles I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
 
Tonkaman

Tonkaman

Well-Known Member
Location
West Jordan
So I went and test drive s 2016 Tacoma today. Wow it was nice! They are telling me that they are 60 days out after I put down my deposit. Does anyone here know how accurate that is? My Mexico trip is only 90 days out so that would be pushing it
 
cruiseroutfit

cruiseroutfit

Cruizah!
Moderator
Vendor
Location
Sandy, Ut
New trucks are certainly appealing and will naturally offer less problems than an older truck... but to compare the average used truck of similar age/vintage to your Tacoma is a fault. Yours has been what I would consider a lemon. I don't know it's history but as I recall it had been in a wreck and rebuilt no? Take my 100 Series for example, I picked it up with 150k? and it wasn't overly well maintained. I did a standard baseline of fluids and new brakes... from there it was go time on the fun stuff. It's given me exactly 1% of the headache yours has. Things wear out and I've had to replace them but I've driven it to Mexico 3 times, I'd drive it another dozen again in a heartbeat without any worry of being stranded. I put a quarter million miles on Tacoma's between my 96 XC and 04 DC, lighter duty chassis naturally have more parts failures over times but again I was never stranded and wouldn't hesitate to drive them internationally. I hate to tell someone to chalk it up to a lemon truck but that girl is a lemon truck :D

That isn't to say a new truck isn't the right answer, if I were shopping new specifically on a $40-50k budget I'd be looking at a new 4Runner or Tacoma too. If the budget will allow you to buy the new truck, build it the way you want and allow you finances to use it... do it. But don't corner yourself into a more expensive truck, less money to use it and the lack of appetite for a pinstripe or two. With my recent 200 Series build my budget was similar which had me shopping used only. That said I'd drive this thing around the globe in a heartbeat without the slightest worry of a failure leaving me stranded.
 
Tonkaman

Tonkaman

Well-Known Member
Location
West Jordan
cruiseroutfit said:
New trucks are certainly appealing and will naturally offer less problems than an older truck... but to compare the average used truck of similar age/vintage to your Tacoma is a fault. Yours has been what I would consider a lemon. I don't know it's history but as I recall it had been in a wreck and rebuilt no? Take my 100 Series for example, I picked it up with 150k? and it wasn't overly well maintained. I did a standard baseline of fluids and new brakes... from there it was go time on the fun stuff. It's given me exactly 1% of the headache yours has. Things wear out and I've had to replace them but I've driven it to Mexico 3 times, I'd drive it another dozen again in a heartbeat without any worry of being stranded. I put a quarter million miles on Tacoma's between my 96 XC and 04 DC, lighter duty chassis naturally have more parts failures over times but again I was never stranded and wouldn't hesitate to drive them internationally. I hate to tell someone to chalk it up to a lemon truck but that girl is a lemon truck :D

That isn't to say a new truck isn't the right answer, if I were shopping new specifically on a $40-50k budget I'd be looking at a new 4Runner or Tacoma too. If the budget will allow you to buy the new truck, build it the way you want and allow you finances to use it... do it. But don't corner yourself into a more expensive truck, less money to use it and the lack of appetite for a pinstripe or two. With my recent 200 Series build my budget was similar which had me shopping used only. That said I'd drive this thing around the globe in a heartbeat without the slightest worry of a failure leaving me stranded.
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Thanks for your comments Kurt, I was hoping you would chime in. I'm the last person you need to convince that my truck is a lemon! The real problem is I don't trust anyone anymore. As many parts as I've swapped out in that truck it may be problem free, but I'm not sticking around to find out.

Like I said before, I'm not the type of guy to shy away from putting my truck through the paces. I say bring in the pinstriping, if it brings me a great story in the end.
 
sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
Tonkaman said:
So here's the conundrum, do I buy new and slowly add the modifications I require as I can afford them? Or do I buy a low mileage well built rig from someone with a rock solid reputation? (Again this brings us back to putting faith in someone's reputation). I'm thinking a vehicle built for a company display or for SEMA, but still within my budget. I'd like to keep it close to $40k if possible and will need cash from my Tacoma to complete a purchase.
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Option 3: Buy a great, 100% stock used vehicle, then modify it yourself (if needed). I don't trust most mods most people do, including shops (with a few exceptions like Cruiser Outfitters, Teraflex, etc.). Here are a few of my opinions given your situation. I assume reliability and capability are your top two priorities. I'm sure others will have different opinions.

1) Don't look for a "deal," look for the right rig for you. We all want to get the most rig for the buck, but too often we end up finding a great "deal" where it's been wrecked, or missing xyz, etc. and we buy it anyway because it's too cheap not to. Find the rig you want, then pay what you need to pay to get one in the best condition possible. A lot of people buy a rig because it's the right price, not because it's the right rig. Get the right rig you want, then pay the price you need to get it. Find the vehicle you want in the best condition.

2) Be patient. It may take some time to find the perfect one, but it'll be worth it. Even waiting for the right color/trim will be worth it.

3) Don't buy a highly modified rig for a DD. Most people (and some shops are included in here) don't do a good job modifying rigs, or they choose poor equipment to put on there.

4) NEVER buy a wrecked car. Even if it was a small fender-bender, it will usually come back to bite you. Don't let price tell you differently.

5) Do TONS of internet research to find common issues with the vehicle you'll be buying. Know its limitations, and know what issues to look out for.

6) I wouldn't buy a show car. Typically they're built for show more than for daily reliability and practicality.

7) With a few exceptions, the less you modify a rig, the more reliable it'll be.

8) Evaluate each mod, and don't buy a rig that's been modified more than you need. A JK on 37s is awesome, but if you're not going to be wheeling it hard, a JK on 33s or even 35s will be more reliable, cheaper, and probably suit your purposes more

9) THIS IS JUST ME, but I won't buy used from a dealer. They don't know the history, and they usually got it in trade or at auction. I always pay cash for my rigs too, so the dealer doesn't really offer me anything other than a higher price tag and pressure.

Good luck!


*the one exception to all of this is a new tacoma. I saw tacomas with 50k on them going for $5k less than a brand new one. The tacoma is the one exception to the "I only buy used" rule. Used tacos go for almost as much as a new one, so you might as well go new in that case.
 
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TRD270

TRD270

Emptying Pockets Again
Supporting Member
Location
SaSaSandy
I love my little '04 I wouldn't hesitate to drive it across the country, has 208,000 on the clock and came with decent maintenance records. It was a one owner that appeared to have cared for it. Only problems I've had so far was a bad battery and replacing the bushings on my rack and pinion. Given I haven't put a ton of miles on the thing in the year I've owned it, but 70% of those miles have been off road or on the way to off-roading
 
Tonkaman

Tonkaman

Well-Known Member
Location
West Jordan
sixstringsteve said:
Option 3: Buy a great, 100% stock used vehicle, then modify it yourself (if needed). I don't trust most mods most people do, including shops (with a few exceptions like Cruiser Outfitters, Teraflex, etc.). Here are a few of my opinions given your situation. I assume reliability and capability are your top two priorities. I'm sure others will have different opinions.

1) Don't look for a "deal," look for the right rig for you. We all want to get the most rig for the buck, but too often we end up finding a great "deal" where it's been wrecked, or missing xyz, etc. and we buy it anyway because it's too cheap not to. Find the rig you want, then pay what you need to pay to get one in the best condition possible. A lot of people buy a rig because it's the right price, not because it's the right rig. Get the right rig you want, then pay the price you need to get it. Find the vehicle you want in the best condition.

2) Be patient. It may take some time to find the perfect one, but it'll be worth it. Even waiting for the right color/trim will be worth it.

3) Don't buy a highly modified rig for a DD. Most people (and some shops are included in here) don't do a good job modifying rigs, or they choose poor equipment to put on there.

4) NEVER buy a wrecked car. Even if it was a small fender-bender, it will usually come back to bite you. Don't let price tell you differently.

5) Do TONS of internet research to find common issues with the vehicle you'll be buying. Know its limitations, and know what issues to look out for.

6) I wouldn't buy a show car. Typically they're built for show more than for daily reliability and practicality.

7) With a few exceptions, the less you modify a rig, the more reliable it'll be.

8) Evaluate each mod, and don't buy a rig that's been modified more than you need. A JK on 37s is awesome, but if you're not going to be wheeling it hard, a JK on 33s or even 35s will be more reliable, cheaper, and probably suit your purposes more

9) THIS IS JUST ME, but I won't buy used from a dealer. They don't know the history, and they usually got it in trade or at auction. I always pay cash for my rigs too, so the dealer doesn't really offer me anything other than a higher price tag and pressure.

Good luck!


*the one exception to all of this is a new tacoma. I saw tacomas with 50k on them going for $5k less than a brand new one. The tacoma is the one exception to the "I only buy used" rule. Used tacos go for almost as much as a new one, so you might as well go new in that case.
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You hit the nail on the head with top priorities of Reliability and capability

With that said I completely understand and accept that modifying the truck to be more capable will take away from its reliability to a certain degree. And as long as there are no failures I can deal with extra maintenance.
 
johngottfredson

johngottfredson

Threat Level Midnight
Location
Alpine
Regarding buying from a dealer, I typically also avoid it. However, I recently just bought a Toyota Sienna from Larry h Miller ford. I had strict requirements I was looking for, including AWD, low miles, 1 owner, dealership maintenance records, and local history. This particular van was purchased in Orem, one owner, all maintenance at Brent brown Toyota in Orem, 40k miles. LHM Ford took this car on a trade in, and I offered them a fixed out the door cash price which was significantly cheaper than what the used local market (Ksl) had to offer. Sometimes they buy it right on trade ins, and can be competitive.
 
AddictedOffroad

AddictedOffroad

The Yota Specialists
Location
Windsor, CO
R

rholbrook

Well-Known Member
Location
Kaysville, Ut
21218847004_1ae560af04_b.jpg

This was on the What I want today facebook page that Greg posted up. What else do you need?
 
Tonkaman

Tonkaman

Well-Known Member
Location
West Jordan
AddictedOffroad said:
I am sorry that Tacoma has been such a POS for you. It was never my intention of selling anything that was like that.

FWIW, there are a few rigs on Pirate that may strike a fancy for you. What about an LJ?
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/vehicles-trailers-sale/1718458-built-2004-unlimited-lj.html

JKs
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/vehicles-trailers-sale/2227697-12-jk-unlimited-semi-built.html
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/vehi...09-jeep-jk-rubicon-34-900-built-ready-go.html
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At this point I've decided that the Tacoma is the only vehicle capable of my specific needs. As much as I would love a built jeep there's just no space to travel out of one for a week.
 
sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
If you're dead-set on a tacoma, I'd get a new one, or a used one built exactly like you want it by a reputable shop (like the CBI one that sold).

I'm a big fan of the 05-06 tundras. They're not much bigger than a 2nd or 3rd gen taco, with a 4.7 V8, and dead reliable.
 
glockman

glockman

I hate Jeep trucks
Location
Pleasant Grove
My dad just bought a 2016 TRD DC tacoma from Brent Brown in Orem. He hates them and for good reason but he looked at every Toyota dealer in the state and they all had long waits. You might give them a call. I think they told him they are the largest volume Toyota dealer in the state.

As for buying used. I have bought a lot of cars used (over 30) and never been burned. When I bought my powerstroke I knew the 6.0 could be a big lemon. So I took what I knew about them and tried to make my buying as fact based as possible and eliminate as much of the emotional aspect as I could. We all get the bug when we are looking at a rig we really like.
I created a spreadsheet (Kurt would be proud) with a row for every item I wanted to inspect such as, brakes, tires, battery, interior condition, exterior condition, bed condition. I also had a couple rows to list any oil leaks. I looked for marks on any of the body or main component bolts to indicate they had been taken out. I also listed color, year, mileage and price. I made a column for each vehicle I looked at. I can tell you, showing up at a dealer with a scan gauge and a spreadsheet, they leave you alone while you look the rig over. I will do this for every car I buy from now on. They didn't try to BS me about things. I crawled around each rig for 20 minutes making notes, then took it for at least a 20 minute test drive, noting all the noises or handling characteristics I thought could be mechanical issues.

The best part about this was I promised myself not to buy anything the same day I looked. So I went home after the emotion wore off and compared all the rigs flaws and cost to make each one perfect on a piece of paper. It eliminated the emotional experience that makes you buy a crappy rig because you are excited about it. I didn't downplay things that needed repair, instead I assigned a dollar amount. I didn't overlook things I wanted to check while driving to look at it but forgot in the moment or was distracted by the salesman. This spreadsheet represented the condition and total dollar amount (purchase price +any needed maint or repairs) for each vehicle in perfect nic.

The truck I bought has been the best Super Duty I have ever owned. 3 years of near perfect service. I highly suggest making a spreadsheet:)
 
johngottfredson

johngottfredson

Threat Level Midnight
Location
Alpine
sixstringsteve said:
If you're dead-set on a tacoma, I'd get a new one, or a used one built exactly like you want it by a reputable shop (like the CBI one that sold).

I'm a big fan of the 05-06 tundras. They're not much bigger than a 2nd or 3rd gen taco, with a 4.7 V8, and dead reliable.
Click to expand...

I agree with everything Steve said here. I know you are looking for something newish, but I am so happy with my 1st gen tundra. My only change would be to get a 05-06 over my 01. I put 25k miles on it since last February when I bought it and I am happier with it every day.
 
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