Buy new or used previous generation

I have a 2016 Tacoma sr5 double cab (owe 10k on it) and having just had a baby a rear facing car seat looks super cramped back there. The passenger seat is also pretty far forward because of it. So I really have to decide what my next move is and here are my options.

1. keep the Tacoma and suck it up.

2. buy a 2018 limited crew cab tundra for 38k and putting my payments at 350 a month. It’s a fully loaded limited with 70k miles. The older gen tundra has a outdated dash and no remote start so I figure for 700 I can add the Tesla head unit to modernize it and add remote start myself.

3. Go all out and buy a new 22 tundra and have about a 650 dollar payment a month. Sucks to have a huge payment with daycare but I could make it work just also have a 21 platinum highlander for my wife we pay around the same each month so double payments makes this decision feel worse but new is nice and we do make good money but spending close to 60k on a truck kills me inside.

4. Buy a 2019 limited tundra with 35k miles for 46k and again do the upgrades mentioned above to modernize but this has half the miles for 6k more. Payment will be about 400ish a month so getting close to that new tundra.

Considering a new tundra vs the older generation I think about mpg and the newer tech. I like the look of the older tundra over the new tundras but the interior is horrible for the older tundra. I was thinking the upgrades I mentioned above to a older limited will make it more modern (however the back of the center console seems like it’s from the 90s lol). I’m so torn about this so I would love to hear others opinions.

 

Never been a fan of any kind of monthly payments other than services, water, gas, electric, etc. If you own or buying a home that is the best leverage you can have in today's economy. Save your money and make due with the Tacoma for now, Pay that thing off. Today's uncertainty is no time to saddle yourself with debt.

 

^^^^^^this or if you really need to change go for the least costly choice. We are always tempted with new stuff and trinkets that we think we need but at the end of the day that new truck will cost you much more than the purchase price, so you are paying way more than the 60K. I guess at the end of the day you got to prioritize for yourself what is more worth for you, having the better space more affordable or paying a bunch for wants vs needs.

 

When I bought my 08 Tacoma I paid $30k for it new. Zero interest for 3 years, 5k down was still $900 a month for 3 years. Do not over extend yourself. The future is guarenteed.

 

Either Limited are very similar in a lot of respects that matter. IF you can rearrange your finances sufficiently to then pick one then pick the one that brings you the most joy. If not, calculate what you can sell, reduce etc until the economics make the most sense and see what's available then. Financial feet firmly on the ground, Driving eyes and heart in the skies. Don't go into debt for something you won't enjoy.

 

@Bradyboyy88 How many times are you going to ask this same question?? lol

 

I would reconsider your financial logic;

Option 1 - You owe $10K on the Tacoma. If you can afford a $650 a month vehicle payment, then pay that much on the Tacoma and have it paid off in 16 months.
Option 2 - $350 a month for how long?
Option 3 - $650 a month for how long? I wouldn't buy the first-year model of a redesign. Several threads on issues with 2022s.
Option 4 - $400 a month for how long?

You say $400 a month is getting to close to $650 a month?
That is an increase of $250 a month, $3000 a year, $15000 over the span of a 5-year loan not including interest.
But getting the 2018 or 2019 you should be looking at a 3 or 4 year loan.

I'd a step back, try to stop focusing on the per month aspect of it all.
Look at the long-term effects of your financial decision.

There is a lot of happiness in having a paid-for vehicle and no monthly payment.
That is as long as that vehicle fits your needs.

The vehicles:

As to the Tundras, the 2018 and 2019 are basically the same truck.
Mileage and price are the biggest differences.
There are plenty of threads on issues with the 2022s. A lot of us wouldn't buy the first year of a redesign.
I bought a 2014, but it is basically 2013 with a few different parts, not a total redesign.
Many are saying the Gen 3 (2022) has a smaller interior than the Gen 2.5 (2014 - 2021).
The only problem I have with my 2014 interior is the cheap plastic they used on the door panels.
I doubt they fixed that with the Gen 3.

I will say I've been in a rental 2021 Tacoma for over 3 months and I don't like it.
Driving a 2005 Tundra since 2004 then buying the 2014 Tundra in 2014, the Tacoma is too small inside and out.
It is also too light, and the engine sounds like a riding lawnmower.
I never would have bought one, even after driving a 1997 4Runner for 7 years.

Good luck...

 

Put the car seat in the Highlander? Or get either the 2018 or the 2019 and accept that the interior isn't as bad as you're making it out to be.