Crazy to trade for a Tacoma?

OK, so…I bought a 2024 4runner OR two years ago for $44K. I’ve put very few miles on her (7300). Carvana and CarMax will give me about $42K. KBB’s instant cash offer is $45.5K, and I could probably get more than that with a private seller. Two dealers in town contacted me (including the Toyota dealership) for the KBB ICO.

I was really just curious about the value, but…now I see that there are deep discounts on the 2025 tacomas, which I admit to perusing now and then in my weaker moments. Before the 4runner, I had a 2022 tacoma and loved it (totaled it and replaced it with the 4runner).

There are some 2025 OR tacomas at about $48K TSRP that are discounted to about $43K. So, I could take my 1.5 year old 4runner in and leave with a new 2025 tacoma and a check for a couple of grand.

My preference is pretty much a toss up. I love being able to sleep in the back of the 4runner, but I loved the bed of the tacoma for hauling stuff. Probably do either about 3-4 times a year. I think the tacoma might ride smoother in the city and highway, while the 4runner might be a bit more rugged off road (I do mild off road driving, nothing serious). Better milage on the tacoma, but I don’t drive too much.

The taco might have some reliability/performance problems (although, maybe the supposed trouble with the turbo engine is more from other toyotas and not much from the taco specifically). Definitely some tech advances in the tacoma (wireless car play, charging, heated seats, etc.) as well as being significantly faster (the 4runner is a bit annoying sometimes trying to merge, etc.).

Half of me thinks that I’d be trading one of the most rugged, reliable, bad-ass vehicles ever produced for a techno-gadget with reliability problems. The other half of me misses my old taco.

Anyway, just mulling this, probably not going to do it, but I thought I’d pick all your brains.

Thanks!

 

Why are the tacos discounted? I’d dig into that first.

 

Personally nah.

 

The current resale of the 4R is unmatched, they are bringing premiums especially low mileage units.
The current resale of a tacoma is less than stellar. Check the KBB values of a 16-19month old tacoma with your mileage, you might be surprised

2024 TRD OR 4wd with standard options
10,000 miles
Excellent condition
Sticker price new $48,555
Private party $38,386
Trade in $35,866
NO dealer is going to give you close to trade in because their lot has 14 Tacomas sitting on the front row already cause they cant sell them.
This means a 1 year old tacoma in excellent shape is going to net you a LOSS of $13,000 from sticker price to trade in. This is not the way Tacomas USED to be, this is the way they are right now with the stink in the air around them, the Tundra is the same. Sure you may get a great truck but you also may get a lemon.

 

If you need a truck you need a truck.

I went from Tundra to 4Runner back to Tundra and Tacoma.

4R was nice but I needed a bed.

 

If you only need a truck 4 times a year, why get a truck. My ‘21 SR5P was the first vehicle I ever owned that wasn’t a truck. Now with the ‘24 ORP, I’m never, ever going back. Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first.

 

If you miss the taco, why not get an older 3rd Gen taco as backup.

BTW, I agree with what everyone has said above. And yes, if you need a you need a truck with a proper bed.

 

for the same reason the 6th gen 4Runners around here are discounted. They raised the price to high. The last gen Tacoma TRD Pro is the same cost as the new Tacoma SR5.

 

Yes they jacked the MSRP, but I think there possibly are other issues as well.

 

OK, so yes, it seems that it would be crazy. Yes, the tacos are discounted because they have the stink of unreliability upon them. I checked for used 2024s as suggested and confirmed what was written by Airdam. Strangely, of the 8 used 2024-2025 tacos at the local dealership, 3 were listed as pre-owned but with less than 100 miles. That is some quick buyer’s remorse!

Yeah…gonna stick with my 4R. Might look into an older taco; if I could buy back the 1997 black beauty taco I sold 15 years ago, I would. (Sold it for $7K, would pay double that for it now!).

Thanks everyone.

Dang man, that’s the exact taco I totaled.

 

Couple states over, listed on TacomaWorld:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/oregon-washington-craigslist-ads.244890/page-2140#post-30778064

 

I miss my 4 cylinder 09 taco.

 

Stick with what you have and be happy

 

Had a 3rd Gen Tacoma and traded to a 5th Gen 4Runner ... haven't looked back. On the odd occasion I need a "bed", I borrow the neighbor's trailer. Build quality is so much better with the 4Runner

 

Do you need a bed more?

 

I wouldn't do it, personally I think the new Taco is hideous. They went from best looking in class to worst.

If you only need a truck a few times a year, it.probably makes more sense just to rent one, or buy a fullsize beater that can actually do truck stuff.

 

As most folks have said if you "need a truck..." I traded my 2021 Taco TRD off road for my 2024 4R. VERY glad I did at 73 if have some physical limitations and I couldn't comfortable shift my Taco any more (yup loved that manual trans!). Now when I need a truck, about the same 4-5 times a year I rent a trailer at U-haul for about $20.00 for the day. Serves it's purpose, I don't need to park a trailer in my yard, I have my 4R and life's good!

 

@Montanawildlives would you consider this one as backup truck?

 

Pros, cons involved. You’re not being stupid necessarily if you decide to go for it, just gotta pick the compromise you want. The utility of a pickup bed versus the wagon body will probably be the deciding factor.

If you’re especially serious, go sit in it and see if there’s any quirks or design things not on the spec sheet you might not like.

 

Yes! That is exactly what I need for grabbing a bunch of 2x4s from Home Depot!

 

crazy!

 

You can almost hear the 22r detonate just looking at it..

 

Yep, 4runner + borrowing/renting a trailer whenever truck things are needed is more rational in my book than having a pickup as only vehicle.

 

I don't hate the 4th gen Taco looks, but seeing the exhaust on the left side still throw me for a loop :/

 

Same story with 4Rs for sure, my local dealer is discounting the gas only ORPs at 5k off MSRP but it's still more expensive that the 24 Pros when the new ones' sticker is about 60k.

 

You make a good point, 2x4’s and stuff are just so easy in a pick up, and tossing your empties in the bed is strangely satisfying