Tips on Whether to Buy a New 2019 Toyota Tacoma or a Used One

The 2019 Toyota Tacoma is the best-selling midsize truck in America. In fact, the Tacoma has outsold all others in its segment for over a decade. But, should you buy a new Tacoma or is it better to buy pre-owned? Here are some tips to help you decide.

New 2019 Tacoma trucks are just plain new

For those truck buyers who want to start their new purchase as the original owner with virtually no miles on it, I would suggest a new 2019 Tacoma (or a new 2020 Tacoma for that matter).

If you are like a majority of people who buy a new vehicle, there is nothing quite like that “new car smell” and that euphoric feeling of driving away from the dealership behind the wheel of a brand new truck.

A pre-owned Tacoma, although it certainly has its benefits, might not be able to compete in this very specific category.

Easier to find the perfect truck when it is a new 2019 Tacoma

I consult with many potential truck buyers through Torque News and also through my Toyotajeff YouTube Channel about the ideal Tacomas they are looking for.

When you look for a brand new 2019 vs 2020 Tacoma, you can work with your sales consultant to find the truck you have your heart set on. You will more than likely have your choice of at least a few different colors in the TRD Off-Road or an SR5 or any other Tacoma model.

When shopping for a pre-owned truck, it is important to get just what you want, but also wise to be flexible with color choices and options and miles that might be on the trucks you are considering.

You may only have one choice available and that is a red Tacoma Double Cab SR5 4x4 that has 47,500 miles on it with a couple scratches on the front door panel. Either take that one or keep looking.

With a pre-owned vehicle of any brand and model, the more specific you are, the less likely you are to find exactly what you are looking for. As the saying sort of goes, the more specific you get, the smaller the needle gets and the bigger the haystack becomes.

Pre-owned Tacoma trucks last forever

The great news for Toyota Tacoma shoppers is that regardless of how old the pre-owned truck you are looking at, your “new to you” Tacoma will more than likely be very good to you over the long haul. Tacoma trucks have established a solid reputation for long-term quality, reliability and dependability because they are tough and well-built.

More than likely, the used Tacoma you purchase will be more than capable of transporting you for hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of miles with less maintenance required than most other vehicles.

Pricing might be a little lower with pre-owned Tacoma

Even with discounts and pricing incentives that buyers can receive on a new vehicle, most often a slightly used equivalent model will be priced lower than new. This is often also the case with a one-year-old Tacoma. Thus, this would be an easy victory for used over new, right?

This is where a decision between and used can get a little bit tricky. Tacoma trucks hold their value better than any other vehicle in America, as confirmed by kbb.com this year. This is great news because it means you are buying a quality truck in the Tacoma.

The slightly bad news is that since Tacomas hold their value so much, this prices a one-year-old Tacoma with 20k-30k miles on it right at the price of a new Tacoma, if not sometimes a little bit more.

You see where this makes things slightly complicated.

A Tacoma is a good investment whether new or used

My final take home message is actually good news for anyone considering a Tacoma. Whether you select a brand new 2019 or 2020 Tacoma, or if you choose to get a used one of any age, you are getting a great truck with a solid history and reputation.

Some Tacoma owners have reported they have sold their used trucks at a higher price than what they bought them for. That is ridiculous to even fathom, isn’t it?

Compare all 2019 Tacoma Trim Levels in my video review and click to subscribe to Torque News youtube channel for daily automotive news.

What is your personal philosophy? Do you think buying a new Tacoma or a pre-owned one is the best option for you and your family and why?

Thanks for reading everyone. See you next story.

Bookmark Jeff Teague's Toyota News and Reviews at Torque News Toyota. You can reach Jeff on Facebook and Instagram. Twitter @toyotajeff1 and tweet him tips for new stories. Jeff also shares Toyota news videos on his Youtube Channel at ToyotaJeff1.