How do you afford your Taco??

[livetoride]

I'm a wildland firefighter and make bank during the summer but that savings gradually disappears during the ski-bumming winter months. I'm trying to figure out what I can afford to pay per month on a Taco. Figuring on a $5000 down + trade-in (worth no more than a thousand) on a 2005, maybe 2006 Taco 4WD Double Cab with up to 25K miles. $20-25K total. I'd like to pay no more than $350 per month.

Just curious about what ya'll put down and what you've got for monthly payments.

[lotust]

im a PIMP I have some clean hoes that work hard for me. Its simple math for every 1000 you put down you lower your payment about 20$

[cam2Xrunner]

http://www.edmunds.com/apps/calc/CalculatorController

[R1100S]

Originally Posted by livetoride

Just curious about what ya'll put down and what you've got for monthly payments.

$30,870.11 down. Zero monthly payments. Drove my last vehicle (94 Toyota pickup) for 12 years. Hard work. Well diversified portfolio. Sold some real-estate in FL during the upswing.

Intrest rates aren't great right now. Debt sucks. A vehicle isn't worth stretching your monthy budget over. Buy what you can afford and enjoy life.

YMMV. Do whatever will make you happy in the LONG RUN.

[livetoride]

Originally Posted by R1100S

$30,870.11 down.

Do whatever will make you happy in the LONG RUN.

Nice. Got some ballers here! I am doing what makes me happy, that's why I'm broke! But at least I love my life.

Have done all the payment calculators. I'm probably looking somewhere between $350-500/month. Just looking for some examples from real folks.

[SilverStreak05]

My truck was 30K out the door.

Put $2500 down and financed the balance over 72 months at 5.45%

Monthly payment is $455 and some change.

[amp2oo1]

$25k out the door

$0 down (did not plan on buying a new car so soon)

$0 trade in (old Honda's electrical system blew up trying to drive it home to trade-in, had to get it towed from Springfield, IL to St Louis. Smoked poured from the dash, all fuses blew, 40-60A fuses blew in engine bay, battery exploded... ya it wasnt a pretty sight)

5.9% for 60 months, $525 per month not too bad all things considered...

[UT06]

I saved up for a year, paid cash.

[BruynBoy]

31k Total
$7000 down, financed the rest at ~4.6% for 72 Months
$386 a month, but I just round up and pay $400 a month

I'm currently a machinist and sandblaster for my parents business, while attending college.

[05XRunner]

put 1200 down and pay 491month

[livetoride]

Originally Posted by BruynBoy

I'm currently a machinist and sandblaster for my parents business, while attending college.

WWU I'm guessing, I graduated from there last December! Still miss the 'Ham on rainy, depressing days like this.

[zr8rider]

I was on the Massachusetts Wildfire crew for ten years. Had a blast on trips to Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. Florida in July wasn't any fun though. Best trips of my life was fighting fire. Good luck with your search. Personally I would down scale your pursuit of a newer Taco. Buy what you can afford, and enjoy the ride. I paid cash for my 05 Taco double cab. I keep my vehicles at least ten years. Good luck ZR8RIDER

[vendeta2k]

I a captain on a wildland fire engine here in northern california. 2005 DC 4X4.....450 a month.

[livetoride]

Ah, fire brethren! This summer was my rookie year and I fell in love, plan to go to the academy and make a career of it.

What do you guys do in the winter months? I teach skiing/snowboarding but somehow manage to lose more money than I make. Still I wouldn't change it for the world..

[R0dzilla7]

27k out the door, put 5k down. Payments for 72 mnths at 346.49.