conversation: User (KalEl853): "Hey everyone! Super quick synopsis of my situation... drove an old car with almost 200k that started having mechanical issues in college, graduated college, landed my first career job with great salary (for me I mean) and traded in the car for a new 2018 toyota camry SE.\n\nSo I got the car at at deal of 75 month term at 3.49% apr bringing monthly payments to 403.00 and a total loan financed at 27,128.00.\n\nMy thing is I've been debating with myself on whether I should actually pay more than required a month while I can right now (minimal financial responsibilities... no kids, apartment living, etc.) to hopefully offset negativity equity to trade the car in for my dream truck (tacoma TRD offroad)  whenever my salary allows\n\nOr actually enjoying what I assume (correct me if I'm wrong :S) is a good deal and just build up savings and possibly down payment negative equity should I choose to do so. \n\nI honestly do have my heart set on getting the tacoma, and dang I feel stupid for maybe not just going for that from the start. This is my first vehicle purchase ever and pretty torn and confused on how to handle this. Any advice is deeply appreciated! "
  Self: "&gt; offset negativity equity to trade the car in for my dream truck (tacoma TRD offroad) whenever my salary allows\n\nDo whatever you want, but financing cars is a sure way to hinder wealth growth. "
  User (KalEl853): "I'm all ears... is it better to buy all in one go with enough savings?? \n\nBuy cars privately instead of at dealerships??\n\nAs it's probably evident, I'm young and dumb haha what's priority to me is making the right moves financially for my future"
  Ajk337 (Ajk337): "Finance a new one. Should be able to get 2% or so, definitely worth financing at that rate. \n\n\nIf you sell your car, you'll get more from a private sale than you will a trade in. Sometimes a LOT more. I tried to trade my last car in and got offered $17k. Drove it down the road to CarMax and got offered $22k cash in the spot. CarMax would be a great place for you to start, they pay good money for newish cars.\n\nI'm considering buying the exact truck you are. First, this sub hates new cars. However, Tacoma's are one of not very many cars that are worth buying new. Car people on here can tell you that. Tacoma's not a bad choice. The biggest con is that they're expensive ($33k invoice for the manual TRD OR, with no options), but depreciation is minimal and quality and ruggedness is typically very high. KBB 5 year cost to own (fuel, insurance, financing, registration, maint, repairs, and depreciation) is actually LESS on a Tacoma Off Road than it is your Camry SE. $36,100 vs $33,200. \n\nYou'll take a several thousand dollar hit from depreciation when you sell the Camry, but you'll make up $3,000 of that (assuning you're an average owner) by buying the Tacoma and operating it for 5 years.\n\n\nThe biggest issue with you plan is that it's generally a terrible idea to buy a new car and then sell it a year later to buy another new car. You'll get eaten alive doing that. If you don't make it a habit and really want the Tacoma, and can take your payments being probably $550 a month, do it. \n\n\nOther thing is don't be surprised if gas prices go up. If you drive a lot of miles, be ready, the things get ~17 mpg. "
  User (KalEl853): "On the note of 2% rate, being that currently I got a 3.4 as a first time buyer... is it true that with good car credit history lenders are likely to offer better rates? \n\nHad no idea on the note of Tacoma being less to maintain, ahh! Maybe I should have bit the bullet and went Tacoma from the start but what can I do except live and learn.\n\nThanks a ton for the advice!"
  Ajk337 (Ajk337): "Actually just saw how much you make. 36k car on 50k a year is very high, sure you can pull this off? Even the new Camry was pushing it I think. But besides that, Taco all the way"
  User (KalEl853): "Haha as of now no way! My plan is to work very hard, build experience and credentials and when I do cross that bridge I should make more. 50k is the starting entry level for my line of work haha!"
  