New Guy, needing your help buying his First Tacoma!

Hello TW, I've been researching the Tacoma's and Google lead me here. I've been lurking here for about a week and signed up a couple of days ago. There's so much useful info here. I've been staying up late reading a lot of thread and posts. I hope to buy my Tacoma in the next 3 days, but I need your help!

I've been trying to figure out how much I should pay for a 2015 DCSB TRD OR. I read, "The Official How much did you Pay for your 2015 Taco" thread and the last post that is similar to what I want said they paid $31,950 which was about $100 over dealer invoice. I also read on another thread here, that there was a lot of info missing in the "What did you pay thread". So, I'm not sure what I should pay or offer.

Here is my situation. I called the bank yesterday and I found out I am approved for $34,000.
The Tacoma I want is located locally in Pharr, Texas. The dealership in Pharr is a pretty large on the has been around a long time, the next Toyota dealer is 30 miles way and just opened up very recently. After that the next closest dealerships are in 2 hours away in Corpus Christi and 4 hours away in San Antonio. I have the next 3 days off and a trip to San Antonio tomorrow.

I also have a 1999 Chevy Silverado Sportside with 114,000 miles on it. I bought is off a coworker a few years ago. I didn't know it had been involved in 1 prior accident. I just bought the Autocheck subscription, because I was thinking of buying a used Tacoma and I was what the resale prices were and I read several threads on here saying I was better off buying new of the difference in price. Anyway, I tried Autotraders option where they give you a cash offer. The price they gave me was $3,750. A lot lower than what I was expecting. I just wanted to get a gauge of what I might get. He told me that he was rear ended and that the back quarter panel was replaced since it was fiberglass. The truck has a lift 3" lift kit, chrome brushguard, nerf bars and bed rails. It really is a looker and pretty clean from the inside. I know that the dealer doesn't care about all the aftermarket upgrades when they make you an offer.

My question are
1, Who should I talk to at the dealership? A salesman? Or through the internet? Or go talk to the Salesmanager? My sister in law bought a used Toyota at the dealership and mentions a specific sales man. Said he was very professional and no pressure. An older guy.
2. When do I mention that I want to trade in my truck?
3. How much should I try and get for my trade in?
4. My goal it to get the Taco for $31,950-$32,000. When do I tell them that that is what I want to pay, minus the trade in? Do I negeotiate the Taco price first, and tell then what I want to pay then mention the trade in? Or do I ask how much they will give me for the trade in and then tell them I want to pay $32,000 minus my trade in?
5. What extras, if any should I try and get them to throw in? Like all weather mats???
6. What points should I mention when trying to negotiate the price? I've thought about the generation 3 coming out here in the next few months? Also, I am willing to drive aways to get the best deal possible for me.
7. When do I mention that my bank will be financing the truck?
8. Any other tips on buying the truck would be appreciated.

Sorry, for such a long winded first post, but I am very excited about buying my first Tacoma!

If you have links to other threads, please post them. I am new here and not to savvy on finding threads. When I do a search I get a lot of threads, information overload.
I will be closely watching this thread the next 3 days and hopefully I can post pictures of my first Tacoma.

Thank you in advance for you help and responses. I am looking forward to joining the Tacoma community,
Sam

 

I would recommend going in. Tell them you have good credit (thats what it sounds like from being approved for 34k). Find the truck you want and try and get numbers in terms of a payment then you can work from there. I wouldn't waste time with internet they usually aren't willing to help unless you go in.

They will ask you if you are trading something in.

They probably wont throw anything.

Honestly you just need to go into the dealer and see how it plays out. Just don't agree to anything you aren't comfortable with.

 

Always negotiate the price of the vehicle only
Use trucar.com or go through Costco or AAA.
Don't tell them what you would like your monthly to be as price of the vehicle, term, and APR determines this.
You already have the term and APR part covered.
Before you go into the dealership, visit the website and find out who's who.
Try finding any yelp reviews that can guide you who to ask for or deal with.
Fleet managers usually handles the club pricing (costco, aaa, etc)
kbb.com shows invoice price. Know this before you go in.

 

I went to the dealership and talked to the salesman my sister in law talked to. Older guy very laid back. Took a test drive and that was it. I told him I was going to San Antonio tomorrow and who ever gave me the best deal, I would buy from them. He didn't throw out a price, he just said what was on the MSRP. The price on the Internet was $37,077 with a discount price of $35,882. I printed out the add from the Internet. The price on the window was $38, 990. Like I said he just said the price was what was on the sticker. Who should I talk too? Or what should I do next?

 

Negotiating 101:

If you know what you want - you get the best deal negotiating via email after requesting quotes on toyota.com. This is pretty much how savvy buyers work these days.

Your goal is to figure out the invoice price of the truck plus the options you want on it, by looking at online resources such as kbb, edmunds, etc... Then pay about $500 over that, plus tax and about $50 in documentation fees.

Be aware that "transportation charges" are listed on the sticker and aren't optional.

Be aware that after you agree on a price, the dealer is going to ask you about sixteen ways to sunday if you are willing to pay more money. The answer is: "no"

Be aware that after you agree on a price, the dealer/sales rep will probably call you/email you back at some point and say something to the effect of "we made <some kind of mistake> on the price and we need you to pay <that much> extra. Your response is, "Sorry about that. Do you want to cancel the sale? I'm not paying any more than we agreed to."

You can finance through your bank, but if you bring anything other than a bank certified check for the final amount, you're still gonna have to sign a finance contract. If your credit is good - dealers actually have access to really competitive financing rates. I've made a mistake in the past by insisting on financing through my credit union at a variable rate interest rate when the dealer was offering a better rate, because I was convinced that financing through the dealer was a bad idea. Financing through the dealer isn't a bad thing in and of itself - just make sure you're reading everything very carefully, because it's easy for some numbers to not be what you thought you agreed to.

 

What dealership are you going to in San Antonio? Do you already have a salesman?

 

I don't have one in mind. We're going up there to drop off the kids at the train station. I just found out today that I was approved for a loan, so all of this is very last minute. Since we're going up there I thought I'd look around. No place or salesman in particular. Any suggestions?

 

I just contacted both the guys I've got my Tundra and Tacoma's from but their both on vacation. I didn't get the run around at Red McCombs and Cavender Toyota.

 

Thanks Bjmoose. I somehow skipped over your post. Just saw it and I appreciate the reply and tips.
KeavyD, thank you for the 2 dealerships in San to look at. I'll stop by and see what they can do for me.

 

You could also try and go to a bank get a check from them so the dealer knows you're serious.

 

You should show him the print out and ask him if he's running a bait-n-switch operation. You could potentially sue him for false advertising.


> I called the bank yesterday

I just bought my taco last Saturday. It's financed through my credit union. They got me a much better rate than the dealership could. The salesman said that's what he expected. FWIW.

 

The salesman from Red McCombs called me back he said ask for Andrew Roth if you go out there he's a straight shooter won't waste your time and will be honest with you.

 

Welcome to Tacoma World.

 

I'm also new to tacomaworld and enjoying it... I just bought my first Tacoma 2015 4x4 DCSB from Red Mccombs Toyota (I just got my plates today) and had a pleasing experience... Just an FYI this body style is limited and selling through quickly before the 2016 are available the gen 2 Tacoma's are one of those few vehicles that have very little negotiating room but it also has excellent resale value. Also price online may vary so writing down the stock or vin is important but 90% of the time it's already sold. Dealers will always add their own options like tint, door bumpers, polysteel etc. so sites such as trucar.com (highly recommended) will be off by $1000-$2000.

 

Welcome to Tacoma World

 

Depending on sticker price offer 5k lower if they say yes tell them you want to trade your truck in and you already have a loan out with cash in hand

 

Thanks glad to be part of the community

 

Try to settle on the total price of the vehicle and the trade in before you provide any information on how you will pay for it.

Example of what not to do:
Buyer: "I would like to buy this truck"
Dealer: "great, will you be purchasing or leasing"
Buyer: "purchasing"
Dealer: "we have some nice finance options for you, what kind of monthly payment are you looking for"
Buyer: "I plan on using my recent lottery winnings...how much for the truck?"
.........buzz.......

Example of the type of attitude you should have when negotiating:


Good luck and welcome to Tacoma World!

 

True car is such a silly tool imo. Expect to Pay fair market value for the truck as tacomas are a commodity, so MSRP will be fairest value to pay, get that off of toyotas website with your zip and options you like. If you pay MSRP and get any money off weather the tacoma be on sale that month etc. You will be lucky. Just my opinion, but id rather pay a /fair/ market value rather than being rude and/or getting screwed. Just my .02

 

KeavyD , Thanks for the referral to Red McCombs and Andrew. I went in Andes was off, so I talked to his partner Phillip. We test drove 2 Tacoma's. A Magnetic Gray DCSC TRD OR, that was the color and package combo is was looking for, the second one was a Texas edition 4X4 DCLB with towing package. From reading forum threads I knew that combo, the Double Cab Long Bed was hard to find and that it was mainly available for the access cab. Took it for a test drive and it was a toss up to which one to take. Ended up with the DCLB. We weren't planning on buying today. We were there 4 hours almost walked out twice and finally got the price and payment were we wanted it. They actually beat my banks interest rate. I signed the paperwork today, take my trade in on Saturday and pick up the Tacoma on Saturday! Thanks to everyone for their advice and tips! I'm so excited, but tired too. I wasn't planning on such a long day.