What to check before taking delivery?

I was told my new Tacoma would be here in about 5 weeks. When I go to pick it up, what should I check before laying down my money? Test drive?
thanks

 

I usually just look for any damage that could have occurred during shipping and do a thorough test drive to see if there’s any odd noises or vibrations.

 

Definitely test drive. Look over entire vehicle for any obvious defects / damage and you should be good. Reliable + warranty…

 

Test drive and thorough visual inspection of the interior and exterior. Pretty much do the same thing you would do if going to look at a truck the dealer had on the lot already.

 

I learned this the hard way...
Open/close every door and tailgate to make sure they work well and no interference. Had a new 2017 Honda that had good door/fender clearance while the door was closed, but rubbed while opening. Won't make that mistake again.

 

a good test drive is in order.
A solid once over to check for any shipping damage
Might want to open the hood check fluids and kick the tires too.
Don't pay for things that you don't want.
Don't worry about the dealers feelz. he/she/they/ them works for commision.

 

I paid in full before I even looked at it. They pulled it around and I drove off.
found a minor chip around the fuel door at first fill. coming up on 12k miles and no issues

 

Ask that they check transmission fluid level
Most PDI this is missed because factory doesn't leave enough time.

 

I just bought a new 2022 Tacoma and discovered the remote start did not work. Been 3 weeks since I got the vehicle and Toyota / Dealer still don’t know how to fix it.

 

Check to make sure it has oil man!

 

still irritates the hell out of me there's no trans fluid dipstick on these trucks

 

Yep , my 16&19 were low my 21 was good

 

Check the rear bumper. Lots of reports (at least on here, and mine was one of them) about the bumper and/or bed being misaligned.

But yea, test drive, obviously. I know you will be excited, but if something is not what you want, then don't sign anything! Test drive it and make sure. These dealers love this whole shortage thing because people get so excited they just come in on delivery day, sign paper work, and that's it. Never drove it, never looked it over. Be patient.

And watch out for that finance manager with their add on crap! You don't need it.

 

My '16 was low so I had them check my '19 before I picked it up. They said fluid level was good and put it on an invoice as well, but I still have my doubts...

 

Thanks for the great responses folks.

But this AT stuff - previously, I bought new a '91, before they were called Tacoma, an '01, and a '12. All 4cyl, all MT. This is my 1st AT, and I had no idea that there was no AT dipstick, but a process to check. Thanks for bringing this to my attention ndolldman59.
Would anybody else ask the dealer to check this before I sign for it?

 

yeah, no dipsticks have become the norm. Current transmissions are sealed and measure electronically. You would be hard pressed to find a vehicle that isn't that way these days. Car companies started doing this some 20 years ago. It's pretty prevalent now. I like dip sticks as well, but it's a sign of the times. gotta live with it if you go to a new vehicle. Not sure if the new fords or chevy's have no dipstick, but I would bet they don't. Nissan has no dipstick.

 

after you do all the inspections mentioned above. When you go into the F&I office to sighs the paperwork, read over everything and make sure that extras that you didn't order or want were tacked on. Ceramic coating, upholstery protection, Vin etching, ect

 

Send it!

 

The roof! I'll never buy a car again without a very thorough inspection of fit and finish. I bought a 2018 Ford Escape for my wife. It had roof rack rails from the factory. It was a weird deal but it was just tall enough that you couldn't see the very top. Everything checked out and I drove it home late in the afternoon. Next day, I gave it a wash and when I got up on it to dry it, it felt funny and then I realized....the fuckers didn't paint it at the factory! Shit's all done by automation and some dickweed sent it through the process like it was a Panorama Roof.....but it wasn't! The edges all the way around and up out of eyesight were beautiful leading me to think the rest was that way. I took my theory to the dealer and the body shop manager got on a ladder to take pictures and sure enough, I was right. The machine left nothing but overspray in the field of almost the entire roof as if there was a giant hole for a huge glass roof!

The dealer had to do a number 10 job of finish work to meet Ford Warranty expectations and they had it for almost a week. It came out okay, fortunately there were body lines up top just like our tacos have so blending was not necessary. Not related but that was the last Ford I will ever buy after 40 years of relationships now broken. I got great money for it back in July and used it to buy my first Toyota, our new Taco. So, yeah....check the roof!

 

Depending where you have to go once your at the dealer, i just looked over my truck well making sure everything that i wanted was there or not dinged. I then drove it home. Heck you have a warranty if you notice any odd quirks, or issues. Just make an appointment with the nearest toyota dealer in your area. I learned long ago never to buy a brand vehicle that hasn't a nearby dealer you could go to.