4th Gen Tacoma (2024+)

it’s been such a wild few years that I forgot all about this.

 

Drive one. Also, work on one. But honestly, who cares. You want a Nissan go to that forum.

And yes, I am a Toyota fanboy due to the fact of being a tech for 30 years and owning just about everything under the sun.

BTW- I really DO NOT like my 22 that much to be honest. Not a fan of the powertrain at all and picked the wrong color. But, the damn thing will go 300K no problem.

I'm almost 50 and waiting for the 4th gen to drop. Figure I grab that, retire in it, then sell it when I turn 80. This time I've gotta pick the right color lol.

 

I tried to drive one the day before I bought my Tacoma. The salesman made me go inside and had a 50-part questionaire that I had to supply an answer to each one before he'd let me test drive the Pro-4x that I drove there to look at. Needless to say I left about 7 questions in after he got an attitude with me. The sales manager that he called over when I was about to leave was even worse.

 

It's night and day. I didn't drive the brand new one, but I drove the previous version. Also, we've worked on a few in the shop. I'm all set.

 

What's the deal with that? I've never heard of that. Terrible.

 

That sounds like my experience with a Nissan dealer, when they wanted my ssn and all kind of other financials before giving me keys just to look inside it I left.

 

The question that really got me was about eighth on the list - it was "what type of features are you looking for on a vehicle?" To which I replied "The features that are on that truck I came here to buy" -- and he was like "look man, we have a process to follow here." I said "I'm not here to follow a process, I'm here to buy a truck that I did a lot of research on."

Anyway, long story short, the whole experience was probably going to be a hassle anyway because there was an additional maintenance package along with market adjustment on the window sticker, which was nearly $3995. When I got home to write a review, I read through some complaints, and there were people saying they had to leave before the dealership was willing to take of this maintenance package anyway. I feel like I totally dodged a bullet.

Super long story short, however - I've been researching the Tacoma for nearly a year now, waiting for my lease to expire on my Volvo...and I nearly made a spur of the moment decision when I found this Pro-4x on the lot...so I'm really glad that it worked out the way it did anyway.

That said - when I showed up to the Toyota dealer (a bit further away because it was hard to find the Tacoma I wanted) -- (first time there by the way) -- the salesman basically said "oh hey, I'm glad you're here, I have to run to the detail bay for a customer. I've already hid the keys under that folder on my desk in the corner, go ahead and grab them and I'll be out with a plate in a few." I knew I was at the right place.

 

Sometimes it turns out that way

 

Are you looking to date the salesman or buy the vehicle you want? All car dealers suck and buying cars sucks. For what it’s worth the two Toyotas I currently own were the worst dealer/buyer experience out of anything I’ve owned.

 

i know… but I rather deal with shifting issues than being stranded because my 4yo car decided it had enough.

 

Buying a NEW car was actually easier in the teeth of the pandemic (used, not so much). Just place your "order" and cut your check. The Rav4H we bought last year was easy-peasy. My '19 Tacoma...not quite.

 

Speaking of that, has the vehicle shortage issue subsided any?

 

It doesn’t seem like it. The International Auto Show in Boston was canceled this year due to lack of inventory.

 

You're definitely right...I think it was January of 2021...I purchased a 2021 Volvo XC40. I think I paid around 38k for it (it was the top of the line model with a sticker closer to 45k - but people were still getting good deals at that time). About 4 weeks later, all the pricing stuff started...and dealers were becoming aware of the lack of inventory (used cars, especially used cars that were really close to new were selling for nearly sticker...and sometimes over). I ended up selling that to a private party for just about the sticker price. Then I put the extra down on the xc60 (that my wife is currently driving). I still managed to get a good deal on it because the inventory problem didn't hit my local Volvo dealer until much later (I think they're just a low volume dealership - rightfully so).

I think twice from the time around Dec 2021 through probably Dec 2022 i stopped at two dealerships to inquire about a vehicle I was interested in (the wife's VW Tiguan totally became a pile of garbage at 60k miles - I mean road noise, using a quart of oil every 2-3 weeks, she even started smelling gas inside sometimes). I always planned to just ride out the "weirdness" going on with pricing...I was actually super surprised to get my Tacoma at $1500 under, especially because even before the pandemic, I know that my local two Toyota dealers never moved off of MSRP. I've always been aware of the whole "build your vehicle, cut a check" thing - but to me, that's never really been an option. I'm more of a put in the research, find your vehicle, go strike a deal, and drive it home that same day kind of shopper.

I'm used to driving past dealerships and there being a myriad of at least their "flagship" vehicle. I remember Toyota lots having 2-3 rows of Tacomas and even more Rav4's. Every color, every trim, etc. Of course I'm from a big city - and kind of live in the country now...so I'm not sure what the big cities look like now. But lots where I am are still pretty sparse. I mean you can get close to what you want, but not like you could back in the city anyway.

 

I bought an XSE RAV4 hybrid in December of 2020 and, 45k miles later, could probably still sell it for more than we paid.

 

I just don't get it. How have they not unf__ek the chip situation by now?

 

Try buying a raspberry pi. Whole websites have cropped up that track inventory.

 

I think the manufacturers like selling less but at higher profit margins.

 

Just checking out the thread here. Hope the subject gets back on track.

 

We don't like your kind.