build a 2024 at dealers and then order

Stop in my local Toyota dealers here in Mass. they were supposed to have a 2024 Sport in Dec
Now they said end of Jan,2024. I asked about sitting down and building a 2024 OFF ROAD and they said they do not do that anymore. But they would try and find one in the system that match what I wanted...

 

That’s how Toyota has done it since…forever?

 

You cannot custom order a Toyota. They tell you what you are getting and you will like it.

 

Yea. That’s how it’s always been.

 

yeah, when I purchased my 2023 model I was shocked I basically couldn't build to spec, especially considering what I was paying (my first ever new vehicle at the age of 60)

 

I guess I got lucky idk...I "ordered" my 3rd gen and got exactly what I wanted and didnt have to pay for any add ons etc.. I had to wait an extra month or so for the allocation.

 

The Toyota sales system sucks. It’s designed to maximize profit, not buyer happiness.

 

I did decline dealer add-ons which were pointless - it was the factory packages that I couldn't customise - "these are what we have on order, including colors, you can only choose from these"

 

Yea I didn't get anything extra from the dealer or factory. Hopefully I can get the same deal this time

 

yeah, Devildog, I love that dirty water, and all of your dealerships are within my 500 mile search range as I stalk my '24. Talked to one or two of them about how they run their allocation process. give them your number and tell them to call you when they get your TRIM / COLOR combo in to see if you want it. thats how i'm doing it. some aren't asking for money, but some of them are. :/ meh. I'm watching too many dealerships to play that game.

 

I ordered my 2017 and picked every spec. I watched it be built from Mexico to delivery. I thought that was normal.

 

That is the way I bought my 2016 off road in Oct 2015, pick it up in Jan 2016

 

I guess this is just another example of the good old days! My truck has horrible MPG but I love it and hope to drive it for another decade at least!

 

What mpg are you getting? Are you tracking it with an application?

 

I have slightly oversized tires on an otherwise stock truck and live in a very hilly area which Tacomas don’t like. I average about 16mpg. I don’t use an app, just calculate it regularly.

 

Your mpg isn’t terrible.

 

I mean, compared to modern vehicles it is. For a Tacoma it’s fine.

 

Also chiming in FYI - in 2013 at the time looking for my next, stopped in with dealer looking for a manual. None in, closest was ~250 miles away that they could transport (drive up....) Said no thanks, I can wait. They then looked in the build at the factory, changed an upcoming AT to a MT on the spot for me, as it was early enough. Everything else was my match. Sit down to delivery was 4 weeks, not a 'custom' order but customized version of something already set to be delivered to my dealer.

So to say that Toyota never built to request in the past is not completely true. Maybe not to the other manufacturer's levels, but still. The current situation of buying your version Taco has moved into disappointing.

 

I spoke with a local dealer that had an OR with what I wanted. It also had roof rack, bed step, and running boards. I asked if those could be removed from the build. They said no, so I said I would pass. They just called me and said the accessories are no longer being added and asked if I'm interested.

I'm starting to think these dealers aren't being 100% honest with us customers...

 

I think it depends on how far into the production process it is for them to be removed. I know on Ford custom orders before COVID you could change 2 options and still get it built (couldn't be like a Supercrew to a Supercab, had to be like add 20" wheels or remove adaptive CC). Now I think they've changed how they do that, but it's been a while.

If it drops the price quite a bit I would jump on it, assuming they are being fair for selling price.