4th Gen Tacoma (2024+)

Are you currently in the market for one? Because I’ve found quite a few basics in your neck of the woods I can send your way if you’d like

 

I figured it would be no less than two years before an unsold G4 was sitting in a dealer lot.

 

I don't know, Toyota should have held firm on the pricing. There are no 2024 Colorados or Rangers anywhere.

 

I wonder how many 2024s have been distributed at this point.

 

One of the reasons is the tax dollars typically don’t stay in the state for out-of-state buyers. If sales taxes on new vehicles nationwide were the same rate, and the taxes stayed in the state of the sale, then it would be better for buyers shopping across state lines.

 

Why would a dealer care about where tax money goes?

 

I had a general manager at a Chevy dealer across state lines refuse to sell me a C8 Corvette. This is after two previous new Corvette purchases from him. He told me it had to do with the tax revenue leaving the state.

I guess the governor or someone was hassling him. I don’t know, but I don’t think he was making it up.

I’ve had dealers in other states tell me they won’t sell to out of state buyers. I didn’t ask why.

 

Yeah that’s kinda the response I got something with the department of revenue.

 

I don’t think Toyota controls final pricing. The dealers do. AFIK, dealers could sell new vehicles for $1.00 if they wanted to.

 

I think it’s more dealers want to sell to somebody that’ll bring the car to them for service, as that is what actually makes dealers money.

 

Maybe. But I rarely take a vehicle to a Toyota service center manned with commissioned service “advisors”. What a scam that is.

 

A dealerships worst nightmare is an out of state cash buyer with no trade-in.
I found a TRD Pro 4Runner for $2,000 off MSRP in Terra that I liked, inquired and they hit my Tacoma at $35,500 so I said I would take the trade out of it. They responded with only way to sell it was to trade the truck. In my state we don't have a sales tax break on the trade value so it doesn't make sense to trade since I'm confident someone here would pay at least $38,000 for my truck (Premium, MT, LED's, nicely loaded with under 20k miles).

Now I'm content since rates are high, 2.49% on my current truck is hard to beat in this crappy market.

 

At least 1630 based off ground status as of Tuesday.

 

It doesn't make sense, from the dealer's perspective, to already be marking down.

 

I agree, but when you have the latest and greatest hit the lot and sit for 2 weeks unsold then you have to do something.

 

I would attribute it to:

1. The masses don't know it's even available yet. The hardcore fanboys who track it daily are a tiny fraction of one percent of the market.
2. first-year-of-a-new-Gen hesitancy
3. price
4. uncertain economy
5. the average American being out of money after blowing his load on Clorox wipes and that $175,000 deck with the outdoor kitchen that's literally 12 paces away from his other kitchen that he built during Covid.

 

My guess is by now Gen4’s are flying off the lots like Stanley’s at a Target, but befitting the new character of this Tacoma, I did have a few practical ideas that might boost Toyota’s margins even further.

1. $499.00 sticker package applied at the port that make all your blank buttons appear functional.

2. Standard power seat adjustment, but only activated through an over-the-air Toyota subscription; 12.99/mo or very wallet-friendly $2.99 per adjustment.

3. A additional special appliqué that protects your spray-on bed-liner from getting scuffed, as it protects your composite bed from getting scuffed.

 

You jest. However, Tesla has already created a successful blueprint. Streamline the build process with minimum variants per model. Features (like rear heated seats, full self driving, UI app suit) are enabled via a subscription. Additionally, GM is following suit by cutting out the middle man (Android Auto & Apple Carplay) for their entertainment console.

 

It's a $3700 adder for the Grand Highlander which I think it your closest comparison. It's an interesting option but they will build too few and hence screw you over too much for it. Too bad... but that's the modern Toyota for you.

 

Yes, it’s still a relatively new frontier for car companies but creates revenue streams that didn’t even exist before, so I’m sure it will only grow.

My remote connect and destination assistance subscriptions just expired. I didn’t even notice when they dropped off, so I passed on the 8.00/mo renewal fees (each). But if the cost to Toyota is negligible, and they can potentially add 2mil subscribers per year, I can see why they proactively pursue more subscriptions despite being so provocative with owners.