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New Truck Purchase Advice

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Designated Hitter, Nov 17, 2011.

  1. Nov 17, 2011 at 8:52 PM
    #1
    Designated Hitter

    Designated Hitter [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Daniel
    Orange County, California
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    Hi all, first post here but I've been lurking for awhile now. I've read the similar threads on here, but I want to throw my specific situation out there and see what kind of feedback I can get. I apologize for the length of the post.
    I've been wanting to get a new tacoma for awhile, but only recently became serious about it. I am only interested in buying a 2011 sport double cab short bed 4x4 in silver streak mica. This is the truck for me. I've checked out the 2012's and can't get past the new front end (although the inside is nice).
    My mom has a contact through work who happens to be a part-owner of a toyota dealership near me. He told his fleet manager about me (told him to give me a deal as far as I know) and put us in contact. I have been talking to this guy all week. Here's where we're at: He said invoice is 29,704. Said he would sell it to me 200 over invoice, minus the recent college grad rebate of 1,000. That leaves me at 28,904 before TTL. So out-the-door I'm lookin at close to 32,000.
    Now, I've gone on all the internet buying sites (edmunds,truecar, etc.) and feel I should be able to get a lower price. I had another dealer offer the same price. Told this guy I don't feel I am getting a deal from the co-owner when another dealership is offering the same. Additionally, I am trying to get across the point that this is a 2011, and I could be paying that price for a 2012.
    The response is the same: there are only a few of these specific trucks left.
    This is my first new car purchase and I am very excited but also want to get a good deal. Any thoughts, comments, or advice is much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Nov 17, 2011 at 8:55 PM
    #2
    T A C O M A

    T A C O M A Well-Known Member

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    dont bite the bullet too early
     
  3. Nov 17, 2011 at 8:59 PM
    #3
    eagle5521

    eagle5521 Member

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    Louisiana
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    Personally I'd go back and tell them I'd want it for 28,904 out the door. When they claim they can't start for the door. They'll start haggling.
     
  4. Nov 17, 2011 at 9:01 PM
    #4
    SoutheastTaco

    SoutheastTaco Resident Jackass

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    steven
    columbia sc
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    09 trd sport dc 4x4
    rear spring tsb, 255/75/17 bfg muds
    Two years ago I paid 25,700 for my 2009 DC sport 4wd.... I think u can do better
     
  5. Nov 17, 2011 at 9:04 PM
    #5
    Banff2007Tacoma

    Banff2007Tacoma Well-Known Member

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    Dave
    Alberta
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    2007 Tacoma Black Sand Pearl TRD Offroad.
    GPS Navigation System, Old Man Emu complete lift with Dakar springs. Light Racing UCA's. BFG AT tires, KMC Enduro rims, Allpro E-locker guard. ARB Portable Air Compressor CKMP12. Backflip Tonneau Cover. Wet Okole seat covers.
    This is what I did and I got a really good deal. Send a fax to all dealerships in your area or the area you are willing to travel to with the specs of your truck. At the bottom ask them what the best deal is they can give you on the truck you want

    Some will not budge that much but some who are not meeting a certain quota may want your business. There is always that one guys who just wants to make a sale. Since you are coming up to the end of the month you have a better chance as well.

    When they return the fax with the best price they can give you make sure they have signed it. That is very important as a few I dealt with would send me the price with no signature and once I got there they would say they made a mistake and it was to low. They just want to get you in there on their turf so to speak.

    This really worked for me. I also have a friend who was a dealer for some time and he also suggested if you really want a good deal go in on the last day of the month early in the morning because like I mentioned before there is always one guy who needs to make a sale to meet his quota or that one more sale for that bonus the dealership sometimes hands out to staff.

    The fax thing worked for me so give it a try. Good luck.


    Oh and welcome to TW.
     
  6. Nov 17, 2011 at 9:19 PM
    #6
    zul

    zul Professional Goofball

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    HAVE: Bed mat, Tailgate Lock, Color-matched Grille, Weathertech Floor Liners, Avid Step Rails, RokBlokz mud flaps WANT: Rear Plate Bumper, Steel bed cage
    I agree, hold out for a little better price. If they were quoting you that price on a 2012, i'd say take it. But for a 2011... no way.

    Dont let them know you only want a 2011. They will pull all sorts of "This is your last chance!!! They dont make them anymore!!!" BS on you.
     
  7. Nov 17, 2011 at 9:24 PM
    #7
    80s toysport

    80s toysport Well-Known Member

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    Sounds like the guy just wants to make a sale and not looking to hook you up. I would look around if he was going to sell it to me for that price. Its not bad but he aint the one making the payment you know. Look around before you buy. This is what i did. I looked at a few tacos and when i made my decision. I went in, told them what i was going to pay for there truck. What i have for a trade in and they know they got a deal on the trade in cause i owe less then market value(remember, when you owe less on the car then what its going for sale on the market. The dealer is going to make money out of the trade-in). They told me there little "ok let me talk to my manager BS". Came back and said yeah we could do that. You know your getting a great deal on the truck though. Im like uh huh, And you guys are going to make 5-6 grand on my tade in after you guys pay it off. Guy just chuckles and smiles at me. Remember, a lot of salesmans only think about themsleves. You gotta think the same way.
     
  8. Nov 17, 2011 at 10:26 PM
    #8
    ToyComa92

    ToyComa92 Write your love, Then your anger.

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    Conifer, Colorado
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    For real thats not a hook up, Thats a sale in his pocket. Tell him you want the 2011 for a better deal because sooner or later hes going to have to start clearing them off the lot for the 2012s anyways. So unless he wants to lose a deal and piss off a family friend, He should do ya 27 out the door. That seems fair.
     
  9. Nov 17, 2011 at 10:28 PM
    #9
    wileyC

    wileyC Well-Known Member

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    i'm a newbie too, going through the same process.. i will say, don't put all your eggs in that one basket... try a couple other dealers... my take on it is the "deal" is the price for the vehicle where they will make money, and you will save money and feel like you are getting a good price... they may say, "invoice is what we paid for it", ..but that's not taking into account "holdback" and other sources of revenue for them if they sell it... good luck :)
     
  10. Nov 18, 2011 at 4:23 AM
    #10
    UH60Hwkdrvr

    UH60Hwkdrvr Well-Known Member

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    Here is my advice; it worked for me...

    Do your research and know what your target price is based on that.

    I found a vehicle located near me and started the negotiating process via the internet contact feature found on most dealer websites. They still use their sales tactics to get you on the phone or drop by the dealer so they can work their magic, but I refused and continued the negotiations through email. The dealer got within $500 of my top price, but they wouldn't move, so I declined to buy their vehicle. (It is easy to walk away when you aren't trapped in the dealership!)

    This gave me a starting point for negotiating with the other dealers. I used the "Find a Dealer" function on Toyota's website and looked at everyone's inventory within 200 miles. I then contacted each one asking for their best price on the vehicle that I was interested in, and the ones who responded with reasonable offers were pitched the current offer I had from my local dealer on a similarly outfitted truck. Several dealers got close to my original local offer but only one was willing to move his inventory. A little email negotiating to arrive at my target price and the dealer agreed to my price then added delivery to seal the deal and it was done!! OTD had me $300 below my target and $800 below local offer. Then, and only then did I contact them via telephone to arrange payment and delivery. The great thing about this whole process is, I didn't have to step one foot in a dealership and subject myself to their high pressure sales tactics. No F&I high pressure sales pitch on extended warranty or paint sealant or fabric treatment etc...they brought the final paperwork to my home (along with the vehicle) and in 10 mins it was done! I highly recommend you give it a try!

    HTH

    m.a.c.
     
  11. Nov 18, 2011 at 4:44 AM
    #11
    DEEVON911

    DEEVON911 Semi-Pro

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    Bethel Park, PA. Burb of da Burgh.
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    TRD Cat-back Exhaust. Semi-Debadged. Trimmed down stock Antenna. Weathertech vent visors. TRD FJ Cruiser Center Cap Wheel Mod. 265/75/16 Firestone Destination A/T,s . Inverter tapped into for outlet in cab. Tacomaworld sticker which adds 5 hp.
    ^^ This, me and the wife sat in the dealership for about 6 hours going back and forth. I said to the guy we are just not happy with that price and got up and started walking out. At that point the manger stopped me and asked me what I wanted. I got what I wanted.

    I personally can't stand the new car process, but love the feeling of a new ride! Good luck. I hope you can get what you want for what you want to pay. And if or when you do, post some pics!
     
  12. Nov 18, 2011 at 5:53 AM
    #12
    IMXCITD

    IMXCITD Well-Known Member

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    yep....i think they are still high...it's the end of the year..holidays..etc. keep waiting until middle december while doing your research. start contacting other dealers via internet and also reseatch sam's or costco buying program. in a few weeks....you will be ready to purchase at the best price.
     
  13. Nov 18, 2011 at 5:54 AM
    #13
    PSJ

    PSJ Prerunners Work

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    If you have been to all the sites, you should know the invoice price of the truck in question. Do not pay more then 200 over invoice. But remember, you could get the same deal on a 2012. I bought my 09 in aug 08, 100 over invoice. The 2012 at the same price is a better value for you down the road since it is a current model. :cool:
     
  14. Nov 18, 2011 at 9:09 AM
    #14
    lawless

    lawless the rent is too damn high

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    there are $500 in dealer incentives in Washington right now and I've also been looking in CA and I don't believe there are incentives right now. The incentive cycles monthly so you may want to wait for December to roll around to see if CA gets on board with some incentives.

    i've been watching USAA/overstock like a fiend for the last 13 months. one of these days i'll get a friggen truck! if you don't like the haggle process like most folks, this is probably the best way to make sure you are getting a fair deal.

    Also, and I could be totally wrong on this, but I think the $1,000 grad rebate is credited after tax and not before. Someone who knows please feel free to chime in.
     
  15. Nov 18, 2011 at 8:02 PM
    #15
    Designated Hitter

    Designated Hitter [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Daniel
    Orange County, California
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    Thanks for the feedback everyone. Some good info being brought to my attention. A problem I am running into is that the dealer that is "giving me a deal b/c my mom knows the owner" does not have the truck on his lot. As a matter of fact, most of the dealers I am in contact with do not. It seems that there really are only a few of this exact model left around here. So while I try to lay down the price I am willing/wanting to pay, each one tells me that there are only a couple left in socal and don't want to transfer it to their lot unless I agree to pay their high price.

    I found 1 truck that fits the description at a dealer about an hour away and called the fleet manager directly and told him I would take the truck off his hands this weekend if he does it for 28,000 OTD. Guy basically laughed and said he would be losing 3,000 on it. Told him he has my number and to call me if he decides he is ready to sell it.

    So... I am willing to wait but feel they are going to keep playing the "last truck around" card.
     
  16. Nov 18, 2011 at 8:11 PM
    #16
    nut

    nut she'll ride

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    Totaled
    TRD SKEWP DCSB 4x4 Silver Mica | URD TCAI/MAF CAL | BHLM | GrillCraft | FF Sliders | LED's All Around | 12v Constant On | EGR In Channel | 15% Tint | Trimmed mud flaps | Fog Light Anytime Mod | Debadged | Tailgate Hoseclamp | DTRL Switch | Disabled Lock Beep/Seatbelt Chime | Husky Liners | HID's | BedRug | WO Seat Covers | ABS Kill Switch | Oil Catch Can | Viper 5704 | Custom Carbon Cabin Filter | Backup Camera Anytime | 400W Anytime | In Cab Outlet W/USB | Firestone Ride Rites | Ams Oil All Around | 32" LED In Lower Grill | BlackVue DR500GW-HD |
    i haggled for 2 months with 7 dealers before i bought my truck (12 dcsb trd sport 4x4 silver mica) and the lowest i got was $30,400 otd minus ttl (ttl in OK is only $1,100) so if you think you can get a 12 for less than that id honestly like to see a copy of the offer if you dont mind... as for that price you got with the 11, sounds like he priced a 2wd for ya.
     
  17. Nov 18, 2011 at 8:18 PM
    #17
    Designated Hitter

    Designated Hitter [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Damn, CA sux. Think taxes are gonna be in the 2500-3000 range. That seems like a great deal on a 2012. My whole argument is that this is a 2011 so why should I be paying the same price as a 2012.
     
  18. Nov 18, 2011 at 8:23 PM
    #18
    nut

    nut she'll ride

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    TRD SKEWP DCSB 4x4 Silver Mica | URD TCAI/MAF CAL | BHLM | GrillCraft | FF Sliders | LED's All Around | 12v Constant On | EGR In Channel | 15% Tint | Trimmed mud flaps | Fog Light Anytime Mod | Debadged | Tailgate Hoseclamp | DTRL Switch | Disabled Lock Beep/Seatbelt Chime | Husky Liners | HID's | BedRug | WO Seat Covers | ABS Kill Switch | Oil Catch Can | Viper 5704 | Custom Carbon Cabin Filter | Backup Camera Anytime | 400W Anytime | In Cab Outlet W/USB | Firestone Ride Rites | Ams Oil All Around | 32" LED In Lower Grill | BlackVue DR500GW-HD |
    agreed, you should never pay the same for a year older.. and your price is $2k lower than mine (id seriously make sure its not a 2wd he quoted you).. id go for the 12 either way, better resale, interior kicks ass, and you can say you have a truck from the future, well for another month and a half at least lol
     
  19. Nov 18, 2011 at 11:08 PM
    #19
    platinumb

    platinumb Well-Known Member

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    You shouldn't pay the same for an 11 as a 12 but remember the dealer already knows they are going to sell the car no matter what in many situations dealers are willing to lose a few dollars to sell of old inventory, he Tacoma is not that car there isn't a Toyota deAler around that is going to have to drop below cost to move 11 tacomas. I am not trying to convince you from a 2011 financially I think the 12 for close to the same price is a better decision because of not having an extra year of depreciation. You have to think about how much your time is worth too, it makes me laugh that some people will shop for a few months to save a few dollars on a truck. A lot of my spare time that could have been spent with my kids or making money is worth a hell of a lot more than a few grand to me. Sorry that was a little off topic just sayin you might save a few bucks on the 11 but as each year passes it will be worth a little less than a 12 so.... Just up to which one you want I dont think your gonna save more than a couple grand between years
     
  20. Nov 19, 2011 at 7:33 AM
    #20
    nut

    nut she'll ride

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    Totaled
    TRD SKEWP DCSB 4x4 Silver Mica | URD TCAI/MAF CAL | BHLM | GrillCraft | FF Sliders | LED's All Around | 12v Constant On | EGR In Channel | 15% Tint | Trimmed mud flaps | Fog Light Anytime Mod | Debadged | Tailgate Hoseclamp | DTRL Switch | Disabled Lock Beep/Seatbelt Chime | Husky Liners | HID's | BedRug | WO Seat Covers | ABS Kill Switch | Oil Catch Can | Viper 5704 | Custom Carbon Cabin Filter | Backup Camera Anytime | 400W Anytime | In Cab Outlet W/USB | Firestone Ride Rites | Ams Oil All Around | 32" LED In Lower Grill | BlackVue DR500GW-HD |
    I'm single and use the telephone and email. I've also learned ALOT that I can apply to a next purchase. It was worth it IMO.... but to each their own right :cheers:
     

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