Buying my first vehicle! Need advice...

I've been a member but never really posted much here. Just been browsin around looking mostly. I've been dreaming about gettin a Tacoma for a while now and I'm pretty sure the time has arrived! I'm aiming for this April and I'm hoping some of you can share some advice and help me pick the perfect Tacoma for me. I have some questions I hope you all can answer. Bear with me...

What I want:
09 Tacoma Sport short bed double cab

4x4 or 4x2?
I'll probably be going up to Lake Tahoe maybe 3-4 x's/year mostly during snow season. I don't really see myself riding any off road trails but who knows? Should I get a 4x4? Is 4x4 strictly for off roading cuz if it is, then I probably won't use it to its potential. Help me decide...

Parts/Accessories:
I'd like some side-steps, a rack up top, and possibly a few other things. Would it be cheaper to purchase the truck with the accessories or can I save money doing this afterwords?

JBL audio?
Now I've seen some posts here with people having problems with the system so the question is JBL or no JBL. Also, is the blue tooth a separate option or does this come with the JBL audio system? I guess i can look this up but help my out anyways! Thanks

Must haves:
What are some things you guys suggest is a must have for the Tacoma? Rear-wheel locking differential? Can someone expand on this?

Also, any advice on getting the lowest price on this thing? Anyways, thanks in advance!

 

If you live in an area where there's snow in the winter....get the 4x4.

I don't go offroad in my truck and our winters are lame - I bought the 4WD. Driving a 2WD truck (with light rear-end) sucks and just isn't as SAFE as having all 4 wheels driving/stopping/steering.

Don't worry about the accessories - focus on getting the exact truck you want and bargaining for a good price.

It's a lot cheaper to get accessories later. However - if you can strike up a deal with the dealership to *throw in* something for free...go-4-it.

You won't get the locking diff unless you get the TRD Offroad model truck. The locking diff is primiarly for offroad usage. Since you mentioned you want the TRD Sport, you can add a locker later if you want one.

Find atleast 3 dealerships in your area and get prices from each. Let them know you're shopping with 3 different dealers and have them compete for your business.

 

Welcome to TW! !!! I'm like Janster, I don't go off roading but with snow in the winter it's nice to know you have the 4x4! !! Also with the limited slip diff. it goes really good in 2x4! !!! Good Luck

 

I agree with both the comments. It doesn't snow here in Florida but hey your buying a TRUCK! Get the 4x4.

 

can someone explain the difference between "limited slip diffential" vs "locking differential?" can you explain when i would use them? thanks!

 

LSD's requires a slip to engage and has clutches.
Lockers = requires no clutches, metal teeth that mesh together to "lock".

 

as you can see we all love our tacomas, It snows here, so a four wheel drive is a must unless you want to be slipping around the streets if you ever end up in a snowy place. Plus the trd package just looks so much sweeter. Some add ons I'd recomend if they throw them in, and they will if your adament, side step bars, always short chicks jumping in, and maybe the tonneau cover. I went with teh skid plate, all this stuff is cheaper away from the dealership but like the man said if its thrown in then get it. if not its your call if you want to pay more and have it come off monthly or if you'd rather pay less in cash

 

I am sorta in the market for a Tacoma but I am leaning towards waiting for the 2010 version OR maybe 2009 around thanksgiving...

But I was looking at the SR5 vs TRD packages. I do not go off road. But From pics online I do like the looks of the TRD and the options, but then again is it worth it to me? Not really. SR5 package is what I was looking at. I've been to 5 dealers. None of them had a TRD on lot. All of them were the standard SR5 #2. I talked to one sales"person" and he told me that they haven't had a TRD package on the lot since xmas and do not expect anymore until May maybe. Weird. The other dealers had the same response. They won't be getting any TRD Tacoma models until early summer which sounds weird to me. 2010s will be coming out after summer no?

One sales kid told me they really are not selling many trucks or FJs so far this year. Said its been a terrible sales track since xmas and that he was worried he was going to be let go soon!?

For the fun of it I did start talking to one dealer about price. At first he played it like there is no way they can take anymore off the sticker price of 27,714. That it was a final price. After I said another dealership offered a much less price he said he wanted to see an email to prove it. I said sure (which I did not have) and I started to walk and then he said "Ok ok have a seat and let's talk this out..." He told me the best he could do was $1,500 off the sticker and that was it. I got up told him that's still not good enough and thanks for your time. He gave me his card and said if I could print out the email from the other dealer with their quote he would talk to his manager to see if they could get me a better quote or some freebes. So I left.

I actually am now realizing I want to wait until fall or so to buy my Tacoma. I'm leaning towards a 2010. hoping to get a good price at that time as well.

I'd send emails to a few dealers to get some quotes and play it that way first. then go in person. There are deals to be had in this terrible economy.

 

Check around. I have seen a lot of TRD versions listed as being on the dealer lots (southeast Mass). Just picked up a TRD Off-Road on Saturday for about 20% off MSRP (including rebate). Pick your price you want to pay and email that to all the local dealers. Tell them if they match that price, then you'll come into the showroom to talk more. I emailed my price and actually had a dealer come back with a price less than what I would have paid. You have all the control. And out of all the emails I sent and how the dealers were trying to match each other, none ever asked for proof of anothers price quote.

 

Get several dealers involved to get the best price. I had 5 dealerships fighting for my business. I was up front and let them know what the other was asking.

As far as accesories, the dealer really marks it up. Why spend and arm and a leg for steps (or touneau/roof rack/etc) from the dealer when you can get ones you really like for a fraction of the cost. PLUS!!!! MODDING AND ADDING THINGS AS YOU GO IS PART OF THE FUN!!!!

I don't have the JBL system, but do have the bluetooth. It was already installed in the truck and I didn't think I would use it. Boy was I wrong.
Whatever you do, take your time and have fun with it. GOOD LUCK!!!

 

I actually sell vehicles for a living. I do not sell Toyota's but it all works the same. There is no need to shop different dealers. They all pay the same thing for them from Toyota. Just find a high volume Toyota store near you. Just go there and find a truck like you want and leave. Do not go in work numbers or anything like that. Make sure you note the stock #. Go back home and send in an internet request on the truck. Make sure you have researched the rebates and then tell the dealer you will pay invoice minus the rebtes and make him show you the invoice when you get there. A high volume store will not have a problem doing this because they sell enough they can get away with it. What area are you in?

 

X1
This is exactly what I did, I notified four dealers in my area one month prior to shopping. At first they all wanted me to come in for a test drive. I drug them along for another three weeks and several days prior to buying I requested their best deal as I was buying within several days. They all came in with about the same cost. My son is an IT tech consultant for a Toyata dealer, I went in and talked with the fleet manager and they came in at about $1000. less than everyone else.
I also bought my truck on the 30th of December.

 

thanks everybody for all the advice. does anybody have information on changes being made for the 2010? also, i'll be purchasing the truck here in the bay area (CA). someone had mentioned having the bluetooth option without the jbl system. is that an option? i thought they came together only. any clarification? thanks again!

 

Wishin i had a 09'

 

I did the exact same thing that someone suggest here. E-mail the high volume dealerships for a price quote but make sure they have the vehicle in stock. Usually, the high volume dealership have their fleet managers deal with the internet sales. Make sure you get a manager and not a sales person! The high volume dealership can and will sell their stock at invoice and sometimes even lower. They might not make money on sales but they make it up on volume and they get incentives and bonuses through Toyota by doing this.

Also if you are a Costco member, their auto buying program is great because their contract with the dealer is for the dealer to show you the invoice and you pay a couple hundred over that.

www.carsdirect.com is another good way to shop because it shows the lowest price of the vehicle with all the available rebates and incentives.

I hope this helps! I got my truck the same way and I love it!