Feedback for upcoming purchase decisions

I have joined the forum to get some feedback about purchasing a Toyota Tacoma. I have been shopping for a gently used V6 automatic with either Sport or TRD off road package. I recently came upon a brand new 2011 leftover of a TX package which is more cost effective than the gently used models I've been test driving.

The vehicle is located at a dealership which is relatively close to the Atlantic Ocean. I've been told I should really weigh this out before pursuing the vehicle further. I thought all new vehicles were treated to prevent corrosion and also that they come with some type new vehicle warranty.

Wanted to bounce this off existing Tacoma owners who probably are in the best position to offer good feedback.

Thank you, and my apologies, if this is posted in the incorrect area.

 

Look at the vehicles frame before you buy it. If it's a new vehicle, the frame shouldn't have any rust on it, if it does, get the dealership to recoat it before you buy it. As far as I'm aware, there aren't any additional coatings that Toyota puts on their frames that's location specific. I believe they all get the same frame coating from the factory, anything else would be a dealer added option.

 

Thanks great advice! From the pictures on the website I cannot see anything but perhaps they would be kind enough to send me photos of the underside. Much appreciated.

 

Welcome,

I have 2011 and live on the coast also no there is no addtional coatings on the frame etc there are aftermarket ones. The one I had done is the one we use in Maine on everything Cars,Trucks, Skidders etc etc http://www.fluid-film.com/ check it out.

No I don't rep for them just know we have been using it on stuff for as long as I can remember.

Cypher

 

Thanks for this information. I did have the dealer send me undercarriage photos which don't "detect" any type corrosion whatsover. Obviously, seeing the vehicle in person is the ideal scenario, just wanted to do some homework before driving 200 + miles only to have it not be a good candidate whatsoever. I think it could be a terrific opportunity to get alot for less money.

 

Sounds like it get them to put it on a lift and shoot some pics and engine bay pics look for high water marks :{ recall the rain we had last year alot of vehicles down here in DE drowned but in fresh water so they "recovered" them ....

Cypher

 

I live on the West Coast and work all the time on EC so rust is a very real problem. When I bought my slightly used Taco I brought a small flashlight with me, a rag in the back pocket and wore a tshirt I didn't mind getting dirty in. I actually went under the truck as best I could and took a good look around, wiped anything suspicious, etc. I am sure the seller wasn't ready for that but it was good as gold under there and under the hood (despite the dirt and grime). I made a checklist from reading up on the forums and articles on blogs of everything that seemed to be a potential problem and took my time. The guy let me test drive it without him and he even panicked when I took 30 min to really give it a run through (he started calling my cell and texting me asking where I was lol). Don't forget to go all the way around, bottom to top, front to rear. Check the glass, bumpers, vin numbers, every panel, every jam, turn each switch, get out and look at the lights and blinkers, look for the options that are supposed to be on the model and check everything off on your list. I actually found a few things that I used to negotiate the price down with the private seller (tire wear <bring a gauge>, tiny chip in the window, bumper scratches, pressure dent, older battery, only 1 key, etc). All of these things are going to cost YOU money either right off the bat or just down the road. Tell the person you are buying it from, go over the list, and tell them the costs you will endure. Then pound the fk out of them, you know they want to sell it and you know they're sick of dkhead buyers like you (me)...pound away.

Do yourself a favor and do the due diligence to protect your purchase and don't be afraid to walk away (I walked away from several other trucks because of one thing or another). I swear, I beat this seller down 3k to under NADA poor trade, but he still made out better than the dealers low-ball offers and I got a sick ass truck I love.

 

I'm unionized and my union offers United Buying Service and True Car for both new and used cars. I printed the UBS price off the web and used that as a bargaining chip, even though the dealer I went to wasn't the one recommended to me through the union.

If you have a mechanic or a friend who can play a mechanic, bring them. I've found this really intimidates sellers. Two is better than one and helps apply the pressure. Of course, I'm a woman and don't look intimidating when buying a car. I get shown A LOT of vanity mirrors and cup holders.

I totally and completely agree with Rad, don't be afraid to walk away. Steel yourself. Sellers and dealers can smell a sucker a mile away. I'll add one caveat: If you feel like you're getting a bad deal or something doesn't feel right to you- WALK AWAY. Which may sound like dumb advice but when you're standing there, drooling on the car and the salesman is pressuring you, it's a lot harder to sort your feelings and emotions out. To quote Obi Wan Kenobi- "Trust your instincts".

 

I have walked away from a "deal" a few times now. : ) With this particular vehicle, it is brand new, a 2011 "leftover" (TRD TX model). Only miles on it are those accumulated thru test drives. Only concern is the "elements" from being in Boston MA area, within 5 miles from the bay/s. I have received "mixed" opinions about the longterm could be with the vehicle based on that. Many have said it should be of no consequence since A) the dealerships wash the cars down regularly B) It isn't right on the waterfront On the flip side the other comments have been "run as hard and as fast as you can" LOL But with a brand new vehicle being 2K less than what most dealers are offering the TRD Sport or Off Road for I cannot help but find this one very appealing.

 

Hmmm.. and I am wondering why the vehicle is listed for so much less. Other than the fact that they just want it off the lot or there's something that we're not accounting for, like tax or title or some special thing they're going to add on at the last moment. This is what happened when I went to buy my Tacoma and I walked out. They tacked on $2,000 worth of extra charges.

Not to hurt your feelings, but I find it a stretch to think that most car dealers wash all their cars regularly. Having just bought mine, I was told "we'll clean the car up for you before you drive it off the lot", which tells me that the cars aren't washed or cleaned with any regularity. Or, much less likely, they were just being nice. Also, I am assuming they're just giving the truck a perfunctory wash and not going all out until the truck is sold- or even when the truck is sold.

Like you, I would be concerned about the over all, long term value of the truck. You could save $2000 up front and then be in for thousands if the salt and grime from the bay has already settled on the truck.

Is there anyway to know when it came to the dealership? On my sticker, I know that my truck came in through NJ and was shipped down to Baltimore. I'm not sure if it says the date it came through the port, but it would be worth it to check.

My other concern would be if it sat through a Boston winter on the lot. I would think that that, too, would be tough on a truck that's just sitting there, not being used or driven with any regularity. What about road salt? Humidity?

 

I live about 20 minutes from Boston and have my whole life. I can tell you that this past winter was the mildest winter I have ever seen in the Boston area. I'm pretty sure it really "snowed" like twice (with once being at the end of October) and was in the 40s and 50s all winter so if it did sit all winter then it was the best Boston winter to sit through.

 

Here in South Jersey the largest dealerships have a person who washes all the vehicles on the lot regularly especially the "display" ones. But, can't disagree this is more the exception than the norm. From what I can tell, the TRD TX model, although well-equipped, (and a sweet ride IMO) is a bit pricey, and not all that popular. There is a 2011 model for sale in Pocomoke MD which isn't selling but the dealership wouldn't come down on it at all. LOL The color to me is less desirable so I don't really pursue further.

I am not so much worried about the Boston winter as I am the vehicle sitting in a lot for about a year and that lot is located a couple miles or so away from the bay. While the photos look great as you mentioned the long term is my great concern. Were the vehicle about 100 miles closer (and an easier commute than the 95 corridor heading north LOL) I'd definitely go do a drive by.

Spoke to a local auto body shop owner, who is well-regarded in the industry, and he said many new vehicles sit on dock parking lots directly by the water, waiting to clear customs or other such hurdles for many months. He feels this really isn't that big a deal...for me when speaking of spending 27K it is a huge deal. : )

 

Pocomoke MD is about 100 miles from where I live and that's right on the Chesapeake Bay so you're not getting anything different there! And I completely understand the 95 commute north- did that last year and wouldn't recommend it. Not that the 95 commute south is any better to Pocomoke- Baltimore and Washington traffic, not to mention crossing the Bay Bridge in summer- not fun.

If it makes you feel any better, I wanted the Double Cab, V6, 6speed without the TRD package. I went to a dealership here and was told there weren't any Tacomas (double cab or access cab) without that package on the East Coast. They gave me the run around on the SR5 package that I wanted and tried to goad me into buying the TRD truck (at $32,000 WAY over budget). So, I went to my local dealership and, lo and behold, they DID have an SR5, manual, 4x4, access cab Tacoma.

I also agree with you- it sitting there on the water would be a big deal to me as well. Like, say, $27000 worth of big deal. If it is 27K, that's sounds like a hell of a good deal to me. My truck was 26k (2012) when all was said and done. I think the Tacomas in general are pricey, especially when considering what you get (or don't get) with them. However, there's nothing else out there that even comes close in terms of performance, quality, or longevity.

 

For me, the internet has been a game changer in shopping for a vehicle this time around! What I want (in a perfect world) is a gently used 2010 or 2011 with a TRD Sport or Off Road package; V6 4x4 automatic. CarFax is also a wonderful tool which affords me a window into the history, too! I am thinking of the TX is still for sale when I have a four day weekend next month I may trek up to Boston to take a look. If it isn't well it wasn't meant to be. IN the meantime, still searching every day, for that elusive TACO just waiting for me to bring it home : )

 

Anyone own a black TACO? Never owned a black vehicle before. Found a 2009 V6 4x4 SR5 automatic with very low miles. It is black...folks are telling me I'll regret purchasing a black vehicle. Thoughts?

 

I had a black Honda Element before my Tacoma. Didn't regret the black but then again I wasn't too picky about how clean the outside was all the time.

 

I'm pretty anal so maybe this is why they are telling me. LOL But I love the look of the truck! In a perfect world I'd love the Speedway blue but those are few and far between used. Silver readily available but either too high mileage or too high price. Figuring I may just suck it up! : )