2013 Spruce Mica, coming soon

Due to some sooner-than-desired engine trouble with my '05 Escape this week, I found myself making a decision on another truck. Sparing you some of the full story, I went to the dealer today and put down $500 to order a 2013 DCLB Prerunner TRD Sport in Spruce Mica. (man that's a lot to type...)

There's currently only 2 in the SE Toyota system that fit that description, one available 10/8 and the other available 10/30. My dealer says the location of the 10/8 truck does NOT willingly give up their stock, so I guess I'm gonna be waiting on the 10/30 truck. Of course, they said there's a small chance that one may get taken, too, but they'll try to get it held for me. (I clearly have no idea how this whole process works...)

They tried to talk me into switching to another color or a DCSB, but I was firm on my decision. The sales guy knows I'm willing to wait, since I first talked with him several months ago, but I had to remind him of that.

The 10/30 truck has the options I want and none of what I don't want. But, one of the options is the Toyoguard Elite for $699. link Seems kinda pricey and I wonder if I really need it. Some of what's included in that are things I already have with my AAA membership and I think I even have it with my USAA auto insurance (towing, roadside assistance, rental car assistance). Then, there's the Exterior Paint Sealant and the Interior Fabric Treatment. Dumb question, but are those 2 things vital? This dealer offers the 2-year dealie for normal factory service, so the oil changes are not even gonna be used. If you've paid for this option, give me your thoughts.

Lastly, the negotiations. Honestly, I'm not a negotiator, so I don't even know where to begin. When I first joined TW and expressed my future plans for a Taco, I got all kinds of grand internet advice about how to go in there and lay down the law, but much of that advice just doesn't do me much good, since it's not in my nature to be that way. I'm just the easy customer who pays full price for everything, I guess. LOL I make good money at what I do, and I'm comfortable with paying for something that I want. If I'm overpaying by $1,000 or so for a vehicle, then it is what it is, in my mind. On the other hand, if there is some low conflict way to save that $1,000 or so, I'll go for it. Do I just have to ask for a better price, and then threaten to leave if I don't get it? It's that kinda thing just isn't in my nature. I can't fake being a "dick" about it, if that makes sense.

I like to type...sorry.

 

Don't get any of that extra crap.

They'll also try to talk you into an extended warranty. Don't get that, either.

It's not the salesman you need to watch out for.

It's the finance dude.

Jim

 

What is a Prerunner TRD Sport? I have a 2013 Spruce Mica TRD Sport 4 door. No problems ordering it at all. Please tell me they don't make a 2WD version of my 4WD TRD Sport.

 

They make a 2wd version of every trim level.


Your sport is no good for offroading anyways because of the scoop.

 

TRD Sport is just an options package. OR is offered just the same, for 4x4 and Prerunner trucks.

 

Why is that such a bad thing?

 

Spruce Mica FTW!!

 

Congrats on your new truck. It's definitely worth the wait for the color and options you want. I had to wait 2 months or something for my MG.

Ps. You HAVE to negotiate or they will screw you into the ground. Have a reasonable price you are willing to pay and stick to it. Don't fake like your walking out. Be ready to walk out if they can't come at least pretty close to what u want. I negotiated for 3 hours. It's not being a "dick", it's preventing the "dicks" from nailing you.

 

Congrats Eric!

 

Eric, I also have USAA insurance and i know they have a car buying service that will do all of the negotiating for you. I just bought a new 2012 last oct and didn't use it but only cause my friend that i brought to look at the trucks with ended up knowing the salesman but if i was you i would definetley look into it. I really think it would give you some leverage as well as someone on your side looking after your best intrest.....Best of luck and congrats!

 

I would of saved myself a ton of money and my time if I had it....

Items I have had to replace that could of been covered:
LCA Ball joints
LCA bushings
Tie rods
Every pulley
Starter
AC fan
Both front wheel bearings

and my current issues not covered because I don't have extended:
both rear axle bearings
blower motor
exhaust leak

to each his own, but if your going to beat your truck and your dealer isn't a prick and red flags your warranty for abuse you can make out.

luckily I have done all the replacements myself to this point (except the starter - had to work and had no time) otherwise that list would of been 2-4 thousand out of my pocket

 

I emailed my sales dude yesterday, to ask about dropping the Toyoguard Elite and adding a few add-on options at the port. I'm assuming the Toyoguard and any other options actually get added on at the port, and not at the factory. The sales dude asked me to remind him on Monday and he would check on it. As I mentioned above, I don't see the need to spend $699 on the Toyoguard Elite option when I'm already getting 2 years of regular maintenance. I asked about swapping for a black oval step tube, door sill protector, and the cargo net. That all adds up to about the same price as the Toyoguard Elite.

As far as the Exterior/Interior protectant, there's probably a better retail product I can apply on my own, huh? And recommendations on that part?

 

Yep..called wax..

 

A little FYI, if you have Gieco Insurance and purchase a new vehicle they provides a 7 year 75k mile bumper to bumper warranty at no cost; don't quote me but i think they offer a 100k bumper to bumper as well but it will cost yous like 10-15 extra bucks a month. This will save you a chunk of change if your considering the extended warranty. The sales manager laughed when i told him this and said he'd never heard of such a thing. He wasn't laughing when i showed it to him in writing. It shut him up real quick.

 

Did you end up getting the truck?

 

My 2012 is a SET truck

It has the Toyoguard elite for $699.00. and it is a complete rip off IMO.

however, you may be stuck with it even though it's added at the distributor. mine is on the window sticker and looks like part of the original factory order.

from SET mine also has:
-clear paint protection film in several places (not to be confused with the paint "protectant" that is part of the Toyoguard Elite), and it cost $199.00. This I actually like, but not so sure it's worth 200 bux.

-carpet mats for $299.00.

-legal window tint for $299.00. Another rip off IMO

That's 15hundredbux worth of added on crap.

 

The sales dude said it has been "tagged" for me, so I guess I did get it. Although I won't take possession until the end of this month. He said it would get delivered to the port, and he might go up there and bring it to the dealer a day or so early. I told him I'd rather get it with only 2 or 3 miles on it, instead of 25 miles. He laughed....

 

Yeah, the more I thought about that "Elite" stuff, I'm really hoping it's not already "installed". And, I'm very glad it doesn't already have window tint, except for the rear slider. (Don't think I had a choice on the slider) I'd much rather get my own "illegal" tint for less than $300.

 

Congrats on the new truck & good choice on the color. I love mine it's different I haven't seen another one in my area.

 

the rear window and the rear seat windows have tinted glass from the factory...works for me.

the SET tint is film...on two side windows...for 300bux = ripoff.