FYI Toyotas has removed it's online Build & Price Feature

I noticed recently that Toyota's site kicked me to another site (buyatoyota.com I think?) that was clearly a site run by the regional dealers in my area based on my zip code). All that site offered was contact local dealers and list (not even search) local inventories.

Went back to Toyota.com and tried some other zips and this time stayed on Toyota.com but still no list of packages or individual options with pricing. Just an 'invitation' to contact a local dealer.

I contacted Toyota and complained about their removal of this online feature. I pointed out to them that their competitors still offered very detailed build and price functionality online. And I also noted that third party buying websites seem to have authoritative information on Toyotas trim, package and option lists with MSRP pricing.

This was in part the response I received:

 

Was poking around the other day and found the same thing. Frustrating.

 

Been like that for the last couple years...very annoying...

 

Works just fine for me?

I went to "toyota.com", then clicked over to "Select Vehicle > Tacoma", then scroll all the way to the bottom, select whichever configuration you want, then click "Build."

Matt

 

If you live in an area served by Gulf States Toyota, then what you can buy is determined by Gulf States and not by Toyota.

Likewise, here in California, there are engine/trans/options combinations that are not available because of CARB compliance testing.

 

Similar happened when I have been tring to sort out a Prius for the wife.

Really would like a Prius Plug In, SE Toyota does not get them.

On a recent trip to California, I went by a dealer and got info and brochures on the Prius.

My local dealer is constantly calling wanting to buy have her trade in her 2010 Corrolla. I have always requested they see about getting the Prius. They never call back.

So the other day, with California brochures in hand, I went in and asked in person. The sales management team was full of constant lies about the plug in. I was willing to let them somehow get the car. After the final BS lie from the sales manager, I read the brochure to him, showing him the truth and walked out.

For a dealrship that is now seeing constant management and personel changes, plus pushing hard to sell cars, they certainly are lazy and arogant to the people that keep them employed.

PK

 

Royal Palm Beach Toyota?

 

What lies are they feeding you? They may not be lying. The car isn't available at all in the Southeast region. Oh how I wish it was. We don't have any clear info on when it will become available. We also cannot trade with a dealer outside of our region (FL,GA,AL,NC,SC). Your only hope would be to buy it somewhere that has it if you want it now.

 

learning to click the right buttons....


http://www.toyota.com/configurator/#!/series/tacoma/cab/Double Cab

 

Looks good, but when I put in my zip all it shows is base models and prerunners, no where does it say build a taco.

 

You're in So Cal - in Okla you are prompted for zip code, and then redirected to gulfstates, which doesn't allow a build - just gives the option to look at dealer inventory.

 

I've had both happen to me here in the four corners. Sometimes it's worked, sometimes it's redirected me. Now that I have the truck, I'm trying to figure out how to really build my own...

 

That is the standard response. I got the same one word for word. I used a Missouri zip code and the build worked fine. I was really really pissed when I went to build my 2013. I almost bought a Chevy instead. I refused to buy a Tacoma with the Gulf States BS like vehicle shield. Some sales people agreed but some tried to sell it to me.

 

I bought my Taco with ZERO package add ons.

 

I'd like to know WHO decided what WE are most likely to buy.

 

Yes.

Even though they are a mile from home, I may start dealing with Stewart Toyota for my stuff or just mail order.

PK

 

The lies were not about getting the Prius Plug In, but about the car itself.

#1, you must have a special charger installed at your house and it costs $1600, wrong, the car comes with a charging cable. You can install a charging station for faster charging. A normal overnight charge would fill the batteries.

#2, was about the mileage, why in the world somone would talk mileage numbers when I am holding in hand the Toyota brochure that explains their published mileage is crazy.

#3, the sales manager says he owns a Prius, tellls me that a Prius Plug In is not able to regenerate the batteries while driving.

#4, for a car they know very little about, he states the plug in costs $16000 more than a regular Prius.

#5 in a nasty way, explains, exploits my intelegence about how the extra money for a Plug In will never be recouped so there is no reason to own one. (it's our money to spend if that's what we want is my thought).

FWIW, the wife has a 2010 Corrolla S. The car was bought new, has had Wet Okolie seat covers since new and WeatherTech floor mats and trunk mat since new also. Never hit, no door dings, all white exterior. Nice little car for her to drive 1 mile to work and home each day, plus run errands around as needed. The only reason to move to the Prius is for added space. We need a better MPG vehicle that will fit the tandem bicycle inside for events that require traveling. Our current toy hauler is a 99 Ford E 150 van set up to haul MX bikes and our bicycles. Fun and nice for trips but not so good on gas.

The idea of the Plug In for us, would be that she could drive to work and back all week on one charge. I'm sure the car would engage the gasoline engine a few times during the week also.

The biggest pisser about how the arrogant sales manager compared the Prius to the Corrolla, is that this guy didn't realize he was actually comparing the Plug In to a 99 E 150 Van for each trip we take. So to tell me I would never regain my money is crazy. We would break even in a very short time with a regular Prius and slightly longer with a Plug In.

We have to take a run North this weekend for a few hours, I plan to bring the brochures and visit the other dealer.

Kind of stinks for Royal Palm Toyota since the last time we bought from them was the end of December 2009, the wife signed for her Corrolla S, a Corrolla S for our Daughter and my DCLB TRD Sport Prerunner.

PK

 

This may seem stupid or dumb, but Toyota Corporate needs to step up. This BS about you can only get what is available in your region is not smart.

We have a poll for Diesel engine trucks, so apparently there is a need. I am looking to buy a Prius Plug in, other want certain packages or vehicles.

Sell the customer what they want and are willing to buy. Of course it costs more and involves more work, but they are getting paid for it.

This entire concept is like buying a home in a housing development that offers homes from a certain builder. These are the homes you can buy at this location and none others. Like the house, if you can afford it, go to another dealer outside the area. It's what we must do, but really should not need to.

PK

 

#1 I wouldn't really fault the dealer if they haven't had any training on the car since it isn't available in their area. But then again a quick Google search would lead them in the right direction really quick. The charging station is a 220 vs a standard 110 outlet, correct?

#3 I would have given the guy a deer in the headlights look and walked out. I mean really, they should know how their vehicles work before being able to sell them

Have you checked out the chevy volt? I don't know much about it but a guy I used to work with bought one before he left and he really liked it. And he drove the I95 corridor in DC on the mornings he didn't take the train in to work.

 

Part of the solution is to get rid of the distributors in the south. Gulf States served its purpose when Toyota needed distributors but not sure what the current need is. A good example of their control is availability of TRD OR in Dalllas area and the vehicle shield package. I searched the I inventory for months for a white OR. All I found were sports or Texas Editions and everything on lots has vehicle shield. Toyota CS told me to just order what I wanted.