2.7 SR Automatic 4x4

Don't get me wrong I love the manual trans but traffic congestion (if that's a consideration) is kinda spoiling the fun as a dd. So, imo if you're planning 10+ years driving in traffic and can ignore the Fred Astaire transmission doing the two step under the floorboard, you're good. Good luck whatever you choose! Edit: and post pics!

 

That's kind of where I'm at. I put 20-30k on my truck each year, and that's a lot of clutch throws. If it wasn't a daily driver I'd be a lot more open to it.

Thanks again for the input.

 

Bingo

 

2 more weeks will mark 1 year with my truck, and I might be over 40k miles by then. 0 regrets with the manual here. It's not new for me either, haven't owned an automatic in 19 years.

 

Auto vs manual is really all about how you intend to use the truck and preference. I had a Mustang with a moderate clutch and sat in bumper to bumper traffic for almost two hours, I was pissed that I had a manual.

I've only driven the 3.5 in stick so I can't really comment on the 2.7 clutch but the clutch was super soft compared to what I am used to.

If lived in a rural area and don't expect much traffic, manual for sure with the 4cyl.

 

op get the auto its not horrible , I have the 17 utility 4x4 2.7 automatic I do 100 miles a day no problems I do use the ect button in the mountains up here in upper north jersey and p.a. I now have 255 85 16s and honestly It still does great , couldn't be happier by the way , my 1st Tacoma a 96 2.7 automatic 4x4 extra cab went over 300k and honestly really abused it in the end , and just kept going even with stock gearing and 33s forever , GET IT O.P.

 

Completely agree. This is the only reason I got the 2017 vs waiting for a 2018. Nothing but more technology, that has been sub-contracted out to the lowest bidder (given the truck price isn't expected to go up much), meaning it will inevitably break down. Montana uses salt on the roads right? No idea if it's a concern, but may be worth considering how well the componentry will hold up to corrosion.

(BTW.. I don't have mine yet.. suppose to arrive soon, otherwise I'd comment more on how well the auto does. My reason for the auto was simply that I've been driving manuals for 30+ years and finally wanted to be able to not feel knee pain in stop and go traffic.)

 

Really? Where in NY are you? Dealer I bought from did a dealer trade to get my 5spd from Harrisburg PA, and I paid under MSRP (not by much). This was end of last august, for a 2017.

 

A couple more questions-

1- Does anyone know roughly how much more I'd pay by ordering the truck I want compared to waiting for it to show up on a lot? Due to our tax situation I'm limited to the half dozen or so lots in Montana that only have 0-2 SR's in stock at any given time.

2- I can find Red 2017 SR's for sale online, but I can not build one on the site. Is this a regional thing? One of the Montana lots does have a red SR with convenience package in manual.

 

Well, get your ass over there and make a deal if you don't mind the manual trans

 

I have read many members say good things about this thread:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/so-you-want-to-buy-a-tacoma.475482/#post-14408075

I had already purchased my truck before joining TW, so I didn't need to read it, but since you are in the market, maybe a worthwhile read.

 

Sorry, this got lengthy.. but trying to help you look at all your options.

Your first question: normally, you won't pay anything more when you do a factory order. (Dealers get hold backs in this situation.) The flip side of that, is the dealer may want to move something on their lot, and make excuses for not ordering from the factory. Smaller dealers tend to do that. So, this really depends on the dealer. Next problem: you'll have to find a truck that has been already made and in Toyota Corporate's inventory. They would have stopped the production line by now for 2017, focusing on 2018.

First option: you may have already ruled this out, as you said something about your tax situation.. but I'll throw it out there just in case. Don't buy directly from your Montana dealer. Sounds like they don't carry alot. Typically, the smaller dealers aren't as eager to turn cars over, as the volume incentives just aren't there. Check the inventory of larger dealers in a 500 mile radius, or even more. As we're getting close to end of year, they'll be more eager to move the truck in order to make their quota, and to deplete aging inventory. And lets face it, the 4 cyl isn't as popular, so when they get someone interested, they'll bite. You may not be able to negotiate as much off using this method, but guarantee they will eat the freight costs to ship it to you.

Next option is similar to above, and really stems on how your local dealer is. If they're decent, they'll look into doing it as a dealer transfer for you. The key here, is you'll have to do the leg work to find one. You want to make it easy for both dealers. If they have no time and effort involved, and its a easy money for them, its more likely to happen. So, find the truck you want on line first (don't call your local dealer asking them to find you one.) Once you have it, go in person to your local dealer. Don't be a dick. Give them the back ground story, tell them you won't do a 2018 cuz of the safety crap, so your only option is 2017. Ask them if they play nicely with other dealers, as you found the one that you want. Give them the vin or stock #, and ask if they'll consider a dealer transfer. Point is here.. make it so its easy, they'd be stupid to refuse. (Note: there are stupid dealers out there..lol)

Your in a decent position to try this, given the time of year, and that the other dealer may be dying to move the 4 cyl. If he's had no action on the truck, he'll be motivated. And the local dealer benefits from easy money. Again, you may not get much off MSRP, but you'll have a 2017.

Next option: if the saftey sense stuff doesn't concern you, and you can wait, then just order a 2018 through your local dealer, get excactly what you want, and call it a day.

Next option: you commented about them having a manual in stock. I'll say one thing to that.. if you REALLY want an automatic, then think twice. The likely hood of you trading it in 2-3 years down the road is high. And if that happens, you've completely defeated your whole mission of paying under MSRP right now! Infact, you may as well pay over MSRP now, get the truck you want, vs the kick in the groin you'll take in depreciation when you trade or sell. Furthermore, you'll be back to the exact same spot you are right now looking for a new truck, with an auto...just poorer! If you settle for the purpose of saving money, it normally ends up costing you so much more in the long run.

Hope that helps, as I'm out of options.. aside from buying a used one. Even 2nd gen.

 

Thank you! Very helpful. I'll have to stop in and talk to them about the price of ordering one.

The tax situation in Montana is that we don't pay sales tax. I have a hard time imagining an out of state dealer being able to save me enough to warrant paying their state's tax. I could be wrong though.

I'm not crazy about the dealership in my town, but the one the next town over seems to be a lot better. Our dealership slaps a coreheater on every rig on the lot and charges 300 bucks for it. That drives me nuts.

I'm not dead set against a 2018, especially if it means the utility packages will now get cruise control, which it seems they will.

I'm definitely getting an auto also. My question in the initial post wasn't so much 5 speed tacoma vs automatic tacoma as it was automatic tacoma vs keeping my current truck.

I would love to buy a used tacoma also, but the market here has made it really ridiculous to do so. There's no way I would pay a price like this for a 5 year old truck when I could get a new one for 1-2k more-

https://www.lithiatoyotamissoula.co...soula-mt-9f1dbc760a0e0aea33de59820a209b69.htm

 

Randy, I think that you pay sales tax when you register your vehicle.
If you purchase out of state, you will not pay sales tax to that state.
You could probably investigate dealers outside your state, fwiw.

 

That makes sense.

I sold my 05 tacoma to a guy from Washington who said he was only buying in Montana due to not paying sales tax, but that really doesn't add up. Not sure what he was up to.

I'll look into it, that opens up a bunch of options if so.

Edit: looked into it, and you're right. Thanks for pointing it out.

 

A couple of thoughts on the tax issue. I live in Montana, and yes, the lack of sales tax is a good thing. When I bought my TRD OR in June and subsequently registered it, the tab for plates was $275, so a lot less than sales tax in another state, plus you'd still have to register. Or am I missing something?

When I bought my Challenger a couple of years ago I bought it in Idaho, and they have sales tax there. But because my residence was in MT, and I was planning to register it here, I didn't have to pay the Idaho sales tax. They gave me an OTD price, I paid it, no tax, then drove it home and licensed it here for around $300. Again, much less than sales tax.

Edit: I have heard that if you buy a vehicle in MT and then register it in another state with a sales tax, they stick you for it on registration. I'm not sure about that, but it makes sense. Render to Caeser the things that are Caesar's.....

 

Montanas steep registration kind of makes up for the sales tax. I used to live in pa, sales tax on a car, but registration was $36.

 

In PA, it is $19 for a motorcycle, $37 for a car and trucks are based on weight class. Currently, Class 1 is $62, Class 2 is $86, Class 3 is $164.
http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Public/DVSPubsForms/BMV/BMV Forms/MV-70S.pdf
Also, title with a Lein is $78 vrs clear title at $53.

 

Long Island, but I called most of the NYS dealerships, then again this was in May '16.