First time Tacoma buyer

Ive made the decision to buy a Tacoma. I’m 30 years old and I’ve always wanted a Taco. I’ve seen all three generations come through and finally I’m in a financial position where I can make it happen. After doing lots of research, watching countless YouTube videos, and reading many posts on this forum I know the exact truck I want (still debating about paint color) TRD Off Road DC MT SB with the Tech package (from what I understand with the MT you can’t get the JBL sound system and wireless charger etc but you can still have the moon roof and gps). My question to everyone that bought a taco recently that wants exactly the truck that they want with all the features(I know the manual transmission is more rare) did you have to order this truck or have it shipped from another dealer and if so, did it cost more or is this truck I’m looking for not as uncommon as I think? Just looking for an opinion before I try the dealer. Appreciate your advice

 

I had to order mine cause Manual with Premium and Tech Package is pretty rare, you do get the wireless charger but not JBL

 

I found exactly what I wanted at the dealer but I was patient. I drove through the lot on my way home once or twice a week until it was sitting there waiting for me to buy.

That said MT is not as common

 

Doesn’t seem to be to rare. Build one on Toyota’s website and locate it using the dealers near you option. Most dealers can transfer a vehicle from other Toyota dealers, I believe my buddy had to pay another delivery fee.

 

Dan, check out this web site

https://www.cargurus.com/

It will help you check dealer inventory with the options you want. Welcome to TW.

 

I kinda did the same thing lol.. My truck was part of the 1st or 2nd shipment of 3rd gens they received at my dealership.

 

More rare in some places than others. MTs are extremely rare in the gulf states. I'm too impatient to order, so I found what I was looking for about 600 miles away.

 

Spend the time looking and hoping for the truck you want or spend your time waiting for your truck to be built, what's easier for you?

Price would depend on the dealership, if they have a lot of inventory they might give you a better deal on what's on the lot instead of giving you a deal on an order.

 

Here's my story:

The exact truck I wanted (inferno DC OR with P&T package) was in a dealer's pipeline to be delivered within 3 months. They gave me a good price on it (not MSRP, if that's what you're asking) and I was all set to put a deposit on it. This particular dealer was about an hour and a half drive from my house.

I then went to a local dealer, and after telling me that they also can get the exact truck I wanted (either through ordering it or reassigning the delivery), they matched the other dealer's price (including all fees), and I bought it through them. They actually redirected the exact truck on route to the other dealership. they traded a tacoma with the other dealership, so in essence the still got one tacoma off their lot.

So, to answer your question, I don't think you have to pay more to have it shipped or ordered.

 

They ripped him off then if he had to pay an additional delivery fee. My truck was allocated for another dealer and all they did was trade allocations. Still waited over a month for the final build.

 

Thanks for your help and advice everyone. Very helpful! Can’t wait to go to the dealership after the new year

 

Might be best to go before the new year since they might offer better discounts since the quarter is about to end.

 

you should consider buying through Costco... I've heard nothing but good things.

 

I'm also looking into buying a Tacoma, but I want a 2018 TRD Pro. I was looking at Costco, but unfortunately that model doesn't have prearranged pricing yet. I'll try the Truecar thing first. Interestingly, there are no Costcos around my area (Northern Alabama) that have Toyota dealers they work with. Not sure why. So I'd go through my hometown Costco (Miami) if they had it available though.

 

I have the truck you seek and I did have to "order" it. It's a pretty rare configuration or so it seems. Manuals by themselves are rare but a "loaded" manual is even more so. Honestly I don't think Toyota spec's any allocations this way but that's just a guess. I have never seen a 6MT with the premium package just sitting on a lot and everyone here who seems to have one says they had to "order" it.

Either way what you need to do is find a 7545 allocation that has yet to be built and request it be built the way you want. Find a high volume dealership near you and ask if they have any 7545 allocations in the pipeline. They should. Then ask if you can get it built the way you want. In my case the allocation was spec'd out all wrong. I had them remove a number of things and add the prem&tech package. They had to request my changes and they got back to me the next day saying Toyota accepted the changes. $500 deposit and 1 month later I went to pick up the truck exactly as I ordered. Of course they will try to make you pay a premium because it's custom but don't fall for that. It's same as any other truck for them.

 

I'm in northern alabama as well and would highly recommend getting out of South East Toyota. I went to Tennessee to get mine and saved thousands.

 

Thanks, I'll definitely look into the dealerships in TN. I don't mind driving to get a good deal.