Frustrated with car market

The good new is you should be able to easily sell all the parts you bought for a truck you don’t own. Lots of stuff is backordered for months on end. You might even be able to squeeze out a small profit.

 

At the time the parts were no big deal and I can sell them. The 4cyl turbo might be a problem when inching along on a trail miles from anybody and it can't be cooled down from little air flow. When I say overlanding, it's not pulling into a state park and pitching a tent. I want to get out and see this country that very few people get to see and witness. I want a new truck and it might be the last I buy. I'm retired but still young enough to enjoy it.

 

The majority of what I bought was Black Friday and tax time sales with little to no shipping charges. I appreciate the advice everybody is giving. I know the dealers in my area and going out of my zone seems like fishing on the moon.

 

Keep an eye on the for sale boards here…I’ve seen more than a few very reasonably priced 3rd Gens for sale recently on TW. Like within the last 2 weeks.

It sounds like you are dead set on a new taco but if you simply can’t find a new Tacoma then used might be better than no truck at all.

 

Are you will to travel a bit? I mean I would fly somewhere and drive it back if it was what I wanted at a good price. If you are buying brand new, then that takes away risk of buying junk. Also have you actually called dealerships or are you just trying to find something on a lot? My current Tacoma was listed on my dealers site with a stock photo back in late June 2021. I called and asked when it was coming in and what I had to do to buy it. They told me 1 month and come in and put $500 down. I left work and brought them a check. They called 4 days later and it was ready for pickup. So just because it is not physically on the lot does not mean they can't get one quickly. My dealer currently lists an Army Green OR and Barcelona Red OR for MSRP (or close to)-barely over 40k.

I heard just the opposite-that used car prices dropped a bit this month over last and inventories are very slowly starting to come in. May depend on the region and demand.

 

Been checking dealerships every week. Flame about the parts, I could care less. If I bought a truck tomorrow, it would be fully built the next week without spending months or years to aquire. Not going to give up, just tired of the search.

 

When it’s a new truck with a warranty, who cares who the dealer is (or the salesperson for that matter)? Figure out how far you’re willing to drive, or fly, depending on whether this is a trade in situation. Set appropriate geographical search boundaries based on that using the main national vehicle search engines. Find the truck you want, call ahead, get the out the door price. Secure your loan. Pay a deposit over the phone if needed.

 

Buy used from a state where the Tacoma does not sell as fast.
https://myfox8.com/news/toyota-tacoma-the-hottest-used-car-on-the-market-in-nc/

 

I would actually look at new vs used right now. Used prices are insane. Why would you want to pay close to MSRP for a used 2 year old vehicle with 30-40k on it for just about what you can get a brand new truck for right now. As long as your not in an area where the dealer is jacking them up another 5k. I get your frustration. But I’m this market if you want it, you gotta pay for it.

I just bought a new house. Paid 76k over asking which is insane in my eyes. Only reason I did it was because of a new baby on the way and we didn’t have the room. Market was very limited and everything is going for insane amounts. Infact we weren’t even the highest offer. Just laid out the best terms. It’s everything is crazy right now between supply issue, and inflation. Probably ain’t going away any time soon either.

 

No trade-in so that opens up to how far I'm willing to travel. Never went out of state to buy a car and looking in a different region just has me worried. Hate to find one far from home and(drive or fly) and once there they wont honor the deal they make over the phone.

 

That’s why you make a contract with a security deposit before you go.

 

Thanks MonsterOFrankenstein for the Carmax site. They got the exact tacoma I'm looking for. No addons to take off either. It seems to come from California. Do I need to worry about any special emissions or does it matter? Do not know if it was bought there or not, but it does have a Cali tag on it.

 

I would think that if it passes emissions testing in California, it will pass in Alabama.

 

It will probably have an electric radiator fan which will be able to run full speed in hot weather while the vehicle is crawling on a trail.
And the 4 cylinder turbo will have much better low rpm torque than the old 3.5 V6.

You won't miss the V6 power band, but over many years and miles it might not be quite as reliable or long lived as the V6.

 

Dont limit yourself to the 3rd gens. The 2nd gens are plentiful around my area. The 3.5L is a POS anyway compared to the 4.0L.

 

Truck is located in NC. I see a trip there is not to bad. Make a vacation out of it.

 

I have been looking at 12 passenger vans just out of curiosity, and markups on those are also $10k to $15k. Mercedes Sprinter 4x4 diesel was peaking my interest but not at these prices. I can wait it out. Maybe I should install a 4th row on my Sequoia

 

Where in NC?

 

What state are you in?

 

CEO of Intel says shortages will continue to at least 2024. So yes, the wacko market and supply chain issues are here to stay for a while