Newbie buying guide

Hello everybody!

I'm not only new to Toyota Tacoma, but also to the trucks in general and above all that - I'm new to the United States

I recently moved here (Orlando, FL) from Europe, and I'm in the market for my first car in US.

My first choice was Toyota Tacoma, and since I'm not frequent car-changer (I drive them from the day they are born to the day they are dead) I thought the best option would be a new one.

My needs are really modest: daily home-job-home commuting, weekend family picnics, bringing home small loads of building material from Home Depot for small home projects and repairs... and such things.

Besides double cab, I think there isn't anything else above basic functionality I need (except air conditioning and radio I really don't need anything else: I would prefer manual window operation over electric window any time, if you know what I mean .

I've tried to figure out from official Toyota web site what can I get; found the 2014 Toyota Tacoma brochure (http://www.toyota.com/content/ebrochure/2014/tacoma_ebrochure.pdf) and then contacted few car dealers and eventually get confused at the end.

First, I wanted 2.7 I4 drive with manual transmission. Found some dealers that list such Tacomas, double cab models on their internet sites. The above mentioned Toyota brochure says that double cab are not made with manual transmission.
Who is right?

I went to some dealers and I always and up talking to 3-4-5 employees who all tell me different stories?!
First guy, when I asked if there were any manual transmission Tacomas available, said to me: "Not at the moment, because they are so wanted that we sell immediately all what we get", but he'll send another guy to talk to me to see what they can do for me.
"Another guy" comes and says to me that they usually don't have any manual transmission Tacomas because nobody wants them, especially in Florida, it would be really hard to get one, you would have to wait some time, and it would cost you additional money, bla, bla, bla...

Since they didn't have 2.7L either (manual or automatic) at the moment, third guy comes and says that 2.7L are not so good, "that car drives as it wants to drive, not as you want it to drive" , and it's way better to go with 4.0 V6 because it drives better, hold it's resale value better, drive will last longer, bla, bla, bla...

When I inquired if there's any model of Tacoma that comes striped of all those optional packages I don't need they send me another guy who started talking about Toyota's advantages over other manufacturers, some Zen-car philosophy and some things I didn't even understood in what way are they related to cars at all .
When I finally got a chance to interrupt him and told him that they told me that he'll tell me about those "optional" packages I don't need, he said "Oh, sorry, I'll send you another guy".
The "another guy" comes and starts talking about different purchasing options and begins calculating credit rates...

After almost two and a half hours I run out of time and eventually left the stage

Well, needles to say - I'm a little bit confused with all this experience.
I was hopping I don't need to become a car expert if I only want to buy a car, and that I can get reliable info in the car shop. But apparently, all what they want is to sell you what they currently have in stock, and are not particularly interested in assisting you in meeting your real needs.
I understand that, but I don't understand why it is so hard to provide customers with decent info about products you sell and the options for ordering models you want. Especially if I said to them that I'm not in a hurry, and that I would gladly wait 2-3-4... weeks for them to get me what I want?

Also, one of those five guys mentioned that those 'basic' models (without additional optional packages) are mostly sold to companies that use those trucks for business, but he didn't tell me if it is possible for regular people to get one of those.

So, I was hopping that somebody here can help me with at least some of my questions:

1. Are there any 'basic' versions of double cab Tacoma that are not preloaded with "optional" packages (why are they called "optional" if you can't get a car without them?)?

2. Considering Florida as a drive-ground and it's lack of any serious downhills and uphills - would 2.7L I4 drive suffice my moderate needs? Will the 2.7L drive last as long as 4.0 V6 or not? (I suppose I want be driving more then 15K miles a year).

3. Is there any way to order Tacoma 'directly' from the factory (or through the dealer) configured the way exactly you want it? (i.e. the dealer I visited only had some PreRunner models on stock with really big and wide tires for off-road adventures - I don't need that, I just want 'normal' tires for city driving ...)

4. I've heard Tacomas have some problems with rusting. I know that can be a problem in some colder states where they have lot of salt on the road during winter seasons. Fortunately, we don't have much snow in Florida, but we have frequent rain showers and the car will be frequently wet.
How do they cope with that rusting issues here in Florida? Are the 2014 models any better than previous years models in that respect?

5. While checking this forum, I've noticed countless upgrades, mods and repair availabilities for Tacomas. Since I'm one of those DIY guys that suites me perfectly, and just wanted to ask if that's some Tacoma's specialty or the trucks of other manufacturers are also 'DIY friendly' at that scale?

Thank you, and sorry for such a long post written in my non-US english
All the best!

 

Cheers!

That was 1 hell of a long intro.

You may want to look into an auto broker, you can always try another dealership or online to order what you want.

You want an sr5 but they are pretty well equipped, i personally would recommend v6 if your going double cab but to each his own just drive both before you buy. Dont be afraid to find used what your looking for and drive it the difference from 2012-14 models will be minor at least you will experience the different engines. As far as longevity of engine that is fully debatable. As for rust, i live in the high desert so snow, and sun ive heard coastal air has the same effect as salt on icy roads, but wash your undercarriage and you should be good.

When talking about modding and DIY you came to the wrong place, you have found the best looking, driving, performing capable mfg on the planet! Toyotas are AWESOME and this site will make you happy, broke, sad, and happy all over again, with all of the tips, tricks, ideas, insight and personality that any euro could ever ask for!!

Welcome to the US and welcome to TW, your new addiction!!!!

 

Thank you all for your kind welcome!

I've googled a little bit and found a web site where you can actually tailor the car to your own preferences and get immediate offers from various dealers.

I've just submitted my inquire and started receiving calls from dealers

We'll see how it goes from here...