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About to buy a Tacoma, but I have a few questions...

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by BigCanOfTuna, Jun 18, 2018.

  1. Jun 18, 2018 at 10:02 AM
    #1
    BigCanOfTuna

    BigCanOfTuna [OP] Member

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    I'm seriously considering buying my first Tacoma and I've got a few questions.

    Since this will be a new purchase, I'm wondering about:
    * Is 3M paint protection film something worth purchasing? I almost certainly wouldn't get it from the dealer
    * What about undercoat protection. I've seen a few threads with people concerned about rust. I do live in the snow for more than half the year, and my city does use salt on the roads.
    * What do people think about extended warranties that I will no doubt be offered. I've heard Toyota/Tacoma's are reliable.

    I'm looking at a 2018 TRD Off-Road, automatic, likely pay cash, and I'm likely to keep it for 10 or more years. It's unlikely that I'll do any mods (though it seems most around here would dispute my assertion). Anything else I should consider when going through the purchase process?

    Thanks for the help! I look forward joining the community.
     
  2. Jun 18, 2018 at 10:08 AM
    #2
    Captqc

    Captqc Well-Known Member

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    Welcome to the forum. I don't have the 3M film or undercoating but seeing how you have snow and salt I would look into some kind of undercoating. I did go ahead and get the extended warranty because of all the electronics on newer vehicles.
     
  3. Jun 18, 2018 at 10:11 AM
    #3
    JoeCOVA

    JoeCOVA Well-Known Member

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    Welcome!

    3M - personal opinion is no. Spend that money on nice tint to protect the interior from UV
    Undercoat - Rust was an issue on the 2nd gens but most were 7-10 years old before having real issues and as far as I know Toyota replaced most frames. 3rd gen likely wont have the same issue and if it does it will be 10 years from now. Most use Fluid film. I just wash my truck.
    Warranty - If you arent modding I think they are great. I modded but hav the 7year/100k bumper to bumper warranty. No regrets.
     
    2016Tacoman likes this.
  4. Jun 18, 2018 at 10:15 AM
    #4
    Sterling_vH111

    Sterling_vH111 Go do something real instead.

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    I’d 3m film the nose of the truck, mine definitely had chips on the front of the hood/grill/bumper. But really it’s not bad at all for a 7yr old truck.
    As said above, I’d do ceramic tint before paint protection film.

    As you live in a snow/salt area, I’d spray some undercoat on, and maybe re apply a time or two throughout the year. I can’t reccomemnd brands or too much else as I’m in SoCal.
    Also rinse off the underside of the truck often during salt months.

    With the extended warranties and/or service packages, I’d get them if you can comfortable afford them. It’d really be more peace of mind for me.
    If you plan to get service done by the dealer, they will be cheaper in the long run.

    Toyota’s are extremely reliable, granted the new generation has had some bugs to work out, but all new vehicles do. There are “special” cases, but overall, I expect these trucks to last just as well as the previous generations and Toyota trucks/suvs
     
  5. Jun 18, 2018 at 10:17 AM
    #5
    CBRDude

    CBRDude Well-Known Member

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    The clear bra you can do aftermarket and get better results and more done for what Toyota charges you.

    Undercoating! Total waste of money! It's never applied correctly. They clog up water escape holes, ect.

    You can buy the warranty anytime up to the 3 years or 36K. If the truck proves to be problematic, then why would you keep it? If you plan to keep it beyond the 3/36 then buy the warranty when the other stuff expires. Remember the 3/36 is the bumper to bumper and the engine/drivetrain goes even further at no cost to you. You also have to maintain the truck and show proof you did so.
     
    BSFord likes this.
  6. Jun 18, 2018 at 10:52 AM
    #6
    GR8APE

    GR8APE Well-Known Member

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    I can't really comment on the 3m film or the undercoating but as far as the extended warranty I would say no. I would suggest though that you please test drive more than once. Request to drive without the distraction of the salesman, look at everything on the truck, underneath , the paint ect. I read too many complaints on here about peoples Tacomas that tell me they didn't do much homework before they spent out a bunch of cash. I don't have a lot of add-ons (mods) on my OR and I love it just the way it is. TEST DRIVE.
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2018
    hiPSI and melikeymy beer like this.
  7. Jun 18, 2018 at 11:11 AM
    #7
    N2DesignsInc

    N2DesignsInc --------------------------- N2 Designs, Inc. Vendor

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    You’ve already contradicted yourself with “no mods” lol...it starts subtly like this and proceeds to more :D
     
    BigCanOfTuna[OP] likes this.
  8. Jun 18, 2018 at 11:22 AM
    #8
    necrodiety

    necrodiety Well-Known Member

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    3M Paint protection: Overall, nah. You can get better aftermarket stuff.
    undercoat protection: If you are in an area with lots of salt on the roads, maybe but again, you can get better doing it yourself or at another shop.
    warranty: Depends. You have up until the factory warrant to extend it but you cannot once it's expired so be sure to plan accordingly. If you are in the SE Toyota area, keep in mind that they do not sell the official warranty. You'd have to use other means to get the real Toyota one.

    Personally, I am buying the warranty because this new engine worries me a little.
     
  9. Jun 18, 2018 at 11:31 AM
    #9
    swissrallyman

    swissrallyman Well-Known Member

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    I live in an are with lots of salt and would have paid extra to NOT have the undercoating. The way it is applied, at least by my dealer is absolutely nonsensical, covering maybe 1/4 of the frame, tons of overspray, and the material itself comes off with a pressure washer. Extra warranty yes. The 3M application is usually outsourced and not done by Toyota and you can get it done much cheaper.
     
    JJ Customs likes this.
  10. Jun 18, 2018 at 11:33 AM
    #10
    Bushed

    Bushed Well-Known Member

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    I went with eXpel myself. It was a better product at the time, but I think 3M has caught up. I'd avoid one of those rigid undercoatings. They have a tendency to crack and trap moisture and salt or beet juice, whatever they use on the roads in your area. Either treat it yourself or have a shop do it annually. I have my truck treated with Krown every spring. Gives it a chance to creep and migrate into all the nooks and crannies before fall when they start dumping salt on the roads again in these parts. Only cost $149, I don't get myself or my driveway all messy, and I can drink their coffee and watch them through the shop window while they do it. Just don't park in your garage for a week to 10 days. It drips for quite a while after it's treated .
     
  11. Jun 18, 2018 at 11:37 AM
    #11
    StayinStock

    StayinStock Set it and forget it

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    Like someone else metioned, I would wait on the warranty. You have plenty of time to decide. The rest, I have no idea.
     
  12. Jun 18, 2018 at 11:42 AM
    #12
    crappie man

    crappie man Well-Known Member

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    this on warranty and i too have no idea on the rest.
     
  13. Jun 18, 2018 at 11:47 AM
    #13
    JJ Customs

    JJ Customs Supreme Leader!

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    Whatever you do DO NOT have the dealer apply undercoating! They coated my dads 05 Tundra a few years back I I would like to take a bath in the blood of the so called tech that did it. Over-spray everywhere, the stuff it always sticky and gets on everything when you have to work on it. Took me four hours to replace the rear shocks and I had to end up cutting everything off and oh yeah, the shit is also flammable! Keep the frame clean and use some fluid film before the winter and wash and reapply annually.
     
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  14. Jun 18, 2018 at 12:19 PM
    #14
    BigCanOfTuna

    BigCanOfTuna [OP] Member

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    Thanks for all the feedback. Reading through this forum is one of the reasons I like the Tacoma community. If I'm being honest though, comments like "I am buying the warranty because this new engine worries me a little" and some other threads about discussing transmission concerns, worry me a little. It seems these concerns are around the 2016/2017 model. I wonder if they've been adequately addressed in 2018, and if we've had enough time to determine the severity of any issues for this latest year?
     
  15. Jun 18, 2018 at 12:52 PM
    #15
    rickm

    rickm Well-Known Member

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    One thing on the extended warranty, if you plan on owning your truck longer than 3 years you can negotiate a deal on it now. I doubt later on this would be possible and you'll pay full price. Remember that the Toyota extended warranty is pro-rated, if you trade it in you'll get back whats left.

    To much going on with newer vehicles these days to own one out of warranty.:spending:
     
  16. Jun 18, 2018 at 1:07 PM
    #16
    shakerhood

    shakerhood Well-Known Member

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    If you are planning on keeping it 10 years I would go with the toyota platinum extended warranty and not a 3rd Party. You will probably be able to negotiate a better deal on it at time of the truck purchase rather than waiting till later. If you have not already, I would get an extended or overnight test drive to make sure you like it.
     
  17. Jun 18, 2018 at 1:08 PM
    #17
    mackb

    mackb Well-Known Member

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    This is true about the warranty but right now, 0-100 miles, is when it will be the cheapest. At 30k miles it will be about 20% higher cost. Here is an example on a 120 month 100k wrap. That means this warranty will extend the factory bumper to bumper to 2028 or 100k miles.
    Base Cost $825.00
    Surcharges
    NationSafe Drivers (46547-244-AB) $0.00
    Options
    Total Cost (excl. taxes) $825.00
    Base Markup $1,000.00
    F&I Markup $0.00
    Retail $1,825.00

    Notice the mark up. These are actual numbers on a 2018 trd or double cab with 6 miles that I pulled the V.I.N. from the internet on. That mark up is your negotiation window. With dealer incentives and the factory discount of 1k the mark up in the warranty may be all the money they are making. Notice I said "may be". There is a pay out from Toyota for how many Tacoma's the dealer sells in a given month or quarter...

    I would offer them 1390 for the warranty and they should say yes to that.
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2018
  18. Jun 18, 2018 at 1:12 PM
    #18
    mackb

    mackb Well-Known Member

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    A great person once told me that you can tell how reliable a vehicle is by how much an extended warranty costs for it. This is a very low cost warranty.
     
  19. Jun 18, 2018 at 1:13 PM
    #19
    melikeymy beer

    melikeymy beer Hold my beer and watch this

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    My understanding is that this "new engine" has been used in Lexus for years. The only real complaints about the engine I have seen are regarding acceleration and torque. You should easily be able to decide if those are issues for you by thoroughly test driving before purchasing. The 17/18 have the same transmission and engine as the 16 so...
     
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  20. Jun 18, 2018 at 1:14 PM
    #20
    cruxx

    cruxx Well-Known Member

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    My opinion, 3m is really good. Spend 30k and not protect it? Same goes with the under carriage. The trick is to get as little as possible from the dealership cuz they are a ripoff and after market is usually cheaper. At dealership, it would cost like $2000 to do their package. I found a guy on kijiji who cam to my house, did everything that toyota offered and other custom pieces( all along the rocker panels, headlights, foglights) more or less every spot i thought i needed it, for $800. (CAD prices). As for under carriage, i just bought a bunch of cans of fluid film for $40, and do it once a year
    The extended warranty is up to you. Most of us mod our trucks so it supposedly voids the warranty. Depending on what warranty and how long/costs, you may never need or use it. I got the truck i wanted without added options at all. Even if they say its free, it usually isnt
     

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