Going to look at and drive a 2020

I'm going to look at and drive a 2020 Tacoma TRD sport double cab with a 6' bed in the next couple of days. I need all the bed length I can get. Thinking of selling my current Tacoma (2003 double cab) and Duramax (rarely drive the Duramax anymore) and getting down to one truck.

Anybody have any suggestions on what to ask, look for, etc? I can't stand dealing with car dealers but don't really have a choice with this.

 

Take an extended test drive. Some people don't like how the tranny shifts, and it seems to drive them nuts.

 

Thanks for the reminder of this! I will try to drive it for a while, maybe find some hills, etc. It's not really hilly around where we live but we do like driving to the mountains from time to time to look around with the kids.

 

Are you getting an automatic? If so, be sure and drive around with the ECT button enabled. That makes city driving a little more fun and predictable. Doesn't do much above 60mph. And if you are planning on towing, you might want to test S4.

 

Yes, auto. Bad left knee, my MT days are over!

 

If you like the test drive and are ready to pull the trigger check out this pricing thread. A good deal is 10-13% off MSRP and a few members negotiated 14-15% off...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...for-2020-tacomas.631873/page-88#post-22804989

 

Ask for the price as you shall be purchasing after the ride.

 

Does fitting in your garage a priority? I've got a DCSB that just barely fits. Long box wouldn't fit in my garage, unless I bought an Access Cab.

 

I went from a Gen 1 Extra Cab TRD OR/Sr5 to a 2020 Pro - both AT. I loved my Gen 1 but the size and feel of the 2020 is an amazing difference. Personally, I have no issues with the transmission. It's designed to maximize efficiency and fuel mileage and some find its shifting quirky. Maybe its all the time I've spent in military vehicles but there isn't anything about the 2020 that I don't enjoy. In the end, though, its all about how it feels to you and all we can do is offer our own personal experience. Have fun!

 

The nuance (some call it a nuisance...I don’t) is at 60-80 mph in none flat highway driving. You quickly learn it will shift between the two overdrives.

 

That's a good point. I have cabinets and shelves in my garage and a 6' double cab would not fit.

 

If you know your dealer ask for an overnight test drive in a similar used one. No salesman, take the family drive around. My dealer has offered and let us on various vehicles

 

We don't have a garage for the vehicles. Good advice though

 

I love my 2003 DC, the kids can ride in the back and I haven't even looked at a 2020 yet except for online. I've always driven older trucks, we bought a 2019 Suburban last year and I don't get to drive it hardly any but I do like the comfort and features of the newer vehicles. I have ridden with 2 friends in their newer Tacoma's and do like the additional room in the cabs over the older ones like I have.

 

I hardly ever get to 65, my commute to work is 8 miles and the highest speed limit is 50 on country roads. Every now and then I go to the big town and the speed limit is 65. If we go to the beach or on vacation we always take the wife's Suburban because it has so much room for our stuff with 2 young kids.

 

I would love for an over nighter with one, maybe I'll go late Saturday afternoon and milk them until close and let them think I'm trading in my '03 (not) and maybe they'll let me bring it back Monday

 

I live about 15 miles outside of the city where I work in northeast PA. It's a rural area with rolling hills with country roads that can be paved or unpaved. I have to admit that I love to take the country roads whenever I can and enjoy the slower steady acceleration of the Pro...and the throaty exhaust... The 2020 is just fun to drive for me. It is like my '96 Z3 - I get a smile on my face every time I sit in it.

 

I bought mine (TRD Sport DCSB) 18 months ago and have put almost 20,000 miles on it. Great truck, no issues, love the AT. Does seem to shift better the more mileage I put on it.
Don't hesitate to negotiate as many dealers will discount substantially to make the deal if pressed.

 

Also I'm not in a spot I have to buy one today or next week. If I like it and do decide I want to get one, I would like to sell both my trucks first or even one and put a really healthy down payment on one. If I sell my dmax first then I could pay half of what a new Tacoma cost. Hopefully I can get a better deal not having to finance as much and I have no problem getting up and walking away, there are 3 Toyota dealers within a 20 mile radius where we live

 

Negotiate heavy on the Extended warranty. You don't even have to buy it from the same dealership if you have the cash to buy it outright from someone else. You cn call around to finance departments after you buy and ask them to beat the last offer you got. They now offer a 10 year 125,000 mile one