New Member, about to purchase and have some questions

Hi All,

I'm new to the forum and I'm about to purchase my first ever Tacoma -- in fact my first ever Toyota. I spent my entire 4th of July talking with different dealers in the area and I think I've settled on the exact spec I am interested in. The vehicle is still in shipment and is expected to arrive in 13 days, but since I want to take advantage of the 2.75%/36 months incentive, I am going to have to close the deal today, "sight unseen", so to speak.

The specs on this specific vehicle are:

2023 TRD Off-Road 4X4, 5-ft bed in "blue crush metallic" paint
- Predator Pro Step Bar
- Advanced Technology Package
- LED Headlights with LED DRL + Black Bezel
- TRD Premium Off Road Package

As much online research as I have been able to do so far, I'm still in doubt about a few features on the vehicle that I hope maybe you can help answer, namely:

• What is the standard tire brand/model on the above spec, given that I don't see the "16-inch All-Terrain Tire Upgrade" line item in the dealer spec sheet for this vehicle (but that I see on the online configurator)? Being that this is a $1,099 upgrade, I'm worried that the base tires are really cheap street tires or something.
• Does this vehicle have 360 view cameras, including in the front? I "think" I was able to determine that the "Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM)" feature includes 360 view, but I would love to have confirmation on this.
  
• Would this vehicle come with an AC outlet in the bed of the truck with the above spec? The spec sheet does not mention it and I don't see that as an option in the online configurator.
• Would this vehicle come with a bed light? As with the AC outlet, I don't see any mention of it in the spec sheet, though I DO see that as an extra option in the online configurator for an additional $315. If this vehicle does not come with this feature, how hard would it be to have it installed after I take possession?

Thanks in advance for any answers you all can provide.

 

Advanced tech will have the MTM. Bed lights are port installed accessories, you can get them after the fact if it doesn't have it. If you search this forum there are guys who will show you how to install the bedlights.

I have a '22 so I didn't see the AT upgrade on mine. Mine came with AT tires from the factory at NC, they aren't generic SUV all season tires for sure. I believe the AC outlet is standard, but cannot confirm that for you. Mine has the same packages yours has, and my truck has it. I would like to say you should be good but cannot confirm for you 100%.

 

Where are you located? Toyota has many diestributor regions, most are owned and run by Toyota but 2 are independant (Southeast and gulf states). These distridutors sometimes add non OEM aftermarket stuff.

• Would this vehicle come with an AC outlet in the bed of the truck with the above spec? The spec sheet does not mention it and I don't see that as an option in the online configurator.

Yes, The 2023 TRD off raod has the bed outlet

• Would this vehicle come with a bed light? As with the AC outlet, I don't see any mention of it in the spec sheet, though I DO see that as an extra option in the online configurator for an additional $315. If this vehicle does not come with this feature, how hard would it be to have it installed after I take possession?

Unless listed on the speck sheet theu will not be installed. They are very easy to install. DO NOT PAY $315 for bed lights. They are $54.00 online (

$60 PT85735200 Toyota Genuine 2020 & Newer Tacoma Led Bed Light/Lighting Kit PT857-35200

PT85735200) and take 10 minutes to install.

 

I'm in Atlanta, GA. Thanks for the answers so far folks!

 

Welcome to Toyota Souteast reigon, the worst to buy a vehicle in. If you are handy or like DIY my reccomendation is to get no add ons at all. They are all way overpriced ($100-$200) over what Toyota charges in other regions. Bed lights are $149 in other regions and $315 in South east. if you want any accessories, buy them online and install yourself.

My dealer agreed to remove all port added options, Floor mats, platnum guard etc. Most dealers will not.

 

You don't want any port adds if possible. Assuming you or someone you know has some wrenching skills.
No way I'd close before it arrives. Too many things can go wrong.
Just arrange your own financing or refi at a later date.
The likelihood of arrival on the date they predict is slim.

Also, you'll likely be force fed toyoguard platinum for $699. Which is not mandatory but they will tell you it is.
That's the biggest rip off they offer.
If wanted, you can buy the extended warranty post sale. I started a thread about it a while back that's 8 pages now.
They will also tell you that has to be bought through SET but you can buy online through another region.

 

Yes, they have included "Toyoguard Platinum" for $699. I did ask if it could be removed and they said NO. Total MSRP for the above spec is $48,368, and I'm getting it at $51,000 out the door with all taxes and fees applied. Is this an ok deal?

@DVR , thanks for the feedback. The dealership tells me I can back out of the deal if something is wrong with delivery, am I being naive here to rely on that final vehicle delivery consent form for that, which I'll sign at delivery?

 

That seems like a lot but not sure if selling price is MSRP or less (assume a tax of 5.5-6%?). Personally I'd try to find one with less PIO on it to bring MSRP down. I found a Blue Crush TRD OR in Wyoming with a $2,000 dealer discount that brings it down to $45 and some change but hard to say if they tack on a bunch of fees and that's quite a road trip (although fun to me).

 

48K for a TRD OR? How much are those tech packages and all that shit?
this is my 2022 with some packages and add ons
I'm pretty sure all ORs come with goodyear wrangler AT tires....so they're probably doing something super fucky with an $1100 upcharge on tires.

 

show up the factory window sticker. I"m sure they have it or it's online on their website.

 

Here's the spec sheet I got from the dealer for the vehicle in question:

 

BTW, thank you all so much for engaging and providing help. It's really nice to have input from such an active community.

 

Welcome to TW Also welcome to the world of getting bent over by the SE Toyota Mafia. Just FYI, those predator bars retail for about half what they have listed on that spec sheet. And don't buy any of their JM&A overpriced warranties. They can't sell you a Toyota/TFS actual factory extended warranty but you can get one direct from one of several dealerships that have been listed here in TW for a ton less money, you just can't roll it into their financing. I got a 10 yr/100k miles Toyota warranty for $1360 from a dealership in MA.

On the plus side, grab that LED headlight upgrade! It would cost you 3 times what you're paying for it after the fact.

 

TOYOGUARD sounds like a rip off. Doesn't the vehicle come with 2 years of Toyota Care from the manufacturer?

 

Toyotguard Platinum is a total ripoff. SE Toyota adds it as a distributor option to every vehicle in the region. When you argue that you don't want it they say you can't take it off because the vehicle has already been treated with paint sealant and interior protection. If and when I buy another Toyota I will be leaving the SET region to do it. It's shameful what they do.

 

The Toyota OEM LED headlights are about the best headlights for performance and function you can buy, absolutely get them up front (later install is possible but requires buying an aftermarket wire harness and ends up costing more). One of the few add-ons / upgrades that is actually a steal in price compared with buying and adding later.

Predator steps and most any other add-ons will be overpriced and a money loss when selling. If you really want them you can buy them for under half the price and install yourself in a few minutes with basic tools and knowledge. Similar for the bedside lights, as others already noted the install is easy and the OEM part is much cheaper on its own (definitely recommend them). If they have rubber mats, those have much better aftermarket options from Husky and Weathertech too.

On warranties/service coverage, I let my dealer add them in after badgering them into upgrading my paint protection film coverage a couple levels at the same cost since the total was running over MSRP. Then I cancelled everything before the factory warranty and free service duration was over so I got a full refund of everything added on. Tire repair/replace plan is also a waste since they can deny it for going offroad, and I calculated I could buy an entire new set of better tires and have them installed for the same cost as the warranty was.

 

As far as bed lights, I had ordered one of the tech packages that had a power sliding rear window, and tonneau cover for my access cab sr5. I asked the dealer to include bed lights, and was told it comes with them. I also had other options like door sill protectors, and the floor mats similar to what husky, or weather tech would sell, not to mention a locking gas cap that still works great.
Imo, it's a good idea for ceramic paint protection on these trucks. Having mine done over 3 years ago, the exterior, and much of the interior still looks showroom like. Might even be good idea to invest in some seat covers too.

 

I’d want to see the actual window sticker from Toyota which will include factory and PIO options. Dealers like to print up Toyota looking paperwork like the one they gave you and add all kinds of shit to it to make it look legit, like it’s actually Toyota that’s adding the stuff.
I caught two dealers doing this when I was shopping around.
If they ask you to sign the contract electronically tell them to print it out first so you can look it over because they will try to sneak shit in and then say “oh, I thought you wanted that“, I caught them trying to sneak in 1100.00 tire and wheel protection

 

Take off the Preds and negotiate off the Toyoguard.

There are other options for half the price. Side steps are bolt on, the frame is pre drilled for them. You can have them on in 20 minutes. Hell, if you really want the Predator steps, check FB Market Place or even the Buy/Sell/Trade on here. You'll probably find them cheaper.

If they won't take off the Toyoguard, I would buy from someone else.

 

Toyoguard must be something new. When I bought my truck, the dealer mentioned they could send the truck out to a professional detail shop that does ceramic glass coatings. Claimed it was getting popular with a lot of owners. I was glad I had its done, so far the paint looks the same as it left the dealer over 3 years ago. My tundra would of had several paint chips by now.