New Tacoma, new member, buying experience

Just got a 2014 Double Cab 4x4 TRD off-road.

Bought an FJ back in 2007 when they were released. Loved the FJ and as soon as the crummy Dunlops wore out (2010) lifted it 2.5" and put larger Toyo MTs on it gas mileage went from bad to worse. Still...loved Toyotas, but traded last year (Mar) for a Subaru Crosstrek, which was a great car, but a 5 speed manual. Moved to Georgia from Seattle and traffic is awful so decided to go back to an auto transmission, but only if the deal was right. (And avoid paying registration tax, again in GA...about $1,300)

Narrowed down to a 4-runner or Tacoma, Tacoma won. First the price point for a 4x4 Off Road edition vs. Trd off-road and second wife has an SUV so what's the point.

Chose the TRD off-road over sport, foremost were for the tires and wheels. Wheels on sport were just like the 07 FJ, and the dunlop tires...no thanks. Not saying the Rugged Trail are a great tire, I'd like Toyota to at least offer an upgrade choice to even a BF AT, which is an excellent tire. (Why is it Toyota is so proud of their off road prowess but offer such poor tires?) I liked the diff lock and Atrac like on the FJ as well. Dislikes, chrome. Love the scoop on the sport, but wasn't enough, and it is just a look.

So I found a used 2013 TRD off-road (11k miles) priced at $30k with $20k in trade for the subaru. Was ready to grab it but thought I'd research what a new Tacoma would cost. And to me, the right price to put me in a new vs. used was $2k, especially if I could find a Tacoma in Dark Grey vs Pyrite Mica on the used. Other factor in the 2014 I liked was the rear camera display on the radio screen vs on the mirror in the 13. Other than that not any more noticeable differences between the two.

Scoured the Atlanta area looking for required double cab 4x4 trd off road (may have opted for a sport), but this vehicle (as with any Tacoma 4x4) was sparse but I found ONE, that matched what I was looking for. It was a little bit away however, but not a big deal. Then went to usaa car buying service and plugged in all the options and got a guarantee no haggle price of $31950...well let's see how I did. (By the way, if the deal didn't work I was going straight to the other dealer and getting the 2013)

Got to the truck and there were markups. First the dealer installed "resist all". Price $687. No way I'm paying a cent for it...no way. Got it removed from the price. It's annoying how the salesmen say "it water proofs your seats", and I tell him the truck already comes with a water protection, only for him to tell me it does not. Showed him the brochure on his desk...that's one good way to get the resist all removed . Then comes along another favorite of mine SOUTHEAST TOYOTA installed options.

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA are the just shy of criminal. They added a stainless steel exhaust tip $89, some 3M door protection $199 and best of all $299 for all weather mats. Yep $299 for the same $99 MSRP and $71 on OEM sale site all weather mats. Told the salesman, take them out. We can't. I'm not paying $299 for an oem $99 MSRP set of mats, when I'll probably get a Husky X-Act fit set next week anyway. Mats ended up in the Tacoma, not sure how it worked out.

They did honor the $31,950 price which I included the Toyota mat package on the quote but that was what I thought was for the "mat package" which includes carpet and door sill covers. So I told them the exhaust tip, mats and door protect included I'd buy at that price. Done. Now to work on the trade value...uh oh. I needed to make $20k. First offer was $18.5k which actually I thought was fair. But I told them straight up, it's only worth it to me to have a $2k difference, so I'll take $20k in trade or I'm out. I gave them 3 minutes. They took 5 but accepted . (I only paid $21.2k for the subie )

Bottom line, I'm happy and love the truck! Biggest gripe is with SOUTHEAST TOYOTA. Dealership was ok, but I really wish salesmen were "experts" on what they sell. It honestly took me 3-4 hrs of research to become very knowledgable on the Tacoma I wish they'd do the same. And Toyota, few comments for them, first, put better off road tires on your off road trucks. Two if every V6 is going to have a $650 markup for towing, don't leave it as an "option" same goes for the stereo, if every TRD is going to have the radio upgrade, don't make it a $650 "option" as well.

 

That's why they call them a stealership! My mom is currently buying a Subaru Impreza. The dealership we're going through has been nothing but amazing (never thought I'd say that). I gave the dude my phone number even though I thought he would be calling me non stop. He did just the opposite. He texts me only when he needs to give me information or I ask. When we went there none of the salesmen bothered us the whole time. It was actually pretty weird to be at a dealership like that haha. But, they're the best around here. And I guess that's how they earned that reputation!

Welcome to TW

 

Dealerships want to make as much money as they can. Don't get bent out of shape for that.

Lack of knowledge is just laziness. You can ask for a more knowledgeable sales person.

 

When did you buy your taco OP? I dealt with Milton Martin in gainsville and they honored the USAA pricing no problem. Finding the right truck in the right color was the problem.

 

Congrats on a great purchase.

As far as the chrome, you can buy the front grill surround from Camelback Toyota for $180. I told my local dealer that price and they beat it. I got mine for $160 then sold my chrome grill surround for $120 on CL.

Next, go to your local body shop and order a OEM unpainted rear bumper and then they can color match it from the paint code on your door. I did this also and it cost me $350 installed, then I sold my chrome bumper for $230 on CL. It will be easy to find a local body shop that deals with OEM Toyota parts.

 

I bought at Milton. They were the only ones near with a 4x4. The contact on the USAA certificate wasn't in the day I bought, so I got another sales guy, he was alright, but seemed to care less about the usaa certificate. They got to the price eventually, but the hurdle was the Southeast Toyota (distributer) installed options. And when there is a trade involved, the usaa certificate kind of becomes a moot point as they will either over or under price the trade to make the money they need to complete the deal. USAA should have a guaranteed trade amount for a trade as well. They should know all about the trade in since more than likely they insure it.

 

Hmm maybe you paved the way for me because as soon as I asked about the resist all they were like don't worry we knocked off the price of it. Didn't have a exhaust tip or a up charge for the mats I even got a couple of hats because the main finance manager thought he was wasting my time. I know exactly what you mean about southeast toyo but the dealership seemed amicable it might be the salesman we dealt with.

 

Kwik- what truck did you buy? When I was there, there was only one other double cab 4x4 and it was pyrite mica. They had a couple of sports but they were all 2WD. I picked up my truck Tuesday the 5th.
The only question I have on the truck right now is do the interior dash lights always stay on? Kind of found this interesting, never seen it before on any car.
Only problem thus far is the speakers seem to make a crackling, buzzing sound. It is weird, happens sporadic, usually after I've been driving for 10-15 minutes it will start, then it will only happen when I'm stepping on the gas. When I turn my head to look to see of there is something going on, it goes away, like it's directed right to my ear when I'm looking forward. It sounds like it's coming from the passenger side rear. I'm sure the service dept are going to think I'm crazy when I bring it in

 

OP congrats on the truck!! I purchased a 2014 double cab TRD off road on. Tuesday of this past week. Got it at Stone Mountain. Toyota. We're awesome to deal with, was no issue negotiating and left feeling,ike I got a fair deal. Love the truck man!!

 

Hmm I got a magnetic gray on the 24th so two weeks before you purchased yours. so that's odd I mentioned that nalley of roswell had tried to throw the toyocare for $699 on the vehicle and asked what this resistall was and I didn't want it and before I could finish my sentence the rep was like no problem its gone. I went in set on doing the dealership dance and was surprised. I dealt with ethan martin the internet sales rep and john pridgen also in the internet sales department they seemed very knowledgeable about their product well at least john did ethan was deaing with another customer and was still learning the ropes of his department, did you deal with the internet dealers or did you get handed off to the main sells floor dealers?

oh btw I only know their names because I have their cards and ethan did a follow u call

as far as the radio man that does sound weird no reason if your not satisfied that you shouldn't be taken care of.