Second Showroom Build Complete

From the reviews on their site, your mileage may vary. I think the have at least a 50k tread warrantee.

 

Will this be a thread where you show off all of your builds? If so, I'm about to sub the hell out of this thing. Those retro graphics are rad, man.

 

I don't understand how a dealership can upgrade a new truck and pass the price to the person who buys it, but if someone trades in their vehicle with the same mods they get screwed. If you are a salesman would you screw a customer over who wants to trade in a vehicle with that kind of a "build" or can you understand what went into it and give them what they put into it?

 

Because someone is willing to buy that truck at that price. No one is being forced to trade in their modded truck for a loss. The option to sell private party is there. It really is no different.

 

That's a fair question. I guess with dealerships, they have no idea who did the mods, the quality of the work, the quality of the components (without a lot of research), etc. But if the dealership does it in house, they can guarantee the final product.

 

Every dealership has different risk tolerances and some specialize in modified vehicles so that makes things challenging for consumers. One good example that might simplify my answer would be 1 ton diesel trucks. There is so little market for something like that and my staff is not educated enough to even deal with a potential buyer's questions. I wouldn't be comfortable offering an aggressive price on something like that whereas another dealer might.

I traded a 4Runner a few years back with an ICON stage 4 suspension on it and I paid for it because the guy had receipts and documentation from a reputable shop that performed the install. I was confident enough in the build that I was willing to trade it for good money. Sold it in just a few days because I knew how to market it.

Dealers not familiar at all with any of this stuff will most definitely shy away from a built truck, especially with no documentation. Hope that helps. Good question!

Funny, I started this thread to talk about a cool truck and it turned into a car dealer q&a. Next time I'll just not put the word showroom in the title lol. I don't mind answering questions though, the dealer stuff is kind of my specialty (as long as I'm not being accused of anything although I get it, dealers have created their own reputations, I get frustrated about that stuff).

 

Keep doing what you are doing, please.

 

I think it's a unique aspect of the thread, and as long as it's kept civil like it has been, I say keep doing it!

 

Other than suspension, I have yet to see someone trade in a built truck with the parts/accessories included. A smart person would sell those separately

 

Yeah I mad like $1500 back parting mine out before trading it in.

 

Absolutely! Best thing to do is put it as closely back to stock as possible. Guy that traded the 4Runner actually traded on a BMW at one of my Pittsburgh locations but we put the number on it. One thing I've learned over the past 20 years is that everyone perceives value differently. Probably wasn't worth the guy's time to put it back to stock.

I traded an FJ Cruiser back in 2007 with only 6k miles on it, front and rear arb bumpers, warn winch, aftermarket leather, are teflon coated wheels, toyo mud tires, ome suspension, magnaflow exhaust and a full custom stereo for only 24k. That was like 3k under MSRP at the time before they jumped way up into the 30s. Guy just didn't care. Sold it to my brother in law and he put 100k on it before trading on a Tundra. Insane.

 

You are exactly correct!

"Everyone perceives value differently."

Also a great idea to put a built Tacoma in the showroom. I bet you are turning sock Tacomas quicker- less days on lot.

People typically buy when they have have an emotional connection- their perceived value algorithm completely changes!

 

@Trident904 check this out

 

No way! I have to have that bottle opener now!"

 

It will be a while, but next time I am in the market for a new Taco, I will be in touch!

 

I happened to drive by that BMW dealer on a Sunday and saw that 4runner on the lot. And the price was super fair. It was obvious whoever owned it took excellent care and knew what they were doing - icons, sliders, wheels/tires, etc. When I went back a few days later, they told me they sent it to their Toyota store. To this day I am still bummed that I missed out on it. Such a clean vehicle.

 

OP, do you have thoughts on your next build?

 

Yep he's going to build my bad a$$ hunting truck for me

 

More please.

 

@like2detail is this one still over there? Or did you start the next one and not tell me?