Things I've learned from my purchase

This is the first Toyota I've ever owned. I felt that the dealer gave me a fair price but I've also learned some things to keep in mind for my next purchase.

First off, they offer a package in the Southeast called the XP Maverick Package. It includes 265/65R17 Nitto Terra Grappler G2 tires, 17" Ultra Maverick wheels, Predator tube step rails, and XP badging for $2999 edit: $2799. Vast improvement over the base truck without it. After I got the truck, I started pricing out these add-ons separately and I quickly realized I could've saved (roughly) $1500 by purchasing them myself, even with the cost of mount and balance, installation of the tubes, etc. Plus, I could've sold the factory wheels and tires to whittle that out of pocket cost down even further.

After doing some further price comparisons, I also realized that although I felt I got a fair price, a little more patience and dealing and I think I could've gotten close to $1000 more off the price of the truck. Or, I could've opted for a TRD and added on the premium package with the money I would've saved by making the above purchases after the fact.

I also could've gotten the factory tonneau cover I wanted by refusing to purchase a truck with the ToyoGuard Platinum tacked on. That was a $700 add on that I won't get much use out of since I average so many highway miles in a short time. That money could've gone to the cover...or again, I could've bought an aftermarket cover and had more options that I could've afforded due to the lower monthly payment on the vehicle.

In short, I could've gotten the same setup for less money, or more truck for the same money. Things worth considering if you're in the market, and that I've definitely learned from for the next time.

 

All these words, and no pic.

 

My rule of thumb with dealerships is that everything the dealer does is for the purpose of making them money. Therefore, you should be wary of absolutely everything they try to sell you. It doesn't necessarily make anything a bad deal, but the math is worth doing.

 

Nothing the dealer offers is ever worth it. If you didn't specifically ask for it, don't pay for it.

 

The pic is right there in my profile.

 

The deal is done stop over analyzing and enjoy the new ride (although in most states you have ~3 days to take it back).

 

I applaud you for using this experience constructively vs many who jump on here with a title of "Toyota is uh buncha krooks and ripped me off"
Live and learn, enjoy your truck! You got the right color

 

I agree with you in principle, but my dealer told me to save the money on the premium tech package because his claim was the difference between that and the tech package was no JBL, no heated seats and no sunroof and unless I wanted these things, save my money. My truck was ordered, so he had no motive (like, he had one on the lot to sell) to keep me from buying the premium tech package.
He could have been lying, but can't figure out why he would.
I would have asked on TW, but didn't know it existed at that point.
In general, though, you're exactly right.

 

Yeah, they're in business to make money and I get that. I don't think I was raked over the coals, by any means, but it's a learning experience that will help me on my next purchase. I haven't bought a brand new vehicle since 2004 so I was a little rusty. Some things I was prepared for, like never paying MSRP, negotiate between dealers, get preapproval for financing and let them see if they can beat it (they did, btw...2.89% with credit just over 700), but I just didn't consider the other part of the game. Next time I will, and I posted this for anyone else it may help. I'm not over-analyzing, as another reply suggested. But I didn't know about these forums and the help I could get before I bought it. It has been very helpful being here and maybe I can help the next guy.

 

I don't think you over analyzed. You came at it very rationally and made good points specifically to help other prospective buyers.

 

I think I could have done better as well. I waited a long time to find a leftover 2016 trd or ac in white, msrp-35,000 bought for 33,000, but got beat on my trade in, Sometimes you just sign on the dotted line because what you want is hard to find.

 

Investigate before you invest.

 

Now you know. Props for posting it up.

Quite frankly SET and GST are scam artists. Its a joke. I wish there was a way to call them out on their bull shit but its not a fight worth fighting. I went out of state and saved thousands.

 

MSRP on my truck was $35,576...that was with the XP Maverick package add on, TOYOGUARD Platinum that I didn't need, $299 for carpet mats I don't use, and $269 for bed lights that are cool and all, but I don't use them, either. $31,510 before those add ons and that would've been much better for this truck. They sold me the truck for $34,599 less $2500 for my trade (I was only offered $1k for it at my local Toyota dealership), making it $32,099. So, after tax, tag I paid $34,484. Total paid after financing, once I've made all payments will be $37,388. So, looking at that, I realize they did me solid on my trade (2006 Honda Pilot with 201k miles on it that I was offered less for at more than just my local dealership), but I could've gotten them down more on the MSRP and I could've had them find me a truck, or order a truck, without the mats, bed lights, Maverick package, Toyoguard Platinum, and probably walked away after trade for about $27.5-28k, instead of $32k.

Another pro tip: Never discuss trade until you've negotiated the price of the vehicle. Left that off my original list. I knew it going in but allowed them to twist it on me, somehow. They're good....

 

SE and GS Toyota are in their own little world, so if you walk away with what you think is a good deal, then you did fine. Otherwise your only option would be to buy out of the region and drive / deliver to your home, which can be a vacation if you plan it right.

 

That's purely experience and research. You'll do better next time. Until then, enjoy the truck you have knowing when you want to make a change it still has high resale value.

 

Agreed. I think I'm planning to keep this one two years and hopefully the 2019's will entice me to upgrade and then I'll build the setup I want. Otherwise, I'll downgrade to an older vehicle and keep my wallet a little fatter.

 

OP - you didn't do as bad as you think so don't be hard on yourself. This is the third new car I've ever bought and it was still different than any other experience I've had. The business has changed since I bought my last car in 2004. For one thing, the whole concept of "this is the invoice number" that the dealer paid for the truck is novel and weird. I ignored that number and hammered away at a lower number but I was not successful. The only play I could get was the possibility of a trade in. I didn't bring it up, it was asked though. At this point the negotiation was already stalled.

My trade in was such a POS that I didn't bother to drive it in to the dealership. They made an offer sight unseen. I was going to sell it for parts. The only thing that wasn't blown on it was the transmission.

I told them the only way I'd do a trade is if the number we arrived at included tag, title, tax and finance fees. They agreed.

I had to damn near push my trade into the parking lot. The deal was done so they didn't have a chance to reject the trade in. There's no way they would have done the trade in if I would have brought it with me. I didn't feel bad because they just shipped it to their off site used lot and then it went to auction.

I chatted with one of the managers as I was waiting on the trade process to be finalized and tags removed, etc... I found out that Toyota tried to test the waters with the no haggle one price approach with their Scion line. It failed, but there is indication that eventually the car business will eventually go in the direction of a fixed price in the future. But he said off the cuff that people want to think they are getting a good deal when they buy a car.

So it's all kind of a game and we all can always leave the table at the negotiation.

BTW there are people in various parts of the country that pay above MSRP for Tacomas. I for one feel lucky to have mine. I haven't seen another one like it at any dealerships around my area.

 

At least you got stuff you wanted on the truck (rims and tires and step bar). The Toyo Guard is nothing more than a racket that all dealers order to jack up the msrp. Case in point, I built the truck I want on Toyota's website for $25100. I found the exact truck like it one state over from me, however it has a sticker of $27800. They got that price because they added that Toyo guard crap (whatever the highest level is), carpet mats that I didn't even include in my build cause I'd buy some weather techs, and some other things I wouldn't have wanted. They basically have my truck, just at $2700 more than I'm willing to pay because I don't want they stuff they added on to it to jack up the price.

 

When I was looking for a new DCSB 4x4 TRD offroad with no extra options on the lot. The dealers only have new DCSB 4x4's with a bunch of add on stuff like side steps, tow package, paint protecting film, etc so it's like $3k-$4k more.

The only way to get a new TRD offroad with no extra options is to order it, then you pay $900 destination fee, wait 2-3 months.