New here, looking to buy a Tacoma!

J

Juliette

Member
Hey guys!

I'm looking to purchase a Tacoma but it's been tough and a bit frustrating. The dealers here are pretty terrible and we just purchased a Corolla from the one that's most decent but when I've tried to purchase a truck they hardly have any stock and zero follow through. I haven't been able to see them in person and building them online the options don't seem to match the actual trucks.

The bumper colors, interior colors etc didn't match Toyota's site.

Also I wasn't sure if the 4 cyl is worth getting or will the truck struggle for simple day to day/freeway driving? In general I won't be hauling anything crazy so I plan to stick with a 4x2. Also ideally I'd like remote start and I haven't had the chance to hear or check out what the speaker/stereo options are. I just wish I could check out each model, to compare to one another in person. I've been looking at the SR, SR5 and Sport. Thanks guys!
 
Needless to say the speaker system and the remote start should not be on your priority list for a taco. Look for the sport if you are not planning for serious off road use. The sound system is good on the truck if you wanted to know. Are you looking for a 2017? And where is here?

Welcome to the forum!
 
Tacomania said:
Needless to say the speaker system and the remote start should not be on your priority list for a taco. Look for the sport if you are not planning for serious off road use. The sound system is good on the truck if you wanted to know. Are you looking for a 2017? And where is here?

Welcome to the forum!
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I hear ya, definitely not my priority but I do worry about doing too much (mainly electrical) after purchase because of warranties etc. I'm big on music and would like some decent speakers preferably stock. I'm leaning towards the Sport and I'm in Fresno California :)
 
Welcome to the forum.
The best way to see what you’ll like the best is to go test drive and look in person honestly.
Apps like CarGurus are great because: they show you what inventory is available in your area, what the truck looks like, what options are installed, and gives you an idea of whether what they are charging is a fair price or not.
The 2.7 liter 4 cylinder in the Tacoma is a tried and true motor but they are definitely not a power house. The best advice for that is to test drive and see if you can stomach a 4 cylinder.
You can add remote starters, speakers, and sound systems fairly cheap so I wouldn’t let that discourage you from opting to buy a higher end truck if you find one you like cheaper.
Look around the forum a little, there are threads on remote start and sound system mods.
 
Juliette said:
I hear ya, definitely not my priority but I do worry about doing too much (mainly electrical) after purchase because of warranties etc. I'm big on music and would like some decent speakers preferably stock. I'm leaning towards the Sport and I'm in Fresno California :)
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The sound system is good on truck as far as speakers are concerned. With any electrical system you will have issues down the line... the interface on the screen and what you can use is great, i hook up my ipod nano, phone bluetooth etc... no problems. Just have to keep up with software updates. You have some cool features like weather and weather maps, applications like i hear radio pandora... so.. its good if you are not planning on having parties in the truck[emoji12] Michael Toyota in freson has 39 tacos.. just a quick google search
 
Bogunn said:
Welcome to the forum.
The best way to see what you’ll like the best is to go test drive and look in person honestly.
Apps like CarGurus are great because: they show you what inventory is available in your area, what the truck looks like, what options are installed, and gives you an idea of whether what they are charging is a fair price or not.
The 2.7 liter 4 cylinder in the Tacoma is a tried and true motor but they are definitely not a power house. The best advice for that is to test drive and see if you can stomach a 4 cylinder.
You can add remote starters, speakers, and sound systems fairly cheap so I wouldn’t let that discourage you from opting to buy a higher end truck if you find one you like cheaper.
Look around the forum a little, there are threads on remote start and sound system mods.
Click to expand...


Thank you! I'm hopeful they'll have more in stock soon so I can drive around different options. I'm trying to learn more about how it would affect warranties if adding those options. That's the only thing that concerns me, but then again they could also be trying to scare me into purchasing more from them. We just purchased a Corolla and the price for activating the alarm is insane and they couldn't give a price for remote start.
 
Juliette said:
Thank you! I'm hopeful they'll have more in stock soon so I can drive around different options. I'm trying to learn more about how it would affect warranties if adding those options. That's the only thing that concerns me, but then again they could also be trying to scare me into purchasing more from them. We just purchased a Corolla and the price for activating the alarm is insane and they couldn't give a price for remote start.
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The Magnuson-Moss warranty act takes care of that. Dealerships will try to tell you it voids your warranty if you put on aftermarket parts. That is not true. Anything you add isn’t covered by Toyota (obviously) and anything that messed up as a direct result of an aftermarket part wouldn’t be covered. But it has to be proven that the aftermarket part caused the failure.
 
Tacomania said:
The sound system is good on truck as far as speakers are concerned. With any electrical system you will have issues down the line... the interface on the screen and what you can use is great, i hook up my ipod nano, phone bluetooth etc... no problems. Just have to keep up with software updates. You have some cool features like weather and weather maps, applications like i hear radio pandora... so.. its good if you are not planning on having parties in the truck[emoji12] Michael Toyota in freson has 39 tacos.. just a quick google search
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Which stinks because they are the worst between the dealerships here! They did a bait and switch to us on our Corolla just last month and play too many games. Super condescending but I may have to cave and at least check out what they have. When we went for the Corolla the guy wasted 2 hours of our time and we never got to test drive it. Weird experience!
 
Bogunn said:
The Magnuson-Moss warranty act takes care of that. Dealerships will try to tell you it voids your warranty if you put on aftermarket parts. That is not true. Anything you add isn’t covered by Toyota (obviously) and anything that messed up as a direct result of an aftermarket part wouldn’t be covered. But it has to be proven that the aftermarket part caused the failure.
Click to expand...


I appreciate the info, extremely helpful. They first told me the alarm couldn't be activated since we didn't get it at the time of purchase and then they got back to me and basically told me it's 1000 bucks. More than initially quoted and mentioned the warranty junk when I didn't go with them.
 
Juliette said:
I appreciate the info, extremely helpful. They first told me the alarm couldn't be activated since we didn't get it at the time of purchase and then they got back to me and basically told me it's 1000 bucks. More than initially quoted and mentioned the warranty junk when I didn't go with them.
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Sorry to hear that.
 
Bit of advice, get your info on the truck and what you are looking for, get familiar with the specs and all, then go to the dealership armed with knowledge and be straight up on what you want. If you are there, you are not obliged to buy from them, your goal is to test drive so ask for certain specs and options and have them get the truck for a test drive, dont let them think they are in the driver seat. And any minor mods csn be done after market, dealership tend to mark up accessories for bs. And negotiate on price dont look desperate
 
Tacomania said:
Bit of advice, get your info on the truck and what you are looking for, get familiar with the specs and all, then go to the dealership armed with knowledge and be straight up on what you want. If you are there, you are not obliged to buy from them, your goal is to test drive so ask for certain specs and options and have them get the truck for a test drive, dont let them think they are in the driver seat. And any minor mods csn be done after market, dealership tend to mark up accessories for bs. And negotiate on price dont look desperate
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Buying the Corolla wasn't painful at all and we were happy with our deal and price. For some reason with the truck it hasn't been fun, the salesman don't know much and I think that's what's making it complicated. They rely on the paperwork. So far two salesman have both said they don't negotiate on the trucks but everything I've read online says otherwise. I'm nice but not an easy target so fingers crossed when I decide it'll also be painless! :)
 
Juliette said:
I hear ya, definitely not my priority but I do worry about doing too much (mainly electrical) after purchase because of warranties etc. I'm big on music and would like some decent speakers preferably stock. I'm leaning towards the Sport and I'm in Fresno California :)
Click to expand...
From what I’ve read you want color match on bumper so you’ll need the premium package if you want the better sound system you’ll want the premium with JBL. That’s going to give you the sunroof, heated seats, backup sensors and color matched rear bumper. The sport is going to have sport tuned suspension and an option for short bed or long bed in double cab and will have the 6’ bed with the access cab. The SR is your basic Tacoma it’s going to have black front bumper and is basic the “fleet” truck. The SR5 will give you more options but will not have color matching fender flares and will have a chrome bumper you will not be able to get the premium packages in the SR or the SR5. The sport with premium w/JBL seems more like the Tacoma you would be happy with. Then it’s what color interior and exterior you want. All the other add ons you can find cheaper aftermarket. Including side steps, bed step, bed mat, mud flaps, all weather mats etc. just depends on if you want to spend the time shopping and installing them later. If not I’d make sure you nagotiate all of the things you want. Like @Tacomania said go armed with knowledge and know what you want and stick to your guns. Walk away if they don’t have or want to put on the things you want for the price you want it.
They don’t have a factory remote start the dealer will charge double for something you can do later. @Bogunn installed one that is plug and play and easy to install and operate.
Are you looking at 2017 or 2018 Tacoma’s?
 
I’m okay with either 17/18 I think the only incentive would be if I wanted the cement color for the sport if I decide on that since that’s now an option for 18.

I feel way better about not worrying about the extras now with the info you guys gave since my warranty should be fine. I’m leaning towards a double cab, short, 4x2. I appreciate all the info!
 
Juliette said:
I’m okay with either 17/18 I think the only incentive would be if I wanted the cement color for the sport if I decide on that since that’s now an option for 18.

I feel way better about not worrying about the extras now with the info you guys gave since my warranty should be fine. I’m leaning towards a double cab, short, 4x2. I appreciate all the info!
Click to expand...
2018 Tacoma models gain Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P). This equips the Tacoma with Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with Sway Warning System (SWS), Automatic High Beams (AHB) and High-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC).
 
It doesn't take long. I just bought (today) a 2017 Access cab TRD Sport V6 Manual. I did my research yesterday, found what I wanted and best price online at a dealer 100 miles away, went to a local dealer with that price and asked if they wanted to meet it. They did (of course they say that, but ...with a little reluctance on their part they really did). My configuration was not in their stock so they found the same configuration, color .. everything at another dealer 35 miles away, traded it for one off theirs and in 4 hours had the truck ready at their door.. Perfect. Even got them to throw in some door protectors, tow hitch and third year maintenance.

1) know exactly what you are looking for and stick to it. Doesn't matter if they have it in stock - they can get it from another dealer if they want.
2) know what you are prepared to pay and show comparative quotes (online makes it dead easy).
3) be prepared to walk away. You won't have to, but project that subtly with things like "I'll just keep looking around" etc.
 
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