A thread for Douglas to talk about buying a truck so he doesn't hijack other threads

[DaveInDenver]

I still think first gen Tundra is a good option if you're willing to trade your manual transmission requirement for an auto and a super reliable Toyota 2UZ-FE 4.7L V8.

Similar size to the 3rd gen Tacoma, but with a 7,200 lb GVWR instead of 5,600 lb and one of the best V8 engines ever.

Honestly if I was in the market again a T100 or 1st gen Tundra would probably be high on the list. I only stuck with a Tacoma because of the manual and that I knew my WilderNest would fit, just barely, on it. Since I'm also just about ready to accept being over the hill and consider a newer camper since I'm no longer a 20-something climber.

I think my truck is the newest stick shift Toyota I'm likely to own. Not necessarily the last but it's pretty limiting trying to hold out on what's offered now.

In a new Taco I'm almost 100% sure I'd just get an SR Access Cab. There is no stick shift option on an SR and whether it would be a V6 or 4 cylinder I couldn't really say, but probably V6. It's a $2k bump in price (to ~$35k MSRP) and I think just a better option in a 4WD auto truck once loaded at elevation. I just have this sense that even a 2TR is gonna have to be driven like a stick to avoid frustration.

 

[DouglasVB]

This 2021 Tacoma Off-Road just popped up for $39,101. 34k miles.

2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road V6 in Thousand Oaks, CA | Los Angeles Toyota Tacoma | Thousand Oaks Toyota

Research the 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road V6 in Thousand Oaks, CA at Thousand Oaks Toyota. View pictures, specs, and pricing & schedule a test drive today.

www.totoyota.com

It's green which I think is a fantastic color for a truck. Otherwise I probably wouldn't be interested since it's a five hour drive and the price is a bit more than I'm wanting to spend.

It looks like this must have been owned by a Navy person based on it starting life in Hawaii and then showing up in San Diego. The carfax is a bit interesting. It has bounced around through dealerships and an auction since the start of June.

 

[DouglasVB]

Here's the breakdown on the out the door cost on that green Tacoma:

Selling price 39,101.00
Tire and Wheel 295.00
Permaplate 795.00
Elo GPS 795.00
Protection pkg 795.00
Total Purchase 41,781.00
Doc fee 85.00
Tax 3840.00
Non tax fees 970.00
Cash deposit 0.00
Balance 46,681.32


Those dealer added things add up

 

[DaveInDenver]

Tire and wheels? Is that an inspection? Yup, it's got them.
Permaplate. Nope. That's just an overpriced wax job.
Elo GPS? For what? They can charge zero or take it out.
Protection Package. Nope. You can get a can of Scotchgard for $10 from Walmart.

Tax is tax, dealer is just passing it along.

What are non-tax fees? Documents, title, registration?

 

[DouglasVB]

Tire and wheels? Is that an inspection? Yup, it's got them.
Permaplate. Nope. That's just an overpriced wax job.
Elo GPS? For what? They can charge zero or take it out.
Protection Package. Nope. You can get a can of Scotchgard for $10 from Walmart.

Tax is tax, dealer is just passing it along.

What are non-tax fees? Documents, title, registration?

I've asked those questions and I'm waiting for a reply via email. They really want to talk on the phone but I've got no patience for that dance. In writing or it didn't happen is my philosophy.

The Elo GPS to my understanding is an asset management and retrieval system a lot of dealers use to make repo easier. I've had several dealers try to sell that brand and a few other brands as some big anti theft technology that I'm getting for a "great deal." At least it's not $2-5k like the local dealer has been charging the last few years lol.

 

[DaveInDenver]

I realize I was mistaking Elo for GLO, which is a Garmin bluetooth GPS. Still not about Elo or that I'd want it but it makes more sense now.

 

[HDavis]

OOF that's a lot of bs fees. If the ELO thing is an asset management item, they can install it at their cost. Otherwise, a 20 dollar apple airtag does the same thing for you as the owner.

 

[DouglasVB]

Dealer wants me to come in to "finalize the deal," as shown below. The problem is it's a long drive to go in and find out they aren't willing to do much.

The permaplate, Elo GPS, and Protection package and Tire and Wheel are on the vehicle and I can not remove them. I will try and remove of the 3 items to make a deal for you. If I can, when is a good time for you to come in to finalize the deal?

I asked what deal they can do. We'll see what they say. I can always remove the ELO GPS in the parking lot if I decide to get this truck. From what I've seen online, it's plugged into the OBD2 port and it may or may not be spliced into the ignition circuit depending on what the service department did.

That other truck I was looking at doesn't have anything added to it according to the info the dealer sent over to me. But there's still the three owner and potential for flood damage issue.

 

[shellb]

Dealer wants me to come in to "finalize the deal," as shown below. The problem is it's a long drive to go in and find out they aren't willing to do much.



I asked what deal they can do. We'll see what they say. I can always remove the ELO GPS in the parking lot if I decide to get this truck. From what I've seen online, it's plugged into the OBD2 port and it may or may not be spliced into the ignition circuit depending on what the service department did.

That other truck I was looking at doesn't have anything added to it according to the info the dealer sent over to me. But there's still the three owner and potential for flood damage issue.

I personally wouldn’t buy anything spliced into any factory wiring on a truck that new.

I also would play harder on bogus fees.

@Riverrunner could move most rigs from anywhere in the country for the GLO fee plus tire and wheel fee, not to mention protection package and permaplate. Seems absolutely ridiculous.

 

[DouglasVB]

I personally wouldn’t buy anything spliced into any factory wiring on a truck that new.

I also would play harder on bogus fees.

@Riverrunner could move most rigs from anywhere in the country for the GLO fee plus tire and wheel fee, not to mention protection package and permaplate. Seems absolutely ridiculous.

So many dealers out here are doing this these days. It's slowly getting better compared to a year ago but it's wild how bad it is.

The last time I talked with a few dealers out of state, none were willing to sell to me unless I lived in their areas. This was six months ago though so maybe things have changed. I think it's a combo of not wanting to deal with the cross state registration and tax issues, and not wanting to sell a truck they have no chance of making money off of doing service on it.

 

[shellb]

So many dealers out here are doing this these days. It's slowly getting better compared to a year ago but it's wild how bad it is.

The last time I talked with a few dealers out of state, none were willing to sell to me unless I lived in their areas. This was six months ago though so maybe things have changed. I think it's a combo of not wanting to deal with the cross state registration and tax issues, and not wanting to sell a truck they have no chance of making money off of doing service on it.

I’d be willing to help you out if you see anything outside of CA that you like.

I buy lots of rigs all over and can help navigate the BS.

It’s a buyers market…dealers need to adjust behaviors.

 

[DouglasVB]

I’d be willing to help you out if you see anything outside of CA that you like.

I buy lots of rigs all over and can help navigate the BS.

It’s a buyers market…dealers need to adjust behaviors.

I'm not saying I want this specific one but as an example, if I wanted this 2019 Taco at the Groove Toyota in Englewood, what would you suggest I do to make it happen and not have any surprises registering it in CA?

Also the market in metro Denver looks better than out here in central Cali! I guess I shouldn't be surprised by that.
Depending on where a truck is located and when I could make a deal happen, it is within the realm of possibility I could fly somewhere and drive it back. It would be fun to return to Denver even if only briefly.

 

[shellb]

I'm not saying I want this specific one but as an example, if I wanted this 2019 Taco at the Groove Toyota in Englewood, what would you suggest I do to make it happen and not have any surprises registering it in CA?

Also the market in metro Denver looks better than out here in central Cali! I guess I shouldn't be surprised by that.
Depending on where a truck is located and when I could make a deal happen, it is within the realm of possibility I could fly somewhere and drive it back. It would be fun to return to Denver even if only briefly.

I would call them and ask to speak to sales manager:

• Tell them you are a serious out of state buyer, you have funds and that you have owned may Toyota's in the past.
• Tell them you want the exact truck they are selling and you have be patiently searching.
• Ask them if they will work with an out of state buyer.
• If you can fly and drive I would certainly suggest that!
• If not, offer to have someone come by in person on your behalf to inspect the vehicle.
• Offer to arrange you own shipping.

At the end of the day, they should be willing to work with you, they're in the business of selling cars.

Your situation is only slightly more complicated then a local buyer. Groove is a large dealer network here in CO, they certainly have sold vehicles out of state before.

The key is to call and talk to someone. Demonstrate interest, certainty of close/purchase and willingness to help facilitate (fly and drive or you arrange shipping).

 

[HDavis]

@shellb nailed it. When I worked in motorcycle sales this was exactly what I wanted out of a customer. A phone call means everything. An email to the salesperson means you are not very serious about your intent. Our sales manager would never negotiate price via an email.

I viewed my job as working for the customer. I was the one who negotiated with my sales manager and tried to get the customer the price they wanted. My commission depended on them buying the product, not making my sales manager happy.

As a salesperson you want to sell the vehicle, you might want to help the service department out by selling locally so it can be serviced by them, but at the end of the day a sale is a sale.

 

[DouglasVB]

How do I not talk to salespeople on the phone?

I'm not interested in the typical phone games that many dealers have been doing the last few years (at least what I've experienced -- told one number, insisted that I have to come in to get it in writing, given a completely different number when I get there and told to take it or leave it). I need the out the door price and a detailed breakdown in writing. I don't need to waste the salesperson's time or my time on the phone, and my time getting to a dealer only for it to be yet another bait and switch.

Is that just a factor of the car shortage during the pandemic? Do dealers in California suck?

 

[HDavis]

How do I not talk to salespeople on the phone?

I'm not interested in the typical phone games that many dealers have been doing the last few years (at least what I've experienced -- told one number, insisted that I have to come in to get it in writing, given a completely different number when I get there and told to take it or leave it). I need the out the door price and a detailed breakdown in writing. I don't need to waste the salesperson's time or my time on the phone, and my time getting to a dealer only for it to be yet another bait and switch.

Is that just a factor of the car shortage during the pandemic? Do dealers in California suck?

Yeah, those are some BS games. If they won't email you the deal after a phone call, they want to play games and you should move on.

 

[shellb]

How do I not talk to salespeople on the phone?

I'm not interested in the typical phone games that many dealers have been doing the last few years (at least what I've experienced -- told one number, insisted that I have to come in to get it in writing, given a completely different number when I get there and told to take it or leave it). I need the out the door price and a detailed breakdown in writing. I don't need to waste the salesperson's time or my time on the phone, and my time getting to a dealer only for it to be yet another bait and switch.

Is that just a factor of the car shortage during the pandemic? Do dealers in California suck?

Wow, that sounds like a mess...that has not been my experience and I would walk to another dealer.

Call, agree to deal, get in writing, wire funds. That should be the process, a lot of times without ever seeing the car!

 

[r.swany]

Airbags Shmerebags - Look what Proffitt's has for sale:


View: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0LOTVftApy/?igshid=NjZiM2M3MzIxNA%3D%3D


I didn't see it on their website but maybe I didn't look hard enough: https://www.resurrectionlandcruisers.com/

 

[DaveInDenver]

@r.swany

The Trifecta! 1996 Left Hand Drive Toyota HiLux Double Cab Pickup - Proffitt's Resurrection Land Cruisers

This truck has the trifecta! Diesel, double cab, and left hand drive. It's unfathomable why they were never offered in the US. But this one is here, legally imported and ready to go. This HiLux has just over 150,000 miles and was being used as a daily driver. Mechanically, it is solid, but we...

www.resurrectionlandcruisers.com

$18,000

I'd be a little concerned with how much rust and Bondo is under the bedliner rolled all around since it doesn't sound like Proffit did anything to it. Petty cool truck still so probably a serious hassle to register in California. Too bad it's Double Cab, an XtraCab would be super duper. Second to last year for a solid axle Hilux, too.

 

[mcgaskins]

Airbags Shmerebags - Look what Proffitt's has for sale:


View: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0LOTVftApy/?igshid=NjZiM2M3MzIxNA%3D%3D


I didn't see it on their website but maybe I didn't look hard enough: https://www.resurrectionlandcruisers.com/

That looks pretty cool! I can think of worse ways to spend $18k: https://www.resurrectionlandcruisers.com/product/hilux-for-sale/