I test drove the new Tacoma today. It was a V6, AT, Dual Cab, TRD Off Road. I was impressed with nearly every aspect of the truck. I have a few concerns though...
1) My salesman was a complete joke! I didn't expect much, but come on...He though the TRD Sport is 2wd and the TRD Off Road is 4wd! Also, I opened the hood with the engine running after the test drive and I noticed the engine tick mentioned on this forum and I asked him what the noise was. When I asked him if this sound is normal he said "yeah, it's the electronic timing monitor." What!
2) When we left the dealer lot to go for a test drive he was driving and he peeled out leaving the lot. Then he took me to a gravel/dirt parking lot and floored it shooting rocks and dirt all over while getting sideways. Ok, I have done this a million times with my own vehicles, but come on...who wants to buy a "new" truck that's been abused by the salesman?!?
3) About the truck. It was amazing and all I hoped it would be. I could not believe how quiet the cab was and how car like it drove. The power of the V6 was great and the interior materials were nice. I will need to test drive the TRD Sport, V6, AT, Access Cab before I buy. When I told the salesman this he said that I would need to commit to purchasing the truck before he would arrange for this specific vehicle to be delivered from another dealership, because they did not have one there. I am not going to buy a truck I have never seen or driven.
With that said I will most likely be buying a new Tacoma: 2006 Access Cab, V6, AT, TRD Sport, 4wd, White. My question is how do I find a good salesman and a good dealership? I want to buy a vehicle from a dealership that cares about their vehicles and their customers. I am in Seattle, WA.
1. i think its normal now a days when salesman dont know shet about the vehicles except small basic things.
2. . i cant beleived he was driving around on rocks like that and flooring it, he could damage the paint up, i wonder if his supervisors know if he is doing this on test drives?
you wanna find a good salesman, go to different dealers and stuff.
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05 Tacoma DC LB TRD Sport Super White.
"I thought I'd get your theories, mock them, then embrace my own. The usual."-House.
What a dumbass salesman. Email the fleet/internet director of the nearest Toyota Dealers with what you want. See which one has the truck and which will give the best deal on.
commit to buy just for the priveledge of a test drive...? If he ain't gott 'em on the lot, he ain't got nothing to sell. You have to have something to sell...
I wouldn't buy from that dealership just because of the way he drove the vehicle...
If they are that understocked that they don't have several choices of TRD Sports for you to test drive, there are plenty of dealers that would love to see you walk through their door...
you are better off knowing everything yourself. My salesman was a joke too. Knowing what I know now and relying on a salesman at the time, I definitely would have bought a different version Taco (ie. TRD Sport, tow package, etc)
I avoid salesman all together. I went straight to the fleet department and printed out the options I wanted from onlilne. I bought my truck at invoice, with no haggling. The fleet lady let me take it for a test drive by myself with no ride along.
Does anyone know of a reputable dealer and or salesman in the Seattle area?
Cam2Xrunner - Since your post I have been emailing all of the dealerships in the area to see if they have the truck I'm looking for and who may have the best price - good idea.
zmanphx - Fleet department? You purchased your truck at invoice? Please explain the process.
Thanks.
Mainly the goal is to talk to someone who doesn't make commission on the sale of the vehicle, only bonuses for quantity sold. I purchased mine by asking for an internet quote, I did all the haggling over the phone/email and only met the salesman on the day I went in to sign my papers. I only had to haggle because they quoted me a price for a vehicle I didn't want and they ended up giving it to me a great price at $1000 under dealer invoice because of it. The two dealerships that I requested internet quotes from pretty much quoted me invoice right away without much effort on my part. I'd recommend avoiding any type of commissioned salesman, they don't care about you and only want their paycheck, not what is best for you. A management figure is also more than likely working at the dealership for the long run and is very interested in customer approval/loyalty.
zmanphx - Fleet department? You purchased your truck at invoice? Please explain the process.
Thanks.
Print out all the options you want on the truck from the internet and go directly to the fleet department as ask for a fleet manager. They will look at the options you want and tell you want is available. No haggling buying. Took me 30 minutes to decide what truck and color I wanted before I agreed to purchase.
BTW, the trucks are delivered from Toyota with the popular packaged options like TRD Off Road , towing, JBL stereo was the most common on the lot. The TRD Sport was not that common compare dot TRD OR. The dealer ship i went to had two dozen TRD OR and maybe 3 TRD sport. The only think I had to decide on was what color i wanted.
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. i cant beleived he was driving around on rocks like that and flooring it, he could damage the paint up, i wonder if his supervisors know if he is doing this on test drives?
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