Dealer games

I’ve been trying to find a base model SR5 four-wheel-drive or TRD off-road non-premium for a few weeks now.

They appear to be pretty rare in California and so far I’ve either been offered SR5 premiums for up to $43,000 or TRD off-road premiums for up to $48,000, that’s before taxes and all the other bullshit.

My local dealer in Walnut Creek refuses to charge dealer markup, but Livermore and Dublin Toyota are charging anywhere between $2000-$5000 for a TRD off-road and up to $15,000 for a pro. They also seem to be lousy with with RWD SR5 models nobody wants.

I theoretically could try to drive or fly to Colorado, Texas, Nevada, Oregon, or Washington, but then you get to deal with the fun process of “importing” a car into California.

My local dealer has also told me that I could potentially put a deposit down on a Tacoma if I need a new truck, so I did that today and now it’s a waiting game to see what will happen first.

I can get an SR 4x4 Taco for less than $34,000 out the door, which has turned into a Plan B. We’ll see what arrives first.

 

I’d hold out for a 4Runner.

Check this out;

https://www.petersontoyota.net/new-vehicles/4runner/

 

I think you'll find that in todays market, Peterson is taking care of local, and in state residents.

 

Not sure but you may be right.

Our other Toyota dealership is Edmark in Nampa Idaho. I checked their online inventory and they just had a few premiums which you stated you weren’t interested in.

There’s also a Toyota dealership in Ontario Oregon which is right on the Idaho border.

One more in Twin Falls Idaho. I didn’t check these two so no clue what they have in inventory.

Happy hunting.

 

Ontario is the only place I found a non Premium Off Road.

 

Id jump on that new SR 4x4 Tacoma in a heartbeat and put a topper and Toyo AT3s on it. That's what I'm probably going to do next but those are hard to find down here. I'm hoping to be able to get one right before they screw it up with the new gen

 

If it comes in first I’m getting it and posting pics.

 

I bought out of state, they were used to the process and made it very easy to "import" into CA. Some dealerships do a fair bit of out of state sales and they have the process down (reno, NV)
They sent me off with a big envelope and step by step instructions, so easy my 16 yo probably could have figured it out.

 

Roseville toyota in Northern California was charging 9k on SR5 2wds. Good luck with whatever you do.

 

It’s not hard, it’s still some legwork. I bought a car in Las Vegas before. If you go through AAA it’s a huge time saver.

 

I thought it was going to be a pain, the hardest part was going to DMV, they make you wait outside in the cold.
But like I said above, this dealer was very experienced with out of state buyers and they have it down. I'm talking postage prepaid with envelopes for sending everything back to them. It was a very pleasant experience. Now I don't know that all dealers would be like this with a CA buyer.

 

This was true when I reached out to them a month or so ago. We live in Oregon and bought a GX from Peterson Lexus but Peterson Toyota didn't care haha.

 

Is the SR Tacoma a 4-cylinder?

 

Again, in today's market of unprecedented tight inventory (and I'm talking specifically about Peterson, but assume Edmark is the same), though you may see a vehicle which appears in their inventory that vehicle is most likely presold. I am talking about both 4runners and Tacomas here. Until the deal is actually done it is still in the dealer's inventory. I have a Tacoma coming in and it shows to be in Peterson's inventory yet I have the VIN and waiting for the call.

 

A great selection and only a 10 hour drive from us. Heck, I'd do that drive for a new 4runner.

 

I’m sure you’ve thought about this, but if not…. I’ve seen you post you’re like 6’3” or so. I’m 5’8” on a good day. I have never been able to get comfortable in a mid size pickup. If you’re serious about buying one I suggest you take a nice long test drive.

 

Check out Hansel Toyota in Petaluma. Just bought an SR5 2wd with a couple upgrades right off the lot. No up-charge. Actually paid $600.00 over invoice. I know most guys don’t want 2wd, but they don’t play games with their vehicles is my understanding. Overall, a great and painless experience. They had 2 or three on the lot a couple days ago when I drove by. No sure what trims. These were the 2 for sale when I bought mine. Yep. The boring white SR5 Good luck!

 

If you ever decide you want a 4wd it’s cheaper to convert a 2wd than buy a factory 4wd in case you haven’t seen that thread.

 

Not sure why folks dislike 2wds so much. Less stuff to break and cheaper to fix. If you live in the south just throw some mud tires on the back and you're good. Not sure if you can get away with that anywhere else though

 

I did. I borrowed one from a neighbor and drove it on Costco errands.

It’s smaller but not tiny.

 

There’s no problem finding 2WD. I want another cheap 4WD Base SR5 or a base TRD OR. Those are super hard to find.

The SR’s 29k price is hard to beat.

Yes it’s the 4 cylinder.

 

A 2WD with good winter tires should be fine for most situations.

I hate walk behind snowblowers. Bought a supposedly good one and found that it's too much work and too slow. This way is so much faster:




Took care of my neighbor's driveway last winter since he has severe health problems. About a 1/4 mile long:

 

I usually rent a Corolla when I hunt in Canada in November/december. I drive it slow up there but it usually does fine. Hell I don't even pay extra for all season tires on it...

 

That was our neighbor from Sandiagho.

For whatever reason he decided to retire in Colorado.

Every morning after a snowfall the dude would just whip out a snowblower and plow every driveway and walk on his side of the street.

When I lived in Colorado Springs, I had a neighbor with an ATV and snowplow that would wake up at 5 AM and blast the entire cul-de-sac. In a tactical kilt.

 

That is an interesting point about Off Roads as I rarely see them listed for sale nor do I remember many folks here who have them. Rarer still must be a KDSS equipped OR.

I puchased both my ‘21 ORP (got crushed with 600 miles) and my Venture from One Toyota of Oakland at MSRP. They also own Toyota of Avondale (AZ)
Got lucky that One Toyota felt bad for me after a lady blew through a red light and flipped mine.

As for 2WD, I think some struggle with the idea owing to the platform requiring compromises in terms of efficiency, performance, and so forth.
That said, as has been pointed out above, in skilled hands, a 2Runner is nightly capable indeed.

 

@LandCruiser. Traveling through Arizona recently I checked on Flagstaff and Phoenix area 4R availability online.
Almost all SR5s are 2WD and inventory is low.
However Avondale Toyota has listings for one 4WD SR5 ($42K) s and one TRD OR ($44K). Good luck with your search.

https://www.avondaletoyota.com/new/...+arizona-6b2ccf740a0e09a80adf76a1c30f98b8.htm

https://www.avondaletoyota.com/new/...+arizona-6b2cd7cc0a0e09af5ee73139252ff0f0.htm

 

I bought my TRD Pro from a dealer in Cleveland last year and "imported" it into California. No big deal. I took the paperwork to the DMV, they perform an inspection and verify that you had it smog checked (yes, a brand new vehicle) and that's all. Registered without any problem. Don't overthink it; get the car you want at the right price. Screw dealers that want to take advantage of the situation.

Yes, I did have to pay to have my truck transported from Ohio but I got the trim and color I wanted and nothing on the vehicle I did not want. The trucker made a few bucks and that's fine by me; better him than some slimy dealer wanting much more.

 

When I say import, I’m also including the cost of airfare across the country and either driving or transporting the vehicle.