Best Time to Buy/Sweet Deal Dreams

Hi Everyone. I am a long time lurker first time poster. I was originally looking at a 2nd gen, but given how well they keep their value, I am seeing a justification for spending a little (or a lot) more on a 3rd gen Tacoma. I have my eye on a TRD OR LB 4X4. Given your experiences buying and selling Tacomas over the years, would I be best to wait until later in the year for better pricing, or does that not happen with these trucks? Is anyone else doing this? I am looking to be in one by October through December. Thanks for any advice you may send my way.

 

To be honest, there is no good or bad time to buy a Tacoma. At least from what I've seen. The quality of these trucks are evident and their resale value shows it. I say if you have the money to buy one or the budget to sustain, pick out what you want/need and don't look back.

 

I don't think you'll see much of a deal on that model truck. I'd get on an order sheet somewhere, those trucks seem to be hardest to find.

 

You MIGHT get $1000 off a 2016 in August and September.

Might.

They offered it at my dealership, wait, no, they had the signs up at my dealership. They'd already SOLD OUT before anyone could take advantage of it.

Your experience may vary.

 

Yeah, I agree. Life is short. Enjoy now.

 

My 2 cents.

I've bought many new/used cars through the years. The Tacoma is unlike any other vehicle i've ever researched or purchased.

Depending on where you are (how populous of a location you live in) dealers may not even discount, or if they do. the amount is equal to a fine dinner for 2 at a nice restaurant.

I've never encountered quite a purchase like this.... Like buying any other car, if you wait til end month, or end year, you may score a deal or dealer incentive -- that simply does not apply to the Tacoma based on how popular it is.

There are many dealers near me that would not budge $1 from MSRP simply because they know the next person will buy it at full price.

I've never seen a mass-produced vehicle, where people would actually purchase from another state and drive home just to save a grand or two.. That may be worth it to some, but to me my time is much more important than that.

 

I am in NC. From what I have read on here, some people are getting better deals then from those on the western side. Does Toyota limit the production on these trucks, or is it just a crazy cult following? I can remember having the same problem trying to find a cheap used one that I could afford about 12 years ago even.

 

No limit on production. That would not make good business sense. They crank 'em out as fast as people buy them. It's been the same since before they were known as Tacomas. The demand is very high for these trucks. The used market is even crazier.

 

When you find the one you want you better buy it, it won't be there when your ready and should have bought it that day.

 

Typically the best time to buy without their being some type of rebate or sale from the manufacture is the last day of each month. The dealership tries to close strong at the end of the month so they usually are willing to take a hit for a sale. This all varies though and their is a lot of factors that come into play.

The best time would be Oct 31st. Last day of the fiscal year for the manufactures and dealers. Obviously you'll prob get a better deal at a dealer (auto group) who focuses on volume

 

Dont be afraid to call around i had 3 dealers willing to do 1100 iver invoice which is about 1k off msrp. I also ran into dealers not moving a cent on msrp and some that had mark ups of 3-5k so shop around save some money. I contacted the dealer asking if they honored costco and most would say yes at 400 off msrp but a few would honor the 1100 over invoice. Just findind one in stock is already hard then finding a dealer willing to work

 

Agreed with everything above. Shop around, but it's a high demand model so I wouldn't spend too much time on it. Toyota and the finance teams @ dealers know what they've got in these trucks.

Now is as good a time as any.

 

Last few days of the month for sure. Typically the end of December or first week or two of January is also good.

Unfortunately, the best deals are on vehicles sitting on a dealers lot. See any Tacoma's on a Toyota dealer lot? None around here. I have only seen a couple on the streets here.

The truck I'll eventually buy is still a unicorn here. It'll have to be a special order, assuming I don't change my mind and go 4x4. It'll be a special order either way because the local dealers here pile on too many options, port adds, and local dealer adds.

 

OP, I bought mine last September at MSRP. I needed a vehicle and it was about the same price as a 24,000 mile 2015 Taco on EBay. As of last weekend the dealership that I use has NOT had any TRDs in stock, just the odd SR5 2 wheel drive.

They also told me that they can't get them or keep them in stock, and there would be no deals under MSRP. Other dealerships here in the DFW area have some in stock, but they are priced ABOVE MSRP.

 

Dealer closest low balled trade and was at msrp. I wanted to try to stay local. I shopped a bit and found a 2 dealers that were fair. One had a customer back out on a truck that was my second color choice but equipped as I wanted. They called I went and test drove and bought. 2600.00 less than local.

 

Thank you everyone for your input. It gives me a better perspective on what to expect as I start getting more serious. I might compromise and go with a short bed, but I would probably regret that decision down the road. If I'm going to spend a king's ransom on a mid sized truck, I might as well get what I want.