Dealer trade with a different region?

I've searched as best I could to see if this had been discussed before, but couldn't find the answer to my question. Can dealerships trade with another dealership if they are in a different region? For example, could a dealership in North Carolina (part of Southeast Toyota) trade with a dealership in Virginia (Toyota USA??)? Or a dealer in Georgia trade with a dealer in Tennessee?

I know SET dealers can trade across state lines with other SET dealers, but I've not heard of them trading outside of that region. The reason I'm asking is because I'm looking into whether or not it's feasible to get back in a Tacoma. I traded my Taco for 2019 Tundra TRD Sport 4x4 back in October and I'm really missing the Tacoma. The Tundra is a great truck, but it's so big, it doesn't make for the best daily driver. I just enjoyed the Tacoma more. I test drove the Tundra several times, but you can't really know how your going to feel about it until you drive it every single day.

I have equity in the truck already, but it doesn't do me any good since SET doesn't have the truck that I want. There are some in Tennessee and a bunch in Virginia, but they are outside of SET.

The other option would be negotiate the vehicle price and then take a road trip to pick it up. Not sure which would be better, since Virginia doesn't have a tax break for trade ins. So if anyone has any experience with any of this, dealer trades with different regions or trading a vehicle in Virginia from out of state, please chime in!

Thanks in advance for the info and sorry for the lengthy post!

 

Just but margins start to dwindle.

You'll see minor changes between regions, and trades between regions is very rare in my neck of the woods. It's just not worth it.

 

I'm in CA and dealer gave me a big NO on trade from OR and TN. Said only within the same region. Best is to ask the dealer and show the vehicle you want and go from there.

Is your build only sold in different region? Perhaps, talk to your dealer into snatch that's on allocation for another region. This is possible.

Never had to deal with tax on trade ins, the dealer in VA will probably not do it - not b/c they don't want to do it, but b/c they don't know how to deal with this or don't have resources to do that. You should look into your state law on it to see if this is even possible (you would be trading your truck not in your state so not sure if your state will give you a break on tax for that)

GL

 

Was going to say the same as above... I’m in GST and was looking in SET as well. Both let me know upfront they would not interact. There are differences in their builds and accessories packaging. Even the addition of new models (TSS, XP, etc.). The purchase transaction will be based on your own residence (not where you buy). They may collect it however, but will be transferred afterwards. I’m not sure how the trade-in will go, because the purchaser is the dealer, but I suspect any tax advantage your state offers would be applicable when you filed your state taxes (or refund request). Perhaps a better question for your own states tax administration (sales).

Maybe consider local trade-in/sale and fly-in. Many (good) dealers will do all of the paperwork up front, where you just need to come in and sign. Most will also pick you up at the airport as well (if nearby). I have also seen where they would transport or have a driver bring it to you. If you fear this stuff, I will say there are buyers agents for car purchasing that will do all of the legwork for a fee.

Consider cross state purchasing a negotiating tool. Mine quickly realized I wasn’t going to play when I quoted prices from other dealers, with some over 400 miles away in other regions. I was actually told that some offerings were better elsewhere due to incentives/financing differences. I purchased elsewhere, but my local dealer is just as happy to act like it came from there (first one did though).

EDIT: Had a second thought... you also need to consider the power of your trade-in in both states. Local demand will also play into this valuation. Sure they all send to auctions, but only if they don’t think they can turn a buck first...

 

Some folks will fly to the other location and drive their rig home. Time for a road trip?

 

Yes they can.

It’s better if it’s a vehicle that is “inbound” but not at dealer yet. They basically trade one build for the other prior to it leaving the factory. When they do it this way though, don’t expect to get a lot of deals. A lot of times, you kind of have to accept the MSRP or close to it. Especially for an in demand model or color.

I had to do that to get a cement OR. Even then, we didn’t know for sure if it would be tech or not and had to accept the added tonneau cover.

 

I'm looking for a 2020 DCSB TRD Sport 4x4 with the Premium Audio and Dynamic Navigation package, Tech Package (or advanced tech), and LED headlights. SET doesn't have any 6AT's with the Premium Audio and Dynamic Navigation and almost none with the LED headlights. I'm in GA and there are a few in TN and a bunch in VA. In GA, when you trade a vehicle, you only pay tax on the difference between the selling price of the new vehicle and the trade in value. In VA, it says you pay tax on the MSRP, regardless of trade or sale price. So I'm wondering if I would have to do pay sales tax on the full price or if they calculate the tax based on your home state's tax laws.

I was thinking about that as well. There aren't a ton of used Tundras available around here, so I think I could get a decent trade value for it. Not sure about other states. Another reason I was considering a vehicle from out of state was that you can find them without so many random things added to it. Toyoguard ($699), clear paint protection ($350-$600), phone charging package ($100) are on A LOT of the Tacomas I see around here. Things like floor mats, mudguards, bed lights, etc. all cost more here as well. Everywhere else is also advertising the $1,500 rebate, but the dealers here won't mention it. I have seriously considered negotiating everything over email/phone and get everything nailed down before making the trip to get it. I love a good road trip, so that part isn't a problem.

I do love a good road trip! Buying a truck that far away makes me a little nervous, so I'm just trying to get all the info I can on all the possible options I have. I research all of my purchases (probably too much lol) before pulling the trigger.

 

GST and SET both suck. If I were to ever want to buy new again (most unlikely) via the ordering method, I'd go out of region to do so.

If they have exactly what you want on hand, it's all about the same.

My last 'order' came with stuff I had not asked for, and did not include stuff that was available on Toyota's build site. It was blamed on the 'port', and the dealer said that's just the way SET plays.

Just my experience. Dunno if you've seen this or not. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/what-toyota-region-to-buy-in.443026/

 

Can you wait a little? The more of a Rush you are in the more you will pay. Then again, I had a full sized GMC Sierra and once I sold my trailer I couldn't wait to dump that thing, it was no fun driving around the city. People don't seem to realize it's the width of a full size that makes it such a pain, not just the length.

 

You pay sales tax based on where you live, not where you purchase from. Everyone in CA would be buying their cars in OR since OR has no sales tax.

Dealers not in your state of residence may not charge you sales tax where that dealer is not located at. Also, they should not register the truck in that state b/c you won't be driving there so it would be waste of money. What you need to do is to work with the DMV in your state to pay sales tax when you register it. If the dealer is forcing you to pay sales tax/registration, walk away.

Another ideal would be to hire an auto broker that has nationwide network to find vehicle for you and being it to you.

 

This is my biggest concern with trying to "order." Since I'm basically trying to grab an allocation, I could end up with port installed accessories that I don't really want. SET adds a ton of stuff to most of their vehicles to jack the price up. There are 3 or 4 TRD Off-Roads at one of the local dealers that are over $47k WITHOUT LED headlights or even the Advanced Tech package. I would be a little worried that I would end up with a whole bunch of stuff I don't want.

I'm not in a hurry. My Tundra is pretty nice and comfortable, just a bit of chore for daily driving. My Tacomas were more enjoyable and honestly fit my lifestyle better. You're right about the full size trucks and the width. The length is definitely an issue, but combine that with how wide the Tundra is and driving starts to feel like work.

Right now, I'm more or less researching to see when will be a good time to trade and what the best course of action would be to make that happen.

That's how I assumed it would work, but wasn't sure if a dealer in VA would know anything about taxes in GA. I'm hoping I can get enough on my trade and enough of a discount on the new truck to avoid the sales tax altogether or at least most of it. I may just reach out to one of the dealers and ask how that would work on their end and see what they say. I've just been trying to avoid dealer contact as much as possible until it's necessary lol.

And since you guys aren't trying to sell me anything, I figured I might get more honest answers and opinions here.

 

No one can force you to take delivery. If you paid any relocation fees, there might be an argument there. You can refuse a vehicle, just might burn a bridge with that dealer is all. Also let them know your limits on added goodies, they show up with extra, that’s on the dealer.

I’m by no means an expert, that’s just kinda how it was with mine. They tried to add a “relocation” fee but backed off pretty quick when I said that wouldn’t work for me. I also had 20k to put down so that helped demonstrate I wasn’t just someone with a pipe dream wanting the cheapest Tacoma I could find.

 

two of my buddies purchased 4 runner and tacoma like this before here in CA - one got from CO and another from WA. I recall the dealer in WA was very knowledgeable on how the inter-state sales worked and was no hassle for my buddy. Another had to teach dealer on the paperwork that they needed to process and what they and Toyota Motor Sales need to send to CA DMV. Both did not pay CA or CO/WA sales tax and registration at dealer and had to pay that at CA DMW.

Just pay a quick visit to your local DMV and they'll be able to walk you through the process and what you need.

 

So, I just wanted to follow up on this thread in case anyone was interested. I did confirm what many others said in this thread, that dealers within Southeast Toyota can only trade with other dealers within Southeast Toyota. They can request allocations or try to snag one in the pipeline, but if it's at another dealer outside SET, it's a no go.

Fortunately, I was able to find a truck that met my criteria and price and put a deposit down. Should be picking it up next weekend.

 

Glad you were able to get your truck OP!

To add additional information to this thread for others, going outside the region is almost impossible, unless you use an Auto Buyer who can source cars nationally. That will cost a couple of hundred $$ for the service, and shipping costs too unless you go there to pick it up, but can open up opportunities that are otherwise unavailable. That is what I did to source my 2020 MT Sport and I am very pleased with the result. An added benefit is the purchasing process is streamlined and less of a hassle. Of course, you pay a little bit for the service and I get some people cannot or would not do it but it is something to consider to get what you want at a decent price without a bunch of extras that the region adds on that are not desired.... I am not sure if there posting the auto buyer is allowed or not, but he is on JALOPNIK if you search around and I was very pleased with the process and result

I am not involved with auto sales in any way, but it seems very strange how the allocations to different areas are decided by Toyota, For example my truck was a MT sport and where I bought it North Atlantic region, they had 3 or 4 other MTs at that dealer at the same time, and they had been there since Oct/Nov... There were no options locally that I or the auto buyer saw which is strange since they were in an area where people would not be likely to purchase MT trucks, that area people want Auto fully loaded versions... It seems like it would make sense to allocate optioned vehicles to the areas they would sell and or have a way to trade between regions.... I do not know.

Of course, you could build your truck the way you want and order it, but I think you could save some $$$ by negotiating for on one on a lot somewhere especially if it is somewhere it is not moving.

 

Thanks! I'm pretty excited about it!

I definitely feel your pain with the weird regional allocations. I'm going to be driving to a neighboring state to get mine. I was almost willing to settle for one without the LED headlights and I came across one that checked all the boxes and the dealer was willing to deal on price and trade. In our area, the trucks are either base models with a ton of add ons that put the price at $42k or the premium models that have a ton of add ons and sticker for $46-47k. That's sport and off road models. They don't offer anything in the middle and no dealers in this region had trucks with LED headlights. It would be interesting to see exactly how Toyota determines allocations.