Automotive Forums

Hello everyone, I'm on the ropes about a new Tacoma purchase. I really would appreciate anyone's insight into some of my quandries.
Here goes...
Deciding between 4 and 6 cyl. access base model Tacoma, I hear different opinions about fuel economy.  I hear the 6 cyl. actually gets better milage than the 4. Any thoughts out there on that? The new 6 is rated for 18mpg and the 4cyl. is rated 23mpg both manual trans.
I'm being told by friends that the bigger engine does better in the small truck.

Also I'm seeing a very limited supply of 4 cyl. due to the Buy Back program going on. I qualified too. But now it seems the Dealer isn't wanting to budge on the MSRP because of new demand. Any strategies there? I'm actually being quoted better prices on 6 cyl. models than 4 cyl.

Thanks for any quick thoughts. Going shopping again tomorrow. Scared they will be all gone!!Correy  

Hey Correy,
Couple things to consider when you are shopping for your Taco :P Are you going with 2WD or 4WD.  Because 4WD + V6 probably means poorest fuel efficiency of the bunch. For more "real-world" estimates, head on over to FuelEconomy.org. People (such as myself) have posted their "real world" mpg average to share with others.
Regarding the pricing, the best strategy is to shop each quote around dealers in your area (sometimes a little beyond your area) Don't bother driving to the dealers, you got a computer, email the internet sales dept. Floor sales usually cut the worse deals from my experience. If you wanna negotiate, be sure you are next to a PC so u can price compare on Edmunds or KBB website to see how far off they are from what most people pay.
Last year I shopped online and managed to get an Acura TSX for 250 under invoice. The key is doing it on your terms. Shopping for quotes via email is much easier since its easier to "leave" the dealership than being there in person.
Good luck. Let us know how it went afterwards.  
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Auto Leasing, Rates, News and Rants at http://www.ridewithg.com

Hey G. So when you say 250 under invoice do you mean with the use of rebates and incentives?

I did hook up with a truck. 4WD. But will ellaborate more after hearing your opinion.
Thanks for the reply. I'm going to the Edmunds site to see how I did. Thanks for the links. I appreciate them.
Correy  

Hi Correy. When I negotiated for that car, I didn't ask for any rebates. All I said was "I want the sale price of $26500" and the dealer emailed buy saying "I can do better, $26250." They weren't offering any rebates or incentives other than low rates. One factor that helped me get a deal was that we have a lot of Acura dealers in the area and also the fact that it was already end of 07 model year so no more 2007s where being produced. (That was in May) Timing is everything, you get the best deals after production ends. Toyota should be rolling in with 09s right now, so 08 should be had at a bigger discount. Not sure about the Tacomas tho, but I do know the Corollas and Camrys have 09s in the lot already.

Edmunds is a great source to find out what people pay around your area. Its a bit frustrating at times because the prices aren't always exact...(due to options and stuff) but its a good "tool".

Hope you got a great deal, please share your buying experience.

G  
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Auto Leasing, Rates, News and Rants at http://www.ridewithg.com

I guess I did o.k.. I paid Invoice. But that was including factory incentives. Then you lose a $750 if you use Toyota's special low APR financing.
Stock here in the Northeast is very limited for Tacoma 4x4 4Cyl.
Toyota is doing the Extended Warantee for rust damaged frames. If your Vehicle does not pass inspction for any of the 15 years after put in service, they buy it back for 150% of top Kelly Value for your Zip and Milage. My 98 4x4 4cyl Reg cab Taco is valued at $7400 and supposedly will recieved $11,000.00.
Then $1750 of incentives. I'm paying less than $10,000.00.
But still stock is nil. There were three Taco Access cab 4 cyl 4x4 in the state of Maine. And most coming in are already spoken for. Deposits required. Other waiting times are two weeks to two months. End of the production year and all. There probably will not be many more made or released till fall with the '09's.
I think this was strategically launched to so they could sell out of 08 4cyl Taco and use the Buy Back Program to clean up the low milage 6cyl and Tundra's. Which there are many good deals on those. One place even said they would sell a 6 cyl access base for $20,500. That's $2000 under invoice!
17mpg though.
I took the only 4cyl access 4x4 I could get on the spot. I could have saved another $250 if I drove 8 hours round trip but it wasn't worth the time. They even had to swap out with a dealer in Mass. And drive it up.
Point is I guess, The Buy Back Program is creating huge supply issues up here and If any one can qualify for it, get on the ball and go.

Correy
excuse and grammarical or spelling issues, I didn't have time to proof read.