Do you buy trucks off the lot?

[StatCoder]

I have noticed that there are a lot of people who go to a dealership with the intent of buying one of the trucks off of the lot that day. I have always found that kind of surprising given the low inventory that the average Toyota dealership caries.

When you go to the Toyota website and "Build Your Own" or get a brochure mailed to you, you get to see all sorts of configuration, colors, and options to choose from. When you actually go to a dealership, though, or even the dealership website, you are shown a very small number of trucks at a Toyota dealership. Toyota dealers carry a lot lower inventory than domestic truck dealerships. I don't think I have ever seen more than about a dozen 07 Tundras available at a dealership. That means that there are probably 2 or 3 to choose from that have the engine size and trim level that you want. That's not much of a choice.

Even though dealerships in the Gulf States Toyota region display dozens of trucks in their inventory system, it's rare to see a truck that is really loaded with factory options. You can have nav/stereo or moonroof or 20" wheels and have to grudingly accept whatever port options were added on there.

So, why buy off the lot? Are you wanting/needing that new truck right now? Are you going to get a better deal by buying off the lot?

[Stuff]

I've bought every car or truck I've owned off the lot. (only 5 though)

When I was buying one of them, I wanted minimal options, and they searched all of so-cal looking for it. They found one 40 miles away with all the options I wanted, without all the options I didn't want, except for one, "heated seats". I thought heated seats was the stupidest thing I've ever heard of, especially in so-cal. I didn't want 'em, but I bought that car anyways since they just didn't come the way I wanted all that often.

Heated seats, btw, have to be one of the best inventions ever. Ever since then, I don't sweat having too many options.

With my old Tundra (2002), I had to go to the lot with the car, and managed to get a good deal on it. It helps that Longo Toyota is gigantic and had like 100 trucks (they only had 1 configured the way I wanted it).

I wouldn't buy a truck that doesn't have the options I want... but I would drive out of the way to get it. I mean heck, I'm looking at SFTundraMan's inventory right now for my 2007 Tundra and he's 400 miles away. Mmmmm, 0% financing...

[SFTundraMan]

Since I mostly sell to TS members. I havent sold one off the lot yet. You guys are way too picky for that, lol

You couldnt possibly make my life that easy. lmao

[bugchucker]

I had been waiting 3 weeks for an incoming truck when I saw the exact truck on a dealer website that was on the lot. (This is after that dealer told me they didn't have it and didn't have it incoming.) We negotiated back and forth a few times via e-mail. I didn't budge one penny. The dealer finally gave up and replied "you win!". I went up that day and drove it home. It was a long journey to find this Tundra. I started searching mid feb and drove it home after Mother's day brunch.