Buying Certified 2007 Taco: Is this a good deal?

[willem]

Your advice, please. Sorry this is long and kinda whiney, but I'm about to drop $23k in the next day or two.

I'm a current 2001 Tundra owner who's thinking of handing it off to a relative and getting a nice, nearly-new Tacoma.

Unlike previous purchases, I am not overly obsessed with saving absolutely every dime I can. I am opting for a "loaded" 4-door PreRunner with 22k miles on it. It is beautiful and literally looks like it rolled off the showroom floor.

Except for the tires. They are not the originals. They are also pretty worn out, but the dealers says the tread-depth is within "Toyota Certified" specs. they stick out to me as a blemish on an otherwise perfect vehicle.

This truck was the only Tacoma on the lot that had a price tag in the window: REG $25,995 SALE $22,995. The sales person, as you might expect, indicated it was an advertised "loss leader" and they "probably couldn't knock much more if any from it.

As far as I am concerned, $23k is within my comfort level -- but I obviously want to get the best deal I can. New tires will cost around $700.

They also had another nice Taco (tho not to my specs) that has some like new TRD seat covers ($199 list). I suggested to the sales person that I wanted them to pull them out of that vehicle and put them in mine.

If they'd put new tires on it, I'd feel okay paying anything less than $23k for the Taco. If they won't I'd expect to get at least $750 off. I really just want to buy the truck and not worry about tires in 6 months.

I also noted that the steering wheel was tilting a few degrees off center. My mechanic buddy told me that either it was aligned and they didn't later adjust the steering wheel, or it just came that way. At any rate, should I insist this be addressed? I didn't even notice it until my "car guru" pointed it out to me. Otherwise he raved at its condition.

My research so far indicates that $23k is a reasonable price for a Taco in my area in this condition. Not a steal, but not price-gouging either. But today's economy makes me wonder if the internet numbers are even valid anymore.

Finally, CARFAX says the car was a one owner, owned by an "individual" at least 500 miles from me. Dealer said they bought it either from another dealer or at an auction. No service history on Carfax.

Where do I go from here? My plan is to offer them $21k and then see what they say. I can easily walk away, but emotions are running kind of high.

Thanks for reading and your suggestions.

[Pavilion]

At 23.000 that is quite high. I have the same vehicle that I purchased new in May 2007 for $25,000, with all the bells and whistles. I added body side moulding myself, plus Stainless Steel Exhaust, Satellite Radio and Westin Platinum Stainless Steel, chrome plated step bars, and mine would not bring that price and it is a second vehicle for me and has only 6700 miles. Of course you are paying a premium price if it is a preowned certified vehicle. Depending on what month it was purchased you should still have some bumper to bumper coverage until 36,000 or three years from the original purchase date, plus a five year, 60,000 mile power train warranty. You will be paying a premium price for a vehicle that still has original warranty left. Dealers really mark up preowned certified vehicles.
Offer $20,000 max and let them work on that. Walk away and they will most likely contact you in a day or two. The way the economy is going people are not out there doing a lot of vehicle shopping for P/U's, and the dealerships are hungry. Wait it out and see what they are really willing todrop down to. Mine is the TRD Off Road version.

[JaredPointer]

I think you have some room to work them - I just got a 09, 4WD, doublecab TRD Sport with lots of bells and whistles like leather, park pilot, etc for just a couple grand more than what you're talking.

Dealerships are really at the disadvantage now - at least more now than at any time I have ever needed to buy a vehicle.

[willem]

Originally Posted by JaredPointer

I think you have some room to work them - I just got a 09, 4WD, doublecab TRD Sport with lots of bells and whistles like leather, park pilot, etc for just a couple grand more than what you're talking.

Dealerships are really at the disadvantage now - at least more now than at any time I have ever needed to buy a vehicle.

Thanks, folks. I am taking a deep breath.

I had no idea a new one could be acquired at such a discount. I have always been under the assumption that Tacomas sold a less of a discount.

Maybe I ought to buy a new one.

[JaredPointer]

Originally Posted by willem

Thanks, folks. I am taking a deep breath.

I had no idea a new one could be acquired at such a discount. I have always been under the assumption that Tacomas sold a less of a discount.

Maybe I ought to buy a new one.

At the time I bought, the Tacos had a $1K "rebate", which the dealership matched. Tossed on top of the negotiations and a credit union sale (where the rates were 3.5% for up to 72 months - not that I'd finance a vehicle for 6 years. ) I came out very good.

Heck, the white Taco I totaled (2005 Prerunner Sport which I payed around 24K for brand spankin' new) the insurance cut me a check for 20K. I was sorta bummed that the low interest rates really didn't mean anything to me.

From everyone I talked to, the dealerships have a lot more wiggle room on a brand new one than they do a used vehicle. I don't know exactly how that works, just repeating what I was told.

[TX RN]

Friend, do yourself a HUGE favor and check out Edmonds.com. They have all sorts of reviews from the every day person that actually owns the vehicle and uses it. The reviews usually come from some compensated staff writer after an afternoon of tooling around in the vehicle.

Edmonds also has the market value just like Kelly Blue Book. Check out both and see for yourself what the vehicle is worth. It is a bad feeling to have bought a vehicle and find out a new one was cheaper. I've played the car game for a few decades and have learned a few things from my mistakes. Remember the dealership is getting your money. Make them put the new tires on it or walk away. Have them figure out why the steering wheel is not perfectly straight. YOU are the customer. They need to bow down and kiss your hind end so you will buy their product.

Lastly, check out Toyota.com and see which vehicles have incentives for the month of June. You may be able to get a $2,500 rebate AND 0% APR on a new truck. Have a look BEFORE you go back to the stealer er... dealership.

Good luck...