Buying New Tacoma - need help - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

toyota12 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 03:07 PM

Hi There!

My son is currently serving in Afghanistan. Cash for clunkers will expire before he gets back. He wants me to trade in his dakota for a Tacoma. So I will be flying from Minnesota to Upstate NY to get his truck from storage to trade it in.

I know he wants 4WD Double Cab AT Long Bed - but will settle for a short bed.

Are there any options that are MUST Have, should have, would be nice to have?

Also, I know there is a difference in wheel base for LB vs. SB. Can anyone explain pros vs cons if any?

What should I be paying for a 2009? Or 2010 if they are out on the lot by the end of August when I plan to buy.

Anything else you think I should know about would be great!

Thank you for your help. It is much appreciated.

Proud Army Mom

SOSHeloPilot · #2 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 06:24 PM

.

First, thank your son for his service and his sacrifices.

I have owned several Toyota pickups and now have a 2009 DCSB, TRD, OR Tacoma. The 2009s and 2010s are pretty much the same animal. If you could get either (Tacoma DCSB or DCLB, AT, TRD, 4x4, for around $27,500 (out the door) that would be a good deal IMO.

Good luck and the best to both of you ..

SOS

PS ... If you want an extended warranty now .. make sure you buy a "Toyota OEM Factory Warranty" ... And you can buy one (for that vehicle) on the internet for about $900.00 (7 yr, - 100K mile platinum) from several Toyota dealers.

PPS ... Feel free to PM or email me ... I do a lot of volunteer work (for free) to help veterans get their medical care and/or compensation when they come home. I can give you or your son the DVA (Department of Veteran Affairs) traps to avoid. I think that I have been in all of those DVA Traps. ... lol ...

.

toyota12 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-14-2009, 02:13 PM

Thank you for the feedback.

And I will definately keep your offer of VA help in the back of my mind for future use.

05Moose · #4 (**permalink**) 08-14-2009, 08:52 PM

Before you go through all that hassle, make sure you know what you qualify for. Since the value of the rebate has to do with the increase fuel mileage between the trade-in and the new vehicle, I would go through the government's website to calculate it beforehand. That way if it isn't what you thought, why take the time to go get his vehicle and take it to the dealer? Also, the dealer does not have to have the vehicle for you to qualify. So long as a sales agreement is in place. Check the qualifications on the website.

Here's a link to figure out the rebate amount based on the trade-in vehicle info and the new vehicle info:

CARS - Car Allowance Rebate System

toyota12 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-16-2009, 11:45 AM

Thanks. Yes I did check the site before making all these plans. It qualifies. 93 dakota 2wd for a 2009 Tacoma 4wd. We should get $3500. Funny though, if he had wanted a new dakota he wouldn't have qualified since the old one is classified as a category 1, but the new dakotas are classified as category 2. Tacoma's are category 1 so we are ok there.

One other problem it looks like I will encounter is that dealerships are holding the new cars hostage until they get paid. Which is contrary to what the programs say is to be done. When they send in the paperwork, they are signing and having the customer sign that they have given up the old car and received the new one. But that isn't the case with all dealers. Hopefully, it will no longer be an issue when we get there next week.