[Debellocivili]

Hi. I'm planning on purchasing an a new PreRunner Regular Cab Tacoma (MSRP ~$15, 000), and I want to find out all I can before I do.

Additionally, I don't have a lot of money to spend, and so I'm wondering what I can cut out re: options. There appear to be two options, the Standard Package #2 for ~$1,400 and the SR5 Package #1 for ~$1,900.

(Standard Package #2 Includes air conditioner, bucket seats and sliding rear window. SR5 Package #1 includes make up sets and vanity mirrors, and air conditioner, bucket seats, center console and sliding rear window. )

Now I feel foolish asking this, but if I decide against both options, am I correct in understanding that there will be no A/C in the truck? What about heat? Can I install a/c later? Is $1,400 a lot of money for air conditioning?
(since I'm asking foolish questions, who knows what is a center console?)

Please, don't limit your responses to a/c. If there is something that you think sucks (or is good, like MPG), please let me know.
Thanks.

 

[striker79]

I guess you could order it that way but i'm fairly sure it's gonna be tough to get a car with out ac anymore.When i purchased my previous prerunner in 2001 it was a reg can prerunner and i really wanted to get it with a manual trans and every dealer told me no, they either didn't make them or wouldn't try and order one.I also thought the bench seat and manual windows would be ok but then i experianced a few five plus hour road trips and it damn near killed me.It was still a great truck so good luck with yours.

 

[L R H]

I guess you could order it that way but i'm fairly sure it's gonna be tough to get a car with out ac anymore.When i purchased my previous prerunner in 2001 it was a reg can prerunner and i really wanted to get it with a manual trans and every dealer told me no, they either didn't make them or wouldn't try and order one.I also thought the bench seat and manual windows would be ok but then i experianced a few five plus hour road trips and it damn near killed me.It was still a great truck so good luck with yours.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
The previous series of PreRunner's were all automatic, Toyota was trying to mimic the actual race prerunners, and they all use automatics.

 

[L R H]

Hi. I'm planning on purchasing an a new PreRunner Regular Cab Tacoma (MSRP ~$15, 000), and I want to find out all I can before I do.

Additionally, I don't have a lot of money to spend, and so I'm wondering what I can cut out re: options. There appear to be two options, the Standard Package #2 for ~$1,400 and the SR5 Package #1 for ~$1,900.

(Standard Package #2 Includes air conditioner, bucket seats and sliding rear window. SR5 Package #1 includes make up sets and vanity mirrors, and air conditioner, bucket seats, center console and sliding rear window. )

Now I feel foolish asking this, but if I decide against both options, am I correct in understanding that there will be no A/C in the truck? What about heat? Can I install a/c later? Is $1,400 a lot of money for air conditioning?
(since I'm asking foolish questions, who knows what is a center console?)

Please, don't limit your responses to a/c. If there is something that you think sucks (or is good, like MPG), please let me know.
Thanks.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have one, W/SR5 trim. Toyota does not make the brochures look like they will build any other than those 2 combos; they even call the #2 package the "standard pkg #2", but it is at additional cost. Look at the 4WD reg cab for a moment, they offer a std pkg #1 that consists of A/C and rear slider for around, I can't remember exactly 1150.00, but if you don't order this you can order factory installed A/C for approx 960.00. On non PreRunner 2WD's and 4WD's on access cabs they offer either SR5 or a "convenience pkg, but on PreRunner's they only offer SR5 #2, nothing below this build stage. In other areas of the country I have seen A/Cab 4cyl PreRunner's with no options (A/C and bucket seats are now standard on A/Cabs). South East Toyota does not import many non SR5 combos, but there is one in the port pool; a vehicle that Toyota shows not to even build. I don't think you would want one whithout A/C, most places will charge more for an aftermarket system due to labor, so that leaves pkg #2 as the choice unless you can get the A/C without the pkg which would delete the rear slider and save you about 190.00. Either way on this model you will get the bench seat thet has no place to rest right arm due to no console, you will not get the "bright finish " dash trim pieces which is not a big deal, the trim is a crinkle finish black, I think you will not get the orange LED dash lights, no intermittent wipers, that can be added easy for the cost of a new switch, and the thing I like better, but you might not: single sun visors, non extendable, black versus chrome back bumper, black semigloss front bumper, with black semigloss fender flares, dark grey grille surround with black bars versus color matched front bumper/flares, chrome grille surround with black bars, and bucket seats/console that the brochure states is SR5 trim, although the fabric on the seats is not the same as A/cabs and D/cabs fabric. I actually like the base fabric better as it is almost the same fabric used on the sport seats instead of the velour looking stuff. So, You are not going to get a 15,000.00 Tacoma PreRunner, it narrows down to base price plus freight plus either 960.00 for A/C, Pkg #2 for approx 1400.00 for A/C, rear slider in light tint, and buckets/console (buckets/console also include insulated carpeted back of cab panel cover), or SR5 with the extra's for 1860.00. The max difference between A/C only and top of the line is approx 900.00, IF you can find an A/C only model somewhere, or a little less 500.00 if you can find the easier to find pkg #2 Thes prices are MSRP and may not be exact as I can't remember some of the prices, but should be close. If you deal on and invoive plus pricing the cost differences will be even closer. There are plenty of PreRunner reg cab's in the SET system that have no add-on's, other than some have the floor mats. Do a search on the SET site by using a GA, FL zip code, SET shows the exact window sticker versus just listing options and shows pictures on models that have already made it to the "port" center or dealer. Good luck.
EDIT: to make more clear; pkg #2 will include the buckets/console, rear slider, just not the SR5 upgrades, (painted ext trim, sun visors, inter. wipers, bright dash trim), If a lower trimmed model could be found it would have the bench seat, A/C at around 960.00 +/-.

 

[Phi Kai]

------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have one, W/SR5 trim. Toyota does not make the brochures look like they will build any other than those 2 combos; they even call the #2 package the "standard pkg #2", but it is at additional cost. Look at the 4WD reg cab for a moment, they offer a std pkg #1 that consists of A/C and rear slider for around, I can't remember exactly 1150.00, but if you don't order this you can order factory installed A/C for approx 960.00. On non PreRunner 2WD's and 4WD's on access cabs they offer either SR5 or a "convenience pkg, but on PreRunner's they only offer SR5 #2, nothing below this build stage. In other areas of the country I have seen A/Cab 4cyl PreRunner's with no options (A/C and bucket seats are now standard on A/Cabs). South East Toyota does not import many non SR5 combos, but there is one in the port pool; a vehicle that Toyota shows not to even build. I don't think you would want one whithout A/C, most places will charge more for an aftermarket system due to labor, so that leaves pkg #2 as the choice unless you can get the A/C without the pkg which would delete the rear slider and save you about 190.00. Either way on this model you will get the bench seat thet has no place to rest right arm due to no console, you will not get the "bright finish " dash trim pieces which is not a big deal, the trim is a crinkle finish black, I think you will not get the orange LED dash lights, no intermittent wipers, that can be added easy for the cost of a new switch, and the thing I like better, but you might not: single sun visors, non extendable, black versus chrome back bumper, black semigloss front bumper, with black semigloss fender flares, dark grey grille surround with black bars versus color matched front bumper/flares, chrome grille surround with black bars, and bucket seats/console that the brochure states is SR5 trim, although the fabric on the seats is not the same as A/cabs and D/cabs fabric. I actually like the base fabric better as it is almost the same fabric used on the sport seats instead of the velour looking stuff. So, You are not going to get a 15,000.00 Tacoma PreRunner, it narrows down to base price plus freight plus either 960.00 for A/C, Pkg #2 for approx 1400.00 for A/C, rear slider in light tint, and buckets/console (buckets/console also include insulated carpeted back of cab panel cover), or SR5 with the extra's for 1860.00. The max difference between A/C only and top of the line is approx 900.00, IF you can find an A/C only model somewhere, or a little less 500.00 if you can find the easier to find pkg #2 Thes prices are MSRP and may not be exact as I can't remember some of the prices, but should be close. If you deal on and invoive plus pricing the cost differences will be even closer. There are plenty of PreRunner reg cab's in the SET system that have no add-on's, other than some have the floor mats. Do a search on the SET site by using a GA, FL zip code, SET shows the exact window sticker versus just listing options and shows pictures on models that have already made it to the "port" center or dealer. Good luck.
EDIT: to make more clear; pkg #2 will include the buckets/console, rear slider, just not the SR5 upgrades, (painted ext trim, sun visors, inter. wipers, bright dash trim), If a lower trimmed model could be found it would have the bench seat, A/C at around 960.00 +/-.

to hard to read one giant block of text...enter key is your friend

 

[Debellocivili]

Thank you everyone. It sounds like I have the following scenarios if I want a the prerunner regular cab and a/c:

1) Find a dealer who has one in stock, complete with one of the option packages.
Price: ~$16,400 to ~$16,900 depending on the package (Truck MSRP $15,000 + $1,400/$1,900 for one of the two packages). According to edmonds, the higher priced SR5 package is the typical configuration.

2) Order and wait for a prerunner regular cab + a/c from a factory through a dealer.
Price: $16,600 (MSRP $15,000 + $1000 factory installed a/c + $600 for delivery).

3) Find Prerunner w/o package in stock at dealer (harder to find) and use aftermarket to have a/c installed.
Price: Not important because I agree that w/ labor and warrenty considerations, it is probably too expensive.

I think I will probably go with scenario #1.

If I buy a truck in stock from a dealer, I don't have to pay $600 for delivery, right?

 

[joeyman15]

Wrong they will try to stick you for every penny they can. Do not be fooled in to thinking they are your friends. Every one one of them in the dealship are out for as much money can they cab get. If the MSRP is 16,500 don't pay anything over that out the door. If you talk to them right you should be able to get it for about 12,000 -13,500 out the door.

Do not let them tell you its won't happen. I bought a 2006 prerunner. MSRP was 24,000 and walk out the door 20,500 with tax and all. But i fought them to the end. Also check out your credit union, if you are not a member become one. They will give you a check and you can walk up to the dealer with it in your hand. If they won't come down to your price some will.

Also talk to at least 2 dealers see who will go lower and then call some tell them what you want and what you have been quoted for it. it takes some work but for 2-4 g's it worth it.

 

[Debellocivili]

joeyman15 - I hear you. I guess what I was asking was whether they actually had an arguement to charge me $600 for delivery (I don't think they do. By definition, they don't deliver anything if they have it in stock).

The $600 delivery charge, which is listed on websites like www.toyota.com, IMO is really only appropriate if I order something from the factory. Just like a hardware store might insist I pay for shipping on a special order. Even then, it is negotiable.

When I buy the truck, I plan to not spend a lot of time with the salesperson and give him his 1-3% above invoice for his time. It is just that, when negotiating on the price, I want to know when he is trying to BS me and when he isn't. I think a delivery charge on an in stock vehicle is a BS charge and I wanted confirmation on that.

BS dealership charges...sounds like the start of another thread, no?

 

[L R H]

There is no way around freight, they all get shipped the same way; stock vehicles, as well as customer orders. They final ship by truck.. If you were able to pick one up at factory, there will still be freight, at least with the big 2 per trucking industry union agreements.

 

[Strop]

Wrong they will try to stick you for every penny they can. Do not be fooled in to thinking they are your friends. Every one one of them in the dealship are out for as much money can they cab get. If the MSRP is 16,500 don't pay anything over that out the door. If you talk to them right you should be able to get it for about 12,000 -13,500 out the door.

Do not let them tell you its won't happen. I bought a 2006 prerunner. MSRP was 24,000 and walk out the door 20,500 with tax and all. But i fought them to the end. Also check out your credit union, if you are not a member become one. They will give you a check and you can walk up to the dealer with it in your hand. If they won't come down to your price some will.

Also talk to at least 2 dealers see who will go lower and then call some tell them what you want and what you have been quoted for it. it takes some work but for 2-4 g's it worth it.

12,000-13,500 out the door?