As with most automobile purchases, the process of buying Toyota trucks is somewhat involved. However, with the proper research, you'll be able to find a truck that's perfect for your needs.
About Toyota Trucks
A popular Japanese carmaker known for making reliable products, Toyota has been producing and selling trucks for decades. The first Toyota trucks were introduced in the 1960s. Today, Toyota dominates the consumer truck market. The Toyota Tundra accounts for a whopping 16 percent of United States full-size truck sales, and the smaller Tacoma is the top seller in the compact truck class.
Buying Toyota Trucks: Five Steps
In order to get the best deal on a truck you'll love for years to come, it's important to do your homework. Knowledge about your truck and the buying process will make you a more confident and competent consumer.
Selecting a Truck
When you're ready to buy a truck, the first thing you'll need to do is find the vehicle that's right for you. Toyota makes two pick-up trucks for United States consumers:
- The Toyota Tundra is a full-size truck with a powerful engine and serious towing capabilities. In 2010, Toyota offered a new Tundra at about $24,000.
- The more compact Toyota Tacoma is a lighter-duty truck with a wide array of possible options. The base 2010 model retailed for just over $16,000.
Both models are very popular, but they are each suited to specific driving conditions and uses. Before you decide on the model and configuration you plan to buy, ask yourself the following questions:
- How much weight will you be hauling with this truck? Pay attention to the truck's gross vehicle weight and tow rating.
- Do you need four-wheel drive? If you live in a snowy climate, this may be a necessity for safe winter driving.
- What is your car-buying budget for your truck? In general, the Tundra is several thousand dollars more expensive than the Tacoma.
- How many passengers will you need to carry? If you're planning to carry a lot of people, you may need a truck with an extended cab or even a double cab.
- How important is the truck's gas mileage? The Tacoma typically gets better gas mileage than the Tundra.
New or Used?
Because of their popularity, Toyota trucks tend to hold their value better than other vehicles. This means that you can save some money buying a used truck, but the savings might not be as significant as they would be with other brands. If your truck budget is limited, a used Toyota can still be a good way to go. These trucks last for a long time, so you can expect to get years of use out of an older model.
Financing your Toyota Truck
Before you head to the dealership, it's a good idea to line up financing for your truck. Start by determining the car payment you can afford. This may help you make a decision about whether you want a new or used vehicle and which model is right for you.
After you've decided on a budget, talk to banks about financing your truck. You can get loan offers from your local bank or credit union, and you can also get quotes from large online banks. To find the best deal, compare the rates offered by several different lending institutions.
The dealership may also offer financing for your Toyota truck. Depending on current loan rates and any special promotions, this can be a good deal. However, you should always do your homework before considering any of these offers.
To learn more about financing your truck, read the following articles:
- Auto Loan Car Rates
- Auto Loans Refinancing with Bad Credit
- Car Loan Interest Rates
- Auto Loan Payoff Calculator
Negotiating a Good Deal
After you've decided on a truck and you've secured financing, it's time to start shopping. To get the best deal, you'll need to speak to several dealerships about your truck. Compare like vehicles, and don't be afraid to tell the dealer what kind of deal you're looking for. If one seller has a price that's significantly lower, give the others a chance to beat it. Eventually, one truck will emerge as the best deal.
Keep the following negotiating tips in mind:
- Don't talk to the dealer about your trade-in. It has nothing to do with the price of the truck.
- Be careful to remain neutral about specific vehicles. If you keep your heart out of the negotiations, you'll get the best deal, and you'll have plenty of time to fall in love with your new truck later.
- Keep financing discussions separate from the truck's purchase price.
- After you've agreed on a price, ask the dealer to throw in one or two options, such as floor mats or mudguards.
After the Purchase
After you've signed the papers to buy your Toyota truck, you'll need to do a few more things:
- Get the title transferred to you. You can do this at your local Department of Motor Vehicles or Secretary of State's Office.
- Insure your truck. Shop around to get the best rates on insurance.
- Pay any sales tax, and register your vehicle. This includes getting a license plate for your truck.
It sometimes seems that nothing is simple when it comes to car buying, but you'll find that buying Toyota trucks is an easy process if you know how to do your research.
