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Questions about trading Tundra in

Posted on 1/5/17 at 2:30 pm
Posted by LETSGEAUX2
Member since Oct 2012
461 posts
Posted on 1/5/17 at 2:30 pm
2008 Tundra with only 82,000 miles on it appears to need a new AC system. One mechanic has quoted me $2,600 and I'll be bringing it to a 2nd next week for another opinion. This truck has been nothing but problems for the 6 years I've had it (2 alternators, fuel pump, etc.) and I'm ready to get rid of it anyway.

Question is, assuming it does need a new system what are my options as far as trading it in for a new Colorado? Am I morally obligated to tell the dealer what's wrong with it? Is it a given that they will test the AC, even if it's freezing like say..tomorrow ?

With my luck, the 2nd opinion will come back just cheap enough to justify repairing it vs. getting new.

Having it paid off/no note sure makes it tough to justify getting a new one.
Posted by Ace Midnight
Between sanity and madness
Member since Dec 2006
89552 posts
Posted on 1/5/17 at 2:35 pm to
quote:

This truck has been nothing but problems for the 6 years I've had it


That's a unicorn - a lemon Toyota (and a truck, at that). I've heard tales but never seen one.

quote:

Question is, assuming it does need a new system what are my options as far as trading it in for a new Colorado? Am I morally obligated to tell the dealer what's wrong with it? Is it a given that they will test the AC, even if it's freezing like say..tomorrow ?


They're going to test everything. However, I would find it impossible not to at least say that the A/C has been giving you trouble. I wouldn't bother to tell them about stuff you fixed and reasonably believe to be in good working order.

But, A/C is the single most important mechanical factor for resale in Louisiana after a running engine for a used car. Believe me - they will test it. So, tell them and maybe he'll go easy on you.

You're probably better off trying to sell it to an independent mechanic shop or A/C guy who can fix it at cost and flip it versus trading it at a dealer, just in all honesty.
Posted by LETSGEAUX2
Member since Oct 2012
461 posts
Posted on 1/5/17 at 2:38 pm to
That's not what I wanted to hear but that's what I figured. Man, I came extremely close to buying one a week ago. Looked at the Colorado and they had the red tag on one I wanted and 10% off. Came to my senses and said no then the AC went out on New Years Day. Perfect timing.
Posted by CoachRobertson
Denham Springs
Member since Dec 2014
364 posts
Posted on 1/5/17 at 4:01 pm to
Im at toyota dealership, you dont want to try new tacoma? I know we would sell that tundra in a minute.

Yes, dealership will drive trade, crank up ac to see, you are not legally committed to tell dealer what is wrong, but would be nice so dealer can fix problem rather than pass it to next customer.
Posted by LETSGEAUX2
Member since Oct 2012
461 posts
Posted on 1/5/17 at 4:14 pm to
quote:

Im at toyota dealership, you dont want to try new tacoma?


I've been thinking about it but seems like the Colorado is better bang for your buck.

Where do you work? I wouldn't be against talking about it.
Posted by DownSouthDave
Beau, Bro, Baw
Member since Jan 2013
7377 posts
Posted on 1/5/17 at 4:34 pm to
Dont say a word. Im sure they will find it, but in no way are you helping yourself by letting the cat out of the bag.
Posted by OceanMan
Member since Mar 2010
20026 posts
Posted on 1/5/17 at 4:49 pm to
quote:


I've been thinking about it but seems like the Colorado is better bang for your buck.


Maybe on the front end. When you got to sell/trade in, the Tacomas value will make up the difference. That's basically how it goes with all vehicles, the Tacoma loses maybe $1k a year. Further, there is a reason for this, they are extremely reliable when you own them.

Resale value is the most important determinant for me when buying a vehicle for these reasons.

And yes, I own a Tacoma. Colorado is pretty sweet though, and all trucks have decent resale, particularly the smaller ones.
Posted by GaryMyMan
Shreveport
Member since May 2007
13498 posts
Posted on 1/5/17 at 4:54 pm to
quote:

Tacomas value will make up the difference.

I like the new Colorado, especially in that hunter green color they brought back, but it's hard to argue with this. Plus the taco is offered in a sweet desert tan color. Get the V6.

quote:

Am I morally obligated to tell the dealer what's wrong with it?

Are they morally obligated to tell you the used truck they just sold you has 5% left on the brake rotors? Or that it had just been returned by a previous buyer for some weird noise?
This post was edited on 1/5/17 at 4:57 pm
Posted by LSU1018
Baton Rouge
Member since Feb 2007
7222 posts
Posted on 1/5/17 at 5:00 pm to
I've been thinking about Colorado also. Does the Tacoma have Apple CarPlay?
Posted by CoachRobertson
Denham Springs
Member since Dec 2014
364 posts
Posted on 1/5/17 at 5:10 pm to
Tacoma does not have apple carplay
Posted by CoachRobertson
Denham Springs
Member since Dec 2014
364 posts
Posted on 1/5/17 at 5:11 pm to
OP, email under my profile. I can show you tacoma, give u an option atleast
Posted by Snazzmeister
IHTFP
Member since Jan 2015
1077 posts
Posted on 1/5/17 at 6:39 pm to
quote:

they had the red tag on one I wanted and 10% off


Just be careful with these tagged % off units. Most dealers will try to sell you at MSRP which can often times lead to a worse deal than if they were simply selling it at invoice + regular incentives. If you can get them to go invoice + % off, you're golden.
Posted by CQQ
Member since Feb 2006
17048 posts
Posted on 1/5/17 at 7:32 pm to
How do you know invoice amount
Posted by kywildcatfanone
Wildcat Country!
Member since Oct 2012
119234 posts
Posted on 1/5/17 at 7:39 pm to
A Tundra problem truck would be a unicorn. Going to a Chevrolet will be a bigger mistake than fixing the Tundra.
Posted by Snazzmeister
IHTFP
Member since Jan 2015
1077 posts
Posted on 1/5/17 at 9:06 pm to
quote:

How do you know invoice amount


There's plenty of websites out there that will give you an approximation. For example:

Colorado Invoice Pricing

Just bear in mind, these are estimations and added options may influence the final number.

I've found the best strategy is to just be brutally honest with the dealer. Outside of your home, you're making perhaps the largest purchase you will make in your lifetime.

My strategy would look something like:

a) Go on the Chevy website and build out the truck. They should have an option at the end of the "build your own" page where you can find matching vehicles nearest to your ZIP code. See what those dealers prices are on those vehicles. (Truecar is a great site for this). If one of them is lower price with the same or similar options, print it off to bring with you. The laws in each state vary regarding what incentives dealers can show to "every man" consumers so be wary of one adding in a bunch of stuff you might not qualify for.

b) Wait until the end of the month to go see the dealer. Specifically, if you can wait until the last week day in a given month, or if the last day of the month falls on the weekend, go the Monday of the following week. Dealers are stretching to hit volume numbers and you're much more likely to get a better deal.

c) Explain to the dealer that you are shopping him. There is no such thing as an empty shelf anymore thanks to the internet. If he counters with the proverbial, "well, we're the only one with this particular one." Guess what Mr. Dealer? I hear those folks in Detroit are busy right now spitting out more and I'm in no hurry and not afraid to travel for the best deal.

d) When you get to the finance office, tell the finance manager that you "decline all offers". If you are dead-set on getting an extended warranty, the factory generally offers them directly to consumers after the fact. Also be wary of financing through the dealer. Often times, banks provide finance managers with a kicker for financing X # of deals through them. This often times does not translate into the best interest rate. You can ask to see what the banks are quoting you at but the F&I manager will certainly be hesitant to show it to you. Instead, shop with your bank or local credit union to secure financing prior to showing up on the dealer lot.

Hope that helps.
Posted by carguymatt
Member since Jun 2015
539 posts
Posted on 1/5/17 at 10:05 pm to
OP what is wrong with the a/c? Does it not come on at all? 2800$ to repair any a/c sounds really high. Is there a chance it has a freon leak and you can charge it long enough to get rid of it before it leaks? If it's just the air compressor that's usually not a difficult repair but I don't know about on a 2008 Tundra.

If you absolutely can't get it repaired cheap and you want to trade it don't say anything about it. The dealer can fix that for themselves for much less than $2800. probably 200$ in parts and their amazing hourly certified mechanics sitting around with little to do. Or, they'll just auction it and some dumb arse will buy it that don't notice it.
Posted by baldona
Florida
Member since Feb 2016
20481 posts
Posted on 1/6/17 at 10:31 am to
I've never done it on a tundra so tifwiw, but you can usually replace almost the entire AC system for about $400 in parts. The labor can be a pita and on newer vehicles they often have to remove a bunch of other stuff.
Posted by lsewwww
Member since Feb 2009
376 posts
Posted on 1/6/17 at 6:26 pm to
Only 2 ways to trash a AC system so that everything is trash:

mix r12 and 134- your truck never had r12 in 2008

drier grenades or compressor grenades, like catastrophically

2400 could let me fix my 93, and retrofit my 88, 92 and 96 AC systems and have 400 left over
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