Recent content by GreyDawg

Thanks to everyone for the informative replies. My usual response to moderate or worse snow is indeed "hunker down." In Oregon -- where I lived for 14 years -- my biggest fear was black ice, which is diabolical there. I ran studded tires in the winter, which saved my bacon more than once.

I apologize as I'm sure this has been covered elsewhere but I searched and couldn't find it. I live in a non-snowy area, but will be traveling to the mountains in northern NM and SW Colorado a few times each winter. I have a 2015 SR5 4WD with factory tires. I am required to carry (but hope I...

Hi all: Sorry this report is late, and again thanks to everyone who coached on the purchase of my silver 2015 4WD SR5 in late March. As you may recall, I got a great deal on my truck by flying to Denver. Dealership report: AutoNation Toyota Arapahoe (Denver) was, as Blitzkreig had reported...

Update on search Well, thanks to everyone who took the time to post to this thread, and utlilzing all the new-to-me stuff I learned about buying new cars, distributorships, etc: I flew to DEN yesterday and in about 2 hours will head to Autonation Toyota Arapaho to pick up a 2015 4WD SR5! It...

Thanks, Philsey. As I've said I'm a complete noob regarding the consumer auto industry, so every little bit helps as I learn about things that so many of you take for granted. For others: I wasn't suggesting that GST is being evil in adding distributor options and controlling pricing by...

Thanks for the good feedback about Arapahoe. Yes, I'm looking for a 4WD, and those are extremely rare down in central Texas. Still sitting on the fence about SR5 or SR5 Premium. Trail seems overkill, since I'm not an off-roader (just logging roads, dirt tracks, and some snow if I'm really...

I'm going to guess on the vehicle from the port. That's the only way I can explain the 8.5 x 11 gooey residue and paper shreds on the passenger rear window .... But of course, it isn't removed for duplicity. It's removed so that they can tint the windows. So clearly it is in the best...

I just went to the Toyota dealership that has the lousy reputation and no Monroney sticker on any 4Runner or Tacoma, though they did have the stickers on the lot full of Camrys, etc. I chatted with the salesguy, drove a couple of 4Runners, picked up the literature and then asked about the...

OK, folks, this is getting even more interesting. And sooooo much more interesting than finishing my tax return. Philsey: Yep, when you ask for the Moroney sticker by name, their eyes glaze over. I found that out in 2000. The ones here in Austin with all the add-ons don't even have a...

Thanks, all, for the coaching! Now I have a game plan for the first part of the week, by telephone and email. There are the interesting questions of "what is MSRP?" and "what is invoice?" I just spent a few hours checking out new T4Rs at a couple of dealerships (closed on Sundays in Texas...

I'm going to end up leaving money on the table, no matter what. That's part of not being a good haggler. Oh, well. I just don't want to leave absurd amounts of money on the table. And I have a budget max. Am I correct in interpreting the Toyota specs that to get a sunroof, I have to go...

I have an AWD Element to trade. Do I keep silent about that until I've got a price set on the new truck? (Sorry for all the questions -- I've never traded a vehicle. I usually drive 'em into the ground. Hence no new car purchase since 2000. The Element was inherited). Thanks so much for...

Yes, getting away from Austin seems to be key. For everything. Is there anyway to do the "pitting" online? As a female with greying hair, they think I haven't got a clue (which is sort of close to correct, at least about the haggling process). I ask about drive train, differentials and...

I dread buying vehicles when haggling is involved. I don't enjoy the process, and I'm not good at it. I probably look like an easy mark the moment I hit the lot. So I need help. I have been looking for a 2012 or 2013 SR5 4WD with <50K miles, no 3rd row seat, with sunroof, and not black or...

subscribed. I'm still looking for my 4Runner (does "2012 SR5 v6, bone stock" sound familiar? the +sunroof seems the challenge). The objective is to get it by May and spend much of the summer roaming WY, MT, AB, BC. No schedule yet.