Not what I was looking for, but.....

[jpalaska]

After a lot of research on this forum and elsewhere, I decided I want a new black SE V8.
But the local dealer has an SR5 V6 in the stunning galactica gray mica color that has me interested.
Its options are the black roof rack/cross bars, 17" alloy wheels w Bridgestones, front side mounted and rear side curtain airbags, rear spoiler w stop lamp, DRLs, back-up mirrors, tow hitch package and mount ball kit, carpet floor mats/cargo, moonroof w sunshade, 3rd row seats.
The last two options (moonroof & 3rd seats) I really don't want. But I think I could just leave the extra seats in the garage. Would I lose anything in the cargo space with the seats removed? And maybe the moonroof is more reliable in the MY07s?

So what I'd be missing from the SE is the X-REAS, bigger brakes and the cool scoop.
The reason I wanted the V8 is I plan to have an 18-20 ft boat and small travel trailer some day. But maybe the V6 would be strong enough for those.

The dealer is asking $32,629.
What do you think?
Thanks for your opinions,
JP

 

[veloindy]

The v6 will pull the boat just fine. However, the X-REAS was something I had to have. Plus the Sport wheels are better looking than SR5 wheels.

 

[sharp4runr]

The V6 is a great engine, but if you're already planning to toy something very heavy just buy the V8. You're paying a lot of money for this truck. You should get exactly what you want now, or later on you'll be second guessing yourself. :

BTW that price is more than what I paid for my V6 SE, though I didn't get the curtain airbags or 3rd row.

V6 comes with hitch rated to tow 5000lb
V8 comes with hitch rated to tow 7000lb and comes with a transmission cooler

 

[Falls]

For the amount of money your paying GET WHAT YOU REALLY WANT !!!!!!!!!!

The sport is worth the upgrade IMO.

Wait til you find what you really want.

 

[Mark86]

To begin, the price sounds high to me. You would lose the cargo cover with the third row seats but no cargo space. Another option you may not have on your SR5 is power front seats. Power seats are standard on all models but a V6 SR5.

 

[Bill42]

I agree, that much you got to be patient and get what you want. I saw a Black Limited today and it looked slick.

Since you already know you'll be towing that alone would be a reason to get the V-8, bigger brakes and the X-REAS suspension for better on-road handling.

And yes, the hood scoop does increase HP!

 

[rx900]

$32,629 sounds pretty correct for that kind of package. I remember that's what i could have gotten if i wanted a sunroof, but i opted for no sunroof. :gaptooth: You should always go for the "perfect" vehicle you want, especially if it's going to be ur main vehicle, only vehicle, or most used vehicle. Never settle with the sales talk "Oh we have a .... color, it's the same package, this and this price only but if u wait it will be priced differently" Don't believe that and truly wait for the vehicle you really want, especially the color. :

 

[jpalaska]

I think you're all correct.
Here's what I want:
2006 or 2007
4x4 Sport Edition V8
Galactica Gray exterior
Dark Charcoal interior
Bridgestone tires

Options:
DD cargo system/w cargo net
115 V power outlet
rear spoiler
side airbags & side curtain rear ab's
anti theft alarm system.

Am I missing any really good goodies?
JP

Now, how do I get this dream truck?
I'm willing to buy anywhere in "lower 48 states' and drive it home, up the Alcan Highway.

 

[toto]

Your first challenge will be finding out if the option combination you want is a "standard build" in any region of the country. Toyota makes a few different configurations of each vehicle for each sales region. You'll find plenty of units with that combination, but you won't find a "one-off" made differently.

The easiest way to find out what's standard is to "Build and Price Your Toyota" at toyota.com. The Web site will ask you for your ZIP code, and then let you pick the model you want. Next, you'll see a set of available option packages. The names "A", "B", "C", etc., are very meaningless - what's more important are the contents of each pacakge. (Package "A" could have one thing today, and not have it a month from now.) So find out if one of the packages fits the bill.

If the local offerings work, then it's just a matter of working with a dealer to find the exact color combination. They know what's sitting on lots in your area and also what's coming off the boat in the next 4 weeks. Toyota coprorate won't help you find a dealer with exactly what you want; you have to work with a dealer or drive around a lot!

If your local offerings don't work for you, start putting in ZIP codes that are farther away. That will tell you if it's available in another region. (There are only 6 regions nationwide, so you may have to try a few states away!)

Finally, if it's not available locally, you'll have to find a dealer willing to trade with another region or special-order from the factory. The latter is taking several months, so be prepared for that if you ultimately decide to go that way.

 

[sharp4runr]

Skip on the double decker option and save yourself some money if you can. I've had the truck for almost 3 years and I haven't used as far as I can remember.

 

[Dracord]

I'm with everyone else, don't settle on something your local dealer wants to give you.

I wanted pretty much the same car you did but in a black color. Finding a pre-built sport edition with side curtain air bags was difficult in Michigan, and dealerships were always trying to sell us their black v6, or the white v8 etc. That wasn't working so we had dealers expand the search across the US. They found 3 of what I wanted, and one happened to be coming to a michigan dealership already. We snagged that one and the dealership made a trade so we could get it.

Glad I didn't go with what the dealer was trying to get rid of

 

[Koz]

Get the V8 Sport.

Koz

 

[boston_kevin]

I'd be a little leery of that offer... Sounds a little high, and you can't have the 3rd row with the backup mirrors. The seatbelts mount in the spot where the mirrors are. With the 17" wheels, you are getting the bigger brakes, but you will be missing the hood scoop (aka bug catcher), the heated side mirrors, and the telescoping steering wheel.

Yes, the V6 will handle that load without much difficulty (I tow a 22' boat), but I would advise adding a tranny cooler if you plan to tow often.

As everyone else has stated before... This is a big purchase, it you have the time, get exactly what you want, because this is something you will have for a while. If you settle for something else, you may regret the decision later and end up eating a lot of money.

 

[veloindy]

I didn't notice your location when I posted originally. Are cars more expensive in Alaska in general?

I was looking for an 05 Sport about this time last year. I didn't have any luck, and ended up with an 06 Sport. Like everybody else has said, get the exact car you want.

Find a cheap flight to a major US city that would have good inventory, like Vegas. Drive it home from there. There was an episode of King of Cars on last year that featured a guy from Alaska driving down to trade his Dodge. I can't remember exactly how much he saved but he said it was thousands.....