So I go to look at a Tundra Crewcab...

bvstone · 01-17-2008, 03:05 PM

and the 04 Titan Crew LE is looking spectacular as usual.

Always helps when going possibly looking to trade.

I drive the 08 Tundra CC... it had TRD kit, foglights, nothingn special. Asking 38,500 for it.. but it's discounted to 35,000 from 2000 cash back (toyota) and another 2000 or so from the dealer).

I had called earlier to get all the specs so I could look it up on NADA and/or KBB. Invoice turned out to be about 34,500, add two percent (which is what I normally pay over invoice) and we're at about 35,200. Now, subtract only the 2000 cash back from Toyota and we're at 33,200. Fair price for a decent truck, and letting the dealer actually keep his incentive money.

Driving was nice... except it's missing a few things I love about my Titan.. mainly leather seats, seat warmers and tow mirrors. Don't think I could go back to cloth seats, but they didn't have any Limited CCs there.. and they're another 10k.

And it sure seemed to drive a lot Stiffer than the Titan. I darn near went through the windshield the first time I used the brakes, though... hahaha! So THAT'S what good breaks feel like...

We get back, he asks if I want an appraisal on the Titan. I say sure. I stare out the window at them both, side by side. The Tundra looks small in comparison. Mainly because of my leveling kit and moster Kumho tires.

Now, mind you, I only have 26k on my Titan.

Finally he's done. We walk into the salesperson's office. He grabs a card and writes the following:

35,000 - Tundra
16,500 - Trade

I go silent. Dead silent. And this is after chatting it up with the really nice old guy for a while. He senses it, and says "I understand if you want to shop around."

I mention "I know places normally lowball on trades, but 16,500? That's rediculous."

He says "well, you're getting a 39k truck for 35k."

I say "ya, but I never pay sticker anyhow.. I was just curious on what you'd give me for the trade. We're not even close... I'm gonna go now..."

I walk out, and as the door is closing another salesman (the one who did my appraisal on the Titan) yells to my nice old chap "hey! muble... mumble... " is all I hear as I walk out.

I get in my truck and look and you could tell the younger salesman (who happens to be this guys son) was telling him "you just let him walk like that?" The old guy started towards the door... I smile and put it in gear and as I pull away the older chap sees I'm leaving and turns back around..

Surprisingly, the phone hasn't rung yet. But, then again, this guy was pretty close to retirement and probably just wants a job to chat with people, stay warm and get free popcorn. He was a super nice guy. That's why I didn't barter. I'll wait for the call, give him MY number, and probably never hear from them again.

Anyhow, it was fun. What sticks out in my mind was how my Titan made the Tundra look so small. I do like the styling of the Tundra better, though. (I know, a lot on here hate it, so no use mentioning it since you're not going to change my mind).

Anyhooo... fun story... fun experience. The phone will probably ring tommorow or Monday (he mentioned he had Friday off.. haha...)

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 01-17-2008, 03:17 PM

If you want to see how real brakes are supposd to feel, go drive an 08 Titan! I was amazed at the difference between them and the ones on my 04.

KneeSahnTight'un · 01-17-2008, 03:21 PM

I have test drove the '08 Titan CC and the '07 Tundra DC and CM. Main disappointment in the Tundras is the feel. The steering feels soft and gives no feedback from the road. I like the interior of the Tundras better, but mainly because of the gauges and the center stack. I think Nissan will address this in the 2009/10 so I guess I'll wait!!

VShortt · 01-17-2008, 03:26 PM

The trade number is only about a grand or two off of what any dealership is going to offer you for that truck in trade. Look around. That's about what everyone is giving on trade for an '04. I'm guessing you have the Big Tow package but you didn't mention whether or not it 4WD, King or Crew, or if it had the Nav package. Assuming it's a King Cab with none of the other things I mentioned, I'd say you've got no reason to be upset about their offer. If you're really interested in selling, consider a private party sale. You'll get a few grand more. It's really all about whether or not it's worth the hassle to you.

DRKSDE · 01-17-2008, 03:29 PM

Nice story. Sounds like you got away fairly easy

. I have to be downright rude most of the time with dealers in my area.

Just for the record I was sitting at the light a few weeks ago in my '07 KC with no suspension work and a new Tundra DC pulled up next to me; I felt small in my Titan. I don't hate the Tundra; just not crazy abt the front end and having nvr owned a 1/2 ton truck the Titan is big enough for me.

bvstone · 01-17-2008, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VShortt

The trade number is only about a grand or two off of what any dealership is going to offer you for that truck in trade. Look around. That's about what everyone is giving on trade for an '04. I'm guessing you have the Big Tow package but you didn't mention whether or not it 4WD, King or Crew, or if it had the Nav package. Assuming it's a King Cab with none of the other things I mentioned, I'd say you've got no reason to be upset about their offer. If you're really interested in selling, consider a private party sale. You'll get a few grand more. It's really all about whether or not it's worth the hassle to you.

I would have been at least happy with 18-19k for trade. 2k more and I would have stayed. and barganed down another 1.5-2k and probably drove the darn thing home.

BTW, I did mention it was an LE crew, I didn't mention the Big Tow package, though. Eveything but Nav/DVD. (waste of $$ in my opinion...)

And private seller is simply a bargaining chip I use. I pay cash for all my vehicles, so I'm in with a number, if I don't get it, I leave. This time I tried things a little different, but I also wasn't 100% sure I wanted the Tundra either. But I did have my number, and we were about 4k off and I knew they wouldn't budge that much, so I left.

bvstone · 01-17-2008, 03:42 PM

Ha.. think he didn't just call back?

I told him the number was low, I was looking at about 19k for my truck, and I would probably be more interested in a CC limited with leather, etc. (no nav or DVD, though).

He's gonna "stir things around" for a couple days to see what he can find..

rwalls · 01-17-2008, 03:46 PM

The Tundra Crew Max is a pretty big truck...much bigger than stock Titan's, but that also means more weight. I guess with their stock 381 HP it can pull the weight too!? Even though they have more stock HP the price difference was around $8,000!!!! No thanks...i'll keep my '04 Titan Crew LE or upgrade to the '08 Titan but not until later in the year. Hopefully some nice mods coming out soon for the '08's

Robert

technorev · 01-17-2008, 03:52 PM

Yeah, I think the trade offer was pretty close to what you can expect for the Nissan.

bvstone · 01-17-2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwalls

The Tundra Crew Max is a pretty big truck...much bigger than stock Titan's, but that also means more weight. I guess with their stock 381 HP it can pull the weight too!? Even though they have more stock HP the price difference was around $8,000!!!! No thanks...i'll keep my '04 Titan Crew LE or upgrade to the '08 Titan but not until later in the year. Hopefully some nice mods coming out soon for the '08's

Robert

If you're talking the crew with the full sized bed.. sure, it's longer. but that's about it.
the one cool thing about it was the sliding rear seats.

But, with the Crew LE I'm sure we're going up from 15k difference to about 25-30k... so it's probably a no go anyhow.

Leadsled124 · 01-17-2008, 04:54 PM

Dude hes bragging about giving you a $39k truck for $35k? BS he need to be around $35k out the door. Toyota dealers are some of the worst they think they are selling gold. Personally i dont like the new or old tundras one bit, although i do like the tacomas. I think the tundras are ugly, but thats just my personal taste. I didnt like the titan the first time i saw it but now think its the best looking out there. Get what you like though.

Skip all negotiating with dealers. Go on cars direct and get quotes emailed to you. ask the dealer who emailed if they could do a little lower than that. Take that number in and talk to the "fleet manager". They dont work on squeezing every penny just shouveling out vehicles as fast as possible. Thats how i got a $32k stickers kingcab LE for $24k OTD Good luck and dont settle!!!!!!

TYTAIN · 01-17-2008, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bvstone

and the 04 Titan Crew LE is looking spectacular as usual.

Always helps when going possibly looking to trade.

I drive the 08 Tundra CC... it had TRD kit, foglights, nothingn special. Asking 38,500 for it.. but it's discounted to 35,000 from 2000 cash back (toyota) and another 2000 or so from the dealer).

I had called earlier to get all the specs so I could look it up on NADA and/or KBB. Invoice turned out to be about 34,500, add two percent (which is what I normally pay over invoice) and we're at about 35,200. Now, subtract only the 2000 cash back from Toyota and we're at 33,200. Fair price for a decent truck, and letting the dealer actually keep his incentive money.

Driving was nice... except it's missing a few things I love about my Titan.. mainly leather seats, seat warmers and tow mirrors. Don't think I could go back to cloth seats, but they didn't have any Limited CCs there.. and they're another 10k.

And it sure seemed to drive a lot Stiffer than the Titan. I darn near went through the windshield the first time I used the brakes, though... hahaha! So THAT'S what good breaks feel like...

We get back, he asks if I want an appraisal on the Titan. I say sure. I stare out the window at them both, side by side. The Tundra looks small in comparison. Mainly because of my leveling kit and moster Kumho tires.

Now, mind you, I only have 26k on my Titan.

Finally he's done. We walk into the salesperson's office. He grabs a card and writes the following:

35,000 - Tundra
16,500 - Trade

The price they gave you on your trade was for a truck in excellent condition(clean). Your truck must be in good shape, and it appears to appraise well within the Black Book dealers use. One thing to remember is the actual market out there. Used gas hogs sell slow and aren't bringing any money. Right now the used car market is looking for small cars and trucks that get good gas mileage(that's what's selling). That my freind is the way it works. You might hold out for a little better price (remember your just trading for the differnce so don't get hung up on trade in value, the bottom line is what you and the dealer consider a deal both can live with. If Toyota still has 0 percent that might help you too.

technorev · 01-17-2008, 06:55 PM

I did some research on the Tundra and was seriously considering it. Joined tundrasolutions and it wasn't long before I started hearing many of the members talking about "bed bounce". I even found a pro-tundra site that had three different videos (a couple from youtube) showing the problem from the cab. Unreal amount of shaking at certain speed. One member says it feels like the truck is going to shake apart. When you view the Ford comparison video it appears to be rear frame section flex. And then they complain about a condition known as "rumble strip" a vibration from the transmission/converter. And of course there is the problem with the tailgate cracking and tearing where the cable attaches. There is no way I would own one until they take care of these issues.

It seems to me the public is the guinea pig for products not quite ready for prime time - Titan included.

VShortt · 01-17-2008, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bvstone

I would have been at least happy with 18-19k for trade. 2k more and I would have stayed. and barganed down another 1.5-2k and probably drove the darn thing home.

BTW, I did mention it was an LE crew, I didn't mention the Big Tow package, though. Eveything but Nav/DVD. (waste of $$ in my opinion...)

And private seller is simply a bargaining chip I use. I pay cash for all my vehicles, so I'm in with a number, if I don't get it, I leave. This time I tried things a little different, but I also wasn't 100% sure I wanted the Tundra either. But I did have my number, and we were about 4k off and I knew they wouldn't budge that much, so I left.

In your original post you mentioned that you love the tow mirrors on your Titan. By that comment I gathered you had the BigTow package.

SKEET · 01-17-2008, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRKSDE

Nice story. Sounds like you got away fairly easy

. I have to be downright rude most of the time with dealers in my area.

Just for the record I was sitting at the light a few weeks ago in my '07 KC with no suspension work and a new Tundra DC pulled up next to me; I felt small in my Titan. I don't hate the Tundra; just not crazy abt the front end and having nvr owned a 1/2 ton truck the Titan is big enough for me.

I was parked next to a Tundra the other day and couldn't believe how small my Titan looked.And this wasn't even the big Tundra.Lol.