Learn the crazy lengths consumers are going to in order to find their 2021 Tacoma and other models.
Most of us who follow automotive news have heard way too much about the ongoing “chip shortage” in the car business. A chip shortage, of course, that has resulted in drastically reduced vehicle inventories across the country.
Because if this, it has become nearly impossible to find our favorite 2021 Tacoma trucks on the lot. Same goes for Toyota Tundra and Toyota 4Runner.
They just do not exist, so to speak.
2021 Toyota Tacoma shortage
If you are in search of a 2021 Toyota Tacoma, there are several ways you can go about your pursuit. In a vehicle shortage.
First, you can get lucky and find your ideal Tacoma on the lot and available for sale. We should call this Plan A. This is most beneficial for customers and for dealerships.
Also, you could work with your favorite Toyota dealership to find a 2021 Tacoma (or another popular Toyota model) that is scheduled to arrive sometime in the next few days to a couple months. You would have to reserve this one in your name in order to secure it. Probably by signing a Toyota Tacoma specifications sheet and a pricing sheet. Then leaving a deposit of some sort. Plan B.
Another method is to build a Tacoma just how you want it and order it through your dealership. Your Toyota Tacoma will arrive just how you built it out with the dealer. This way of securing your Toyota has the drawback of an uncertain time frame. It could be just a few weeks. Or it could be several months.
This is new territory for both dealerships and customers.
People comment on 2021 Toyota Tacoma search
This is an uncertain time for car buyers. Many people have found themselves in uncomfortably new and unpredictable situations while looking for their perfect Toyota Tacoma.
Just look at some comments and stories I received from exasperated potential buyers on my “Toyotajeff” YouTube channel.
“I put a non-refundable $500 deposit on a 2021 Tacoma TRD Sport with the Premium Package. The truck doesn’t even exist yet. It is just a VIN number in the Toyota computer system. It’s supposed to be built at the end of June with an expected delivery date of early August. It’s crazy. The dealer lot is basically empty except for a few Corollas and an old lady Prius.” Commented IPO.
Even Steven Review found out about pre-owned truck prices these days. “My dad bought a new 2018 Tacoma TRD Pro 2 years ago for $38,500. He just sold it to Shift for $38,500. No loss after 2 years and 18k miles in it.”
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Another fan was frustrated and unsure where to turn. “I was told that I can't place an order for my own (2021) Tacoma now due to this chip situation. I also can't pre-order a 2022 model because prices haven't been released yet.”
“I was looking for a new Tacoma. I called a dealership in my area that has what I wanted with a MSRP of $48k. The dealer added an addendum of $10k to it for a total of $58k.” Added Tim Mc.
Mojavedesert Sonoradesert had a creative and unconventional idea on how to get a new car. “How to buy a car...ask all your elderly family if they want to get rid of one!”
“I'm so glad I got my first car a '21 Tacoma TRD Sport back in January at sticker price even if it didn't have the LED headlights I want. But glad I got it at sticker. My older brother just got a TRD Sport almost the same as mine, but the price was $6k over sticker.” Commented Luis.
Daniel told an interesting story. “My dad needed to buy a car and went to the dealership. There was one truck he was interested in on the lot. The dealership was adding a $2500 to the MSRP premium for essentially buying the only one left. He said, ‘no I’m not doing that.’ After negotiating, they agreed to not charge the premium and he had to buy at nearly full msrp. Tough consumer market because dealers aren’t willing to negotiate as much as when things were normal.”
Time for your Toyota Tacoma comments
As I mentioned, we are in an unprecedented time in the car business. Not just for buyers, but also for sellers. I would imagine if you asked most dealership personnel, they would prefer to have much more cars, trucks and SUVs available for people to buy.
However, we must all work with the cards we are dealt. Even if the current hand is not the best.
Have you had an “interesting” time trying to find a vehicle in the past few months? Did you end up finding something special, like a Toyota Tacoma, or are you still searching?
Thanks for reading everyone. See you next story when I discuss the potential for three 2022 Toyota TRD Pro colors.
READ MORE:
- RAV4 buyer chip shortage stories
- More on 2022 Tundra engine possibilities.
- New and brighter feature coming to 2022 4Runner.
Follow Jeff Teague on social media:
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- My Torque News / Toyota News column
- YouTube channel - My "Toyotajeff" Toyota reviews
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Thank you everyone for following me.
I would NEVER buy a car
I would NEVER buy a car paying above MSRP. That's just price gouging no matter how you look at. I'll wait until this Fall/Winter and purchase below MSRP as car companies ramp up production.
Absolutely. NEVER pay over
Absolutely. NEVER pay over MSRP. Be patient and save yourself a big depreciation hit once availability returns to normal levels next year or so. Keep driving what you have or buy something several years old and just wait...
It’s good for those who can
It’s good for those who can wait a year or two…or even have a used vehicle to sell/trade. But that won’t be everyone’s situation. We could be in a chip shortage and high demand for some time…plus interest rates will go up. It was time for my hubby to get another truck after not having one for years…the engine had died. Our son is now driving so….it is what it is for us. But I did find a manual 6 speed, green Off road TRD with premium package….even paying some over MSRP…I consider us lucky….and he loves it!
Only problem with that is
Only problem with that is unless you can pay cash, the loan interest rates will probably go up quite a bit by then. We paid $5k over MSRP because our interest rate was still super low and things aren’t going to get better by Fall…the shortage and rates will most likely get a lot worse.
Toyota is no longer taking
Toyota is no longer taking any orders for 4 runners as well. Ive been trying to find or order a Lunar Rock TRD PRO and dealers tell me they can't take the order. I dont want to wait for 2022 because they no longer will have the Lunar Rock available in the PRO lineup. I hate the lime green color.