Trying to purchase a new truck

Good morning all,

As you can see i'm new to the forum. I plan on purchasing a brand new 2020 or 2021 tundra but need help locating one (i have scoured all the dealers in central florida) and noone is able to help me and i've ran out of patience driving around.

Two must haves - Front bench seat and crewmax cab (big family). Apparently 99% of the tundras in florida do not have front bench seats coming out of the factory.

Anyone know the process (time and what to do) if i were to customize one from the toyota website? Just curious if anyone has gone through that process. TIA

 

Stock is WAY low right now. COVID did a number on production and demand has stayed high. They are just beginning to get things back on line. That said my understanding is that they are manufacturing the 2021 models now. Unless the 2020 you are looking for is out there and available, you won't find it.

I just bought my 2020 on the 8th and had to really look for the one I wanted. Picking were VERY slim.

Good luck sir and welcome.

 

Search online vs driving around. Cargurus and similar sites let you look easily at what is available based on your distance criteria. And you may need to look at all of Florida or states close. Here in VA, we have a pretty good selection all things considered. Other options- Carmax or Carvana can enable you to easily purchase a vehicle that is in another part of the country- too far for you to manage yourself.

Stock is low, but you can probably find one you like if you make the effort. Don't expect huge discounts.

 

That is correct, thank you. I have been to those sites, i've been hunting for the past month and i figured i'd post as a last resort see if anyone has gone thru the process of custom building one through the toyota website.

 

Welcome from Ontario Canada

 

Welcome to the forum. While I haven't done a factory order for a Tundra, I recently did a RAV4 factory order for my folks. Much like yourself, I couldn't find the configuration I wanted, and neither could any of the dealers I contacted. It was a challenge just to find a dealer who would agree to place a factory order. And to make things more difficult, Toyota (not the dealer) wouldn't allocate a build to the order with how I configured the SUV. The order sat un-allocated for two months. According to the dealer, it's possible to configure a build on the website that Toyota simply won't build. Once I added another $1k option package, then Toyota allocated to the order. After allocation occurred, it took 6 weeks to arrive at the dealer (last week.) Good luck getting exactly what you want.

 

Thank you, this paints the picture for me a lot better! I am still looking as far as Texas for my truck. I'll fly somewhere and drive it back if I have to.

 

Welcome aboard from The PSW.

 

check mike erdman toyota in merritt island, they usually order some crewmax sr5 with the bench seat/flip up console. I think they had a white or grey one with that set up when i looked a week ago.

 

They are usually the best priced dealer around too.

 

Just called them....no go

 

I found one...it's in North Dakota!

 

Go get it! Will be a nice drive back. Anchorage would be a bit far......ND is peanut distance.

 

Believe it or not, i'm making arrangements to do so. It's a 28 hour drive back. I'm flying there then driving back.

Speaking of which, I know this is a new truck and i'm not sure with the new technology nowadays if I need to "break it in". If so, what's the break in period? 500 miles or 1000 miles?

 

You'll be fine. It's all down hill anyways. Plan your route back. Just drive reasonably and hit your local dealer when you get back.

 

that'll be an awesome drive back to florida! nothing better than a road trip in a new rig...

i rented a car and drove 3.5 hours to get mine 2 years ago; was a GREAT road trip back home. seemed like it took 8 hours to get there and only 5 minutes to get home.

keep us posted and don't forget to share pics of your new rig and the journey home!

 

I recently found mine in the inventory search on Toyota.com

 

Where is yours by the way???

 

It got here today. I will probably pick it up tomorrow depending on my schedule.

 

Did you put a deposit on it or are you still searching?

 

i'm still searching for something closer as i type this. If i don't find anything tonight, i am going to call the dealer in north dakota and put in a deposit and fly out there next week.

 

I know the manager at Clearwater Toyota.

 

Any chance you could ask him to locate or a way for them to get a 4x4, bench seat, crewmax cab Tundra? Preferably dark colors.

 

Won’t find much for new Tundras in Anchorage. Only 3 new Tundras currently. They are marking up SR5’s $2k in ADM!

Such crazy low inventory has me wondering what I can get on trade in for a new Raptor?

https://www.kendalltoyotaofanchorage.com/new-vehicles/tundra/

 

Let me send him a text.

 

When I was shopping for my new truck. I looked at Fords. They had quite a bit of stock at the dealership I looked at (especially trucks with all the toys, including Raptors). They were moving them too. I doubt you'd be able to get them to budge much.

At the Toyota dealership I bought my Tundra, they had TWO Tundras on the lot, and one was sold. Mine actually was pulled in from a nearby dealership.

 

He said that just about all CrewMax models are ordered with the SR5 upgrade with center console.

 

I was going to say that, I think there's more chance for a bench seat in a DC.

 

Yes....its not an option. To get the bench, he would have to get the DC SR model.