Why does the Toyota web site blow so hard?

I've been thinking more about the eventual tow rig, which will probably happen at the end of next year, but why does the Toyota web site suck so hard?

I'm thinking a Tacoma will be find for me since I'll be towing a lightweight, short trailer and a Miata and probably 6-10 times a year. And after recently driving my friends full-size Crew cab Chevy, I'm not really interested in one of those anymore. The Tacoma seems to come with some of the bells/whistles of the full-size trucks that aren't on the Frontier.

The thing is, you can't do a "build" on the Toyota web site, their product brochure doesn't show any of the new packages or what come in them (according to it there are no Tacomas with leather).

I don't get it? I can go to every other manufacturer web site and build a vehicle, see all the options, etc, but not Toyota? Even going to the dealer web sites isn't much help since the only thing there are actually pictures of is the used stuff. Otherwise just a stock side shot.

Is this a terrible ploy to get me to go to the dealer?

because Toyota.

you will take what they offer you and you will like it.

z31maniac wrote: Is this a terrible ploy to get me to go to the dealer?

Do you really think it will be any better?

Wait for the new Colorado next year.

No, not really. Only being that I could actually see what is available vs the crummy web site.

Hmm, maybe I'll look around and see what they are saying about it.

Is this the build tool you're looking for? http://www.toyota.com/configurator/#!/series/tacoma

It's kind of all the way at the bottom of the Tacoma page, but it looks like the normal "Build Yours" tool that everyone else has...

wae wrote: Is this the build tool you're looking for? http://www.toyota.com/configurator/#!/series/tacoma It's kind of all the way at the bottom of the Tacoma page, but it looks like the normal "Build Yours" tool that everyone else has...

Yep, now actually try to use it. Essentially the only thing it will let you do is check local inventory.

Not actually "build" one to see what options/packages you do/don't want.

z31maniac wrote:

wae wrote: Is this the build tool you're looking for? http://www.toyota.com/configurator/#!/series/tacoma It's kind of all the way at the bottom of the Tacoma page, but it looks like the normal "Build Yours" tool that everyone else has...

Yep, now actually try to use it. Essentially the only thing it will let you do is check local inventory. Not actually "build" one to see what options/packages you do/don't want.

What browser are you using? It lets me go through the whole build process, just like any other manuf...?

Oooohhh... wow. Yeah, that is epicly useless.

I think you can actually build a vehicle on the Scion page. Lexus seems to have that ability. But, yeah, serious blowage from Toyota on that count...

EDIT: To clarify (and what I didn't understand): It LOOKS like a standard build-yours system. But when you go through the process, the only options and colors and types of vehicles that it will acknowledge the existence of are the ones that can be found on a dealer's lot near your zip code.

davidjs wrote:

z31maniac wrote:

wae wrote: Is this the build tool you're looking for? http://www.toyota.com/configurator/#!/series/tacoma It's kind of all the way at the bottom of the Tacoma page, but it looks like the normal "Build Yours" tool that everyone else has...

Yep, now actually try to use it. Essentially the only thing it will let you do is check local inventory. Not actually "build" one to see what options/packages you do/don't want.

What browser are you using? It lets me go through the whole build process, just like any other manuf...?

I've tried IE and Chrome, what browser are you using?

You think their general website is bad? try having to use their supplier oriented webpage, its ancient and clunky-er. Least favorite part of the day hands down.

z31maniac wrote:

davidjs wrote:

z31maniac wrote:

wae wrote: Is this the build tool you're looking for? http://www.toyota.com/configurator/#!/series/tacoma It's kind of all the way at the bottom of the Tacoma page, but it looks like the normal "Build Yours" tool that everyone else has...

Yep, now actually try to use it. Essentially the only thing it will let you do is check local inventory. Not actually "build" one to see what options/packages you do/don't want.

What browser are you using? It lets me go through the whole build process, just like any other manuf...?

I've tried IE and Chrome, what browser are you using?

I'm in Firefox, and it sure doesn't let me do anything but search a local dealer.

I am confused. Does it suck or does it blow? Or is it like big jet engine that does both.

DoctorBlade wrote: I'm in Firefox, and it sure doesn't let me do anything but search a local dealer.

Firefox here too - it does look as if you can set up valid combinations, but it won't show MSRP, and some things that I'm supposed to be able to click to display details don't work.

I would go to Autotrader and search new vehicles to get an idea of what is out there and actual prices. I've found almost all the manufacturers websites pretty useless for building vehicles- try the RAM site. Jeebus, a thousand options, but you cant get a good idea if you can get a v6 4x4 crew cab with air suspension and ram box. Wish they just had them listed simply in each section- I don't know if I want an SLT, a Laramie, or an Express (I don't even know what any of them mean!!).

And then the price disparity. Probably won't be as bad for toyota, but the domestic trucks all are advertised on Autotrader (new) for around $10k under MSRP- I don't know if that's a good starting point or endpoint, but at least a point of reference.

Toyota does a lot of region specific options. In Texas you can build a Manual Tacoma with packages that are unavailable in Illinois. The only way to find out all available options is at the dealers build tool. They can build one any way that is available. The Toyota websites reflect this build strategy. I actually believe its a dealer driven thing. One more way the dealers are there to protect us consumers from to many options and possibly selecting options we don't need. I know VW does this as well. When I got my GTI it had heated cloth seats. If you tried to build one in VW website it was not available that way but my car had them.

nocones wrote: Toyota does a lot of region specific options. In Texas you can build a Manual Tacoma with packages that are unavailable in Illinois. The only way to find out all available options is at the dealers build tool. They can build one any way that is available. The Toyota websites reflect this build strategy. I actually believe its a dealer driven thing. One more way the dealers are there to protect us consumers from to many options and possibly selecting options we don't need. I know VW does this as well. When I got my GTI it had heated cloth seats. If you tried to build one in VW website it was not available that way but my car had them.

sons of bitches

LoL at looking at a Taco.....

DoctorBlade wrote:

z31maniac wrote:

davidjs wrote:

z31maniac wrote:

wae wrote: Is this the build tool you're looking for? http://www.toyota.com/configurator/#!/series/tacoma It's kind of all the way at the bottom of the Tacoma page, but it looks like the normal "Build Yours" tool that everyone else has...

Yep, now actually try to use it. Essentially the only thing it will let you do is check local inventory. Not actually "build" one to see what options/packages you do/don't want.

What browser are you using? It lets me go through the whole build process, just like any other manuf...?

I've tried IE and Chrome, what browser are you using?

I'm in Firefox, and it sure doesn't let me do anything but search a local dealer.

I'm in Chrome, (and it somehow has an estimated zip code), and it allows me to pick options, and show MSRP.

yamaha wrote: LoL at looking at a Taco.....

lol at owning a focus and a Ti

In reply to z31maniac:

You might as well buy the Colorado......since, well....isn't the frame the same as the taco? I'm in the "You'll want a half ton to pull E36 M3" group though, so expect my hate of anything less.

But the Toyota will be worth more at resale than the Chevy...because Toyota.

yamaha wrote: In reply to z31maniac: You might as well buy the Colorado......since, well....isn't the frame the same as the taco? I'm in the "You'll want a half ton to pull E36 M3" group though, so expect my hate of anything less.

Toyota and Chevy share truck technology? I have no idea.

I know the desire to want a 1 ton truck to tow the crapcan Yugo to an Auto-X, but it's unnecessary and I really hate the thought of having a full-sized truck as a DD. If I truck to have a trailer for the racecar, space limitations mean it will become the DD.

Teh E36 M3 wrote: I would go to Autotrader and search new vehicles to get an idea of what is out there and actual prices. I've found almost all the manufacturers websites pretty useless for building vehicles- try the RAM site. Jeebus, a thousand options, but you cant get a good idea if you can get a v6 4x4 crew cab with air suspension and ram box. Wish they just had them listed simply in each section- I don't *know* if I want an SLT, a Laramie, or an Express (I don't even know what any of them mean!!). And then the price disparity. Probably won't be as bad for toyota, but the domestic trucks all are advertised on Autotrader (new) for around $10k under MSRP- I don't know if that's a good starting point or endpoint, but at least a point of reference.

This was a good suggestion, doing that now. I wonder how much under MSRP you can get a new one. I now when I bought my Frontier a few years ago I got the truck WELL under MSRP. Like $33k MSRP I paid $26,500.

I have a feeling the Toyotas aren't being discounted like that.

Toyota and Chevy/GMC do not share small pickup tech. Where did that idea even come from?

The Isuzu Hombre, however, is/was a rebadged Chevy Colorado.

The new Colorado/Canyon twins are 100% GM.

That's my suspicion... they're now one of two midsize truck manufacturers, which to my mind is crazy. I think the manufacturers suppose that because they get about the same mileage, we would all want the bigger truck, and that just ain't the dealio.