I ordered a car directly from a dealer 4 years ago and enjoyed the experience a great deal. This was a German car and I was able to pick it up in Munich before they shipped it back to Texas for me.

I have no plans to visit Japan to pick up my next 4Runner but would like to go through the dealer ordering process again to ensure I get the exact truck I want. I am in no rush to buy now so I can wait for the build.

Can anyone recommend a dealer in Texas, preferably Houston, that made this process easy for you? I know dealers have reasons to sell you what they have on their lot but I am looking for a dealer that wants to help me order. I'm not looking for a deal, MSRP is fine, but I want the truck I build. Who wants to take my $500 deposit, please!

You're probably already aware of this, but the "build" process is very different between Japanese and German OEMs. BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Porsche, etc. will let you pick seemingly endless exterior colors, interior colors and options to personalize a car exactly how you want.

At Toyota, you pick a model, a trim, and through pre-selected options that are approved for that Trim so there is no overlapping or customization.

For example, I'd like an Army Green Limited with Redwood leather interior... but Army Green is exclusive to the TRD Pro... which doesn't have leather... which is exclusive to the Limited. So, not possible to order as such.

Good stuff and yes I am a simple man with simple desires. I want a TRD Pro with a sunroof (standard now?) in Army Green. That's it. You can keep your nappa redwood leather. Now who wants my money?

I'm going through Mac Haik in League City...a friend who is the salesman is Al. He can take care of you.

Ok thanks. Are you placing an order with him or buying a vehicle on his lot? If you're ordering I'd like to know more about your process and if he can help me as well.

I'll be ordering the 2020 when it's available to do so. I'm just waiting as of now...asked him to hold onto my 500 dollar deposit until pre-orders are available. I was ordering a 2019 ORP with KDSS (they didn't have any on lot).

I have done it but not lately. Texas is part of GulsFStates Toyota region. They are on only one or two non Toyota owned distributors and they control all Toyotas in Texas and a few other states. I ordered my 2001 from an Austin dealer and waited about 6 weeks but part of the wait was because the 2001's were just being introduced and I wanted Thundercloud - a new color. What I did not want and did not get was a lot of port installed options that were generally worthless but on every vehicle on every lot. I would suggest sending emails to all the surrounding dealers and see what happens. They told me they were able to order a limited number without port options.
For my 2016 I bought in Houston but thru a corporate program so I did get off the lot.

Since when is leather exclusive to Limited? My 2015 TEP has leather/heated seats. Just couldn't get ventilated seats on TEP.

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Your TEP has Softex aka synthetic leather which isn't a real leather which is only equipped on the LTD model.

Anyone get solid dates on when we'll be able to order a 2020 and then when they'll deliver? I'm dropping off a lease and working out the timing. Dealer has been vague.

So you are going to pay full retail just so you can say "you" ordered it?

Are you hoping for build #1, no dealer prep and going to store it in a climate controlled garage for 30 years hoping it goes up in value? Or do you just have more money then sense?

As previously noted you just order packages and a select few options for those packages like colors and such.

Saw a video on YouTube TFL Fast Lane or something like that. They said 2020's would be available end of September. I would imagine ordering would take much longer than that.

Sorry, build #1 is spoken for

Building Japanese cars is a waste of money. Dealers refuse to budge on price, and there are only so many packages a dealer will be allocated, even if there are more possible build options available on the web site.

Try Toyota of Alvin and Fred Haas. A member here played to two to get a better price.