2009 Shortage??

[Mark86]

I was interested in seeing the few subtle changes made to the 2009 4Runner. By no means do I intend on getting rid of my 2005 4Runner. While I was waiting for the GX to get serviced, I walked over to the Toyota dealer to check out what 2009's they have. The salesman told me that they are not seeing any 2009 4Runners and have around 6 2008's for sale. He told me that he can give me a few thousand off of a 2008. I opened the door of this vehicle he was offering me and it was built in 02/08 (and he wanted me to pay a "new" car price). When I asked the manager when they expect to see 2009's, he said there is a shortage.

Next day, I am near the Toyota dealer that I bought my truck from so I stop in to check out the 09's. The salesman tells me that there are only 08's. He then informed me that 09 4Runner are hard to come by.

Today, I am near another Toyota dealer and finally get to see a 2009 4Runner. They had 8 on the lot (3 Limited, 1 Sport, 1 Urban, 3 SR5). Not one of them had the V8, which was weird. Overall, there were three changes I noticed: 1) rear window switch is now below the 12 volt outlet (where the ash tray should be), 2) two 12 volt outlet instead of 1 3) sunroof switch is a bit different. The 2009 only have an imprint where our rear window switches are. I also noticed different regional value packages on the Sports and SR5s.

I surely hope this says nothing about the future of the 4Runner. Also, I hope that Toyota does not take the same path as Jeep and making the 4Runner more car like.

 

[K.C.]

If it was for me...if the 2008 have very low miles, I'd get the V8 Limited. Low miles meaning less than 20...I may settle for less than 100, but everything else has to be mint.

I can show you the subtle changes on the 2009...I don't like it, but I do like the truck enough to not care, that's if IF I can't find a brand new 2008. I will not settle for a used vehicle.

 

[Thai]

I doubt that there is a shortage of 2009 4runners. Toyota is holding all of them at the port. Toyota is doing this to allow the dealers to get rid of their inventory.

 

[nytefog]

Just remember to tell the salesman that the '08 is already a year old and you expect to get a hefty discount!!

 

[toto]

In my area, the 2008 4Runners seem to have finally disappeared. 2009's are very few and far between.

Sequoias also seem to be really rare right now.

 

[toto]

Just remember to tell the salesman that the '08 is already a year old and you expect to get a hefty discount!!

A co-worker tried to buy an 08 that was also a demo (had 4K-5K miles on it), and the dealer didn't want to deal despite the age and the mileage. The price they were asking was the same as if it were an 09 with 10 miles on it. I see that dealer still has that 4Runner on the lot.

There was a story on CNN.com a few days ago where they interviewed several people about whether or not they were buying a car right now. I was surprised how many of them had the same story - they found one they liked, they were willing to buy it for a reasonable price (near invoice before subtracting rebates), and the dealer didn't want to deal. I don't expect dealers to lose their butt in the process of selling cars, but I can't believe some of them would still rather hold out for a bigger profit than move something off the lot today.