So after ordering back on January 12th, I picked mine up from the dealer yesterday morning. Friday morning, I parted ways with my old 2001 4Runner. I sold it to someone I know, not knowing when the new one would arrive. One hour later, the dealer called and said it was in. Freaky timing!
I want to thank everyone for the posts in this thread. I read them all and learned a ton. I am clearly not worthy compared to all the mod-Jedis in this forum. But it’s fun to see the discussions and learn as I waited patiently for mine to show up.
If there’s one area that I feel like I could add to the discussion, it would be the sales/purchase process. I feel like I got it fairly right, in the end (but not before some very frustrating, typical car dealer bullshittery).
Here’s what I learned:
If things don't work out with my current job, I'll go be a car salesman, because I knew more about the TRD Pro after my research than almost everyone I talked to at dealerships. My favorite moment was when a dealer got back to me to say, "We're sorry, but Toyota doesn't offer the TRD Pro in the United States."
I’ll never again walk into or call a dealer and allow a random salesperson to be assigned to me. After dealing with a couple old school dinosaur tactic guys who use the old Laurel and Hardy routine with sales managers, I walked out and immediately emailed/chatted etc. with the online sales people. I told them exactly what I was looking for. I told them I intended to buy or order within two days and asked for their best prices. This worked like a charm. I was immediately contacted with 4-5 good offers by normal, straight-shooting people who I actually enjoyed talking to. The offers ranged from 39,700 - just under MSRP. The dealer I had walked out on had told me he'd be between invoice and MSRP, which I knew was fair for this car. But then they wouldn't budge from MSRP, in my opinion, were very sketchy about other things like delivery date.
I sent a very simple note that got immediate answers:
Hello, I plan to purchase or order a 2015 4Runner, TRD Pro, color: Inferno. I’ve contacted dealers in the area and plan to make a final decision by end of day tomorrow. I would be interested in hearing your best out-the-door price. I don’t mind waiting if I end up doing a factory order or waiting for one within your allocation.
Must have:
TRD Pro
Inferno color
Nice to have:
Slide out cargo tray
Thank you.
If anyone is looking in the Cincinnati area, contact Dave Henn at Kings Toyota - 513-683-5440. I can’t say enough good things about my experience with him. It was so smooth and painless that I actually was a little worried it would somehow fall through. But it didn’t and now I’m one of maybe 6 dudes driving one of these in the area.
Again, thanks for all the insights in this forum. I really appreciate it.
Heading out to who knows where in this...