Bought a brand new 2006 T4R Limited V8 4WD today!

[gRunner3]

Hey LSU,

I ordered my 4Runner earlier this year and wanted to let you know my experience. I'm not sure if different regional distributors handle special orders differently, but this is what I was told about Gulf States Toyota.

I originally worked with 2 dealerships... one gave me a lower price and said they would order the vehicle exactly as I specified (I hate the spoiler, too). But I looked on the BBB.org and saw that this dealership had a horrible satisfaction record and basically didn't even respond to complaints anymore b/c their reputation was so bad. So I went with the slightly more expensive dealership who explained to me that they couldn't send a specific build order to Japan to have the vehicle built. All they could do was look at the various types of vehicle configurations that Gulf States Toyota typically orders. The closest one to what I wanted had a spoiler, DRL, and side airbags... all things I didn't particularly care for.

They then could send the Gulf States distributor a "special order" requesting that the next 4Runner with those options that they receive from Japan be sent to their dealership. In other words, they were just requesting a vehicle from the distributor that had not been built yet, which made this different from them claiming a vehicle from the distributor that already existed (he said they can see what is being built and shipped up to 45 days in advance).

So anyway, I got 2 different stories and am not sure who is right or if different distributors handle things differently. Anyway, keep us informed on how your experience turns out.

 

[LSUMBA]

Well, a number of people on this board have said that they have special ordered vehicles before. I am not sure of the exact process, but I do know that I specifically told them that I did NOT want a single port installed option on the vehicle. So molesting a vehicle at the port is not something I will sign off on. All the manufacturing must be done at the original factory during the original build.

They tried to sell me one with all the extra options that I hated. I told them I would take it if they threw all the unwanted options in for free (they totaled about $2000). The guy laughed at me. I told him that I could walk out the door & he would never see me again. My 97 4Runner runs like a dream & I have no issues with it at all. That got his attention & they started the special order.

I will keep you posted on things as they come up.

 

[LSUMBA]

Toyota -> :xnuts: <- Me

Well this is a fine kick in the crotch!!

So I placed the order for my new 06 4Runner back on November 5th. Since then, I have had issues with the dealer giving me status updates on the order. (Read above for more)

I finally got fed up with the fact I was not receiving a single update & I called the new GM to express my disgust. He informs me that he just fired his entire Internet Sales department & he will look into my truck personally. Yesterday I get a call from the new Internet Sales Manager. He tells me that my order was NEVER PLACED!! 38 days after I walked in & put a $1000 deposit down & they told me I would have a new truck by New Years and nothing has been done! :bash:

Well, now I am torn. The dealership has done a complete reorg. They have fired all past management and replaced them. I honestly believe the new management is trying to fix errors in the past. They even offered to knock $500 more off of the price of the truck. That would take my total down to $38,680 & make the selling price right at invoice. They told me that the minimum expected wait time is 120 days. So now it will be at least mid-April before I will have a new truck.

I cannot beat the price they are now offering, but it is an issue of trusting this dealership after they have already stuck it to me.

I told the salesman to refund my $1000 deposit immediately & I asked him to keep that price on the table for at least one week while I decided how I wanted to move forward. He gave me no hassle & told me that would not be a problem...which leads me to believe that this new management really is trying to improve.

THIS SUCKS!

 

[00328]

That really does suck, especially since you were only about 2 or 3 weeks from delivery.

Can't the dealer find the truck you want from another dealer that he can trade for? Even out of state?

120 days, damn. I waited about 6 weeks for mine and that was unbearable.

 

[LSUMBA]

Can't the dealer find the truck you want from another dealer that he can trade for? Even out of state?

That's the thing. The configurtion I want does not exist anywhere in the US. Maybe when the 2006s are rampant in the market it will be easy to find, but for now, if I want what I want, it has to be a special order.

4 months does not bother me nearly as much as the fact that it would be less than 3 months right now if they had been straight with me from the start.

The only reason I am considering still doing business with them is based on the price they have quoted.

 

[iFORCE]

That's the thing. The configurtion I want does not exist anywhere in the US. Maybe when the 2006s are rampant in the market it will be easy to find, but for now, if I want what I want, it has to be a special order.

4 months does not bother me nearly as much as the fact that it would be less than 3 months right now if they had been straight with me from the start.

The only reason I am considering still doing business with them is based on the price they have quoted.

ALl those options you wanted are standard on a V8 here in Canada. Everything except for the Nav. I'm surprised that there is not a single 4runner with that config.

 

[Derek]

I just noticed you were in Atlanta, which dealership is it if you don't mind me asking. I've had my fair share of problems with Cobb Co. Toyota and refuse to ever step foot in that dealership.

 

[LSUMBA]

I just noticed you were in Atlanta, which dealership is it if you don't mind me asking. I've had my fair share of problems with Cobb Co. Toyota and refuse to ever step foot in that dealership.

This deal is with Stone Mountain Toyota. I am probably going to give them a second chance since they did completely clean house & appear to be genuine about making amends.

I have had good experiences with Sandy Springs Toyota for service, but their sales side is awful. I live next to World Toyota & I usually bring my current truck there for oil changes & they are good, but their sales side is high pressure old school. Marietta Toyota is one dealership I will not set foot in again based on a bad experience with their service department 5 years ago.

 

[LSUMBA]

All those options you wanted are standard on a V8 here in Canada. Everything except for the Nav. I'm surprised that there is not a single 4runner with that config.

Do the standard Limiteds also come with rear air suspension & a rear spoiler? That is the problem. I have found trucks that have everything I listed above PLUS RAS & the spoiler. The problem is that I do not want RAS & a spoiler. In spite of many here thinking they are both cool options, I have no need for RAS & I think a spoiler on an SUV looks stupid as hell. Both of those options together tack on $1299 ($950 for RAS & $399 for the spoiler). I have told the dealers that if they are willing to give me both options for free, I will take the truck. That is usually met with a laugh.

 

[iFORCE]

Do the standard Limiteds also come with rear air suspension & a rear spoiler? That is the problem. I have found trucks that have everything I listed above PLUS RAS & the spoiler. The problem is that I do not want RAS & a spoiler. In spite of many here thinking they are both cool options, I have no need for RAS & I think a spoiler on an SUV looks stupid as hell. Both of those options together tack on $1299 ($950 for RAS & $399 for the spoiler). I have told the dealers that if they are willing to give me both options for free, I will take the truck. That is usually met with a laugh.

Ah, I see. Well.. good luck with that. The only way it won't have a spoiler on a limited is if they take it off. As for the RAS....have fun with that as limited/v8/xreas will most likely have the RAS.

 

[LSUMBA]

Ah, I see. Well.. good luck with that. The only way it won't have a spoiler on a limited is if they take it off. As for the RAS....have fun with that as limited/v8/xreas will most likely have the RAS.

Hence the special order to get exactly what I want & nothing that I do not want.

 

[CGY_LTD_V8]

When we bought my truck, the dealership already had the exact one i wanted coming in.. i only had to wait 2 weeks. Guess i was lucky

 

[Koz]

I have yet to see a Limited "Special Ordered" without a spoiler.

Koz

 

[Bobby]

I see a few problems here. Please don't take this the wrong way, but it sounds like you're very particular about what you want on the vehicle which is fine but I think you're being a bit too difficult. I understand this is a fairly expensive vehicle but it's not a custom built vehicle that you can readily pick and choose AND get it delivered in a short amount of time. These are, for the most part, off-the-shelf vehicles.

RAS and a spoiler shouldn't be a deal-breaker. The dealer is already giving you the vehicle at invoice. See if they'll throw in a few extras like all-weather mats, key chains, etc to seal the deal. It's either that or wait until April.

BTW, I would agree with you on the spoiler for most SUVs but I think the 4runner looks weird w/o one.

Either way, good luck with your pending purchase.

 

[gRunner3]

My LMT model has V8 and XREAS but does not have the Rear Air so I'm sure you can find one. My dealer told me on my "special" order that he could not give me a true estimate to how long it would take and told me that from his past experience 3 months was average but he still couldn't promise anything since he had no control over the process. I ended up getting mine in 1.5 months so it was pretty quick.

 

[LSUMBA]

I have yet to see a Limited "Special Ordered" without a spoiler.

And I have yet to see a 4Runner with a rear spoiler that looked good.

Different tastes I guess.

 

[LSUMBA]

I see a few problems here. Please don't take this the wrong way, but it sounds like you're very particular about what you want on the vehicle which is fine but I think you're being a bit too difficult. I understand this is a fairly expensive vehicle but it's not a custom built vehicle that you can readily pick and choose AND get it delivered in a short amount of time. These are, for the most part, off-the-shelf vehicles.

RAS and a spoiler shouldn't be a deal-breaker. The dealer is already giving you the vehicle at invoice. See if they'll throw in a few extras like all-weather mats, key chains, etc to seal the deal. It's either that or wait until April.

BTW, I would agree with you on the spoiler for most SUVs but I think the 4runner looks weird w/o one.

Either way, good luck with your pending purchase.

I don't take any offense to anything that anyone here states. Everyone's vehicle is a reflection of their own personality. What one person sees as completely logical makes no sense to another poster.

You are 100% right that I am particular about what I want on the new T4R. Particular to an anal level. If the 4Runner came standard with a spoiler, and there was nothing I could do about it, that would be one thing, but I have zero desire to pay extra for something I do not want if I have a choice of not getting it. While you say that RAS & a spoiler should not be a deal breaker, I contend that $1300 worth of unnecessary & unwanted options on a vehicle is a very big deal breaker.

Also, the timeline is not a big deal to me. I have a vehicle that runs perfectly right now. If I had to wait 6 months, it would make no difference. The biggest issue that has my panties in a wad right now is that the dealership wasted over a month before they realized their error.

 

[mandercruso]

Geaux Tigers!!!!

I just had to throw that in there, being an LSU alumnus and current employee

Hope all goes well with the 4Runner purchase. If you have family in the Baton Rouge area I would suggest going to All Star Toyota. They're great!

Amanda

 

[iFORCE]

All limiteds come with a spoiler. If you don't like it.. take it off. Either you take it off or the dealership does... you'll still be charged the spoiler as it comes in the package.

 

[Koz]

I think the stealer also wanted to get out of the invoice price deal. I could not find a stealer that would give invoice PLUS incentive unless it was near leftover time, especially on a "Special Order" (which I also think is BS). If time is not an issue, I would have held his feet to the FIRE and made him produce the vehicle he promised!

Koz