Buyer timing...want to spring for a 2010/2011...

[Jin]

have beat myself to death about what SUV i want...and I am 100% decided on a 2010/2011 4 runner. My preferences are SR5 4WD, 3rd row seat, and color being charcoal or silver.

I have been looking in my area every now and then and have only come across one with the above specifications. this makes me feel i don't have much barganing room with this car. I guess they are not making as many 4 runners as they used to.

with the increasing gas prices, i was hoping it would make my search easier.
but then a local sales guy was saying that the trouble in japan will reduce the number of cars making it over here...scare tactic?

so, is there such a thing as a better time in the year to buy? or is this a car to where if i find the one setup the way i want...to jump on it?

4/19/2011 10:30pm update...
Found one with the specs i was looking for (4x4, 3rd row seating).

2011 SR5
Base: $32,290.00
Installed Options: $3,084.00
Total: $35,374.00

The offer from the dealership is $33,200...is this decent?
By the way do the installed options count towards the MSRP? Or is the MSRP without the installed options?

4/20/2011 9:22pm update...

Nobody should pay sticker regardless of the situation in Japan. Try to be flexible on color or an option, so you can work with in-stock units in your region. Use zag.com to get the bottom price and work up from there.

Good luck!

Thank you FJ 100! i used Zag to find my 4runner. i was not able to find one with my preferred specifications before using Zag. picked it up this afternoon!

2011 Graphite SR5, 4WD, 3rd row seats, moon roof, tint & floor mats.
$33,200
$3k down for 3.6% APR...60 months

 

[scanny]

Logically speaking I think that shipping from Japan will be severely delayed for a while. But I would set some sort of competition between dealers telling one that I don't care much for color and can buy SR5 in other dealership $1000 cheaper. A few trips between dealerships sometimes helps.

Usually better time to buy in my expereince is the time when next year models are coming and delears want to get rid of old models taking space on the lot. And I don't think that gas prices will have big effect on 4Runner sales, somehow it seems to me that people who want to save on gas don't buy SUV at all.

sorry if i didn't say anything new and good luck with your purchase.

 

[Jin]

"Quake and Tsunamis Affect Japan's Auto Industry"

http://www.autotrader.com/research/...-and-tsunamis-affect-japans-auto-industry.jsp

 

[Batang.Gapo]

I was ready to buy early March but could not find the spec (e.g. color,model) I preferred. I called several huge dealerships across Greater Toronto Area (Canada), but to no avail. Then I came across a dealership which gives me the lowest price and told me that I could have the vehicle in one week. After placing my order and putting down payment, I was informed that the vehicle that was supposed to be taken from other dealership is no longer available and have to wait for new shipment which is already on rail bound to Toronto. ETA is April 25.

I think dealerships are not stocking too many 4Runners. I maybe wrong but wanted to share my experience.

 

[Lvmyrnnr]

It probably also depends on the area you are in. They are here in my area but I don't know if the dealerships are still getting the same stock they were a few weeks ago. We got ours two weeks ago when the supplies were still pretty good and right before the news started announcing there was going to be a shortage coming from Japan. It couldn't hurt to try what Scanny suggested and go between a couple different dealerships to try bargaining with them though. Nobody's gonna pay full MSRP price for one anyway!

 

[-JD-]

^I'm buying a 5th gen TE right now. No dealerships in my area have them and all say they have to order them in. NONE will move on MSRP. Was told the silver TE I want was just manufactured a week or two ago and is on a boat. Should be here at the beginning of may.... but at full MSRP...

 

[Lvmyrnnr]

I think the TE is harder to find, maybe that's why they don't want to move on the price. I haven't seen one on the road in my area yet.

 

[Jin]

I think dealerships are not stocking too many 4Runners. I maybe wrong but wanted to share my experience.

this is the feeling i am getting.

i actually haven't located one with the exact color and preferences i want.
I am thinking because of japan's troubles i will have even more difficulty finding one.

but...it's ok. i am trying to save for a good down payment anyway.

 

[Awynt]

In the meantime, try contacting dealerships all over your region and even in other states. They don't always have them all listed on websites. Call them up, tell them your specs and ask them what they'd do to convince you to fly to them to pick it up! Even if that doesn't pan out well, it doesn't hurt to try. They might start seriously bargaining with you if they feel they've got a sure sale should they meet your specs.

 

[FJ 100]

Nobody should pay sticker regardless of the situation in Japan. Try to be flexible on color or an option, so you can work with in-stock units in your region. Use zag.com to get the bottom price and work up from there.

Good luck!

 

[-JD-]

FJ I'm also in Canada, from what I've been hearing its quite common to pay below MSRP in the US, but in Canada its not as common...


which is BS because our prices are ALREADY higher....

 

[DaveS]

My local dealer didn't end up selling me my 4th Gen - I gave him the price I was offered elsewhere and he couldn't match it, so he knows I start at invoice not msrp.

No surprise therefore that he keeps trying to steer from a 5th Gen to a Highlander or Tacoma - nobody here seems to carry stock of the 5th Gen which means there's much less incentive for a Canadian dealer to cut a deal on one. (Shame for Toyota really given how much more money they make on them at invoice here in Canada.).

 

[scanny]

FJ I'm also in Canada, from what I've been hearing its quite common to pay below MSRP in the US, but in Canada its not as common...

Last August I managed to negotiate SR5 with Upgrade package for $40K, which is under MSRP. But is was in GTA and Japan was doing fine at that time.

 

[Screecha]

I am in Canada and the salesperson offered us $1700 under MSRP because we told him that we had gone to another dealership for pricing. He said he would give us 1700 off MSRP for our business.

We put a deposit on a BP Limited with NAV.

 

[FJ 100]

FJ I'm also in Canada, from what I've been hearing its quite common to pay below MSRP in the US, but in Canada its not as common...


which is BS because our prices are ALREADY higher....

Didn't realize this was the issue in Canada...sorry that does stink.

 

[Batang.Gapo]

Last August I managed to negotiate SR5 with Upgrade package for $40K, which is under MSRP. But is was in GTA and Japan was doing fine at that time.

I got mine for $40K as well. I got quote from carcostcanada ($20 fee for 10 quotes for CAA members) and they just added $1,250 markup. Other dealership wants atleast 5-6% markup. MSRP is $42,800!!!

I can't really understand why we Canadians pay a lot more compared to our brothers down south.

 

[Jin]

Found one with the specs i was looking for (4x4, 3rd row seating).

2011 SR5
Base: $32,290.00
Installed Options: $3,084.00
Total: $35,374.00

The offer from the dealership is $33,200...is this decent?
By the way do the installed options count towards the MSRP? Or is the MSRP without the installed options?

 

[Batang.Gapo]

By the way do the installed options count towards the MSRP? Or is the MSRP without the installed options?

Congratulations!!!

Based Price + Standard Package(options) = MSRP

This is based on the quote I got (please see attached for details)


*Retail Price - Also referred to as the M.S.R.P. or Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price or Retail Factory Price. The price the dealer wants you to pay.

** Wholesale Price - Also referred to as the Dealer Invoice Price, Dealer Factory Price or Dealer Cost. The price the dealer pays for the car, before adjusting for any applicable Factory Incentives. To start your negotiations, take this number, add a fair dealer markup/profit (3%-6% on most cars) and deduct any applicable factory incentive below.

 

[-JD-]

I am in Canada and the salesperson offered us $1700 under MSRP because we told him that we had gone to another dealership for pricing. He said he would give us 1700 off MSRP for our business.

We put a deposit on a BP Limited with NAV.

Good to know. I'm also in BC. Which dealership? I'm still waiting for my TE to arrive, but I went to several dealerships and none would move on MSRP for a TE as they all told me they would have to order it in.

The frustrating issue for me is my trade. Some may move on MSRP but not offer as much on trade..... also the hassle of going from dealership to dealership. They never make it quick to make it harder for you to visit more dealerships in a day...

I still haven't bought my TE yet. i wonder if I should try to get them to come down on the price a bit?

 

[Screecha]

Good to know. I'm also in BC. Which dealership? I'm still waiting for my TE to arrive, but I went to several dealerships and none would move on MSRP for a TE as they all told me they would have to order it in.

The frustrating issue for me is my trade. Some may move on MSRP but not offer as much on trade..... also the hassle of going from dealership to dealership. They never make it quick to make it harder for you to visit more dealerships in a day...

I still haven't bought my TE yet. i wonder if I should try to get them to come down on the price a bit?

We live in Victoria and went to Metro Lexus Toyota Victoria which is a part of the Jimmy Pattison owners group. I believe there is about 5 dealerships in that group and our salesman said that will that many dealerships they have greater buying power, He also said that they get all their pricing from the Toyota Canada website. He also said they have access to vehicles that are at the Vancouver port, that is where he is bringing our BP LTD in from.