Buying new 4runner - 2012 now or 2013 later - advice greatly appreciated

[4runnerman4]

Hi,

Wanting to buy a new 4runner and trying to decide if it is better to buy a 2012 now or 2013 near the nov / early dec timeframe.

I think 2013's are going for about $100 - $300 above "real manufacturer invoice" - meaning the dealer dips into the manufacturer holdback to cover part of the TDA fee.

and how much more of a $ amount discount can one expect if they wait til nov / dec when the 2014's are out. is it $500 off more than $100 - $300 above real manufacturer invoice or $4000 off more than $100 - $300. just trying to see the dollar amount benefit of waiting.

or Does anyone know how much of a discount they would give on the remaining 2012's sitting on the lots?

Thanks so much to anyone who has purchased recently or negotiated a 2013 / 2012 deal!

Local area is Texas.

 

[ives]

I just bought a 2012 about a month ago.

2012 Trail Edition w/ KDSS w/o NAV for $35,500

 

[Alex T4R]

4Runners never have any specials or incentives. I just bough mine in February 2013. I went to dealership on Feb 25 and negotiated from 39450 sticker price to 34850 out the door. The simple answer for such a big discount is that it was 3 days left to the end of the month and the dealer needed to sell 30 more cars.
Hope this helps! Get 2014 and you can be the first one on the forum with redesign model.

 

[Jayhawk5G]

Hi,

Wanting to buy a new 4runner and trying to decide if it is better to buy a 2012 now or 2013 near the nov / early dec timeframe.

I think 2013's are going for about $100 - $300 above "real manufacturer invoice" - meaning the dealer dips into the manufacturer holdback to cover part of the TDA fee.

and how much more of a $ amount discount can one expect if they wait til nov / dec when the 2014's are out. is it $500 off more than $100 - $300 above real manufacturer invoice or $4000 off more than $100 - $300. just trying to see the dollar amount benefit of waiting.

or Does anyone know how much of a discount they would give on the remaining 2012's sitting on the lots?

Thanks so much to anyone who has purchased recently or negotiated a 2013 / 2012 deal!

Local area is Texas.

Here is my suggestion. Like others have mentioned the 4Runner never has any large discounts simply because it doesn't need them. From what I have seen it's pretty standard to get 5% to 9% off MSRP depending on the area, the model, and the model year. For example last fall I actually ended up getting a better deal on a 2013 that had not yet even arrived at the dealer, than another dealer was offering me on a 2012 that they had been sitting on.

This Saturday Toyota is releasing images of the 2014 4Runner which is getting the mid-cycle refresh. New front bumper and headlights, new tailights, maybe more... wait and get the word on what the changes are and then make your mind up. This is probably something worth considering, whereas if you choice is 2012 or 2013 don't wait just go with the best deal.

 

[chmura]

yup wait for the 2014. Your new 2013 will be "old" after the refresh that the 2014 is undertaking.

I would seriously consider waiting for the '14. The new '14 with the refresh should of been released back in 2010 when the 5th gen originally came out. Since lots of things that the 4th gen runner had they got rid of in the 5th gen. Looks like all these are coming back in the 5th gen which is a must paying 40k for a vehicle.

 

[JayceeP]

I paid under invoice for a leftover '12 in March. In all of Atlantic Canada it was the only "new" one with only 150miles/225km. The rest were all manager demos with 6,000miles/10,000km on them. Slim pickings but I got lucky. No one would budge on a 2013- $2,000 off MRSP at most. So, for me, I'm driving around in a brand new 4Runner- the exact same as a 2013, but I saved $6,000-$7,000 . I'm happy.

Also, you can wait for the "new ones" to come out but you're always going to face that dilemma with a new vehicle. The new one is always "just around the corner." My advice, get a leftover and save some money (whether now, or wait til the '14 is a leftover).

 

[Jayhawk5G]

Also, you can wait for the "new ones" to come out but you're always going to face that dilemma with a new vehicle. The new one is always "just around the corner." My advice, get a leftover and save some money (whether now, or wait til the '14 is a leftover).

It seems like the 4Runner follows a long cycle between new models like some other brands i.e. Chevrolet's Corvette, and BMW's 3 series. So most model runs are several years, and generally besides some very small changes... you get 2-4 years with no major change, then a mid-cycle refresh, and then another few years before the next generation. So those who bought new in 2010 had a new looking car through the 2013 model year, and those who buy 2014 will have a new looking car until the 6th gen comes out. So waiting to see if you love the look of the 2014 makes sense with the 4Runner.

Now on some models that seems to change every year or two, then yes buying based on how long it will be "new" becomes silly.

 

[4runnerman4]

2012 Features?

Thanks for all the replies guys and all your insight into the 2012 / 2014. I'm interested to see what the 2014 holds and will look for it this weekend. I'm also going to look into the existing 2012 models since i'm on a budget and need a deal rather than the latest features.

Quick question for 2012 owners - Does the standard stereo (or console) have bluetooth capability for phone calls / streaming music. or do I have to get the $1.5K (MSRP) upgrade to Display audio / navigation & entune to have this?

Also do any of you have 3rd row? - found it useful? I'm still debating whether it is better to have 5 inches more clearance or more room for kids / friends.

 

[j_shoe99]

Quick question for 2012 owners - Does the standard stereo (or console) have bluetooth capability for phone calls / streaming music. or do I have to get the $1.5K (MSRP) upgrade to Display audio / navigation & entune to have this?

Also do any of you have 3rd row?

I have a 2012 SR5. It does have the bluetooth for phone/streaming music. I do NOT have the 1.5k navigation/entune options.

I do not have 3rd row, so I can't comment on that. So far, I have not seen a need for it. Perhaps you have a large family, where you need the extra seating it might come in handy?

Good luck on your decision.

 

[JayceeP]

Also do any of you have 3rd row? - found it useful? I'm still debating whether it is better to have 5 inches more clearance or more room for kids / friends.

Yes. I still don't know how I feel about it. Haven't loaded up the truck for any trips yet but I had a truck full of 10 year olds last weekend and the little monsters fit nicely in the 3rd row. I haven't sat in it, but it looks cramped if the 2nd row is all the way back. On that note, you can slide the 2nd row forward (as there is already plenty of leg room there) to make more room in the 3rd row. You could even slide the front seats up an inch or 2 as well. Also, if I'm loading up the truck to the ceiling, I'll prob need a roof box so I can't see it being an issue unless trying to move something like a big TV, desk etc that might now clear. I was able to fit my soft-top from my 4dr Wrangler in no problem (couldn't get it in the Jeep) so width wise there is lots of room. It is what it is.

 

[jfdallas]

Thanks for all the replies guys and all your insight into the 2012 / 2014. I'm interested to see what the 2014 holds and will look for it this weekend. I'm also going to look into the existing 2012 models since i'm on a budget and need a deal rather than the latest features.

Quick question for 2012 owners - Does the standard stereo (or console) have bluetooth capability for phone calls / streaming music. or do I have to get the $1.5K (MSRP) upgrade to Display audio / navigation & entune to have this?

Also do any of you have 3rd row? - found it useful? I'm still debating whether it is better to have 5 inches more clearance or more room for kids / friends.

I have a 2012 Limited with Entune/NAV. As previously noted all 2012's have Bluetooth capability. If I had to do it over, I'd pay the extra for the JBL audio which also includes a larger NAV screen than with Entune. To me, Entune is just a gimmicky add-on that Toyota can charge you for a subscription after 3 yrs. I have not used it at all. I do like the NAV and the sound system is good, but JBL would be better, in my opinion. Other than that, I love the truck. So if you're looking at the Limited, that's my $.02.

P.S. I don't have a 3rd row, I have the sliding cargo tray, which I really like. It's handy for loading stuff at Home Depot and also good to slide out to sit on while putting on golf shoes.

 

[Bay33saw]

Thanks for all the replies guys and all your insight into the 2012 / 2014. I'm interested to see what the 2014 holds and will look for it this weekend. I'm also going to look into the existing 2012 models since i'm on a budget and need a deal rather than the latest features.

Quick question for 2012 owners - Does the standard stereo (or console) have bluetooth capability for phone calls / streaming music. or do I have to get the $1.5K (MSRP) upgrade to Display audio / navigation & entune to have this?

Also do any of you have 3rd row? - found it useful? I'm still debating whether it is better to have 5 inches more clearance or more room for kids / friends.

I bought my 12 LE on the last day of Feb 2012, they needed two more car sales to hit some target and I got mine for $40,000 OTD with taxes and everything, I was looking at the 3rd row seat but found it totally useless unless you have two small kids, NO WAY could anyone over 5ft be comfortable in the back, and yes you do lose quite a bit of headroom with it too.
The sliding rear tray was something I was looking at but after I got mine and it did not have it in there I wasn't missing it at all.
I like the JBL system (I am no stereo snob) but it's plenty loud enough for me, the bluetooth does suck, I mean it does work but the people I call say it sounds like I'm 20ft away from the reciever.......I think that's just a Toyota Bluetooth thing.
You can probably get a killer deal on a 13, but honestly either way you won't be dissapointed with the LE whatever year you buy.

 

[bboy626]

I got a great deal on a NEW 2012 TE loaded (KDSS, NAV, running boards, sliding tray, etc) that was sitting in the dealer showroom for $32,500 (before taxes) in March 2013. If u can wait till 2014 for a 2013 model, that's where the biggest discount will be. For financing, go to penfed.org and apply for car loan. I got 1.5% and Toy said there's no way they can match that rate. Good luck!

 

[Eagle]

I was looking at the 3rd row seat but found it totally useless unless you have two small kids, NO WAY could anyone over 5ft be comfortable in the back, and yes you do lose quite a bit of headroom with it too.

I have driven two adults in the third row who said it was small but not uncomfortable. They were both about 5'6" females and were fine there for a couple of 90 minute drives. It's a folding third row... it's almost always going to be smaller, less comfortable seating and it does reduce some dimensions, but it's still usable seating for a substantial portion of the population.

 

[KKIB]

Wow, you all received great Prices. I paid for a 2013 LTD with 7" Navigation at $41,167; TFS Financed at 2.99%
purchased T4R on 2/14/2013.
The rate was almost a deal-breaker, but Finance-manger mentioned and I read if the Principal is paid sooner, say a 13th payment before the year is up and continue to until maturity date, the rate is irrelevant.

 

[fjc32]

which dealer did u get your TE from

I got a great deal on a NEW 2012 TE loaded (KDSS, NAV, running boards, sliding tray, etc) that was sitting in the dealer showroom for $32,500 (before taxes) in March 2013. If u can wait till 2014 for a 2013 model, that's where the biggest discount will be. For financing, go to penfed.org and apply for car loan. I got 1.5% and Toy said there's no way they can match that rate. Good luck!

Hi there 626,

Can u pm me which dealer you got it from?

thanks