Custom Build SR5

[SurferRob]

I am wondering if anyone has any experience with what I am going through.

I got a really great offer to upgrade from my 2011 SR5 to a 2104 SR5 Premium. This will be my 3rd 4Runner. I love them. My dealer couldn't locate exactly what I wanted and said that they would give me the deal even if they have to order from the factory. So, that is what ended up happening.

We settled on SR5 Premium, Solar White with Black Leather no 3rd row. For some reason Southeast toyota wasn't ordering these without the 3rd row, they all had the 3rd row already installed.

I asked my sales guy yesterday if he had heard anything and he said that the truck was being built now and should be here mid april. I have no reason to not trust what he is saying, but sometimes I think he talks around what I am asking so I just nod and smile.

My question is has anyone here gone through what I am going through and how long did it take? The time frame they are saying seems reasonable given its coming from Japan. I am more curious than anything as to how long it takes to come over how often the ships leave port and what not.

Also, I am curions as to what options get applied at port as opposed to the factory.

Thanks in advance for reading this far as well as what ever insights are shared.

Rob

 

[LandCruiser]

I have NEVER special ordered a vehicle because you will always get a few hundred (if not thousand) dollars more for something that is in stock.

 

[simplemind]

I was told by my local dealer that a custom order would take 3-4 months to receive. Didn't want to wait that long, so their are compromises. Third row is not something I would compromise on though!

 

[SurferRob]

Um, thanks, I think LC...but like I said the deal is done, I got a very good deal on this truck.

Simplemind, ya, that is what I was afraid of. They said 2 months max so mid april would be about right based on when I signed the deal. I wonder what the real time is. I think they might say a long timeframe to discourage you from ordering, they don't get money until it comes in so my guess is they say a long time frame to scare you. And ya, I couldn't budge on the 3rd row. I looked at 3 different colors and nothing was available in my region. By the time it gets here, the threats of ice and snow will be done and the nice weather will be here so that is plus in my opinion.

 

[1engineer]

You are in NC! No snow lasts very long down there. Search around as there are threads about the time from order til receipt. I think times are 2-4 months

 

[SurferRob]

1engineer, good point, the snow doesn't stick around too long but the numbnuts driving in it do! I will do a search, thanks.

 

[phillyd2]

I always ordered my vehicles so they are exactly as I want them. The time frame is not unusual. Much depends on dealer allocation. Many times dealer can and do trade each other for slots.

 

[proquip]

Um, thanks, I think LC...but like I said the deal is done, I got a very good deal on this truck.

Simplemind, ya, that is what I was afraid of. They said 2 months max so mid april would be about right based on when I signed the deal. I wonder what the real time is. I think they might say a long timeframe to discourage you from ordering, they don't get money until it comes in so my guess is they say a long time frame to scare you. And ya, I couldn't budge on the 3rd row. I looked at 3 different colors and nothing was available in my region. By the time it gets here, the threats of ice and snow will be done and the nice weather will be here so that is plus in my opinion.

I went through a similar process when I was looking to buy. The dealers called it a "special" order, but from what I gathered it's really a matter of looking up the supply chain, possibly all the way up to manufacturing, and having one that matches your desired specs allocated to them (still part of their total allocation). Not exactly a custom order, but you still get what you want. That said, it also means that the dealer probably doesn't want the allocation to take too long, because of the opportunity cost of selling whatever was previously allocated more quickly.

I think there's a process to track the "order" and get a VIN. Once you have a VIN, then you know the 4Runner is in production and it's a matter of time -- however long it takes to finish building, prepping, shipping across the Pacific, shipping cross country, prepping at Southeast Toyota, before it's delivered to the dealer.

 

[Sparky18]

I am going through the same thing right now with my dealer. They had no SR5 premiums available with the options I was looking for so they said they would order one for me but it would take 60 to 100 days before I could get it. I was fine with that though because I can continue to drive my current 4 runner which I am trading in, and that time frame will carry me into spring. I was able to get a white SR5 premium with running boards, remote start, floor mats, and roof rack cross bars for 36,200 OTD. No extra for ordering

 

[SCA]

Most Southeastern Toyota Dealers I have spoken with have told me 6-8 weeks from order acceptance to delivery. I am looking to order as I do not want the 3rd row seating or the sliding rear cargo floor.

Edit: One SET dealer told me 120+ days.

 

[SurferRob]

Thanks guys.

Also curious as to what kinds of things are applied in port vs. at the factory. can third row be added or deleted at the port? Just curious.