I pulled the trigger today! :-)

[jwarthman]

Howdy!
I've been lurking on the message boards and doing research ever since the 2003 4Runner started shipping. Well, today I finally did it - I bought my first 4Runner! For that matter, it's my first 4WD vehicle.

I had an excellent purchase experience that I'd like to pass along. I contacted 11 dealers in Phoenix and the surrounding area, and settled on a dealer in Prescott, AZ. It's a bit of a drive, but keep reading, and you'll see why that wasn't an issue.

I bought a 2005 Limited V6 4WD (Titanium). In the Denver region, I've learned that virtually all such 4Runners come standard with the following:

 

[jsarche]

Congrats!

I bought mine about two months ago and find myself looking for excuses to drive places just to be in it. And driving it, which is a huge pleasure.

Enjoy!

Jon

 

[linhsy]

Congratulation on your new ride.

It is indeed a sweet deal for $600 under invoice and 2005, too. How much did you pay for you extended warranty? I didn't get it because I don't need it for at least 3 years.

Enjoy your ride..post some picture when you can..
btw, my color is silver, too.

How is the 5-speed tranny doing so far? smooth?

 

[scottp999]

Great deal, I bought my limited v6 in early 2003 and there wasn't anything like that deal around. I was friends with the manager in high school and still had to pay $500 over invoice. The got me some well below market finaincing though.

Congrats and enjoy the ride.

 

[jwarthman]

The transmission seems very smooth, but I didn't drive the 4-speed enough to have a good comparison. In any case, this thing drives wonderfully!

Yes, the price was exceptional. Other dealers were quoting $200, $300, and $500 above invoice. The difference clearly justified the drive to Prescott. Plus, I got to drive all the way back!

The dealer sold the warranty for just slightly over his cost - another incentive for me to make the drive. At first I was asking about the 7 year/75,000 mile/zero deductible, and he had quoted $500. I figure I'll probably pile on the miles, so I ended up with the 100,000 mile version for $795. Other dealers were quoting $1,100 - $1,500 - for the 75,000 mile version! And some were trying to get me to buy a 3rd party warranty. The one I bought is the Toyota warranty, which I think has a better chance of being around in 7 years,

Enjoy!

-- Jim

 

[linhsy]

It's nice to have a peace of the mind knowing your rig is on the warranty for 100 kmiles especially with the toyota warranty. I don't trust the 3rd-party warranty company which may not be there when you need them.

take it easy on the 1st 1000 miles alright.

 

[jwarthman]

Break-In Guidelines?

That brings up a question. I've read what the manual says about driving during the break-in period, and of course I probably *should* do exactly as Toyota recommends.

But I have one friend who's pretty conservative, and says I shouldn't run the 4Runner over 50 MPH for the first 500 miles or so.

And another friend says that, in order to properly seat the rings in the cylinders, I should get on the highway and accelerate hard, then take my foot totally off the accelerator, and let it slow way down. And that I should alternate these two for as long as possible.

Any thoughts? How did everyone here break in the engine, and was it a V6?

Enjoy!

-- Jim

 

[Cliff s]

Glad you found a dealer that treated you decently. I am sure you found
out the the large dealerships in the Phoenix area are difficult to deal with at best.
Several of them tried to lowball my trade in and would only quote full MSRP,
I walked out on all of them.

It took me 2 days of hassling just to get a half way decent deal. Since I had
a trade in it was more difficult to get them to deal.

I tried some of the internet deals, but all they would come up with is full MSRP,
some had even a surcharge.

That is why I hate buying cars.

Cliff s

 

[linhsy]

During the first 100 miles, you should not break suddenly, or accelerate hard. Keep your speed below 65 (don't remember axactly number. will check the manual again) (on the highway of course). Also, try to drive with different speed (ie. 50, 55, 60, 65). No towing in the first 1000 miles. I believe Thai has a thread that explain quite throughout of this break-in period.

 

[jwarthman]

Purchase Strategy

Cliff,
Sorry to hear about your experience.

I have used a particular approach for buying a new car for the past several purchases, and have had very good results. It involves NO HAGGLING, and is a low-stress way of buying a car.

At first I did this on my own, but I discovered a service that describesthe same approach, and provides a bunch of great information.

Fighting Chance

Some of the information is available on the Internet (like invoice prices) but the overall strategy is not. Even though I've bought their package several times, I continue to buy their materials every time I buy a new vehicle, because my results have been so good!

In any case, I wish you luck next time around.

I should mention that I am in no way affiliated with Fighting Chance - simply a happy customer.

Enjoy!

-- Jim

 

[coolpop]

Congrats, of course. I've had my 04 Limited V6 for six months and already have over 15,000 miles on it, mainly because I just love driving it.

You'll enjoy it for sure.

When you get a chance, post some pics. Proud daddy that I was/am, I took 20 pics the first weekend I had it but for some reason had problems posting them here...but give it a shot, I never get tired of looking at new 4Runners.

 

[Mark86]

Congrats on that deal. That is an excellent deal, especially for an 05 so early in the model year. I got a decent deal on my 03 Sport, but that was when the 2004's were out (September, 2003) and they had three of them on the lot. You were lucky!

Good luck with your new truck. You will definitely love driving it and take many pictures of it. I know I still turn around after parking it and just admire the looks!

 

[jharris2]

Re: Break-In Guidelines?

That brings up a question. I've read what the manual says about driving during the break-in period, and of course I probably *should* do exactly as Toyota recommends.

<snip>

Any thoughts? How did everyone here break in the engine, and was it a V6?

First of all, congratulations.

Second, follow the break-in guidelines described in the manual. Here's a thread with more information: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=183

 

[jwarthman]

Photos!

By popular demand, here are some photos I made today, my second day with my new 4Runner.









I have a bunch more here, if you're interested.

Enjoy!

-- Jim

 

[G3 Trout Runner]

Congrats on the new 4Runner!

I saw on your website that you used FightingChance.com. I used it as well. Can't say enough good things about it other than it saved me $1200 below invoice and then got the $500 rebate on top. You'll love the site. I rarely post because I can spend so much time going through the archives to find just about anything.

G3 Trout Runner

 

[olliebear]

Schweeet!

Schweeet looking ride. (But isn't that a Dodge Hemi commercial line?????)

I have not been able to take my 1 month V8Runner out for long drive yet......2 weeks and I'll trip out to Los Angeles and San Diego.....

 

[Luxury]

.....The dealer sold the warranty for just slightly over his cost - another incentive for me to make the drive. At first I was asking about the 7 year/75,000 mile/zero deductible, and he had quoted $500. I figure I'll probably pile on the miles, so I ended up with the 100,000 mile version for $795. Other dealers were quoting $1,100 - $1,500 - for the 75,000 mile version! And some were trying to get me to buy a 3rd party warranty. The one I bought is the Toyota warranty, which I think has a better chance of being around in 7 years,

Enjoy!

-- Jim

Thanks man, that gives me an idea of what I should shoot for when purchasing one. I am not certain if Toyo will sell me one after the fact for that great price, but I'm going to try. BTW, I bought mine used from a pp, so I didn't have the option. Sounds like the other info on your buying experience will come in handy in the future too. Thanks a lot. Oh, and those pics are pretty amazing for just having your vehicle two days! They look like postcards, especially with that border.

 

[darktiger]

Congrats, and nice pics. Love that scenary...

 

[jwarthman]

Thanks a lot. Oh, and those pics are pretty amazing for just having your vehicle two days! They look like postcards, especially with that border.

Thanks! I enjoy photography, as you'll see if you browse more of my pBase site . As for the border, it's amazing what you can do with a little Photoshop work.

Good luck when you decide to go for another 4Runner.

Enjoy!

-- Jim

 

[pnokeo]

Congratulations! :cheers: