Is buying a 5th gen now in current market simply a bad move?

[BearBio]

BTW: Best car I've ever had. My mechanic says they are the best 4WD on the market! (He did a lot of work on my FJ40 to get it running!).

My ONLY complaint is that, when I mounted the bull bar, I couldn't get the mounting bolts loose, even with a breaker bar; so, it went to him to have it installed.

 

[olyltd]

Personally, I think it's a great time to buy if you do your research and if you have a fairly new trade. If you have no trade and can wait, then I suggest waiting because orders are starting to come in and soon it'll be back to somewhat normal.

That said, I have a 2019 Subaru Ascent and getting top trade in everywhere I ask. I have literally looked at every Toyota 4Runner inventory from Canadian border down I-5 (I'm in WA) to Oregon/CA border and then over to OR/ID border and back up and a little into Montana. I found about half of three dozen or more dealers are selling at MSRP. Some are just too ridiculous and I will remember them when times are good to never buy from them. Seattle Toyota, for example, is selling for $500 under MSRP.

Again, I am getting about $4K over typical trade in because the auction prices are jacking up used. I would not buy used in this market because you're cheaper in most cases buying new.

I started off with a deposit on a silver Venture but then came to my senses because we have a 7-passenger car now and the reason for the 4Runner is to tow a 19' boat. Both Subaru and 4Runner have 5,000 towing capacity, but unibody vs. on-frame is a no-brainer. I had a 2016 Limited and did come to appreciate the ventilated seats, JBL, ride and other features. I also do not go off-road or when I do it's urban snow or boat ramps.

Right now I have a dealer who has agreed on a trade-in price and MSRP on a Limited so I think it's a great time for me to pull the trigger.

 

[ErnieArt]

Thanks for the great advice so far. Many are saying to look out of state. Had never thought about that. Will expand my search massively. Greatly appreciated on all the comments so far!

 

[Rack]

Its been awhile since I bought my 4runner.
I also live in So Cal. The Toyota dealers here are hard to deal with, especially when inventory is low. At that time no one had a 4Runner without a third row seat. I looked for six months before I decided to look out of state.
I sent emails to dealers in Northern California, Utah, Arizona and Nevada. I found two 4runners in Las Vegas at two different dealers and started negotiations with different sale people. When I ask for the VIN I realized it was the same 4Runner. The two dealerships are owned by the same company. The salesmen didn't know each other so I used the best price from one salesperson for the buy. Flew up and drove it home.

The issue with bring a new car into the state is the CA DMV. You will pay local taxes and registration regardless of where you buy. So plan on spending some time and Money at the DMV.
It took a month and two appointments to get the paper work registered. (It was the dealers fault)
I did get what I wanted but the buying process beat me up.

Last February my wife bought a new CRV the whole process took an hour.
something to think about.

 

[Mass 4runner]

If you are getting a stupid top dollar offer for your trade I guess paying MSRP on a new one is fine. If you are not trading and buying a new one for MSRP or higher, I say cool your jets and wait this inflated market out if you can.

 

[hallcs]

Depends on if you have a trade in right now.

I was on the fence with the pricing until I found out the dealer would give me 2000 more then what I paid new for my 5 year old Silverado. Made it a no brainer for me. Paid 43200 for a 2021 Venture and have been offered 54k for it.

 

[Glenn Goodlett]

Prices were 5-10k over MSRP in LA when I got mine. I found what I wanted (Army Green Pro) in Oklahoma. They made the deal happen at MSRP and arranged shipping for $1500 to my door in CA. Paid no sales tax etc in Oklahoma but my bill at CA DMV was about $4500.

EDIT- All late model 4 Runners are 50 state emissions certified. If in doubt check the emissions tag under the hood. You cannot register a NEW 49 state certified vehicle in CA. Used is a different story. There are a lot of rules...see DMV.CA.GOV.

 

[SteadFAST 4Runner]

Dont buy in Commifornia... way too expensive.

China is causing the microchips to be in low supply and Toyota has not resumed production of the 2022 models yet which has also delayed the 6th Gen 4Runner for another year.

Your best option (which isnt certain) is that you wait for production to resume on the 4Runners and shipments being received on the West Coast... then once there is a supply of them at the dealership prices on used ones will drop.

Good luck finding a 2021 model... and yes get it out of state of Commifornia.

 

[AggieOE]

100% look nationwide. Shipping or driving it home is often cheaper than your local price.

If you're ready to buy though, buy. Just make sure you shop and get a reasonable deal. Obvious I'm sure but dont just buy what the local person is selling. Also, as some have said, emailing online can yield a better price.

When we bought our JKUR, we shopped new. I found one and emailed the dealer through cars.com or something similar. Next thing you know, I was purchasing through their "Fleet" salesperson since "online" was included in that department. I ended up with a better deal than if I walked in AND available warranties that are only applicable to fleet sales.

 

[GCT4R]

I've been looking into buying a Pro and found most of the dealerships in the Southeast are not marking over MSRP. It's just getting the deposit in and waiting for one to come in. Luckily i'm patient enough to wait till one pops up for me.

Also, Costco Auto program doesn't work in my area. The dealerships are just going to sell at MSRP.

 

[olyltd]

Got my 3rd row silver Limited yesterday at MSRP and an extra $600 for trade than originally agreed. My Ascent is 2 years old and 72 month financing so not too much on principle paid and still had almost $7,000 equity down on the 4Runner. So I agree, if you have a worthy trade it’s still a good time. No trade then definitely wait.

 

[ErnieArt]

Got my 3rd row silver Limited yesterday at MSRP and an extra $600 for trade than originally agreed. My Ascent is 2 years old and 72 month financing so not too much on principle paid and still had almost $7,000 equity down on the 4Runner. So I agree, if you have a worthy trade it’s still a good time. No trade then definitely wait.

I don’t have a trade in but a I have a sizable down payment to put down.

 

[ErnieArt]

Have started to look nation wide. One dealer in the east coast. I’m from Los Angeles BTW. The dealer told they only selling to its own state or nearby states. So COVID, chip shortage, inflation and now this lol.

 

[PhillySilver]

Just on a goof I looked at some of my local dealers and, while stock is low, there are some to be had. Dealer where I bought mine has a handful of limited ones, a couple of nightshade ones, and a sweet black / black ORP. No Pros. I am in the Philly suburbs.

 

[FullTime4]

I just purchased a '21 Limited a couple grand below MSRP.
I couldn't refuse the price they offered for my trade-in. :biggrin1:

Other dealers were selling for over MSRP, so it definitely depends on your specific situation.

 

[Charles Bronson]

This is an absolutely terrible time to buy a new or used car. Used cars are 20% too high and new cars are selling at MSRP and more.

We bought my wife's new 2020 TRD ORP in Kansas City back in July 2020. The list on it was $44.2K and we paid $38.5K. That sort of deal was pretty common for 4Runners. A good friend bought a Venture for $42K at the same time. List was $47K.

People are now routinely paying MSRP+$1000 for a TRD ORP, many paying even more than that. That's a 15%+ MASSIVE difference. Prior to this "shortage", 4runners routinely sold for under 8% to 10% MSRP (except for the Pro which has often commanded near or at MSRP).

Be patient if you don't need a car right now. In 3 to 6 months, things should be back to normal or close to it.

 

[kenwilliams0803]

This is an absolutely terrible time to buy a new or used car. Used cars are 20% too high and new cars are selling at MSRP and more.



We bought my wife's new 2020 TRD ORP in Kansas City back in July 2020. The list on it was $44.2K and we paid $38.5K. That sort of deal was pretty common for 4Runners. A good friend bought a Venture for $42K at the same time. List was $47K.



People are now routinely paying MSRP+$1000 for a TRD ORP, many paying even more than that. That's a 15%+ MASSIVE difference. Prior to this "shortage", 4runners routinely sold for under 8% to 10% MSRP (except for the Pro which has often commanded near or at MSRP).



Be patient if you don't need a car right now. In 3 to 6 months, things should be back to normal or close to it.

I would tend to agree. I'd have probably upgraded myself by now, but not with current pricing and availability. People are paying ridiculous prices to settle on something that's really not their first choice. Being in the industry (I don't sell cars though), I'd have to guess closer to 9 months or a year for things to get back to normal, if they even ever do.

 

[T4Rrunning]

Prices were 5-10k over MSRP in LA when I got mine. I found what I wanted (Army Green Pro) in Oklahoma. They made the deal happen at MSRP and arranged shipping for $1500 to my door in CA. Paid no sales tax etc in Oklahoma but my bill at CA DMV was about $4500.

EDIT- All late model 4 Runners are 50 state emissions certified. If in doubt check the emissions tag under the hood. You cannot register a NEW 49 state certified vehicle in CA. Used is a different story. There are a lot of rules...see DMV.CA.GOV.

This is what I am doing. Buying from Nebraska. What company did you use for shipping? I have not decided if I am flying out and driving it back, or shipping it yet.

 

[TX4RJF]

Prices are crazy right now. My plan was to wait for the new gen. A semi truck decided I no longer needed my Highlander so I was forced to get something sooner.

I picked up a super clean 2016 LE. It is nice enough that I won't mind driving it a couple years until Toyota graces us with the new model. I saw no point in spending so much more for a 2021 with so little difference in years.

TX4RJF