Looking at the 2007 4Runner

[007Runner]

In the U.S., neither is standard on the Limited. If you get the X-REAS option on a V8 Limited, then the auto-leveling rear suspension is included in the X-REAS package.

This is not true either. If you get the rear air suspension, then you get the X-REAS coupled with it. When I placed my order back in early September rear air suspension was not available at all because of a parts problem. So they built my vehicle with just the X-Reas. I was told parts were still not available when my vehicle was scheduled to be built. On top of the rebate, customer service gave me an additional $700 plus any rebate that is in place at the time of delivery. Very nice of them and much appreciated.

 

[toto]

You're right. I misunderstood Toyota.com's listing of it.
Option NF is the rear suspension, which requires option NH, X-REAS. So you can get X-REAS without the rear suspension, but you can't get the rear suspension without X-REAS.

 

[LP_4Runner]

007Runner - if I were you, I'd go get a little more annoyed at your dealership and see if you can get a little more out of them, discount wise. There hasn't been a part shortage on the rear air suspension. Its been available from the factory all along. What has happened is that the distributors in some regions have not seen enough demand for it and are simply either not ordering them and/or discouraging dealerships from requesting vehicles with that option.

In addition, many regions "cycle" their orders. They run them through in a batch manner. One cycle might include orders with air suspensions, the next batch is all orders without them. Its also possible your order occured at a time where the distributor was in a "no air suspension" cycle (as an example - same thing happens with other options and combinations). Therefore, to shorten the potential wait it was easier to just say "parts shortage" rather than just come out and say you were at the mercy of an ordering cycle (which tends to make one think they aren't getting a real "special order").

I'd work it on the basis that they lied to you rather than just be honest that in your region it would be difficult to get that option. As an example, the southeast region (Southeast Toyota handles this region and does all the ordering for stock vehicles. All dealerships requesting special/preference orders go through them in this area) has never disallowed the rear air suspension option. Vehicles with it have appeared in this area and on the incoming vehicles list regularly throughout the 2007 model year thus far.

If the dealership and/or whomever you talk to still spouts that line of a part shortage, let me know. I can give you the number of an SET rep who will blatantly and frankly say its a load of crap.

Just an idea...you might get a tad bit more shaved off your price for dealing with the BS.

Just FYI: Southeast Toyota is a bit better to deal with as far as the major regional distributors in the US. They tend to be much more open to special ordering and allowing "a la carte" option selection. Some regions require the equivalent of an act of God to get what you want.

 

[007Runner]

The order was placed early September and the dealer had no problem ordering exactly what I wanted. The dealer called me about 2 and half months later about the parts problem. The dealer was also the one that got me the additional $700. They also went out of their way to do that for me. There must be some truth to this. Other dealerships in my area were saying the same thing. Normally the dealerships are all full of BS, but in this case there must be some truth in this matter.

At first I was really mad about this rear air thing. After reviewing the owners manual about this system, I am now really glad I did not get it. This system is complex, and very expensive should it need repair. I will be towing a boat only 2 times a year, to put it in the water, then take it out. So in my case it is no big deal.

The other thing I think you missed is that my 4Runner was a special order, no batch or allocation. Should be here within the next 10 days.

 

[007Runner]

007Runner, where did you get the owners manual for the 2007 Runner? I'd like to get my hands on an electronic copy if possible. Thanks now, and be sure to post some pics of your new toy when you receive it!

Toyota wanted to make me happy about the rear air I was not able to get. So in addition to the money, I asked them for the navigation manual and owners manual. When I get the vehicle i will have 2 copies of each.

 

[LP_4Runner]

007: Your region must have some weird stuff going on (like dealerships being told odd things). SET is pretty straightforward about all this and there has not been a parts shortage at all. In fact, rear-air equipped vehicles have been coming in the entire model year. No gaps and no build notices from Toyota at all. As an example, I did a special order for one including rear air in October. It has already been built and is scheduled to hit Jacksonville, FL this week (from there, truck delivery to Atlanta, on or about 1/28).

And yes, I understand you had a special order. However, special orders with Japan-built vehicles are also batch allocated. For example...if they are doing a run without rear-air suspension then they will not schedule a special (preference) order which includes rear air suspension to be built in that time frame. It will kick back into a staging queue. This is what is meant when dealers mistakingly refer to a special order as being "rejected". The order itself wasn't rejected. It was kicked back to the order staging queue waiting for a build window which included the option.

This is also the reason some people wait so long for a vehicle. Beside the time to ship the vehicle, the batch allocation build scheme has many combinations (and thus if you have an odd combination of options, you can pretty much expect it to bounce back into the queue a few times).

Anyway, all this is neither here nor there. Just thought I'd let you know so that you might get a little more shaved off of the whole thing. I don't know what your overall deal with your dealership is, but $700 is pretty piddling overall compared to the margins on these vehicles. In addition, I'm not really sure who your dealership "talked to" to get you $700. They don't need to do that. The dealership is purchasing the vehicle (in a financing arrangement with the distributor). Dealerships are resellers in effect. They can sell a vehicle at whatever price they want. If they want to take a loss, that's their choice. If they want to get huge profit margins, also their choice. They don't need "permission" from anyone to sell at any particular price.

So, funky things indeed. And yes, I've been involved with the auto industry (including Toyota) for quite a while. And no...I'm not a salesperson

 

[007Runner]

The money is coming from a Toyota office in California. Sales price of the vehicle was invoice, plus the destination charge, and 100 dollar advertising fee for the region. Should have the vehicle in 10 days, hope that ice storm did not hold things up.

 

[LP_4Runner]

Not a bad deal. You do realize there's a $750 to $1500 cash incentive on 4Runners right now though (regionally dependent). Everyone gets that. And, if you AREN'T getting that, make sure you get that incentive plus the claimed $700. Its amazing how many end-runs dealerships will attempt.

 

[Uneek]

007Runner, where did you get the owners manual for the 2007 Runner? I'd like to get my hands on an electronic copy if possible. Thanks now, and be sure to post some pics of your new toy when you receive it!

You can get a PDF copy from TIS with a paid subscription. There you can also find TSBs, new model year info and the service manual.

 

[007Runner]

Not a bad deal. You do realize there's a $750 to $1500 cash incentive on 4Runners right now though (regionally dependent). Everyone gets that. And, if you AREN'T getting that, make sure you get that incentive plus the claimed $700. Its amazing how many end-runs dealerships will attempt.

Regional rebate for my area now is $1250. I will be getting the $700 plus the $1250 rebate. I bet next month the rebate jumps to $1500.

 

[Chicago-Spike]

Right now in Chicago it is $1500 cash back or 3.9% financing for 60mos.
It's done, got the 2007 Sport 4Runner in Shadow Mica with everything, plus we will add leather heated/ventilated seats from Katzkins and a Pioneer Navigation unit in the dash with the 40gb hard drive. We should have it by next week. Anyone want to buy a used BMW??

Thanks again for all the help
Larry

 

[ptung07]

Congrats Larry, you will definally love the 4Runner!

 

[007Runner]

Enjoy your new 4Runner. That $1500 rebate sure was sweet for a 2007 model. You don't waste time at all. Only a few days ago you joined this forum asking questions, then you purchase.

 

[iRCaDiKz]

Right now in Chicago it is $1500 cash back or 3.9% financing for 60mos.
It's done, got the 2007 Sport 4Runner in Shadow Mica with everything, plus we will add leather heated/ventilated seats from Katzkins and a Pioneer Navigation unit in the dash with the 40gb hard drive. We should have it by next week. Anyone want to buy a used BMW??

Thanks again for all the help
Larry

Congrats n ur new ride!

 

[Chicago-Spike]

Enjoy your new 4Runner. That $1500 rebate sure was sweet for a 2007 model. You don't waste time at all. Only a few days ago you joined this forum asking questions, then you purchase.

To be fair, we had been looking at a new vehicle since the fall. It started out as upgrading the BMW 325 to a 5 series, and we looked at Mercedes and Audi too. They all had small back seats, which is bad for car seats. Then we went to Lexus & Infiniti and found they were cavernous in the back seat and we like the GS350 with that new engine, is just a great driver. This was all before our son arrived Dec 16th. After that, and putting him in the XTerra finding it was a breeze getting him in the truck we changed our thinking to another SUV. Pulled up my ConsumerReports.org account and started looking at who's SUV they liked and other buyers liked best. Toyota 4Runner is very well liked by both.
So, it has been a long research from start to purchase :

 

[Chicago-Spike]

We take delivery of the Galactic Gray Sport this Tuesday. They are installing the heated leather seats now. These will be Graphite outside with Pacific blue accent panels down the centers of the seats. I have a leather blue and black steering wheel cover coming to match. Can't wait to start customizing this truck, I can't leave anything stock. Here is a picture of my award/show winning Honda VTX 1800 that I spent 2 years making it a show winner. I did all the work(except the paint, I'm no :artist: ) designed the handlebars, mated Harley controls to the Honda bike, that was fun, but worth it. Now I'm selling that bike to get a new 2007 Harley Street Glide
more pictures here if you're interested;
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/showgallery.php?ppuser=3018&cat=500

 

[Falls]

Sharp looking bike , nice job !! Your 4R should be Killer looking . Are you going for a street look or an off road look ?

 

[Chicago-Spike]

Sharp looking bike , nice job !! Your 4R should be Killer looking . Are you going for a street look or an off road look ?

Thanks, I will go the off-raod worthy look on any trucks I own. Not into that lowering/slammed look on a vehicle that was meant to have a high ground clearance. If I want a sports car, I'll buy one :

 

[Chicago-Spike]

We brought it home last night and I snapped a few pictures on the leather seats. I will be doing this for my XTerra now, the Katzkins seats are great.

 

[drake3]

Wow, those are great looking seats. Where did they put the controls for the heaters?

So the other vehicle is an Xterra? I rented one last month when I was out in Tahoe. I was really impressed. Being a former Nissan owner too I expected a fun driving vehicle, but had never been in one. The 261hp 4.0 they are putting in them now never slowed down in the mountains and it was smooth and very comfortable. It is hard to beat for the price.