Mind is wandering, need some advice

[MillerPKA]

Hey guys, I'm originally from the 3rd gen section but have recently sold my baby which really renders me an outsider on this forum. Anyways, I sold the 97 for a 2011 camry, which is a great car but I have realized is not for me. I liked it when I had a 4runner as backup but now as the only vehicle I know that this isn't the one for my future. Its only a month old and depending on the right time to do this I want to trade it in or sell it to put towards a 2010 or 2011 4runner trail team. The Camry was bought to last me a year or two, but given the situation of having only the Camry I'd rather work towards a vehicle I would want for 10 years, and that would be the 5th gen. Anyways I'm looking for someone with dealer experience, preferably present Toyota sales experience, that can help with some suggestions. Undoubtedly I will take a hit on this, just so I can save some comments I have a 2011 Camry SE, loaded minus v6 and nav 1500 miles. Talk me through this people, bring me back to the bright side of 4runner ownership!!!!!

 

[NYRunner]

I'd start by going back to the place you bought it, ask to speak only to the dealership's overall sales manager or GM directly and explain exactly where you're at. Know in advance exactly how much of a hit you'll accept as fair, that you'd walk away not unhappy with because you're ultimately getting what you really want, and don't budge below that amount.They already made a profit from you, and will no doubt make something on vehicle #2, but they may just give you what you more or less want just to move another new vehicle off the lot. Also, the sales manager/ GM should recognize the incalculable value of having a long-term, MOST-happy customer sending referrals his way every time he tells the story.... And, as a possible bonus to them, it may allow them to get another 'Runner in stock from the dwindling supply before they're allocated elsewhere.

If that doesn't work, go to Google Maps, search Toyota dealership and search each dealers' on-line inventory until you find a few that have exactly what you're looking for *in-stock*. (Looking on-line should actually take less time than calling each one believe it or not, and as a side benefit you won't have 50 dealerships leaving you messages for the next 6 months...lol). Then shoot an email to their internet-sales managers saying what you have, what you want for terms, and that you're ready to sign. Those guys have the most leeway and are sometimes salaried, and are given more authority to wheel and deal quicker since they may have only one crack at any possible sale.... and I'd be surprised if one of them doesn't give you close to what you want.

I bought two vehicles this way in 2010, both well below Edmunds' "invoice" (not MSRP~ lol) prices. It took me 6 weeks to buy my truck, most of which was deciding what my next vehicle would even be, and had it down to a science by the time I decided.:trophy: When it was time to buy a car for my father we had the deal signed the day after he told me what he wanted....

Let me know if you need help and let us know how you do!

 

[MillerPKA]

Thanks a lot man!

I made some headway yesterday. I found a black 2010 TE in a nearby city and submitted a little form online and actually had the internet sales manager call me last night. After having to make sure the specs on my trade in were right he seemed pretty optimistic about being able to fulfill this while appeasing both him and I. Even if its not this TE at this dealership it sounds like I have some good things working for me. Anyone have any ideas feel free to post up!

Thanks again.

 

[PearlWhite4R]

I bought a 2010 Accord exl top of the line also. I decided to upgrade to the 4R. I had put almost 10k miles on my accord. The dealers were willing to work and will give top dollar for used cars right now because people are buying used cars more than new ones. Especially in our case when they have low mileage. I got a '11 limited pearl white and love it. This is the first 4R my wife and I have owned. Probably wont switch back to anything else. Oh, I ended up losing around 2k on my accord. In the end WORTH IT! My advice is go online to all the dealers in your area, and email them stating exactly what you want. do not provide a real phone number. Tell them to email you their best deal and you will in turn CALL THEM if they are the dealer you choose. This worked in my case and I ended up paying 37500.

 

[MillerPKA]

I'm getting excited! When I sold the 4runner I bought a new 3d tv and invested 2 grand in my brokerage account, but with this pending I may return the tv and extract the funds to amass a down payment! Thank you for your testimony Pearl white I know before even doing this its the right thing to do and hopefully all the cards will fall into place!

 

[bnekic]

Man some people make purchasing a vehicle so difficult. To get the best price just do a couple online price requests from the two closest dealers. Dealers always give their best prices online since everybody is shopping around. The prices you get should only vary $100-$300.

 

[rickwol]

I think some good advice has been given here. When I was shopping late last fall I viewed the inventories that the 3 dealers (all within 50 miles) had online and then simply called to make sure the vehicles were indeed sitting on their lots. I could have had the dealer order or find exactly what I wanted but I thought they may be more motivated when dealing with vehicles taking up valuable dealership realestate. The first dealer I called informed me that their sales staff have gone to a new sales model where they do not sell on commision and so basically the "lowest" price quoted would be what I would have to pay. Since what they quoted me was only a couple of hundred below msrp, I thanked them, thought to myself, this is BS and proceeded to call the other 2. They were very close in the prices quoted but seemed to want to get me into the dealership in order to discuss a better price negotiation. One dealer had a silver TE the other Salsa Red. I went with the red and got a very good deal as far as I was concerned. (oh, btw the 1st dealer called me back the next day and said he could knock off another $200 off the already low price.) I laughed and wished him a good day !

 

[limamike]

Man some people make purchasing a vehicle so difficult. To get the best price just do a couple online price requests from the two closest dealers. Dealers always give their best prices online since everybody is shopping around. The prices you get should only vary $100-$300.

I tried this for the last two Toyotas I bought and it wasn't a pleasant or easy experience. I showed-up with the "quotes" only to find out that they didn't actually have the vehicles on the lots, and then they tried to up-sell me a bunch of crap (which is to be expected, I guess). My GF had the opposite experience when she bought her Accord, but I had a poor "online" shopping experience with at least half a dozen dealerships.

I ended-up finding a Carmax in MD that sold new cars as well, and bought my SR5 for 2k less than any online quoted price without any hassle whatsoever.

 

[bnekic]

I tried this for the last two Toyotas I bought and it wasn't a pleasant or easy experience. I showed-up with the "quotes" only to find out that they didn't actually have the vehicles on the lots, and then they tried to up-sell me a bunch of crap (which is to be expected, I guess). My GF had the opposite experience when she bought her Accord, but I had a poor "online" shopping experience with at least half a dozen dealerships.

I ended-up finding a Carmax in MD that sold new cars as well, and bought my SR5 for 2k less than any online quoted price without any hassle whatsoever.

Wow sorry to hear that, crappy dealers around you I guess.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Would you not want to hold out and see if they put a V8 in the 4runner in the future?

 

[dpr422]

I was going to hold out for a V8, but finally gave in .... never say never, but I would bet a ton of cash that they never will put a v8 back in a 4R - the perception will always be that a v8 will get worse gas mileage and limit sales - especially with gas +$4 a gallon in some states.

 

[4RunningDetroit]

You should have some leverage, especially considering the price of gas is so high. Many dealerships are offering top dollar for used vehicles that get high MPG. I would always suggest starting a dialogue online with a dealership, that way if they don't agree to work within your parameters you can just move on to the next dealership. Then just start using quotes other dearlerships give you against the dealer with the TE in stock. Good luck!