New Purchase Help!

[Koz]

Hi all,

I ‘m new to the forum, but have been reading everything here to get a better prospective on the 4Runner. I plan on buying a 2005 Limited V8 as soon as they are available. I have several questions that seem to be hard for the local stealers to answer. Actually, the dealers are almost clueless. The first sales rep. I spoke with looked at me sideways when I asked if he had any 2005 V8s. He told me the V8 was no longer available for the t4r. I then gave a copy of his brochure. Anyway, I realized I knew more then him, which was very little. That’s when I found this forum.

OK here’s some questions that maybe someone can answer. First off, does anyone know when the V8s will hit the dealers. I’ve seen in the brochure early 2005, what does that usually mean? I live in New Jersey. I what a Limited with all the options. The problem is if you want navigation which only comes with the third row seats (I really don’t need), but am willing to get if I have to. Since the third row seats are new for 2005, how did they sell nav. In 2004? Here’s the kicker, I also want the new color red, which is not available with the third row seat (figures). I also want the rear height control air suspension which ALSO is not available with the third row seats. What’s up with this third row seat? It would make sense that with the third row seat you would need the air suspension. The way it looks, I’m gonna have to get the red truck without the nav. and third seat (my wife could use the back-up camera), and install an aftermarket nav. system. I wonder if there is an aftermarket nav. system with a back-up camera.

What’s the best way to get this truck the way I want it ASAP? Can you reserve/order it in advance or do you have to just wait till they start to show up at the dealers? Any HELP would be appreciated. Oh yea, I also called Toyota who was not much better then the dealer.

Koz

 

[boston_kevin]

special orders

You should be able to special order an '05 V8 with the options you want. Since you are not on a critical time table, you would probably see the vehicle some time in Februrary or March (if the V8's are on schedule). All the toyota web site will show you for ordering is what the regional manager decides is the standard set of options they will carry on the lots in that region (not special ordered). According to Toyota, in New England you cannot even get the 3rd row with the limited V8.... So I'd contact your dealer (or a couple of dealers) about the options you want.

I would be somewhat surprised that the Nav and 3rd row are available together as the Nav system uses the JBL 10 speaker system (at least it did in '04) which eliminates the 3rd row seatbelts.

 

[sharp4runr]

Sounds like you need to have yours special ordered. Some dealerships don't like to do this, but let them know you won't purchase one unless you get it the way you want it configured. A lot of times they'll tell you that you can't have it a certain way because they want you to buy the stock they have on hand.

V8s should start arriving at dealerships early January. I remember when the 4th Generation came out, the V8s didn't come out till January either.

 

[Koz]

Thanks for your replies.

I'll try the special order this weekend. I asked Toyotya about special orders and they said you just sort of reserve a vehicle that MAY have the options you want. Is this the same as a special order?

Koz

 

[sharp4runr]

As far as I know, you build the 4Runner from the ground up with the options you want and you get exactly what you want. (Of course you can't get stuff that interferes with other options like you can't get JBL and 3rd seats)

I've never special ordered a vehicle, but just going by others experiences.

 

[boston_kevin]

reserving and special orders

These are not the same... Reserving a vehicle means you are holding a vehicle that was ordered by the regional manager that is already en-route. Special order means the dealer has to input the order into the computer and then wait to see if Toyota accepts the order (usually within 2-3 days). once Toyota accepts the order, they will give the dealer a rough ETA for delivery (this typically is 3-4 months, never less than 1 month, and never more than 6 months).

If you reserve a vehicle, you will, more than likely, not get exactly what you are looking for, but you will get it within a month or so. If you special order, you will get exactly what you want, but it can take up to 6 months (never seen this, but it is possible).