New Purchase of 4Runner

[rosenc1c]

I'm looking at purchasing a 4Runner, and I have found some very helpful information on this forum. I love Toyota auto's and I really like the looks of the 4Runner, so I'm trying to learn more about it. I have a few random questions, that I suspect the experts in this forum will know very quickly:

1) We have seen the 4Runners with the rear spoiler, and it looks really nice. To me it looks like a smaller Sequoia. Was this option only available in 2008, or was it available in 2007 also?

2) I've read in this forum that you probably have more negotiating a good deal if the car is on the dealers lot. When I search their websites they have "In Stock" and "Available". The website indicates available means that it is available in a pool of vehicles. My question is whether you have the same negotiating leverage on an "Available" vs. "In Stock" auto?

3) I like leather seats, but it seems like the majority of 4runners are cloth. Does anyone have experience with having leather seats added at the dealership? I've heard it can be done, but I've not checked into it.

4) Honestly we would be buying a 4runner more because we like the looks, than needing an offroad vehicle. The pilot or highlander probably work better for our needs, but we don't like the looks. Do you give up anything with regard to ride and comfort for general driving on the road?

Thank you in advance for your help.

Chris

 

[r32]

Sounds like you want comfort? Soccer mom and dad? haha j.k.

Don't know about adding leather at the stealership.

But I drive a Highlander now. It's a great vehicle and cheaper than the 4runner. I'd save the money and go with the Highlander.

The new ones look really nice and for the price of a Sport 4-Runner, I'm pretty sure you could get a fully loaded Highlander, and possible even one of the hybrid models and put the extra money into mutual funds or start a college fund if you have kids

I'm getting a 4-Runner because I do want to go offroading, and I camp high in the Sierras, sometimes during the winter and drive in a lot of rugged terrain (using a Jeep currently).

 

[tonybaloney]

1. The spoiler is available on all models.

2. I think the best way to buy a vehicle is to find out the invoice price on kbb.com with all the options you want and don't pay anything more than few hundreds over that. Talk to the flee manager of the dealership and ask him/her to write the the best price he/she can offer on the business card. then proceed to another dealer and repeat the same method for 3-4 dealerships.

3. don't know anything about the leather.

4. i think it's worth spending a few thousands more to get something you like.

 

[rosenc1c]

Thanks tonybaloney and r32 for the information.

r32, you raise a good point about the highlander. Maybe I will give the highlander a harder look. You are right about the "Soccer" thing, except it's shuttling the kids to school and dance practice in the min-van

 

[Uneek]

1. The spoiler is optional all every trim and since 2003. It may be difficult to find a particular trim with or without the spoiler. If you're in a state that has Toyotas distributed by South East Toyota (SET), the spoiler may be different.

2. Check Edmunds and KBB, you should be able to get a 2007 below invoice after rebates. Given the cost of gas prices, you have a better deal in your favor.

3. Factory leather is only on the Limited, fabric in SR5 and Sport Edition (SE has a different fabric type). Many dealers can add aftermarket leather in for you. Classic Soft Trim is a popular option that many members here have chosen for post delivery leather. I've read dealers in the SET region install Liquid Cell leather. Many have reported aftermarket leather is softer than the factory leather. One dealer in my area installs Coach leather. Others here have gotten kits off eBay and installed themselves or through an upholstery shop.

4. The ride in a uni-body (car-based) SUV will definately be better and space is better utilized in a uni-body over a truck based SUV. Truck based SUVs are better suited if you plan on towing and off-roading. If you're looking for a uni-body, I say go for the Highlander. The Pilot if it's still using the same transmission as the second gen Oddyssey five-speed, stuffers from transmission problems.

 

[rosenc1c]

Thank you Uneek.

I'm in the Gulf States Toyota region, and right now they are offering $500 rebate on 2008 and $2000 rebate on 2007. The expiration for this rebate is 12/3/2007. I have no experience with these rebates, if you were gambling do you think after 12/3/07 the rebates will be better or worse? I suspect better with Christmas around the corner, but I don't know.

 

[toto]

I'd bet that both the rebates would at least stay the same, and maybe improve. The 2007 rebate may get bigger, but the number available will also get smaller as time goes on.

I think the 4Runner ride is awesome - it doesn't ride like a truck, even though it's made like one. Definitely take one for a ride. I bought it for the same reason - I like a lot of things about the truck, including the looks. I don't off-road, or even drive on a gravel road. The only time mine will be off-road is if I have to pull over on a rural 2-lane road. I stick with 4WD/AWD vehicles for the winter traction and handling.

It sounds like "available" means "in the area on another dealer's lot", then personally I'd try harder to find the dealer who has the one you want "in stock". Over the years, I think I've been to just about every Toyota dealer in northern Illinois. Dealers are usually willing to trade with each other to make a sale, but it's easier and faster for everyone involved when you take a unit right off the lot. I think they'll be a bit more willing to deal on an in-stock unit, because you could take it home right then. If they have to trade with another dealer, you might change your mind while you're waiting. If the one you really want is elsewhere and you can't go there yourself, then you could still get it at a good price - maybe just not the best price.

 

[r32]

I was wondering the same thing about rebates ending Dec 3.

I was wondering if anyone on here bought their existing runner in December of last year, and if they remember what the rebates were?

 

[vando45]

We bought our '06 last Dec. There was a $1900 factory to dealer incentive, which is better than a rebate because you don't pay sales tax on it like you do a rebate.

 

[Uneek]

Thank you Uneek.

I'm in the Gulf States Toyota region, and right now they are offering $500 rebate on 2008 and $2000 rebate on 2007. The expiration for this rebate is 12/3/2007. I have no experience with these rebates, if you were gambling do you think after 12/3/07 the rebates will be better or worse? I suspect better with Christmas around the corner, but I don't know.

It will get better. If you're taking a chance and trying to snap up a 2007, the dealer may be out of them or there might be some with unpopular options left. But the rebate will probably increase for 2008.

This is what happened when I bought my '06. 2006 models IIRC was on the lots in late August 2005. IIRC, the first rebate was $500 in Oct and Nov, $1000 in Dec 2005 and $1500 in Jan, Feb, March and even April 2006. I think the $2000 didn't jump until the summer. When I asked my sales rep about taking delivery at the end of the month chancing rebates or wait until the next month for a better deal, he said of the many years he's sold Toyotas only once did waiting hurt a customer when the rebate amount was lowered.

BTW, I forgot to mention, the ride in the 4Runner is very car like. The 4Runner rides better than my '05 Tacoma, which shares a similar front suspension setup.

 

[Mark86]

1. No, all 4th generation 4Runners (2003-present) could have the spoiler added. It all varies with the region to which models have it as factory installed though. For example, the NY/NJ region always have the spoiler added to Sport and Limited models but never the SR5. You need to add the aftermarket spoiler to an SR5. The factory installed and port installed spoilers only differ a little. The factory installed spoiler now has a hump on top and the aftermarket spoiler has an LED light.

2. Almost always will dealers negotiate more on a vehicle that is physically on the lot. If the vehicle is sitting on the lot, the dealer will do anything to move it.

3. Can't help you there

4. You will notice a difference in the ride. The 4Runner will be a bit more rough over the bumps and overall more firm during everyday driving. On the other hand, the 4Runner is one of the smoothest truck-based SUV's you will find on the market.

 

[LandRvr Convert]

Chris,

Get what you want! You only live once!

Sure.... we all know you can get a fully- loaded Highlander (or simillar compact SUV) for less than a 4 Runner, but what's the point of doing that if you don't really LOVE the Highlander? That seems like a TOTAL waste of your money, no matter how good of a deal you get IMO.

I special- ordered my 4 Runner and paid top dollar for it. I have no regrets, and I can honestly say there is not another SUV on the road today that I'd rather be driving!

I got exactly what I wanted and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!

Oh, I'd get the leather if you can. IMO, it's easier to keep clean and will look great even 10 years from now with no seat covers.

Regarding the 4Runner's off-road ability. 4WD is a great feature to have. Even if you rarely need it, it's good piece of mind to know you have it anytime you need it!

Just my two cents.

Good luck man!

 

[rosenc1c]

Thanks to everyone for the informaton and feedback. We test drove a 2007 4Runner Sport a couple of days ago. We loved the looks but were a little unipressed with the interior. There was nothing wrong with the interior, but it just didn't have the "wow" factor. Plus, I was surprised by the limited headroom. The model we drove had a sunroof, I'm only 5' 9" and I felt like my head was nearly hitting the ceiling when in the passenger seat. The drivers seat could be lowered, and it wasn't as bad. I know the sunroof cuts down on about 1" of headroom, but it was still a little surprising to me.

We also test drove a Limited 2008 Highlander, and we were mildly impressed with the exterior, but "wowed" by the interior. The interior is really nice, with lots of bells and whistles. But we couldn't get past that fact that it looked like station wagon/minivan.

After a couple of days of mulling it over, we decided on the 4Runner. We bought a 2007 Sport Edition 2WD V6, Salsa Red w/ spoiler. We bought it from Toyota of Muskogee (Oklahoma). We live near Tulsa, but after reading this forum this dealership was recommended, and I was very impressed with their responsiveness to email. Dave Thompson ([email protected]) is their internet manager and he was very pleasant and responsive. We paid $28,705, which appears to be about $800 to $900 over invoice. Then I got the $2,000 rebate since it is a 2007, so with a $50 document fee I wrote a check for $26,755 (before TTL). After reading this forum, it's probably not the greatest deal, but it was good enough for me and I was sick of looking. Plus we found most of the features we wanted with a 2007 rebate. The rebate expires tonight, so I didn't want to gamble that they will get better tomorrow.

Picked it up tonight, the red is really beautiful, I love the color. I'm glad we got the sports package, the wheels and scoop really dress it up. We are very happy with it, it's a nice looking SUV.

Thanks to everyone for the help, it is much appreciated.

 

[J.A.]

Congrats on the purchase. If you were tired of doing further looking and found what you wanted and were happy with the price that is all that counts, for you.

For those that want the absolute best deal, realize you can do better the $800 over invoice on a 2007 model sitting on a dealers lot in december.

Rebate does not come into play here as it is a "manufacturer to customer" type direct cash rebate. you and the dealer should not factor this into the amount you are paying over invoice.

If one is buying a 2007 vehicle in December of 2007 you have to realize that in addition to the normal depreciation hit you would take by driving a 2008 model off the lot in Dec of 2007, you are additionally taking another 1 year hit in depreciation as the 2007's are already over 1 full year old.

Example, you drive said 2007 model off the lot and total the vehicle that day. Insurance is not going to give you the same amount as if you purchased a 2008 model even though they both would have had near zero miles on the odometer. Sure you got $1500 more of a rebate ($2000 for the 2007 vs $500 for the 2008) but that is the wrong way to look at it. You should have gotten a 2007 model in December at BELOW invoice to compensate for the added depreciated value.

Again, if you bought exactly what you wanted for a price you were happy with then that's great and all that matters. But I can bet that with minimal haggeling you could have done much better.

 

[rosenc1c]

The model was not on the dealers lot, they had to trade another lot about 100 miles away. And the $800 over invoice was BEFORE the rebate. So after rebate it was below invoice.

 

[J.A.]

Well, I just had a good message typed up and lost it so I will make this brief as it has been said before in other posts. The rebate here is a factory to customer diect cash incentive. the Dealer has nothing to do with it. They do use it to their advantage as in this case where they make the customer feel they are getting something more and therefore can charge highr than they should. You could have got at or below invoice for a 2007 model in december of 2007 regardless of rebate offered.

That being said, did they flatbed your new vehicle from dealer A to dealer B, or did they use a "runner" to do a pseudo cannonball run for those 100 miles disregarding the manufacturer break in recommendations and having a blast with your rig? You should have got a credit for that too.

 

[josh220]

Yeah the flatbed is the best way to go. I made them deliver it to my door so I didn't have to deal with finding a ride to the dealership. :biggrin2:

 

[vando45]

Congrats! You got the best color too! Now we need pictures, what options you got, and what your first mods are going to be!