I have decided on a 2015 pearl white limited 4x4 and have searched for in stock and in transit inventory. My interest is to keep it as basic as possible, nothing added but the sliding cargo tray in the rear, a 350$ add plus the added cost of the premium color. However, it is hard to find just the way i want it so have a couple of questions.
Is the clear coat on the doors for 200$ Do anything?
Is the toyoguard elite for 700$ of value, what is it?
Excluding the 3rd row seats gives me a few more inches of storage plus savings of 1300$ but will this have a meaningful effect on resale value if i exclude third row?
Im trying to hold options down to control costs but is there a major option that i should add or be looking for? The limited is well equipped but not sure if i a, missing something important.
Rdfish1 -
The 4Runner is a great vehicle. The Pearl White is a great color. As far as toyogaurd elite -- I'd pass, unless you can convince the dealership to throw it in for free or get it for half or a third of the asking price.
Toyoguard offers the following
* Exterior Paint Sealant
* Toyo Guard Sealant Cleaner
* Interior Fabric Protector
* Undercoating/Sound Shield
* Glass Etch Theft Deterrent
I'm not trying to disparage anyone that got it, but my feeling is this ---
Paint Sealant -- my salesman tried to sell this as nanotechnology that fuses to the paint that keeps you from having to wax it. I can buy a lot of wax for 700.00 and I don't mind doing it myself. Besides, if this stuff actually worked as described, I'd hear more people singing its praises. Unless the factory paint is garbage, which isn't the case w/ the Toyota, as long as you wash it regularly I don't see why this is necessary.
Fabric protection -- buy a can of Scotchguard and do it yourself. No matter, what the dealership claims this stuff wears out and you'll have to reapply it at a later time -- using a can of Scotchguard, which you can buy at any big box store.
Undercoating/Sound Shield -- lots of discussion on this site regarding this stuff. In spite of living in a "salt-not-plow" region of the US, I decided against this as well. I saw this on consumer reports:
“Rust is far less of a concern now,” says Mike Quincy, Automotive Analyst at Consumer Reports. “The types of metals and treatments have changed over the past 20 years and cars are well protected from rust right from the factory.” I figure if I have a lot of salt on my 4Runner, I'll run it through a touchless carwash.
Glass etching -- sounds neat. But if I'm thief, I'm taking this car and parting it out in an garage somewhere. I may not be able to sell the "select windows" that are etched, but I can still move the windows that didn't get etched. Those windows that did happen to be etched are getting shattered at the first opportunity. Now if they discreetly etched all the body panels, wheels, and other easy to move parts, I could see some value.
Additionally, I think Toyoguard comes w/ extended roadside assistance. I opted for an extended warranty and have the same benefit.
Ultimately, it's your call. I wouldn't fault you or criticize you if you did opt for the Toyoguard. It's your piece of mind you're ultimately satisfying. For me, I just didn't see the value.
Can't comment on the 3rd row seat, I didn't need one. But I can see the utility in having it as an option. It folds away when not in use, so you get the best of both worlds -- utility and functionality when needed and extra cargo space when not.
