Ordering a vehicle

[Dialn24]

I have a 06 SE V-8 4x4. I like the vehicle so much, I have talked my friend that lives in another state now to get one himself. However; he is having difficulty locating one equipped like he wants (loaded limited 4x4 incl. X-REAS).

I did not order mine, so I'm not all that familiar with how it works with Toyota.

1) His preference would be to find it, but he is not opposed to waiting. The Toyota website seems pretty bad for searching for vehicles. Does Toyota have a better site to see what dealers have in their inventory? We can find model and MSRP, but is there any way to see what options are on a particular vehicle like many other manufacturers?

2) If he does order it, what happens to the rebate? Isn't the rebate based on delivery date, so he could lose out on that if it is not in place when he takes delivery (he could also gains if it goes up). Is this correct?

Thanks

 

[Uneek]

1. The dealer can do a search for the configuration your friend is interested in. If the dealer can find one in transit or allocated to another dealer or region, it may be possible having that vehicle shipped to their lot instead. The easiest way is to try a zip code from different regions/states on "Build and Price Your Toyota" on Toyota.com and see what different regional distributors are ordering. In my region it shows 4Runners with different option packages (in other words, my region's way of listing option combinations) detailing which exact options are on the truck. I think it's a little different if your friend is a in state with Southeast Toyota as the distributor.

2. I ordered mine and my dealer gave me the rebate that was current at the time of delivery. It went from $0 to $1000 to $1500 over the three months of waiting.

 

[Dialn24]

1. The dealer can do a search for the configuration your friend is interested in. If the dealer can find one in transit or allocated to another dealer or region, it may be possible having that vehicle shipped to their lot instead. The easiest way is to try a zip code from different regions/states on "Build and Price Your Toyota" on Toyota.com and see what different regional distributors are ordering. In my region it shows 4Runners with different option packages (in other words, my region's way of listing option combinations) detailing which exact options are on the truck. I think it's a little different if your friend is a in state with Southeast Toyota as the distributor.

2. I ordered mine and my dealer gave me the rebate that was current at the time of delivery. It went from $0 to $1000 to $1500 over the three months of waiting.

Thanks. How do you see what they are ordering though? I've been to where you mentioned, but am not seeing how to do that. Basically, all I am seeing is a MSRP and VIN for the dealer's stock.

 

[Pirate VI]

go to www.buyatoyota.com , it is not a great site, but it sounds like what you are looking for.

 

[Dialn24]

go to www.buyatoyota.com , it is not a great site, but it sounds like what you are looking for.

Thanks. I must be missing something though as I am not seeing anything with inventory on that site. ONly request a quote. I build it and the dealers pop up, I click it and I get the request a quote form.

Basically, I'm messing up, or Toyota's site are an absolute joke. Heck, you can view window stickers at GM

 

[Pirate VI]

Does it not look like this?
I mean, it must be different in your region, i am in the southeast (florida)

In FL you just click where next to where i drew the arrow, (where it says view inventory) and you can view whatever is on your dealers lot, or whatever is in the region. If it is currently at a dealer (available now) you can even see a picture. It lists options and everything out along with price and i think vin.

 

[Dialn24]

Does it not look like this?
I mean, it must be different in your region, i am in the southeast (florida)

In FL you just click where next to where i drew the arrow, (where it says view inventory) and you can view whatever is on your dealers lot, or whatever is in the region. If it is currently at a dealer (available now) you can even see a picture. It lists options and everything out along with price and i think vin.

I am not seeing anything like that, but that looks what I am trying to find. It looks like it is a region thing though. I used my Dad's zip and I can get to the screen you showed me. With mine or my friend's, I can't. That stinks.

Thanks a lot for the post though

 

[toto]

The Midwest Region doesn't put that much detail on Toyota's Web site.

Uneek is right - start with a dealer, as they have visibility into what's on lots and in the supply chain for the next few weeks.

If the dealer can't find or can't get one from somewhere else with the configuration you're looking for, the next step is a factory order. You'll get what you want that way, but you're looking at 3-4 months for that process.

You have to be careful, though, as some dealers don't like to do factory orders, so they'll string you along with "two more weeks" forever while they're trying to play games with the incoming vehicle allocations. So make sure you're clear that either they have something (at least an exact VIN) in the next few days, or just put in the order. I don't know why some dealers hate factory orders - it's practically a guarateed sale, but just not today.

 

[spud72]

Thanks. How do you see what they are ordering though? I've been to where you mentioned, but am not seeing how to do that. Basically, all I am seeing is a MSRP and VIN for the dealer's stock.

Hi, I just went through this yesterday and maybe I can help.

I live in Canada, but Toto's post pretty much is exactly what I went through. I went in and said I want XX vehicle around XX timeframe. This model, this color.

My salesrep (nice guy, actually went to school with him) did a search immediately to see what they had coming in, and their "surrounding" dealers. In my case, probably another 12 or so. There were 2 coming into Calgary in a month or so that were exactly what I wanted. He had nothing in my 2 color preferences at our local lot. However, I ideally didn't want the vehicle that soon so he said "Should be no problem, we'll just put it on our next factory order."

I made a deal, and came back later with my checkbook. When I came back he assured me that they will indeed order one next month (next time they do stock orders) and it will be in there. He also told me I'll be eligible for any factory specials that are applicable at the time.

I did get the impression from others though that not every dealership likes to do this. I don't know why for sure as I see it as a "guaranteed sale" - but maybe they want a faster, more immediate payoff?

 

[Dialn24]

The Midwest Region doesn't put that much detail on Toyota's Web site.

Uneek is right - start with a dealer, as they have visibility into what's on lots and in the supply chain for the next few weeks.

If the dealer can't find or can't get one from somewhere else with the configuration you're looking for, the next step is a factory order. You'll get what you want that way, but you're looking at 3-4 months for that process.

You have to be careful, though, as some dealers don't like to do factory orders, so they'll string you along with "two more weeks" forever while they're trying to play games with the incoming vehicle allocations. So make sure you're clear that either they have something (at least an exact VIN) in the next few days, or just put in the order. I don't know why some dealers hate factory orders - it's practically a guarateed sale, but just not today.

Thanks for the posts everyone. What he is trying to prevent by locating this online is a dealer saying they have something that they don't. It's already happened. One dealer told my friend he had what he was looking for, so he drove over there to check it out. Magically, it got sold before he got there, so then they tried to down sell him. He wasn't too happy about this so he was hoping there was a way to look from home prior to driving another 45 minutes or whatever to be in the same situation.

 

[Dialn24]

Hi, I just went through this yesterday and maybe I can help.

I live in Canada, but Toto's post pretty much is exactly what I went through. I went in and said I want XX vehicle around XX timeframe. This model, this color.

My salesrep (nice guy, actually went to school with him) did a search immediately to see what they had coming in, and their "surrounding" dealers. In my case, probably another 12 or so. There were 2 coming into Calgary in a month or so that were exactly what I wanted. He had nothing in my 2 color preferences at our local lot. However, I ideally didn't want the vehicle that soon so he said "Should be no problem, we'll just put it on our next factory order."

I made a deal, and came back later with my checkbook. When I came back he assured me that they will indeed order one next month (next time they do stock orders) and it will be in there. He also told me I'll be eligible for any factory specials that are applicable at the time.

I did get the impression from others though that not every dealership likes to do this. I don't know why for sure as I see it as a "guaranteed sale" - but maybe they want a faster, more immediate payoff?

I think it's the burning gas syndrome. Nothing is guaranteed to things are signed for and gas is burning. 3 months is a long time for someone to change their minds.

 

[toto]

One dealer told my friend he had what he was looking for, so he drove over there to check it out. Magically, it got sold before he got there, so then they tried to down sell him.

That does suck, doesn't it? And car dealers wonder why people are defensive and untrusting before we even walk in the door.

Calling doesn't work... some dealers have inventory on their Web sites, which is usually pretty accurate. Of course, if they only have one of a "hot" configuration, they'll "forget" to take it off their web site for a few days after it sells.

In the Chicago area, you can go to Toyota's Web site and "Build and Price Your 4Runner". That will tell you which option combinations are being sold in the area. Then, you can check dealer Web sites and match up the MSRP on the dealer's site with the MSRP you got for a certain combination from Toyota.com. That will at least tell you who has what in stock. If the dealer's site MSRP is higher by just $100-$200, then the unit may have floor mats, wheel locks, or some little accessory like that. Schaumburg Toyota loves to load up some units with aftermarket add-ons, so you'll find some prices much higher over there.
Other suburban dealers with online inventory are Bredemann Toyota (Park Ridge), Lombard Toyota, Oakbrook Toyota in Westmont, Continental Toyota (Countryside), and Joyce Toyota (DeKalb).

 

[marjnap]

I ordered my 4Runner at the end of November and has arrived in port this past Friday. I have about a two weeks wait till it gets to the dealer. I agree the Toyota website has a lot of room for improvement. Go to http://www.toyota.com/ and select Build and Price Your Toyota and enter your zip code.
First make sure you can get the configuration you want. We have a lot more leeway in FL, because we have the distributor that seems to make special requests easier. However, I have read in the tundra forum that a special request can be made outside the distributors. http://www.tundrasolutions.com/foru...-special-order-tundras-sequoias-other-toyota/
I plugged in the zip code for Troy, IL which was 62294 in the following

I just pick a configuration similar to your 06, then click Next Step and it will show you option packages that are available.
When you get to the end it comes up with a list of dealers.

I goggled the first dealer Newbold Toyota and they have a link to search their inventory. This will be time consuming and if there is a better way I never found it. Although, the SE distributor made it a littler easier, but not much.

http://www.newboldtoyota.com/New-Inventory.aspx

Also, I used the Fax method described at http://www.fightingchance.com/; you can buy his package for $35.00. I used his method and did cars direct, which came within $300.00 to the deal I did myself. It just depends on how much time you want to spend. If you don

 

[Uneek]

Some dealers don't want to do a factory order because it takes up a vehicle in their allocation. So until your configuration arrives, the dealer is getting one fewer 4Runner. I had a dealer that kept stringing me along. I told him explicitly what I wanted and he kept trying to get me to stop in his dealer to "talk" numbers. I got tired of his emails and said "You can't even tell me if you have the vehicle in-stock. I'm not going to waste your time or mine in compromising and picking one off your lot. If you have the configuration requested, fine, I'll come in. Otherwise, let's not waste each other's time." Never heard from him since. Jack@$$.

I've heard stories where dealers will say they can order a specific configuration and then they kept telling the customer that they'll have an update every two weeks. My dealer got an allocation every two weeks. So those lying dealers are just checking each allocation for the specified configuration each time. It would work if it's just for a certain color or for popular options. But if it's for something that's not a common option like nav on a SR5 or SE, or X-REAS on a Limited, the wait has gone from a few months to forever. A semi-honest dealer will say it's not possible or they can't special order a Japan built Toyota. I had a few tell me that--only way to get nav is on a V8 Limited.

Luckily I found my dealer and sales rep, no hassle, haggling or BS. I told him what I was looking for, he put my configuration on the top of his 4Runner allocation and I was updated and informed every bit of the way (when the order was accepted, allocated, signed paperwork to lock in the VIN, arrived at port and trucked to the dealer for delivery). Overall, I had an awesome experience with special ordering. My rep's philosophy was simple, if he could get his customers what they wanted, it was a definate sale for him. I've become friends with my rep and he's told me he's taken orders for three Tundras which his customers told him other dealers did not have, could not order.

 

[marjnap]

Uneek hit the nail on the head. I found out Toyota dealers do not want to special request vehicles. I faxed fifteen dealers with my configuration request and six called me and only two would even consider a special request. The other four told me my configuration was impossible. They said Toyota would not make a SE V6 with side airbags and moonroof together. Therefore, I went with the best deal on the two dealers that were willing to special request my vehicle. Wesley Chapel Toyota in FL got my business and I would recommend them. They kept me updated and now I am just waiting for delivery from the distributor to the dealer.

 

[Dialn24]

Uneek hit the nail on the head. I found out Toyota dealers do not want to special request vehicles. I faxed fifteen dealers with my configuration request and six called me and only two would even consider a special request. The other four told me my configuration was impossible. They said Toyota would not make a SE V6 with side airbags and moonroof together. Therefore, I went with the best deal on the two dealers that were willing to special request my vehicle. Wesley Chapel Toyota in FL got my business and I would recommend them. They kept me updated and now I am just waiting for delivery from the distributor to the dealer.

Thanks for your posts.

I am sure some dealers are apprehensive about this for several reasons including the ones that you took the time to mention. Thanks.

My quess is that most people have the intent of it being a definite sale, but it happens all the time that a vehicle is ordered and then the customer backs out due to a number of possible reasons (job loss, the one they wanted showed up at another dealer 4 weeks later and they didn't want to wait, etc.). So, the dealer just lost one from their allocation ordering a vehicle they had no intent of putting on the lot and now they don't have a buyer for it. 90 days is an enternity for things to change (or however long it takes).

With word of mouth being such a powerful advertiser, it's likely in the dealers best interest not to keep the deposit in that situation too.