This is my first time to the forum, and to the world of 4Runners...I can tell I'm in the right place to get some good advice! What are some good methods used out there to get the best price on a T4R? (websites, negotiating strategies, etc) Right now I'm strongly considering a new Sport V6, rear wheel drive, with an upgraded sound system and some other minor accessories. Any advice on the best "package" to get considering that I won't be doing any off-road driving? Is the X-REAS suspension worth the extra bucks? Thanks y'all!!
Please help me buy my first 4Runner!
- Thread starter Cuuhl
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Get the V8 it comes with the 5 speed transmission also living in Arkansas you will need the AWD. This is the same vehicle as the GX470 with just different sheet metal. Also the 4.7 liter Toyota V8 is one of the best engines made. The 4.0 liter V6 is new and unproven with some early problems. It also requires more expensive fuel than the V8 to run well. I have the sport with the Xreas shocks and they are great, I'm glad I got the sport that came with these shocks. If cost is a problem get the SR5 V8 AWD with the single disk CD, it will list for around $33K and you should be able to buy it for $30K. Good luck. Web site to check would be www.edmunds.com
sharp4runr
New member
You can price out the 4Runner on Edmunds.com or KBB.com
Use this website as a bible. So many truths on this site: http://carbuyingtips.com/
Hmm, don't know about the V6 being unreliable. It had a fuel rail problem that was quickly fixed by Toyota and that was in the 2003 (First production year). Other than that it hasn't had any other reported problems. Also the V6 runs fine on regular gas, it doesn't need premium gas. the manual says to use premium for best performance, it says the same on v8 manuals... The engine choice is up to you. I don't do any heavy towing and drive in traffic so I wanted something with good gas mileage. I average about 17-19 mpg with the V6. If you get the V6 with 4WD, you have a selector switch that you can choose to drive in 2WD or 4WD. To me that is a big plus. I drive in 2WD to save gas and switch to 4WD when the weather is bad or if I'm going off roading.
I would definitely get the SE model. The Xreas is very worth it and is only a bit more expensive than the SR5. Besides having bigger brakes than the SR5 and Limited, I think it looks better than the SR5. It has color matched mirrors and comes standard with the 17" wheels as well as having silver trimmed roof racks (SR5 is black)
I hope I've helped some. Good luck buying and be firm with the dealer. They sometimes need to be b*+ch slapped to keep them in line
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Use this website as a bible. So many truths on this site: http://carbuyingtips.com/
Hmm, don't know about the V6 being unreliable. It had a fuel rail problem that was quickly fixed by Toyota and that was in the 2003 (First production year). Other than that it hasn't had any other reported problems. Also the V6 runs fine on regular gas, it doesn't need premium gas. the manual says to use premium for best performance, it says the same on v8 manuals... The engine choice is up to you. I don't do any heavy towing and drive in traffic so I wanted something with good gas mileage. I average about 17-19 mpg with the V6. If you get the V6 with 4WD, you have a selector switch that you can choose to drive in 2WD or 4WD. To me that is a big plus. I drive in 2WD to save gas and switch to 4WD when the weather is bad or if I'm going off roading.
I would definitely get the SE model. The Xreas is very worth it and is only a bit more expensive than the SR5. Besides having bigger brakes than the SR5 and Limited, I think it looks better than the SR5. It has color matched mirrors and comes standard with the 17" wheels as well as having silver trimmed roof racks (SR5 is black)
I hope I've helped some. Good luck buying and be firm with the dealer. They sometimes need to be b*+ch slapped to keep them in line
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SteveM
New member
You can also get online quotes from carsdirect.com without a registration or email requirement. It used to be a pretty good reference site, but I haven't visited in 6 months or so.
bluewolf
New member
Of course everyone does things differently, but you're looking for ideas so here's my story about what we did with our recent vehicle purchase:
1. I drive everything. You may have already decided that you want to buy a Toyota 4Runner, but it really drives your decision home when you experience ALL of the competition (no pun intended). Besides, it's fun.
2. Find some nice comparable vehicle of a different make. American-made vehicles do very nicely, since they are usually priced much lower for comparible trim. For my '04 4Runner purchase, I used a Mercury Mountaineer premier edition (loaded to the hilt w/ V8). I did everything except sign the papers on the deal, worked him down to a decent price, then told him I wanted to take the vehicle overnight to make sure I was making the right decision. I've never had a dealer refuse to do this yet. Also, I told him to give me the details of the price we arrived at so that I could go over them. We we're at $30,500.00
3. Next, my wife and I drove the Mountaineer over to the Toyota dealership. When the salesperson approached, I told him "We're buying this Mountaineer, and we're just looking." Of course, he proceeds in telling us what a mistake we would be making, and I stop him short and say "I like 4Runners, but they are over-priced. Besides, my wife is in love with the Mountaineer, and it's HER vehicle, I'm just looking." Now my wife is not the best liar in the world, but she DOES know how to act angry pretty well, so she says things like "Why are we even here?" and "I thought we made a decision." When a woman acts ticked-off, no salesperson in his right mind is going to press the issue, at least, not to her! My wife then goes and sits in the Mountaineer. Then I say to the sales guy "I think I can talk her into a 4Runner, but the only way you're going to get her to even consider it is by giving me the same price for the same options as that Mountaineer," and I handed him the details and price from the other dealership and wrote my cell-phone # directly on the paper. I said "we were heading over to sign this deal right now, but I think I can talk my wife into hearing what you come up with. Better work fast though . . ."
Now obviously, they won't be able to match options AND price, but they offered as much as they could for as little as possible and hoped for the best. The results: we ended up paying about $75 over invoice for the SR5 we wanted, with only the options we cared about anyway.
1. I drive everything. You may have already decided that you want to buy a Toyota 4Runner, but it really drives your decision home when you experience ALL of the competition (no pun intended). Besides, it's fun.
2. Find some nice comparable vehicle of a different make. American-made vehicles do very nicely, since they are usually priced much lower for comparible trim. For my '04 4Runner purchase, I used a Mercury Mountaineer premier edition (loaded to the hilt w/ V8). I did everything except sign the papers on the deal, worked him down to a decent price, then told him I wanted to take the vehicle overnight to make sure I was making the right decision. I've never had a dealer refuse to do this yet. Also, I told him to give me the details of the price we arrived at so that I could go over them. We we're at $30,500.00
3. Next, my wife and I drove the Mountaineer over to the Toyota dealership. When the salesperson approached, I told him "We're buying this Mountaineer, and we're just looking." Of course, he proceeds in telling us what a mistake we would be making, and I stop him short and say "I like 4Runners, but they are over-priced. Besides, my wife is in love with the Mountaineer, and it's HER vehicle, I'm just looking." Now my wife is not the best liar in the world, but she DOES know how to act angry pretty well, so she says things like "Why are we even here?" and "I thought we made a decision." When a woman acts ticked-off, no salesperson in his right mind is going to press the issue, at least, not to her! My wife then goes and sits in the Mountaineer. Then I say to the sales guy "I think I can talk her into a 4Runner, but the only way you're going to get her to even consider it is by giving me the same price for the same options as that Mountaineer," and I handed him the details and price from the other dealership and wrote my cell-phone # directly on the paper. I said "we were heading over to sign this deal right now, but I think I can talk my wife into hearing what you come up with. Better work fast though . . ."
Now obviously, they won't be able to match options AND price, but they offered as much as they could for as little as possible and hoped for the best. The results: we ended up paying about $75 over invoice for the SR5 we wanted, with only the options we cared about anyway.
I used Edmunds also but I think the TMV prices are bit inflated. I always shoot for less than invoice + 3% whenever I purchase a new car, which is what I ended up paying for my new 4runner. I punched in my car with the options I purchased into Edmunds and TMV was $1500 more than what I paid. I got the 04 Sports Edition V6 RWD with rear spoiler, curtain and side airbags, 115v outlet, homelink, dual cargo, DRL, security system, cargo mat, and carpets for $28000.
I follow these 3 rules when buying a new car:
1. Do your homework. Walk into the dealer knowing exactly what you want and how much you want to pay.
2. Never compromise on price, options, color... if you are not getting what you want and don't feel 100% comfortable/satisfied then you as a consumer always have the power of "NO"
2. Even if the dealer sells the car to you at the printed invoice cost they are still making a profit, especially on a car that hasn't been on the lot for that long.
Good luck!
I follow these 3 rules when buying a new car:
1. Do your homework. Walk into the dealer knowing exactly what you want and how much you want to pay.
2. Never compromise on price, options, color... if you are not getting what you want and don't feel 100% comfortable/satisfied then you as a consumer always have the power of "NO"
2. Even if the dealer sells the car to you at the printed invoice cost they are still making a profit, especially on a car that hasn't been on the lot for that long.
Good luck!
In my opinion, going to a dealership to "negotiate a price" with a salesperson is akin to banging your head against a brick wall. Absolutely not necessary unless you like being manipulated, have time to waste, enjoy theatrics, etc.
I visit dealerships to test drive only. Once I know exactly what I want and have all the important numbers, I do the rest over the phone, either voice or fax. Try to speak with (or fax) the sales manager or fleet manager - let them know you've done your homework and are shopping for best price. So you don't get bogged down in a bunch of nebulous numbers, keep it real simple; ask for their best "out the door price" excluding sales tax and tags.
Using this method, you'll quickly find out which dealerships are motivated to sell and which are not. Establish a dialog with those who reply favorably and try to check out their reputation for service. Highly recommend "fightingchance.com." For 30 bucks or so they give you all the latest imformation, prices, rebates etc. and step by step instructions on how to buy via fax.
Good Luck!
I visit dealerships to test drive only. Once I know exactly what I want and have all the important numbers, I do the rest over the phone, either voice or fax. Try to speak with (or fax) the sales manager or fleet manager - let them know you've done your homework and are shopping for best price. So you don't get bogged down in a bunch of nebulous numbers, keep it real simple; ask for their best "out the door price" excluding sales tax and tags.
Using this method, you'll quickly find out which dealerships are motivated to sell and which are not. Establish a dialog with those who reply favorably and try to check out their reputation for service. Highly recommend "fightingchance.com." For 30 bucks or so they give you all the latest imformation, prices, rebates etc. and step by step instructions on how to buy via fax.
Good Luck!
