Ready to buy a 2015 TEP, question on finding one

[whiteblazer01]

I've been looking to buy a 2007-2009 Limited 4wd V6 for so long now, but it seems damn near impossible in So Cal (and even extending my search to nearby states). So given the awesome resale value and demand of the 4Runner, I figure I might as well get a new one (they look so badass--especially the photos you all post with your mods)

I'm in a way experiencing the same thing with the 2015 TEP MGM (sans exhaust tip and and other odd add-ons)--seems like dealers have either the SR5 or LE, but no TEP. There are a ton of Toyota dealers here in Orange So Cal (I'm in Orange County), and looking on Edmunds, it says there's one about 35 miles away. Looking on the Toyota.com website doesn't seem to give me a clear indication of who has what in stock.

Since this is my first new vehicle in 15 years, I'm a little out of the loop. Can you all give me some pointers and tips on where I can check inventory so I'm not running around to different dealerships? Would it be better to go to the closest one and they can have it transferred or would it be better to go to the dealership who actually has one on the lot? I'm also wondering how this will affect negotiations (maybe more negotiating room if it's on the lot vs. transferring?).

On a side note, anyone negotiate lifetime car washes or oil changes into their purchase? I've had some friends that had this when they bought their car, and after several years, this seems like a sweet deal (especially given that 4Runners seem to run forever and hold their value forever).

Thanks, and can't wait to share my "I joined the club" photos! (come to think of it, I'll probably have to create a new username as my current username was created way back in 2000 when I bought a white Chevy Blazer, lol)

 

[SKP-4R]

I would never let my dealership touch my paint. I can barely keep the black clean when I detail. Good luck negotiating free oil changes. I believe you get 2 yrs/20,000 miles free. After that I would just do it yourself.

 

[Ecko_3429]

I just recently purchased my white t4r tep and i searched high and wide as well and im in the inland empire Ca. I ended up going to Longo toyota in El monte since they have the biggest stock in Socal. Called them, negotiated on the phone and 3 days later they delivered my t4R. Paperwork was done at my garage.

 

[Doberdad]

Im on the other coast but Trails are limited supply and if one hits the lot its gone. I tried to go through my credit union buying service and wasnt satisfied with the pricing or second color option they came up with. Toyotas website is aggravating also since it showing regional inventory but not what dealer. I went to my closest dealer told them exactly what I wanted and offered a fair discounted price and they located one in a week and picked it up at the port for me. You can negotiate some discount but its not like theres a lot full they need to clear out. If the dealer will not work with you, find another one. Theres other dealers willing to take your money. Keep at it, its worth it.

 

[marshal]

you'll probably have to travel to find a 4Runner at this point in the year, let alone a Trail. your best bet will probably be to be patient and wait for the 16s to roll off the boat at the end of the month or beginning of next.

 

[zbrady]

It's probably going to be one of those situations where you have to check listings multiple times a day and be ready to pull the trigger ASAP. I looked for a 2014-2015 Nautical Blue Trail Premium for my wife in my area and within 250 miles for 4-5 months before I finally found one that came in on trade at a local Hyundai dealership a month ago. The Toyota dealers all near me were more intent on selling me something off the lot than they were to bringing in exactly what I was looking for so the patience ended up paying off as we got a smoking deal from Hyundai as they had no clue what they had taken in on trade. Just be patient. Know how much you want to pay and stick to it. You'll find what you are looking for.

 

[whiteblazer01]

Just my luck, I found one nearby. MGM, TEP, KDSS, ABC123LOLBBQ It's they only one in the area, and I'm trying to negotiate price. I don't have much leverage, but we'll see. I checked Edmunds Price Promise and True Car. Hopefully I can pick it up today.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Good luck negotiating the price down on a Trail. Here in Colorado they'd laugh you all the way to the curb and tell you the Nissan dealer down the street might be able to help you if you want to negotiate on a Pathfinder.

Most if not all Trails are sold here before they even hit the lot. Mine was off the truck on Friday @ 10:30 P.M. and was in my garage by noon the next day.

While we were doing the paperwork another salesman came over and asked for the keys to the black Trail that just came in, a couple was standing there that wanted to drive it, and I said "Sorry, she belongs to me".

And the internet sales guys was polite but firm that sticker minus the $750 30th Anniversary rebate was it. Take it or leave it. There would be no negotiating period unless I wanted an LE or SR5.

 

[whiteblazer01]

Thanks, that's what I'm finding too--no room for negotiation. They wouldn't even honor the TrueCar price of $38,478. He says the best he'll do is $39,500 ($500 over "Invoice and $2,000 off MSRP). I suppose given my position, that's as good deal, seeing as for $2,000 more, I can might as well get a 2016.

 

[jdtaylor42]

I know traveling sucks but when I was buying ours I found that I could get really good prices in Phoenix because they have three dealerships and I could play them against each other. Both Bell Road and Camelback Toyota were very easy to deal with and I ended up buying from Bell Road after negotiating the sticker price down $1700 from what they were asking.

Not sure if you care about color but just a quick check, Camelback has Black 2015 Trail Premium listed for $37881

Camelback Trail Premium

 

[Sarethx]

Just saw two of them sitting at a dealer nearby: New - Reinhardt Toyota

 

[whiteblazer01]

Thanks so much for the suggestions and help! I'm pretty firm on Metallic Gray (considering how 4Runners seem to be kept forever and don't seem to lose reliability or resale value), so I don't want to compromise (though I am curious about the red, but I've never seen one in person and by default, red is the one color I dislike (with few exceptions). I'll see what happens at the dealership today. Hopefully we can come to an agreement. I'll keep you all posted.

 

[2ndRun]

I went thru the same thing wanting a nautical blue tep w/kdss. I went to the dealer in mid August and they said best bet would be to go for a 2016 so that's what I did put down a deposit. They just contacted me Friday telling me they have one allocated to them and should be reaching port 10/10.
And for what its worth I'm not a fan of red vehicles either red is usually the last color I would go for. but my dealer had a red '16 SR5 premium on the lot when I stopped there a week ago and it looked pretty nice... But I'm sticking with blue.

 

[77Bronc]

I looked for a year. Found a MGM TP, 2015 at a dealer near me who had it listed as available. Which means nothing, as they have to get off their ass and go get it for you. They did not want to go get the truck for me and give me a good deal. So I moved on. The dealer was in Baton Rouge, 110 miles from me

So I went to True Car at 2am in the morning and a dealer in New Orleans contacted me at 8 am, said they would get the truck for me. Hijacked it in transit and now it is in my garage. I got it for invoice, I saw the paper work, I was very happy with the deal, as TPs are as rare as albino crawfish here in Louisiana. Forget KDSS here in the south, no one orders it. In all of my year of looking at every dealer around here, never saw one with KDSS, on the lot, on the Internet.

The only option on it was the premium mats, that's it, no paint sealant, running boards, none of the option crap I did not want. I got a stripped TP, if you can call TPs stripped...I would wait for the 2016s. Get exactly what you want.

 

[77Bronc]

I went thru the same thing wanting a nautical blue tep w/kdss. I went to the dealer in mid August and they said best bet would be to go for a 2016 so that's what I did put down a deposit. They just contacted me Friday telling me they have one allocated to them and should be reaching port 10/10.
And for what its worth I'm not a fan of red vehicles either red is usually the last color I would go for. but my dealer had a red '16 SR5 premium on the lot when I stopped there a week ago and it looked pretty nice... But I'm sticking with blue.

The red with the beige interior looks real good. The red with black, I don't like that combo. Magnetic gray with black looks fantastic. JMO

77

 

[delloro]

I went to Vegas. live in the IE. screw socal toyota dealers. findlay has a mag grey TE. they will honor truecar.

toyota of downtown LA has a mag grey TEP.

 

[Friggin Idiot]

Don't be afraid to go out of state, or even further than that. I live in Oklahoma and bought mine out of Bozeman Montana. I saved more than the cost to get it home. Although I was going to have to go out of region anyway because Gulf State idiots don't order KDSS unless a special order. I wasn't willing to wait FIVE months for a special order. Even though the Montana dealer showed in stock, it still hadn't reached port when I agreed to purchase it.

 

[77Bronc]

Don't be afraid to go out of state, or even further than that. I live in Oklahoma and bought mine out of Bozeman Montana. I saved more than the cost to get it home. Although I was going to have to go out of region anyway because Gulf State idiots don't order KDSS unless a special order. I wasn't willing to wait FIVE months for a special order. Even though the Montana dealer showed in stock, it still hadn't reached port when I agreed to purchase it.

I learned real quick the hold and monopoly Gulf States Toyota has over the five southern states...

I hope you intended the idiots to mean GSToyota

 

[MTN4RNR]

Thanks, that's what I'm finding too--no room for negotiation. They wouldn't even honor the TrueCar price of $38,478. He says the best he'll do is $39,500 ($500 over "Invoice and $2,000 off MSRP). I suppose given my position, that's as good deal, seeing as for $2,000 more, I can might as well get a 2016.

I'm on the same boat. Trying to find one and lock it down is exhausting in Northern CA. Especially when none of the So. Cal dealerships want to work a dealer trade because they are "too valuable". Had a deal on a '15 from So. Cal that fell though today, now it is looking more like a '16 in a few months.

Side note, I can't get dealers down below the $40K mark, so you're beating me on that one. Good luck on the one you found, keep fighting the unwinnable fight! :ybrick:

 

[Bama67]

Just saw two of them sitting at a dealer nearby: New - Reinhardt Toyota

Whats up fellow Alabamian? Tough day today in college football, but I digress.

Anyway, when I bought my TEP in January I couldn't find one in the entire state. I made a deal for about $2k off retail which was like pulling teeth,and they had to bring the truck from like North GA and I had to wait for a week or so.

But I bought an 2015 F150 a month ago and got $12,000 off with almost zero work.
My loaded 2015 F150 SuperCrew 4x4, with Nav, etc was cheaper than my wifes 4Runner Trail Premium.

Now she wants my truck and wants me to take over the 4Runner, it's a tough decision for me.