Side Curtain Airbags option on SE's in SoCal...

[Martin8]

...yeah, there arent any. Believe me, I have checked a number of dealerships and then finally used the Toyota.com's built-it-yourself site to see for myself.

So, last month I ended up ordering a 4x2 V6 SE from a dealer here in LA just so my wife and I would feel good about having the extra protection. Gave them my $500 for a deposit and started waiting...

Well, I found myself in Vegas over the weekend and decided to stop by one of the Toyota dealers. Turns out, the Las Vegas dealers get a different allotment of 4Runners and they actually have the SE's on their 4x2 V8s. So, the manager offered me $500 below invoice, knowing that I kind of wanted a v6. Excellent deal and I think I will take it when I go back in a couple weeks.

My question is this - has anyone ever gotten their deposit back for cancelling a special order? I would think the dealer simply adds my ordered 4runner to his normal inventory and then sells it like any other SUV. If anything, it should move off the lot a bit quicker, considering that I am not the only guy out there who would like the additional airbags.

I suppose I'm just being greedy - the LA dealer offered $100 above invoice so at the end of the day I would still come out ahead by $100 if I were to lose 100% of the deposit and went with he LV guys instead. Still, I can't imagine that $500 would justify the paperwork and the 30 mins the sales manager spent with me last month.

Thanks for any feedback in advance. This is a terrific resource and I especially like the cameraderie of all the members.

 

[tkr128]

Yup, it's sad how bad 4Runners in SoCal are equipped. I found out a few months after I bought my 4Runner that the ones in LV have all the options I wanted.

I'm not sure what would happen with the deposit, but it wouldn't hurt to request for your money back.

 

[jbrhymer]

v8 4 x 2? I thought all v8s were 4H all the time (or is my 05 v8 se special)?

 

[Koz]

Yes, I had a 05 on order when a different Stealer found exactly what I wanted. They held my deposit for 30 days and then returned it.

Koz

 

[Thai]

v8 4 x 2? I thought all v8s were 4H all the time (or is my 05 v8 se special)?

We are all special in our own way.: But in regard to your 4runner, it is not special. 4runner V6 or V8 comes in either 4wd model or 2wd model.

2wd 4runner models (both V6 and V8) come with traction control over the rear axle only. No transfer case.

V8 4runner 4wd model comes with full-time 4wd. V6 4runner 4wd model comes with selectable 2wd and full-time mode. Both have Torsen center diff. When V6 is in 4wd mode, it is acts the same (and is the same) as the V8 model 4wd.

Hope this helps.

 

[Martin8]

Well, good news - the dealer is going to refund the deposit to me with no questions asked. Tx everyone for sharing your experiences and I hope my little saga helps set another precedent for someone else in this situation.

Rhymer, yeah, I only need the 2WD. I'm stuck on the 10 freeway every morning here in LA. Imagine driving 20 miles at around 10-15 mph the entire stretch and you can hopefully understand how I do not want to decrease my gas mileage any further with having a heavier 4WD in my SUV.

Realistically, the only time I would use a 4x4 is when the 15 going to Vegas gets jammed and I veer off the freeway to start cruising the desert landscape. Of course, I probably would end up with several Nevada troopers on my tail and you'd see me on the nightly news...:driving:

Take everyone.

 

[supwaz]

Hi Martin8,

Can you email or PM me the name and contact info of the sales manager you found in Vegas? I am looking to buy a 4Runner this week as well and have the same problem as you (live in SoCal but can't find any models w/ the side air and curtain air bags ont he SE model). I will be in Vegas this weekend and would like to contact them now in order to get a deal as well. Thanks!

 

[Martin8]

Hey man,

the guy I spoke with is Zoltan Takacs - he goes by the name of 'Zolty'. The Toyota dealership is called Centennial on 6551 Centennial Center Blvd (702.942.3800).

The dealer is in North Las Vegas - take the 15 North and then switch to 95 North around downtown. Exit 215 and head West one light (Durango) - turn left and then turn left on Centennial.

Good luck man - just found out that the SE's only come with sunroofs for some reason out there, but at least they have the side airbags and the JBL system.

Let the forum know how it went and what kind of a deal they gave you.

Martin

 

[supwaz]

GOT IT!

Hi Everybody,

Just got back from Vegas with my brand new '06 4Runner 4x4 V8 Sport Edition in Galactic Gray. I went to Centennial Toyota in North Las Vegas as Martin8 suggested and got a great deal from them. It ended up being close to invoice (a little under). The process was fast, I had a quote via email and the out-the-door price prior to picking it up and once I got there, I didn't have to wait too long to take it home! The car was detailed and filled up with gas and ready to go. All in all I only spent an hour at the dealership filling out all the paperwork and going over the car test driving it, etc... This is possibly the best and quickest experience I've had in purchasing a car.

 

[Martin8]

Excellent, congrats man. Did you end up working with Zoltan or did you go through the internet sales dept? Also, if you dont mind my asking, what kind of a deal did they give you? I'm still debating on whether or not to go with them. When I looked at their invoice, the dealer would tack on things like the 'TDA' (Toyota Ad Fees) and 'Dealer Holdback'. Those two fees amounted to over $1K which I didnt appreciate at all.

Take care everyone.

 

[orangeblast22]

I got lucky with my 06 4runner.

I wanted a 4x4 but I live in Orange County...so the demand for a 4x4 is very low...hence rare.

I was lucky enough to go to North County Toyota...and they were able to get one driven up from some place 46 miles away..

Got everything BUT side airbags and that 12volt connector in the center storage area.

To say the least...I was lucky to have gotten the one I wanted in the color and in 4x4. The sales manager told me that the hardest thing would be to find the 4runner with the options I wanted. But he pulled through nicely.

woot!

 

[supwaz]

Thanks guys,

Martin8, I ended working with the Internet Director (Ben Wong). My purchase price was $32826 (this includes destination charge). which is like $80 over invoice.

orangeblast22, when did you buy your car? I emailed several dealers here in OC last week and they had the 4x4 in stock. Were you picking a specific color or trim line? What options did you end up getting? I actually got a great quote from Carson Toyota up in Carson from their Internet/Fleet department. They had several 4x4's in their inventory (actually also viewable on their web page).

 

[orangeblast22]

Yes I specificly wanted my runner in the silver....but also wanted these options:

4x4
V6
Sunroof
Rear spolier
JBL 10 speaker system


those were the major ones, everything came with it...you know, the toyota alarm and so on and so fourth.

got it all for a total of 34,500 roughly..I was happy to say the least.

I made my purchase in November of last year...so right when they were coming out.

I'm sure there are more instock given its now 2006 and all.

 

[supwaz]

I ended up getting it with the following options:

4X4 sport edition
V8
Sunroof
Spoiler
6Disc In dash changer (non-JBL)
side and curtain airbags
double decker cargo system
tube steps (i think it's standard on sport edition)
daytime running lights
wheel locks
door sill
carpet floor mats and cargo net
electrochromatic rearview mirror
garage door opener w/homelink

my out-the-door price (including fees, taxes) is around $36k.