2013 and Earlier - Toyota 4Runner Prices Paid and Buying Experience

Galileo757

That's the problem these days, the dealers are selling the vehicles at invoice, but the fees of TDA, Doc's, and dealer prep has all gone up. IMO, it's really hard to get the dealers to negotiate on these mark ups and they start playing hardball, unless there is some type of rebates involved.

dsteveq

Hello, everyone. Does any one have some late 4runner buying experience in Ohio to share? Any recommendations about decent dealers? I live in Columbus and am looking forward to getting hands on a limited runner in Oct/Nov. Thanks in advance!

asif1

There are two prices i have seen on dealer invoice which are not included in edmunds price, TDA and MAF, they both total to about 700$ for 30 k vehicle. Also in Gulfstates the destination charges are 575. Documentation fee for Lisc, Reg should'nt be more than 150$. Rest should be your sales tax. no dealer will sell you car taking off the TDA, MAF unless he has some other incentive in doing so (vehicle in lot for a long time, test driven, etc etc). or if he does so, he'll try to make it up in documentation fee. If the dealer shows you his printed invoice, it shows his cost and MSRP and it is very uncommon if he can bluff in printed invoice. 2 % MSRP hold back, 20$ POI hold back, 1 % finacne reserve are typical things you will see in invoice and thats wat should be their profit. Some ppl see that they get 4000$ off MSRP. The truth is, extra packages like Vehicle Shield Package has MSRP of 349$ and invoice of 99$, and same is with some other options (Door edge, custom stripe, mats) they have very good margin there to give you impression as they have come down from MSRP a lot. i got the deal with 200 above invoice, 140 doc fee and i paid TDA, MAF of about 700$. Not sure if the best deal but i was satisfied since i tried to negotiate with 5-6 dealrs on TDA and MAF with walking out of door offer and they did'nt agree. If some of you can take it off, do tell me your experience. some time they have to sell the vehicle, to show no of sales, or avoid moving it in next few days and you might get exceptional deal, but that is more of a luck. For 2004 models hitting the lot you should'nt expect huge rebates and high negotiations till mid of next yr, Remember it is the hottest vehicle on road these days, i have seen ppl looking back for it. Best of luck with your deals.
asif

chrisad27

I have had my 4Runner for 2 months. Here's a quick summary:

Black Sport Ed. V8 4WD
I have all of the standard features, the double-decker thing (I haven't decided if it was worth it yet), and some other stuff I don't remember off the top of my head. I live in Cincinnati and was able to get this for $30,900. It listed for about $33,800 from what I remember. I had a great experience from my dealership, Kings Toyota. If you are driving from Columbus, you should be able to shoot down I-71 to the Kings Mill Road exit in about an hour-and-a-half. This dealership is about 25 miles northeast of town, near Kings Island. (Actually it's the next exit south). I went here first, went to another dealer, and came back here for the respect I received, and the better price. I am 24 and right out of college. The other dealer did not take me seriously, but Kings was a pleasant experience. I fully recommend checking them out. The other dealer? Everyone in Ohio should avoid Joseph Toyota on Colerain Ave, they're a waste of your valuable time

nwroller

This is what i am looking at, i have gotten a rough price of $33,400 for the following (not sure if that is out the door or not... doubt it):

04 Sport V8 - Stratosphere Mica
Leather
JBL 6-disk in dash, 10 speaker
Auto-Dim electrochromic mirror with compass
sunroof
spoiler
Convenience package
VIP alarm
115V AC outlet

What do you all think?

What dealers have people liked in the Seattle area.. or not liked?

Since Sport models are hard to find i may have to special order one... and in that case i may see if they can put a NAV system on a sport.

Thanks for any input!

dushma1

NWROLLER

Sounds like a good deal. Make sure they to add up Misc charges. Also what is the sticker price?
As I am getting $33748 for V6 Limited all above plus 3ed Row seat, minus Sunroof and I didn't nigociate yet with dealer. I will try with sunroof for $34000 which according to deal is $1200.
Best time to make a deal is when 03 are out and its end of the month. Also let a dealer know you are still looking for a good price. Be prepare to buy if they can work out a price for you. Even if you want to buy the same day..... never tell that to a dealer and since they don't want you to leave the lot without sale. They will nigociate more if they know you are still looking and not in a hurry.

arouth

Hello,

I have decided to get a 4runner sport and I am debating on which month is the best to buy? I have a friend who is a former car salesman and he told me that November through January is the best time. Is that true? I'm pretty much ready to buy and would love to buy over thanksgiving, but basically I am waiting on rebates and the invoice price (or close to it at least).

My question is...when would you guys recomend buying to get the best price and why?

thanks again

tangman

In my experience, December/January are the best months to buy assuming they have it on the lot. The lower price is usually to remove it from their flooring costs (interest they must start paying), and in some states to reduce their inventory taxes. or if they are close on allocation numbers. If you are ordering, I don't think that there is much difference, since it doesn't hit their books until they recieve it.

cavedmunds1

Has anyone leased a 4runner lately? I am interested in knowing the latest residual values and money factors/residuals on a 36 month 15k/year lease. Any differences between the figures for 2003 vs. 2004? Thanks and I appreciate your help.

sciencegeek

I'd be interested to hear about your impressions of the dealers in the bay area ... I'm looking, too. V6 4x4 ltd with options that will probably require a special order.

03lxv6

I am still looking around. Suggestions from friends are that Piercey Toyota in San Jose and Toyota 101 have better price.

epmusa

This is an advertised Car on Keyes Toyota in Van Nuys California, color is White. I saw it last Saturday.

Be sure to be pre-approved from your bank or credit union before making a buy.

Good luck!

amheck

dushma1, I don't think you can get the 3rd row AND the sunroof on the truck.

Be sure and check out the internet department of your local dealers. I, too, was sure that an '03 would get me the best price, but I talked to the internet reps and they are offering the same price ($300 over invoice) for '03s and '04's, so it was, of course, a no brainer to go with the newer truck. Don't always think necessarily that the older models are cheaper. Unless, of course, you're willing to take a truck with the cladding.

Aaron

sciencegeek

according to the e brochure pdf off the toyota web site, the 3rd row seat isn't compatible with certain other options (air suspension, JBL system etc) but it's ok with sunroof ... just fyi

jcliffro

Aaron,
  You stated that you talked to "the internet reps" and they are offering $300 over invoice for 2004 4-Runners.
  Are the internet reps at the dealers or with internet car buying services? And $300 over invoice means with absolutely no other charges other than sales taxes and reasonable license/title charges? I saw on here in the past that some dealers attempt to stick purchasers with advertising costs and outrageous license/title fees. I don't think I could get the SR-5 I want any way other than to order it, so really interested in who is willing to sell 4-Runners for $300 over invoice and under what circumstances. By the way, I am in the Gulf States Region (New Orleans), but could always buy in Dallas, Houston or Atlanta if it would make THAT much of a difference.
  Thanks for your help.

amheck

I may have read wrong. I thought I read in the 4Runner discussion group that the 3rd row and sunroofs were conflicting.

By Internet dealers, I mean the internet reps at the dealers. My price is actually invoice, plus a $299 dealer fee. No other silly fees - just TTT. We have 6-7 dealers in the area, all within 30 minutes or so. Maybe that's what makes it so competitive?

Dealer allocation comes out today so I should find out how long of a wait I'll have on my black Limited V8 with JBL, sunroof, X-REAS and side curtain airbags.

Aaron

rsirigin

I ordered one through a dealership in Phoenix, AZ. Just wondering if other people have had any luck purchasing a sports edition with V6 recently? If so, please let me know the build date?

jcliffro

I believe there are 8 dealers in my immediate area, but the way I have purchased my cars in the past has been to send out a bid sheet via regular mail to all area dealers. I don't like going to dealerships. The last Toyota we bought was in 1998 and the dealer was in Baton Rouge. We did not meet the salesman until we went to pick up the car. So I have no idea how the dealers in the greater New Orleans area compare to those in yours when it comes to $299 above invoice.
  But I have no expectation of finding what I want without a special order. I don't want leather seats or a sunroof under any circumstances, so that leaves either a V-6 SR-5 or Sport with side air bags, JBL, leather steering wheel (SR-5), 17 inch aluminum wheels (SR-5), anti-theft alarm and probably the roof rack with rear spoiler. I think I favor the Pacific Blue over the Silver by a slight degree, and that color isn't available on Sport models, so it would probably be the SR-5. I like your black choice and even though it would be garaged at home, office and gym, I still think if I got black it would look dirty most of the time as I am more apt to spend extra time at the gym than washing the car.

rsirigin

Sorry for the multiple messages regarding the same subject...

I just heard from my sales consultant that Toyota won't be making any 2004 Sports edition cars with V6, is this true or am I being mislead here? I have waited almost 4 weeks for this model to come out so far but certainly not to hear this. Anybody else heard similar rumors?

amheck

There seem to be plenty in the SE region.

http://setbuyatoyota.com/inventory/searchresults.asp?dealer_code=- 09154&model=8646,%208666&vehicle=4runner&extcolor=All- Colors

Aaron

rsirigin

Aaron, thanks a bunch for that link. How did you get access to that inventory? Can I get access to something like this in the SW area?

Looks like there will be a $1000-$1500 for a vehicle to be shipped from the dealerships in the east to Phoenix. I was wondering if I can search through some of the inventories in the LA or SW regions, that way I can save on the shipping costs.

Anybody have any links?

amheck

To search our region, I just go to the main website, buyatoyota.com and put in my zip. From there I search based on model, color, etc. Hopefully when you put in your zip you'll get to a page made for your region.

Aaron

tangman

I have seen numerous 04 Sports in the Northwest, so they are around. I couldn't find V8 Sports in the northwest so I ordered. I order over 5 weeks ago. Toyota accepted the order, but it still has not shipped. What is the earliest a dealer knows that a vehicle they have ordered has been manufactured?

Tangman

nwroller

I am also in the northwest, and am thinking about placing an order. What dealership and city are you going through? What are the specs on your truck and how much is it going to cost you? Just curious.

Thanks

sacstate1

Not every region of Toyota has a 'live' inventory URL. The Southeast and Gulf Coast Toyota distributors have the feature, couldn't find the feature for West Coast Toyota or the distributor for the Denver area.

rensho

i went to buy my truck 2 mos ago. when i got to the dealer, the truck had been sold ~1wk ago. Boy was i screwed.
Call them and have someone put their hand on THAT vehicle.

I had my brilliant plan all layed out, waited for the day, drove down there and only to realize i was back at square 1.

Learn from my mistake. :-)

tangman

I ordered approximately a month ago a 4x4 sport V8, JBL, mirrow, AC, mats, homelink, spoiler, wheel locks for around $31000. No sunroof. I am in the Tricities. I checked out the Internet sales, and found the Toyota dealer in Evertt and my local dealer to be close to the same price. I checked many dealers in the Seattle area and Portland, but they all seem to want to play a game and waste alot of my time. So I ordered from our local dealer. When I was shopping the bay area dealers had fantastic prices on 03 left overs, but non were configured close enough to what I wanted. I will let you know more once I recieve the vehicle on my level of satisfaction.

semooc

I was looking at a 2003 Limited. It has a V-8, 4x4,sunroof, X-reas shocks, & side air curtains. It is a demo with 5,000 miles on it. Dealer wants $36k and sd he would knock off $500 for the mileage. That makes it $35500 plus taxes & license. I am in Louisville KY. Can I get some opinions on this price?

coolpop36

Way too much IMO. Considering that a brand new truck depreciates about 20% the minute you drive it off the lot, I would think that a demo that's been driven hard and has 5,000 miles would be worth even less.

The price that the dealer is offering you looks like it's somewhere around invoice or just a bit less. Personally, I'd want at least three thousand under invoice bc you are in fact getting a used truck.

molocono

2004 4Runner SR5 V6

Galactic Gray Mica
Power Sunroof
RS3200(???) Plus Alarm
Floor Mats

$26,578

arouth

How much money do you guys think I could save if I bought a 2003 Limited instead of a 2004 model. The invoice for a 2004 Limited V8 4WD with the options I want is around $36,000.

Do you think I could very much below that since I'd basically be buying a year old model?

thanks

jcliffro

From reading the main 4-Runner board, it may not just be the one year difference between the 2003 and the 2004 V-8 Limited. According to 2004 V-8 4-Runner purchasers, Toyota seems to have cured the sulphur issues on the 2004 models. That may well affect resale value on the 2003s. Just something to think about.

rensho

a minimum of $1000 should be expected between the 2 purchase prices. Perhaps even up to $2000.
The v8 4wd 2003 around here in SF,CA are going for $5000 off msrp. I haven't seen any 2004 for much for than $3000 off.

seattleml320

What do you guys suggest? How much should I negotiate with the dealer. The dealer in Kirkland WA is quoting me the following price over email, which is very comparable to EDMUNDs pricing.

Edmunds Pricing
2004 Toyota 4Runner
SR5 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 4A)
MSRP Invoice
National Base Price $29,445 $26,293
Optional Equipment $2,334 $1,819
TH Third Row Seat $1,195 $956
V5 RS3200 Plus Alarm System $359 $239
DR Roof Rack and Cross Bar $220 $176
NE Leather Steering Wheel $220 $176
RF Rear Spoiler $200 $160
AW 17" Aluminum Wheels $100 $80
RL Daytime Running Lights $40 $32
Color Adjustment - -
Titanium Metallic - -
Destination Charge $540 $540
32,319 $28,652

Dealer Price with the same options $32,429 $28,851

jcliffro

So the dealer is willing to sell for $199 above his cost? Assuming he does not stick you with hidden charges, especially title and license charges (which some dealers have been known to inflate once they get you to agree on what at first appears to be a really good price), then I think you are doing as well as one could ever expect. I wonder what that dealer would be willing to sell it for if it were equipped with side air bags......

bmc5

I'm looking to purchase a 2004 4Runner Limited V6 4X4 with the following options...
- Sunroof, 5 pc carpet set
- Rear Spolier
- Daytime Running Lights
- Alloy Wheel Locks.
I have received a quote of $35,000. I think this sounds pretty good but I am interested to see what the board thinks.
Any comments/opinons are welcomed.
Thanks in advance.

dushma1

BMC5 Check my post# 260
All same, only difference is 7 seater without sunroof. 7 seat in limited cost more then sunroof due to leather.
MSRP $37848 buy it for $33748

mediaguy2

We just leased a loaded 2003 4runner Limited and were shocked to learn AFTER we took possession that Toyota -- unlike every vehicle we ever had -- offered no 24/7 Roadside Assistance. We've always had it FREE with our Jeep vehicles, with a VW VR6 and I know it's available on virtually every other new vehicle available in the U.S. we only ever had to use two or three times but it gives one confidence that's it's available. It's amazing that a major company like Toyota doesn't offer it. We;'d like to hear your comments.

arouth

Hey, sorry if i'm annoying you guys. This is my first time buying a new car, so I don't know too much.

I was planning on buying on December 31 of the year b/c I thought I could get the best deal then. However, right now I have recieved an offer of invoice + 300 and a $95 doc fee on a special order 2004 Sport V8 4WD Titanium. This was without too much effort btw. I'm going to negotiate some more in the hopes that I can get the invoice price which is my goal. The end of the month is coming, so thats when the best deals are. I'm really tempted to just buy and get it over with. I've had new car bug for like 10 months now!!!!

With this in mind. How much do you think I would save if I bought in December? I have a friend who is a car salesman and he told me to buy then. Do you think I could get it significantly below invoice?

Second question. Right now there are no rebates, but three months in the January to February time frame I'm hoping there will be. I am in Omaha right now, but I have family in Mississippi, so do any of you guys know if either region tends to give MORE rebates than the other? Right now there are pretty much the same.

Thanks again for all the advice guys.

canddmeyer

I'd buy now. To me you have an excellent deal. There are $1000 rebates in northern California, but don't hold your breath for rebates or financing. If you like the deal, jump on it. You can check Toyota's website for any factory incentives. They usually post their changes, if any, weekly very early Saturday morning. Good luck.

ohello

I ordered an 04 SR5 V8 for $200 over dealer invoice ($28,524 including $540 destination), plus $49 doc fee at Fitzmall in MD. This is the only way that I could find to get one with side airbags. All options were at incoice, which were essentially the prices listed here at Edmunds (+/- $10-20 on some). I did it all through fax, which was very easy. Very nice people at Fitzmall, in stark contrast to the folks at 355 Toyota. There was a $500 deposit, which I can have back anytime I want if I decide to do something different. Delivery in the next 3-6 months depending on how Toyota feels about my order.

This was not a price that I had to haggle about - this is their standard deal. I would definitely recommend them, if for no other reason than to avoid the vultures at the other dealerships.

coolpop36

I ordered a 2004 Limited 4X2 V6 because I wanted NAV and X-REAS which, for some reason, are not offered together on the V6's. Well, maybe they are, but my dealer couldn't find any at all.

So, I got the Pacific Blue Metallic with those options plus sunroof, side airbags, cargo net and mats, and rear spoiler. MSRP was $39,120 and I got it for $35,500. Not a bad deal IMO. Dealer also put it in writing that if it comes with those crappy Bridgestone Duelers, he'll swap them out for the Michelins or the Dunlops at no charge. I drove on both and think that despite all the great reviews about the Michelins, I like the Dunlops better. They seem to be quieter and have better wet traction.

jcliffro

You two guys are a wealth of information and good ideas. Ohello, I did not think it possible that a dealer would order a 4-Runner for $200 over invoice, but will now use that dealer's website as authority when I go to place my order. And, coolpop36, what a really good idea to specify the tires...I would not have thought of that. I have Dunlops on my Z and have been pleased with them, so will do the same thing you did when it comes time for me to order (and, btw, I am glad you ordered with the side airbags, as I will....the more orders they get like that the more likely they will start equipping inventory models with them).

coolpop36

Absolutely you can find a dealer who will special-order the truck for $200 over invoice. The price I got on mine is somewhere in that neighborhood.

As far as the tires are concerned, I may be a bit obsessive about them, but there really are differences in the three that are offered for this truck. Personally, from my experience, the Michelins are way overrated. I had them on my 2000 4Runner and they were good, not great. Not harsh, not noisy, but not as quiet as Michelin advertises. Plus, the wet traction was only marginal.

The Dunlops don't have the rep, but they seem to be quieter with better wet traction, and the ride is smooth. The Bridgestones I would never even consider, they are that bad.

Now, when I asked the dealer to specify the tires in the buy order, he told me not to do that bc it would cost me extra $$$. Apparently, making a special request for a specific tire to be installed is considered an "option" by Toyota and they charge for it. He told me hey, no prob, we'll just swap them out if your truck comes with the Bridgestones and this will save you some money. I thought that was pretty cool.

jcliffro

I have bookmarked your tire advice and will go with the Dunlops. The only kind of tires I have had on my Z for years have been the rain shedding tires (my first set was Goodyear Aquatreds, but Goodyear stopped making Aquatred sports car tires). The last time I bought tires, Dunlop was the only one making sports car tires in the rain shedding design and I have been happy with them so far. A sports car on a short wheelbase has a tendency to sway more than your normal vehicle in turns on wet pavement. So tires with great wet traction have always been top priority for me.

arouth

Hey guys,

I posted that I recieved an offer for $300.00 over invoice. Yeah well I finally got them to send me an actual dollar figure and there invoice was $762 more. Its a special order and the dealer added $112.00 floor mats with out telling me, and apparantly a $650 TDA fee. When I inquired they said that they could not waive the advertising fees b/c they would take a loss.

I told them that I wasn't paying that fee, and if they waived it I would be willing to continue the negotiations. We will see what happens. The end of the month is coming up, so we shall see.

ohello

When I made my order they said that they have no control over the tires and cannot request them from Toyota. Any dealer willing to talk about tires is probably planning on trading wheels with another 4Runner in stock when yours arrives. A special fee from Toyota is nonsense. I am hoping for the best on my tires. I have read here that it is generally not that difficult to have the dealer purchase new tires at wholesale and put them on for you.

You'll notice that my invoice on the 04 SR5 V8 is higher than the "national invoice" that Edmunds lists. Mine is the dealer invoice for the Mid-Atlantic (including a variety of fees that I did not even bother to clarify), although I think that they made a mistake by including the $540 destination in my invoice price. My out-the-door price is about $1000 under Edmunds TMV, so I am happy and they can split that up anyway they like.

The special order price at Fitzmall varies by model - they have a book of fees and you just call and see what they are charging (SR5 V8 was $200 over invoice when I called). One big plus is that their doc fee is $49, not something rediculously bloated. I learned about Fitzmall on this board and if I had not found them I probably would have just given up on trying to buy a Toyota.

sacstate1

You don't need 24/7 'Roadside' assistance from Toyota. Toyota's never break down.

Same with the light under the hood, for $2, Toyota could have put a light under the hood. But then again, Toyota's never break, so I don't need a light.

aldhearn

I just did a lot of research and pricing before I bought my 2004 Limited V6 2WD. I got mine for $550 over invoice with no problems. Could have done a little better if I had had more time to haggle.

My conclusion is that 2004 4Runners can be easily had for $0 to $700 over invoice. One standard is to get a CarsDirect price and understand that the dealer pays them a commission (probably about $150). In the case of the 4Runner, the CarsDirect price is $700 over invoice. So, if you go to the dealer's Internet sales department directly and ask for $550 over, or less, you'll get it.

I don't think waiting until the first of the year is going to make this any better, at least, not by much.

royal7

I just negotiated with a salesman at Competition Toyota here on Long Island, NY. for a 2004 4Runner. His numbers matched the TMV invoice prices report, except for the national base price. The salesman claimed that his invoice was $500. higher than TMV because he had to pay a Toyota Advertising Fee (TAF). Since I was having the SUV ordered, there is no invoice to check. Has anyone heard of this TAF before and is it truly a non-negotiable fee that has to be added to the invoice? Is it already worked into the invoice by the regional adjustment column shown on the TMV? Salesman claims he is giving the car to me at $500. over invoice, but it appears to be $1,000. considering the TAF.