Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Toyota 4Runner Prices Paid and Buying Experience
1738 messages, Last post on Oct 09, 2008 at 8:18 PM
You are in the Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Forum. Your Hosts are car_man & kyfdx
Did you get a good deal on your 4Runner?
Share your experience here!
|
I recently decided to purchase a Toyota 4Runner in the Atlanta area. I did my research in late December and early January with the intent of purchasing close to the end of January. I also considered purchasing a Pathfinder, Frontier, Tacoma, Explorer, SportTrac, and Tundra. My short list was a 4Runner and a Tundra double-cab. I ended up purchasing my new 2005 SR5 V6 RWD 4Runner in Salsa Red from Sandy Springs Toyota since they had an arrangement with my credit union to complete the prearranged financing at their site (3.75% for 36 months), they had the color and options I desired, and delivered a fair price based upon my research (I contacted every Toyota dealership in Georgia and 2 each in South Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama). My walk out price including application of the $1000 rebate, taxes, tag, vehicle cost, and made up fees was $26,300. This breaks down to a vehicle cost of $24625 (includes rebate), $1578 in taxes, and $70 for tag & title. The vehicle has 5 miles on it when I first test drove it and 12 when I bought it. It has 17" wheels, the roof rack, leather wrapped steering wheel / shift know, and the 5 piece floor mats as options. My requirements were a vehicle that was Salsa Red (preferred)or Gold, a SR5 V6 RWD, it have 17" wheels, the roof rack, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. I figured I could purchase floor mats after market and save a considerable amount based upon the $225 MSRP from the dealers and $188 invoice price. I wrote up a letter outlining these requirements, indicated that I would be purchasing the weekend of January 29th (last weekend of January), that the vehicle must be in stock and available for delivery, there were no second chances for their best drive out price including all fees and taxes, no trade was involved (but I did have a car I could have traded) and that if a deal was offered and I came in and the deal changed I would walk and take my business to another dealer. I then sent this letter in the form of an email to all the Toyota dealers internet departments (found the contacts online) and waited for their replies, which began coming in almost immediately. I was surprised that the dealerships I thought would respond with the best pricing (Atlanta, Stone Mountain , Mall of GA, and World Toyota) actually responded with some of the highest pricing and in the case of World continually responded with vehicles that were not in stock (I assume they were tyring to get me in the door for an attempt to switch me to another vehicle). The dealerships with the best price and most aggressive stance were Cobb County Toyota and Cherokee County Toyota and I would have purchased from one of these two dealerships if they had the color I was seeking (salsa red was my preferred color), but there seemed to be a shortage of this color. Many dealers quoted me the one I eventually bought, but all were quoting me around $27000 plus tax (6% or another $1620) and tag ($70). Cobb County and Cherokee quoted me drive outs on a gold 4Runner equipped as I stated for $25900 ($24276 purchase price, $1554 tax, and $70 tag & title). Marietta Toyota also offered a good deal, but it was on a 4Runner that was Salsa Red that was over equipped for my needs (sunroof and upgraded stereo among other options I didn't need). As I stated earlier I eventually purchased the vehicle from Sandy Springs Toyota since they had it in stock and negotiated fairly. I did pay about $350 more than I would have to Cherokee or Cobb County Toyota, but I got the color I wanted and in addition to all the options I requested the 5 piece floor mats. The first offer on drive-out price they made me on the vehicle was $26500, I countered with $26100, they came back and split the difference at $26300 - then the wife factor occured (she said she wanted it) and since I felt good that we got a good deal I went ahead. Sandy Springs Toyota was very easy to work with and we took delivery from them on Wednesday, January 26th. The finance guy we worked with was very good as well, not pushy, and provided no undue surprises. So here are my recommendations for buying a 4 Runner: 1. Know what you want including options and aggresively shop it to all the dealerships in the area. You will identify the serious dealerships quickly. 2. Have your financing arranged before you start contacting dealerships. Credit unions currently have great rates. 3. Know the invoice cost of the vehicle, options, and holdback and start your negotiations from the invoice cost of the vehicle and options less the holdback (usually 2% of MSRP for Toyota) and less any rebates or marketing incentives. This information is available for free from Edmunds, and for a fee from Consumer Reports and I did purchase a 3 month subscription for $39 which I felt helped me drive a excellent deal. I found Consumer Reports information to be more accurate. 4. Don't go to the dealership (except to test drive the general make you are interested in at least 1 week before you begin the actual purchasing process) until you have a firm price from a dealer and they have faxed you a buyers order. In other words make them commit on paper before you go to do the deal. I did and it worked very well. 5. If you go into the dealership and something is not going per your predetermined agreement - leave. There are at least 2 other dealerships out there dying to have your business. 6. Watch out for extra fees (documentation and marketing). I simply ignored these and made them part of the price I was paying for the car.
|
|
| I am interested in buying a 2005 V6 4Runner Limited and am looking for the more cost competitive dealers in Western or Central Washington State. Do I need to look outside of the big cities to get the better pricing? Who are some of the more competitively priced Toyota dealers for 2005 4Runners right now? | |
|
Replying to: emeadows (Feb 15, 2005 11:15 pm) I too live in the Atlanta area was impressed by the deal you recently earned on your new 4Runner. I've been considering the purchase of a good used 03-04 model in the low to mid $20K range, but seeing what you paid for an 05, I may pursue a new one. Your homework and patience obviously paid off. Anyway, I hope to learn from your lessons. One thing I've always heard is that dealers typically make significant profit from the loan. You stated your dealer had a plan with your credit union and you got a good rate. I too use CU's and have saved tons of $$ over the years. My question to you is, if you walk in with you own loan, aren't you going to see resistance to negotiate? I wonder if you could have obtained as good a deal if the dealer didn't have a plan prearranged with your CU. My CU, Associated CU, offers their tax saver loan, in which they use your home equity and the interest is tax deductible. I want to use this type loan, but not run into a wall when I try to low ball the dealer. Comments? Thank you. PE
|
|
|
Replying to: peve (Feb 22, 2005 5:40 pm) kirstie_h Roving Host Host, Future Vehicles & Smart Shopper discussions |
|
|
|
| I am looking for a 2005 SR5 4WD V8 in Gold with power moon roof and 17" wheels. I live about 90 miles N of Atlanta but can travel as needed to good dealer (e.g., one that will not play the usual back and forth to sales manager games). | |
|
Replying to: hifiguy (Feb 05, 2005 5:53 am)  Thanks! |
|
I've been canvassing Toyota dealers in Western Pa. and Western N.Y.S. looking for an '05 SR5 with third-row seats. Plan on buying in the next couple months. At least one dealer has told me third-row seats are "very, very rare." Is this true? I'll admit I don't see a lot of them on web inventories, but "rare?" I'm getting the feeling I may have to pay a premium for that third row, which is really my only required option.
|
|
|
Replying to: naiad (Mar 03, 2005 1:17 pm) camry, sienna, yes. but even w/ 3rd option, you should not have much trouble getting one. i don't believe there's need for much premium, if at all. you may need to be a little flexible in color choice - the 3rd row option don't go with some colors - salsa red and stratosphere blue mica. on the other hand, the 3rd row seats don't have much room so it's only good for occasional use for kids. |
|
|
Replying to: mntim (Feb 10, 2005 11:49 pm) |
|
|
Replying to: naiad (Mar 03, 2005 1:17 pm) To this fact I just bought one with third row seating and I didn't want it.
|
|
You are here:
Forums
Prices Paid: Buying & Leasing Experiences Toyota 4Runner Prices Paid and Buying Experience
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2009 Toyota 4Runner
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
