Ordering a New 4Runner from the dealership...?

Hello all,

Just a general question here; has anyone actually custom ordered a 4Runner from your preferred dealership? Is it even possible? If so, how was the process? Any particular pitfalls you’d advise folks about if they were going to place an order?

I’m curious about this process because I’ve been searching around for 5th GEN 4Runners and an awful lot of them have options I like but quite a few options I’d pass on. I have yet to strike up a conversation with any dealers around here about ordering, but thought I would ask here first before drawing undue attention from a sales department.

Thank you in advance for any replies.

 

I just ordered one and I wanted a custom one. Configure it online and go talk to your biggest local Toyota dealer, or a few. See if you find a good sales guy that can look up incoming inventory and would want to make a deal . 4runners are built in Japan and then shipped here but dealers can see what’s coming in ahead of time. As an example I got a 46k msrp for 42 and it was made just last month and I got it as soon as it hit the dealership. Good luck!

 

Yup, it is possible and just what I did on my SR5. Salesman was able to see everything at the port or scheduled for delivery in his region and searched for the specific options I wanted and eliminated the cars that had options I didn't want. He also said he had the ability to remove some options at the port before the car is delivered to the dealership. Started with 200+ vehicles in the trim level and color I was looking for and ended up with 6 that were optioned how I wanted it. Took two weeks to be delivered to the dealership and had 2 miles on the odometer when I went to pick it.

I would imagine all dealerships can do it, but some don't seem to care or take that approach and are less willing to help. If you shop around you shouldn't have a problem finding someone willing to order what you want.

 

That is great to hear!

Excellent. That’s got to be awesome picking it up with only 2 miles on the odometer! Just out of curiosity, what options were they able to remove at the port?

 

It was my impression that many bolt on options are done stateside, not in Japan. So they don’t actually remove stuff from the vehicle, they remove it from the list of items that vehicle was going to be outfitted with. Moonroof, 3rd row, sliding deck.. kinda stuck with those but running boards, paint protection, all weather mats, blackout/ special edition packages, etc. can all be changed. At least that was what I was told.

 

Gotcha. Makes sense. Going to stop by my local dealership tomorrow and see what I can see.

 

NICE...as a rule, I never buy brand new, but on a 4Runner I would have been tempted (since I plan to drive it forever...) I'd have taken a pic of that odometer just to look at and grin every now and then.

 

Same here. This is relatively new territory for me. But if you plan to drive it forever...

 

Can confirm this. My new SR5 (for the 3rd row) just landed in NYC a few days ago. It’s got to clear customs and take a trailer ride to me down here in VA before I can have it.

The dealership I’m working with went out of their way to make it happen, apparently making a deal with an NY dealer it was destined for originally. My dealer will add my TRD wheels and a few other perks when it arrives here.

I was about to order a brand new custom job, but it would’ve been many moons longer till it arrived. Can’t wait that long.

 

Good to hear!

 

So...I think I’m having a dilemma that perhaps many other potential 4Runner buyers may have had. I’m thinking that I’d like to go for an Off-Road Premium but when I option it out with KDSS and a moonroof, it is only $4-5k less than a TRD Pro “out the door.” There’s really only two things on the Pro that appeal to me (as I’d rather have KDSS than the Fox shocks): the dual climate control and the JBL stereo system. Perhaps not what most would use as a deciding factor when looking at the Pro vs. ORP question.

The dealer here locally was really nice too. No pressure. No games. Told me how the ordering process goes and that it is not even set in stone; I can have my deposit refunded if I just decide to back out when the rig arrives. Amazing really. They said ordering an ORP would be about a 8-10 week wait, whereas the TRD Pro would be 12-who knows week wait. All 2021 models.

Anyhow...is the dual climate and JBL stereo worth it for the TRD Pro? Looks like there are plenty of stereo upgrades available but swapping in dual climate to the ORP seems to be impossible (apparently Canadian ORPs get dual climate).

Lunar rock looks kinda cool. But Barcelona red is nice on the ORP...

 

I was having same dilemma too and decided to go with a "venture" edition. it has everything you named but JBL system. music sounds good enough for me but i never listen too loud so it was not important deciding factor for me. i wanted white first, but then saw this "midnight black" color with gunmetal wheels and fell in love. pain really shines on sun like a midnight sky indeed, you have to see it in person.

 

The only thing is no deals on 2021s compared to 2020s. I didn’t wait for 2021s led lights and grabbed a TOR which is now on the boat. 2500$ off instant and a decent coin on my junk ram. Super helpful dealership, zero pressure, one of the best car buying experiences I’ve ever had. Dealer went out of their way to find me exactly what I wanted.

 

I’ll check Toyota’s website again just to see which options might be available on the Venture and/or ORP.

 

That’s awesome! $2,500 in savings is excellent; I’m too late for the 2020s savings though. However, spending $2,500 more to get exactly what I want on a rig that is solidly in the $40k range is peanuts at that point. I think I have my mind made up on trim level just need to pick a color.

 

As a new owner of a 2020 SR5 Premium, I think the extra money for the dual climate control and the JBL Stereo is probably worth it.
I find the climate control here in AZ to be years behind any American Ford I have owned for the last 30 years, Explorers and Edges.
Usually you can freeze ice cream in 110 degree heat...but not with the Toyota. Running it full blast just keeps it comfortable.
Also the audio system is clearly behind times.
If I will replace this vehicle in the near future it will be because of these inadequacies.

 

I read what oktom posted and I feel that the Toyota audio systems are fine, and the climate controls are fine.
My family has owned Fords for at least 30 years,and saying that Ford audio and climate controls are somethng to admire is laughable. In all my experience, these are the things that break first on a ford!
My last Ford was a 2010 Explorer and there was no touch screen, no back up camera, a stereo that died in year #9 and speakers that crackled.I think the sound quality in the 4 runner is a huge step up in quality.
The A/c in the Ford was no better or worse than Toyota.
just my .02cents.

 

It’s funny you guys are talking about the AC in Fords because I’m currently driving a 2014 F-150 FX4 with the 5.0 V8. It has THE WORST air conditioning I’ve ever experienced. My wife’s little Nissan Rogue our does the F-150 in keeping things cool. I’ve always vacillated between Ford and Toyota as my brands of choice, but I can’t lie; the AC in my F-150 is a driving force in my looking at a 4Runner again.

 

FYSA-

I just received an excellent offer on a brand new 2020 ORP in super white from my local dealer. It’s one they have headed into port. The only thing it doesn’t have is KDSS. Instead it has the gray TRD wheels and blacked out badging (I prefer the chrome).

I’m extremely tempted here. I’ve read quite a few threads on KDSS and I was fairly certain that’s what I wanted (although I have yet to test drive one).
What is the collective opinion from folks here on the forum regarding KDSS as a “must have” in the face of a great deal on a rig that doesn’t have it?

 

Well...disregard all of the above. I emailed them back and someone else already put a deposit on it! Lol. Oh well.

 

Personally, KDSS makes the ORP an inherently superior vehicle to a Pro, imho. Wider wheels are better too. Of course a Pro has marketing, special colours, gear shift knobs and other stuff that guys like and are willing to pay big bucks for, so be it.

 

Excellent points. Thank you for your input, Sir.

 

Well...I have a 2021 ORP on order! Super white with KDSS and a moonroof. Only other option is the floor liners. Gave me a great deal too. Can't complain. Now the waiting game starts.

 

Congrats! Great choice! What the total price if you don’t mind sharing?

 

$44,124. Not bad in my opinion. But, who knows...maybe I just got had since it has been a decade since I've had a 4Runner. However, my F-150 was FAR more than that, so I feel pretty good about it.

I was very tempted to go with the Pro, but not for the reasons most folks think. I was tempted due to the better stereo and dual climate control. That being said, I did not think those things were worth an almost $6k premium.

 

Cant wait to see it man - McGeorge is putting on my TRD wheels and tires this week!

 

I went with just the regular Off-Road wheels. Might go aftermarket with something at some point. I was tempted to do the TRD wheels in bronze; a new option for 2021. Post up some pics of your rig once you get the TRD wheels brother!

 

Mannn, they had the bronze in stock, and I figured Id do it to be different, but I had my heart set on black since I got the thing

 

Coulda, shoulda, woulda...!!!

 

Just bought the same. Beautiful.