Buying From Toyota Website

Never bought a car directly from Toyota's website and wondering how the experience is?

Any advantage to buying from dealership instead of just ordering straight from Toyota's website? I assume they deliver to a local dealership and you pick it up from there?

 

Good question. I guess I've never looked at the website that closely to know you could do that.

 

I wasn't aware that was an option? I thought only Tesla (and other electric companies) did the no-dealership model.

 

Would be sweet if that was a viable option in regards to getting 100% exactly what you wanted.

 

There are rumors that Ford wants to do away with stealerships and do direct sales.

 

Not currently possible with the 4Runner, being that it is built in Japan. I was told that if I custom ordered one, they would try to match my requirements as close as possible to vehicles coming off the line but no guarantees. They WILL NOT build a vehicle to your exact specifications. Did that once with a Jeep - even had my name on the window sticker.

I would love to have an Off-Road model 4Runner with something other than a black interior. Good luck with that...not possible!

 

The interior color is based off the trim level you get (and exterior color). For example: If you get the Limited trim in Black, you get three options:

1) Black
2) Beige
3) Redwood

 

Thanks. I assume the price shown on the Toyota website after you 'build' it, is just suggested, and dealer will add on their own costs before they contact you?

 

When I did that, no dealers gave me an actual quote. I was contacted by several local dealers who said that the combinations of options I selected could not be ordered. They all said the same thing: if I came to the dealership in person, they would discuss what options I actually could get, and then they'd give me a quote on that combination. I ended up taking a different path.

 

You cannot buy a car directly from the manufacturer unless it's Tesla. There are state laws that prohibit purchasing vehicles directly from the manufacturer. I really do wish they would allow it though.

 

And be forewarned SmartPath is not as it appears. I attempted to purchase a 2023 4Runner recently and thought I had the deal all wrapped up. That was until the dealer called and in our discussion on when to come look at it mentioned the useless add-ons that were not disclosed in the SmartPath price. Told him I won't pay for dent and paint insurance but he wouldn't remove them. So the conversation ended and I bought a used 2022 elsewhere.