Thoughts on having a new 4Runner transported from out of state?

Finally. I found a 4Runner in the trim I want, with the options I want, in an acceptable color. The only issue is it's 600 miles away, so I'm toying with the idea of buying 'remotely' and having it shipped. Here are the pros and cons I've thought of so far:

Pro:
-Saves me a long day of travel (airline flight plus drive home). Possibly a day and a half if I decide to stop somewhere for the night.

Con:
-I would basically be buying the vehicle sight unseen. No chance for a pre-purchase inspection. This is the big one for me as my experience has been that as soon as the $$$ changes hands you instantly go from being a "preferred customer" to "Do I know you?"
-What if it arrives damaged? What hassle would be involved in figuring out who is responsible?
-What kind of aggravation would be involved in getting repairs done?
-What about missing manuals/paperwork/floor mats, cargo cover, etc.?

Neutral:
-Cost. I figure transport would cost about $400 more than airline ticket, gas, maybe one night hotel, and a meal or two. While $400 is not pocket change for me, compared to the total cost here it's less than 1% of the total.
-The drive itself. I enjoy a road trip now and then, so it's not like I hate driving. But, this route would be nothing new in terms of places to visit along the way.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

EDIT: In case you're new to this thread, I have decided to go get it. Thought I save you some scrolling.

 

We did the "Neutral" option. So my wife and I found our Lunar Rock ORP during out vacation which was 400 miles from home. The while on the way, she found it on the dealer website, it was below MSRP and it was exactly what we wanted. So next day we drove 500 miles, drove back to the vacation, then after the vacation drove 400 miles back home. I put the mileage in the ORP, but it's ok, and the RPMs stay low at 65-70 MPH so the engine isn't being worked hard in that "break-in" period (if there's even a break-in period with these engines).

Point is, get it! Drive it!

 

The biggest that would worry me: Damage done while shipping. The third party trucking company that you hire may damage it in transit. You can refuse it and force them to pay for it, but your precious cargo is damaged. And if something is missing, it would be inconvenient to get resolved. I'm sure the dealership will mail you any missing items.

Getting repairs done won't be an issue. You can take your 4Runner to any Toyota Dealership to get it serviced. I bought mine at Family Toyota in Arlington, but take it to Vandergriff Toyota (also in Arlington). They don't care because they get reimbursed by Toyota.

 

what year and how many miles

then we can comment as it makes a difference as to what we may say and why

 

Where is the 4Runner, and where do you live?

I'd be willing to inspect and deliver the vehicle for you. And I'd do it for the fun of it, and in the name of pleasing the 4Runner Gods, Im not asking for $2000 or anything....

 

New. A hundred miles or so because it was a dealer trade.

 

I'm going to either have it shipped or drive it myself, but thanks!

 

Go get it. No substitute for being the first guy to really drive it plus you get a cool road trip. I've driven 600 miles for a burger before...

 

Tell me more about this burger... lol

 

About a month ago I traveled 1,000 miles away with my brother so he could buy a Lunar Rock ORP. In two weeks we’re flying back out to the same dealer so I can pick up my Underground ORP. Was planning on transporting it, but just can’t bring myself to trust it.

 

It actually wasn't a burger. At the time, I lived in California, and I was a huge fan of the TV series Justified. In season 6 two Colorado-based hitmen stationed in Kentucky were lamenting that there was nothing as good as The Franklin Sandwich at the Denver Biscuit Company where they were currently stationed. I wondered if this was a real thing, and so I googled it. It is. And it looked amazing. So I went and got that mother fucker.

I did some other stuff too but the sandwich was job #1 ish.

Trip report:

https://meefzah.smugmug.com/-2

 

Oh that is super cool!! Im clicking through the photos and reading your comments now (Sandwich looks amazing btw!)

 

I'd rather go get it myself. Save the $400 and post pictures here after you pick it up!

 

go get it and

you will enjoy the trip

and if the vehicle does not give you troubles you will remember the trip forever and it gives you a chance to bond

just not James Bond

 

Just drove 650 miles one way from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to St Louis Missouri to buy a 2019 TRD Off Road Premium that had spent it's life until now in Arizona. Down one day and back the next!

No way I would buy used without an in person inspection.

Poor 4Runner....it now resides in the frozen tundra of the north!

It's currently getting a full "rust check" treatment.

 

Welcome from the center of the bourbon universe.

Buy that plane ticket. Fly out there and drive that bad boy home. You only live once.

 

Glad you finally found one Tim. Fly out and drive it back. You'll be able to put the break-in miles on the new 4Runner during the drive home.

 

I put in about 700 miles during the drive back, but with stops in between since we stayed for a few days and drove it nice and slow. Idk if I'm crazy, but it feels more powerful now at 1600 miles. Do you know if the computer cuts power or something during the first hundred miles or maybe under 1000 miles?

 

What was your elevation change between when you picked it up and when you got home?

 

Google says 430' and I live in NJ at sea level really.

 

Im at about 950 miles now and noticed and wondered the same thing......

 

OP here.

I'm going to go get it.

Thanks everyone for your input.

 

After all this, you OWE us pictures of the entire adventure

 

Well, dinosaur that I am, it will probably take me longer to figure out how to post pics than to drive home. I'll give it a shot, though!

 

All good. Just send me your user names, passwords and photos of the front and back of all your credit cards, and I'll post those pictures for ya! All you had to do was ask, geeez