Prices...buy now or wait?

What are your predictions on the 4r market? With the 6th generation on the way do you think dealers will be marking prices down to move them towards the end of the year? Most people on this forum probably like the idea of a simple reliably 4R, myself included. So I want a 5th gen, but I'm thinking the general public is going to want the new 6th gen.

I see Honda and Toyota still don't have a lot of inventory compared to other manufacturers. I'm sure that could play a factor too.

I don't need to buy anything, this is just a want. Just wondering if I might be able to save myself some money by waiting.

 

If I can get the winning numbers I'm just buying right now!

 

It could go either way. Flip a coin.

Heads: Everyone runs to get the last of what may likely be the best-ever 4Runner of all time, the 5th Gen.

Tails: The 6th Gen is a strong enough offering that we all jump in line to get one.

But, either way, one thing is for sure: you won’t see large inventories of 5th Gens to choose from and I’d seriously doubt prices will be any lower than they are now.

Bottom line: If you find a 5th Gen in the color and package you like, you’d better grab it. When they’re gone, they’re gone. You’ll have years to find a 6th Gen.

 

On one hand the economy is not so great and auto sales are down. I was able to get my 4Runner Limited @MSRP in 3 weeks after putting down the deposit (someone cancelled preorder).

On other hand a lot depends on what 6th Gen is going to be. To me, it does not look good. Turbos. Electronics galore.

 

I bought mine because I’ve always wanted one and I finally got the chance to buy one. I don’t like how newer vehicles are either turbocharged with a smaller displacement engine, or have cylinder deactivation, or have auto start/stop. I like that the 5th gen is a naturally aspirated V6 with none of that stuff and has a reputation for bulletproof reliability. I’ve had mine since October 2023 and I still smile when I get behind the wheel and drive it.

 

We don’t know if it’s on the way. It’s all speculation. Nothing is official from Toyota. If you wanna buy, buy 5th gen now. If you wanna wait you will potentially wait for 1/2 years maybe more. And you will pay “market adjustment” or may not get the trim or color you want etc. also first MY, even with Toyota, is bound to have some headaches.

I pulled the trigger last year and am happy with the decision.

 

Shop around. I got $4500 discount off my new 23' TRD OR premium. Nor Cal.

 

I don't think that 5th gen prices will ever noticeably drop unless gas prices will go through the roof due Middle East wars or Green Agenda. If I were looking for a new 4Runner I would probably bought it now since prices only go up and I'm not sure if I will like 6th gen as much as I like 5th gen : )

 

I purchased my ORP in Sept with a $3300 discount off MSRP - same dealer is still offering similar discounts on 2024 models (I think if veh has been on lot for a week or more it can be discounted?) - shop around

 

In the US, 3rd gen Tacomas still on the lots today can be found discounted $4k-6k below MSRP in some regions. Bear in mind these are 2023 models being sold in 2024; the minute you drive one off the lot, it's "a year old" in terms of residual value.

Going by the same pattern, waiting until 2025 will get you deals on the leftover 2024 4Runners, if you're willing to compromise on the color/trim.

 

I agree with you that the average buyer will want the all new 6th gen but Toyota seems to have a better handle on regulating supply very close to demand and it will be very slim pickings or none at all when the 6th gen arrives. I bought mine because it had no turbo and no electronic gadgets as my previous vehicle was a Nissan Murano AWD platinum with every gadget they made. It cost me almost 5 grand just out of warranty over about 13 months to fix these things. Some folks won’t buy a vehicle without the gadgets but in my opinion you get used to what you have and I don’t miss any of them except the remote start but will add it when it annoys me enough.

 

Any price difference or discount will be under 5k. The risk of not getting exactly what you want vs saving 5k is what you're weighing out.

If you're willing to buy used you might get lucky with someone wanting the latest model. One idiot traded in a 2021 with 10k miles for a 2022 just because he wanted blind spot monitors.

 

Personally, I think the 6th gen is going to be a let down. 1) A tiny 4 banger? Seriously? Turbo not withstanding. I’ll keep my bullet proof 4.0 V-6 and its associated bullet proof 5 speed trans thank you very much. I am not a hot rodder, that 4.0 suits me just fine. 2) It’s probably going to be way too pricey. 3) It MIGHT be getting built in Mexico. No thanks. I love the thought of my ‘22 model coming out of Japan. 4) It runs the risk of becoming less reliable than the 5th gen.

But, who am I? I’m just a 68 year old dinosaur, old school all the way. A perfect match for my old school dinosaur 5th gen.

 

Buy now, the 6th gen has a stinking turbo. Plenty of turbos in the future, but this diesel sounding 4.0L V6 will be no more.

 

Some dealers will want to move the 2024s once the 6th gen hits the market and could discount them; other dealers will realize the value of the last of the 5th gen and mark them up. Just depends on a person in charge.

 

Just to be clear, I have zero interest on a 6th gen. Just wondering if I'll be able to get a better deal on a 5th gen if a wait till the 6th gen is on the way.

 

Previous generations still hang onto their value so I would not expect a 5th gen fire sale unless gas prices moon but by that point we may have other concerns.

Folks have economy concerns but you can’t time that, it could even keep puttering along just fine (line goes up) but also personal situation varies.

(what’s that from wallstreetbets? “the market can stay irrational longer than you can stay solvent”?)

If you aren’t in a rush you can always wait and see unless you specifically prefer new. Maybe you aren’t as averse to more modern trappings but if the new Land Cruiser is anything to go off of, I’d have concerns about packaging.

But if the 5th gen ticks all your boxes, you would be happy even if the 6th gen lays golden eggs, the price is fair and you want to buy now, then go ahead.

Edit: I see the post above, in which case, it’s hard to predict what other folks will do. Will there be a rush for the last new 5ths? Will we see the 6th and think “not a bad compromise!”? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

can we not politicize every discussion? pls. stick to what OP asked.

 

Your sentiments mirrored mine to a tee! I'm so glad I finally had the opportunity to get one and couldn't be happier!

On a side note, I've always been a Tacoma fan too. I don't like what they did to the 2024 Tacoma (and Tundra & Sequoia) so my fear was it would be more of the same for the 2025 4R. It was time to pull the trigger before it was spoiled forever.

 

I don't know if tacoma, sequoia, or tundra were ever manufactured in japan? There is talk of 6th gen moving to mexico, which in my mind would be a regression.

 

Yet one more reason to buy now!!!

 

I purchased mine back during the holidays. The fact that Toyota had ZERO incentives on the 4R for Toyotathon, at least in my area, told me all I needed to know. Sales guy even alluded to it. Got a decent discount of about $2900 but they had what I wanted.

 

As far as the original question, I decided to buy now. I just picked up a 24 ORP at $2,500 under sticker price. I waited about two months for a Solar Octane to arrive, otherwise I maybe could have saved more on a white 23 leftover on the lot. I really wanted my color and year.

Honestly I think this is the lowest 4Runner prices will be. Tax refund season and spring weather is around the corner. Also possibly lower interest rates. Right now is the time, unless the economy really tanks.

As soon as Toyota announces pricing on the 6th gen it will be a scramble for the current year. I originally was waiting for a Solar Octane 2024 Tacoma ORP until I learned I’d be looking at close to $56k. No way I’ll pay that for a new model 4 cyl made in Mexico.

I have a suspicion the new 4R will also be made in Mexico. Japan production will shift to the new LC 250 to increase volume. Higher margins. If that happens, leftover Gen5s will be back to MSRP.

 

In our area (Arizona) the SR5’s are abundant. The TRD’s (OffRoad, OffRoad Premium, Pro) are either presold or sold in a couple of days. I think people are seeking these out because of the tried and true power plant and drive train rather than be the test group for the 6th generation versions. This is based on my recent experience of purchasing a 2024 ORP. We bought a 5th Gen rather than wait for the 6th gen. Hope this data is helpful. Have a great day!

 

I generally advise against buying the first year of a new release. So anyone considering buying a gen6 would be wise to wait 2-3 years to allow Toyota to fix new bugs. My advise would be to buy now or wait a few years.

 

If you decide on any trim, except for the Pro, you won’t find better deals later in the year. Probably the same deals but with limited inventory. There are a lot of dealers selling at invoice right now, you just have to be willing to travel.

 

We decided to buy now as we just got tired of waiting for the 6th gen, unlike a lot on here I was looking forward to what the new 6th gen has to offer. I have been buying Toyota's since 93' and they have always been high quality, well except for my v6 head gasket in that 93'. But saying that why is everybody assuming the 4 banger turbo's will be crap, this is a Toyota? We do have a Ford Bronco 4 banger turbo with 10 spd auto and it's great to drive very smooth and gets 20+MPG with 35's I can only think Toyota will do a much better job than Ford and make this platform high quality.

 

Ford has had issues with their turbo V6s in the full size Bronco and that's another reason I looked at the 4Runner. I liked the look of the Bronco though. Toyota had some issues with the turbo V6s in the new Tundra as well when they first came out.

 

if the question is, buy now or wait - Have you owned or do you own a 5th gen? If so, then you know what you are in it for, and those reasons are likely worth buying for while you can. If not, and you are in it for the idea of one, toss a coin.

 

I'm not comparing Ford to Toyota as personally I think Ford is crap! Simply saying the 4 cylinder turbo is nice to drive and that Toyota should only do a better job than Ford. The Tundra had some throttle body issues and I'm sure the new Taco and 6th gen will have issues but once they get it dialed in they should be solid reliable platforms.