Newb here, looking to become a first-time 4Runner owner. I am looking for a 4Runner with the V6, 4WD, and third row seats, preferably a Limited (because I want the leather). These are apparently rarer than gold. I am considering ordering an SR5 and having leather added - it just seems like this ought to be easier to do. I can obviously special order, but I have been told 10 weeks or, more frequently, 4 months. I would prefer not to wait that long, and frankly I don't think I should have too considering I am flexible on color and the "end result". My experience with Toyota salespersons thus far has not been good at all. They have been too lazy to look at other dealer inventories, etc. Any place I can check inventories online or find someone with some advice on how I can get this vehicle?

Mark

 

Oh yeah, I am in SoCal (Long Beach).

 

Have the local dealers do a vehicle search nationwide. They're able to do that if they really want your business.

Otherwise, you'd have to special order and wait years

 

That's exactly my problem - they don't seem to want to run a nationwide search or they tell me none exist - in all of the United States. I find it hard to believe, and it is reflecting poorly on what I thought was a good car company. Any other suggestions would be appreciated!

 

Well I know that the software they use is called "Vincent" which checks for vehicle availability by region (also does nationwide search). I purchased my 4runner at Elmore Toyota from their Internet Department. You might want to email them and see if they can find something for ya.

Can't say they're the best but they were pretty good locating my 4runner.

Worst case, just start emailing all the dealers online and see who is willing to work with you. You can purchase a 4runner out of state btw so you can look outside CA.

If the dealer really wants your business, they'll do whatever it takes to get your business. Most of these are the smaller dealerships that don't get the volume sales like a "Longo Toyota" would get.

Good Luck!

 

Use a different dealer if they don't want your business for goodness sakes. Good luck finding what you're looking for.

 

Not sure about the "too lazy" part..... Longo Totota appears to have a Gold and a Silver Limited V-6 as the first two of their 114 4Runner on-line listings. Carson Toyota has 2 SR5's of their 53 4Runner listings. They also can check to see what is being shipped to them. Dont forget it is close to if not the end of 04 production runs in Japan.
"Dealer Locater" at Toyota.com will get you more Dealers.