What did you have to do to reserve/claim your 4runner at the dealer?

[aspenpowell]

I had to put down a non-refundable deposit of $1K. I did not have to, nor did I, use Toyota financing. I got mine at Daytona, FL Toyota. I agreed to a price over the phone on a Thursday and I picked it up the following Wednesday. The 4Runner actually arrived at the dealer two days after our agreement. I was very fortunate.

(My question refers to US dealerships) What all did you have to fill out and/or sign when you reserved your 4runner? I think this might vary by dealer (and possibly by state) but I'm not sure.

How much was your deposit and is it refundable?

Were you forced to accept use of Toyota financing and fill out a loan application?

Was there a signed agreement on out-the-door price?

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[Gen6Guy]

In Nj, put a deposit down on the allocated 4runner and wait.

Thanks for all the replies. I asked because a dealer told me their reservation process involves a non-refundable deposit and you must fill out a credit application, and provide a few identity verification things. I wanted to see if that was typical. Sounds like that is beyond what most dealers do.

Fair on the credit app, but if any dealership that said the deposit wasn’t refundable RUN. Plenty of dealership around that will sell you a car.

 

[Chicane]

In Nj, put a deposit down on the allocated 4runner and wait.


Fair on the credit app, but if any dealership that said the deposit wasn’t refundable RUN. Plenty of dealership around that will sell you a car.

Yep, if a dealer says non refundable, they are liars and scammers. I put down $0 to reserve my 4Runner.

 

[TrdProGirl84]

I had to put down $1,000. I also didn’t get mine in my State.

 

[get.outside.75]

$250 deposit at a mountain town dealer in VA for an Iforce Max limited.. They initially said no out of state holds but changed the policy. Very easy to work with and they even added and deleted some port installed options for me. Should be in port this weekend and hopefully on way to dealer the following weekend.
I’ll be driving about 3.5hrs to get it but saving $2k by not getting a car that is coming through Southeast Toyota and all their BS add on’s. My PIO are exactly what I want.

 

[Kjsturgeon]

We didn’t actually reserve one…there just happen to be one in transit to our dealership that we wanted so we just bought it enroute.

 

[EL616]

Tennessee/North Georgia -- I called probably 20 different dealerships looking for an ORP with the color and features I did and didn't want. Deposits ranged from $500 to $1500 (all refundable) and a few didn't require any deposit at all. A few did have mandatory dealer add-on packages like PPF, window tint, additional warranties, Pelican coolers, etc... I did not go with a dealer who tried to force that crap on me. Ended up finding exactly what I wanted already on the lot, no markup or dealer add-ons... put down $1000 and picked it up next day.

 

[ugahairydawgs]

No deposit required. Local dealer set aside the allocation for me with no cost. Heyward Allen Toyota in Athens, GA.

 

[coloradomarmot]

I lucked out, a local dealer had a mud bath arrive without being pre sold, so no reservation, just got the call and bought it. Crazy, I know, right? I should have bought a lottery ticket the same day!

 

[Tarekith]

I used the allocations spreadsheet here to find the color and trim I wanted in my state. Saw it was still being built and called the dealership it was allocated to so they would hold it for me. $1000 down, but it was refundable if I changed my mind.

 

[shine]

Seems to be very different from dealer to dealer. Beaverton Toyota (OR) said the one I want is not available but would be happy to sell me one with thousands of dealer add-ons. They also required me to come in to the dealership to put a deposit down. Oh, and the one I want still show as available weeks later.

Toyota of Bellevue (WA) said they can take a deposit for a future vehicle, but require customers to get $3,699 worth of "protection" for the trim I want.

Doxon Toyota (Auburn, WA) was happy to take a $1k refundable deposit for a future vehicle at MSRP with no required accessories or dealer extras. Purchased another hard to find Toyota from them last year and was very happy with how they treated us. So, I'm first on the list for my trim at Doxon.

 

[Nodak]

dealer requires $1000 non refundable deposit but the benefit is you get invoice pricing. otherwise you can pay msrp if you want a non deposit vehicle.

we dont have many toyota dealers to choose (maybe 6 total in the whole state) from and no one else in the state will give me invoice pricing regardless without hassle or the run around.

so i tend to be patient and only serious when i buy from them. also saves the hassle with the dealer that only serious people want a vehicle. they are very transparent in the whole process so it works out for both of us.

we have bough like 15+ toyota's from them so we both know the process and i have been given invoice every time and i am happy to drop $1000 non refundable when i know i will get invoice without any kickback from the dealer.

i rather take my time and save the hassle and know i will be saving anywhere from 5% to 10% of the msrp while everyone else is fighting to even get msrp.

right now the 25 4R plat that is supposed to be built today is listed msrp at $67,843 is being sold to me at $63,114 saving me roughly $4700 and that doesn't include my $1000 deposit or trade in.

 

[JayTech]

I know you are asking about US dealers, but thought I would share my experience in Canada. I had to apply for a credit application through the dealer to reserve my order, but, having talked to them, that is just to show I have the credit to buy the vehicle. Once the vehicle arrives, I can still pay cash in full, use a credit union, or bank of choice. Its just a process to make sure I can afford the vehicle before they order me one.

I also do not know if this is specific to the dealer I am buying from, or if its because I work here, but I did not have to place a deposit on the vehicle(Though I do get below invoice because I am an employee)

 

[shine]

dealer requires $1000 non refundable deposit but the benefit is you get invoice pricing. otherwise you can pay msrp if you want a non deposit vehicle.

That sounds like a good deal, which dealer is that?

 

[Nodak]

That sounds like a good deal, which dealer is that?

minot, but they have a rule they dont sell to anyone outside a roughly 100 mile radius. but i am not sure they still follow that rule since the dealership changed hands back in 2023.

i know the previous owner didnt but not sure of the new/old owner (its a long story how is used to belong to a automotive group then sold to an individual then sold back to the group)

also be mindful, this dealer is not an exclusive toyota dealer, so their allocation fulfillment is consdered 2nd/3rd tier.

toyota allocates new vehicles to toyota exclusive dealers first, then to high volume dealers, then to regular dealers then non exclusive dealers last.

hence the long lead time on getting my 4R.

our 23 tundra took 10 months to get (it was originally a 22 tundra), and at this rate, i will be at least 11 months waiting for this 25 4R.

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