Fact? or dealer BS?

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joebob

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Started the process of ordering an FJC today and have been told by 2 dealers that you cannot order a standard base FJ. You must at a minimum order the base with the Convenience Package (remote entry, cruise, etc.etc.), along with the 17" alloy wheels.
True? Or is this typical BS to get the list price up?

Any insight or expeirence that you can share would be appreciated.
 
joebob said:
Started the process of ordering an FJC today and have been told by 2 dealers that you cannot order a standard base FJ. You must at a minimum order the base with the Convenience Package (remote entry, cruise, etc.etc.), along with the 17" alloy wheels.
True? Or is this typical BS to get the list price up?

Any insight or expeirence that you can share would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Fact, at least that's what every dealer I visited told me. Maybe they're all spouting the same company line, but I certainly wasn't able to order mine the way I wanted it.

-voodoo
 
Pretty sure it's BS. If they weren't optional, the packages would not be listed as such. That said, I'm guessing Toyota is making few truly "base" models because they think demand for them will be small.
 
Go online, build the one you want, then find all the dealers within like 200 or so miles and call all of them, tell them you are for sure buying this one and you want their best price, and you are willing to travel to get it, i did this for my wife's car ,it worked great, then when you find the dealership or ships that have it. play the price game. only give facts though, no bs on your part or you'll lose the deal. i did that and found it 80 miles from home at internet pricing no bs. i told the dealer if i drive down and the paperwork is not exactly how was presented over the phone i'm walking out. if they know your serious and ready to buy then you can get a good deal and the one you want, don't settle for sales BS.


Good luck ! :D
 
BS. That being said, I had a very hard time sourcing a base FJ. I finally had to settle for one with Convenience, running boards(!), and tow hitch. The dealer knocked $858 off MSRP which made the swallowing the foofy extras a little bit easier.

The black steelies look great, BTW. I was going to swap them out for some AR steel wheels but decided to save the money for other extras
 
i called is BS, but he's not lying. Toyotas website, where you can "build your own fj" basically says that they build the truck as they "see fit for the target age group".
Mine is coming base, in blue or cherry, with only the conv. package.(no running board!), and none of the other dealer options. My stand was....i dont need it, i only want it, so if you have to go back to the factory, and have me wait 'till they run one off, so be it. i can wait as long as it takes. with that, my salesman was great. he was up fron with my, telling me how hard it would be to get a really stripped down one ( black wheels) and i was up front in saying i could wait.
he was happy, i WILL be happy. all in all, just under 30k ( i got the roof rack, me and my welder and powder-coat guy are gonna play with it.)
 
I was told that to get my Manual 4x4 I HAD to "choose" option package #2 because they were no longer offering the manual 4x4 with the other choices.
 
Ordering Toyotas

Just a little inside info, a friend is GM at a Toyota dealer and I just asked him about this. About half of the Toyota dealers in the US get their inventory through Gulf States Toyota, basically a middle man with exclusive rights to sell stock to dealers. He said it is possible to get a truck bone stock (I was actually looking for a Taco for a friend), but they are hard to find, because the dealers don't spec the trucks, Gulf States does and the dealers choose from what GST orders. Guess how GST makes a lot of their money? Options markups.
Good Luck.
 
Well I am glad WA. state does not use Gulf States as the middle man.

I ordered my rig with only auto, CQ, and UP1, nothing else except for port installed items of:
hitch
rack
5 wheel locks

Dealer called me last Satruday with my VIN#, I saw my rig on the computer, it got built last Thursday, and will be on the boat this week exactly how I ordered it.
 
I was told the same story at first. Here is a step by step system that will work.

1. Tell them you can order it just the way you want it from another dealer (out of state) for $200 BELOW MSRP

2. All you are asking is for them to match the other deal, and order it locally.

3. If they will not do it, give them your number and leave. (wait for phone to ring)

4. You will have to throw away the first three offers as they will have something you do not want added to it.

5. Leave a really high deposit because the vehicle you are ordering will be "totally worthless to them and nobody on earth would want such a vehicle but you"

6. Wait 6 to 8 weeks.

Unfortunately, this is all necessary because you are up against a very well versed money making machine, and alot of the money is in the packaging, paint sealant, alarm add on, additional warranty, financing, etc. Just tell the salesman his kids would be equally happy with PB+J and you are in!
 
About 3 months ago I placed a hold on an FJ with auto and side airbags--no other options. I convinced the dealer to add alloy wheels as I prefer the look versus the black steel wheels (which I placed on ebay). I was told by the sales manager that Toyota was informing dealers that very few FJs would be produced without a convenience package. I am fortunate that I got what I wanted (took delivery 3 weeks ago) and would suggest that you ask several dealers what they can do for you. You may end up having to eat a package upgrade you do not want to get an FJ within a reasonable timeframe.
 
BS...but you'll have a long wait to get a base model.
 
Thanks for all the insight. Yes, the order went thru Gulf States and yes, the problem is due to what they are allocated and what they order to fill that allotment. It is simply a $$ thing - they make more off the upgrades and figure they will sell all they are alloted so nothing lost. I was able to get the dealer to drop the alloy wheels but I decided to keep the conv. package.
I was told 3 to 4 months unless somthing comprable became available sooner. as others posted I am fine with the wait. There'll be more options for bumpers, rockers, skids, etc. then.
 
I ordered a base model. 6speed no roof rack, nothin. Took 3 weeks to arrive. It's exactly as I ordered it. It is impossible to get a cheaper FJ.:D It has the only thing I needed. Rear locker.:D
 
TLC's website says they have an inside connection on FJ Cruisers, and they can order you one however you like, no stealership-add-ons. The downside is that you have to pay TLC a $500 fee to get this "inside deal."
 
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