So at age 36 I'm about to buy my first vehicle. I've been carless for a decade. I did purchase a Nissan Maxima for 6k in college and before that just a string of lemons and shitboxes...so I won't count those.

Needless to say, I'm rather pumped about it. 

Right now I'm just researching/browsing and crunching numbers. 

I'm looking to purchase a 2020 4Runner. Trim level depends on what the final payment will be after down payment and TTL. I could be swayed to go older, but 2020 has Carplay and I don't want to have to deal with adding that immediately after purchasing.

Main question is, anyone deal with a car broker? I have a guy who was highly recommended. It seems like with enough time he can find me exactly what I want, down to the color and trim level. I've never dealt with dealers, but a broker seems to alleviate all the BS and get you the best price possible....at least that's what he claims.

Only rub is...he requires a $500 deposit. Worth it to have a catered buying experience and not fuck with dealerships?

Thoughts?

Ever give thought to leasing?

No. I want to own this truck, mod it, and run it into the ground. 

The main reason I want a 4runner is due to it's reliability. 

posted by Automatik

So at age 36 I'm about to buy my first vehicle. I've been carless for a decade. I did purchase a Nissan Maxima for 6k in college and before that just a string of lemons and shitboxes...so I won't count those.

Needless to say, I'm rather pumped about it. 

Right now I'm just researching/browsing and crunching numbers. 

I'm looking to purchase a 2020 4Runner. Trim level depends on what the final payment will be after down payment and TTL. I could be swayed to go older, but 2020 has Carplay and I don't want to have to deal with adding that immediately after purchasing.

Main question is, anyone deal with a car broker? I have a guy who was highly recommended. It seems like with enough time he can find me exactly what I want, down to the color and trim level. I've never dealt with dealers, but a broker seems to alleviate all the BS and get you the best price possible....at least that's what he claims.

Only rub is...he requires a $500 deposit. Worth it to have a catered buying experience and not fuck with dealerships?

Thoughts?

I wouldn’t. If you have the funds needed you can control the situation and cut the crap out.

4 Runner solid investment that is also a good looking SUV

posted by Automatik

No. I want to own this truck, mod it, and run it into the ground. 

The main reason I want a 4runner is due to it's reliability. 

Never heard of a broker, but a quick google search says it could be promising. I don't know if you even have close dealerships in NYC. Is his fee the $500?

Can't go wrong with a 4Runner, I have a Tacoma and love it. 

Take a look at CPO (certified pre-owned).  You'll find some 1-yr leases that were turned in, or corporate leases turned in early, or dealer loaners.  They go thru a very extensive inspection, so you kind of get the best of both worlds - highly reliable almost new vehicle that doesn't depreciate 20% the second you drive it off the lot.

posted by gut

Take a look at CPO (certified pre-owned).  You'll find some 1-yr leases that were turned in, or corporate leases turned in early, or dealer loaners.  They go thru a very extensive inspection, so you kind of get the best of both worlds - highly reliable almost new vehicle that doesn't depreciate 20% the second you drive it off the lot.

I’ve never worried about depreciation with a Toyota or Honda

posted by gut

Take a look at CPO (certified pre-owned).  You'll find some 1-yr leases that were turned in, or corporate leases turned in early, or dealer loaners.  They go thru a very extensive inspection, so you kind of get the best of both worlds - highly reliable almost new vehicle that doesn't depreciate 20% the second you drive it off the lot.

I saw a few of these pop up, most are the base model though. 

I'm buying in Denver, moving there in a month. I have a friend who runs a Goosehead branch there and he referred the broker when we discussed insurance rates. 

Regarding the $500 deposit, I think that's just the fee for him to start moving on the search. He mentioned he gets paid by the dealer additionally. 

I kinda want to go the broker route just to streamline the process. The prices I'm seeing vary. 

I'll see some in the trim I want for 36k, same one at another dealer for 42k. I had a friend from San Diego just purchase a 2021 Off Road Premium for 38k before TTL...solid deal. Ideally that's the trim I want if the price is right.

posted by Ironman92

I’ve never worried about depreciation with a Toyota or Honda

Another reason I'm going 4runner.

It's crazy how they hold value, even with 200k miles. 

I have done quite a bit of off roading in a 4Runner and handled very well.

Decide on the vehicle you want.

Agree to a purchase price (if you can).

Have the dealer's finance guy shop for a bank rate for you.  Once you get the rate you can live with, then  tell them the term you want (have your own calculator for that working).

DO NOT FALL PREY TO THE "TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO PAY A MONTH" BULLSHIT TRAP!!

CONTROL THIS PART OF THE PROCESS, OR WALK OUT.

So you’re saying screw the broker?

Obviously it comes down to the final price. I already have a good idea of my loan rate, sales tax and monthly payment range. I’ve been calculating a lot.

I have a decent amount of time to figure this out. Actual purchase won’t be until April. Just deciding if I want to lock in this broker for $500 and let him do the work. 

posted by thavoice

I have done quite a bit of off roading in a 4Runner and handled very well.

What trim? 

One thing that kinda puts me off is only 270hp. But I can deal with that considering the rock solid reliability.

I don’t really plan to off-road, but I do want a trim that allows it if I want. Mostly will be used for snowboarding days and road trips. 

posted by Automatik

I saw a few of these pop up, most are the base model though. 

I'm buying in Denver, moving there in a month. I have a friend who runs a Goosehead branch there and he referred the broker when we discussed insurance rates. 

Regarding the $500 deposit, I think that's just the fee for him to start moving on the search. He mentioned he gets paid by the dealer additionally. 

I kinda want to go the broker route just to streamline the process. The prices I'm seeing vary. 

I'll see some in the trim I want for 36k, same one at another dealer for 42k. I had a friend from San Diego just purchase a 2021 Off Road Premium for 38k before TTL...solid deal. Ideally that's the trim I want if the price is right.

You know what you want it sounds. Don’t settle for less.

posted by QuakerOats

Decide on the vehicle you want.

Agree to a purchase price (if you can).

Have the dealer's finance guy shop for a bank rate for you.  Once you get the rate you can live with, then  tell them the term you want (have your own calculator for that working).

DO NOT FALL PREY TO THE "TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO PAY A MONTH" BULLSHIT TRAP!!

CONTROL THIS PART OF THE PROCESS, OR WALK OUT.

The pay per month bullshit is so damn insulting. 

Spoke to the broker again this AM. Something worth mentioning, he has access to inventory before they hit dealers. 

The more I think about it, the more I'm leaning towards using him. He says over and over that he can get the best price possible. 

This is the exact year, trim color and price I'm aiming for.

I'd prefer to get the Off Road Premium (better sound and fake leather seats), but I'm cool with the regular Off Road.

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/mySavedListings.action?pid=sl_navbar#listing=290913198

posted by Automatik

Spoke to the broker again this AM. Something worth mentioning, he has access to inventory before they hit dealers. 

The more I think about it, the more I'm leaning towards using him. He says over and over that he can get the best price possible. 

This is the exact year, trim color and price I'm aiming for.

I'd prefer to get the Off Road Premium (better sound and fake leather seats), but I'm cool with the regular Off Road.

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/mySavedListings.action?pid=sl_navbar#listing=290913198

Not my color choice but it’s your car! Toyota’s usually don’t go real exciting on the inside but everything is lock down well done.

You’ll be tired of it and you’ll still have 5 or more years of life with it.

Enjoy

I'm flexible on the color. 

I'd go that dark grey, black, red, white. 

Black is my fav, but tough to keep clean. Only one I'm really against is your typical silver. It's way too common. 

Growing up my parents owned a dealership. Brokers usually save you less then they charge if your a good at standing your ground. They may save you the same price they charge. They will know pretty much exactly how low a dealer can go and get that price. Let’s say they save you $400 but charged you $500. You paid an extra $100 but they also did all the leg work for you and to some people who get stressed out about the process or time it takes it’s worth it. 

I guess I would say I wouldn’t go into thinking their going to save you a ton of money but that your paying to not have to deal with the process 

posted by Automatik

I'm flexible on the color. 

I'd go that dark grey, black, red, white. 

Black is my fav, but tough to keep clean. Only one I'm really against is your typical silver. It's way too common. 

I’ve had several black....look great clean but shows everything. White looks clean easily but holy hell once you start cleaning them you see everything and hate your life. The charcoal grey cleans up good and looks better on this than most other vehicles.

I like the burgundy if they have it....really pops 

Barcelona red is pretty hot. The more I look at it the more I like it. 

The colors offered in this trim are rather basic. You don't get the cool ones unless you go TRD Pro...army green, desert sand. 

posted by Automatik

Barcelona red is pretty hot. The more I look at it the more I like it. 

The colors offered in this trim are rather basic. You don't get the cool ones unless you go TRD Pro...army green, desert sand. 

Has some standout power for sure. Pretty sharp

The Army Green is slick. The hybrid RAV4 are pretty awesome to. My wife almost got one but ultimately went with a lexus

posted by Automatik

What trim? 

One thing that kinda puts me off is only 270hp. But I can deal with that considering the rock solid reliability.

I don’t really plan to off-road, but I do want a trim that allows it if I want. Mostly will be used for snowboarding days and road trips. 

I have no idea really.  Whatever one I got assigned on any given day.

Ahh so like a rented day tour or something? That would be fun. I've haven't done any legit offroading in a truck/SUV. 

Also, most likely going with the broker. I'm annoyed with the search already. Prices are all over the place and 90% of the ones I find in my budget are from rental fleets.  I'm not totally against that, but would like to avoid if I could. 

Update: Broker is deployed. I should have the truck in 1-3 weeks. Splurged for a 2021, in Magnetic Gray Metallic. 

I was really considering Tacoma. But the inside space is tight, especially for 4 adults.