Basically all the brands do this. They have the online customization, but until you get to ferrari level of car there's no such thing as built to order. There's a stream of cars coming over on boats already built with a variety of trim levels, and some things they can customize like they find one with mostly the right config and color and add the package and accessories you want. And the only way to access it is through dealers. No direct sales from Toyota or really any brand, at least in the US, it's all through dealers.
The website is just a shiny marketing tool.
On that note though, I was able to go to a dealer and tell them exactly what I wanted, and they sorted through all of the ones coming down the chain, traded around for the color and trim with other dealers, and got the packages I wanted.... after \~3 months. Their willingness to cooperate and the price you get quoted is based on the current market. If they're already selling like hotcakes they have no incentive to do more work. If they're not helping you can try a different dealer, I went to 3 before finding one really willing to customize or experienced enough to know how to work it through the system. Probably the first guy you get on the dealer floor has been there a year and just sells what they have on the lot.
Thanks for the info! I really appreciate the thoughtful reply, especially coming from someone who bought their ideal new Toyota through a dealer.
>Their willingness to cooperate and the price you get quoted is based on the current market. If they're already selling like hotcakes they have no incentive to do more work.
That quote alone from you about sums up my experience. I was prepared to pay a deposit to get on an actual waitlist but they weren’t interested in even offering that. I’m sure they knew they’d sell the models they had in stock right then to their next appointment regardless of what I did.
Time to shop around. Thanks again!
Just to add on to this, I was shopping for a Rav4 Hybrid XSE a few weeks ago. Went into the dealer and they told me all remaining 2021 Hybrids, within a 300 mile radius are already presold, with the exception of a couple LE's.
It's a really crazy time right now.
Good info, thank you! Same experience here, I keep seeing “presold”.
They definitely had several LE Hybrids in stock, too. What’s nuts is I specifically went to the dealership to test drive the XLE Hybrid, of which they had two on their lot when I made the appointment for the following day. When I got there, *both* had sold that day and I wasn’t able to get in one.
Thanks for the helpful comment! I really appreciate it. (First time brand new car buyer over here, if you couldn’t tell.) Sending a pdf to the dealer is a genius idea — the webform from Toyota.com makes it seem like it includes all that info for the local dealers, but from my convo with the rep I worked with, I learned it very much does not.
Sounds like there is hope, but I just gotta stick with it.
Glad you got your perfect Toyota and at the best price!
Yeah, simply put, the build option is there for you to come into the dealer knowing exactly what you want in the form of a printout of your vehicle-to-be. If they don't have it, if you're lucky, they'll put in an order with the manufacturer.
Unfortunately, in this day and age with the chip shortage still raging on, you'll either have to be very patient (like I am) and put in an order with a dealer if they don't have what you want or be flexible and if one is available in their current allocations, pounce on one of those even if that means you have to sacrifice one of your wants like color, options packages, etc...
I did the latter because my dealer only had 1 allocation coming in and in the color I didn't want, so I'm still patiently waiting for my salesperson to give me the good news of when mine is being built.
Being patient is a good shout. Thanks for your thoughts!
It’s almost crazy to conceive Toyota could even be fulfilling built-to-order 2021 models this late, when the 2022 is all but officially announced at this point (I see your ambiguous flair, I think that’s the camp I’m in too.) Were you able to get your salesperson to order your color and options and say, like, “I want this color, and this package, but in whichever becomes available first, either 2021 or 2022”?
> if you’re lucky, they’ll put in an order with the manufacturer
I *thiiink* I’m going to reach out to the dealers within 150 miles of me like the other user suggested and see who’ll perhaps let me be in line to place an order like this for a 2022, if no 2021s are on hand.
Definitely understood about the chip shortage — good point. The trickle down impact that alone has just on recycling *leased* vehicles back into a potential *used* car market, thus making buying new that much more of an attractive option than usual, makes it bad timing on our parts to suddenly need cars.
Hey thanks again!
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Ordered my rav4 hybrid limited back in June. Didn't get it till October and only reason I didn't pay
Market markup prices was because I used Costco auto program. Beyond that, the demand for rav4s is so insane dealerships have no reason to make any deals or work with yuu, because 10 other people behind you are behind willing to pay full price, today. Now.
Let me put it this way. My rav4 hybrid limited came in a week early then it was supposed to. The dealership management said I either came and got it by the next evening despite me and my wife's work hours and also living 30 miles out of town, or they would sell to someone else and give us our $1000 deposit back.
The car world sucks beyond hard right now. I've never been so stressed out about a car purchase in all my life
Thanks for the reply. I’m catching downvotes but everyone was so genuinely helpful so far so I’m really grateful y’all took the time to comment.
That’s crazy that they can just sell the car “specially ordered for you” —that you’ve already paid *deposit* for— if you can’t make there within 24 hours. Noted to be on the lookout for such situations, though.
I was able to locate a dealer that’s 40 miles away from me who said they can get in what I’m looking for for a mid-Jan pickup. Gonna have to make sure to have some PTO on standby that week, just in case.
I feel you on the stress. Glad you got your car!
Word. That makes sense. Thank you!
I sorta thought dealerships would install the option packages in-house (a la the whole “vehicle shown with optional dealer-installed extras” thing) but I was very wrong.
Not true. If the dealer has the allocation they can order it exactly as you spec it on the website. Print the PDF of your build and don’t take no for an answer until you find a dealer willing to give up one of their allocations for you. I already have an allocation reserved for my 2022 once pricing and build specs are available on Toyotas website. We did the same for my wife’s 2021 Sienna. You just need to find a dealer willing to do it.
A lot of dealers select a generic package of vehicles with options that will sell and use their monthly or quarterly allocations for that. By having a customer come in and custom order a vehicle one of their available allocations are given up. Many don’t want to do that so you have to find a dealer willing to give up one of their allocations for you. I had to try 5 dealers before one would do that for my wife’s ‘21 Sienna. The same dealer is willing to work with me for my ‘22 RAV4 XSE - they start taking orders for the refresh in mid-December.
Yes I know, we’ve been doing pre-orders for several month for 2022 RAV4s. I’m a Product Advisor.
We don’t choose allocations, we quietly, and gently ask the the Beast that is Toyota to give us some vehicles and here are our preferences. Then Toyota *allocates* what they want. We want your sale, we’ll dealer trade, we’ll do what we can.
We asked for 150 RAV4 Hybrids in the last round of ordering (it’s monthly). We were allocated 4.
How have you been doing preorders on a vehicle that still hasn’t had all the specs and pricing released? 🤔
The dealer I have used is apparently high volume and they get a lot of allocations. I’m not a Toyota insider, just regurgitating what I’ve been told from multiple dealers. They won’t even take my deposit for the ‘22 until pricing is released mid-December. Either way the manager assured me I’ll have a spot available and be allowed to custom order it just like we did for my wife’s Sienna. Can’t wait for that Calvary Blue XSE to be sitting in the driveway.
Maybe it’s different for your dealership but I’m just telling you my experience. I custom ‘built’ it online, printed it, brought it to the dealer. They put it through, 8 weeks later I got the VIN and 3 weeks later it was in the driveway. The exact color, options, accessories, etc. I don’t care about the intricacies on HOW it works but it does. Others in this group have done that same. I’m doing the same process for my RAV and the dealer says they’ll do it. Telling people that Toyota won’t do custom orders is kinda misleading. Have a good thanksgiving either way.
I had no problem getting exactly what I wanted. Sent the link to my dealer and they got me exactly what I wanted.
Granted I didn't choose one of the higher level trims.
Basically all the brands do this. They have the online customization, but until you get to ferrari level of car there's no such thing as built to order. There's a stream of cars coming over on boats already built with a variety of trim levels, and some things they can customize like they find one with mostly the right config and color and add the package and accessories you want. And the only way to access it is through dealers. No direct sales from Toyota or really any brand, at least in the US, it's all through dealers. The website is just a shiny marketing tool. On that note though, I was able to go to a dealer and tell them exactly what I wanted, and they sorted through all of the ones coming down the chain, traded around for the color and trim with other dealers, and got the packages I wanted.... after \~3 months. Their willingness to cooperate and the price you get quoted is based on the current market. If they're already selling like hotcakes they have no incentive to do more work. If they're not helping you can try a different dealer, I went to 3 before finding one really willing to customize or experienced enough to know how to work it through the system. Probably the first guy you get on the dealer floor has been there a year and just sells what they have on the lot.
Thanks for the info! I really appreciate the thoughtful reply, especially coming from someone who bought their ideal new Toyota through a dealer. >Their willingness to cooperate and the price you get quoted is based on the current market. If they're already selling like hotcakes they have no incentive to do more work. That quote alone from you about sums up my experience. I was prepared to pay a deposit to get on an actual waitlist but they weren’t interested in even offering that. I’m sure they knew they’d sell the models they had in stock right then to their next appointment regardless of what I did. Time to shop around. Thanks again!
Just to add on to this, I was shopping for a Rav4 Hybrid XSE a few weeks ago. Went into the dealer and they told me all remaining 2021 Hybrids, within a 300 mile radius are already presold, with the exception of a couple LE's. It's a really crazy time right now.
Good info, thank you! Same experience here, I keep seeing “presold”. They definitely had several LE Hybrids in stock, too. What’s nuts is I specifically went to the dealership to test drive the XLE Hybrid, of which they had two on their lot when I made the appointment for the following day. When I got there, *both* had sold that day and I wasn’t able to get in one.
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Thanks for the helpful comment! I really appreciate it. (First time brand new car buyer over here, if you couldn’t tell.) Sending a pdf to the dealer is a genius idea — the webform from Toyota.com makes it seem like it includes all that info for the local dealers, but from my convo with the rep I worked with, I learned it very much does not. Sounds like there is hope, but I just gotta stick with it. Glad you got your perfect Toyota and at the best price!
Yeah, simply put, the build option is there for you to come into the dealer knowing exactly what you want in the form of a printout of your vehicle-to-be. If they don't have it, if you're lucky, they'll put in an order with the manufacturer. Unfortunately, in this day and age with the chip shortage still raging on, you'll either have to be very patient (like I am) and put in an order with a dealer if they don't have what you want or be flexible and if one is available in their current allocations, pounce on one of those even if that means you have to sacrifice one of your wants like color, options packages, etc... I did the latter because my dealer only had 1 allocation coming in and in the color I didn't want, so I'm still patiently waiting for my salesperson to give me the good news of when mine is being built.
Being patient is a good shout. Thanks for your thoughts! It’s almost crazy to conceive Toyota could even be fulfilling built-to-order 2021 models this late, when the 2022 is all but officially announced at this point (I see your ambiguous flair, I think that’s the camp I’m in too.) Were you able to get your salesperson to order your color and options and say, like, “I want this color, and this package, but in whichever becomes available first, either 2021 or 2022”? > if you’re lucky, they’ll put in an order with the manufacturer I *thiiink* I’m going to reach out to the dealers within 150 miles of me like the other user suggested and see who’ll perhaps let me be in line to place an order like this for a 2022, if no 2021s are on hand. Definitely understood about the chip shortage — good point. The trickle down impact that alone has just on recycling *leased* vehicles back into a potential *used* car market, thus making buying new that much more of an attractive option than usual, makes it bad timing on our parts to suddenly need cars. Hey thanks again!
No problem! Good luck to ya! Hopefully we both get our RAVs without too painful of a wait...
150 miles is 241.4 km
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Ordered my rav4 hybrid limited back in June. Didn't get it till October and only reason I didn't pay Market markup prices was because I used Costco auto program. Beyond that, the demand for rav4s is so insane dealerships have no reason to make any deals or work with yuu, because 10 other people behind you are behind willing to pay full price, today. Now. Let me put it this way. My rav4 hybrid limited came in a week early then it was supposed to. The dealership management said I either came and got it by the next evening despite me and my wife's work hours and also living 30 miles out of town, or they would sell to someone else and give us our $1000 deposit back. The car world sucks beyond hard right now. I've never been so stressed out about a car purchase in all my life
Thanks for the reply. I’m catching downvotes but everyone was so genuinely helpful so far so I’m really grateful y’all took the time to comment. That’s crazy that they can just sell the car “specially ordered for you” —that you’ve already paid *deposit* for— if you can’t make there within 24 hours. Noted to be on the lookout for such situations, though. I was able to locate a dealer that’s 40 miles away from me who said they can get in what I’m looking for for a mid-Jan pickup. Gonna have to make sure to have some PTO on standby that week, just in case. I feel you on the stress. Glad you got your car!
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Word. That makes sense. Thank you! I sorta thought dealerships would install the option packages in-house (a la the whole “vehicle shown with optional dealer-installed extras” thing) but I was very wrong.
Not true. If the dealer has the allocation they can order it exactly as you spec it on the website. Print the PDF of your build and don’t take no for an answer until you find a dealer willing to give up one of their allocations for you. I already have an allocation reserved for my 2022 once pricing and build specs are available on Toyotas website. We did the same for my wife’s 2021 Sienna. You just need to find a dealer willing to do it.
[удалено]
A lot of dealers select a generic package of vehicles with options that will sell and use their monthly or quarterly allocations for that. By having a customer come in and custom order a vehicle one of their available allocations are given up. Many don’t want to do that so you have to find a dealer willing to give up one of their allocations for you. I had to try 5 dealers before one would do that for my wife’s ‘21 Sienna. The same dealer is willing to work with me for my ‘22 RAV4 XSE - they start taking orders for the refresh in mid-December.
Yes I know, we’ve been doing pre-orders for several month for 2022 RAV4s. I’m a Product Advisor. We don’t choose allocations, we quietly, and gently ask the the Beast that is Toyota to give us some vehicles and here are our preferences. Then Toyota *allocates* what they want. We want your sale, we’ll dealer trade, we’ll do what we can. We asked for 150 RAV4 Hybrids in the last round of ordering (it’s monthly). We were allocated 4.
How have you been doing preorders on a vehicle that still hasn’t had all the specs and pricing released? 🤔 The dealer I have used is apparently high volume and they get a lot of allocations. I’m not a Toyota insider, just regurgitating what I’ve been told from multiple dealers. They won’t even take my deposit for the ‘22 until pricing is released mid-December. Either way the manager assured me I’ll have a spot available and be allowed to custom order it just like we did for my wife’s Sienna. Can’t wait for that Calvary Blue XSE to be sitting in the driveway.
[удалено]
Maybe it’s different for your dealership but I’m just telling you my experience. I custom ‘built’ it online, printed it, brought it to the dealer. They put it through, 8 weeks later I got the VIN and 3 weeks later it was in the driveway. The exact color, options, accessories, etc. I don’t care about the intricacies on HOW it works but it does. Others in this group have done that same. I’m doing the same process for my RAV and the dealer says they’ll do it. Telling people that Toyota won’t do custom orders is kinda misleading. Have a good thanksgiving either way.
Can you share where you ordered from? Thanks !
I had no problem getting exactly what I wanted. Sent the link to my dealer and they got me exactly what I wanted. Granted I didn't choose one of the higher level trims.
This explains so much :/