Lunar Rock Gen III Thread

Over the last 4 months, I’ve had THREE (3) different dealers tell me they will not reserve, allocate, order or sell me an automatic Pro. Keep in mind that’s after they told me over the phone and/or email to come to their dealership and place my order.

The 4th dealer I visited just so happened to have an automatic LR Pro on their lot. That surprised me because it was not even advertised on the dealer’s website. I test drove it because it was the first one I had seen on a lot. They offered to sell at MSRP, but I’m looking for MGM. Sat down with the Sales Manager who called 4 additional dealers (separate from the 3 dealers from above) attempting dealer trade for MGM Pro they had. All of them had sold that day or the day prior. Heard it with my own ears. So he says “no big deal we can just order you one”. I was stoked! Went through all the info with them and was about to push the green button but they had added a $4k market adjustment fee. They could not answer my question about their willingness to sell the LR at MSRP but add a $4k market adjustment on the MGM. I walked away after they suggested I buy the LR and pay their shop to vinyl wrap it some other color.

Right now I’m working with my 5th dealer who says he was able to get an allocation for the truck I want for MSRP with an ETA of around 4 to 5 months based on his previous Pro sale. He says Toyota confirmed the request and that he is just waiting for the build date from them. I touch base with him every Friday. He will literally not allow me to place deposit or do anything formal regarding a purchase. So I’m thinking they may also try the market adjustment fee and surprise me later down the road.

The only thing I don’t like about the Pro is trying to buy one! Haha. If this one falls through, then I’ll get the OR. Obviously I’m not in a hurry...I’m just ready for a new rig and the Taco fits the bill.

Good things come to those who wait?

 

I figured others were having a similar time. They seem to be back and forth about a willingness to place an order, although I suspect this has to do with what that leaves them with in the future as far as allocations go (meaning they actually can but don't want to) I usually browse cars.com, autotrader and autolist - seems like MGMs are in an abundance so I don't get the 4k market adjustment. I did have one small dealer in NM tell me he wouldn't sell his LR MT for any less than 4K over MSRP because he was concerned Toyota wouldn't send him any more Pros...

Right there with you on checking in every Friday to the point of being annoying. Not usually my MO but I'm slowing gaining peace of mind that I'm not waiting for something that might not happen.

I'm feeling okay about my current dealer. Evidently they're the highest volume dealer in Colorado and am told because of this, ordering is a non-issue. They were indifferent about taking a deposit, but I insisted and they took it.

 

@Kowalsky

I’m secretly mad Toyota won’t take my money. I’ll keep trying since I’m both stubborn and patient. It sounds like you are on the right track. Good luck and thanks for sharing your experience. I found it very helpful.

 

Where was the small dealer in NM located? I have yet to find one in NM with a lunar rock in an AT or a MT. Thx.

 

Clovis I think - about a month ago. Looking back I probably should have went for it.

 

In ABQ they are going for upwards of $8K over MSRP, but I’m betting they would negotiate down from that somewhat.

 

I'm feeling I got pretty lucky snagging my taco out of shear serendipity... I was pretty set on what I wanted (LR PRO w' Manual gearbox) so, in hindsight; dissappointment was clearly looming!

Coming to the US from abroad, I needed vehicles. I had serious time pressure to buy - at a very bad time to boot.

I did my homework and legwork for months prior to arrival / planned purchase - and STILL my original LR Manual PRO 'order' (from a gigantic dealer) has again been deferred / delayed further by the factory (I am still getting progress updates just out of curiosity.).
I happened upon mine as I ran into into by chance (at a pretty small dealer who had just advertized their allocation) and jumped on it that minute - hoping it was real.

I think all dealers are at some whim of Mr Toyota somehow... it is not as simple as a big dealer calling dibs on a build over other clamoring 'lesser' dealers. (maybe a Lottery?). The dealer in question is huge and sells thousands of toyotas per month... and they are still waiting. I get the impression that Toyota sends out the LR PROs so they are spread out geographically.

My 'order' was placed in Sept / Oct and initially expected in Dec/Jan. - Best case now is May/June... AND the dealer tells me there is no certainty on that. (He is a bit more transparent now that I have my LR taco.). I imagine that this uncertainnty is why they are not eager to take a deposit on a requested allocation. - Once they HAVE the allocation, then they WILL take a deposit for a HOLD.

Certainly there is another batch of LR PROs coming (next month?). - I'm sure we'll see some here when that happens.

I've still seen a few sitting with 'hard' Dealer mark-ups of up to $20k. One dealer I tried to negotiate early on with was 'happy to chat' about reductions from that full-ticket starting point - but said right away, that the chances of ANY reduction were unlikely as someone would pay the full mark-up in the next few days withoug complaining much...
Oh - and no test Drives as to not devalue said LR PRO!
Sure enough, they are gone very soon after.

(One dealer had LR PRO Taco, 4R, and Sequoia sitting right in front all with BIG markups...)

-In any case; I was not willing to pay above MSRP... I do not mind paying MSRP for a PRO (with added goodies) - especially when the similarly equipped ORs were selling for MSRP also! (and for less than a handful of hundreds difference!) clearly making the PRO the better buy...

 

One of these will be mine! Expected delivery March 14th-20th as of now.

But to your point and the general discussion; I had no clue how tough it was going to be to get my hands on a LR M/T PRO... I had never bought or ordered a brand new vehicle and assumed it was just as easy as walking into a dealership telling them what you wanted and waiting for it to arrive.

In fact when I initially talked to someone at a dealership in November 2020 I asked how long it typically took to receive an ordered vehicle and was quoted 8-10 weeks. So I sat around assuming that I could put in an order in late January and have my truck before my current lease was up (March 28th) no sweat. I was none the wiser until I started reading the threads here on TW, and was horrified at some of the things I read. Now fearing that I missed my shot all together and the PRO I so dearly was wanting would never exist when I needed it. I hit the local dealerships hard and hoped someone would come through. Fortunately it all worked out in the end but I can sympathize with those who are struggling to find what they want during these hard times.

 

Yeah what a process wading through all the rumors and hearsay. I have to force myself to just let it ride.

 

@OZ TRD said that the manual says that you have to use four wheel drive at least once per month for at least ten minutes. I have been very neglectful. The truck hadn't been in 4x4 since November.

So we went and explored some old ghost towns.

 

Cute pup! Also, no problem using the truck how it was intended to be used! How did she handle for you?

I also want to mention that I FINALLY saw a LR taco in person the other day. Albeit it was dirty because we just got 8" of snow but I have to say the pictures you posted above are a true match to what it looks like in person, well at least to my eyes

 

This is my third Toyota pickup, and by far my favorite. I adore the MT and the Fox suspension is perfect for my use case.

The tires are a special kind of mediocre. I'm waiting for the new Maxxis RAZR AT to be available in the stock size.

 

not gonna lie, the color has grown on me. I never thought it would.

 

Yeah I read up on those based on one your comments in another thread. The weight on the Maxxis RAZR AT is impressive! Any idea on when they will be available?

 

I emailed both Maxxis and Simpletire and both said the SL 265/70-16 sold out almost immediately, but all other sizes are already available.
https://simpletire.com/brands/maxxis-tires/razr-at-811

 

Where is this sorcery?? I haven't heard of this in any truck ever

 

Will investigate this later. haven't ever heard of anything like that before

 

What a cool color...

 

@R4D4G4ST @Kowalsky @DingleTower

Not a LR but might be of help...

Searched cargurus.com last night and found 2 Pros at a dealer 3 hours away. The colors weren't listed so I gave them call this morning. I learned one of them was black and already had deposit on it. The other one was MGM (what I wanted) and up for grabs. Placed deposit and will be picking it up in a couple weeks for MSRP. So don't be scared to expand your search and take a road trip. Service can be completed at your local dealer of choice.

FINALLY!!!