Port install options (PIO) a cash grab!!

[Rellims]

We have to deal with it the way Toyota does things. Sometime dealers can get them taken off, sometimes not. Doing a little digging while building a 4runner on the Toyota site and the dealer parts site I found this:

- Dealer part number PT413-89250 is the light up front emblem (dark chrome) for $193.75. PIO on the build $285
- Dealer part number PT948-89253-02 are the rear hatch emblem inserts for $37.50. PIO on the build $65.50

I could spend the time going down the list and I bet it's al the same. So if you can, take off the PIO and if you want them order from the dealer to save a few bucks. But then again whats an extra few hundred on a $50k-$70k spend...

 

[Dead Horse]

I don't know how Toyota's "Mountain Region" port is, but in the Gulf States region, it's not a few hundred, it's always a few THOUSAND.

And it's why I'll legit fly across the country to buy, if I even buy new. Some regions don't have that bullshit.

 

[Nodak]

We have to deal with it the way Toyota does things. Sometime dealers can get them taken off, sometimes not. Doing a little digging while building a 4runner on the Toyota site and the dealer parts site I found this:

- Dealer part number PT413-89250 is the light up front emblem (dark chrome) for $193.75. PIO on the build $285
- Dealer part number PT948-89253-02 are the rear hatch emblem inserts for $37.50. PIO on the build $65.50

I could spend the time going down the list and I bet it's al the same. So if you can, take off the PIO and if you want them order from the dealer to save a few bucks. But then again whats an extra few hundred on a $50k-$70k spend...

so you are quoting cost of the part but not the install time and cost of the person at the port to install that item?

i guess your time is free technically but its still costing you something to take time out of your day to install it.


and also comsumer installed PIO only get a 1 yr warranty at best, vs the PIO having 3 yrs or longer if you get the extended toyota oem vsa.

the oem warranty/ext warranty doesnt cover comsumer installed items.

 

[ModernDay4Runner]

so you are quoting cost of the part but not the install time and cost of the person at the port to install that item?

i guess your time is free technically but its still costing you something to take time out of your day to install it.


and also comsumer installed PIO only get a 1 yr warranty at best, vs the PIO having 3 yrs or longer if you get the extended toyota oem vsa.

the oem warranty/ext warranty doesnt cover comsumer installed items.

Me personally, if I am buying a $58K vehicle, I am not sweating the few dollars of savings by going through all of that. When I saw that a local dealership had an allocation for the main things I wanted, I did not care about a few inexpensive add-ons. Don't get me wrong, dealerships trying to force paint protection/interior protections packages, agreed, those are bullshit and would never get my business but the $425 crossbars that I really didn't need but are on the vehicle I am getting, those are a real, tangible thing that I may end up utilizing. Could I have asked the dealership to remove those, maybe, but I am not worried about that stuff.

Maybe because I am older (almost 60) and this may very well be the last new vehicle I purchase; I feel the way that I do. In summary, I think that if you are spending $58k and worried about saving $25 on an emblem, probably should reconsider if you really should be buying that vehicle.

 

[Rich in Texas]

I bought my 2020 in Massachusetts at a dealership that was a $500 over invoice place. I called all around the country trying to get the best deal and found that some regions had these mandatory add ons like described above. I guess I'll be going back to MA when I buy my next 4R. I dont want my vehicle any different than they were built at the factory. If Toyota doesnt have control of their distributors in some regions then I won't buy from those regions.

 

[ModernDay4Runner]

I bought my 2020 in Massachusetts at a dealership that was a $500 over invoice place. I called all around the country trying to get the best deal and found that some regions had these mandatory add ons like described above. I guess I'll be going back to MA when I buy my next 4R. I dont want my vehicle any different than they were built at the factory. If Toyota doesnt have control of their distributors in some regions then I won't buy from those regions.

Will you mandate zero port add ons or do you consider those as being installed at the factory?

 

[Rich in Texas]

Will you mandate zero port add ons or do you consider those as being installed at the factory?

Im not a fun of port add-ons.Things like some floor mats were added att eh ports and thats ok. Some regions were requiring running boards be added or lift kits be installed and having to permanently disable the cruise control and crash warning system. Crazy stuff like that. It may have been in the south east region I saw this. It was a few years ago.

 

[Racinwith8]

We have to deal with it the way Toyota does things. Sometime dealers can get them taken off, sometimes not. Doing a little digging while building a 4runner on the Toyota site and the dealer parts site I found this:

- Dealer part number PT413-89250 is the light up front emblem (dark chrome) for $193.75. PIO on the build $285
- Dealer part number PT948-89253-02 are the rear hatch emblem inserts for $37.50. PIO on the build $65.50

I could spend the time going down the list and I bet it's al the same. So if you can, take off the PIO and if you want them order from the dealer to save a few bucks. But then again whats an extra few hundred on a $50k-$70k spend...

Will you mandate zero port add ons or do you consider those as being installed at the factory?

My Sport Premium is due in about a month. Had the dealer take off 75 percent of the PIO’s. Wanted to add the aluminum step up’s but without seeing the available options in person I decided to hold off, especially at $1250! Toyota parts site is having a 15 percent off deal this weekend so may order there. Prices very by dealer so check all your local’s prices. Can get the same $1250 step ups for $900 out the door!

Will you mandate zero port add ons or do you consider those as being installed at the factory?

 

[Salukidawg]

Me personally, if I am buying a $58K vehicle, I am not sweating the few dollars of savings by going through all of that. When I saw that a local dealership had an allocation for the main things I wanted, I did not care about a few inexpensive add-ons. Don't get me wrong, dealerships trying to force paint protection/interior protections packages, agreed, those are bullshit and would never get my business but the $425 crossbars that I really didn't need but are on the vehicle I am getting, those are a real, tangible thing that I may end up utilizing. Could I have asked the dealership to remove those, maybe, but I am not worried about that stuff.

Maybe because I am older (almost 60) and this may very well be the last new vehicle I purchase; I feel the way that I do. In summary, I think that if you are spending $58k and worried about saving $25 on an emblem, probably should reconsider if you really should be buying that vehicle.

To me it has nothing to do with whether I should be buying the vehicle. I ”finance” to get a better OTD price and then pay it off the following month. The problem is distributors like GST that add thousands of PIO’s that I didn’t select and don’t want and am forced to take. That’s the definition of a money grab. I don’t need a crappy connectivity kit or interior cleaner. I don’t want predator steps or crossbars. I’m willing to work with a dealer to get those taken off of their allocation before it hits the port and select my own options. What I’m not willing to do is overpay thousands of dollars for a bunch of options that add no value to me personally. If you all want to pay for that stuff, have at it.

 

[ModernDay4Runner]

You're talking about thousands of dollars and the op pointed out some items that had $20 differentials. I think you're missing my point.

 

[4R Platinum or Die Trying]

As I research purchasing my upcoming 4Runner I've learned (many of you already know) that the region I'm in, Southeast Toyota SET, is notorious for adding on thousands of dollars in port installed options that most people don't really want. It sounds like Gulf States Toyota largely does the same thing. Another thing that I'll have to deal with in Florida is a completely ridiculous Doc fee. In Florida the Doc fee is almost always around 1,000 dollars. I've learned that other regions of the country have much lower Doc fees. Because of the Southeast region over-the-top add PIO's and crazy Doc fees, I think I'm going to research areas outside my region for my 4Runner purchase. I'll pay $200 for a one way ticket to Philadelphia or wherever and drive back to Florida if the numbers are right.

 

[Rich in Texas]

As I research purchasing my upcoming 4Runner I've learned (many of you already know) that the region I'm in, Southeast Toyota SET, is notorious for adding on thousands of dollars in port installed options that most people don't really want. It sounds like Gulf States Toyota largely does the same thing. Another thing that I'll have to deal with in Florida is a completely ridiculous Doc fee. In Florida the Doc fee is almost always around 1,000 dollars. I've learned that other regions of the country have much lower Doc fees. Because of the Southeast region over-the-top add PIO's and crazy Doc fees, I think I'm going to research areas outside my region for my 4Runner purchase. I'll pay $200 for a one way ticket to Philadelphia or wherever and drive back to Florida if the numbers are right.

Thats how to do it

 

[ModernDay4Runner]

Sone dealerships are adding markups for non-local buyers according to some of the posts I have read in this forum. That's not to say all dealership operate in the same manner. Good Luck..

 

[Dead Horse]

so you are quoting cost of the part but not the install time and cost of the person at the port to install that item?

i guess your time is free technically but its still costing you something to take time out of your day to install it.


and also comsumer installed PIO only get a 1 yr warranty at best, vs the PIO having 3 yrs or longer if you get the extended toyota oem vsa.

the oem warranty/ext warranty doesnt cover comsumer installed items.

If the customer had a choice, then the money spent vs. value discussion would be valid. But since they do it without asking, will flat refuse to remove them, and then the dealer adds even more ($300 USB cables!!)? Nah. Hard pass.

 

[Nodak]

Me personally, if I am buying a $58K vehicle, I am not sweating the few dollars of savings by going through all of that. When I saw that a local dealership had an allocation for the main things I wanted, I did not care about a few inexpensive add-ons. Don't get me wrong, dealerships trying to force paint protection/interior protections packages, agreed, those are bullshit and would never get my business but the $425 crossbars that I really didn't need but are on the vehicle I am getting, those are a real, tangible thing that I may end up utilizing. Could I have asked the dealership to remove those, maybe, but I am not worried about that stuff.

Maybe because I am older (almost 60) and this may very well be the last new vehicle I purchase; I feel the way that I do. In summary, I think that if you are spending $58k and worried about saving $25 on an emblem, probably should reconsider if you really should be buying that vehicle.

yeah thats why i stay out of GST/SET regions. the familys that own those regions really force some of those addons as mandatory that are really pure junk for 70-80% of the consumers i am guessing.

those big money grabs for low cost to the GST/SET regions protection packages are the worst.

but as far as those PIO that are not protection packages i can see the cost justifications.

but i despise those regions just for the junk they add that are pure profit. i remember back in the 80s they had those stupid vin etchings upcharge that was pure junk in SET (i use to live in GA)