Anyone purchasing below MSRP?

[Rødby]

I don't know about the production side. I do know that up in the Northeast, the discounts I've been offered have been steep ($6k-$7k without much negotiating). I know the market is highly regional (i.e., TX and the Bay Area are going to be a wholly different animal than the Northeast) but I think the market is softer than what we perceive it to be as fans of the LC.

 

[legacycruiser]

I don't know about the production side. I do know that up in the Northeast, the discounts I've been offered have been steep ($6k-$7k without much negotiating). I know the market is highly regional (i.e., TX and the Bay Area are going to be a wholly different animal than the Northeast) but I think the market is softer than what we perceive it to be as fans of the LC.

I think the regional demand thing is real. In San Antonio the Land Cruisers I looked at were presold or sold in a few days.

 

[Jon]

I used SmartPath to find the lowest advertised price LCs in the area then went to my preferred dealer and held a hard line that they had to match. It helped a lot that I had a comp (same color and almost the exact same options) that was only a half hour away. I ended up $3k under MSRP out the door and with the paint/interior protection package. YMMV. Good luck!

Edit to add: they said they wouldn't negotiate on one that was still in transit, but then they sure did!

 

[legacycruiser]

I considered purchasing a used Land Cruiser in San Antonio but they were priced like new. So I felt like that was a good sign too.

I think there’s more to the decline in sales narrative than demand for the vehicle.

 

[Rødby]

I used SmartPath to find the lowest advertised price LCs in the area then went to my preferred dealer and held a hard line that they had to match. It helped a lot that I had a comp (same color and almost the exact same options) that was only a half hour away. I ended up $3k under MSRP out the door and with the paint/interior protection package. YMMV. Good luck!

Edit to add: they said they wouldn't negotiate on one that was still in transit, but then they sure did!

Yeah, I did too - it was bonkers how low the price was. In fact, it was almost an impulse purchase based on the discount they were giving me.

 

[Esquire]

Try purchasing one of these "good" prices at a dealership. They have all "just been sold."

The pre-owned market is set by the availability of new and the demand. The pre-owned LC 250 market is very high and basically the price of new.

 

[DubDub]

I nerded out trying to figure out the catch wrt my dealer trying to buy my 2025 1958 back off of me for $1k more than I paid, and put me in a non-premium for 5k below MSRP. I still can’t figure out their logic, but monthly sales haven’t hit 3k this year, and there are just over 8k units sold in the US through March. Very difficult to see production numbers before a year closes out so unsure if it’s a demand signal or more realistic inventory decision. Interesting if not unsurprising.

 

[WHLC]

I think the regional demand thing is real. In San Antonio the Land Cruisers I looked at were presold or sold in a few days.

Yeah, I'm in Georgia and I had to start with test driving a used Land Cruiser because I couldn't find a new on the lot. First few dealers I called wanted MSRP+Dealer Add-ons. I found some that negotiated, but most were being sold within a week of hitting the lot, if they weren't presold. There were a few dealers that advertised discounts, but then had $3k in dealer add ons.

 

[D-mac]

Are the sales down do to fewer LC, and GX being built ?

Yes, according to Autoblog, LC250 sales are down almost 48% in MY2026. It makes sense that the MY2026&27 are short while a refreshed version is developed.

https://www.autoblog.com/news/2027-toyota-land-cruiser-updates

 

[hilotoyo]

I’m confused about what to expect from the dealer if I have to put down a deposit to allocate a LC250. I was hoping someone familiar with the process can offer me some insight. When I put down a deposit for a 2027 LC250, does that generally obligate me to purchase the car? I would never agree to that btw. Also, when the car arrives at the dealership, are they ok with me test driving that same car before finalizing the purchase? I know it’s a newly delivered car so it should be pristine, but I want to test drive it before I do any paperwork to make sure there aren’t any obvious quality issues. Last thing I want is to drive it off the dealer lot and there’s a bad rattle or clunky transmission.

 

[David Cole]

The deposit process seems to vary by dealership. It's highly unlikely the vehicle would have any major issues fresh off the truck and any issues would be under warranty, but any dealership that doesn't let you test drive the actual vehicle you're buying doesn't deserve your business.

 

[DubDub]

I’m confused about what to expect from the dealer if I have to put down a deposit to allocate a LC250. I was hoping someone familiar with the process can offer me some insight. When I put down a deposit for a 2027 LC250, does that generally obligate me to purchase the car? I would never agree to that btw. Also, when the car arrives at the dealership, are they ok with me test driving that same car before finalizing the purchase? I know it’s a newly delivered car so it should be pristine, but I want to test drive it before I do any paperwork to make sure there aren’t any obvious quality issues. Last thing I want is to drive it off the dealer lot and there’s a bad rattle or clunky transmission.

I’ve put dozens of deposits down, and those only resulted in a handful of purchases. Just make sure it’s refundable (depending on state this may not be a concern). Most deposits serve as a “first right of refusal” meaning it’s your’s to either buy or refuse.

EDIT: I’ve never had an issue getting my money back doing this in GA, FL, VA, NC, TX, or WA.

 

[lc_florida]

Toyota was always going to manufacture way less LCs than 4Runners. Now that 4Runner production has fully ramped up, LC production has stabilized lower. Sales are indeed down by 48% like the article stated but not because of low demand. If demand was so low, explain why used 2024 LCs are still worth >90% of what they sold for.

 

[Esquire]

Yes, according to Autoblog, LC250 sales are down almost 48% in MY2026. It makes sense that the MY2026&27 are short while a refreshed version is developed.

https://www.autoblog.com/news/2027-toyota-land-cruise

http://

Toyota was always going to manufacture way less LCs than 4Runners. Now that 4Runner production has fully ramped up, LC production has stabilized lower. Sales are indeed down by 48% like the article stated but not because of low demand. If demand was so low, explain why used 2024 LCs are still worth >90% of what they sold for.

this is right on.
The price of pre-owned 250s has increased over the last 6 months.

 

[hilotoyo]

The deposit process seems to vary by dealership. It's highly unlikely the vehicle would have any major issues fresh off the truck and any issues would be under warranty, but any dealership that doesn't let you test drive the actual vehicle you're buying doesn't deserve your business.

I’ve put dozens of deposits down, and those only resulted in a handful of purchases. Just make sure it’s refundable (depending on state this may not be a concern). Most deposits serve as a “first right of refusal” meaning it’s your’s to either buy or refuse.

EDIT: I’ve never had an issue getting my money back doing this in GA, FL, VA, NC, TX, or WA.

Thanks for the valuable insight! I’ve never purchased a car from a dealership before so it’s all new to me.

 

[ultane]

Yeah, I'm in Georgia and I had to start with test driving a used Land Cruiser because I couldn't find a new on the lot. First few dealers I called wanted MSRP+Dealer Add-ons. I found some that negotiated, but most were being sold within a week of hitting the lot, if they weren't presold. There were a few dealers that advertised discounts, but then had $3k in dealer add ons.

Buying from a member of the Southeastern Toyota Cartel would be a no go for me if/when I buy another Toyota.

 

[Rødby]

I nerded out trying to figure out the catch wrt my dealer trying to buy my 2025 1958 back off of me for $1k more than I paid, and put me in a non-premium for 5k below MSRP. I still can’t figure out their logic, but monthly sales haven’t hit 3k this year, and there are just over 8k units sold in the US through March. Very difficult to see production numbers before a year closes out so unsure if it’s a demand signal or more realistic inventory decision. Interesting if not unsurprising.

Did you make that switch? My dealer just offered me $1k over what I paid for my 1958 and is trying to get me into a Premium which I'm strongly considering.

 

[ultane]

I’m confused about what to expect from the dealer if I have to put down a deposit to allocate a LC250. I was hoping someone familiar with the process can offer me some insight. When I put down a deposit for a 2027 LC250, does that generally obligate me to purchase the car? I would never agree to that btw. Also, when the car arrives at the dealership, are they ok with me test driving that same car before finalizing the purchase? I know it’s a newly delivered car so it should be pristine, but I want to test drive it before I do any paperwork to make sure there aren’t any obvious quality issues. Last thing I want is to drive it off the dealer lot and there’s a bad rattle or clunky transmission.

Welcome to the asylum.

I fell in love with Miss Daisy on a website, waited for two+ months, bought her without a test drive, simply trusting the workers at the Tahara plant to have done their jobs as they were trained to do.

Little did I know that the selling dealer never even properly deflated her tires from the 55 psi she was shipped with (to prevent flat spots from developing on the boat ride over) to the proper 33 psi.

Good luck.

 

[DubDub]

Did you make that switch? My dealer just offered me $1k over what I paid for my 1958 and is trying to get me into a Premium which I'm strongly considering.

No, it’s tempting but I don’t think I will. I climbed the trim ladder on a 6G 4R after having to refuse delivery of my 24 FE, and before pivoting back to the LC. The 1958 was a deliberate decision when all that was locally available at the time were LCLCs. I think I’d be happier just doing a vinyl Katzkin somewhere down the line. This is the first vehicle I’ve owned in a very long time where I feel like it matches my personality and allows me to modify to my actual needs. It is very tempting though, and it’s only my sensible side that has me convinced that I’d regret the move.

 

[Rødby]

No, it’s tempting but I don’t think I will. I climbed the trim ladder on a 6G 4R after having to refuse delivery of my 24 FE, and before pivoting back to the LC. The 1958 was a deliberate decision when all that was locally available at the time were LCLCs. I think I’d be happier just doing a vinyl Katzkin somewhere down the line. This is the first vehicle I’ve owned in a very long time where I feel like it matches my personality and allows me to modify to my actual needs. It is very tempting though, and it’s only my sensible side that has me convinced that I’d regret the move.

So my dealer gave me a ~$7,500 discount on the 1958 but is willing to buy it back for $1,000 more than what I paid. And they're also willing to do a $7,500 discount on the Premium that they have in stock. So to upgrade, I'd have to spend essentially a $1,000 or so less than the actual spread in MSRP + TTL/fees, so around $12k all in with TTL/fees.

This is essentially their first offer, so I'll see if I can do better but if not, would love to get this forum's thoughts (particularly from those that have made the upgrade) as to whether I should do this. I plan on keeping this car for a long time (I still have a GX460 that's 14 years old) and am thinking maybe some of these upgrades would be nice to have over all those years.

I know others have gotten better deals to upgrade, but this seems to be the limits of what I can actually get in terms of an offer with my limited negotiation skills.