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Comments
So, be creative back: Tell the dealer that, for driving around with the car indefinitely and publicizing the dealership with the decal they place on the back door, you're charging them a $500 advertising fee. (It's a little smarmy, but hey, that's the name of the game, and I've heard of it working before.)
With a new, popular model, however, you may well have little negotiating leverage. Either way, the price they quoted you at sounds fair. I picked up my loaded 4WD LTD for $26.6, about $1300 off MSRP.
I'm sure all of this could probably be explained better by a mechanical engineer, but I'm pretty sure that high-speed 4WD is not really necessary.
Frank
The 4wd is outweighed by vehicle momental at high speeds.
Frank
As Edmunds says its a valid charge and it's not a dealer profit item. It's a regional assessment to the dealers to cover the regional and national advertising. In one region it might be $665 in another 1.5% of invoice in another 2%. It varies by the regional costs. Here's the key question.
Why is it that Toyota is the only one to break it out and create such a discussion? It's in every Honda invoice and GM invoice and Hyundai invoice but it's buried there just like it's buried in the Sears item you buy and the LL Bean jacket you buy.
Why the heck does Toyota break it out separately and create such confusion?.. I work there and I have no idea. :confuse:
Oh, btw, all the invoice info that you find on the internet comes from......
.... Toyota itself.
It provides all its cost and extras to the public free of charge, thank you. Does your business do that for its customers? Another wierd practice.
You already have a rough idea of the prices based on the current pricing of the 2006s. Exact dollar amounts don't matter for something that isn't for sale.
You can't buy the car a month before, a week before or even a day before they are available to buy. Then the car will be marked up or down from any MSRP amount depending on what people are actually willing to pay.
It's not that I blame toyota or am angry. Nor have I taken out any of these frustrations on any sales person to whom I've spoken. And there have been many in the past few weeks as I bring this car-buying endeavor to its final stage. I'm just frustrated that I there's an unknowable factor out there that would NOT be the case if the Rav4 I wanted was available in the same month as the promotion I wanted. Do I feel that I'm owed that? No. But I would like it.
Rarely do things overlap just as they should, but it doesn't make it any less frustrating.
I think if I want a clear answer I'll go ahead with the Highlander, but if I'm wiling to risk features and availablility of my ideal Rav4, then I wait until March and take my chances. It's not my ideal situation. Especially when I'm looking at shelling out more than $30,000. Cash. Right out of my checking account.
Am I upset at Toyota? Or its salespeople? Nope. And, just so we're clear, I've never vented any of these frustrations on any salespeople who I know either have the information or they do not. I just would like more information and it is frustrating when I cannot get that information right when the decision is being made.
I came here because I was hoping someone might have clear information on the features and upcoming availability of the precise model I'm looking at purchasing because nobody at the dealerships seems to know much about it yet. It seems as if everybody is somewhat in the dark until the day it comes out. So be it. Live and learn.
Oh, and as for the person who wanted to know why anybody would want a third row in either a Rav or a HL, well, for someone like me (slender/medium height chick), it would be perfect. In the HL, I had at least two inches to spare in front of my knees. Most of my girlfriends would also fit nicely in the third row. Their husbands? Not so much. But I've never once had a car full of tall men. There's always at least two people who fit the specs to sit in the back. Goodness knows, if there are seven people going someplace, invariably I'm one of the two picked to fit in the back and by this point I've been in enough Pilots and Highlanders to know. The only car I've had trouble fitting into the "optional" row is in the Lexus SC430. That's just a joke.
Steve, Host
Frank
I suppose it is safer for the multitudes to not be able to switch stability control off and then forget it is off at higher speeds. But it would be handy to have that feature.
I agree, though, that being able to switch of the stability control system would be helpful in low-speed crawls; it's too bad Toyota doesn't offer this.
Frank
Full-time systems are better for engine braking down a long incline, for instance, but the AWD should be adequate for average needs.
-juice
-jucie
And I still wish the RAV VSC had an on-off switch.
I think it more a matter of new vs used, good luck on your decision....can always get the V, keep it a few years until the new Rav kinks are worked out and get the new Rav when it gets its first face lift!
With a substantial level of engine compression braking on the front (drive) wheels you can potentially reach a point on a slippery roadbed at lower speeds that the front wheels will lockup due to engine braking.
Engine braking on a RWD in these conditions is not exactly a good thing to have happen but does not remove your ability to maintain directional control with ABS at the front.
I suspect that's one of the reasons Toyota and Lexus transaxles seem to be upshifting during coastdown situations just before coming to a full stop.
The AAA is currently advising owners to learn to quickly shift into neutral (absent a clutch) in these circumstances.
If you don't use the roof rack very much, try removing the crossbars. Anything that sticks out in the wind is going to have some affect on aerodynamics.
It seems that road/wind noise is in the ear of the occupants. Some folks on this forum say the RAV4 with the 4-banger is quiet when others say it isn't. I guess we all have to make that judgement for ourselves. When I travel, I want QUIET! Constant cabin noise, regardless of it's cause can drain you over the course of a long trip. :sick:
When I travel, I want QUIET! Constant cabin noise, regardless of it's cause can drain you over the course of a long trip.
I usually just turn up the stereo!
I had the BF Goodrich All Terrain TA's on my Jeep years ago. Great tires!
Yes, that's why I chose my Subaru Legacy and saved around $8k (Audi A4 Quattro).
Frank
I am assuming that the AWD works as FWD all the time it is not locked and then if the front wheels begin to slip, the system starts to send more power up to maybe 40-50% to the rear wheels to maintain thrust/speed/traction. Is this correct? If so it sounds like a pretty good system even to an Audi driver like me.
I seem to remember reading a post from someone who said he drove his new RAV in 8" of snow and got stuck .. engaged the 4 wheel system and pulled away. If that is true, this is strictly an on demand deal. I've owned Subie's for the last 7 years (Forester & WRX) and while I understand there is a minor MGP price to pay for full time AWD it sure spoils you driving on wet/snowy roads.
- hutch
That is the way it works. It's "On-Demand 4WD" with a manual
4-Wheel lock switch. So, if you get into deep snow and
the On-Demand doesn't get you through it...you hit the switch for extra traction. Once your out and headed down the road, that manual switch will automatically disengage when you hit 25 mph.
Frank
Anyone know why or if there will be one in the future?