Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Any idea if there's a technical support person (and phone number) at Toyota to advise of the problems and suggest functionality changes?
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide,
Don D.
I've got about 2000 miles on my 08 Plat Sequoia and have done a number of short and longer trips with as many as six on-board. I can honestly say I am very satisfied with the vehicle. More so than any vehicle I've ever owned including various BMWs, Toyotas, Chryslers and GM products.
Our family has found all of the seats extremely comfortable and in fact my younger son likes riding in the 3rd row with 2nd row down for watching videos.
I will say that as a driving I have really come to appreciate the power and handling of the Seq. I'm not sure I would say the same if it weren't for the Plat's adjustable suspension. I tend to prefer using the sport suspension setting in most conditions other than staright highway where I use the comfort setting.
The power is truly remarkable and while I didn't think I'd use the manumatic I now find that I use it more than the automatic setting, particularly for curvier roads where being able to dowbnshift before a curve makes for a more enjoyable ride (at least for my driving style).
That's not to say it perfect. There are some minor and not so minor issues that Toyota needs to address.
I've come to like the Nav unit and its integration with my BT phone however if it weren't for the Nav Pulse Generator I installed to enable full functionality while driving, I might have wanted to rip the unit out. For anyone who hasn't installed this unit...its an absolute must. Toyota...if your listening....get your lawyers to grow up and join the rest of the industry and stop resticting the use of your NAV units while underway.
The power mirrors are an exactly idea. Its just a shame the engineer that designed them was only half smart. Geez...would it have been that difficult to keep the mirrors powered after shutting off the engine. If you forget to fold the mirrors before shutting down the engine, you have to reinsert the key and set it to accessory to fold the mirrors...lame design. Even smarter engineering would have been to have a manual setting and an auto setting. In auto the mirrors would fold when the ignition is turned off and unfold when the ignition is turned on. You would still have a manual setting if you wanted the mirriors unfolded with the engine off.
How about adding a simple mute button to the audio controls on the steering wheel. Seems like a pretty simple yet user friendly feature and given the other controls would eem like a commonly used function.
I don't know if its just me or the climate control engineers were asleep at the wheel. Howis the user suppose to set the mode of the vents other than random trial and error. There are no pictograms to set the vent mode to other than the digitial display after moving the control until you find the one you want. How hrd could it have been to place the pictograms around the knob to avoid randonly trying to find the setting you need?
So far those are the only real issues I have to share and in total the vehicle is truly outstanding. I'm very satisfied with the purchase.
I didn't expect the new vehicle to drive like an Audi Quattro, but compared to the 01 vehicle the steering and road feel on curves is very disappointing. I seem to have to make small corrections when negotiating curves since the steering is so light.
I assume I will get used to it and perhaps should not be surprised since this is a truck platform. In addition, I am hoping the Michelin LTX M&S tires I will put on(when the current Bridgestone ones wear) will make a difference in the handling.
The only other issue I have with the vehicle is the phone. About half the time when I try to call out, I receive an error message saying the call cannot be made and to check the phone. When this occurs I note that the signal strength indicator does not show any bars. However the signal is strong since I can call out using the cell phone itself without using the steering wheel controls.
Some of the positives include: Lots of space and storage areas; smooth ride on the highway, quiet transmission and good power.
Currently Toyoto offers finance incentive for Sequoia, 1.9% for 36months, 2.9% for 48months, and 3.9% for 60months. The current inventive expires on 04/30. I have been researching the new Sequoia for a long time and read all post in this forum. Think it's a good time to buy but just wondering whether next month Toyota will come out a better incentive such as 0%. If wait until May, also worry about whether current inventive will be gone.
Any good thoughts, buy now or wait till May? thanks!
You'd think that incentives would continue and maybe get better since SUV sales are down all over.
But the Detroit News reported a week ago that Toyota cuts production at Indiana plant. The Sequoia is made at that factory.
So, with production cut, Toyota may think they can safely keep incentives where they are or do away with them completely.
Food for thought.
Mack
The other reason is production has been cut back which I mentioned in an earlier post and our gracious host has also brought that point up.
As I drove through the lot I could see a lot of the vehicles in the same spot they were in last week. I just hope it picks up soon.
Mack
Mack
Also, for everyone on this thread there is a website that has just about everything you need to know about using the nav and bluetooth systems. Here's the link: link title
Mack
:shades:
Sequoia unit sales for March 08 were up +19.8% vs Mar. 07 and Sequoia unit sales for 1Qtr 08 were up 14.6% vs 1Qtr 07.
http://www.pressroom.toyota.com/Releases/View?id=TYT2008040198482
Mack, are incentives regions specific? If so, how do I determine the incentives available in the SET region? Also, where are you guys seeing the financing incentive folks are talking about. Thanks.
Mack
Kind of glad it took so long, will take advantage of the special financing. I got it for $5900 off sticker, no trade in. I wish they would offer a rebate in leiu of the fianancing, but what the heck. I ordered it because I couldn't find a Limited without the 20" wheels. Who needs 20" wheels with 55's on a truck?
They may not need "deep" incentives if sales going forward are in alignment with their newly revised production forecasts for the rest of the year. Just my $.02
I know there was a previous thread about the computer being set incorrectly with fuel level. I found this out right away - it was telling me I was on empty and when I filled up it only took 20 gallons. Mack, do you know if Toyota has any plans to fix this? Although it's depressing to fill a 26 gallon tank from my wallets perspective, it defeats the purpose of having such a big tank if I don't have a true gauge after 20 gallons.
Options---EY, SO, PE, RB, CK, DJ (AM/FM stereo with 6CD changer), LF, RF, RL.
Accessories---Backup carera with monitor, Auto-dimming mirror, TRD performance air intake, sport pedals, shift knob.
Thanks in advance
Mack
All the accessories can also be added at the dealership. You may find the auto dimming mirror already installed on some vehicles.
Have you tried any of the dealers in Delaware? Seems like you are in my region of CAT (central atlantic toyota)
When looking at www.buyatoyota.com are you putting in your zip code before going to the "build your Sequoia" section? This website is the most accurate as far as telling you what vehicles are being built for the region.
Mack
I did try http://www.buyatoyota.com and put my NJ zip code, but no EY (rear entertainment system) is on any options(option A thru C), and each option also include the tow package and moonroof which I don't want. Per Toyota's hardcopy brochure, the options/accessaries which I selected are available without combination of other packages, such as moonroof or tow package, but the Toyota website"build you Sequoia" section totally "disagree with" its brochure...
Mack
Lou
I would get the dvd player installed yourself afterwards. Save hundreds. either way, even if factory installed, you cant insert a dvd in the cd player. Apparently toyota's factory unit doesnt even do that. So no benefit to a factory dvd IMO. You can get a dvd player installed at circuit city with a 4 year swap out warranty for under $700 installed.
You can special order any sequoia. I was told a 4 month wait time.
Otherwise aftermarket are ok, thats what we did but didn't realize these little differences.
Mack
Unfortunately the Toyota Nav is multi-generations behind Garmin. There's no way for the Toyota to say the name of the streets or POIs like the Garmin because it doesn't have TTS (Text-to-speech) software.
Regarding the ability to use your Toyota Nav while underway, I found the installation of the following unit an absolute "must". The biggest decision to make is where to install the switch. I used a rocker and placed it horizontally above the cigarette lighter (under the climate controls). I used a rocker switch that when rocked to the driver side the Nav unit operates as designed by Toyota and when "rocked" to the passenger's side, the Speed Pulse Generator is activated. When its activated, the Nav unit essentially "thinks" its standing still and therefore all phone and Nav features become function fully. The switch location I used is ideal as it can't be seen but its still in a very convenient location for both the driver and the front passenger to engage.
Without this capability I would have replaced the Nav unit with an OEM. As it is now with the SPG installed, I am pleased with the BT calling and Nav functionality.
Here's the link to the unit. It takes about 2-3 hrs to install if you're really taking your time and you have wire connectors and the few tools you'll need ready. Let me know if you decide to install the unit. Its relatively easy however there are a few tips that make it easier. http://www.pinemountainfirearms.com/pmf/tundramods/NavSpeedPulse.aspx
BTW, my trips to the office are not always consistent. Sometimes I use rt22 and sometimes I use rt78 from exit 24 to get to New Brunswick. I get on and off 78 at least 2-3 times a week. I'll keep my eye out for you.
Thanks
Mack
As I recall, once you lift out the cupholder and center console, there's only 1 screw that needs to be removed behind the shifter. With that screw removed, you can then lift the console around the shifter. Once that's been lifted its relatively easy to unclip the right side of the main dash in order to "pull out" the center climate control module. Once that's been unclipped you can access the 4 screws holding the nav unit in place to remove the nav unit to access the connections on the back.
You'd have to take all of these steps even to unplug the speed sensor, however I think without the speed sensor connected the nav unit is automatically deactivated, that's why you need the speed pulse generator to have the nav unit "think" the speed sensor is connected but that the vehicle is standing still. The SPG generator then gives you access to setting a destination or finding a phone number from your phone book to make a call which otherwise would have been disabled while moving.
By having a switch you can leave it in the Toyota mode the majority of the time, but when you need to make a call or find a destination while driving you'll have the capability to switch on the SPG and activate all functions.
The downside to having the SPG being active all the time is that the Toyota Nav system uses the speed of the vehicle through the speed sensor to accurately place the vehicle on the map and ensure smooth movement on the map. When the SPG is engaged the NAV unit is only moving the vehicle on the map from the Satellite reading, which can result in less than smooth motion on the map and sometimes a delay at inopportune moments such as when needing to make a turn while following the guidance.
The best arrangement is to have the vehicle run in "normal" mode 95% of the time and engage the SPG only when needing to set a destination or make a call other than the ones in your speed dial directory. After the destination is set, I engage normal mode. For me, this has been an ideal setup and was without question worth the $50 (and alot more to me) along with the bit of anxiety I had while taking the dash apart.
The biggest anxiety I had was not taking the dash apart but making the small opening for the switch. Fortunately I chose a location where a minor slip would never have been visible, but as it turned out the project came together perfectly and was definitely worth the effort.
If the DVD is installed on the ceiling like the one from factory, any chance to "damage" wiring or scratch the ceiling cover during installation???
How about the quality/size compared to the one from factory?? Any input is appreciated.
Its rare to see a brand name as big as Exxon as the lowest price gas dealer in the area.
For those of you who have done this type of order before, do you have any advice on what I should have in the contract to protect me and assure that everything comes in as expected? I am thinking of any future dealer incentives that might come out between now and when the vehicle arrives, I am concerned about port installed options, etc.
Also, what accessories/option have you found most useful?