Yes, thanks to the wonderful assistance of hjump123, I signed a contract via fax to buy the Silver 2WD "base" HH with the AF option package. Will be driving up to Madison, WI early tomorrow morning to write the dealer a personal check (gotta love car buying in Wisconsin - -not a chance that could happen in Chicago) and drive that big boy home.
P.S. I like the idea of ECOSUV as a vanity plate; hope that person isn't in Illinois!!
Enjoy your ride up tomorrow. I know you'll enjoy the ride home even more :shades: .
I must say, though, that if my wife wasn't so dead-set against Silver, I'd be the one driving that car this weekend instead of you . But, if I can wait it out a little longer I'll have mine by the end of the month.
P.S. - I've been trying to figure out a good vanity plate as well....so any more good suggestions?
Hey ssachnoff, You can use ECOSUV in Illinois if you want, I'm in Vermont. I hope no one here grabs it now that I have let the cat out of the bag. I gave my local dealer a $500 refundable deposit back in April 2004. He promises a MSRP deal and tells me I am in the top ten. He took my options about 6 weeks ago - 4wd base w/o option group, blue with saddle interior. He told me the district was ordering 80% 4wd and all the dealers protested - they want 100% 4wd which of course is the only way to go in New England. I hope to take delivery this summer, I want to take advantage of the $2000 deduction and my employer is offering a $5000 bonus to any employee who buys a hybrid this year.
I currently have an '01 -- haven't seen the HH yet but your description of the interior trim matches that introduced in the minor upgrade to the HL line in '04, and I agree, I had the exact same reaction to the '04 Limited interior trim, being used to the '01-'03 style Limited trim. Probably those new to the HL will not have not have the same reaction.
Re vanity plates: I'm not buying a HH, but if I were and I were getting vanity plates, I'd try for something like HYBRID -- everyone can see its an SUV, so why clutter up the plate with extraneous info?
That's why ECOSUV might work unless someone with an Escape has already taken it. I'm sure HYBRID is gone (years ago) in all 50 states because some Prius or Honda owner now has it on their vehicle in each state. Maybe something like 30 MPG would work.
This site has been fantastic and having spent a lot of time figuring out which hybrid to buy, deciding on the HH, and snagging one last week, I wanted to "give back" by posting some of the info I've collected along the way as a "thank you" for all of the informative posts and to provide info for others.
First, many comments about dealerships being "fair" or unscrupulous points to the importance of talking to each dealership and recognizing that each will do something different in terms of waiting lists, "reserving" a car for someone, etc. There are 5 or 6 toyotal dealerships within 30 minutes and all have had slightly different deal.
Second, in my experience (with the benefit of multiple dealerships), there is a pretty standard MSRP offer with premiums available on ebay and other places where you can pay for the pleasure of being at the top of the list.
Third, don't believe the "we can put you on the list but you are looking at 12 to 18 months....but I have a regular Highlander." We were on a Lexus waiting list, told it would be at least 6 months and got a call 3 weeks later with car on lot. (For many reasons we went with HH even though we expected to wait at least a few months).
Fourth, it does appear that the number of HH are coming in slow even if you are willing to buy whatever comes onto the lot. That said, it pays to shop around. I'll post in another note how we got "lucky" and are now new owners.
Finally, watch out for "gimmick"/offer I had seen before. One dealership advised they had one scheduled for delivery by early July and with deposit and completing all of the paper work asap we could "lock up" the car. We quickly did everything requested. I advised we would be willing to pay MSRP. Imagine my surprise when MSRP was $46,500 (for FWD, NAV, Custom)? When I probed, I was told this is the "dealer's MSRP." What is that you ask? So did I. Turns out dealer takes delivery of car at approx. $42,000 but won't sell it until they have added a bunch of stuff - - paint protection, carpet protection, a $3600 DVD system (2X factory installed option), stripping, running boards. Dealership policy - - they will NOT sell HH except with all of the additional items for the premium mark up. Dealer's right to sell as they want, our right to walk away - - which we did.
Congratulations and a very good explanation for how to be treated fairly and how to work fairly with the dealers you went to. I can well imagine the surprise you had when they quoted an MSRP that was $5000 more than what was on the factory window sticker. And I also applaud you for not doing business with them. Dealers like that are what gives the rest of us a bad reputation without our involvement with their bad practices. And you voted the best way that you can, with your wallet. Hope you enjoy the new HH and I look forward to your posting in the future with how you like it.
Thanks to all for the very helpful discussion. I have been following the posts for months and it has been a great source of info, hints, insights and laughs for many months. I picked up my HH Lim w/Nav yesterday. Thoughts:
Dealer experience: As many have said, shop around. My closest dealer (who sells Toyota and Honda), the one from whom I purchased 2 other new cars in past 3 years really failed me. In Aug 2004 I was ready to place an order for HH. No one seemed to have any reliable info. My normal dealer would "take an order" but informed me that he would charge MSRP plus $5,000. When I asked why, the owner was summoned and told me that he expected Prius-like demand with people buying from him and turning around and selling on ebay for a premium. I said, " I am very disappointed in how you treat your customers" and walked out. I shall never buy again from there and I have 4 teenagers at home who will be in need of cars. After internet search and edmunds.com, I found another dealer 10 miles away that turned out to be great. Aug 04 he took a $500 refundable deposit, sent me a written receipt stating deposit was refundable and that sale price would be at-the time-unknown MSRP, told me I was 11th on a list and that he really had no more info but would call me when he did. This was over the phone and email. I never set foot in the place until I picked up. When MSRPs were announced (mid April?) he called to say I was #5, confirmed the car specs and asked for my color choices. In Mid May he called and said I was #2 and was hoping to deliver before July. He called on June 18 and said it would be ready in 4 hours. It was and it is great.
Thoughts on the car: We own an 03 CIVIC Hybrid and an 02 CRV. Obviously, no comparison in appointments. Of course the HH is just bigger, more massive, more substantial than my other rides. However, the HH is just fun in a very active sense.
The civic hybrid is fun passively. It is comforting and satisfying to eek out MPG in the civic, but the HH is a whole new world. There is so much going on it seems a bit daunting - between the NAV/Energy/Consumption toggle and the speedometer mutli-info display. Driving without the ICE is extremely quiet and golf-cart like. The switch to gas is seemless, as is the CVT. If windows are open or if radio on, it is diffucult to know when ICE kicks in unless you are looking at gauges.
Little things I do not recall being mentioned in other posts:
The moonroof controls are easy and clear and you are warned after removing the key that roof is still open. Plus you get 40 seconds to close it without reinserting the key.
Third row seat is passable (barely passable) for one small adult for a short trip of a few miles (like a lunch break form the office).
NAV does talk to you and is fairly intuitive to operate, but reading the manual will really help.
Area under console and shifter is open and has a power outlet.
The "B" on the shifter is for simulated engine braking for use on long (multi-mile) downhill grades.
I am detecting a slight noise when I engage the brakes whether the car is on or not. The sound is mechanical as if a compressor is triggering and is present 80% of the time occurring on depression and release. It is minor but noticeable. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Best of luck to all waiting. It is worth the wait and I hope you are as pleased as I am.
I wish my buying experience offered some deep secrets that will allow readers to instantly snap up a new HH but alas I think we were just very, very lucky. That said, allow me to share.
After contemplating a hybrid purchase for the past 6 months, we in earnest decided that the HH was the right choice for us just a month or so ago. We put our name on area dealership waiting lists, some charging deposits, others not, all telling us it would be a long wait and each having a long list.
On a mini-vacation with the kids to the Eastern Shore, Maryland, I persuaded my family to allow me to stop at each Toyota dealership we drove by to see if by chance.....First dealership, one hybrid, already sold, no others expected for one month.
Second dealership (family groaning they want to get to beach) - - 3 HH, two sold and, yep, third just arrived and unsold. It was exactly what we wanted (although we weren't fussy relative to waiting for just the right combo of features. Its a 4wd, nav, Limited. I told the sales guy if he could get the car prepped, do the financing and have me out the door in 2 hours I wanted to buy the car on the spot. He was fantastic, without too much persuading my kids chilled, my wife helped fill out paper work. We left our 1998 Ford Expedition with 140,000 miles with the dealer, got a trade-in approximately $1500 above what a local dealer had told us was the max they could give us. With a Ford Expedition you don't have to be too careful at packing the car. Fortunately, we pulled up the new car next to the old and got everything into our new HH.
This dealership had a relatively small waiting list and apparently out in the country fewer want to pay for a Navigation system - -hence part of the reason the car was unspoken for when we drove up. Also, the dealership said something about being required by Toyota to hold the car until a specific date, before which they weren't allowed to sell it (?). The day we pulled up was the first day they could actually sell the car.
So, there you have it. Shop around, make calls, take a ride in the country or just put it out of your mind and figure eventually your name will come up on a dealership's waiting list.
You gave us the # of HH produced in May-- can you update that?
Was that the total for the US, Northest or just NY?
Is there some way to get a sense of how many will be available in CA in the near future?
I am inteerested in a base AWD with the option pkg, color not important. The dealers I have lsited with in the Bay Area say I am toward to top of their lists, but they have no clue as th when the Base AWD will be available.
The "pipeline" that I get from Toyota is only for the NY region and I don't have the ability to get them for other regions, sorry. I do know that they do have different allocations of models for different regions though. For example, 2wd models are MUCH more prevalent and available in the SE, and California areas than in the Northeast for example. But at least for the NY region, I'll give you the updated info on build #'s for June.
436 total units built
6960-2wd hybrid total built 131 $35,365 MSRP with FE AF for factory equipment
6964-4wd hybrid built 22 $36,765 MSRP with FE AF for factory equipment
6966-4wd Limited hybrid built 283 14 built with $39,855 MSRP and FE LL for factory equipment 269 built with $41,855 MSRP with FE LL NV for factory equipment
Sorry I don't have access to the other information, but I hope this helps.
Do you have any idea why there are so many 2wd HH going to NY? I would think most NE customers would want 4wd. I always thought most of the 2wd SUV's (any make) went to the south, while the north got mostly 4wd suv's.
That is definately the case for most of our vehicles. For example, getting a 2wd 4Runner or Sequoia is basically impossible here. However, keep in mind that the NY region includes the City and New Jersey too. I just wish that they would produce more of the basic AWD models for our customers rather than the inundation of Limiteds.
I could not help but notice that your MSRP for the 6964 4wd HH is $36,765... Edmunds.com as well as the 'in transit' sheet that I rec'd from my dealer shows an MSRP of $34,430....with FE, AF Just curious if you can 'break down' the cost of the options, could there be a regional difference?
You have some of the information correct... but are missing some... Base MSRP for the model is $34,430. Add to that AF - package #1 ($1770) and Destination charge of $565 you get $36,765. Hope this helps clarify for you.
The information that my dealer has repeated told me does not jive with some of the messages in this forum. He told me that the ordering process for the HHs is new for Toyota. Unlike the Prius ordering method where vehicles were made whatever way the factory chose and customers could yea or ney as they came into the dealer, some dealers are actually taking orders for the HH per customer spec. My dealer just told me today that he can see the build schedule for my HH (base 4wd). It is scheduled to be built in July and I should have it, exactly the way I want it, by early August. I guess I'm working with one of the good dealers.
I'm willing to bet, if the person behind you "ordered" a limited with nav, he'll be getting his HH well before you get your base 4wd HH. My dealer also said the same exact thing your dealer said and took my order. While I'm #3 on my list, #4 will be getting his car this month, while I get my car this summer hopefully.
Your dealer is absolutely correct. That is exactly how I ordered my Highlander Hybrid. The dealer called me a couple of months ago to schedule an appointment for me to come down to the dealership to specify color, options, etc. The dealer was able to keep me informed and knew when it arrived at the port and when it was picked up by the truck to be delivered to the dealership. It was the first to arrive at the dealership. That was June 4th. I picked it up on Sunday, June 5th. It was exactly as I specified. Bluestone with Gray interior, Limited, 4WDi, Nav and running boards. Although I can't be certain that all Toyota dealers are treated the same, you would certainly think so. You are working with a good dealer.
A salesman in the SF Bay Area told me that there were ~300 HH being produced to be divided among ~60 dealerships; can't remember if he said but for some reason I'm thinking its for Northern California from now to the end of the year, but I'm not sure.
Not in the market for one as I already own a non-hybrid '01, but for the fun of it test drove a HH today. Interesting to note the differences between the HL I'm used to and the new HH:
1. As expected it had more power upon accelerating.
2. Especially when accelerating it had a much smoother feel than the regular HL, probably due to lack of engine vibration due to the electric motor assisting.
3. When stopped at traffic light it was uncharacteristic ally quiet, lacking the sound of the engine idling that I'm accustomed to.
4. When starting from a stop, when releasing the brake but before applying the gas the vehicle doesn't begin to move forward on its own as it typically does on vehicles with automatic transmissions; it just sits there until you hit the gas.
5. The brakes felt a little different -- they seemed "reactive," a little jumpy as I slowly changed the amount of pressure being applied (this of course is due to the regenerative braking which charges the battery).
All of the aforementioned with the possible exception of #4 have already been mentioned on this board before of course and most justifiably so as they account for the novelty of the hybrid and for what jumps out at you coming from driving a conventional car all these years. But other than the above, it looks and feels just like a good 'ol Highlander!
This is kind of my point... nsxwes ordered a limited w/nav and it came in early. I have to wonder what would have happened if you ordered a 4wd base.
I'm sure all of us who went in and picked out the exact model we wanted, will EVENTUALLY get our car. But I doubt the process goes like this: guy in Japan is looking at a list which reads, "nsxwes wants this model, otis wants this model, glitzer wants this model..." and proceeds to assemble the cars in that order. It's more likely it goes somthing like this: VP says according to our market research, we will produce so many cars of this combination and that combination. then when the cars are ready for distribution, we'll match up the orders with the cars as best we can. It just so happens for the first few months, they made a lot of limiteds.
nsxwes, try calling your dealer and ask him how many people before you that chose a 4wd base, got their cars. Or how many people that were lower on the list got their cars sooner because they ordered limited models. I don't think having a "good" or "bad" dealer will insure that those folks who ordered a base model will get their cars according to their spot on the list. I think it's out of the dealers hand. A good dealer will keep you in the loop, but has no control of the loop. Any dealers out there, please correct me if I'm wrong.
It's hard to understand how a rural dealer in Maryland can get 3 HHs (message #710) while those here in Florida are getting only one a month. Has anybody seen the elusive $3,030 (plus fees) basic model? I e-mailed Toyota to ask them if they were ordering any real base models and got an answer that was mostly gobbledegook about supply and demand. It did not say that a single base model, w/o option, package had be made and shipped.
I would like to believe there is a system in place to match cars with buyers on the waiting list, but am having a hard time believing that I am the only person in the US who placed an early order for the cheapest model, and that my order somehow got misplaced. And it is a pretty strange system that sends unwanted HHs to the north -- some of them FWD to snow country -- while there are people on waiting lists for those same cars in California and Florida. If Toyota Japan were as dysfunctional as Toyota in the US, we wouldn't want their cars and there would be no waiting lists.
Actually, I spoke with a dealer in atlanta (I think). on their web page, they have 3 BASE 4wd HH. (why in the south, that's a mystery). anyway, they were priced at about $36-37k if I remember correctly b/c they had a bunch of "dealer" options installed. also when I spoke to her, she said those cars didn't have the "market adjustment" included yet. (she "claims" their first HH went for $9500 over sticker!!!)
So tsotsi, the base models are "technically" out there- that is, if your willing to pay the price of a limited.
This "4WD North/2WD South" breakdown has been what I've found to be the case in the Chicago area. That's why I drove to Madison, WI to find the 2WD base model with the option package AF. Why there was one there is a mystery to both me and the salespeople there. (They really thought it was some sort of allocation mistake?!?! A happy one for me.)
All 3 of the Chgo area dealers I got waitlisted with told me that they wouldn't be seeing any 2WD base models for months and that all they were getting were 4WD's. This, even with my father knowing the former attorney general of the State of Illinois who now owns a suburban Toyota dealership and me, him and his sales manager discussing HH model availability on a conference call last week.
Toyotaken's statements that he has no access to information outside his region is borne out by my experience. When I realized that only 4WD's were being sent to Chgo, I first called the largest dealer in St. Louis to get outside Toyota's 5-state Midwest region (WI, IL, IN, OH, MI.) When they had nothing, I moved South and called a dealer in New Orleans. A salesman there said he found a Model #6960 with the AF pkg in the regional inventory but couldn't work a trade with that dealer for one of his Ltds. Then I called a dealer in Atlanta who said he'd get me what I wanted by the end of the week - - - for $1,500.00 over MSRP. I, also, voted with my wallet and said thanks but no thanks.
New allocations of HH's are done every 2 weeks according to the dealers I talked to in Evanston and New Orleans. So, everyone, be patient. Your HH will soon be available.
When I started this board/chat topic, it all seemed like a far-off dream. I never really allowed myself to think I'd actually convince my wife to buy one and actually be driving it today. Thanks to everyone along the way for all the help and info, especially kirstie h for keeping us all in line and on-topic.
P.S. Now that I have a 2WD, with my luck, there will be record snowfalls next winter here in the Windy
I payed $1000.00 in March to get on the list here in Southern New York. I wanted it loaded. The saleman said they are getting 12 limited models with the Navigation system. He said that what the Boss only wanted to sell. They got the first one last week and another one on the way. I'm next after that.They don't know what's color is coming in, it's what Toyota send them. It is up to me to take it or wait and wait till they get a blue one in. MSRP price $41,172 plus 8% tax.
You are correct that we get allocations 2x per month. Typically in the begining, on or around the 1st of the month and one mid month. So if the dealer you're working with is keeping you in the loop, they should be contacting you every 2weeks with updates on their allocation of vehicles and if/when you move up on the list.
I am beginning to think that all the 'hype' is beginning to backfire ... People are not 'rushing' to buy at these 'MSRP' price points. I have printed out the Ebay listing and am going to show it to my dealer when my HH arrives. Thanks for the info Otis1 !!!
BTW my 'ship date' on my 4WDi with AF (6964A) was 6-6-2005 on the vessel 'PYXIS V157' still have not rec'd a call that it has arrived @ the dealer.
I have another question; I have my Dealer's 'Vehicle Inquiry Report' which states that my 6964A had a 'ship date' of 6/6/05...is this date reflect shipping from Japan or from Seattle ???
Also, I know what AF stands for the 'Option#1', what does FE stand for ? :confuse:
Ship date typically shows when the vehicle was put on the vehicle transporter to get sent to the dealership. Once this happens, it's up chance as to when the truck actually shows up at the dealer, however. They usually have an ETA date for delivery to the dealership however. And usually, this is accurate to within a few days. I have had vehicles that were up to 2weeks late from the ETA date, however, so it isn't set in stone. Please keep in mind that the dealer has some things that are within their control and purvue, but the build date and delivery date of a particular vehicle is outside of our control. Once it hits the dealer's lot, obviously it's up to them to get everything else ready in a timely matter.
Hello Everyone! I have patience and I wonder if waiting for the 2007 Highlander (Hybrid of course!:) due to go on sale one year from this fall. It will be a complete redesign as you all know. Will I end up in the same boat (availability) re: many current and prospective owners will want to "jump" at the new design/model year? Any input would be greatly appreciated.
...have you looked at the Accord Hybrid? I bought mine for $800 below INVOICE in Ohio after a lot of negotiating. It is a really great car. I know it is not a SUV, so if space/AWD is an issue it wont work for you. 30+ mpg in this V6 in the city is very doable.
My dealer, in upstate NY above Albany, did take my specifications for a base model in May and I confirmed today that they know nothing about when my vehicle will be built.
No, I did'nt know that it would be a 'complete redesign'... Where did you get this information ? Does NOT Sound like Toyota...since their product 'runs' into years not annually. Although, admittedly the Highlander is an 'older run'. Curious where you found this information.
there's a blurb about it in the "future vehicle" section of edmunds. but who knows... rememeber when the HH was supposed to be available 1Q of 2004? Look how that prediction turned out
It takes a brave person to buy a new car on eBay. The risk factor alone would bring the price down for me. I don't think we should take that as a sign that HH's are going to sit unwanted on Toyota dealer's lots.
Just got word from our dealer that our loaded limited has arrived. We've been on the list since Oct. and I'm taking off tomorrow afternoon to go pick it up. We're pretty pumped as our vacation begins July 1.
I know that I did a little research I could find this out myself, but is the A/C on the HH electric? That is, will it continue to function at a stoplight with the ICE shut down? I live in California, and I would hate to have no A/C or to have the ICE stay on in order to keep me cool. Thanks.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
Yes, it is. And yes, in fact it does still continue to function when the ICE is off. And btw, it may be my imagination, but the A/C in the hybrids actually seem to cool off the vehicle more quickly than the "normal" models.
We've live on the north side of Chicago, and have had really good luck with a dealer in Kenosha, WI. (It's the one just over the state line with the "no haggle price" policy. Most people know them for used cars, but Kenosha has a new-car Toyota dealership.) Although it's a bit of a drive (exactly 50 miles door-to-door), we have bought 2 cars from them in the past and will pick up our HH Ltd next week. The price will be $100 UNDER list. Their Toyota manager is a great guy and a joy to work with. We HATE playing games on the price, and think this is the ONLY way to buy a car. (You have the same option if you're near Laurel, MD; they had 4 or 5 HH vehicles in stock as of yesterday.)
We visited the dealer on 4/16 and basically put in an order for the one we wanted (bluestone 4WD Limited with NAV), but did not have to put any money down. We were the very first customer to inquire about the HH, and will be getting the second one that they receive, exactly to our specs. Today I called and found out it has arrived. If I didn't have to wait until next Wednesday for family reasons, I would have rushed up there today!
BTW, thanks to everyone who has already taken delivery and have been kind enough to post their comments. This is the biggest car investment we've ever made, and it's nice to know how much people like it. Although our general rule is never to buy the first model year of a new vehicle, our experience with our '03 Prius sold us, sight unseen.
My HH 4wdi + AP in 'Sonora Gold Pearl' just arrived yesterday. Dealer stated needed 'several days to prep the vehicle'...I get the feeling it will be 'bait' for any interested potential buyers, I cannot pick it up untill next week due to Family in hospital... anyway.. dealer promised "no test drives' :mad:
Dealer stated needed 'several days to prep the vehicle' That sounds strange. Why would it take several days? I agree with your feeling. Another possibility is they're using it for in-house familiarization and training.
Comments
P.S. I like the idea of ECOSUV as a vanity plate; hope that person isn't in Illinois!!
Enjoy your ride up tomorrow. I know you'll enjoy the ride home even more :shades: .
I must say, though, that if my wife wasn't so dead-set against Silver, I'd be the one driving that car this weekend instead of you
P.S. - I've been trying to figure out a good vanity plate as well....so any more good suggestions?
Wes
You can use ECOSUV in Illinois if you want, I'm in Vermont. I hope no one here grabs it now that I have let the cat out of the bag. I gave my local dealer a $500 refundable deposit back in April 2004. He promises a MSRP deal and tells me I am in the top ten. He took my options about 6 weeks ago - 4wd base w/o option group, blue with saddle interior. He told me the district was ordering 80% 4wd and all the dealers protested - they want 100% 4wd which of course is the only way to go in New England. I hope to take delivery this summer, I want to take advantage of the $2000 deduction and my employer is offering a $5000 bonus to any employee who buys a hybrid this year.
Re vanity plates: I'm not buying a HH, but if I were and I were getting vanity plates, I'd try for something like HYBRID -- everyone can see its an SUV, so why clutter up the plate with extraneous info?
Wes
First, many comments about dealerships being "fair" or unscrupulous points to the importance of talking to each dealership and recognizing that each will do something different in terms of waiting lists, "reserving" a car for someone, etc. There are 5 or 6 toyotal dealerships within 30 minutes and all have had slightly different deal.
Second, in my experience (with the benefit of multiple dealerships), there is a pretty standard MSRP offer with premiums available on ebay and other places where you can pay for the pleasure of being at the top of the list.
Third, don't believe the "we can put you on the list but you are looking at 12 to 18 months....but I have a regular Highlander." We were on a Lexus waiting list, told it would be at least 6 months and got a call 3 weeks later with car on lot. (For many reasons we went with HH even though we expected to wait at least a few months).
Fourth, it does appear that the number of HH are coming in slow even if you are willing to buy whatever comes onto the lot. That said, it pays to shop around. I'll post in another note how we got "lucky" and are now new owners.
Finally, watch out for "gimmick"/offer I had seen before. One dealership advised they had one scheduled for delivery by early July and with deposit and completing all of the paper work asap we could "lock up" the car. We quickly did everything requested. I advised we would be willing to pay MSRP. Imagine my surprise when MSRP was $46,500 (for FWD, NAV, Custom)? When I probed, I was told this is the "dealer's MSRP." What is that you ask? So did I. Turns out dealer takes delivery of car at approx. $42,000 but won't sell it until they have added a bunch of stuff - - paint protection, carpet protection, a $3600 DVD system (2X factory installed option), stripping, running boards. Dealership policy - - they will NOT sell HH except with all of the additional items for the premium mark up. Dealer's right to sell as they want, our right to walk away - - which we did.
Good luck!
Congratulations and a very good explanation for how to be treated fairly and how to work fairly with the dealers you went to. I can well imagine the surprise you had when they quoted an MSRP that was $5000 more than what was on the factory window sticker. And I also applaud you for not doing business with them. Dealers like that are what gives the rest of us a bad reputation without our involvement with their bad practices. And you voted the best way that you can, with your wallet. Hope you enjoy the new HH and I look forward to your posting in the future with how you like it.
Ken
Dealer experience: As many have said, shop around. My closest dealer (who sells Toyota and Honda), the one from whom I purchased 2 other new cars in past 3 years really failed me. In Aug 2004 I was ready to place an order for HH. No one seemed to have any reliable info. My normal dealer would "take an order" but informed me that he would charge MSRP plus $5,000. When I asked why, the owner was summoned and told me that he expected Prius-like demand with people buying from him and turning around and selling on ebay for a premium. I said, " I am very disappointed in how you treat your customers" and walked out. I shall never buy again from there and I have 4 teenagers at home who will be in need of cars. After internet search and edmunds.com, I found another dealer 10 miles away that turned out to be great. Aug 04 he took a $500 refundable deposit, sent me a written receipt stating deposit was refundable and that sale price would be at-the time-unknown MSRP, told me I was 11th on a list and that he really had no more info but would call me when he did. This was over the phone and email. I never set foot in the place until I picked up. When MSRPs were announced (mid April?) he called to say I was #5, confirmed the car specs and asked for my color choices. In Mid May he called and said I was #2 and was hoping to deliver before July. He called on June 18 and said it would be ready in 4 hours. It was and it is great.
Thoughts on the car: We own an 03 CIVIC Hybrid and an 02 CRV. Obviously, no comparison in appointments. Of course the HH is just bigger, more massive, more substantial than my other rides. However, the HH is just fun in a very active sense.
The civic hybrid is fun passively. It is comforting and satisfying to eek out MPG in the civic, but the HH is a whole new world. There is so much going on it seems a bit daunting - between the NAV/Energy/Consumption toggle and the speedometer mutli-info display. Driving without the ICE is extremely quiet and golf-cart like. The switch to gas is seemless, as is the CVT. If windows are open or if radio on, it is diffucult to know when ICE kicks in unless you are looking at gauges.
Little things I do not recall being mentioned in other posts:
The moonroof controls are easy and clear and you are warned after removing the key that roof is still open. Plus you get 40 seconds to close it without reinserting the key.
Third row seat is passable (barely passable) for one small adult for a short trip of a few miles (like a lunch break form the office).
NAV does talk to you and is fairly intuitive to operate, but reading the manual will really help.
Area under console and shifter is open and has a power outlet.
The "B" on the shifter is for simulated engine braking for use on long (multi-mile) downhill grades.
I am detecting a slight noise when I engage the brakes whether the car is on or not. The sound is mechanical as if a compressor is triggering and is present 80% of the time occurring on depression and release. It is minor but noticeable. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Best of luck to all waiting. It is worth the wait and I hope you are as pleased as I am.
Larry
I wish my buying experience offered some deep secrets that will allow readers to instantly snap up a new HH but alas I think we were just very, very lucky. That said, allow me to share.
After contemplating a hybrid purchase for the past 6 months, we in earnest decided that the HH was the right choice for us just a month or so ago. We put our name on area dealership waiting lists, some charging deposits, others not, all telling us it would be a long wait and each having a long list.
On a mini-vacation with the kids to the Eastern Shore, Maryland, I persuaded my family to allow me to stop at each Toyota dealership we drove by to see if by chance.....First dealership, one hybrid, already sold, no others expected for one month.
Second dealership (family groaning they want to get to beach) - - 3 HH, two sold and, yep, third just arrived and unsold. It was exactly what we wanted (although we weren't fussy relative to waiting for just the right combo of features. Its a 4wd, nav, Limited. I told the sales guy if he could get the car prepped, do the financing and have me out the door in 2 hours I wanted to buy the car on the spot. He was fantastic, without too much persuading my kids chilled, my wife helped fill out paper work. We left our 1998 Ford Expedition with 140,000 miles with the dealer, got a trade-in approximately $1500 above what a local dealer had told us was the max they could give us. With a Ford Expedition you don't have to be too careful at packing the car. Fortunately, we pulled up the new car next to the old and got everything into our new HH.
This dealership had a relatively small waiting list and apparently out in the country fewer want to pay for a Navigation system - -hence part of the reason the car was unspoken for when we drove up. Also, the dealership said something about being required by Toyota to hold the car until a specific date, before which they weren't allowed to sell it (?). The day we pulled up was the first day they could actually sell the car.
So, there you have it. Shop around, make calls, take a ride in the country or just put it out of your mind and figure eventually your name will come up on a dealership's waiting list.
Regards.
You gave us the # of HH produced in May-- can you update that?
Was that the total for the US, Northest or just NY?
Is there some way to get a sense of how many will be available in CA in the near future?
I am inteerested in a base AWD with the option pkg, color not important. The dealers I have lsited with in the Bay Area say I am toward to top of their lists, but they have no clue as th when the Base AWD will be available.
436 total units built
6960-2wd hybrid total built 131
$35,365 MSRP with FE AF for factory equipment
6964-4wd hybrid built 22
$36,765 MSRP with FE AF for factory equipment
6966-4wd Limited hybrid built 283
14 built with $39,855 MSRP and FE LL for factory equipment
269 built with $41,855 MSRP with FE LL NV for factory equipment
Sorry I don't have access to the other information, but I hope this helps.
Ken
Ken
I could not help but notice that your MSRP for the 6964 4wd HH is $36,765...
Edmunds.com as well as the 'in transit' sheet that I rec'd from my dealer shows an MSRP of $34,430....with FE, AF
Just curious if you can 'break down' the cost of the options, could there be a regional difference?
Base MSRP for the model is $34,430. Add to that AF - package #1 ($1770) and Destination charge of $565 you get $36,765. Hope this helps clarify for you.
Ken
Your dealer is absolutely correct. That is exactly how I ordered my Highlander Hybrid. The dealer called me a couple of months ago to schedule an appointment for me to come down to the dealership to specify color, options, etc. The dealer was able to keep me informed and knew when it arrived at the port and when it was picked up by the truck to be delivered to the dealership. It was the first to arrive at the dealership. That was June 4th. I picked it up on Sunday, June 5th. It was exactly as I specified. Bluestone with Gray interior, Limited, 4WDi, Nav and running boards. Although I can't be certain that all Toyota dealers are treated the same, you would certainly think so. You are working with a good dealer.
Wes
Not in the market for one as I already own a non-hybrid '01, but for the fun of it test drove a HH today. Interesting to note the differences between the HL I'm used to and the new HH:
1. As expected it had more power upon accelerating.
2. Especially when accelerating it had a much smoother feel than the regular HL, probably due to lack of engine vibration due to the electric motor assisting.
3. When stopped at traffic light it was uncharacteristic ally quiet, lacking the sound of the engine idling that I'm accustomed to.
4. When starting from a stop, when releasing the brake but before applying the gas the vehicle doesn't begin to move forward on its own as it typically does on vehicles with automatic transmissions; it just sits there until you hit the gas.
5. The brakes felt a little different -- they seemed "reactive," a little jumpy as I slowly changed the amount of pressure being applied (this of course is due to the regenerative braking which charges the battery).
All of the aforementioned with the possible exception of #4 have already been mentioned on this board before of course and most justifiably so as they account for the novelty of the hybrid and for what jumps out at you coming from driving a conventional car all these years. But other than the above, it looks and feels just like a good 'ol Highlander!
I'm sure all of us who went in and picked out the exact model we wanted, will EVENTUALLY get our car. But I doubt the process goes like this: guy in Japan is looking at a list which reads, "nsxwes wants this model, otis wants this model, glitzer wants this model..." and proceeds to assemble the cars in that order. It's more likely it goes somthing like this: VP says according to our market research, we will produce so many cars of this combination and that combination. then when the cars are ready for distribution, we'll match up the orders with the cars as best we can. It just so happens for the first few months, they made a lot of limiteds.
nsxwes, try calling your dealer and ask him how many people before you that chose a 4wd base, got their cars. Or how many people that were lower on the list got their cars sooner because they ordered limited models. I don't think having a "good" or "bad" dealer will insure that those folks who ordered a base model will get their cars according to their spot on the list. I think it's out of the dealers hand. A good dealer will keep you in the loop, but has no control of the loop. Any dealers out there, please correct me if I'm wrong.
I would like to believe there is a system in place to match cars with buyers on the waiting list, but am having a hard time believing that I am the only person in the US who placed an early order for the cheapest model, and that my order somehow got misplaced. And it is a pretty strange system that sends unwanted HHs to the north -- some of them FWD to snow country -- while there are people on waiting lists for those same cars in California and Florida. If Toyota Japan were as dysfunctional as Toyota in the US, we wouldn't want their cars and there would be no waiting lists.
So tsotsi, the base models are "technically" out there- that is, if your willing to pay the price of a limited.
This "4WD North/2WD South" breakdown has been what I've found to be the case in the Chicago area. That's why I drove to Madison, WI to find the 2WD base model with the option package AF. Why there was one there is a mystery to both me and the salespeople there. (They really thought it was some sort of allocation mistake?!?! A happy one for me.)
All 3 of the Chgo area dealers I got waitlisted with told me that they wouldn't be seeing any 2WD base models for months and that all they were getting were 4WD's. This, even with my father knowing the former attorney general of the State of Illinois who now owns a suburban Toyota dealership and me, him and his sales manager discussing HH model availability on a conference call last week.
Toyotaken's statements that he has no access to information outside his region is borne out by my experience. When I realized that only 4WD's were being sent to Chgo, I first called the largest dealer in St. Louis to get outside Toyota's 5-state Midwest region (WI, IL, IN, OH, MI.) When they had nothing, I moved South and called a dealer in New Orleans. A salesman there said he found a Model #6960 with the AF pkg in the regional inventory but couldn't work a trade with that dealer for one of his Ltds. Then I called a dealer in Atlanta who said he'd get me what I wanted by the end of the week - - - for $1,500.00 over MSRP. I, also, voted with my wallet and said thanks but no thanks.
New allocations of HH's are done every 2 weeks according to the dealers I talked to in Evanston and New Orleans. So, everyone, be patient. Your HH will soon be available.
When I started this board/chat topic, it all seemed like a far-off dream. I never really allowed myself to think I'd actually convince my wife to buy one and actually be driving it today. Thanks to everyone along the way for all the help and info, especially kirstie h for keeping us all in line and on-topic.
P.S. Now that I have a 2WD, with my luck, there will be record snowfalls next winter here in the Windy
Hope this helps.
Ken
So that would indeed suggest that they are building them to spec, contrary to other comments/speculations on this board.
BTW, is there some reason why people don't mention their locations or specific dealers on many comments on this board? I think it would be helpful.
Thanks.
Ken
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4557699900&category=439- 24
someone has apparently bought a new FWD HH lim w/nav for less than $39k.
I am beginning to think that all the 'hype' is beginning to backfire ...
People are not 'rushing' to buy at these 'MSRP' price points.
I have printed out the Ebay listing and am going to show it to my dealer when my HH arrives. Thanks for the info Otis1 !!!
BTW my 'ship date' on my 4WDi with AF (6964A) was 6-6-2005 on the vessel 'PYXIS V157' still have not rec'd a call that it has arrived @ the dealer.
Thanks for the clarification !
I have another question;
I have my Dealer's 'Vehicle Inquiry Report' which states that my 6964A had a 'ship date' of 6/6/05...is this date reflect shipping from Japan or from Seattle ???
Also, I know what AF stands for the 'Option#1', what does FE stand for ? :confuse:
Thx.
Ship date typically shows when the vehicle was put on the vehicle transporter to get sent to the dealership. Once this happens, it's up chance as to when the truck actually shows up at the dealer, however. They usually have an ETA date for delivery to the dealership however. And usually, this is accurate to within a few days. I have had vehicles that were up to 2weeks late from the ETA date, however, so it isn't set in stone. Please keep in mind that the dealer has some things that are within their control and purvue, but the build date and delivery date of a particular vehicle is outside of our control. Once it hits the dealer's lot, obviously it's up to them to get everything else ready in a timely matter.
Hope this helps.
Ken
I have patience and I wonder if waiting for the 2007 Highlander (Hybrid of course!:) due to go on sale one year from this fall. It will be a complete redesign as you all know. Will I end up in the same boat (availability) re: many current and prospective owners will want to "jump" at the new design/model year? Any input would be greatly appreciated.
MikeV
cal_cal
:shades:
Where did you get this information ?
Does NOT Sound like Toyota...since their product 'runs' into years not annually.
Although, admittedly the Highlander is an 'older run'.
Curious where you found this information.
ZZZZZT
CHARGED
ZAPPED
GAS ZAPR
GAS ELCT
CURRENT
650 VOLT
GASSED
30MPG
AMPED
ELECSUV
SIPSGAS
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
Ken
We visited the dealer on 4/16 and basically put in an order for the one we wanted (bluestone 4WD Limited with NAV), but did not have to put any money down. We were the very first customer to inquire about the HH, and will be getting the second one that they receive, exactly to our specs. Today I called and found out it has arrived. If I didn't have to wait until next Wednesday for family reasons, I would have rushed up there today!
BTW, thanks to everyone who has already taken delivery and have been kind enough to post their comments. This is the biggest car investment we've ever made, and it's nice to know how much people like it. Although our general rule is never to buy the first model year of a new vehicle, our experience with our '03 Prius sold us, sight unseen.
Any chance you could email me the name of the Laurel, MD dealer?
Thx,
David
"The price will be $100 UNDER list"
I know the dealer as Max...
My HH 4wdi + AP in 'Sonora Gold Pearl' just arrived yesterday.
Dealer stated needed 'several days to prep the vehicle'...I get the feeling it will be 'bait' for any interested potential buyers, I cannot pick it up untill next week due to Family in hospital... anyway.. dealer promised "no test drives' :mad:
That sounds strange. Why would it take several days? I agree with your feeling.
Another possibility is they're using it for in-house familiarization and training.