2013 and Earlier - Toyota Highlander Prices Paid and Buying Experience

2004hl

Do the math! You know what the list is and you can find the invoice prices here on Edmunds. Spec one out the way you want it and then do the math! I think you are going to end up quite a bit over $30K on a loaded Limited.

As for the incentives - we'll have to wait until February 5th! I'm going to see if I can hold out until then.

2004hl

So certain combinations don't seem to exist in certain markets. There is no such thing in the North East as a V6 AWD without a 3rd row seat for example.

Now, what about colors? Dealer tells me Sonora Gold and Millenium Silver are most popular but then tells me the hardest color to get is Bluestone Metallic. Huh? Did they just not make that many? I can find them in 2WD and even in Ltd but not in between.

tmagda

Check out fitzmall.com in MD. I live in CT and no local dealers would come close to their posted pricing. A few NY dealers are willing to match.

2003tls

According to another website, the Highlander comes with All Wheel Drive in only three combinations:

1) 4 cylinder Base
2) 6 cylinder Base w/ 3rd Row
3) 6 cylinder Limited (which includes 3rd Row)

Therefore, 6 cylinder Base with AWD and NO 3rd row is not offered by Toyota anywhere.

2003tls

I found a Toyota dealer in another state selling the official Toyota Extra Care Service Contract for a 2004 Highlander V6 AWD for just $850 for a Platinum (the best) 7/100K no deductible Service Contract. I am going to get it as soon as I get delivery of my Highlander. You can buy the official Toyota Service Contract from any dealer, not just the one you buy your Highlander from so definitely shop around!

2004hl

We knew that from the models listed right here on Edmunds.

geminijax

Just bought a 04 HL V6 Limited from Lighthouse Toyota (St. Augustine, N. Fla.). The options on the vehicle are:
* Sunroof/moonroof
* Upgraded sound w/ 6 disc in-dash changer
* towing package
* sunroof wind deflector
* lighted color-keyed running boards

The last two we wanted installed. Oh yes, the HL had the ToyoGuard Plus stuff on it as well. Not that we could see it!

Anyway, we paid exactly $32K OTD (and I do mean OTD). The sticker read $31,815. BTW, the sticker does not include the running boards and the sunroof wind deflector. Those usually add about $700 or so.

We had visited some other dealerships in the area as well before making the purchase. We decided not to do business with Coggin Toyota at the Avenues for several reasons. One, they offered us a ridiculously low amount for a trade-in (about half of the value, as appraised by their own website). Later on they gradually increased that to the correct amount, but were not willing to come down from their price. The salesperson was fine. However, her boss, the Internet Sales Director, behaved like a smart alec (I'm using a nice word here instead of the one I really should be using). Besides poor customer manners, this character also thinks that sites such as Edmunds don't really have up-to-date info, are hard to use, etc. Funny, if I look for dealers in this area, Coggin shows up. But their so-called Internet Sales Director apparently has a very poor opinion of Edmunds. Perhaps Edmunds ought to start omitting Coggin from that list!

Nearly got taken by another dealership. The salesman pursuaded us to put down a $500 deposit which he stated multiple times was refundable. However, we could not agree to the price and then the chap did not want to refund our deposit. Sent him a couple of emails, very politely asking him to fork over the deposit and reminding him of the "refundable" part. No avail. Thankfully, the deposit was made over the phone using a Visa. We filed a dispute with the credit card people and got the amount credited. However, I'd like to teach these people a good lesson. Any suggestions?

-- gemini.

geminijax

Forgot to mention it. The HL also had a set of floormats include in the price.

-- gemini

stever

I suspect the owner and/or general manager isn't aware of this behavior so perhaps writing them a letter would help them improve their business practices.

You may want to cc your local Consumer Protection agency too :-)

Steve, Host

2004hl

So how come the dealer who claims to be selling me the vehicle at $100 over invoice is several hundred dollars higher than another dealer? Three hundred to be exact. Can't figure out where the difference is - the vehicles are identical.
Only thing holding me back is the personalities involved - the cheaper guy has done NOTHING to earn my business.

2004hl

Just had a call from another dealer - best price yet, about $800 less than the dealer who claimed to be selling for $100 over invoice. The new dealer also claims to be at $100 over but the equipment seems to be the same??
Now I just have to hope that they bring back the $750 cash back - between the price difference and the rebate that would pay my sales tax!

Not much activity on this forum huh?

geminijax

2004hl, the difference in the pricing may be because of some minor items, such as carpet mats, sunroof wind deflector, etc. Down here in Florida, there can be difference of a couple of hundred bucks because the dealers charge different fees. Make sure the price difference is on an OTD basis. That's because some dealers will draw you in quoting a lower number and then make up for it with higher dealer fees, one way or the other.

Best of luck!

2004hl

Hard to get the dealers to list EVERY item that is on the vehicles - Toyota dealer's web sites are really lacking in this regard - on a GM vehicle you can pull up a copy of the sticker right there on the web site - a big plus. On the individual dealer sites you are lucky if you can tell easily if it is a AWD model or not! The sales people list the major items but then gloss over some of the little stuff.
As far as I can tell the vehicles at the 2 different dealers are identical except perhaps the VIP alarm and hood protector which might be a small part of the difference. The alarm is worth nothing to me, expensive compared to better quality aftermarket stuff.
I got the more expensive (who claims to be at $100 over invoice don't forget) to break down the pricing today and HIS invoice is about $800 higher than the other guy's PLUS his dealership gets $189 for documentation versus $95 at other guy's. I'm still left feeling that there are at least a couple of hundred dollars (300-400) that I can't account for in the higher priced dealer's pricing.
Oh well, we're so close to the chance of a rebate in February that I won't do anything this week!

rtrager

Don't forget that the longer you wait to buy your dream car the lower it's value will be when you drive it off the lot. Not to mention the fact that you can't drive it now. If you wait long enough you'll start thinking about the 2005 models. Good luck.

lmacmil

Local Toyota dealer has a Toyota-certified '02 AWD Limited with 29K miles. Current asking price is $27,500 which is about Edmunds TMV retail. They had it on Ebay but the high bid of $23.8K didn't meet the reserve. Kelly BB says retail is only $24.6K which is quite a difference from the Edmunds TMV. What's a fair price? It's pretty much fully loaded and advertised as a lease turn-in from a non-smoker.

Here's the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&cate- gory=43924&item=2454910482

2004hl

I'd wait until the last business day of the month and go in late in the day with a certified check for $24K in my pocket. Ebay is not always the best indicator of what something is worth - there are few bargains to be had - but in this case it is probably pretty close.
Looking at it from another point of view, you can buy a loaded AWD V6 (not Limited) for about $28,600 without the 29K miles...

stever

Seems like I linked this for you before? Maybe it was for someone else :-) (sorry if I'm being redundant).

What is the "Kelley Blue Book" Price?

Second opinions can be found in Real-World Trade-In Values.

Steve, Host

lmacmil

Yes you did and I read it but it doesn't really explain the big discrepancy between Edmunds TMV and KBB retail price. I would expect the KBB to be higher than TMV since it is reported to be the asking price rather than the actual selling price. Somebody's formula is incorrect.

stever

heh, I probably linked Learn More About TMV® too but may as well go all the way in the redundant category.

Guess you'll have to ask Terry.

Steve, Host

mysticb

I just got through talking to a salesman who told me that the 04 LTD 4x2 can come with the tow prep package, but it doesn't come with the tow/hitch bar. He said that the redesign with the third row seat caused the change to the spare configuration under the vehicle and they have a hard time putting the hitch on (i.e., they can't do it), but it can be put on the 4x4. Now I can't tell if this BS or what, but has anyone purchased or seen a 04 LTD 4x2 with a hitch?

stever

Try the Toyota Highlander discussion or maybe the Toyota Highlander Owners: Accessories & Modifications one.

We're focusing on deals in here. Thanks,

Steve, Host

mansd

I am new to this. What does OTD mean.

Thanx

tidester

OTD = Out The Door

tidester, host

nogano

I am going to school on invoice costs and have a question for those who have been educated. Are freight and destinations charges as well as advertising costs real? Or are they a vehicle(sorry) to inflate price and take our eye off the invoice? Thanks in advance!

grapevinetx

Majority opinion seems to be that destination charges and advertising fees that appear on the factory invoice are pretty legit, but who knows. Been buying cars for 25+ years and everytime I figure out the rules the dealers come up with some new kind of cost to jack up the price some more. My advice is to make the question moot by negotiating on out-the-door (OTD) price, or OTD minus TTL if comparing deals in different states.

cwbarrett

I belive destination costs are real. I think advertising is actually paid by the dealer but given back to them in some other scheme. On top of that dealers in the Northeast try to tack on 250 or so in administration (not be be confused with DMV costs)which is simply another term for pure dealer profit.

mysticb

I know this is an Edmunds board, but I found a rebate notice on Cars.com that doesn't appear on Edmunds. Is Cars.com crying wolf or is Edmunds behind the curve?

The information is at:
http://www.cars.com/carsapp/national/?srv=parser&act=display&- amp;tf=/features/incentives/makes/incentives_toyota.tmpl

bluewater5

The rebate is only good in portions of the west coast. Your link includes "incentives may vary by region". It ends today, so check again tomorrow to see if has been extended or dropped. Edmunds will show the rebate if you enter a CA zip, e.g. 91106.

bluewater5

I am looking for a Highlander FWD (4x2) 6 cyl. From what I have seen, these all come with the 3rd row seat for about $28,200 to $28,600 MSRP. There seems to be limited choice starting with FWD/6-cyl. Has anyone seen otherwise?

What seems to be a good deal on these? Also, can anyone recommend Toyota dealers in NJ who were easy to deal with?

Lastly, has anyone seen the advertising fee in the northeast? Thanks in advance to answers to any of these questions.

2004hl

Where in NJ? I'm in central and have recently been in touch with about 4 different dealers.

Not sure what you mean about limited choice - every dealer that I have seen has at least a couple of 2WD V6 Highlanders at around $28,600. As for them all having the 3rd row seat the Toyota brochure seems to say that they exist without it but I don't believe that this is really true. In other words I think that there is no V6 without a 3rd row seat.

As far as deals, several dealers are offering $100 over invoice when you go through their internet departments.

typesix

Here in Mass. the dealers do have some FWD V-6s w/o 3rd row seats but most do come with the seats. What one cannot find is the FWD 4-cyl with 3rd row seats, Toyota apparently won't sell them here.

2004hl

I'm surprised to hear that - I've never seen one and the dealers around here assure you that they don't exist. I started out wanting a V6 AWD w/o the 3rd row seat but having seen that it folds flat I'm prepared to just accept that it is there - even 'though I don't think that it will get used much.

bluewater5

Thanks for the reply. I also am in central Jersey (Monmouth County).

I have been to 2 dealers, but I have not started talking deals yet. I was planning on trying the sales people I have seen. I was wondering if I was going to have luck paying near invoice. They do have a 2% holdback, but that could be taken up with an advertising fee.

By limited choice, I mostly meant in the types of options. With FWD-V6, I have seen a fairly narrow range of prices, all with 3rd row, with just plus or minus an option or two. A given dealer might have 2-7 of these in stock at any given time, so it looks like I do have some color choice. I will probably get red or silver.

rugby65

Public Citizen has been contacted by more than 500 auto buyer's who have been scamed by Dealer's who have charged them for things they didn't agree to purchase and Loan paper's being changed after the sale, Including forged signatures.

Buyer's were charged for Etching, when this is a federal requirement and Over charged for extended warrants.
Consumer's reported that their credit reports were pulled with out their authoraztion and their credit reports were falsified.

Check out this report at the link listed here.

http://www.citizen.org/documents/AFStories.pdf

bluewater5

Enter zip code at http://www.buyatoyota.com/ for deals from 2/3 to 3/1/04. Previous rebate was CA only, but there is now financing in other regions. In NJ, for example:

 2004 RAV4 and Highlander - Special APR
    * 1.9% for 36 months (Tier I,II)
    * 2.9% for 48 months (Tier I,II)
    * 3.9% for 60 months (Tier I,II)

rtrager

Rebates only on FWD not AWD in RI.

malathan

Got my loan through local credit union at 3.3% for 78 months. Unfortunately, all I could afford was the 4-cyl fwd, but seems to hold its own good as most of driving in around town.

lmacmil

Very good experience. The sales guy (who we had worked with before) showed us the invoice before we ever started talking price. We (actually my wife did the dealing) went in with an offer of invoice less the KBB trade-in on our 1996 Explorer. They countered and we went up $200 but asked for and received floor mats and the cargo net. They said OK. They'll make their money on our trade for which they gave us Edmunds TMV which was $240 higher the KBB trade.

It was so easy, I know we probably could have done a little better but when you're talking $27,000, a hundred or two either way is pretty small potatoes.

Really looking forward to picking it up Monday. Btw, they have 2.9% financing going on now too and that's worth another $700-800 over our credit union rate.

gaembay

Yesterday we purchased a new 2004 HL FWD V4 with mudguards, quick order, daytime running lights, and floor mats.
MSRP 25,757
Invoice 22,719
Price paid 20, 388 (includes a 750 rebate to customer) plus 198 doc fee plus tax/title/registration. We didn't have a trade in (our 89 Camry with over 200K miles will be put out to pasture).
This was one of the vehicles advertised in the paper (globe) for the President's Day Sale at Boch Toyota. FYI, when we went in for a test drive last Thursday, the sales rep had mentioned about 500 over invoice. They had advertised the above HL at 21588 (included the 750 rebate to customer)about a week ago and thought we would see what came up during the Sale. We were lucky enough to get one of the advertised vehicles - we thought for sure it would be gone/didn't exist. (Actually they had 2 for the above price - we took one). It worked out for us because they had excess inventory, and being the "2nd largest toyota dealer in the US" allows them to advertise loss leaders to bring people in.

ohmygosh

Hi people.......Cash in hand and ready to buy 4x4 6cyl. Highlander with popular options. Not a Limited. MSRP (Sticker price) is $31,700. What should be the lowest price I should expect ?
Also, does this vehicle need premium gas ?

2004hl

$100 over invoice. Regular gas.

coniglia

I will be purchasing a Highlander or Pilot next month and am attempting to determine if the Highlander 4 cycle engine has enough power to handle steep terrain (highway driving in the Rockies). I was told that it was strong enough but also told that the V6 is better because of the weight of the Highlander (approx. 3500 lbs.). Thank you.

fvp

I have an '03 HL V6 4WD and strongly recommend the V6 vs. the 4 cylinder. I drove both engines extensively prior to buying and the 6 was the way to go. Here are my reasons:
1. Curb weight is 3935 lbs.[not 3500] and gross weight is about 5360 lbs. according to Edmunds spec sheet. That's a lot of weight for a 4 to lug around. Gas mileage is pretty close [1 or 2 MPG] so that's not much of a factor.
2.I live in hilly Western PA and the power of the V6 is most welcome. In your area, with altitude being a factor, the extra grunt is going to be needed.
3. I bought mine in July and during the test drive I added three passengers and the air conditioning. The 4 struggled in all situations during the test. Don't forget, the 4WD adds weight as well.
4. Resale value is going to be better with a V6 vs. the 4.
All that said, there have been many posts on this site from satisfied 4 cylinder Highlander owners. In Florida the smaller engine is very adequate but in your situation, I'd go with the larger motor.

ohmygosh

4x4 6 cylinder Highlander with all options, SR, GY, HE, AG, CQ, AW, TO, LF, MG, NE, EH. Listed for $31, 800. They quoted me $28,000 (tax and tags not included)

lmacmil

That price must be pretty close to invoice so I would say it's a very good deal. Edmunds TMV on the model I just bought was about $1400 over invoice.

geminijax

We focused on the OTD price, rather than mess with the numerous numbers/charges, etc. We paid $32K (exactly) for a 2004 HL V6 Limited. Besides the standard equipment, the HL has sunroof/moonroof, sunroof wind deflector, lighted color-keyed running boards, towing package, the JBL premium sound system w/ in-dash 6-cd changer & carpet mats.

Hope this helps!

ohmygosh

Just purchased the 2004 Highlander 4x4 6cyl.
I had a tough time finding the vehicle in Salsa Red, and got lucky after visiting several dealerships. They told me it just arrived at the port on their inventory. I had them provide me with the inquiry sheet and VIN # before I gave them a deposit. The car listed for $31,836 and I sealed the deal at $28,100. Even got them to through in a moonroof deflecter and pin striping. Seems like I got the best deal possible. Comments welcome. Taking delivery in two days.

ohmygosh

I just purchased the Highlander in Red. It is going to be delivered next week. When I checked the inquiry sheet a little closer it listed the color as dark red. I assumed I was ordering Salsa Red Pearl which is the only red color listed in the charts. Did I assume wrong ?? Is dark red actually Salsa Red Pearl ???

ohmygosh

Just picked up the Highlander !!! Couldn't get out the door without hearing about extended warranty coverage. They kept lowering the cost and insisted that once I left I would have to purchase from Toyota. Well I left but still have the option. Go figure!! They were offering me a 6 year, 60,000 miles for $550. Any comments welcome.

steveb84

does show up as DKRED on the inquiry sheets. The color code is 3Q3 for Salsa Red.