2013 and Earlier - Toyota Highlander Prices Paid and Buying Experience

tiger8612

Dear Slic38,

Could you please let me know which dealer you went to? I am also in CA. Thnaks

geminijax

landdriver, we bought a '04 HL Ltd in Jan. 2004 & a '05 Prius (fully loaded) last month. Both times, I checked the dealer's cost, added a couple of hundred bucks in for the dealer's profit (a bit more for the Prius, since they're really in short supply), then added 10% to that number (that approximates the sales tax and all the little fees in my area). That was my target OTD price. I called the various dealers around the area and asked them if they could meet or beat that OTD price, since another dealer in the area was willing to do the deal at that price. Worked like a charm. Don't remember the HL's specifics now. However, came out about $2300 lower on the Prius, compared to what the OTD would've been if we had paid the MSRP.

Oh yes, both times, there were no incentives on these vehicles. Matter of fact, I checked the SE Toyota website when we bought the HL. There were only 6 Ltds listed in the entire state of FL at that time. I had begun to wonder if that's why they called it a "Limited". :-)

Anyway, hope this helps!

landdriver

Thanks geminijax!

riceowl1

Thank you for your suggestion. Do you know the advertising fee for local toyota dealer?

slic38

Don't forget, I was quoted $500 under dealer invoice before the rebate. Rebate in Northern California on the Highlander is $800. So Cal is $1,000.

I also talked with a broker here in Fresno that my loan officer at the credit union recommended. He had access to a bigger selection of Highlanders since he deals with multiple toyota dealers. He was around $230 under invoice. Going with him would of been easier with less headaches. Let me know if your in town and I will give you his name.

jss1951

I'm looking to buy a new 2005 Highlander in VA and my local dealer says there are no current rebates or incentives. Is this the case everywhere else? Some places have indicated there are incentives available. Thank you

carolinaorange

Have a deal on the table for 4cyl w/third row seat, FWD, power drivers seat, tow pkg., floor mats, including destination charges and processing fees: $22,700. All I pay is a transfer fee of $58 and tax (NC 3%). Any thoughts?

landdriver

Lowest price I've ever seen for a base HL; a killer deal!!!

newlander

I just got a quote for 2005 Highlander limited, with TO, VV, PV, XY, LH for 29950 after the rebate, not including tax/title, Does this sounds reasonable? I live in South Florida.
Thanks for your input.

crontab

Hi,

Has anyone purchased a 2005 recently with curtain airbags that is not fully loaded? I trying to find a MY05 HL with curtain airbags, but i'm not looking to buy one with all the options I do not need. I'm in the northeast region, specifically NJ. I've searched NJ,NY,PA, and DE dealers and no one has one that isn't fully loaded.

I've heard the southeast has the best rebates and more trim levels to choose from. I saw some in Alabama in 2wd V6 trim with minimal options, which is what I am looking for, but is a bit too far. Does any one know where the SE region starts? VA? NC?

If you live near NJ and purchased a i4 or v6, fwd, HL with curtain airbags. Can you please respond with the price paid and the state you are in?

TIA!

baynewcar

Folks,
I got a quote for 2005 HL 2wd 4cy w/o 3rd Row Automatic for $25,830 including the $800 rebate.
This is the best quote I got so far in the bayarea (North California) and wondering,
[1]Is anybody got better quote thank this one in bayarea?

[2]Is it a reasonable price for the base HL?

Thanks.

landdriver

A very good price, a good enough deal to "go for it" IMO! (Though not the "deal of the century" -- if you're really into negotiating you may try making a counter offer of ~$1000 less to see what happens.)

landdriver

You're describing a base Highlander (I'm assuming the price doesn't include tax and license) -- the lowest prices I've seen posted on this board are around $23,000 for a base (don't know if these factored in rebates), so I'd say the ~$26,000 is not a terribly aggressive price, maybe average for what people are paying (?) -- you may want to research what the dealer cost is and make a counter offer ~$150 above this price and go from there. Good luck!!

baynewcar

Thanks Landdriver for your respone. This price($25,830 ) is including tax,license and all the other fees...Basically this is the out-the-door price.

landdriver

...Basically this is the out-the-door price.

That sounds much better. Subtracting tax and license for CA brings the quote to around $23,500, which is near the low end of what people are paying on this board (once again, not sure if they included rebates), thus an excellent deal -- go for it!!

carolinaorange

Just parked my new 2005 Mil. Silver, 4cyl, 3rd row seat, power driver seat (PEAT), tow pkg.(TOAT), Carpet/Trunk Mats (PV30). Think I got a killer deal! $21,997 plus $159 for the mats (dealer option I negoiated down from $245 list price), pluse $46 transfer fee and $655 tax. Out the door: $22,857. This even included the Toyo Pkg. with undercoating, window etching, stain treatment, etc ($619 list, though I would never normally pay, but was already on the vehicle). Dealt with the internet department at Lake Norman Toyota, Charlotte, NC (actually, Huntersville, just north of Charlotte). Had a deal on the table earlier in the week at another dealership for $22,700 plus tax and transfer that fell through, glad I waited and caught Lake Norman's internet special posting this afternoon as a special.

arvindgupta

Just bought a 2005 6cyl HL with all options except leather (FE, EH, LF, AG, HE, TO, RL, SR, JY included) in CT. Dealer promised price of $200 over invoice. However he then added $486 as dealer advertising assessment(TDA), saying this is charged by all dealers on all Toyotas. He also charged $299 as a dealer conveyance fee. Are these legitimate charges? The final price was $27,900 after rebate(invoice $ 27,711 incl. dest. charge). Is this a fair price?

jack30

The best out of door price for he V6 AWD HL in Pittsburgh is 28700, Is that a good deal?

jack30

I just bought an 05 HL V6/AWD/3rd raw seat HL with preferred/appearence/cold weather/towing packages for an out of door price of 28500 including the tax and title. I think this is a good deal, any ideas?

thompson3

I got a quote for a 2005 highlander with 2WD and 6 cylinder for $ 32,000 with the folowing features.This includes the sales tax+doc fees+ everything
I have opted for additional features leather(1500$),navigation(2200$) and sunroof(900$).

Do you think this is a better deal?

I am in Troy MI

Thanks in advance

sxmishra

Sounds like a great deal. I have an offer for the 2005 Highlander 2WD 6 cyl with leather for 31895 + TTL. It seems like a HL limited with leather AND nav is very difficult to obtain in Texas. Is yours a Limited too?

sxmishra

Following up on my previous message, it seems like a 2005 HL 2WD 6cyl Limited with leather and Navigation is just not available in the Gulf Coast region (TX and nearby states). Is that the same situation elsewhere? Thanks for any info.

hlbuyer05

I'm in the Bay Area looking for a 4cyl FWD with a 3rd row (I'd also ideally like a moonroof and 6-disc in dash CD). I've been told by several dealers that Toyota doesn't make 4cyls with 3rd rows for this region. Any info to the contrary? How about in So. Cal.? or some place else close? Any info would be appreciate.

floatingcloud

My car is dying and I need a new one soon. But now, the $800 rebate just ended and 2006 models are not on lot yet. Even if 2006 models are in, with incentive to clear 2005 inventory, the dealer wouldn't give deal on 2006 models, I guess. How long shoud I wait to get good deal on 2006 model?

Anyone in the same boat?

newlander

Here in south florida, they just started another cash rebate for $1500 until 9/30. Are you sure they don't have new rebates?

typesix

Go to Toyota website and build your own vehicle. Zip code will be input and that will tell you what options are available. I have a 2004 4cy and couldn't get 3rd row in my area(Boston) which makes no sense, why should seats be dependent on region.

floatingcloud

That is a good news. I don't see it on Edmunds.com. I live in IN. Could other people provide updated information in other area?

dawnee

Well we finally found a used or should I say certified pre owned 2003 HL Ltd. We have been looking, trying to decide on new base or pre-owened Ltd. When we would find a pre-owned Ltd with decent mileage, it was gone before we could get to the dealership or going out the door when we pulled in but finally found one and purchased.

I would like some feedback since we think we got a decent deal but are just wondering. It is a 2003 with leather, sunroof, and the previous owner (whom I spoke with personally) had upgraded the towing and added the hitch, etc. We got it for $21,295 plus tax, title, tag. It is a certified pre owned vehicle although it has 46,200 miles on it, the previous owner said he traveled with his job and drove this vehicle probably 40,000 of those 46,000 on the highway. He said he got 19 city and 24 hwy mpg. It is 2wd model. Now of course we paid a little more than the $21,295 because we had something to trade that wasn't paid off but they did give us a good price for our car. So any comments or opinions on the sell price??

I checked Edmunds and with a friend who is a dealer (of another brand) and this looked like a good price, even with the miles. Edmunds show $24,200 for this car.

Two things I wish it had are heated leather seats and power passenger seat but other than that had basically everything I had told DH I would like to have.

We did have a little bit of a problem with dealership when it got down to the final paper signing, someone "supposedly" misadded something but we got it straightened out, I feel like, and is just typical car dealership junk that goes on.

Well I am anxious to hear feedback and opinions. Does this gas mileage sound pretty reasonable for most people because I have seen comments all over the gammut for 17 to 26 mpg for the 2wd models.

BTW they did offer us the option of choosing an extended warranty at $800 but just not sure it is worth it because I have heard a lot of horror stories about these contracts and knew nothing about the provider of service, I think it was JM&A or something like that. Plus I think we have to use the dealership where we purchased to take advantage of extended warrrant and it is over 40 miles and an hour away. Any thoughts on these extended warranties, would be appreciated. My DH is not one for purchasing these on anything and I am usually the cautious one wanting to purchase, "just in case". He thinks you are just wasting money on "what might happen and what might never happen".

I'm excited, hope I got as good a deal as appears we did. :shades:

tcreynold

In looking at smaller SUVs, I found the Highlander 4cyl has pretty much the best gas mileage. Being that I live in Colorado, I also want AWD.

However, 2 dealers have told me there are ZERO of the AWD 4cyl model (6920) available in the whole US! He did say they are still making 2005s, but it would be like a month before he saw any.

Did Toyota decide to build fewer because the demand would be small, or to entice us to step up to the V6 for AWD? Has anybody found any? Any advice?

Thanks

P.S. One dealer did offer me a V6 AWD (6928) at invoice $26,300, I get all rebates...

crontab

There are some 4cyl 4wd HL in NJ. Your dealers are lying, which isn't a surprise. If you are willing, you may have to purchase the HL in a different region.

I'm in a similar situation where I must have a HL with curtain airbags. The only HL's with GY/JY here in the north east region all come fully loaded, which I don't want to pay for. I'm just looking for the bare essentials and a few options. There are tons in the south east region and they have $1500 incentive instead of the $800 around here. Although they don't have the exact config I want a 4cyl instead of 6cyl, I don't mind spending a 1k more for it instead of 5k more of options I don't want and will never use.

Good luck.

sevenvii

Which dealer did you get that quote from? I also live in Colorado and am looking at the 05 highlander v6, AWD. Also, what options were on that highlander you were quoted?

tcreynold

I talked to Stevinson East for the whole US, and Toyota of Des Moines said there were none in the KC region. Maybe I should go on the internet and check NJ dealer inventories; if I find one that would be quite interesting.

And I know there was a whole thread on holdback, but on a quote from Stevinson East, and verbal from Performance of Omaha, the *customer* pays holdback as part of the invoice. So the invoice you see on Edmunds - add $1500:
TDA $593
Gas $6
Holdback $551
Wholesale Financial Reserve $275

The dealer in Lincoln was trying to explain to me how the holdback comes quarterly so they have to charge the customer. Stevinson East says Toyota does not provide holdback to the dealer, so they charge the customer. Two different stories, neither one makes sense to me :confuse:

Last, my quotes have been either at or $300 above "invoice", where invoice is what Edmunds show plus the $1500 more.
Did everyone else who bought from Toyota have this same experience? Is buying at "invoice" and keeping rebates a decent deal?

Thanks!

P.S. I'll try and get some quotes on here - I'm first trying to sort all my mails from various dealers between Denver and Des Moines...

sevenvii

Thanks a lot, was that for the base highlander though? I have tried a few dealers down in Oklahoma city just to see if the difference might warrant traveling that far to get one, and they seem somewhat close that quote you got from Stevinson.

loucapri

If your HL is a "pre-owned certified" it should have a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. (engine, transmission which are the costly item).
$800 for extended warranty? I would get it unless I know what is covered. I have a 01 HL myself and it has 98500 miles on it, ZERO problem and we didn't have extended warranty.

dawnee

It is pre-owned certified vehicle.

crontab

I just came home with a 2005 Bluestone Metallic HL v6 4wd w/ 3rd row seat.

Options: EH, AG, HE, JY (must have), LF, RL, SR, TO, CF

My Price: $27857
Edmund's Invoice: $27,949
Edmund's TMV: $28,900 before ttl and fees.

OTD price (NJ): $29,222

Hence, I got the car below edmunds invoice.

There were very few NJ dealers willing to go with this price. Most were 31-32k OTD, but they will probably drop soon, since 2005 inventory is going out.

Carsdirect.com in Jersey City can only go down to 29.6 OTD, in LI, NY, 29.8 OTD. Use them if you don't want to hassle. These are also good prices.

I initially wanted to down go to NC (southeast region who are giving a $1500 rebate) to get a HL, but the ones with curtains are similar spec'd compared to up here minus 4wd and 3rd row. Plus difference was only 1.4k after ttl. Which isn't worth it now, maybe before.

Good luck.

crontab

Also, one last thing. If you're in the market for a Gold HL, wait a bit. There seems to be an overflow of 2005 gold HL's that some dealers are trying to get rid of. I'd say the best deals for the 2005 Gold may even be in Oct. Well below invoice.

ryanbab

My parents just bought an 05 Loaded (MSRP 35K+) highlander and paid like 31K. They actually got it for about 750-1K under invoice.

hl2005

I am in MA, became a new 2005 Highlander owner and drove it 3000 miles. I cannot find in manual, but is there any free first oil change and inspection by dealer?
My colleagues said they should, but the dealer said "No. Pay everything".
Please tell me if you know the truth. Thanks!

crontab

That entirely depends on the dealership you bought it from. Some have free loaners, free 1st oil changes, etc..

If your dealer says, No, then its probably no. But ask a service manager to be sure instead of the dealer you dealt with.

Did you get any dealer specific brochures when you bought the car? I got one from my dealer and it specifically stated, free 1st oil change, free loaner for 30k services, free 1st towing for 20 mi. etc...

tcreynold

On the holdback and wholesale financial reserve, I found that at least the Rocky Mtn and Midwest regions work differently. In the Midwest (NE, IA, ...), 2% holdback and wholesale financial reserve are included in the base model.
However in CO, UT, AZ region, the base price does *not* include that; it's listed at the bottom of the invoice under separate line items. I don't know why I missed it not being in the base price the first time. Just a heads up.

Also, the TDA in Mtn region is a couple hundred dollars higher than MIdwest, so the dealers here are kind of handicapped by that.

I ended up getting a 6828 (V6 AWD 3rd row) in Nebraska with RL, HE, EH, TO, AG, CF, N1 (auto-dim mirrors) for $500 over invoice, $36 doc fee, and some wax thing they were offering for $265 thrown in. For the sales tax, the mgr used the selling price including (subtracting) all the rebates as the basis price - I thought it was the price w/o rebates, but I didn't complain.

Oh, I did get one quote with a d&h fee of $300, and one quote with a doc fee of $250. Yikes!

sevenvii

Which dealership in Nebraska did you go through?

robsis

Hello, all. After a lot of research here in Arizona, I am the proud owner of a new '05 Highlander AWD V-6 in Super White. Apparently, some dealers here in Arizona are not only giving the $1k rebate that is advertised in this area, but have an additional $1k in matching money direct from Toyota that they can apply to the deal. I originally contacted several dealers and had not heard of it, until recently. Apparently, you have to ask for it and I found that some dealers denied it existed until pressed. I was pleased with my price, especially considering that the '06s aren't changing. Here is my deal:

'05 Highlander 4-Door 4x4 V6 Base in Super White
Options:
FE/Emissions
DJ/JBL upgrade
EH/Cold Weather Pkg
AG/Appearance Pkg
GY/Side and Curtain Airbags
LF/Fog Lamps
NE/Steering Wheel Audio Controls
PE/8-way pwr seat
TO/Tow prep pkg
CF/Carpet and Cargo mat set

MSRP: $30819.00
Paid: $25934.00 +T&L, after rebate and matching money.

We didn't want a Limited and were happy to find this fairly loaded base model. I hear that the matching money ends this weekend; however, that might have been a sales ploy. I was amazed that we could go so far below invoice on a popular vehicle !

We love the vehicle and are happy to be driving what my wife refers to as "our Lexus without the payments"!

sink

I got my wife a gold 06 HL, LTD, 4x4, V6, 6938A. with options FE, GY, HD, LA, NV, TO, VV, CF. We are in Northern CA. I came here to punish myself because I feel I paid $500 more than I want to. The price I paid. $34758, including destination. $45 Doc. TAX + DMV + Lic in high tax CA is the rest. outdoor $38000. no trade in. sigh...

jbollt

$45 Doc. TAX + DMV + Lic in high tax CA

You are lucky you are in CA, at least in this regards...in AZ, most dealers charge $299 to 399 for "doc fees" (really additional dealer PROFIT) and the LIC fees are in the stratosphere, I just got the renewal for my 03 Highlander here in AZ, and the renewal, is $376!!! This is for the third year of license on the vehicle. My 05 HL was $510 at the time we bought the car in March of 05!! I believe that CA has a law that limits the doc fees the dealers can charge. At any rate, don't worry about the $500 you think you over paid, and enjoy the HL, as you can see, my family is sold on Highlanders!

robsis

Boy are you right there....The dealer (in AZ) tried to charge us $349 Doc Fee and when I protested the cost they threw in lifetime 3k interval oil changes. That'll make up for some of it, but the 'Doc' fees here seem, like you said, just a major profit center. That $45 fee in CA sure seems more reasonable (and probably what it truly costs the dealer to process all of the paperwork). Ahhhh, the games dealers play with us....

Kirstie_H

A reporter with a major daily newspaper is looking to speak with people who’ve purchased a crossover/sports wagon in the last few months. Specifically, vehicles like the Saturn Vue, Chevy Equinox, Ford Freestyle, Ford Escape, Honda CRV, Nissan Murano, or Toyota Highlander.

If you have, please reply to pr@edmunds.com no later than Tuesday, September 27, 2005 with your daytime contact information and a brief description of your recent crossover/sport wagon purchase experience.

idiot1

Hello, I just bought a stripped down basic highlander 2005 for 32k, I think it was a major mistake

robsis

32K out the door sounds more like a Limited....sounds awful high for a Base model, unless you paid for it in Canadian Dollars....

idiot1

No i bought it in NY with American money it is not a limited has very few options