2013 and Earlier - Toyota Highlander Prices Paid and Buying Experience

mcneilcab

We did get the base model 6cyl 4X4. The base model in canada has many more "options" that come standard. You can compare the differences at toyota.ca
We paid 37995 canadian and this included the towing hitch and prep and winter pckg.
As I recall a loaded limited was about 30K USA and last time I looked the exchange rate has been getting better daily.

jameswmatthews

I'd like to get a 4 cylinder AWD with skid control and side airbags, but the dealer referred by autobytel says that Toyota only makes those options available on the V6 Limited. Is that the case?

jmcging

Bought it yesterday at Antwerpen Toyota in Clarksville MD

Bluestone/Charcoal
MSRP 24,915
AW Aluminum wheels 500
MG Mudguards 80
DR Roof Rack 220
QO Quick Order 630
HE Preferred package 645
WL Wheel Locks 52
CF Carpet and cargo mats 170
Delivery 480
Total sticker 27,692

Price (Before tax and title and $25 dealer fee)
25,600.

Dealer made a profit, we did OK, and by the time we left the dealer, his stock of 14 HLs was down to 5 (the other 8 having been sold)

daveb01

Verify that the dealer invoice is accurate. I just ordered a 2002 Highlander and I still have yet to find the exact dealer invoice. I ended up using the 2001 information, as my research showed that options pricing did not change but MSRP increased by $640. I found that consumerguide.com was the most helpful source for dealer invoice and MSRP. My pricing is in message #247 above.

jpsmith

I had heard from several sources that Canada Toyota dealers are "not allowed" to sell vehicles to U.S. residents. I guess that isn't true -- perhaps it depends on the dealer, or maybe the rules are different in the Yukon from the rest of Canada. Did your dealer have any hesitation or concerns about selling to you?

automind

Will be shopping for a HL soon, would like input on which dealers to contact. What price "over invoice" should I be looking for? I am interested in a 6cyl, AWD, side air-bag, no leather, plus a few other options. Thanks

pdalpsher

My dealer (in Virginia) has been acquiring Canadian HLs. They are being sold as used vehicles with only a hundred or so miles on them so they must have been transported rather than driven here.

I drove one before I bought one from the 'new car side'...got a better deal on the new pricing than used...go figure

jmac64

Picked up today. millenium silver
With: leather
moonroof
6 disc cd system
tow prep package
for $28,430 plus tax

octothorpe

I hear many of you have Charcoal Leather interior, which was installed as a PIO. I've talked to a couple of dealers, and they said they basically take a charcoal cloth highlander, and send it out to get the charcoal leather installed.

My question is, what has everyone paid to get the charcoal leather? Did you just pay the price of the leather option? (~$1000 msrp/$800 invoice) Or did you have to pay a higher premium?

gwkiser

Ours is a port-installed option done at the distributor level (Gulf States Toyota), not the local dealer level, at the time we ordered the vehicle. The list price was $1080. From what I understand, there are different types of charcoal leather installs, depending upon who does it. Equally, the pricing from what I have heard tends to be higher if the job is done locally. Our "charcoal" color is actually a light gray (matching the light gray areas of the door panels and dash) and has perforated center panels on the seating areas. My advice is that if you can get the job done locally for the same price as the distributor, then I would recommend that option. Should you have quality issues, as we have, you would be able to have them addressed and resolved more rapidly. Even with our problems, the gray really does compliment our Bluestone metallic color very nicely and I wouldn't hesitate to order the vehicle the same way again. Good luck.

yan5168

Hi all,
I'm about to buy HL. Do you have info for bay area dealership pricing....

kleinbiker

Placed an order for the following 2002 Highlander through priceline.com.

V6 AWD
Bluestone metallic/Ivory
Preferred pkg.
Convenience pkg.
Appearance pkg.
Roof rack
Towing prep.
Towing hitch
Rear spoiler
Alarm system
Vehicle skid control

Invoice: $27,355
Purchase price: $28,550 + tax + lic./reg.

Some notes:
- Priceline doesn't list the 2002 Highlander on their site yet. Had to contact their rep. to indicate that the bid was for a 2002 model.
- Unfortunately I have to wait for 8-16 weeks for delivery. Vehicle skid control is in option that seems to be installed only on limited Highlanders, so mine had to be custom order.
- Am in the Seattle area.

-Suresh

michaeli1

Here's what I got:
2002 Highlander Limited 4WD, Sundowner Red

Options:
Leather Package
Moonroof
Side Airbags
Tow Prep Package
Vehicle Skid Control
Premium Sound System
Heated Seats
Carpet/Cargo Mats
All Weather Mats
Cargo Net
Tube Steps
(In other words, pretty much loaded to the gills)

Sticker Price: $35,735

Purchase Price: $33,700

I could have gotten a better deal on an '01, but I really preferred the '02 with the center console, rear armrest, and filtration system. I wasn't initially shopping for the tube steps, but I actually liked them once I saw them. I also figured not having to wait several weeks to get the vehicle was worth something to me. In fact, I bought from a dealer about 100 miles from home. They delivered the vehicle to my doorstep free of charge.

I don't feel as though I made out like a bandit, but I don't feel like I got gouged, either. Any remarks?

ronthom1

Just took delivery of a 2002 HL AWD V6 non-limited from dealer's stock (I got the only one after 24 hours at the dealer). The vehicle was equipped with:

DR-Roof rack, EH-Heated mirrors, SR-Moonroof, BE-Side air bags, TO-Tow Prep., AG-Appearance, CQ-Convenience, HE-Preferred, RF-Rear Spoiler, CF-Carpets.

Sticker - 31318
Price - 29050.
Invoice - 27,972.

This is 1072, over invoice. I bought using quotes from Car Bargains (on the web). The service cost $190. so my final markup over invoice was 1262.

In my area, dealers are quoting sticker or slightly less to someone off the street. Car Bargains got me 6 quotes form local dealers ranging from 1000 to 1700 over invoice. one at 1000, one at 1400, three at 1500 and one at 1700.

The dealer quoting 1000 was not willing to aggressively search for what I wanted from other dealers, and had only a fully loaded car in stock. So I bought from the 1400 dealer. I was able to negotiate 350 additional discount from the 1400. What helped was to buy at the end of the month (October) when the dealer wanted to reduce inventory. I bought from stock and got the color I wanted (Millenium Silver) and side air bags, but had to take moon roof, which I really did not want - but I was not willing to wait for a special order, the estimated 160 days. Everything else on the car was acceptable to me.

romo

I'm looking for a reasonable deal in the New Orleans area. Anyone have any luck???

Thanks

cattman

ikhang

Just got back from North County Toyota in Fullerton CA. I have been working with the internet manager there (David Hatch) and was in and out with my paperwork in less then an hour.

Here is what I got:

2002 V6 2WD HL non ltd
Millenium Silver/Charcoal Leather (PIO)
Options:
LA,AG,HE,DR,SR,TO,CQ,CF,RF

for $27,839.
$500 over invoice.

I pick it up in two days after the leather is installed and it will be coming directly from the port so 0 miles on this baby. . .overall great experience.

cattman

... but help me out here...
I'm having a heckuva time finding TRUE invoice... whose "invoice" figure did you use to make your deal? Using Edmunds' figures, it sounds like you paid more like $1100.00 over(allowing about $1000 for the PIO leather), but maybe I left something out... not to demean your deal, I'm just trying to use the examples of others to reach a figure... I want to have something to compare with the "invoice" the dealer pulls out, and every site seems to have a different figure...
Help!!!

Thanks -

ikhang

Here is the breakdown. .the above price includes dest. fee and tda. ..

2002 V6 4x2 non-ltd HL:
Base - 22,658
DR - 176
SR - 720
TO - 128
AG - 728
CQ - 256
HE - 516
CF - 109
RF - 200
LA - 1058 (PIO)(done by classic soft trim)
Dest fee - 510 (standard for socal)
TDA - 274 (may vary 5-10 dollars)
Admin fee - 6
Grand total - 27,339 + 500 = 27,839.

This matches the figures in Kelley blue book as well as edmunds, and I also have a copy of the dealer invoice to match these figures.

Good Luck!

scooter1

I bought my '02 2WD, 4 cyl a few days ago from Tempe (Arizona) Toyota's fleet department for $100 over invoice. I did have to pay the Toyota marketing fee. I paid $23,895 + tax, title, license, and doc fees (which are a complete rip-off). Options are FE, QO, HE, CF, DR, V5.

cattman

... I guess I'll have to go to Fullerton to get a dealer to go less than $1000 over invoice...
Here in West LA-Santa Monica I'm having a tough time...

fgrethel

I just spend hours at Tempe Toyota, and they would not take a deal for a 6cyl where I offered $1,000 over Edmund's pre TDA price. Even if TDA is about $450 or so, this is still $550 over their cost excluding dealer holdbacks. I had to walk, they wanted more and their lease terms were horrible, not those indicated by Car_Man in the Lease forum. Can you give me more info? Who did you deal with?

roosh31

Ok folks, the wife and I just picked up a new 2002 HL, 2WD, 6 Cyl, Bluestone/Ivory cloth. So far we are impressed with it. We got a fairly good deal from Clearwater Toyota from the Fleet Manager there who my wife has dealt with in the past. Well, you be the judge on the numbers. Here are the option codes:

CQ,CX9(rear spoiler),DR,PE,PG,PV5(car&trunk mats),TO,UZ, & XY3 (toyo guard protection).

Total Invoice (Est) $25,752
Total MSRP $29,175
Edmunds TMV $28,542
We Paid $27,078

From what I have been reading here, I am happy with these numbers. Thanks for all the info posted here. I also picked up the hood protector from them for $85 (with tax) and installed it. Can't wait to get the side tube steps and mud guards. Any advice on the mud guards would be appreciated! Where to buy, color-keyed... Thanks also for the info post on the mid-range adjustment on the basic stereo. Helps out alot.

Happy driving everyone.
Roosh31

seahsker

Just agreed on a price for a 2002 V-6 AWD Non-limited Indigo Ink/Cloth. It's a little higher than I wanted to go but not many on hand here and I wanted it before the snow comes. HE, AG, AW, CQ, RL, DR, EH, CF, HP, N1, WL.

MSRP = $30121
Edmunds TMV = $29519
Invoice = $26520
Our Price = $28300

budhinckley

6936 2002 Limited Edition 4WD 27405
Destination 510
Advertising 256

FE 50 State Emissions (no charge)
LL Limited Package (no charge)
LA Leather 856
TO Towing Prep. 128
SR Moon Roof 720
EJ Premium Radio/6 disc CD 150
BE Front Side Air Bags 215
HD Heated Front Seats 352
VD Skid Control 559
31151
$800 over invoice 31951
Documentation/Tire fee 54.20
Sale 32005.20

Trade-in - 2000 Toyota
Land Cruiser, 15K mi. 36500
($4494.80 refunded to me)

Edmund TMV = 33477

mpalmer1

Interested in what people were quoted or bought their 02 FWD V-6 LIMITED highlander for. I was quoted $29,500 for the above vehicle with the following options.

Moonroof
Leather package
JBL 3 in 1 with 6 disc changer

Is the above price a fair on or is it too high. Interested in any feedback I can get. Thanks.

llofgren

I ordered a "bare bones" V6 AWD HL on July 9. My 2002 model arrived 11/24, on time, exactly as I wanted. The wait time was 4 1/2 months but it seemed to go quite quickly. The only options I got were MG, TO, DR, CF. My salesperson kept me informed and answered all my questions during the wait. I did everything by e-mail and one phone call. I feel like I got what I wanted and the price was good too.....$500 over invoice plus $250 TDA. Dealer was very reputable and easy to deal with. If you are looking in the upper midwest give them a try:
Ross Meyer at Maplewood Toyota in St. Paul.
The vehicle is amazing....I just love it. I cannot believe its wonderful performance in the 14 plus inches of snow we just recieved!

stainlesswonde

Just looking for some verification on the TDA for the San Francisco Bay area.

I've received some quotes from dealers from Sacramento to Monterey. 2 dealers have stated TDA at ~$540. This is the highest I've seen on the boards. Can any of you Norcalers verify this price? I realize everything in this area is inflated so it wouldn't be surprising. Either that or they surf edmunds, too.

TIA,
SW

partylife

We bought an Electric Green 6 cylinder 4WD Limited on November 21 from a dealer in Nashua, NH. As someone else here pointed out, it’s difficult to get a real breakdown on the price of a new vehicle and the amount you’re receiving on your trade-in. Based on the frequent car shopping I’ve done (since April!!!) to decide on the right vehicle and to get the right net-of-trade-in price, I think the true trade-in value on my ‘95 Accord LX was between $5,500 and $6,500. The dealer agreed to a trade value of $7,300; which I believe in typical dealer fashion was inflated to sweeten the deal.

The sticker price on the Highlander was $35,695, which included all fees and destination charges. Our negotiations reduced the price to $33,900. I also got the dealer to throw in a few oil changes.

The supply of Highlanders in Southern New Hampshire has been tight during the 8 months I shopped, which of course, leaves less room for buyers to negotiate. So, even though in today’s world, where information is so readily available and buyers can easily find dealers’ invoice prices, the limited supply, and not dealer cost, is having the greatest influence on Highlander prices in my area.

The benefit to the limited supply condition however, is that once you make the purchase and you’re finally driving your new Highlander, you feel as though you belong to an exclusive club.

tedreyes

Just took delivery of a new Vintage Gold 2002 AWD Highlander Limited yesterday. First of all, it's a great car!

I did an email blitz to about 30 dealerships in the Bay Area from Sacramento to Monterey. I stated what I was willing to pay over invoice and TDA, that I was looking to purchase immediately, and that I wouldn't shop between dealers. I listed all my required options and desired colors.

Here's the lowdown (with invoice prices)

2002 AWD Limited HL ($27405)
LA (856)
SR (720)
VD (559)
HD (352)
BE (215)
EJ (150)
TO (128)
CF (109)
V2 (88)
WL (34)
Destination (510)
TDA (536)
Over Invoice (800)
Grand Total $32,462 (MSRP=$35,356)

I think my offer was in the right range since I received about 12 responses total and only 3 were agreeing to my price. We chose based on color which meant I had to drive my butt up to Sacto.

We ended up buying from Allen Read of Florin Road Toyota (internet sales manager). I emailed the dealers on late Tuesday night. He emailed me back Wednesday morning agreeing to the price. I had to let a couple of days pass just to see what other offers I might get. I went up on Friday morning and had the paper work done in a couple of hours. Allen was great. I highly recommend him.

Funny side note. During the financing stage (btw I got 6.25% from Toyota), the finance guy was so busy trying to sell me rust protection, permacote, extended warranty, etc, that he forgot to get my $12,000 deposit! I only realized it a few hours later.

Well, the fantasy of getting $12,000 off a car price didn't last long as there was a message waiting for me at home. So I'll have to mail a check...........or do I????????.....hmmmmm....anyone know if I have a leg to stand on here?

Sorry it's so long (the post),
Ted

P.S. If anyone wants a copy of my blitz email, just email me at tedreyes@yahoo.com and I'll forward it to you.

hlltd

Richard. Did you ever find a good deal?

On a need to know basis, we have friends that want to find an HL at the best possible price.

Please email me privately.

Rickster

Has anyone special ordered a HL? If so, please share your experience.

mikesb

Just picked up a Millenium Silver 2002 4x4 V6 Highlander from Toyota of Oxnard, internet group (Joe Cici, Michelle Wells, and Danielle Garrett). All very nice to work with but quite busy and not many vehicles to choose from. The Highlander has following options:
AG,CQ,SR,HE,DR,TO,CF,2F(fender flares inv 455), and NI(auto diming mirror inv 170). It invoices for $27672, MSRP - $31653. I paid $28717 plus tax, license, and $45 doc prep fee. I reached Oxnard using AutoWeb.com. Also had a similar offer from Kevin Holley at Longo Toyota.

normp1

I was told by a local toyota dealer that there is no such thing as dealer holdback on Toyota vehicles here in Canada. I understand that it is about 2% in the U.S.A. I'm trying to determine a fair price to offer on the purchase of a highlander but need to know if there is a holdback or the equivalent already in the invoice price. Any help would be greatly appreciated Thanks!

edsam

Dealer holdback does exist in Canada. Your local dealer just lied to you in your face. If you're in Toronto, I suggest you call up Doug at Dave Nicholls Toyota. I got mine for 3% over invoice. With 2% holdback, Doug sold me the HL for 5% profit. Everyone came out happy.

cattman

Tried to email ya, but could'nt seem to get through to your address...
Actually, I got so frustrated with the whole order process, I've all but given up on the H, or at least getting the vehicle the way I want it(LTD, no leather, or non-LTD w/ premium sound) Prices are waaay too high, and if I'm going to wait for 6 months for a vehicle, I'll just wait for the new Honda Pilot(due this summer)... I'm a Honda man from way back(8 in a row, never a problem), so I feel more comfortable with them. And they usually come just the way I want them!

The best price I found during my search was from Carson Toyota, $1000 over invoice.

Good Luck, and Happy Holidays!!!!

veekay1

Hi folks! I have been following this Board loosely for a while. What do you think about this deal for $800 over invoice in NY?
2002 Toyota HL V6 AWD
Options: FE, DR, EH, SR, BE, TO, AG, CQ, HE, CF,RF
No other fees mentioned on the agreement.
Thanks for any input!

veekay1

Hi folks:
Just wondering how does this deal sound to you :

2002 HL V6 AWD Limited with VSC
Fully loaded(sunroof,leather,etc.)

@ $32,211.00 in NY

Any comments are welcome!

anhtuanhnguyen

I have 2 questions:

I recently visited two dealers in Louisiana inquiring about the Toyota Highlander V6. I told them that I would like them to order a 4WDX2, Super White, and I only wanted 2 optional packages: CQ and PG for my vehicle.

However, when they showed me the printout I was shocked to see that 85% of the 4WD X 2 V6 will have 6 additional packages leaving the factory: PG, DR, PE, TO, CQ, and UZ. In other words, I could not order a vehicle with less than those aforementioned packages, for this particular model.

1) Were they telling me the truth or did they just input these optional packages and then showed me the printout? They were willing to charge me those packages at the dealers' costs so it is not too bad. However, some of those options I don't really care to have them.

2) After we tentatively agreed to the price: the invoice price ($21, 895),the delivery charge ($535), and a mere $500.00 profit over invoice at the 1st dealer and $1,000.00 at the 2nd dealer, they also showed me the following fees: MAF ($328), TDA ($250), BASE-VEH-HB ($509), and FINANCE RESERVE ($254). These last 4 fees pushed the final price outside of my allowable budgets. Can I negotiate these fees or not paying for them at all? They claimed those fees were for advertising, lot/land fees, etc. I am willing to pay at invoice, delivery, $500 profits for them, and TTL.

I greatly appreciate any thoughts or suggestions you may have.

AT

cmuniz

I am sure that there are regional differences and that demand makes a big difference on what fees are added to the MSRP. I just bought a Highlander Limited from a dealer last Saturday that charged zero fees - no doc fee, no ad fee, nothing escept sales tax and license. That tells me that they are negotiable, but only if the dealer feels he needs to.

Secondly, although I am not an expert in Toyotas, I noticed that the window sticker is divided into two columns. The left column is for options added by the factory and the right column is for options added at the port. The ones at the port can be selected by the dealer up to a week before he takes delivery of the car. When I was looking at Highlanders the dealer did not have one like I wanted, but he had one on order that was to be delivered in several weeks. He told me that I could come in a make a deposit on it a week before scheduled delivery and he would configure it like I wanted.

Not sure what the Highlander market looks like in Louisiana, but what the dealer told you is not entirely true, but that may be the way they do business because they can get away with it due to enough demand. My two cents worth! That being said I believe that the Highlander warrants a higher profit margin than many other vehicles because it's so popular. If memory serves me right, most people are buying them for $1,500 - $2,000 below MSRP depending on options. If you try to go much below that it will be difficult to find an agreeable delaer, although a few posters here seem to have done better.

llofgren

There has been alot of discussion about the TDA (Toy Dealer's Advertising) fee and it is legit. Destination Charge of course is also appropriate. Those other fees....I have not heard of and I think they are questionable. A "good deal" is $500 over invoice plus TDA for your area ($250 is not excessive).

ranell

Just purchased this HL with AG, CQ, HE, CF, TO for $26,634.00 plus: sales tax $1976.05, doc fee $249., registration $450.20 for total of $29,309.32. MSRP was $28.404 for this vehicle. These prices are for Arizona and I was quoted prices all within a $50 range from various sales people throughout the state. California dealers were slighly higher at $27,200 but fees were lower making the final price close to the same amount paid in Arizona. Found lots of 4 cylinder's and fully loaded limited's available as per internet inventory (look under Toyota inventory (state). But held out until we were able to find exactly what we wanted. This car is well worth the money, a terrific vehicle. No difference in price between COSTCO, AUTOBYTEL, or AUTONET. Individual dealer's quotes the same or much higher prices. If you want a go getter in Arizona, contact TRACY GUNDERSON at BIG TWO TOYOTA in Mesa, Arizona. She went the extra mile for us, locating our exact vehicle on a regional inventory. Most salespeople wouldn't bother doing this. Phone: 480-898-6000.

ranell

Oops, forgot, this also came with roof rack.

goldston

Welcome to the HL club.
Being also from Phoenix Az. I did the same checking of prices and wound up buying from Superstition Springs Toyota for $600 over invoice. Great people and great service.
Happy HL'ing.
Best Regards,
Philip

adamvi

We just bought 2002 HL V6 2WD silver/charcoal last December from Toyota of the Desert for $400 over invoice. Equipped with FE DR SR TO AG CQ HE CF WL. MSRP was $29359, invoice $26115
Looking at the invoice we notice that Edmunds' invoice price already include 'Dealer Holdback' of $509 and 'Whsl. Financial Reserve' of $254
you can call Scott Johnson (Fleet/Internet Sales Director) or Dan Dixon at 800-479-5744, fax 760-328-3841. They had a fully loaded gold/ivory for $100 below invoice but the price was too high for our budget. So he was going to get us a black one from another dealer but on the day the car was supposed to be delivered to our home somone rear ended that HL, so we had to wait a couple weeks until he got another shipment of HL
We check Longo price under Costco program and the lowest they can give us was $1000 over invoice.

rivergirl

Purchased 4X2 V6 Bluestone Metallic/Ivory with: AW,CQ, DR, FE, PE, PG, SR, TO, UZ, & "TOYO Guard". Offered 24,000 to start. Settled on 26,671 (26,282 + 389 Doc fee). Invoice was 26,424. They showed me the invoice that showed an extra charge from the Jacksonville port(~580) that included add fees plus some other charge. Car was at another lot and had to be driven there. I know toyoguard is bs. I wonder if the Jacksonville charge is BS too? Without Toyo and the Port/Add fees, Invoice would have been 25424. Seems that I paid $1000 over invoice. I wonder if some other people have bought in Georgia and could verify these charges.

cattman

Congrats on the new HL...
I hear lots of people refer to accessing Toyota's online inventory... how the heck do you do that??
I'm in SoCal... any tips??

ranell

Hello cattman. Some dealers have inventory listings on their web sites. To find these search under "Toyota inventory California." Some dealers have generic listings while others such as the Toyota Dealer in Carson, have excellent web sites with vin numbers including all details for their present stock and vehicles coming in to port. Good Luck!

bikerjohn

Toyota's SE region posts a list of inventory that is coming in. This list usually has several hundred cars. SE is an independent region and does things different than the other regions.

Carson Toyota only shows what they have on their lot or what is due in to their lot. It does not show the entire inventory of Highlanders coming in to the port of LB. Before I bought my Highlander, I looked at all the Toyota dealer websites in SoCal. Carson Toyota was the best.

stuartbonia

Is there a way to decipher the VIN to determine the options a vehicle has?

I've looked at a number of Toyota dealer sites and they have the VIN and a minimal description of what is on the vehicle.

I'm trying to find a non-limited with VSC and maybe the side air bags.