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Comments
I have a ton of Highlanders (even after the busy weekend I still have 32 available) but ours in Socal have no "VD" code: no skid control/traction control. Geographically, my region isn't building them that way. I can special order build cars for folks BUT it reduces my future allocations to do that due to my "travel rate" and means I gotta be at MSRP to make losing a car or two down the road worth it to the store. I dont mind orderring a car at all, but usually, those ordering want "stripped" cars with very little manageable markup in 'em anyway. Usually, if we're one piece of equipment or two little extras away, at $1500 to $2000 off MSRP (usually, model depending) for regular stock cars, that's a lotta stuff sorta free in comparison with a stripped order build.
I can explain better via private email, but I just got lambasted in an email for not pricing a car out for someone who requested "skid" and isn't happy that their local dealer is so low on cars, and I am so heavy with cars but can't get them what they want. It happens.
If you'd like to see just about every color of the Highlander photgraphed, go here:
http://carsontoyota.com/master_suv.html
and checkout the cars, their equipment, and their obvious build-out tendencies. The way you see all of the cars is what I am stuck with right out of the gate. A few of those cars are already sold but there are others coming to take their place as well.
I hope this helps a few of you across the US see combos and typical CA MSRP pricing.
But, for not, if VSC/skid control is crucial, I can't be of much help here to anyone.
There is a new area of my own site going up for new Toyota owners, including Highlanders at the http://www.carsontoyota.com/master_diary.html area of the site and I'd love for Highlander owners across the USA to log into me weekly or even monthly and tell us all how your cars are! I'll have a specific "rolling" page for individuals. If you'd care to contribute there, eMail me!
-Dianne
dianne@earthlink.net
-Di
I've played with a 2001 4Runner with VSC and tracs on sheet ice. I was stunned at how much control I was able to maintain. During hard, straight line acceleration, the thing didn't budge laterally. During hard corners, it beeped and made a grinding noise and I felt a slight amount of slip, but I never felt out of control and I was trying to push it.
I'm a believer in VSC on the Runners and I think it should work quite well on the Highlander but I don't have any first hand experience yet to say. Low friction is not the same as no friction and in low friction situations, I'll take VSC any day.
Sometmes you have no choice but to try to make a horrendously sharp change in direction at speed. No one should be driving at 60 mph on a slush- covered road. But a lot of us do have to drive in a heck of a lot of snow/slush/ice over a period of a winter. Around here - western NY and southern Ontario area - we have a lot of minivans and SUVs. I see more SUVs slide, or off the road, in ditches, etc. than I do minivans.
"
How do you think it would act on a slippery launch ramp where sometimes all wheels start spinning, and that's the only way you have any forward momentum ? I am interested in the Highlander partly because I tow a boat quite a bit and end up on some truly funky roads. Ideally the 4-wheel drive would help out. But it isn't clear to me how the VSC system would react if all wheels were slipping. On the other hand, it could be quite useful in other situations. Thanks.
In SoCal, the demands are very different. They get front wheel drives and no VSC. Those wouldn't sell here but probably go very fast there.
Now, if we want something that our region didn't order, we have two options and neither one is good. We can do a dealer exchange with another region or factory build one. Out of region exchanges mean a considerable expense because the vehicle must be brought to the selling dealership. This means a drive for the salesman or trucking costs. Factory orders are a 4 to 8 month process with little to no communication with Toyota during the process. Most orders get cancelled due to customer impatience. Many dealers wont do them at all or will charge MSRP to process one.
Does this clear things up a bit?
What does "fleet discount" mean ?
"And besides, soccer moms don't listen to advice because they are too busy talking on their cell phones."
- you're absolutely right! These are also the type of people who show concern for the environment yet buy a vehicle that gets horrendous gas mileage (and then want to go drill for oil in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge - oops, sorry - another subject). My motto: HANG UP AND DRIVE!
Ooops my mistake (vadp) - I guess its *just* the NASCAR and Indy races that I've watched that delay a race for rain (gee, I've never heard of them racing in the snow and ice...imagine that)
WINDOW ETCHING: Don't pay for it! Its a huge scam! Report it to your state's Attorney General - it only costs the dealers about $5 to do it (15 minutes of some garage flunky's - not an actual mechanic's - time), again see: http://www.carbuyingtips.com/scams.htm
P.S. All the safety features in the world (roll cage areas, cumple zones, and all the different airbags) don't mean squat unless you wear a seat belt.
-O.K. - stepping off my soap box now... ;-)
Your post still has me (and a few others here, I presume) giggling.
O:>
Nice pictures! I love the Highlander's colors!
And as somebody mentioned earlier, the Highlander does look good in person. I was behind one the other day on the highway and thought it was Acura or Grand Cherokee until I got closer. Good looking verhicle.
I just did a 12-car build order request for cars with Limited, heated seats, VD (skid control), moonroofs, everything. Means I will have a few ultra-loaded 4WDs and 2WDs in about 90-120 days. I requested white/ivory, silver/ivory, bluestone/ivory, INdigo blue/ivory, green/ivory, and black/ivory. One of each. I did this to test my market on them, because I think they are pricy, a little too pricy, and this is why they are unusually short supply with the kitchen sink on them. I think if I discount them enough early-on, they will all pre-sell.
Keep ya posted, kidz! Meanwhile, I hope everyone here takes the time to drive one on freeway, harsh roads, city streets and curves. They are smooth, and even I was shocked at the ride comfort.
--Dianne
dianne@earthlink.net
The ride is quiet and smooth. I traded a 98 Honda V6 Coupe and no longer have to get up to get out.
I am very happy.
We have a mini van, which we hope will last at least another year. We want to get a mid-size SUV and the Highlander appears to be a happy medium.
Kinda handy when coming home late from the bars at night, eh ?? :-)
Two things though, I kept reading charcoal as a choice for the interior and even at the dealership the paperwork shows charcoal which I really needed. The grey that I have seen is as far from charcoal as you could possibly imagine. It is extremely light colored. I was wondering if true charcoal was available up north ?
The second item is in regards to the center console. The Toyota website list's one as an accessory but the dealer has no idea. I supect if
it is available it would be the same as the Sienna's.....anyone have any information ??
Thks
The center console is pictured in the Highlander on the accessories page. The car we are negotiating on has one. It seems to be added on by the regional distributer or import region. I suspect the dealer will able to intall it quite easily.It is big enough to hold some cds and a cell phone. $199 is the msrp on the center console cost $145 I think.It should really be standard in my view along with side airbags and VD.
Apparently the previous, VSC-less Land Cruiser failed their emergency avoidance test. With VSC and a re-test, it now earns a "fair" instead of a "fail" grade. VSC was enough to make the difference in that test, despite vehicle characteristics that are obviously not optimal for it.
Consumer Reports further states that they commend Toyota for making all its SUV's (except the RAV4) available with VSC, and that BMW and MB are the other automakers who have it too (though they don't note that they had it earlier, especially MB).
You can consider that a plus for VSC.
However, all vehicles, even VSC-equipped ones, have their limits. VSC extends those limits, but taking advantage of that and pushing the vehicle even further is not a great idea. VSC won't take a poor-emergency-handling vehicle like the Land Cruiser and turn it into an X5. VSC won't help in more severe cases when there simply isn't enough tire grip for it to be truly effective. And I wonder how good the Highlander's stock tires are.
Nevertheless, VSC raises the odds in your favor, and is a worthwhile option to STRONGLY consider, as Drew has been saying. Too bad the Highlander doesn't have a cut-off switch for certain situations.
Why did Toyota not include a centre console in the Highlander? Perhaps it was to appeal to the minivan crowd that like a pass through between the front seats for some reason. As it stands there is an empty space between the front seats with stupid looking cup holders attached to the drivers seat and no provision for storing CD's, cell phone and what not, other than the glove compartment. I understand that one can buy a centre console as an accessory but I have not seen a photo of it as it is not shown or mentioned in the Canadian Highlander brochure.
For anyone interested in seeing the interior of the Japanese version here's the link:
http://www.toyota.co.jp/Showroom/All_toyota_lineup/KlugerV/
I like the console for the ability to have things set betwene the seats with boundaries and not rolling around.
-Dianne
Thanks god for child safety locks....
8-P
...."
I agree. It's also quite useful when hauling long, skinny items such as a handful of 2x4's or PVC pipe, or even fishing rods. The items stay low and thus much less likely to ram the dash or windshield (but they should be secured regardless).
Thanks god for child safety locks...."
WE're back to safety again. A child should either be strapped into a child seat or, if old/large enough, in place with a seatbelt on.
In reality, I strap him to the roof rack. Isn't that what it's there for?
Satire never looks as good in writing as it does by spoken word.
I'M KIDDING.
I love the little man. I even let him drive the new car.
As of Feb. 1, the article's text will be corrected, so the point is somewhat moot. But I just wanted to let people know who already read the article.
Thanks for coming to Edmunds!
Brent Romans
Senior Features Editor
Edmunds.com
Drew
Host
Vans and SUVs message boards
Gathesburg, Md is a little bit further away, but you might want to look at the following site:
http://www.fitzgeraldautomall.com/
They have about half a dozen Highlanders at varying discounts, none earth-shattering. On the other hand, they don't advertise here either...
Our economy might not be as strong as in other parts of the country with the demise of so many dotcoms.
My wife and I were able to get a white with grey interior V6 awd with the following options; SR,TO,UQ, LL, EJ, CF (floor mats), CN (CARGO NET), GP (GOLD PKG), HP (HOOD PROTECTOR), V2 (GLASS BREAKAGE SENSOR), WL (WHEEL LOCKS), AND SK (CENTER CONSOLE). We paid $29,957 plus tax for the $33409 msrp vehicle. We were going to order the Highlander because there weren't any that were outfitted the way we wanted but the dealer called back to give us an offer that we couldn't refuse. We would have liked side airbags and limited slip differential but a new family member and fair price,in our mind at least, made getting one a little more pressing. Could have done with out V2 and GP. We love the quiet and smooth ride on the highway. Also the more car like ride made it a lot better bet for our use. If Toyota can keep the price of the Highlander right about $30,000, I think they will have a hit. A fully optioned one is too close to the Acura MDX in price. At 30k, Toyota has the market to themselves (for now!).
Dislikes so far; only fair radio reception while driving. I think the culprit is the in windshield antenna, bass response in the audio system is boomy. Seems like it is hitting the same low note. Does anyone know where the additional 2 speakers are hidden? The styling, which hasn't enamoured me, is starting to grow on me. I like the white colour best for it stands out from the dark windows.
Will update this group if anything else comes up.
Fitzgeralds, as a rule, offers very good prices. We bought two Subarus from their Rockville store, and the prices were very good.
If you scan the prices of some of the more "established" brands/models, I think you will find that to be the case. I would think within a few months you will see better discounting, as the Highlander becomes more plentiful. That has happened with the Subaru Outback H-6 models. When they first came out the discounts were slight, especially on the high-tech H-6 VDC model. They're a bit better now, and I'm sure will be better still in a few more months. The same will happen with the Highlander.
Bob
While the Pacific Northwest is having some problems with the dot-com layoffs and problems at Microsoft, we're also SUV and minivan crazy here. So I don't think that discount should stay confined here. Or, maybe someone can contact your dealer and have them ship it -- a $3,500 discount would more than offset the shipping cost if other dealers aren't discounting well.
Why doesn't Toyota market the Camry Wagon here? Audi Allroad, Audi Avant, Mercedes Wagon, Passat Wagon, Jetta Wagon, Subaru Wagons, Taurus Wagon, Volvo Wagons - Please don't tell us that there isn't a market here.
Although I'm not so sure. Nobody here seems to be cross-shopping wagons, at least from all the post I've read. Same seems to be true over on the Subaru boards. While there has been some Highlander discussion—as opposed to virtually no discusion here of wagons, Subaru or otherwise; nobody over there seems much interested in the Highlander. Different strokes for different folks.
Bob
V6 AWD: MSRP of $30,310 configured as:
HE Preferred
AG Appearance
CQ Convenience
VD VSC with TRAC
TO Towing Prep
BE Front Dual Side Airbags
DR Roof Rack System
This is sort of "safety version" of the Limited (LL) package, plus VD and BE. It seems that all the HL's that I see with VD+BE are also LL + (often) a sun roof and leather.
The MSRP of the configuration I'd like (above) is about $3500 less than the "LL+" package.
I have a dealer who would be happy to place a special order. There is a $500 deposit (which he says could be used on a different HL if I get tired of waiting) and a 90-120 day wait. The cost would be MSRP.
Any advice?
First, most dealerships told me that I could only get leather in combination with the $3,495 Limited package (LL). Yet I found three dealerships in the Central Florida area that had HLs on the lot WITH leather and NO Limited package.
Second, I did NOT want to pay $619 for Toyo guard (Scotch guarded upholstery and extra waxed exterior). The web site I used said no problem, and they would make sure it was not added to the car at the "port" in Jacksonville (Southeast Distributor ship pepping area).
Since the Roof Rack and Privacy Glass (tinted glass) are factory installed in Japan, it was not possible to delete either.
The full trailer hitch was also installed at the port in Jax
So when it was all said and done, I have a new white HL, V6, with rack, full leather, installed hitch, power driver seat, Convenience pkg (key less entry and tonneau), and tinted windows for $27,987 plus $449 "dealer fee", plus tag, tax or $28,436 if comparing bottom lines before tax.
Sure, the Toyota dealer is still making $3,297 profit on my deal, but one has to expect that if you want to be driving a new model two weeks after it's introduction on the street. A year from now folks will be buying for one-two thousand less, but I will have had the pleasure of driving it for THIS year and that is worth it to me. My last two Camry wagons had 165,000 and 95,000 miles on them and this is as close to a Camry wagon as I can find (in my opinion) without going to Australia where they still sell them.
Moral of story: do your research and find a web site that will work with you.
I would imagine in hottest or muggy states, leather is a pain in the butt! But, here in SoCal, the build structure for the cars regionally are LL (limited) = LA (leather) and that's just how it is here in CA. I can't speak for other regions. Many others have even emailed me upset that their states are jamming the PORT extras, or TOYO guard, or even things like VD (skid control) down their throats. Or, they want nicely equipped cars with no sunroof or spoilers...
twillows is right: check around, check locally to see how the cars are being ordered regionally by dealers. There should be a broad overview for each area. There won't be cars that are oddballs right out of the gate yet... but an order-build will obtain anyone their perfect car too... just gotta be patient.
As posted before, the highlander section of my own dealership site (Flash graphic that says: Highlander/SUV headquarters) will reflect how Socal cars are built, and the levels of extras don't vary that much. There are photos of every single car in every color BUT I haven't been able to catch a black car or a bluestone car yet!
dianne
dianne@earthlink.net
(email me for the website link unless you scroll upwards a few posts to find it!)
Way overpriced, I think! Considering how quickly it got engineered and manufactured by Toyota and the number of mfrs now in the SUV and MICROSUV marketplace, and the fact that the Highlander does not have the Camry feel.... looks like the Sienna might be a better choice than this.