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Comments
Again I'm not a lawyer, but the car has been titled and may not be able to sold as new again??
I would presume that if you stopped payment or refused to pay you could get into credit trouble. I would beware that. It would be worth losing some money on a trade or sale than wreck your credit.
I would get some qualified/professional advice before I did anything rash. Good Luck!!
In an extreme case you could buy aftermarket seats, but they won't be cheap.
And since the HL is presently in short supply, you probably wouldn't have a hard time reselling it. As long as you didn't pay MSRP you might not even take a loss.
Good luck.
I have to admit, if you were a client of mine and that unhappy, regardless of the miles on the Highlander, I'd swap you right out of it for what you'd paid for it and apply it to another car you are more comfy in. While I can't believe anyone could be uncomfortable, as the Limiteds are indeed awesome for ride and seat comfort, it wouldn't matter to me what I believe -- what would matter to me is how you feel. Perhaps you need to appeal to their customer relations person there to try and swap it out equally?
Dianne
To svaceo- good luck on the Highlander. I bought a new BMW and kept it for a month. I decided I couldn't live without a 5 speed with sport suspension, etc so One Month later to the day, I returned the car to the dealer and leased the car I wanted. They gave me some song and dance and I probably lost quite a bit of money. I wasn't paying attention to the transaction, just the color, the payments, the kind of reaction the dealers count on. Later I received a frantic call from the Finance Manager. He had "one more paper for me to sign". When I went in to sign the form it was a DMV form or something like that. It was basically referring to the return of the car to their inventory and said that the "customer returned the vehicle due to financing" or something like that. The bottom line is the car was going to be resold as "new". The form said it was previously unregistered. Not true, but they made a buck, and I didn't want to get into it with them. I signed the form and took home the car I wanted. My impulsive nature and lack of ability to commit to a vehicle gets me in trouble. Maybe I should go to a 12 step program for compulsive purchases. I did the same thing with a New Beetle in 1998. Traded it to the dealer after 6 months because I wanted a 5 speed. Why don't these high end SUV's match a 5 speed to a 6 cylinder? Don't they realize that some of us like to drive? Cruise control, what a waste. I feel like an old woman when I use it. If I want to be that old, I should just get an Airstream and pack it in.
If you haven't read Edmunds.com's confessions of a car salesman, I highly recommend you do so.
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket and Accessories message boards
In Toronto, Canada the Highlander AWD V6 only have one options which is the "Limited" with all the bell and whistles and the VSC with Tracs that cost $9200 CDN. The only option I want is the VSC. If I was to buy the base AWD V6(in Canada) is it possible to bring it to the USA to add the VSC option?
Bob
The good news, if it's back pain, is that there are solutions available. My was a simple lumbar pad ($15 at the Healthy Back Store -- you can buy from them online). The store told me that most dealers will pay for the cost of the solution, just to make the customer happy (or less upset?).
I hope your situation gets better.
I do agree, that you may only find that out after a 50-mile drive, but if you have back problem, in the first place, maybe you you can find a "willing" dealer to allow you to take an extended test drive. Offer to fill it up with gas, maybe that will help.
Bob
Thanks again
I wish I could help svaceo.
Dianne
Dianne@earthlink.net
I live in San jose, CA by the way. My test drive was less than 5 minutes. I want to get back into a Navigator or a 2001 Jaguar S-type. The key to my success I found out is the telescoping steering wheel. That works great for me. I typed the wrong info, the dealer wants me to go for a landcruiser or a sequoia. I think I may have made a huge mistake and I may just have to live with it. The other thing is I have always owned American made cars. This is my first venture into a toyota. I just do not like their product. I was trying to be practical by trading in my NAV. I am buying a house soon and I lowered my car payment with the HL. But now my comfort is worth more the saving a few bucks.
Kelly
2. How is the quality of the cloth seats? I wanted leather but also wanted gray not tan.
3. I know it's not a hot rod but what is the approximate 0-60 mph time? Just wondering how the V6 compares to the MDX and Pathfinder.
I suppose I am skeptical why you cannot get comfortable? The seat has infinite adjustments; the ride is soft; no excessive body lean, and all the other factors that could lead to discomfort. I hope you can find something more comfortable.
my plight is the seat and the angle of the steering wheel,if the steering wheel would just tilt so it would be perpendicular to the floor that would be great. Money is not my issue. I had a $50,000 car that I traded in. I was asking because the $5k I have sitting over there I could go use towards another more comfortable car. I am the first to admit I made a mistake buying it.I am just trying to figure our if I can correct it or not with the help of the dealer. I also brought them my aunt the next day and she bought a 2001 Rav 4 from them. I handed them a sale and they are not willing to help me out. I know I will lose money, I am just wondering if it is worth it or if I should just deal. My sticker was almost $35k on the car, what do you think I could sell it for on a private sale? I also got the extended warranty for 7 yrs/100,000 miles. I have 1,900 miles on it and it is the bluestone color limited with every option.
When we drove ours off the dealer's lot my wife asked: How much do you suppose it has depreciated already? Unfortunately, that is exactly the case. On the other hand, the HL is popular and in short supply. You may be able to find a buyer, but your chances deminish as you put more miles on it, and availability improves. I am no auto salesman, but I suspect you will need to make it attractive, like throwing in the extended warranty at no costs (or something like that). Human nature is, if you are going to pay full price, you will buy from a dealer.
Four years ago I sold a "cherry" 1985 Mazda RX-7 at top dollar through Autotrader, and the advertisment cost was most reasonable. I think there is a Internet site for the firm .... you need to reach as many people as possible .... more than you would ever reach in a local newspaper.
Good Luck .... and I hope you find something more comfortable.
This is sales malarkey. This vehicle is no better or worse than 4-5 dozen others.
It's interesting to note that "AWD" is a term used mostly here in North America. As you all know, Subaru's (North American) marketing is based on "The Beauty of AWD." However, if you visit any of Subaru's international corporate sites, you will find the vehicles as marketed as 4WD—not AWD. It's the same system, just marketed differently. I'm sure if you visit any of Toyota's international corporate sites, you will find the same thing.
The exceptions to this (in America) are that the Rav4 and RX300 have "AWD" (by American marketing standards), yet are marketed as having 4WD (not AWD). Same with the On-demand AWD systems used by the CR-V and MDX. Go figure.
So, in a nutshell, it's just a marketing gimmick.
Bob
One of the accessories we got was a bike adapter for the roof rack, but I did not realize it is good for only one bicycle. Does Toyota have bike adapters for two bikes or do I have to buy a second bike adapter? If so does anyone know the dealer cost and the retail cost of this item? Although I live in Canada (Nova Scotia), I would certainly be interested in any tips from the US townhallers!!!!
P.S. I am very happy I didn't buy an MDX...not having the center console will certainly make it easier getting to our upcoming first child!!!
p.s. I know that the Engine is still under the breaking in period and have not raced the engine and have not driven at high speeds.
cooltrucks Jan 23, 2001 9:43pm
I thought the cloth seats were hard, and bothered my back. The leather did not. I would prefer the gray also.
My Pathfinder's engine is 4 yr. old and doesn't have the extra horses(only 196) so the Hl blows it away.
dianne, cliffy, or any other dealer, if you know please tell me
i called toyota customer service and they had no idea.
thanks
I have linked this discussion into that folder, but it will always reside here in SUVs.
Looking forward to meeting everyone!
KarenS
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Owner's Clubs
I live in the country, and I was approaching a long, curvey, steep down hill section of the road. Knowing that this stretch of the road to be very dangerous during a snow storm, I stopped my Explorer, put it in 4WD-Low and also put it in "2" instead of "Drive." I therefore let the engine do the breaking, instead of keeping my foot on the brakes. This kept the vehicle well under 10 mph, and very much under control. So, in this case, I was very happy to have the additional safety factor of a Low-Range.
Also, anybody who pulls a boat trailer, and uses a steep boat ramp to load/unload their boat, knows the advantage of having a Low-Range.
Bob
"The exceptions to this (in America) are that the Rav4 and RX300 have "AWD" (by American marketing standards), yet are marketed as having 4WD (not AWD). Same with the On-demand AWD systems used by the CR-V and MDX. Go figure."
This statement is incorrect. The RX300 is not "on-demand" but permanent-AWD. Not the same as the MDX.
I alluded to an incident back in 1988 I had in Louisiana. I had a dealer tell me that according to Louisiana law a car that had already been titled could not be sold as new again by the dealer. Since such a car had to be sold as used, it could not be sold at new car prices.
I was asking if such laws existed today. I presume it would vary by state. I can certainly understand a dealer's reluctance to refund the full purchase price only to sell the car used at a loss. I can not understand why the dealer can't work something out so that they both win.
If the dealer is unwilling to work with svaceo then I still recommend he do something ASAP while demand is still high and his miles are still low.
engine and you should have it checked out by your
dealer ASAP.
You can also turn in the extended warranty for a refund. It will be pro-rated. By the way what state are you in?
This statement is incorrect. The RX300 is not "on-demand" but permanent-AWD. Not the same as the MDX.
Tonychrys- Go back and re-read my statement. I said that the RX300 does indeed have 4WD (or AWD, if you prefer). I did not say it was an "on-demand" AWD. I said that only of the CR-V and MDX.
Bob
TC
What I was trying to say was that the (AWD) RAV4 and RX300 are being marketed as 4WD, not AWD. And... that the On-Demand CR-V and MDX are also being marketed as 4WD, and not AWD.
Even though all those mentioned vehicles do not have a low range (a North American marketing prerequisite in order to be called "AWD"), both Toyota and Honda, for whatever reasons, do not refer to them as AWD, but as 4WD.
Now, is everybody totally confused?
Bob
If you have a tow receiver, you might want to look at bike carriers that mount into it. I have one. It makes it easier to get at the bikes. On the other hand, you may want to take a really close look at competing models because some to me appeared to be considerably harder to use than others (sorry, I went through this 3 years ago and I don't remember the details). Good luck !
It is my understanding the V6 engine is tried and proven ... I have no concern about any recalls related to the engine. it is also used in the Lexus (that should be a good recommendation). I believe the 4 cylinder is a new engine for teh HL.
I have a new RX300 and the car is so dead quiet that ANY noise is obvious. I heard this ticking from inside the cabin, with everything except the engine off. You can't hear the noise from the outside, right next to the hood.
I took it to two different Lexus service centers so I wouldn't get a "story". Sure enough, both of them explained that it was the clicking of the fuel injectors. They explained it's just the nature of the 3.0L V6 that is used. They said the ES300 sounds even more pronounced.
Whether you hear this noise really depends on the air temperature and how good your high-frequency hearing is. Supposedly the sound goes away when it's warm out.
Again, from all my personal research, nothing to worry about. Hope this helps.