Has anyone specifically compared these two vehicles besides me? I put money down on the Sequoia and am waiting its arrival. Its the Limited with optional wood grain dash and control panel, a few other added options and I think its a pretty good deal. Had to drive 400 miles from my area to get a dealer who would negotiate. Ended up at $41,000 plus tax... which is MUCH better than the dealers in my area asking full list close to $48,000. In the meantime I am also looking at the Acura MDX Touring Sedan. I prefer the Acura due to smaller size, although the ride is much staffer. My husband prefers the Sequoia. The intended use will be accommodated by both models (boat towing) however since I will be driving the car on a day to day basis, I tend to want the smaller of the two vehicles. My personal opinion is that the Toyota is just too big for day to day and that the Acura provides a ad more comfort creatures. Any thoughts on these two cars and their attributes or disadvantages? I would appreciate some input from anyone who has experience with both of them. Thanks.
Like buzzgt, msg. #675, I too am looking for a good deal in Atlanta. Anybody having any luck? Dealers on the north side of town are talking full MSRP. Thanks! Awesome vehicle.
My wife and I went looking today and have gotten about $2600 off MSRP so far... We are also checking in Chatt, TN. Drives great and looks great. We were looking at a loaded 4x2 SR5. MSRP is around $37,800. We ahve been to Town Center (so so) and Roswell (great).
I am very interested in buying the sequoia. Can anyone recommend a dealership in the New England area that is willing to negotiate below msrp? I've gone to several dealerships and the sales people are saying that the high demand for the sequoia is making it easy for the dealerships to resist going below msrp. Apparently, there are enough people who want this vehicle so badly, they are willing to pay the sticker price! I find that to be incredible. Any suggestions would help. Thanks.
Hello : I'm in search of a deal like everyone else, but I'm going to wait till Toyota has a incentive deal I myself feel like this is a HOT seller Gas Mileage might be a factor in a slowdown of buying vehicles today. I'm in search to knowing of actual gas mileage of truck other than sticker!!
After approximately 2000 miles on my SR5, I divided total miles by total gallons as of last fillup and got 15.7 mpg. The average miles on the overhead console says 18.1, for an optimistic error of 2.4 mpg. The thing is big, making parking a thoughtful activity. Otherwise, it is wonderful in every way. I drove MDX several times, but there's no comparison in room or especially driver comfort. I had back surgery about 2 years ago, and am very difficult to please regarding seats. Bought the SR5 in KC and drove 730 miles to Alabama, no problem, utterly no back strain. Amazing.
Hey joeadp, why don't you look into buying a new Ford Expedition. Not only are they very reliable (MY 97 has 79,000 miles), but they have lots of third row room.Oh yeah,Did I mention they look nice.
"Gasguzzler" has a valid point. After test driving the Sequoia, and FOUR Expeditions, we bought a new 2001 Eddie Bauer Expedition and saved about $9000 over the cost of a comparably equipped Sequoia Limited. YES, that was $9000!!!
I think the Sequoia is nice, but when I can save 25% by buying the Expedition, doesn't seem too hard to make the decision.
At this time, Ford dealers are LOADED with new Expeditions and great deals can be had without much trying. We paid $650 LESS than invoice. Try getting a deal like that from a Toyota dealer on anything!
After driving our Sequoia for two weeks, my wife and I both agree that we made the right choice. It works great in the snow and doesn't have all those computers to thwart your attempts at actually driving the vehicle.
Don't be judgemental until you see for yourself. Trust me, Ford products are much better than they were several years ago.
That's a better deal than I have. I'm in the dreaded GST region and decided to order-build or dealer locate an SR5 for about $2000 off MSRP, but without any of the GST garbage or unwanted options. The salesman sounded overly optimistic about finding one that has ONLY the exact options I want, but I am more cautious. If it comes within a reasonable time frame, that would be good. If not, maybe I'll just take my money back.
From what I've learned from different sources, the OFF MSRP price can be deceiving because the vehicle can be loaded with a lot of junk that can optentially offset the discount. Unfortunately, one has to be really lucky or patient about waiting to get it exactly the way you want it and at the price you want to pay.
The deal is obviously not done until I have the SEQ in my garage. I hope the wait is not too long.
I searched pretty extensively around the Boston area and was able to come up with some good deals. I ended up buying at Herb Chambers Toyota of Boston for $2000 under MSRP. It seems that by inquiring through the internet first I was able to make contact with more knowledgeable sales people and was able to get pretty firm quotes for the Sequoia. The only thing left to negotiate was trade in value. The person I dealt with at Herb Chambers was Bob VanWert - really nice guy - no BS I was also talking to a Mr. White (can't remember 1st name) at Attleboro Toyota who was willing to deal. I can't stress enough - Use the internet to get quotes and establish contact before going to see a dealer. If they won't give you a firm quote on a vehicle, don't waste your time.
I currently own an EB '99 Expedition. We too are looking for a third vehicle and seriouly considered the Sequoia and the MDX. For us the MDX won out; we have one on order now. I would like to add my two cents worth and clarify a remark in Post #714. The Expedition does NOT have more 3rd seat room than the MDX. They are in fact comporable. In addition (when utilizing the two front seats only!) the MDX offers much more cargo space than the Expedition (and Sequoia for that matter). The MDXs 3rd seat folds flat into the floor, whereas the Expedition and the Sequoia tumble forward. If you need the cargo space to get where you are going and want the 3rd seat after you get there, the MDX is a superior arrangement. The Sequoia's split 3rd seat is a big advantage over the Expedition by the way.
You mentioned that you were considering Sequoia vx MDX, and said "Its the Limited with optional wood grain dash and control panel". Is this now a factory option, or a dealer add-on kit? Thanks,
We have been actively shopping for a Sequoia for a month now and have been to MANY dealerships in the San Francisco Bay Area and they are all sticking to MSRP and over. We did however find 1 that will give us $500 below MSRP. But of course they dont have the model we are looking for yet.
We have been finding this experience to be horific as far as the liars and sneaky dealerships that we have come across. We have driven hundreds of miles on wild goose chases with promises of the car we are looking for only to be disappointed and having to walk out on these creeps. Anyone have a decient experience with a Toyota dealership in the SF Bay Area?
In our efforts to decide between the Sequoia Ltd and the Acura MDX, we took advantage of the Acura dealer's generosity, and on our third test drive of the MDX-Touring, we drove it to the Fort Worth Toyota dealer and actually got out and compared the vehicles side-by-side. This was on November 4th (Sequoia's first day out), and there were several other customers at the Toyota dealer who kept exclaiming "that's what we wanted to do".
There were some similarities as far as creature comforts, but the seats in the Sequoia were much better to sit in than those of the MDX. Since both are selling at or slightly below sticker locally, the MDX I wanted figured up very close to our Limited. There was no further discussion.
BTW, after 4000 miles, my mileage is verified at 15.1 City/Hwy tooling around Dallas/Fort Worth, and we haven't done any long-term Hwy driving yet.
E-mail Dianne at Carson toyota in SO.CAL. DIANNE@EARTHLINK.NET. I am in Seattle and will be ordering from her in the near future. If you read this board and trunda solutions, you will see she has taken care of a lot of people.
The wood grain dash is an after market, done through the dealer. It covers the center console area and the gauges, along with the arm rests where the window controls are. I was told the cost was $495 but have yet to negotiate on that item. Good luck, I hope you find it if you want it!
Germandog, How does the wood kit look to you--cheezy or does it have a "factory" look? It's got to look better than the metal tone, no? BTW for you negotiating with the dealer on the $495 wood option, a Sequoia 24 piece real wood kit is $249 at Blue Ribbon Motoring. It takes about an hour to put on (I put one on my GS400). $300-350 would be a fair price--try that!
We bought the Sequoia. Sorry I wasn't more clear. The Sequoia is much more vehicle for the money. Another factor was that the SRS Curtain was not available on the MDX.
I saw ONE in the dealership and it looked pretty good. And as you stated, anything is better than that Aluminum looking thing they put on the dash as standard. As far as negotiating on the package, my husband and I are still trying to decide on the MDX vs. Sequoia so serious negotiations haven been started at that dealer regarding the wood grain package. We have the Sequoia coming in, scheduled to arrive in two weeks, but I still think I am more comfortable driving the smaller MDX, not to mention the better gas mileage.
There's no getting around the lower gas mileage, if that's one of your chief buying concerns. Regarding your comfort driving the smaller MDX, my wife's previous car was an Explorer. She thought that she would be intimidated driving the SEQ, and is amazed at how quickly she became comfortable in driving it. For what it's worth....
I purchased my Sequoia back in December at Toyota Sunnyvale and had a pretty positive experience. Unfortunately, I had to pay MSRP. The dealership is very close to my home which made it very convenient. It was great getting to take the vehicle home to check to see if it would fit in my garage. I ended up with a silver limited and I love everything about it.
Sequoia's advanced suspension system features an independent double wishbone coil-spring front suspension, specially tuned low-pressure nitrogen gas shock absorbers and stabilizer bars. This sophisticated suspension system along with rugged chassis with high torsional rigidity, helps minimize body movement over roguh roads, and help absorb road irregularities without transferring them to the vehicle body and passengers. Whats the secret of a smooth, quietride on the all new 2001 Toyota Sequoia. SEquoia's 5 link coil spring rear suspension is the major reason for its smooth,quiet ride. It features optimized rear control arm geometry, a stabilizer bar with ball joint-type links and high damp bushings,the rear suspension is deningeered to absorb the roads imperfections. Sequoia also has a particularly long wheel stroke(the range of up and down wheel motion) that helps pot holes and payment sepration while keeping the ride smooth and comfartable. The driving force on the all new 2001 Toyota Sequoia is its 4.7 litre 32 valve DOHC i-force V8.This engine packs a powerful punch 240 Horse Power and 315 lb-ft of ground grabbing, trailer-pulling torque. An advanced intake system allows the egine to breathe deeper,producing commanding performance and powerful low end torque. The i-force V8 also features an Electronic Throttle Control System with intellegence (ECTS-i) which helps the engine run quietly smoothly and efficiently. The all new 2001 Toyota Sequoia is equipped with standard Vehicle Skid Control (VSC) when situations arise that could present a loss of traction, its good to know the sequoia has VSC. This systems (1) Computer uses input from (2) wheel speed sensors, (3) a yaw-rate sensor, (4) a decelartion sensor,(5) a steering wheel angle sensor and (6) an active brake booster to regulte individual brake and throttle control to help counteract skidding (understeer) and spinning (oversteer) and help maintain the course of the sequoia. Expect the unexpected. And know you're ready for it. The 4 wheel Anti lock Brake (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distrubution (EBD) a standard on all models. Under sudden or hard braking conditions, the 4 wheel Anti-lock Brake system uses its sophisticated Computer and sensors to moudulate brake pressure to help avoid wheel lock up and maintain steering control. The Multi Mode 4 WD and Active TRAC. On unpaved roads, mud, rain, snow and ice can all cause problems. Don't worry the Sequoia answers all of them. If traction is reduced at any wheels, Sequioa's advanced active trac 4 wheel electronic contgrol system steps into transfer torque to the wheels with the most traction. The end result Sequoia keeps you going on any surface (dry, slippery,wet) on road or off. Safety is the key factor when Toyota built this all new 2001 Sequoia. The structure itself contributes to its safety. The floor area has been extensively reinforced and is designed to help maintain the integrity of the passenger compartment in the event of an accident. Sequoias rugged ladder frame with fully boxed front sub-frames reduces Vibrations, at the same time contributing to a quiet interior. Sequoia features specially engineered crumple zones, reinforced pillarstructure and side impact beans on all doors. Vow what a great SUV. Test drive it today and I am positive you will definetely agree with Sam Murthy the features and benefits of this marvellous engineeried product from the House of Toyota till then stay connected.
Unfortunately it seems like buying experiences differ from sales person to sales person and are not always consistent within a single dealership, never mind these new chain type dealers. I don't doubt that my experience may have been different if I hadn't done most of the work beforehand over the net. Did you work with the fleet or internet sales managers? It seems like most people who walk in off the street have pretty negative experiences. I will never walk into a dealership 'cold' again. In fact I'll probably follow the same pattern.
1. Figure out what want. 2. Test drive at a local dealer. 3. Research and get quotes on line 4. Go to the dealer with the best offer and negotiate trade in.
Although if I go for a high availability vehicle next time I will probably sell my car first rather than trading it in. I know I took a loss by trading to the dealer, but I couldn't be without a car (and I was lazy). I will say however that I knew what to expect on my trade and when I insisted on getting the right price (which was realistic and fair for both parties) the whole process, both for the trade and the new Sequoia, took just about 25 minutes!
Its always a matter of preference and opinion. We too compared the two and found the MDX to be much more vehicle for the money. A loaded MDX (re: includes Navigation) MSRPs for $39450. A loaded Sequoia Ltd with all the dealer add-ons (especially including the necessary wood dash trim to conceal the horrendous metal dash) costs about $42500 (the going rate for the time being!). IMHO no way does the extra $3 grand but more vehicle, in fact it seems to me the extra $3K actually buys less.
Between a $39K MDX and a $42K Sequoia, it probably is a harder call because for $3K more you obviously get a slightly bigger vehicle and a bigger engine, if those are important considerations to the buyer. Equipment wise, they are probably comparable, except of course for the NAV and Touring packages. I would assume that people who can afford this price range would not be too bothered about the 3K difference anyway.
I think a more significant difference would be in the lower end. For example, between a base MDX at $35K and an SR5 Sequoia equiped to $35K (both at MSRP), the MDX is IMO a much better buy.
There are so many similarities, as well as differences between the two depending on one's perspective. It eventually boils down to which options (factors) does one put more weight on. Unless one is intent on mid-range towing, one cannot make a mistake by going either way.
In my case, I loved many things about the MDX. But I just PERSONALLY like the looks of the SEQ and decided to get it.
Ive been searching for a Limited Sequioa for about a month now and have not been able to find anything less than 500 under MSRP. ( do ya think that you could get one for me too..?)
When you put the MDX side-by-side with the SEQ you can immediately see that these two vehicles are NOT the same in any way, shape or form. C'mon. The SEQ is bigger in all ramifications, and the size alone makes a tremendous difference between these two. There should be an asterisk when these two are being compared bcos they just aren't in the same league. The MDX is built on an Odyssey platform, hence it has more of a car-like handling, whereas the SEQ is really a truck built on the Tundral platform ! The MDX's 3rd row seating is really meant for kids, whereas the SEQ's 3rd row can comfortably seat 2-3 adults. Even the bullet-proof Lexus LX470/TLC cannont boast of that feature ! And with over a 1,000 Ib difference in weight b/w the MDX and the SEQ, how can these two be put in the same category ? Judge these facts for yourself before you consider the cost difference b/w them.
Yes indeed the MDX is a car based SUV and the Sequoia is a truck based one. Each has their respective advantages, one must decide what they need and their own personal preferences. But the size difference is deceptive. No way can Sequoia's 3rd seat fit 3 adults comfortably!! No sense in being unfair with dishonest comparisons.
If you need to truly seat adults comfortably in a third row, then the only SUVs on the planet to consider are the Suburban/Yukon XL twins and the Excursion! Period!!
What's are you guys talking about there is no comparison between those two SUVs. How's about MDX vs LX470 or Land Cruiser, I think we need to be more reasonable. Why don't we comparing with RX300 / 4Runners / HighLander. I looked at MDX last week after I bought my SQ I'm very disapointed. Anyway, everyone has different opnions but I would buy RX300 or 4Runners before I would buy MDX. Sorry, I offended someone here but that's my thought.
Yes, I agree with most of the structural, technical and functional differences between the Seq and the MDX that you cited. As I mentioned above, there are many REAL differences.
However, the fact that the two are still being constantly compared by the average person indicate that there are also real and perceived similarities between the two. For example, although the Seq is truck based and the MDX is based on the minivan platform, the ride to me (and to other people I've read or known) is not much different. Whether one seats 7 or 8 comfortably, that's not not necessarily a big issue either. If one is not towing, the difference in power will not stand out, since both have very capable powerhouses. This means that the average buyer can likely go either way, without so much regret, and their final decisions are probably determined by one or a few factors that they finally put more weight on. The things that are different between the two might not be important to them.
I am one who was really in this dilemma. I don't consider myself a car buff, but as a customer I am probably more informed than the average person. I always take time to study and compare different factors or products before I buy almost anything. I have been following the MDX and SEQUOIA forums religiously since April (I think). I went to see both the MDX and the SEQ during their debut dates, and I liked both of them. Yes, I am familiar with the structural, technical, and functional differences between the two. Yet, after everything was said and done, I still see the two vehicles as similar enough and either one could serve my purpose very well. I really wanted the MDX for the all the stuff you get and the simple pricing scheme. But in the end, not even the structural, technical, and functional differences stood out. I went for the looks of the Seqouia (this is personal and please, anyone, don't burn me on this) and I just placed an order last weekend.
Mine may only be 1 cent worth but perception is sometimes reality.
I too had to pick between the Sequoia and the MDX. I too went to see both during their debut. Both dealers told me that both could be had at invoice – that meant a substantial savings – at that time – if I bought the MDX. I waited until two weeks ago when I visited both dealerships again. I found that the difference in price had narrowed so I found myself influenced by the following factors: (1) looks – I think that the MDX looks wimpy; (2) although the MDX gets better gas mileage, the difference is not huge; (3) the interior size of the Sequoia – you can fit substantially more inside the vehicle. I am not talking about passengers – just stuff. Try putting a double stroller behind the third seat of the MDX – I did and you can’t. But in the Sequoia, the thing fit with room to spare. (4) the exterior size of the two vehicles – big plus for MDX; (5) the jag-off salespeople at Toyota dealerships – enough said.
In the end, the room in the Sequoia won the day and I purchased the Sequoia. The reason – interior size – we have two children and one on the way. That means one double stroller and one single stroller just to go to the mall. The MDX is just not big enough. For folks who don’t need to carry many people and stuff on a daily basis, I think that the MDX may be a better choice.
I have no idea who said that these two vehicles are not in the same class. Perhaps not for the auto gear heads at Toyota and Honda. But for the average consumer – and I know I’m not the only one who puts these two in the same class – these two are ones to pick from.
Lastly, I will say this about the Yukon. My wife and I considered this vehicle – fully loaded. But in the end, the quality issues of our past American cars prevented us from paying close to 40k for an American vehicle. The American products have come a long way, but they are not all the way yet.
I found a 4W SR5 with all three packages: preferred (leather interior etc.), convenience (home link, heated outside mirrors, key less entry) and alloy wheel pkg (16" alloy wheels, running boards etc) and power sunroof. Including a video system they will install, the price I have is $40,250.
My question is this: am I giving up anything important by not going with a a Limited. (Unlike previous post, I do like the metallic interior, but didn't think it was worth the additional 3000+- I might pay for a LTD)
Also, after several quotes form different dealers, this is my best. Is it good enough?
I appreciate any response as I have to decide this week!
Actually, I opted for all or most of the extra body-cladding and side rails on the MDX I put a deposit on. With all of the dealer price-gouging going on in DFW, that brought the retail of my MDX Touring, Nav system to over $43,000. Losing the NAV going with the Sequoia didn't mean much to me. However the extra $2000 gave pause. After some thought, and further study with the side-by-side comparison mentioned in my earlier post, that convinced us that the feature differences between the two vehicles bridged the gap between $41,000 and $43,000. Ours is a Black LTD 4WD.
Unfortunately, when you call a dealer on the phone and they quote you a price, most of them will say anything to get you in the door. Find out if the dealership has a dedicated internet sales department. Most of the time they are more knowledgable and will give you accurate pricing and information.
I respect your opinions and decision to buy a vehicle of your choice and no reasonable person will argue this. My point mainly was that simply bcos people compare the MDX and SEQ together does not mean they belong in the same comparison chart. Anyone can make any comparison they want, but the facts will dictate whether a comparison is rational or irrational.
There are people who simply want to buy an SUV, small, mid-size or large. Everyone has different reasons for wanting an SUV. Price-wise, comparing an MDX with the SEQ may make sense, but when you look at the facts, it is clear that such a comparison is not totally with merit. The two vehicles were designed for different markets, and they serve different needs. When people come to the SEQ forum and compare it with the MDX, methinks they are very wrong. If the buyer has $40K to plop on a vehicle, he/she has the right to make any comparison they like, but the final choice should lie on what the buyer NEEDS in the vehicle. It would be fool-hardy for anyone with $40K to spare and looking to buy either a Lincoln Town Car or an MDX with Touring, isn't it ? Yes, these two cars retail for about the same price, but are they really comparable ?
MT's review of 12 SUV's with the MDX "winning" has more to do with marketing, especially when you look at the vehicles in the review. Give me a break ! Anyone can see thru' the reviews and realize how incongrous the collections really are. A Ford Escape with a BMW X5 ? Or a SEQ with a Pontiac Aztec ? Puleeezeee !!!
After buying my Seq, I lamented on my inability to evaluate the MDX prior to my purchase of the Toyota. But, after visiting my local Acura dealer, test-driving the MDX and then packing my Seq beside the MDX, the differences became very obvious to me. I just felt real good about my choice, since the MDX does not address most of my family needs, and were I to be needing a car that can masquerade as an SUV, then maybe, just maybe I'll be in the market to buy the MDX or the RX300 (my choice in 1999 until my wife nixed it). These two really are in the same league and the MDX was specifically designed to target the RX300 market...
Now, that is a comparison that makes more sense...
My question is this: am I giving up anything important by not going with a a Limited. (Unlike previous post, I do like the metallic interior, but didn't think it was worth the additional 3000+- I might pay for a LTD)
I found a 4W SR5 with all three packages: preferred (leather interior etc.), convenience (home link, heated outside mirrors, key less entry) and alloy wheel pkg (16" alloy wheels, running boards etc) and power sunroof. Including a video system (retail $1600), the price I have is $40,250.
Also, after several quotes from different dealers, this is my best. Is it good enough?
I appreciate any response as I have to decide this week!
Comments
In the meantime I am also looking at the Acura MDX Touring Sedan. I prefer the Acura due to smaller size, although the ride is much staffer. My husband prefers the Sequoia. The intended use will be accommodated by both models (boat towing) however since I will be driving the car on a day to day basis, I tend to want the smaller of the two vehicles. My personal opinion is that the Toyota is just too big for day to day and that the Acura provides a ad more comfort creatures.
Any thoughts on these two cars and their attributes or disadvantages?
I would appreciate some input from anyone who has experience with both of them.
Thanks.
We ahve been to Town Center (so so) and Roswell (great).
I am very interested in buying the sequoia. Can anyone recommend a dealership in the New England area that is willing to negotiate below msrp? I've gone to several dealerships and the sales people are saying that the high demand for the sequoia is making it easy for the dealerships to resist going below msrp. Apparently, there are enough people who want this vehicle so badly, they are willing to pay the sticker price! I find that to be incredible. Any suggestions would help. Thanks.
I'm in search of a deal like everyone else, but I'm going to wait till Toyota has a incentive deal
I myself feel like this is a HOT seller Gas Mileage might be a factor in a slowdown of buying vehicles today. I'm in search to knowing of actual gas mileage of truck other than sticker!!
This is a third vehicle for me need the third row seat.
Leaning towards MDX because price of 37,500 includes all.
Realize more space in Toyota.
Tough decision, seems like discounts are available on Toyota this will bring my to finalist closer together.
I think the Sequoia is nice, but when I can save 25% by buying the Expedition, doesn't seem too hard to make the decision.
At this time, Ford dealers are LOADED with new Expeditions and great deals can be had without much trying. We paid $650 LESS than invoice. Try getting a deal like that from a Toyota dealer on anything!
After driving our Sequoia for two weeks, my wife and I both agree that we made the right choice. It works great in the snow and doesn't have all those computers to thwart your attempts at actually driving the vehicle.
Don't be judgemental until you see for yourself. Trust me, Ford products are much better than they were several years ago.
From what I've learned from different sources, the OFF MSRP price can be deceiving because the vehicle can be loaded with a lot of junk that can optentially offset the discount. Unfortunately, one has to be really lucky or patient about waiting to get it exactly the way you want it and at the price you want to pay.
The deal is obviously not done until I have the SEQ in my garage. I hope the wait is not too long.
The person I dealt with at Herb Chambers was Bob VanWert - really nice guy - no BS
I was also talking to a Mr. White (can't remember 1st name) at Attleboro Toyota who was willing to deal.
I can't stress enough - Use the internet to get quotes and establish contact before going to see a dealer. If they won't give you a firm quote on a vehicle, don't waste your time.
We have been actively shopping for a Sequoia for a month now and have been to MANY dealerships in the San Francisco Bay Area and they are all sticking to MSRP and over. We did however find 1 that will give us $500 below MSRP. But of course they dont have the model we are looking for yet.
We have been finding this experience to be horific as far as the liars and sneaky dealerships that we have come across. We have driven hundreds of miles on wild goose chases with promises of the car we are looking for only to be disappointed and having to walk out on these creeps. Anyone have a decient experience with a Toyota dealership in the SF Bay Area?
There were some similarities as far as creature comforts, but the seats in the Sequoia were much better to sit in than those of the MDX. Since both are selling at or slightly below sticker locally, the MDX I wanted figured up very close to our Limited. There was no further discussion.
BTW, after 4000 miles, my mileage is verified at 15.1 City/Hwy tooling around Dallas/Fort Worth, and we haven't done any long-term Hwy driving yet.
Good luck, I hope you find it if you want it!
Thanks
As far as negotiating on the package, my husband and I are still trying to decide on the MDX vs. Sequoia so serious negotiations haven been started at that dealer regarding the wood grain package.
We have the Sequoia coming in, scheduled to arrive in two weeks, but I still think I am more comfortable driving the smaller MDX, not to mention the better gas mileage.
I purchased my Sequoia back in December at Toyota Sunnyvale and had a pretty positive experience. Unfortunately, I had to pay MSRP. The dealership is very close to my home which made it very convenient. It was great getting to take the vehicle home to check to see if it would fit in my garage. I ended up with a silver limited and I love everything about it.
Good luck on your search!
Thanks a million for the information. I will call them today!
Whats the secret of a smooth, quietride on the all new 2001 Toyota Sequoia.
SEquoia's 5 link coil spring rear suspension is the major reason for its smooth,quiet ride. It features optimized rear control arm geometry, a stabilizer bar with ball joint-type links and high damp bushings,the rear suspension is deningeered to absorb the roads imperfections. Sequoia also has a particularly long wheel stroke(the range of up and down wheel motion) that helps pot holes and payment sepration while keeping the ride smooth and comfartable.
The driving force on the all new 2001 Toyota Sequoia is its 4.7 litre 32 valve DOHC i-force V8.This engine packs a powerful punch 240 Horse Power and 315 lb-ft of ground grabbing, trailer-pulling torque. An advanced intake system allows the egine to breathe deeper,producing commanding performance and powerful low end torque. The i-force V8 also features an Electronic Throttle Control System with intellegence (ECTS-i) which helps the engine run quietly smoothly and efficiently.
The all new 2001 Toyota Sequoia is equipped with standard Vehicle Skid Control (VSC) when situations arise that could present a loss of traction, its good to know the sequoia has VSC. This systems (1) Computer uses input from (2) wheel speed sensors, (3) a yaw-rate sensor, (4) a decelartion sensor,(5) a steering wheel angle sensor and (6) an active brake booster to regulte individual brake and throttle control to help counteract skidding (understeer) and spinning (oversteer) and help maintain the course of the sequoia.
Expect the unexpected. And know you're ready for it. The 4 wheel Anti lock Brake (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distrubution (EBD) a standard on all models. Under sudden or hard braking conditions, the 4 wheel Anti-lock Brake system uses its sophisticated Computer and sensors to moudulate brake pressure to help avoid wheel lock up and maintain steering control.
The Multi Mode 4 WD and Active TRAC. On unpaved roads, mud, rain, snow and ice can all cause problems. Don't worry the Sequoia answers all of them. If traction is reduced at any wheels, Sequioa's advanced active trac 4 wheel electronic contgrol system steps into transfer torque to the wheels with the most traction. The end result Sequoia keeps you going on any surface (dry, slippery,wet) on road or off.
Safety is the key factor when Toyota built this all new 2001 Sequoia. The structure itself contributes to its safety. The floor area has been extensively reinforced and is designed to help maintain the integrity of the passenger compartment in the event of an accident. Sequoias rugged ladder frame with fully boxed front sub-frames reduces Vibrations, at the same time contributing to a quiet interior. Sequoia features specially engineered crumple zones, reinforced pillarstructure and side impact beans on all doors.
Vow what a great SUV. Test drive it today and I am positive you will definetely agree with Sam Murthy the features and benefits of this marvellous engineeried product from the House of Toyota till then stay connected.
By Sam Murthy
Lucky you, I buy an X5 from Herb Chambers from Boston at sticker price. No discount, but a lot of BS. Never buy a car again at HC
It seems like most people who walk in off the street have pretty negative experiences. I will never walk into a dealership 'cold' again. In fact I'll probably follow the same pattern.
1. Figure out what want.
2. Test drive at a local dealer.
3. Research and get quotes on line
4. Go to the dealer with the best offer and negotiate trade in.
Although if I go for a high availability vehicle next time I will probably sell my car first rather than trading it in. I know I took a loss by trading to the dealer, but I couldn't be without a car (and I was lazy). I will say however that I knew what to expect on my trade and when I insisted on getting the right price (which was realistic and fair for both parties) the whole process, both for the trade and the new Sequoia, took just about 25 minutes!
I think a more significant difference would be in the lower end. For example, between a base MDX at $35K and an SR5 Sequoia equiped to $35K (both at MSRP), the MDX is IMO a much better buy.
There are so many similarities, as well as differences between the two depending on one's perspective. It eventually boils down to which options (factors) does one put more weight on. Unless one is intent on mid-range towing, one cannot make a mistake by going either way.
In my case, I loved many things about the MDX. But I just PERSONALLY like the looks of the SEQ and decided to get it.
Ive been searching for a Limited Sequioa for about a month now and have not been able to find anything less than 500 under MSRP. ( do ya think that you could get one for me too..?)
my .02 cents worth
They don't do that here in SoCal.
Dianne in Socal
If you need to truly seat adults comfortably in a third row, then the only SUVs on the planet to consider are the Suburban/Yukon XL twins and the Excursion! Period!!
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However, the fact that the two are still being constantly compared by the average person indicate that there are also real and perceived similarities between the two. For example, although the Seq is truck based and the MDX is based on the minivan platform, the ride to me (and to other people I've read or known) is not much different. Whether one seats 7 or 8 comfortably, that's not not necessarily a big issue either. If one is not towing, the difference in power will not stand out, since both have very capable powerhouses. This means that the average buyer can likely go either way, without so much regret, and their final decisions are probably determined by one or a few factors that they finally put more weight on. The things that are different between the two might not be important to them.
I am one who was really in this dilemma. I don't consider myself a car buff, but as a customer I am probably more informed than the average person. I always take time to study and compare different factors or products before I buy almost anything. I have been following the MDX and SEQUOIA forums religiously since April (I think). I went to see both the MDX and the SEQ during their debut dates, and I liked both of them. Yes, I am familiar with the structural, technical, and functional differences between the two. Yet, after everything was said and done, I still see the two vehicles as similar enough and either one could serve my purpose very well. I really wanted the MDX for the all the stuff you get and the simple pricing scheme. But in the end, not even the structural, technical, and functional differences stood out. I went for the looks of the Seqouia (this is personal and please, anyone, don't burn me on this) and I just placed an order last weekend.
Mine may only be 1 cent worth but perception is sometimes reality.
In the end, the room in the Sequoia won the day and I purchased the Sequoia. The reason – interior size – we have two children and one on the way. That means one double stroller and one single stroller just to go to the mall. The MDX is just not big enough. For folks who don’t need to carry many people and stuff on a daily basis, I think that the MDX may be a better choice.
I have no idea who said that these two vehicles are not in the same class. Perhaps not for the auto gear heads at Toyota and Honda. But for the average consumer – and I know I’m not the only one who puts these two in the same class – these two are ones to pick from.
Lastly, I will say this about the Yukon. My wife and I considered this vehicle – fully loaded. But in the end, the quality issues of our past American cars prevented us from paying close to 40k for an American vehicle. The American products have come a long way, but they are not all the way yet.
My question is this: am I giving up anything important by not going with a a Limited. (Unlike previous post, I do like the metallic interior, but didn't think it was worth the additional 3000+- I might pay for a LTD)
Also, after several quotes form different dealers, this is my best. Is it good enough?
I appreciate any response as I have to decide this week!
There are people who simply want to buy an SUV, small, mid-size or large. Everyone has different reasons for wanting an SUV. Price-wise, comparing an MDX with the SEQ may make sense, but when you look at the facts, it is clear that such a comparison is not totally with merit. The two vehicles were designed for different markets, and they serve different needs. When people come to the SEQ forum and compare it with the MDX, methinks they are very wrong. If the buyer has $40K to plop on a vehicle, he/she has the right to make any comparison they like, but the final choice should lie on what the buyer NEEDS in the vehicle. It would be fool-hardy for anyone with $40K to spare and looking to buy either a Lincoln Town Car or an MDX with Touring, isn't it ? Yes, these two cars retail for about the same price, but are they really comparable ?
MT's review of 12 SUV's with the MDX "winning" has more to do with marketing, especially when you look at the vehicles in the review. Give me a break ! Anyone can see thru' the reviews and realize how incongrous the collections really are. A Ford Escape with a BMW X5 ? Or a SEQ with a Pontiac Aztec ? Puleeezeee !!!
After buying my Seq, I lamented on my inability to evaluate the MDX prior to my purchase of the Toyota. But, after visiting my local Acura dealer, test-driving the MDX and then packing my Seq beside the MDX, the differences became very obvious to me. I just felt real good about my choice, since the MDX does not address most of my family needs, and were I to be needing a car that can masquerade as an SUV, then maybe, just maybe I'll be in the market to buy the MDX or the RX300 (my choice in 1999 until my wife nixed it). These two really are in the same league and the MDX was specifically designed to target the RX300 market...
Now, that is a comparison that makes more sense...
I found a 4W SR5 with all three packages: preferred (leather interior etc.), convenience (home link, heated outside mirrors, key less entry) and alloy wheel pkg (16" alloy wheels, running boards etc) and power sunroof. Including a video system (retail $1600), the price I have is $40,250.
Also, after several quotes from different dealers, this is my best. Is it good enough?
I appreciate any response as I have to decide this week!