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Since I first became aware of the heated seat issue, I told every one of my customers about it before they made a decision. From now on, I'm going to place a note on the buyer's order and have them sign that I made them aware that the PM package does not include heated seats.
If Toyota USA didn't alert dealers to the misprint I don't see how anybody would expect the dealer to know that the listed feature was not present. I know the dealer has his own manual about what are inculded in the options but what you are saying is that the dealer should check the content of EVERY option pacakge on EVERY car EVERY year to see if there is a discrepency between the brochure and the manual. Of course with every mid-year brochure/literature change they should repeat the entire process. Does it make more sense for thousands of dealers doing that or for just Toyota USA to send out an alert? Even as demanding as I am as a purchaser, I do not expect the salesman to be responsible for proofreading the sales brochure across 25 car models or more.
Re: Recieving more then I paid for.
When I shook hands with my dealer I consider it a contract that he will deliver what I agreed to pay for. Every contract ever written has a "minimum level" of what is considered to be fulfilling the contract. If you deliver that minimum level then you will recieve your payment. If you deliver MORE then expected, no REPUTABLE supplier would ever EXPECT to get paid more. Most suppliers that deliver more then they promise are doing it with the belief that they want to EXCEED the expectations of their customer which MIGHT translate into additional FUTURE business. The scenario about receieving too much change at a bank and the issue of basic honesty has nothing to do with the heated seat snafu.
RE: Dealers fault... Yes, I do expect that somebody selling me a $40,000 vehicle and getting paid for it will know all there is to know about the vehicle. This may not always be possible, but my point is that this person is a representative of Toyota and is responsible for for what they sell. If dealers had to make good on all the PM packages they sold, you can bet that this wouldn't be an issue anymore.
Re: Recieving more then I paid for. I agree. I was mainly responding to the bank error in your favor comment. I would not expect to pay for extra items that somebody knowingly gave me under a contract we both agreed on. I don't think this is what Cliffy was talking about in his original comment.
I agree that there is a problem here, I just don't agree that the dealer is not culpable for it. If the vehicle did not arrive equipped as you wanted - refuse delivery or work out the issue with the dealer. If the dealer is truly not to blame then let them do their job (as your Toyota representative) and fix your problem and get reimbursed from the manufacturer.
Didn't you call up your dealer and tell them you decided that your word wasn't any good and that you are not going to buy the Seq that they special ordered for you because gas prices are a little high right now?
Thirdsuv is not the one who cancelled his order over gas prices. He owns a Sequoia and is one of the few people who actually uses it like it should be... off road.
However I think you're confusing me with someone else about offroading. About as far offroad I typically get is the 100 yards of gravel in my driveway. However I believe I am using the Seq for how it "should be" and in my case that is a safe people mover. After my wife and kids were rear-ended by a fully loaded 10+ ton capacity dump truck at 40-50 mph in our Expedition I had further proof of the advantage of mass and structure.
My wife says her friend just got creamed for $200 for a key FOB. I'd like to have a 3rd, does anybody know if there are aftermarket FOBs that will work with SEQ.
Hey gang! Those of you with the "PM" packaged cars...
Just wondering.... if you go to get your car that was ordered and it isn't what you expected, didn't you just *not* buy it? If not, why not?
After it came to light that the "PM" package was both actually being built without the heaters for the front seats AND that the doorsides were cloth, each dealer should have made everyone (their salespeople and customers alike) aware of that fact. I know I read it here on several occasions in this forum. A lot of PM package cars have been delivered across the USA at many dealerships. The logical thing for any salesperson or dealer to say was: "I cannot say for certain if the car's got bun-warmers or leather doorsides til I see it with my own eyes." and they'd have never lost a sale at all. I think it's the few out there whose dealers played deaf-dumb in the issue on the outset, after the purchase. It sounds to me like Toyota's going to think, "Hey, a few people picked up cars and heard afterwards that seat heaters were written somewhere and expect to get in line for the gravy train.".... because they are not going to go for the fact that everyone picked up their cars and decided "I'll take it now but make a lot of noise about it later" so look at this issue logically before you raise heck. It's got me scratching my fool head here. :>
Had someone had turned their ordered car down due to the issue, it'd have been sold elsewhere, and probably to someone else who would have the chance to see it visually first anyway. If the PM cars were all sitting, unbought, you'd have a proverbial leg to stand upon. I strongly advocate seeing a car IF YOU CAN before purchasing it, but there are circumstances where that just isn't possible, and you have to have a strong bond and trust with your delivering dealer/salesperson. Someone with a great reputation or someone who's been your own trusted dealer can certainly make you feel better about a gaffe in text on a brochure.
Yeah, it sure sucks to feel as if you didn't get what you were expecting but I am certain that Toyota's defense will be: "you took it, though... knowing that it was as it was..." and they are right. It's a darn shame no one caught the mis-printed brochure before they were shipped. The door sides can be re-done with color-match leather. It's not too costly to do after market. That's the part I found odd about the package - cloth doorsides.
For the late 2002-2003 model year, they are working on a center console for the captains chairs which will be taller so it can be used as an armrest. Arm rest comfort has been a steady complaint. There a some technical and design/safety reasons we can't make the current arm rest bigger right now. But they think changing the console will be a good countermeasure to make the comfort level better. They are also rumoring that the silvery hammertone will remain the trim inside the Limited for 2002 BUT there is a golden-hued one coming for the cars with oak leather to fix the complaints about the aesthetic mismatch. More of a compliment to the eyes in a tan-seat car.
I have not actually measured the mileage per gallon under what we call city driving. I am not surprised if mine also runs at 12-14 mpg, but I don't put too much emphasis on city driving. There is no real definition of what city driving means.
I am more interested in highway mpg at a given speed. I have now 2800 miles on my SEQ and I have measured my highway milage three different times already by pencil-and-paper method. I fill up the tank until TWO clicks (just to make sure that it's not a false click), drive for a certain distance at 75 mph, and then refill the tank until TWO clicks again. I have gotten very consistent results, between 17.2 to 17.5 mpg, whether in cruise control on or not. Surprisngly, I got about the same mileage whether I had 2 or 6 medium sized adults. I guess the passenger to vehicle weight ratio is too small to affect the mileage. I am confident that those numbers are real. The electronic calculation is over-estimated and not very useful, unless we have a way to reset or re-calibrate it.
I don't have heated seats, but I'm really now beginning to dislike my cloth seats. They are cheap looking and lousy workmanship for a vehicle in this price range. The seats in my 87 Toyota Van still looks unbelievably better. Even those of my 97 Corolla looks better. Yes, those ugly and skinny armrests, plus the non-adjustable headrests on my SEQ. Oh, man! If only I didn't love the rest of the vehicle so much... I might have to go for aftermarket leather seats in a year.
"if you go to get your car that was ordered and it isn't what you expected, didn't you just *not* buy it? If not, why not"
#1) Because a dealer/Toyota should fulfill their promise of delivering product that was promised at order time #2)Many people waited LONG time for PM equipped SR5s. How many want/can wait another 6-16 weeks.
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"A lot of PM package cars have been delivered across the USA at many dealerships"
Wrong. For example SE region allocated 0% SR5s with PM from the start. Many people AND dealers ordering SR5+PM packages in late 2000 were ordering blindly on faith of brochure. I live in metroplex of million+ people with 4 very large Toyota dealerships and NOBODY had PM SR5s. All SR5s with leather were port added leather.
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For the rest of your comments I simply state....
#1) There has not been a single statement from dealer, purchaser, or Toyota USA that demonstrates that Toyota USA has done a SINGLE thing in the last 4-6 MONTHS to correct the bad information in the brochure. Certainly at some point in time a possible "honest mistake" begins to be deception or negligence.
#2) The last refuge of scoundrels is 6-point font size fine print.
Doesn't anyone like the Sunfire Red Sequoia's?? Mine finally arrived and I think it looks cool. Salesman (brother) says that the dealership has only sold one other one and they've sold a lot of them. I think some of the other colors look fancier but I think the red ones look pretty cool.
Yes, we picked up our Sequoia 4x4 Limited sans sunroof just 5 weeks after ordering it from Carson Toyota. We still have the 98 Land Cruiser for another month on the lease - so maybe in a future post we can provide some comparisons.
The Sequoia is in the garage in pieces now as I have started the installation of the DVD/Video/NAV system by Alpine. Since my wife can still drive the cruiser, I've been taking my time with the Sequoia. So far, I have "milled out" a section of the overhead console and fit the overhead Audiovox 6.8" display/TV Tuner. This is pretty straightforward - much easier than in the Cruiser with the sunroof!
I've got several of the interior pieces off and am currently in the process of determining the best home for the NAV brain (must be mounted horizontally), 4-channel amplifier, and the Alpine head unit brain. The drivers side rear quarter panel has some room especially if I'm willing to sacrifice the small cargo pocket. However the amplifier will invariably have to be mounted under the front pass seat - as soon as I determine what to do with the heater vent that's occupying some of that precious real estate right now.
For those of you not aware, the head unit and DVD player are the easiest components to mount(in place of the stock stereo) as Toyota is one of the few manufacturers who continues to utilize the "double DIN" standard. I also plan to add RCA inputs as well as a power inverter so that the kids can use the Playstation.
I'll post some pics on my website when I'm done - no later than Memorial Day weekend (hopefully).
Toyotaparts4u.com has little if any Sequoia parts listed in their inventory on the website. What you need to do is submit a parts inquiry from the web site and state exactly what part you are interested in. They will send you an email with the part number and price. They give a 25 percent discount on all internet orders which is awesome for factory parts. With the part number and price, you can then place your order from the web site. Not sure what parts you are interested in but here are a few that I have checked out or purchased. It may save you some time. The 25% discount is reflected in the price.
Limited Metallic Dash Trim (with 4wd/Trac off switches) 84013-0C100, $142.73 Limited Metallic Dash Trim (with Trac off switch only) 84013-0C090, $142.73 Limited Metallic Dash Trim (no 4wd/Trac off switched) 84013-0C080, $142.73
Limited Metallic Window Switch Plates R Front 74202-34010 $51.73 L Front 74201-34010 $51.73 R Rear 74203-34010 $34.41 L Rear 74204-34010 $34.41
Limited HVAC Metallic Switch Covers 55937-0C020 Auto $3.72 55937-34020 Mode $3.06 55937-0C040 A/C $2.74 55937-0C060 FRT+RR $2.51 55937-34040 Off $1.94 84731-0C020 Temp and Fan Speed $8.35 ea 55937-0C080 Front Def $2.46 55937-0C100 Recir $2.46 55937-0C120 Rear Def $2.46
Limited Fog Lamp Relay 90987-02012 $38.01 Limited Fog Lamp Passenger 81210-0C020 $126.99 Limited Fog Lamp Driver 81220-0C020 $126.99 Limited Combination Switch 84310-0C040 $188.25 Tundra Fog Lamp Switch 84160-0C010 $31.06
I've been following this board for a while from a distance, but I can tell you the whole reason I looked at the Limited vs. the SR5 with the PM Package was because of no heated seats and the cloth sides on the doors.
I did however go to a dealer who knew his stuff...Cliffy. And I read here on this board that there were no heated seats before I even went to see him.
You can't tell me that all those dealerships that the misled ordered from never had an SR5 with a PM Package on their lot?
Does that mean the salesmen who sold all of these SR5's with PM Packages never took a look at the ones on their own lots? I would have to wonder about the salesmen. Cliffy obviously knew about the package, maybe because he's observant or knows something about the trucks he sells?
I have to say that it should fall onto the dealerships. The dealerships can't just blame Toyota. They know just as well as it's stated on the brochure that the package deals can change. It's the salesman's fault for not having enough knowledge before selling a car and making his or her profit.
Hey, has anyone else had any problems with the window wiper not resetting when you turn it off.
When I turn it off the part that sticks down gets caught on the lip of the door and looks like it is going to brake off. I have gotten to the point where I don't use the thing.
Is this something that only I am experiencing or have others gotten this?
Reticent1 stated: Hey gang! Those of you with the "PM" packaged cars... Just wondering.... if you go to get your car that was ordered and it isn't what you expected, didn't you just *not* buy it? If not, why not?
Here’s my story and answer to your question. Like I said, I waited 7 weeks for the delivery of my Sequoia SR-5 with PM package. The only reason that I ordered the PM package was for the heated seats. Otherwise, I would have ordered cloth with power seats and an upgraded stereo option and saved $2000. This was the first SR-5 with PM package that my dealership had ordered. Thus I had no way to inspect a PM vehicle prior to ordering. I discovered the missing seat heater switches within the first 2 minutes of inspecting the vehicle after it arrived. My salesman could not explain why the seat heaters were not included and had to check with the Regional Sales Manager two days later before I got an answer. Of course, the answer was that Toyota made a change to the PM package after the brochure was printed. They basically gave me the option of “take it or leave it.” I took my $500 deposit and left.
Since I really didn’t want to ante up to the Limited’s overinflated price to get heated seats or wait eight more weeks, I began looking at other vehicles such as the ’01 Acura MDX, ’01 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer, ’01 Chevy Surburban, my in-law’s ’99 Caddy Escalade (which they were going to trade), and used ‘98-’00 Land Cruisers. I had previously owned an Expedition and concluded that they were pieces of junk especially after owning a 4Runner. The Escalade was also a poorly built vehicle. The Acura MDX was ok but was a little small and drove like a minivan (yuck!). The availability of good used Land Cruisers in the Midwest is almost ‘nil so unless I wanted to travel great distances to find one or wait for a search to be conducted, that option was out . So after about 3 weeks of looking at the competitor’s SUVs, I decided there was nothing else on the market in the $37-$40 K range that could compete with the Sequoia. My Toyota salesman had been calling periodically over the three week period to see if I had changed my mind and then finally knocked another $500 off the deal on the vehicle that I had ordered. I can honestly say that even with the sweetened deal, I bought this vehicle still upset about the heated seats. By the time I had finally purchased the vehicle, I had begun to see the web forums that had brought up the heated seat/PM package issue. I really figured that Toyota USA would hear enough complaints and compensate buyers who had ordered and purchased a SR-5 with the PM package. Blind faith, probably. I would have actually been satisfied if they had initially offered me two free oil changes like they did with thirdsuv. It would have at least give me some piece of my that I was not totally scammed and that they appreciated that I was repeat Toyota buyer. Now I believe that I am entitled to a higher level of compensation. Like I said, I think heated seats are worth about $500 in compensation to the owners.
In addition, it is my opinion that only those buyers who ordered there Sequoia SR-5’s without knowledge that the PM package did not include the heated seat feature should be compensated. Those who were informed prior to ordering by their dealer or who bought off the lot would not be entitled to compensation from Toyota USA. As someone previously stated, it should be relatively easy for Toyota USA to compile a list of the entitled owners. Come on Toyota, throw us bone before this gets ugly.
$1200 would be the going rate for auto body or customizing shop to color key the bumpers and running boards on teh Sequoia. This information has been posted here before. This is something that I did not consider prior to ordering my rig. If I had to order my vehicle over again, I would have ordered a black SR-5 and had the bumpers and running board blocked out in black to match the body. Would look just like a Limited minus the chrome grill and side trim.
"You can't tell me that all those dealerships that the misled ordered from never had an SR5 with a PM Package on their lot?"
You can think what you want, but you're positively wrong. Heck this forum didn't even know that the PM came with cloth sides until January (that's another crappy story). I'll repeat again, the SE region was building 0% SR5s with PM package last year. That means ZERO cars. None. Nada. Nothing. Zilch. Salesmen and buyers were ordering via the brochure and nothing else.
I've been keeping up w/ the postings here since January when I first considered the Sequoia. I've read most all postings since then and have learned a great deal from current owners. After much shopping, comparing, and searching, I finally decided to order an SR5. After finding 2 dealers that were willing to order me one exactly the way I wanted and below invoice (one in SET region, one in Cincinnati Region), I placed my order on 31 March with the dealer in Cincinnati region due to extra charges the SET dealers have to add on. I feel I got about the best deal I have heard of (>$300 below invoice), from reading past posts here and talking to many dealers. After one vehicle arrived that had more options that what I ordered, they finally got the preference to go through w/ exactly what I want, and production date is 21 May, so I hope to be in it by 1st week of June, if not before. I'm getting the Blue Marlin Pearl. Are there any other Blue Marlin Pearl owner's out there that can tell me how they like that color? What are other's reaction to the blue color when they see your vehicle? I've read some very positive things about the blue and some negative things about the blue. Just wondering what the majority's opinion of the blue is??? Also, is there any other deals out there that is much more than $300 below invoice?
When I first saw the tally I almost passed out! I was planning on installing this in the Sequoia for that "clean factory look". Oh well....Alpine here I come!
I was planning to order a SR5 with whole lots of options (to make it look like Limited) thereby saving around 2-3K but my dealer tells me that I can't get CD changer and alarm with the Sr5 and he cannot do anything about it. Is this true about the alarm that Toyota cannot install Security alarm on the SR5? Any experiences Ganesh
"When I turn it off the part that sticks down gets caught on the lip of the door and looks like it is going to brake off."
I had this happen a few weeks ago to my Sunfire Red Sequoia during a trip to the Black Hills (I'm the one who actually goes off-road, Cliffy).
So I twisted and bent the wiper so that the pointy thing on the bottom was pointing further away from the rear window (and thus hit the cam/rest properly). That is all it took to fix it.
It's actually kinda Cheezy if you ask me, but it is easy to fix.
$300 below invoice (without rebates) on nearly any car is usually good but on the Sequoia it is outstanding. I thought Carson Toyota was good at 699-799 over - guess I could have saved a grand. I like the blue and thought about it for a while but in the end went with silver because I thought I might get tired of the blue. I haven't seen too many and that rareness makes them look great when you see 'em. Hope it works out for you!
I've had my BMP SR5 4x4 for about two weeks now, and the color is definitely a winner. The fact that there isn't much BMP sequoia's around (yet) helps!
Watch those tire pressure when you pickup your sequoia. Mine was delivered with 38 psi's. Way over the recommended pressure of 30. It makes for a bouncy ride when the tires are over-inflated.
That isn't true. Good thing you asked. The 6-disc changer is available in the PM package when you upgrade the SR5 to resemble a Limited. The upgrade to the alarm's keyless entry feature is also possible easily thru Toyota.
Perhaps your "dealer/salesman" didn't know? Were they pushing the Limited because they didn't want to order a "PM" package car? How did that feel to you? Or, was it a case of being mistaken? I know because I did make that error once before the updates came out to original info. There was no documents that showed the "exact" contents of the PM package - only the fact that it was a JBL 10-speaker upgrade and the leather. It wasn't documented IN PRINT for weeks and weeks, which was why the cloth door sides and the exact contents of the "PM" package were such a bloody mystery to most everyone!
Regions that didn't order PM cars right out of the gate would have had to order build them right away to have had any cars to look at with their own eyes til January (late Jan, early Feb). That's why many folks were so unclear on the contents of the package. Most regions went -0- for the PM package requesting, realizing that it made for too pricy of an SR5 model.
Actually the fleet manager swore that there is no way to upgrade my Sr5 with alarm. That is hard to believe. I wanted my Sr5, 2WD with conv package, preferred package, spoiler, mats, side airbags, glass break sensor, dual A/c, roofrack, daytime lights and he was quoting 36+ which is just under 1500 below MSRP. I think thats a lot. I was dealing with him through my credit union car store and so may be I should shop around or is that a good price? thanks
There has been a lot of discussion at Tundrasolutions.com about upgrading to bigger tires and wheels on the Sequoia. I have to agree that Toyota put too small of wheels and especially tires on the Sequoia. They are out of proportion with the size of the vehicle. This is pretty obvious to any one who looks at the vehicle. In fact it was my wife’s first comment when she saw our vehicle at the dealership. My dad also made a similar comment. I am surprised that this was not recognized early on by Toyota. The Tundra pickup has the same size of tires and wheels (16 inch alloys and P265/70/R16) as the Sequoia but because it does not have the large wheel well flares, the wheels and tires look proportional with that vehicle. Although extremely rare, the 16 inch wheels and tires on a Toyota Sequoia SR-5 without the alloy wheel package and no flares does look more proportional. The only one I have ever seen was in the photograph provided in the early Sequoia flyers that Toyota USA sent to interested customers in 2000. The same wheel size and tires on my Sequoia were also on my 2000 4Runner. On that vehicle they look beefy and muscular but of course the vehicle is much smaller that the Sequoia. The Land Cruiser and LX470 are smaller vehicles than the Sequoia but they put larger tires (P275/70/R16) on it. Why, because they look proportional with the vehicle size . I really do not understand this decision by Toyota unless it was an economic decision since no other SUV in their lineup has 17 inch wheels and they wanted to stay with the same size of wheels and tires from the Tundra. The only other thing that I can think of is that they were going for a more sophisticated look on the Sequoia and did not want the beefy, muscular, off-road look as on the 4Runner and Land Cruiser. If that is the case, then you would have thought they would have selected a 17 or 18 inch wheel and a lower profile tire. No matter how you look at though the wheels and tires are undersized. Personally, I like the beefy look on SUVs and thus my plans are to upgrade the tires to at least P275/70/R16 or maybe as large as P285/70/R16. I have not priced these yet but would looking at Bridgestone Duelers, BF Goodrich ATs, or Michelin Cross Terrains. Could a tire upgrade be done for less than $500? What do others think of the wheel and tire size on the Sequoia?
Please excuse my ignorance, but what are people such as yourself doing to get the extra characters in some of your postings? For example in post number 2548, you talk about your wife's first comment and it comes across as "wife’s". Is this some kind of cut and paste quirk? Just wondering.
Answer: because they're using a word editor and paste it here. Edmund's site is not reading some of the special characters and instead replaces it with weird characters.
I've posted here before about the tires not being proportional to the rest of the Sequoia, and I still feel that way. P275/70/R16's would help the overall look of the vehicle, but my dealer wouldn't allow me to upgrade/swap tires when my Black Limited came in last month. After plunking down $41k in cash, the last thing I want to do is pay to replace a brand new set of tires, so I guess I'll wait until my original set wears out. From the Sequoia Solutions web-site it sounds like the P285/70/R16 tires can rub when making tight turns, and the P275/75/R16s may not fit inside the spare tire wheel well, so P275/70/R16s may be the best choice. However, since the spare wheel that came with my limited is steel and not the 6 spoke alloy, maybe I could just ignore that tire and leave it as my spare and upgrade the 4 other tires to P275/75/R16s. That tires would probably give the most proportional look and I could live with the fact that my speedometer reading would be off by 5.3%. I wonder what it takes to re-program a Sequoia speedometer for different size tires?
Don't forget that changing size of tires will not only affect speedometer it will affect (slightly change) the axle ratio of the truck thereby affecting performance/fuel economy/towing ability. I think I've read that it could change ratio from 4.10 to 3.83 as just one example (or vice-versa). While I don't know the details there are many articles I've read about this. In some cases the change is quite dramatic. Just something to think about. Maybe there's someone here with technical knowledge that could help (I have none!).
I don't believe I ever targeted the SE Region by themselves. I'm talking about everyone who ordered an SR5 with the PM Package all over the nation, not just the SE Region. The question was not, zero, zilch, nada directed to the buyers in the SE Region only.
I just can't imagine plunking down the $35,000+ for a truck I've never seen. And if the dealership couldn't supply me with one to check out then I wouldn't buy one.
You can't take the Limited out for a drive and expect that's what the SR5 is going to be like. For some reason a lot of people thought they could buy a SR5 and turn it into a Limited by adding a PM Package, but with paying less. Come on...Look at the prices there are definitely going to be differences and if you can't compare and see it in person then I'd start looking somewhere else or at another truck. There needs to be consumer awareness too. You can't believe everything you read...You need to check it out.
I also don't remember seeing leather side doors listed under the PM Package options in the brochure. So if it's not included in the description wouldn't you ask?
And if the salesman didn't know right away, then they have contacts where they can find out...it just sounds like a lot of the salesman didn't do their jobs.
Yes, I would also be interested in hearing what effect larger tires would have on the Sequoia performance and operation. Can someone explain what the nomenclature for tire size means or refer me to a web site. I am mainly interested in getting a taller tire and not so much a wider tire. In addition to what has already been mentioned, I have heard that if you go much bigger than the factory tire specs (something like 3-4%), you could impact the performance of the ABS. I personally do not want to defeat a safety feature for aesthetics purposes but I will take the tires as large as they go without affecting safety. I am sure there is a way to reprogram the speedometer computer for larger tires. On my 97 Explorer Eddie Bauer, I upgraded the factory 15 inch, P235/65/15 wheels to factory 16 inch P255/65/16 wheels. The Ford dealer replaced a small plastic gear in the speed sensing system in order for the vehicle to register the correct speed on the speedometer. I had no problems at all with this and my gas mileage never varied.
My truck has 265/75/16s and I think I will upgrade to 285/70/16s (BFG ATs) and get the biggest spare that will fit in that space. The BFGs have been great tires for me in the past and look outstanding!
I recently experience vibration and low humming while idling and waiting at stop lights. The vibration would go away if I shift into Park. Has anyone have the same problem and know what's going on? My Seq. only has 300 miles. Thanks.
I recently experience vibration and low humming while idling and waiting at stop lights. The vibration would go away if I shift into Park. Has anyone have the same problem and know what's going on? My Seq. only has 300 miles. Thanks.
Hey give thirdsuv, myself and other buyers some credit. I have been dupped by vehicle brochures before when ordering vehicles and thus I went to extraordinary measures to verify the contents of the option packages on the SR-5 before I ordered mine this time. I have heard more than one car salesman state that if something is not listed in the vehicle brochure then the vehicle is probably not going to have it. I have yet to be surprised by a vehicle that included something that it wasn’t supposed to have. I probably read the Sequoia brochure 50 times before I ordered my vehicle and checked out the Toyota website a 100 more times. The Toyota Sequoia brochure is filled with lots of holes and misinformation. First, there is the misprint that the PM package comes with heated seats. If you look at the brochure, you will also note that no where does it state that the power seat option for the SR-5 has a 8-way power adjustable driver’s captain chair like it does for the Limited’s standard specifications. So a potential buyer may wonder if the driver’s power seat for the SR-5 is 8-way adjustable or something less. I thoroughly checked this out with my salesman before I ordered mine. I made him contact the factory rep to verify that the SR-5 power driver seat was 8-way adjustable I never even had to ask about the trim for the door panels in the PM package because the brochure does not say they come in leather. So I assumed and expected they would be cloth but if I got leather it would have been a bonus. I was also keenly aware of the differences in the front window visors for Limited versus SR-5 before I ordered. Although not an error, you really got to love the fact that Toyota did not include double window visors and illuminated vanities in the SR-5. Pretty tacky I think. They should have at least included this feature in the convenience package option for the SR-5. So when my vehicle finally arrived, the only thing that I was not prepared for was the lack of heated seats. From the best information that I had available at the time I ordered, heated seats should have been included.
So the sr5 doesn't even have the double visors that come in the Limited?!?
I really really like the CHESTNUT color on the sr5,but I have to ask myself....Do I really want to be bothered with adding all of the extras found in the Limited to the Sr5 just because I like a specific color? Is it worth it? Hmmmmm
Comments
RE: Dealers fault
If Toyota USA didn't alert dealers to the misprint I don't see how anybody would expect the dealer to know that the listed feature was not present. I know the dealer has his own manual about what are inculded in the options but what you are saying is that the dealer should check the content of EVERY option pacakge on EVERY car EVERY year to see if there is a discrepency between the brochure and the manual. Of course with every mid-year brochure/literature change they should repeat the entire process. Does it make more sense for thousands of dealers doing that or for just Toyota USA to send out an alert? Even as demanding as I am as a purchaser, I do not expect the salesman to be responsible for proofreading the sales brochure across 25 car models or more.
Re: Recieving more then I paid for.
When I shook hands with my dealer I consider it a contract that he will deliver what I agreed to pay for. Every contract ever written has a "minimum level" of what is considered to be fulfilling the contract. If you deliver that minimum level then you will recieve your payment. If you deliver MORE then expected, no REPUTABLE supplier would ever EXPECT to get paid more. Most suppliers that deliver more then they promise are doing it with the belief that they want to EXCEED the expectations of their customer which MIGHT translate into additional FUTURE business. The scenario about receieving too much change at a bank and the issue of basic honesty has nothing to do with the heated seat snafu.
Yes, I do expect that somebody selling me a $40,000 vehicle and getting paid for it will know all there is to know about the vehicle. This may not always be possible, but my point is that this person is a representative of Toyota and is responsible for for what they sell. If dealers had to make good on all the PM packages they sold, you can bet that this wouldn't be an issue anymore.
Re: Recieving more then I paid for.
I agree. I was mainly responding to the bank error in your favor comment. I would not expect to pay for extra items that somebody knowingly gave me under a contract we both agreed on. I don't think this is what Cliffy was talking about in his original comment.
I agree that there is a problem here, I just don't agree that the dealer is not culpable for it. If the vehicle did not arrive equipped as you wanted - refuse delivery or work out the issue with the dealer. If the dealer is truly not to blame then let them do their job (as your Toyota representative) and fix your problem and get reimbursed from the manufacturer.
You're right that I didn't cancel order.
However I think you're confusing me with someone else about offroading. About as far offroad I typically get is the 100 yards of gravel in my driveway. However I believe I am using the Seq for how it "should be" and in my case that is a safe people mover. After my wife and kids were rear-ended by a fully loaded 10+ ton capacity dump truck at 40-50 mph in our Expedition I had further proof of the advantage of mass and structure.
Just wondering.... if you go to get your car that was ordered and it isn't what you expected, didn't you just *not* buy it? If not, why not?
After it came to light that the "PM" package was both actually being built without the heaters for the front seats AND that the doorsides were cloth, each dealer should have made everyone (their salespeople and customers alike) aware of that fact. I know I read it here on several occasions in this forum. A lot of PM package cars have been delivered across the USA at many dealerships. The logical thing for any salesperson or dealer to say was: "I cannot say for certain if the car's got bun-warmers or leather doorsides til I see it with my own eyes." and they'd have never lost a sale at all. I think it's the few out there whose dealers played deaf-dumb in the issue on the outset, after the purchase. It sounds to me like Toyota's going to think, "Hey, a few people picked up cars and heard afterwards that seat heaters were written somewhere and expect to get in line for the gravy train.".... because they are not going to go for the fact that everyone picked up their cars and decided "I'll take it now but make a lot of noise about it later" so look at this issue logically before you raise heck. It's got me scratching my fool head here. :>
Had someone had turned their ordered car down due to the issue, it'd have been sold elsewhere, and probably to someone else who would have the chance to see it visually first anyway. If the PM cars were all sitting, unbought, you'd have a proverbial leg to stand upon. I strongly advocate seeing a car IF YOU CAN before purchasing it, but there are circumstances where that just isn't possible, and you have to have a strong bond and trust with your delivering dealer/salesperson. Someone with a great reputation or someone who's been your own trusted dealer can certainly make you feel better about a gaffe in text on a brochure.
Yeah, it sure sucks to feel as if you didn't get what you were expecting but I am certain that Toyota's defense will be: "you took it, though... knowing that it was as it was..." and they are right. It's a darn shame no one caught the mis-printed brochure before they were shipped. The door sides can be re-done with color-match leather. It's not too costly to do after market. That's the part I found odd about the package - cloth doorsides.
-Ret
-Ret
I am more interested in highway mpg at a given speed. I have now 2800 miles on my SEQ and I have measured my highway milage three different times already by pencil-and-paper method. I fill up the tank until TWO clicks (just to make sure that it's not a false click), drive for a certain distance at 75 mph, and then refill the tank until TWO clicks again. I have gotten very consistent results, between 17.2 to 17.5 mpg, whether in cruise control on or not. Surprisngly, I got about the same mileage whether I had 2 or 6 medium sized adults. I guess the passenger to vehicle weight ratio is too small to affect the mileage. I am confident that those numbers are real. The electronic calculation is over-estimated and not very useful, unless we have a way to reset or re-calibrate it.
I don't have heated seats, but I'm really now beginning to dislike my cloth seats. They are cheap looking and lousy workmanship for a vehicle in this price range. The seats in my 87 Toyota Van still looks unbelievably better. Even those of my 97 Corolla looks better. Yes, those ugly and skinny armrests, plus the non-adjustable headrests on my SEQ. Oh, man! If only I didn't love the rest of the vehicle so much... I might have to go for aftermarket leather seats in a year.
#1) Because a dealer/Toyota should fulfill their promise of delivering product that was promised at order time
#2)Many people waited LONG time for PM equipped SR5s. How many want/can wait another 6-16 weeks.
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"A lot of PM package cars have been delivered across the USA at many dealerships"
Wrong. For example SE region allocated 0% SR5s with PM from the start. Many people AND dealers ordering SR5+PM packages in late 2000 were ordering blindly on faith of brochure. I live in metroplex of million+ people with 4 very large Toyota dealerships and NOBODY had PM SR5s. All SR5s with leather were port added leather.
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For the rest of your comments I simply state....
#1) There has not been a single statement from dealer, purchaser, or Toyota USA that demonstrates that Toyota USA has done a SINGLE thing in the last 4-6 MONTHS to correct the bad information in the brochure. Certainly at some point in time a possible "honest mistake" begins to be deception or negligence.
#2) The last refuge of scoundrels is 6-point font size fine print.
Doesn't anyone like the Sunfire Red Sequoia's?? Mine finally arrived and I think it looks cool. Salesman (brother) says that the dealership has only sold one other one and they've sold a lot of them. I think some of the other colors look fancier but I think the red ones look pretty cool.
Yes, we picked up our Sequoia 4x4 Limited sans sunroof just 5 weeks after ordering it from Carson Toyota. We still have the 98 Land Cruiser for another month on the lease - so maybe in a future post we can provide some comparisons.
The Sequoia is in the garage in pieces now as I have started the installation of the DVD/Video/NAV system by Alpine. Since my wife can still drive the cruiser, I've been taking my time with the Sequoia. So far, I have "milled out" a section of the overhead console and fit the overhead Audiovox 6.8" display/TV Tuner. This is pretty straightforward - much easier than in the Cruiser with the sunroof!
I've got several of the interior pieces off and am currently in the process of determining the best home for the NAV brain (must be mounted horizontally), 4-channel amplifier, and the Alpine head unit brain. The drivers side rear quarter panel has some room especially if I'm willing to sacrifice the small cargo pocket. However the amplifier will invariably have to be mounted under the front pass seat - as soon as I determine what to do with the heater vent that's occupying some of that precious real estate right now.
For those of you not aware, the head unit and DVD player are the easiest components to mount(in place of the stock stereo) as Toyota is one of the few manufacturers who continues to utilize the "double DIN" standard. I also plan to add RCA inputs as well as a power inverter so that the kids can use the Playstation.
I'll post some pics on my website when I'm done - no later than Memorial Day weekend (hopefully).
More later..
The small $100 PSone can run from 12VDC.
Limited Metallic Dash Trim (with 4wd/Trac off switches) 84013-0C100, $142.73
Limited Metallic Dash Trim (with Trac off switch only) 84013-0C090, $142.73
Limited Metallic Dash Trim (no 4wd/Trac off switched) 84013-0C080, $142.73
Limited Metallic Window Switch Plates
R Front 74202-34010 $51.73
L Front 74201-34010 $51.73
R Rear 74203-34010 $34.41
L Rear 74204-34010 $34.41
Limited HVAC Metallic Switch Covers
55937-0C020 Auto $3.72
55937-34020 Mode $3.06
55937-0C040 A/C $2.74
55937-0C060 FRT+RR $2.51
55937-34040 Off $1.94
84731-0C020 Temp and Fan Speed $8.35 ea
55937-0C080 Front Def $2.46
55937-0C100 Recir $2.46
55937-0C120 Rear Def $2.46
Limited Fog Lamp Relay 90987-02012 $38.01
Limited Fog Lamp Passenger 81210-0C020 $126.99
Limited Fog Lamp Driver 81220-0C020 $126.99
Limited Combination Switch 84310-0C040 $188.25
Tundra Fog Lamp Switch 84160-0C010 $31.06
Limited Seat Heater Switch Passenger 84751-34010 $41.30
Limited Seat Heater Switch Driver 84751-35020 $41.30
Limited Chrome Grille 53100-0C040-B1 $148.14 The part number is vehicle color dependent. This number is for silver sky)
Hope this helps.
I did however go to a dealer who knew his stuff...Cliffy. And I read here on this board that there were no heated seats before I even went to see him.
You can't tell me that all those dealerships that the misled ordered from never had an SR5 with a PM Package on their lot?
Does that mean the salesmen who sold all of these SR5's with PM Packages never took a look at the ones on their own lots? I would have to wonder about the salesmen. Cliffy obviously knew about the package, maybe because he's observant or knows something about the trucks he sells?
I have to say that it should fall onto the dealerships. The dealerships can't just blame Toyota. They know just as well as it's stated on the brochure that the package deals can change. It's the salesman's fault for not having enough knowledge before selling a car and making his or her profit.
When I turn it off the part that sticks down gets caught on the lip of the door and looks like it is going to brake off. I have gotten to the point where I don't use the thing.
Is this something that only I am experiencing or have others gotten this?
Hey gang! Those of you with the "PM" packaged cars...
Just wondering.... if you go to get your car that was ordered and it isn't what you expected, didn't you just *not* buy it? If not, why not?
Here’s my story and answer to your question. Like I said, I waited 7 weeks for the delivery of my Sequoia SR-5 with PM package. The only reason that I ordered the PM package was for the heated seats. Otherwise, I would have ordered cloth with power seats and an upgraded stereo option and saved $2000. This was the first SR-5 with PM package that my dealership had ordered. Thus I had no way to inspect a PM vehicle prior to ordering. I discovered the missing seat heater switches within the first 2 minutes of inspecting the vehicle after it arrived. My salesman could not explain why the seat heaters were not included and had to check with the Regional Sales Manager two days later before I got an answer. Of course, the answer was that Toyota made a change to the PM package after the brochure was printed. They basically gave me the option of “take it or leave it.” I took my $500 deposit and left.
Since I really didn’t want to ante up to the Limited’s overinflated price to get heated seats or wait eight more weeks, I began looking at other vehicles such as the ’01 Acura MDX, ’01 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer, ’01 Chevy Surburban, my in-law’s ’99 Caddy Escalade (which they were going to trade), and used ‘98-’00 Land Cruisers. I had previously owned an Expedition and concluded that they were pieces of junk especially after owning a 4Runner. The Escalade was also a poorly built vehicle. The Acura MDX was ok but was a little small and drove like a minivan (yuck!). The availability of good used Land Cruisers in the Midwest is almost ‘nil so unless I wanted to travel great distances to find one or wait for a search to be conducted, that option was out . So after about 3 weeks of looking at the competitor’s SUVs, I decided there was nothing else on the market in the $37-$40 K range that could compete with the Sequoia. My Toyota salesman had been calling periodically over the three week period to see if I had changed my mind and then finally knocked another $500 off the deal on the vehicle that I had ordered. I can honestly say that even with the sweetened deal, I bought this vehicle still upset about the heated seats. By the time I had finally purchased the vehicle, I had begun to see the web forums that had brought up the heated seat/PM package issue. I really figured that Toyota USA would hear enough complaints and compensate buyers who had ordered and purchased a SR-5 with the PM package. Blind faith, probably. I would have actually been satisfied if they had initially offered me two free oil changes like they did with thirdsuv. It would have at least give me some piece of my that I was not totally scammed and that they appreciated that I was repeat Toyota buyer. Now I believe that I am entitled to a higher level of compensation. Like I said, I think heated seats are worth about $500 in compensation to the owners.
In addition, it is my opinion that only those buyers who ordered there Sequoia SR-5’s without knowledge that the PM package did not include the heated seat feature should be compensated. Those who were informed prior to ordering by their dealer or who bought off the lot would not be entitled to compensation from Toyota USA. As someone previously stated, it should be relatively easy for Toyota USA to compile a list of the entitled owners. Come on Toyota, throw us bone before this gets ugly.
You can think what you want, but you're positively wrong. Heck this forum didn't even know that the PM came with cloth sides until January (that's another crappy story). I'll repeat again, the SE region was building 0% SR5s with PM package last year. That means ZERO cars. None. Nada. Nothing. Zilch.
Salesmen and buyers were ordering via the brochure and nothing else.
Also, is there any other deals out there that is much more than $300 below invoice?
DVD Navigational System for LAND CRUISER
Display 86111-60040 $4587.41
Computer 86841-47020 $3195.21
Antenna 86860-60031 $671.00
Disc Player 86271-47020 $344.63
Bracket 86274-60060 $6.92
Bracket 86274-60070 $8.66
Antenna Cord 86101-60160 $28.55
Antenna Cord 86101-60101 $62.55
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$8904.93 + Misc Bolts for Mounting
When I first saw the tally I almost passed out! I was planning on installing this in the Sequoia for that "clean factory look". Oh well....Alpine here I come!
thereby saving around 2-3K but my dealer tells me that I can't get CD changer and alarm with the Sr5 and he cannot do anything about it. Is this true about the alarm that Toyota cannot install Security alarm on the SR5? Any experiences
Ganesh
I had this happen a few weeks ago to my Sunfire Red Sequoia during a trip to the Black Hills (I'm the one who actually goes off-road, Cliffy).
So I twisted and bent the wiper so that the pointy thing on the bottom was pointing further away from the rear window (and thus hit the cam/rest properly). That is all it took to fix it.
It's actually kinda Cheezy if you ask me, but it is easy to fix.
Watch those tire pressure when you pickup your sequoia. Mine was delivered with 38 psi's. Way over the recommended pressure of 30. It makes for a bouncy ride when the tires are over-inflated.
The 6-disc changer is available in the PM package when you upgrade the SR5 to resemble a Limited. The upgrade to the alarm's keyless entry feature is also possible easily thru Toyota.
Perhaps your "dealer/salesman" didn't know? Were they pushing the Limited because they didn't want to order a "PM" package car? How did that feel to you? Or, was it a case of being mistaken? I know because I did make that error once before the updates came out to original info. There was no documents that showed the "exact" contents of the PM package - only the fact that it was a JBL 10-speaker upgrade and the leather. It wasn't documented IN PRINT for weeks and weeks, which was why the cloth door sides and the exact contents of the "PM" package were such a bloody mystery to most everyone!
Regions that didn't order PM cars right out of the gate would have had to order build them right away to have had any cars to look at with their own eyes til January (late Jan, early Feb). That's why many folks were so unclear on the contents of the package. Most regions went -0- for the PM package requesting, realizing that it made for too pricy of an SR5 model.
-Ret
thanks
I just can't imagine plunking down the $35,000+ for a truck I've never seen. And if the dealership couldn't supply me with one to check out then I wouldn't buy one.
You can't take the Limited out for a drive and expect that's what the SR5 is going to be like. For some reason a lot of people thought they could buy a SR5 and turn it into a Limited by adding a PM Package, but with paying less. Come on...Look at the prices there are definitely going to be differences and if you can't compare and see it in person then I'd start looking somewhere else or at another truck. There needs to be consumer awareness too. You can't believe everything you read...You need to check it out.
I also don't remember seeing leather side doors listed under the PM Package options in the brochure. So if it's not included in the description wouldn't you ask?
And if the salesman didn't know right away, then they have contacts where they can find out...it just sounds like a lot of the salesman didn't do their jobs.
http://www.tolan-hoechst.com/cars/tirecalc.htm
My truck has 265/75/16s and I think I will upgrade to 285/70/16s (BFG ATs) and get the biggest spare that will fit in that space. The BFGs have been great tires for me in the past and look outstanding!
Steve
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Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
I really really like the CHESTNUT color on the sr5,but I have to ask myself....Do I really want to be bothered with adding all of the extras found in the Limited to the Sr5 just because I like a specific color? Is it worth it? Hmmmmm
But I'm hooked on that Chestnut color!