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Comments
I am trying to find a Highlander 4x2(FWD) V6 but the salesman I talked to said that this particular model is not being sold by Toyota in my area and that all V6's in my area are 4x4s. The 4x4 costs $2000 more and that puts the price beyond my budget for wanting to spend on a vehicle. I live in the Seattle area where it I get snow maybe once/twice a year so I find little use for the AWD, and I wanted the Highlander because my sedan is pretty cramped when trying to carry 5 adults.
Is this salesman telling the truth? If so, how do I go about in getting this model? I am really interested in getting the Highlander right now because Toyota is currently having 2.9% APR on all SUVs.
Thanks in advance!
I am curious about a couple of things though. Are you sure they 2.9% applies to the HL? That would shock me. These promotional interest rates are used by the regions to sell off product that is not selling quickly. The HL certainly is in no danger of being overstocked anywhere I know of.
Also, what term is that rate for? It sounds like you are very concerned about monthly payments and usually, these rates are on 36 month terms. This would make for a very high monthly payment. You could probably get a lower payment but over a longer term on a 4WD model.
About that 2.9% APR, I just saw that Toyota commercial yesterday adverting the 2.9% so I was really excited. You are probably right though, that 2.9% probably goes up only to 36 months. Double Blah!
My friend recommended that I could probably factory order that model, is that even possible? I have never done a factory order before, is it gonna cost me extra?
Cheers!
kmh: If you don't mind me asking, what were the prices of the CPO RX300s that you saw? I'm curious for how much less they were going for compared to a new loaded HL.
dniehus: You brought up an excellent point, one which did not occur to me. The costs of ownership, especially maintenance costs. I would never have thought to compare that. $1200 is a lot for maintenance to me. So perhaps, I'd better cross Lexus off my list until I'm ready for the "big leagues" to that extent. Thanks so much for sharing that very important issue.
imariquinn: It sounds like you got a great deal on your RX. I never thought that a price that far under MSRP would be possible in buying a Lexus. I didn't know they were giving discounts like that. I guess that shows how little I know about it, I've never shopped for one, never even test drove a Lexus. Dniehus made a good point about maintenance costs, but can you really get a Lexus serviced at a Toyota dealership to save $$$? Plus, if you do that, then you will miss out on some of the "perks" that go along with Lexus ownership in the first place.
I guess since I like the styling on both the HL and the RX, I could go either way. I still think that the HL is a more fiscally responsible decision for me between the two, even with a CPO RX. I'm also thinking that it is more expensive to insure the RX than the HL. There are just so many factors to take into account. But if money were no object, who knows what I would do .... LOL
Many thanks for everyone's comments!
silvercrown: Funny you mention this, I was shifting between the Passat,Altima and Highlander myself. If it were not for them blasted rear wheel wells intruding into the back seat of most sedans I would have been content with my current car.
There are 2 other Camrys almost identical to mine just in the parking lot here at work. It would be nice to stand out a little...
I have to tell you this story as you can't always get what you wish. The first weekend my car was parked outside my house my neighbors boyfriend was checking it out. By the next weekend he had his own, the same color as mine no less.
I have a V6 FWD non-ltd and love it. He got a loaded limited version AWD so I at least have the satisfaction of knowing I didn't pay for more options than I needed...and it was a whole lot less than he paid LOL.
He also added the bug shield like I did but hasn't noticed the side window wind deflectors yet ;-).
At first I was flabergasted...same color even...but a better perspective is just take it as confirming my own good taste
What are you driving now where the wheel wells are a bother? I'm not sure I understand what you mean.
That's funny about your neighbor's boyfriend. He could have at least gotten a different color so that the cars didn't look so identical. LOL But it is a testament to your good taste and influence. :-)
C'est la vie .....
For those cross shopping, you might also want to consider the Subaru Outback, particularly the V6 (LL Bean). For me, at least, it was a close second. It's a great vehicle. And I could have purchased for several thousand dollars less than I paid for fully loaded HL Limited. However, ultimately I decided I preferred the higher ride height/general look of SUV and reliability of Toyota products. Sorry, Subaru, but despite your ads, I don't consider the Outback to be an SUV. However, if you go that direction, then there are a variety of other vehicles that you might want to consider (e.g., Passat wagon, Volvo XC, etc.). Unfortunately most of the loaded AWD wagons approach or exceed the $40K mark. That exceeded my budget. Also be aware that the Honda Pilot is coming out soon and the Volvo SUV this fall (depending on your timeframe).
We just got through special ordering a 4x2 V6 this morning. Here in No. Cal, there are very few 4x2 V6 non-limited on the lots right now. In fact, after checking with several dealers in the area, there are only four 4x2 V6s in the entire No. Cal region (Oregon stateline - Fresno). It has sort of been like this for the past few weeks. Even when there were V6s on the lots, they weren't configured to our liking. Which is why we went ahead and did a special order.
If you're looking at So. Cal, most of the V6s come with SR. Delivery charge from So. Cal to No. Cal is about $250.00. So So. Cal to WA maybe $500-$600(?).
BTW, the fleet manager I'm working with said today (the 4th Monday of the month) is the last day to special order for January. I assume this means that my order will be processed sometime in the month of February. Any orders submitted after today will be processed in March. He also said that delivery time is 90-120 days. But his experience has been that delivery is normally closer to 90 days. Maybe it's because we're on the West Coast. Maybe Cliffy1 can confirm this.
lbags48: Thanks for the heads-up! How much did you pay for your special order? I dont mind waiting as long as I can get a good deal and dont have to pay for stuff I dont need.
I too am looking at the HL and Outback L.L. Bean. The wife loves the HL so that's what I'll probably get.
It seems all 2WD V6 base around here come pretty loaded. It's impossible to find one without sun,all 3 option package, roof rack, towing package.
Steve
The one my neighbor got was one of the Canadian imports. My dealer has been getting HLs from Canada fairly regularly. They have to sell as used but they still go quickly.
We ordered a 4x2 V6 with FE, DR, AG, CQ, UZ, CF, VD, and WL. I'm not sure whether Toyota Corp. will allow us to get the CQ using UZ, even though all the literature I've read says you can get CQ with either HE or UZ.
$1000 over was a little more than we were expecting to pay. But after shopping around for weeks and not finding what we wanted, we didn't think $100-$200 more was too much to pay to get a truck configured exactly how we want it. There's no guarantee that in 1-2 months the supply of V6 HLs will be any different than it is now.
Good luck.
This car (excuse me, SUV) is spectacular! It's a 4-cyl Bluestone Metallic with Ivory Interior.
The 4-cyl has plenty of power for me. Not that its a speed rocket by any means, but it is very adequate. I love the smooth ride, almost no NVH, and it's looks! Some say the Highlander looks bland, but with the Bluestone Metallic, this car really stands out (or at least in my eyes it does).
The headlights are plenty bright, which is very important to me since I drive on rural roads often.
I still don't think any other SUV in the same class could beat the Highlander, especially when lightly loaded (mine at an MSRP of $25,815). The alarm is great, I love the tonneau cover, and the steel wheels to me look similar to alloys.
A major factor of my purchase decision at Stadium Toyota in Tampa, FL was the fact that they give you a free loaner Camry or corolla anytime you request one while having service done (even oil changes) for the first 3 years. Also, our Sales Consultant was excellent. If anyone in Tampa want's his name, I'll be happy to recommend him.
Thanks again for posting all those great comments, concerns, and observations which helped me make a "smart buy", The Toyota Highlander...
Ryan
Tampa, FL
Well, I finally took an HL for a test drive. I drove the AWD V6 non-Limited (the Limited model was not available, they only had a few left on the lot). As promised, here are my impressions of the experience:
1) There were so many similarities to my Camry, I was immediately comfortable.
2) It looks even better up close than in the pictures.
3) Although the Indigo Ink Pearl and the Millenium Silver are nice colors, I would probably go for the Bluestone Metallic. However, they didn't have one in the color on the lot, so I didn't get to see an actual HL in that color.
Pros:
1) Strong and smooth V6 engine
2) Lots of safety and luxury features
3) Excellent handling capabilities
4) Comfortable driving position
5) Elevated driving position (compared to a passenger car)
6) Easy to get in and out of
7) Nice, smooth ride (esp on good pavement)
8) Good looking vehicle
9) Lots of cargo space
10) Roomy interior for passengers
11) Center console for 2002 model, more storage space
12) Snow mode and VSC/Traction Control
13) Excellent brakes
14) Both cloth and leather interior materials are very nice
15) Solid build with nice materials used throughout interior(wood trim is very elegant looking)
16) Very quiet, with little road noise
17) Easy to open tailgate door
18) Auto up and down power drivers window
19) Fold away side mirrors
20) Good ergonomic setup
21) Very much like my Camry! (but not as ubiquitous)
Cons:
1) Privacy glass in back window makes it difficult to see in rearview mirror at night
2) Ride could be a bit rough on bad roads (compared to my Camry)
3) No hydraulic support for hood, uses a prop rod (possibly because HL hood is so much heavier?)
4) High price to get all the goodies that I want
Differences:
1) Better handling (more confidence inspiring) but rougher ride than Camry
2) HL did not feel as powerful, more sluggish off the line in spite of increased HP (due to heavier weight of vehicle)
3)Changing lanes was more difficult in the HL, especially with the privacy glass and different mirrors than on the Camry
Okay, this is a pretty exhaustive list. As you can see, I was very impressed with the HL, I liked it a lot. The ride was slightly rougher than I would have preferred, but perhaps I need to adjust my expectations for the AWD and the fact that it is an SUV and not just a tall Camry. Plus, it's hard to beat my car for ride smoothness, but the price of that is soft handling.
If I were to buy an SUV, the HL would be perfect for me. I believe that it would be a good buy and that once I adjusted to some of the differences, I would probably be happy with it. Now the thought process begins. Luckily, I can take my time, maybe even do another test drive.
This is fun. I love this game!! LOL
I found the car and VIN# with the options and color I wanted on the SE inventory list (found through most SE dealer web sites) and told Israel to price it for me, out the door cost. While he was not able to get the VIN# I found, he did find another car exactly the same. The car was inbound to the Jacksonville port destined for another dealer, but he had it sent to his dealership. The whole process took about a week. The car was ready to be picked up after I returned from vacation. I payed just about $1,000 over invoice, with no other charges other than destination fee. I got a 4x2 limited with leather, TOW, VSC, moonroof, mats, prem 3in1 6 CD. The only option I didn't really want was the moonroof, but that seemed to be fairly standard on the limiteds and I didn't want to wait on a special order. I have been very happy with my purchase, it was fairly painless. I felt I got a fair deal and the the dealer did as well.
It's kinda of funny: the HL has everything that I would want in an SUV if I decide to get an SUV. Which is my big question. The VW Passat has everything I would want in a car, but the reliability is not as solid IMHO as Toyota's. Which is my main issue. Both vehicles have lots of positives and very few negatives. But the expected reliability of the HL means a lot.
Good luck. I love my HL.
I haven't seen a response so I'll raise the point again because I believe that anybody who is contemplating doing a special order would find a knowledgeable answer very useful.
Cliffy, one puzzling thing about the whole factory ordering process: ok, toyota confirms the order, then...nothing? During the first four months, I called the salesman three or four times to ask what was happening, when is it scheduled to be built, are the options I selected in place, and most importantly, can the option list be confirmed, and so on. He basically said what you said in an earlier post on this matter--there is no communication between the dealer and the factory, or some intermediary for the factory. I thought, well then, no wonder special orders often come in wrong and the dealer is as surprised as the customer.
Cliffy: if the system (Toyota?) discourages dealers from tracking the build (beyond the confirmation) in order to catch mistakes, my question is, why?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ranell: I love the new 2002 console, indeed it makes the Highlander's interior much more finished in my opionion. However, if I can save a ton of cash by getting the 2001 than my practical(cheapskate) side takes over
pdalpsher: I used Edmund's Used Vehicle Appraiser and inputted 31 as the vehicle's mileage to get that value, indeed it seems quite low. The 2001 model is listed under the used category on this website and the new pricing is for 2002 only (correct me if I am wrong, I may be missing something). I sure hope I can get the SUV for that price though
socalbob1: Thanks for the tip! I might give that a shot!
Thanks,
Steve
I do have a comment about your situation though. If the dealership orders it, it will always come with the exact equipment they requested. There are no exceptions to this.
a little annoying about the location of parking
brake. When I put the left foot on the "foot rest", the brake handle touched my lower leg. It is not that comforable. Otherwise, everything is fine. Maybe I am a little sensitive. Anyone has
the same problem?
I believe TDA is their profit. Any other
dealers also charge TDA? Why I bought my Honda,
there is no TDA at all.
So, isn't it possible for the regional distributor to communicate inaccurate information to Toyota? I'm not positive, but I think this is what happened to me.
I'm not trying to belabor this, just understand, and help others to understand.
And I can't for the life of me fathom why Toyota has no system in place to allow someone--the buyer, dealer, distributor, anybody--to confirm with the factory that it has received an accurate order. I mean, you don't give a contractor a blueprint, tell him to build the house, then walk away for six months and come back expecting it'll all be exactly as you laid it out.
Does anyone know where I can purchase a shorter antenna that would fit on my 2001 HL? I live in Chicago.
Thanks,
Israel's # is 800.842.4699 x4944
You can tell him that "the guy from the College" recommended you, if you want. I have also since done more corporate business with him, for what it is worth.
If you are in Miami, I would steer clear of Kendall Toyota other than for the purposes of examining inventory, as they are a very unethical bunch.
Best of luck.
Here's the thing. While testing out my '02 AWD HL in the snow, I tried to purposely make it skid by accelerating and slamming on the brakes.
The brakes seemed to SHAKE and RATTLE?. I felt the brake pedal shake. Is this suppose to be right? Anti-lock brakes aren't suppose to grumble like that right? I dunno, I never had anti-lock brakes. Would like to hear from someone on this matter.
Here's a link.
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Advice...learn how your vehicle handles in adverse conditions so you don't overdrive your vehicles capabilities. The ability to get going with AWD has nothing to do with your ability to stop in bad conditions.
GregB
VSC, like anti-lock brakes when activated, does require a slight adjustment in driving. Rounding a curve in snow when it starts to feel like the back end is going to swing around, you hear the beep, see the VSC graphic light up on the dash; and then, at about the same time, feel like a giant hand grabs the back end and puts the sliding wheels back on track. Those aural and visual signals help you adjust your driving so you don’t overcorrect for the back end movement during a developing slide. I’m glad I ordered VSC at the time I placed the factory order HL last year – definitely worth the wait - (ordered an ‘01 in May, took delivery on an ’02 in October). [BTW – drove a rental ’01 Camry 400 miles this week; couldn’t get comfortable in the driver’s seat in this one (power seat and all) compared to the power seat in my HL. (I’ve owned an ’87 and ’97 Camry).] Couldn't wait to get back and drive the HL yesterday!
The bluestone color does show road salt (chemicals) though – perhaps a good reminder to wash it weekly.
Think spring!
alimin
Don't forget, there are people out there who won't go past 3000 rpm for the first few thousand miles - not knowing that the engines are redlined before they even go into the vehicle. I'm not saying to punch it or anything, all I mean is the engines today do not need to be babied like they needed to be 20 years ago. You can pretty much drive normal - just avoid lengthy durations at the same RPM for about 1000 miles or so and your fine.
I thought that it lacked power and was dull inside.
Is the V-6 a lot more powerful? Is the interior more lively?
thx.
After I took delivery of my Highlander last week, I noticed a package with two little black plugs in it. I was wondering what they were for.
Anyway's I noticed a couple of threads on the topic and installed them tonight on my Highlander.
What is the purpose of these plugs? If its to keep water out, then I guess I'm okay since I haven't driven my car in the rain (actually, it hadn't rained yet). Any one know?
Thanks,
Ryan