"><img src=" What are you ? a Toyota salesman? Where did you come up with 54g's for the expo? I would say the Toyota would be 64'g's then, every Expo I looked at was 3 to 5000 cheaper than the Toyota. After test driving almost every SUV out there toyota has a thing or 2 to learn about new SUV's
I drove them both and bought the Sequoia. Here were my reasons. They are both very nice and would make anyone happy.
1) I lean toward Toyota. My lexus got me 200k miles and that was a toyota motor. 2) I liked the new look of the Sequoia 3) 3rd row seat usage. Sit in both of them. At 6'3, I can ride in the toyota. I could not ride in the qx. The qx has rear seats that seemed designed for kids. That works for some, but not for me. I have a lot of friends that ride with me to lunch, etc. I needed the use of those seats for adults. 4) I liked the comfort ride adjustment on the Toyota. It has a lot of the features my Lx 470 had, but a totally new look and feel. 5) Dealership proximity to my home and work. The toyota dealer is on the way to work. The Infinity dealership is the other dirction and on a very busy street. 6) Deal - My dealer gave me a good price for my trade in and invoice pricing on my platinum sequoia. I left very good about the process and went with them. 7) Rack - the girl at the front desk at the Toyota dealer looked better and wore low cut tops. I could not stop going back. OK. kidding about this being a factor. However, she was a hottie. 8) ride comfort and driving experience. Both did well here, I liked the new feel of the Toyota and the comfort ride. Additionally, the turning radius is amazing and its easy to drive.
These are in no particular order. Just throwing out what I thought about.
"1) I lean toward Toyota. My lexus got me 200k miles and that was a toyota motor. 2) I liked the new look of the Sequoia 3) 3rd row seat usage. Sit in both of them. At 6'3, I can ride in the toyota. I could not ride in the qx. The qx has rear seats that seemed designed for kids. That works for some, but not for me. I have a lot of friends that ride with me to lunch, etc. I needed the use of those seats for adults. 4) I liked the comfort ride adjustment on the Toyota. It has a lot of the features my Lx 470 had, but a totally new look and feel. 5) Dealership proximity to my home and work. The toyota dealer is on the way to work. The Infinity dealership is the other dirction and on a very busy street. 6) Deal - My dealer gave me a good price for my trade in and invoice pricing on my platinum sequoia. I left very good about the process and went with them. 7) Rack - the girl at the front desk at the Toyota dealer looked better and wore low cut tops. I could not stop going back. OK. kidding about this being a factor. However, she was a hottie. 8) ride comfort and driving experience. Both did well here, I liked the new feel of the Toyota and the comfort ride. Additionally, the turning radius is amazing and its easy to drive.
These are in no particular order. Just throwing out what I thought about."
Based on your descriptions, I really think you need to put your list in order of priority. My guess is that #7 really should be #1. The rest of the priorities sound like they are really just bonuses:)
I got my first notable ding on my new Sequoia (always a tear-jerking moment on a new vehicle).... Anyway the fact that the rear doors open to nearly a 90 degree angle is great - - HOWEVER... I was parked what seemed like over 3 feet from a 1/2 wall on the roof deck on a parking ramp. I opened the back door to retrieve my bag, a wind gust caught door and popped it to it's ultra wide notch and Ker-Slam, it hits the wall. The very edge of the door that borders the wheel well is now bent down just a bit. Not too noticeable but sucks nonetheless. Be careful as these suckers open wide and that last distance has a pretty well assisted trigger - like its super spring-loaded once its given a little shove. So watch those garage poles & walls and when you think the car next to you is far enough away, check again !!
Several months ago I decided to replace my wife's '02 Denali SUV. My first thought was to purchase an '07 Escalade as I love the appearance, both inside and out. I am familiar with the 403 hp engine and 6 spd transmision as I also own an '07 Denali pickup with the same power-train. After some persuasion from our 3 grown children who all drive Toyotas, I thought maybe the time had come to try something different. So, I have been following this '08 Sequoia trail for several months, including posting a few comments and questions. We live in Canada so had to wait until 2 weeks ago to finally get to see one. A week ago we finally got to test a Limited. The dealer hadn't received a Platinum yet. What did we think?
Well, the good news is Toyota must have listened to Canadian pricing concerns as the '08's are priced comparably to the US pricing. For eg. a loaded Platinum is $59,900 & frt & taxes and there are NO options. Everything incl. laser cruise control is std. The other thing I liked was the adjustable 2nd row seating and roomy, power folding 3rd row. And of course the 5.7 and 6 spd auto. For anyone purchasing an SR5, don't even consider the 4.7.
Unfortunately that is about all we liked. All along I have been wondering if I could live with the Tundra based front end, the lack of luxury in the interior and especially the 2 time-zone dash. After driving it, I was further disappointed. It is obvious this is a truck that can tow almost 10,000 lbs. and it felt like it to drive. I admit the paved road I tested it on was not the best, but it felt like it was all over the road and the ride was not very smooth. Of course the 20" tires didn't help and the adjustable suspension on the Platinum might have made it better. Then we drove an Escalade with 22" tires, yet it steered much better on the same road.
A good sound system is very important to my wife and the JBL did not sound near as good as the Bose. Another complaint was the lack of sound insulation under the hood and the doors sounded tinny when closing as if there was no sound deadener in them.
From reading this forum it seems there are many complaints about the lack of a more luxurious interior. Some opting for wood grain kits to improve the situation. IMO these would look tacky except possibly with the sand beige interior. Another complaint, in Canada the sand beige interior is n/a with black exterior on the Platinum.
Anyway, you can guess what we decided to buy. An '07 imported from the US Escalade. With our $ at par it was a considerable savings from just 6 months ago.
Regraham, congrats on your purchase. Just one question about your post. You mentioned that you didn't like the lack of sound insulation under the hood. I noticed the same thing, although I thought the Sequoia had noticeably less engine noise than the Escalade...not that the Escalade's engine noise was offensive at all...and I thought the Sequoia was noticeably quieter inside overall. I was thinking that perhaps the Sequoia doesn't need the hood insulation because perhaps the engine is quieter to begin with. Did you think the Escalade is the quieter vehicle?
I have an 07 Denali ( previously an 04 Escalade) and I find the 07 six speed to not so noisy from the engine compartment, it is the exhaust "growl" which is loud. I feel like I am driving a boat with outboard engines. I don't like it, I know it was designed that way but it is not my taste. I also think the six speed downshifts very very abruptly, especially at low speeds in traffic. Very annoying, I try to be smooth to my passengers and I just can't. The car LURCHES down to a stop more than half the time. The dealer said this is the normal operation for this transmission. One thing I will say is that the engine is very very powerful....more than enough power.
Congrats on the Escalade. It is an attractive looking suv both inside and out however just not my taste as a personal everday vehicle. I've been a big GM fan for years and just traded my Denali XL for a new Platinum Sequoia. I test drove the Escalade and found the Platinum Sequoia to have a more comfortable and quiet ride than the Escalade. I do agree with you that the steering on the Esc was more...neutral or direct or simply more solid. The Sequoia seems to be overboosted which gives it a very light feeling. That being said, as with anything new and different you do get used to it and I no longer notice it after only a few 100 miles.
The big downside for me in the Escalade was the absolutely miserable 2nd row leg room that I just couldn't accept again after the DXL. Not to mention that dragging the 3rd row in and out of the Escalade was a non-starter for me after having 4 Suburbans and now better choices with vehicles that offer fold flat 3rd row seats.
If GM were to redesign the Suburban platform with IRS, folding 3rd row seat, and legitimate 2nd row seating, they will be back in the game and back on my list in the future. If they invest nothing more in the redesign of this platform, I'm afraid that the "good days" for GM's large suv platform will be behind them.
I also drove the escalade to compare before i got my Seq and there is no question that engine noise is far more intense in the Caddy and although it has the horsepower, the throttle response was pretty sluggish considering. In addition I had the same beef with passenger space and the terribly inconvenient 3rd row set-up. Most of all, I feel it still handled like my parents old 85 Suburban. I don't know what it is with GM, but they seem to keep sticking with this rollie pollie, swing and sway suspension. I think they must recognize that some consumers equate that with a luxury ride. Driving the Seq feels much tighter, mayeb in part its the much better turning radius but when I park it doesnt seem too much different than manuevering my old 4Runners while the Escalade feels like I am naigating a school bus. As we always say, it comes down to taste. I hope you are as happy with your Caddy as I am with my Seq regraham.
I remembered another thing that bothered me on the GM products. Even if you remove the 3rd row HEAVY seats, you still had ruts in the floor that did not provide a flat surface for storage. Groceries would just tip over, etc. Maybe I missed an option or something, but I did not see a way to get around this.
Does anyone have experience or know of video with the 08 Sequoia in deep snow? I'm talking about 8"+. Also interested in any off-road experience or video. I've have perused youtube and found some but none in deep snow. I'd like to know how the Seq compares to other large suv's and trucks in these conditions. Their literature leads me to think the traction should be better than most. I love the locking center diff. I had that feature in a Mazda MPV back in 1990 and it was truly unbeatable in winter with 4 studded snows on it. GM seems to have locking rears but that is about it - no traction control on trucks - pathetic!
There have been a few comments in this forum and in some reviews about the steering in the 08. During a short test drive, I found a lack of feeling in the steering. It appeared too "light" as if there was no resistance. Although I did not take the vehicle on a long highway drive, I am concerned that if there is little feeling at low speeds in the city, there would be even less feeling at highway speeds (around curves etc.) I don't know if this means that the steering will feel loose and there would be sense that the vehicle wanders on the road, but I do know that the steering does not feel as good as my 01 Limited with about 190,000 miles on it.
Question: Does anybody know whether the dealer is able to adjust the steering (perhaps reduce the steering pump boost) to provide a better feel ?
The 08 Sequoia has VFC or variable flow control steering. What this means is the VFC power steering system electronically controls the power steering pump output, reducing the horsepower required for operation and contributes to better fuel economy. With VFC the vehicle's power steering assist is also better matched to driving conditions.
For someone that has not purchased a Toyota vehicle and is seeking a degree of transparency associated with being an informed buyer, purchasing a vehicle from Toyota can be a really daunting task. A couple of reasons:
1. The myraid of option combinations.
2. The vast differences in purchasing vehicles from the various Toyota distributions regions (there are 12!), and the issues surrounding dealing with a middleman.
3. The completely different websites that buyers are direct to, depending on what zip code they enter - a product of the distribution regions.
4. The process of obtaining a vehicle that would not be deemed as a "standard" configuration.
5. The abiility to "special order" vs. "preference order".
Having personally done a lot of web based research, I was generally able to piece things together, although, by no means was it easy. Additionally, there was a good bit of debate between HD, Mack, Keg and others on this thread a while back about the ability to "special order" a vehicle. The debate, frankly, ended without any real resolution on the issue.
As part of my ongoing research, I stumbled on a website run by a 4runner enthusiast. While the site deals with the purchasing process of a 4runner as opposed to a Sequoia, I found it extremely helpful in highlighting the nuances associated with purchasing a Toyota, including a very helpful discussion on "Preference ordering" vs. "Special Ordering" and an overall picture on Toyota's dealer allocation process.
I hope the creater of the website doesn't mind, but I thought I'd share the link here. Its a good read and I highly encourage anyone looking to purchase a Sequoia to go through it.
PS: After having read through the whole article, I have to agree that Mack was probably correct and that the vehicle that HD recently took delivery of was a "Preferenced" vehicle and not a Special Order.
Note to Moderators -- while the link does reference the buying process for a 4runner, I believe it is 100% applicable to a Sequoia buyer as well. As such, as a courtesy, I would respectfully suggest that this topic remain where it is an not be moved elsewhere. Thank you.
"PS: After having read through the whole article, I have to agree that Mack was probably correct and that the vehicle that HD recently took delivery of was a "Preferenced" vehicle and not a Special Order.
Here is the link:
4runner Purchase process
Note to Moderators -- while the link does reference the buying process for a 4runner, I believe it is 100% applicable to a Sequoia buyer as well. As such, as a courtesy, I would respectfully suggest that this topic remain where it is an not be moved elsewhere. Thank you."
Vern, good article. Its worth noting I never suggested that my vehicle order was anythoing other than a run-of the-mill Platinum configuration minus the laser cruise control. This combination can be ordered from any dealer anywhere in the country.
The question was whether or not options could be combined (or deleted) that were not already listed as option packages on the Toyota website. For example, for my zip code the Limited only comes in 2 options (A or . Both of these options include a spoiler. Based on the conversation I had with my dealer, it was my belief that even though the website only offered a Limited with a rear spoiler, it could in fact be deleted, if you wished. I also included a link to a dealer offering options combinations that did not conform to the Toyo website but were instead "ordered" but not using the configurations from the website.
Seems like there's no harm in asking the dealer for a different configuration than is offerred on the website, it that's what you're interested in. Just may take longer to deliver. As an aside, I ordered my platinum Sequoia (Black/Red Rock interior) on Dec. 18 and took delivery on Feb.27
Agreed. I think your experience serves to corroborate what the author of the article indicated, which is that so long as a vehicle is available (including out of your region) in the configuration you desire, it can be preferenced without requiring a special order.
I'm still pondering a SR5 lease and trying to decide upon the options I want. I would like the navigation and the DVD system for the kids, but just came across what seemed to be some aftermarket options that look pretty nice (and cost effective).
Anyone put either of these, or something similar, in their Sequoia's?
I'm still pondering a SR5 lease and trying to decide upon the options I want. I would like the navigation and the DVD system for the kids, but just came across what seemed to be some aftermarket options that look pretty nice (and cost effective).
Anyone put either of these, or something similar, in their Sequoia's?
DVD Headrest system: RCA System at Costco
DVD/Bluetooth/Ipod/Backup Camera Pioneer System and accessories
I would reach out to a person with the following handle "TundraV8Yamaha" on the Sequoia solutions (www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/sequoia) site. He will tell you enough about the Pioneer Avic system till you are blue in the face. Just keep in mind that the integration of an aftermarket unit is never going to be as nice as factory, however, you do get a lot more in functionality. For me, integration matters a lot and I use a NAV for what it is intented for, Navigation, and hence, the other stuff, while nice, is not that important.
Thanks vernschillinge. I found the forum, and the user you mentioned, and there even seems to be an existing (recent) thread about this exact item. Appreciate the reply!
Finally getting an opportunity to reply to shark715...
to be honest with you, when I was test driving the Sequoia Limited, I wasn't really paying attention to the engine noise. I was more concerned with the ride and handling so took it on a rough stretch of pavement and didn't drive it over 100 km/hr, so it was obviously quiet. My comments were more to the fact that I would have thought a vehicle in this price range would have had underhood insulation. I also thought the doors sounded quite "tinny" when closing them, as if they didn't have any sound deadener sprayed inside. I agree the Escalade has a nice throaty rumble when you step on the throttle, but as a performance vehicle buff, I like that.
I also have an '07 Denali pickup with the same powertrain and love it. It has the same exhaust and engine noise and is very powerful. I also love the 6 spd automatic and it shifts very smoothly so for the other Denali owner's comment on poor low speed shifting, I would take it back to the dealer.
I would say the "main" reason for deciding on the Escalade has to do with the attractive appearance, both inside and out. I want a vehicle I can be happy with. For my wife it was the Bose sound system. Altho the Sequoia has the edge on 2nd and 3rd row seating, that wasn't much of a factor for us as our 3 kids are all grown and gone (and all drive Toyotas). Each vehicle suits the needs of it's owner. For a family of 4 or 5 and pulling a 28' travel trailer, the Sequoia is the best deal. For our wants and needs, the Escalade fit the bill.
Just driving yesterday, had the rear hatch window down and accelerated hard to merge onto highway and noticed a significant odor. It may be there all the time upon acceleration(but I do not always have that window down), Anyone else notice such a thing? Thanks, JD
Not so much sulphur smell, I had that with my 01 Sequoia and Toyota just kept saying it was some gases had more sulphur, etc. I guess it is hard to explain, I will look for it again the next time to try to better describe it. Thanks, JD
It was reported today on Automotive News that Toyota is cutting back production on Sequoia and Tundra due to slow sales. They are not shutting the plant or laying off workers, just making fewer vehicles. Mack
I'm under the impression that the sulphur/rotten eggs smell has to do with the catalytic converter. I live at the top of a fairly steep mountain, and I'll often notice the smell when I'm behind someone who is driving very fast up the hill...doesn't seem to be related to any particular vehicle manufacturer. Perhaps someone who has more technical knowledge can explain what exactly the smell is. Also, based on JD's comment, perhaps he is smelling something different.
"Just driving yesterday, had the rear hatch window down"
Don't do that. If you read the manual, I'm sure it will tell you not to drive with the rear window open. The station wagon effect will draw exhaust fumes into the car, and that's bad for you whether they smell like sulfur or not.
Do you anticipate Toyota doing a 0% finance offer on the Sequoia any time soon similar to the current deal offered on the Tundra? If you hear of any such offer coming down the pipe, please be sure to post it here. Also, will there be any significant changes to the 2009 Tundra?
I anticipate rebates and low financing maybe next month or the next. The Sequoias are starting to pile up at dealers lots and Toyota is holding back production on both Tundra and Sequoia. It's a buyer's market now. I'll post here first on anything I hear. The 09 Tundra should be the same as the 07/08 if Toyota stays with the same pattern as the other vehicles,. Usually it's a five year cycle with years 1,2 and three the vehicle looks the same and only option packages or stand alone options are added or deleted. 2010 would bring a "refresh" which usually means a new grille, headlights, and tail lights. Mack
Mack, I'm really not wanting to open up a previous discussion point, but are you guys finding that the Platinums in particular are not being well received or is it the entire Sequoia line? I'm just wondering if what some of us discussed back when the Sequoia hit the lots (in regards to the $$$ that Toyota was asking for a loaded Platinum) was a common perspective or if we were off the mark. Thanks...
I think the rising price of gas and the gloom and doom that the media is portraying is keeping a lot of customers at bay. Everyone that looks at it loves it. I only had one couple (the wife) say it was too big for her to drive so it was out or the running. They are not flying off the lot as they did the first week it was introduced but we are selling a few. Now that production looks to be up to speed we have about 20 on the lot. Mostly SR5 and Limited trims. Looks like they are making very few Platinums. Mack
Thanks....makes sense that there are more SR5's and Limiteds. Weren't Platinums only supposed to be 10% of the total. No doubt that a well optioned SR5 is where the Sequoia's best value lies, at least in my opinion.
Not sure....we never looked at the SR5, but I recall seeing online that the gauges in the SR5 were not problematic. Nevertheless, I just think that the value in the Sequoia sits at the SR5 level. You get the great powertrain and interior flexibility for 40K. Plus you can rationalize the odd dash layout/materials at that price point. I'd still look hard at a loaded Armada for that price too. The Sequoia Platinum did not meet our needs/expectations for the 54-58K that you'd need to pay. I know that others on this forum don't agree and I can completely respect their opinions. Different strokes for different folks (and needs) :shades:
You're correct. The SR5 cloth interior is $40K adding the leather package and the other options puts it around $44k. In their quest to maximize profits we are getting more SR5s with the leather interior than cloth. Mack
the Platinums are way overpriced..for what you get, you'd be better off getting a Land Cruiser. At least you wouldn't get the cheap plastic of a Sequoia..60k for a freaking Sequoia? Are you kidding me?? What a waste of money! So basically between the SR5 and the Platinum you'll spend an extra 20k for a few extra frills- whoopee.
Landcruiser ain't cheap either. Once you add the required optional packages it hovers around the 73k range. Looking at both vehicles I would take the Seqouia over the LC. They cheapened the Lancruiser too much. Looks like a big Highlander too. Mack
"the Platinums are way overpriced..for what you get, you'd be better off getting a Land Cruiser. At least you wouldn't get the cheap plastic of a Sequoia..60k for a freaking Sequoia? Are you kidding me?? What a waste of money! So basically between the SR5 and the Platinum you'll spend an extra 20k for a few extra frills- whoopee."
You might do a little homework on your pricing assumptions. I paid $52,300 for a 2008 Platinum with everything except the laser cruise. That gave me adjustable H-TEMS suspension, heated 2nd row seats, ability to raise and lower the rear suspension for hitching up my trailer, air conditioned front row seats, memory powered tilt/telescope steering wheel that moves up and out of the way when the ignition is turned off, 12-way driver seat, 2 position memory driver seat, Red Rock leather interior with black carpeting and a center console between the 2nd row captain's seats. None of these options are available at any price on the SR5 or Limited Sequoia.
If you buy a fully loaded Limited Sequoia the price is going to be just around or over $50,000. For $2000 more I got everything in a loaded Limited plus the exclusive items listed above.
For about $15000-17000 more, I would have had the "luxury"of driving a Land Cruiser which would have essentially the same level of options in the Platinum Sequoia (plus a few add-ons like a crawl feature for off-roading and perhaps a slightly better integrated Nav system). By getting the LC instead of the Sequoia, I also get a significanly smaller interior, no fold-away rear seats, no independent rear suspension, no rear sunshades, no reclining 3rd row seats.
You tell me which vehicle is the better value. If the exclusive options listed above for the Platinum matter to you, then the Platinum is by far the best value luxury suv on the market.
Actually, for us the decision to buy the new Sequoia was based on two things;
The useable third row seat. The reliability and resale of Toyotas.
The only one that came close to our needs outside the Toyota was the Mercedes GL. However we did give serious consideration to the Lexus and the Escalade. Dollar wise we could have gotten a better deal on the Escalade than any of the others and had the third row seat been useable we might have went that route. We really liked the Mercedes GL but were afraid of Mercedes track record for expensive upkeep/reliability, so in the end when the new Sequoia came out it was a no-brainer for us. We did buy the Platinum ( and probably paid a little too much for it) because this was the one we wanted with all the options hdfatboy has pointed out. Was it worth it compared to the Mercedes or Escalade? You bet it was and if you are in the market for this type SUV, the Platinum option costs little in comparison. Do we like the Land Cruiser and Lexus? Again, you bet but without a useable third row seat they were both out of the picture for us. Price wasn't really the deciding factor to us, usability was. As a side note, we were a little concerned about traveling around with the MB or LC sticking out like a sore thumb calling out this old couple has money so while we certainly feel the Sequoia Platinum is a true luxury SUV it is less obvious without the MB/LC badging on the others. We like that. There is a difference between wearing a status symbol for ego and just living for what you want and or need. One point, on the Sequoias dash layout if you get the wood option it looks much better and the most used functions are operated from the steering wheel's command buttons. Just our point of view and others may view it differently.
I don't necessarily consider the Sequoia to be "luxury". While the Platinum does have some nice features, it does not say (at least to my wife and I) "luxury" when you climb in. Instead, we felt that it was more of an nice industrial feel. It has been said here before, but that it appears as if the Sequoia is proud of it's truck heritage and just added in some leather and some features to dress it up a bit.
Other SUVs (Escalade, Navigator, GL, QX, etc.) just have a different "luxury" feel (more along the lines of the interior materials/fit/finish/etc) to them that we thought that the Sequoia was missing. Additionally, there was the standard (and shorter) Toyota warranty and the Toyota dealership experience. Nothing necessarily wrong there, but you're not going to get the experience at the average Toyota dealership as at the average Cadillac, Mercedes, Infiniti, Lexus dealership.
Is any Toyota considered "luxury" since there is Lexus above it? Personally, I'd tend to say 'no' b/c of much of what I noted above, especially the dealership components.
Do all Lexus/Infiniti/Acura/BMW vehicles automatically qualify as "luxury"? Personally, I say 'no' to this as well. My DD is an Acura TSX. I don't really consider it a "luxury" car even though it is made by a luxury marquee. It does not have some of the features that I would consider to be necessary to be a truly "luxury" car. Same thing for the new BMW 1-series or some of the other models that don't have a nav system or leather or some other luxury type features. I do like that term "near-luxury" since these cars are definitely above their Toyota/Nissan/Honda/Mini counterparts, but not quite up to snuff w/their more expensive stablemates.
Not trying to bait anybody or start anything...just something that got me thinking when HD called the Sequoia a "luxury SUV". It is a great truck, but my wife and I actually considered it "just a nice Toyota", for better or worse. As noted by a poster above, there is definitely a different perception of a Toyota compared to a Caddy/Infiniti/BMW/Lexus/etc.
Just some random thoughts as I watch UNC beat up on poor MSM :shades:
Acura is no longer considered luxury since they refused to up the ante when Lexus and Infiniti went to V8 and RWD. They also discontinued their only RWD which was the NSX and the RL sales are floundering.
I never noticed till recently that the Sequoia seems to share the front end with the Tundra.
That could be the reason along with gas prices for Toyota cutting back on Sequoia production.
I second the motion. I picked up my platinum 3 days ago and paid $54,000 out the door which include every available option and the remote starter / XM radio accessories. I priced a Limited with comparable options as the platinum and they came in within the same price range anyway so not sure where your getting 20, 000 ? . I would not call the options on the platinum "frills" as well. Having several 4runners I needed something bigger for the growing family and the Sequoia fit the bill. The track record for problems/maintenance/repair on my former Toyota's was next to nothing and hope to have the same on the Sequoia. The Sequoia is a smooth and powerful ride. This SUV is comparable in price to many and i do need more time to draw my final conclusions on it overall performance/reliability but i do not expect to be let down.
Keg, its a legitimate question and I'll think you'll get very different answers from many different perspectives. I think if you're looking at an SR5 it's hard to make the claim that this is a "luxury" model but some might think so based on their previous vehicle.
OTOH I've recently taken delivery on a Platinum Sequoia and am coming from a Denali XL. I considered the DXL a luxury suv and preferred the understated luxury of the Denali over the "flamboyant" Escalade. I wanted certain luxuries with certain capabilities and the only 08 vehicle that met the criteria for me was the Platinum Sequoia. Do I wish I could have purchased an LX version?...absolutely, I would have liked some interior wood trim, push button start and perhaps finer stitching and HID headlights.
However I don't think the absence of these few features drops the Plat Seq out of the luxury category, at least IMO. But I think if you look at the interior and exterior pictures below its really hard to argue that the Platinum Sequoia is not a luxury suv...at least against any reasonable critieria. Particularly when you consider the following features in the Plat Seq: air conditioned and heated front seats (Plat exclusive) heated second row seats (Plat exclusive) 3 zone climate control electrically reclining and fold-away 3rd row seats manual sliding and reclining 2nd row seats foldaway mirrors with reverse tilt and electrochromatic dimming electrically adjustable memory tilt/telescope steering wheel that raises up and out of the way upon exit (Plat exclusive) 12-way drivers seat with 2 memory positions (Plat exclusive) 3 way adjustable suspension (Plat exclusive) rear suspension that can be raised and lowered from the drivers seat for hitching a trailer (Plat exclusive) 381hp mated to a 6sp tranny 4wd drive with lo, high and locked modes plus 2wd 2nd and 3rd row window shades for napping or better viewing of the rear entertainment screen with wireless rear headsets hi-pressure headlight cleaners 440watt stereo system with 14 speakers and a sub-woofer voice activated nav system with Bluetooth and reverse camera 20" allow wheels 6.1 sec 0-60 performance which is better than every suv on the market with the possible exception of the Porsche Cayenne (which hardly counts as an suv) 10" ground clearance which is greater than every suv on the market except the Armada
Now I know there may be a few features that other vehicles may have that are not on the Sequoia but I think you'll have to admit they are few and minor. And there's not a single luxry suv with this list of luxury features that can tow 8800lbs and has the kind of interior passenger space in the Sequoia. All of the features above I consider to be luxury features and I say that as a past owner of 4 BMWs (745il, 540i, 535i and a 528i) so I think my standards are rather high when it comes to luxury features.
I challenge you to find another suv with more luxury that can also fold its 2nd and 3rd row seats flat without removing the seats and tow 8800lbs. And from my perspective there is no SUV on the market with anywhere near the legroom for the second and 3rd row passengers and I'm saying that as a 4 time suburban owner.
the only reason the Platinums are even selling in the low 50's is the economy. I priced them online at the toyota website..it's over 58k for a new one, so you obviously got a good deal and they wanted to get rid of it. I do not consider a Platinum to be a luxury SUV. If the Landcruiser looks like a Highlander, then what does the Sequoia look like? A. either a Tahoe or b. or a Dodge, since it is obvious that it is who Toyota copied in making it. And since when is having a 6 speed tranny with 5.7L a luxury? or 440 watt stereo system? Bluetooth? you can get those things on a Limited too. That doesn't make them luxury items. So the LC has less interior room than the Sequoia. BIG DEAL! I have seen people driving both of these SUV's and the last time I checked, they weren't carrying 8 kids. In fact I would venture to guess that most of the people who buy them don't really even need a Gasosaurus to begin with. And maybe you paid low 50's for that "luxury" Platinum Sequoia, but the time you are done with the loan, it'll be over 60. And then you have to factor in gas (enjoying that $3.50 a gallon of gas? Soon you get to fill up your nice little Platinum at $4.00/gallon. That is almost a guarantee).
But the way you all seem to talk, you make $52k seem like pocket change. Must be nice. But I still say the Platinum is overpriced: with that interior you still think it's a luxury vehicle. In the words of John Pinette, i say nay-nay! I have seen the interiors of a Mercedes GL and similiar vehicles and comparing a Sequoia to that, even a Platinum, you might as well be driving a Suburban.
Sequoias are good vehicles (although I think they are as ugly as hell) but to call a Platinum "luxury" is silly. And btw, the LC is a helluva lot better 4WD than the Sequoia and can pull almost as much...but of course I am remiss in forgetting that this is a Sequoia groupies forum and people are going to disagree with me anyways...but God Bless America (kiss my [non-permissible content removed], Jeremiah Wright!)...
"the only reason the Platinums are even selling in the low 50's is the economy. I priced them online at the toyota website..it's over 58k for a new one, so you obviously got a good deal and they wanted to get rid of it." The vehicle wasn't even on the lot since I placed my order for this black Plat Sequoia the week before Christmas (shortly after the vehicle launch). I've never paid much over dealer invoice for any vehicle and its my belief that with the right approach almost any vehicle can be purchased for just above factory invoice to the dealer. I took delivery in the last week of Feb.
"So the LC has less interior room than the Sequoia. BIG DEAL!" Well yes it was a big deal to me. Interior space and comfort is one of the main definitions of luxury for me and any family and guests ridng in the vehicle with me. Hard to imagine someone would actually find less space and being cramped as more luxurious but I guess others have their own, if not odd, definitions of luxury.
"And since when is having a 6 speed tranny with 5.7L a luxury? or 440 watt stereo system? Bluetooth? you can get those things on a Limited too. That doesn't make them luxury items." Actually I do consider these to be luxury features as the vast majority of suvs have substantially less power, less # of gears and far less powerful sound systems. And since BT isn't even available on the GM SUVs I assume you would rule out the Escalade as being a luxury suv?
"In fact I would venture to guess that most of the people who buy them don't really even need a Gasosaurus to begin with" Sounds like you have a problem with all large suvs and not just luxury suvs.
"And maybe you paid low 50's for that "luxury" Platinum Sequoia, but the time you are done with the loan, it'll be over 60. And then you have to factor in gas (enjoying that $3.50 a gallon of gas? Soon you get to fill up your nice little Platinum at $4.00/gallon. That is almost a guarantee)." I paid in cash so what I paid is exactly what the vehicle cost me. The cost of gas is completely irrelevant from my personal perspective. In fact higher is better since I think people will be more prudent in their driving and purchasing behaviors with "need" outweighing "perceptions" when buying a new vehicle. I think you would agree that higher gas prices will drive better purchasing decisions and I for one have no issue with $5gal gas.
"I have seen the interiors of a Mercedes GL and similiar vehicles and comparing a Sequoia to that, even a Platinum, you might as well be driving a Suburban." I test drove the GL and found it to be a very nice but quite narrow and a small vehicle by comparison to the Sequoia. To get anywhere near the power and features of the Plat Sequoia you'd have to get the GL 550 and spend over $80K and you would still not have all the features in the Plat Sequoia. I know because it was one of the final candidates I was shopping for.
"And btw, the LC is a helluva lot better 4WD than the Sequoia and can pull almost as much...but of course I am remiss in forgetting that this is a Sequoia groupies forum " You might consider alittle homework as the drivetrain in the 08 LC is identical to the 08 Plat Sequoia. I for one am hardly a Sequoia groupie as I've been a diehard GM/BMW fan for over 3 decades. I've been really disappointed in both makes lately and have simply moved to vehicles that better met my needs. If the MB GL was wider and larger or the QX56 was larger (and not quite so strange looking) they might have been my final choice.
To me luxury is about space and key features that make life more comfortable. The Platinum Sequoia achieves both of these criteria far better than than any other SUV I could find.
Comments
1) I lean toward Toyota. My lexus got me 200k miles and that was a toyota motor.
2) I liked the new look of the Sequoia
3) 3rd row seat usage. Sit in both of them. At 6'3, I can ride in the toyota. I could not ride in the qx. The qx has rear seats that seemed designed for kids. That works for some, but not for me. I have a lot of friends that ride with me to lunch, etc. I needed the use of those seats for adults.
4) I liked the comfort ride adjustment on the Toyota. It has a lot of the features my Lx 470 had, but a totally new look and feel.
5) Dealership proximity to my home and work. The toyota dealer is on the way to work. The Infinity dealership is the other dirction and on a very busy street.
6) Deal - My dealer gave me a good price for my trade in and invoice pricing on my platinum sequoia. I left very good about the process and went with them.
7) Rack - the girl at the front desk at the Toyota dealer looked better and wore low cut tops. I could not stop going back.
8) ride comfort and driving experience. Both did well here, I liked the new feel of the Toyota and the comfort ride. Additionally, the turning radius is amazing and its easy to drive.
These are in no particular order. Just throwing out what I thought about.
2) I liked the new look of the Sequoia
3) 3rd row seat usage. Sit in both of them. At 6'3, I can ride in the toyota. I could not ride in the qx. The qx has rear seats that seemed designed for kids. That works for some, but not for me. I have a lot of friends that ride with me to lunch, etc. I needed the use of those seats for adults.
4) I liked the comfort ride adjustment on the Toyota. It has a lot of the features my Lx 470 had, but a totally new look and feel.
5) Dealership proximity to my home and work. The toyota dealer is on the way to work. The Infinity dealership is the other dirction and on a very busy street.
6) Deal - My dealer gave me a good price for my trade in and invoice pricing on my platinum sequoia. I left very good about the process and went with them.
7) Rack - the girl at the front desk at the Toyota dealer looked better and wore low cut tops. I could not stop going back. OK. kidding about this being a factor. However, she was a hottie.
8) ride comfort and driving experience. Both did well here, I liked the new feel of the Toyota and the comfort ride. Additionally, the turning radius is amazing and its easy to drive.
These are in no particular order. Just throwing out what I thought about."
Based on your descriptions, I really think you need to put your list in order of priority. My guess is that #7 really should be #1. The rest of the priorities sound like they are really just bonuses:)
Well, the good news is Toyota must have listened to Canadian pricing concerns as the '08's are priced comparably to the US pricing. For eg. a loaded Platinum is $59,900 & frt & taxes and there are NO options. Everything incl. laser cruise control is std. The other thing I liked was the adjustable 2nd row seating and roomy, power folding 3rd row. And of course the 5.7 and 6 spd auto. For anyone purchasing an SR5, don't even consider the 4.7.
Unfortunately that is about all we liked. All along I have been wondering if I could live with the Tundra based front end, the lack of luxury in the interior and especially the 2 time-zone dash. After driving it, I was further disappointed. It is obvious this is a truck that can tow almost 10,000 lbs. and it felt like it to drive. I admit the paved road I tested it on was not the best, but it felt like it was all over the road and the ride was not very smooth. Of course the 20" tires didn't help and the adjustable suspension on the Platinum might have made it better. Then we drove an Escalade with 22" tires, yet it steered much better on the same road.
A good sound system is very important to my wife and the JBL did not sound near as good as the Bose. Another complaint was the lack of sound insulation under the hood and the doors sounded tinny when closing as if there was no sound deadener in them.
From reading this forum it seems there are many complaints about the lack of a more luxurious interior. Some opting for wood grain kits to improve the situation. IMO these would look tacky except possibly with the sand beige interior. Another complaint, in Canada the sand beige interior is n/a with black exterior on the Platinum.
Anyway, you can guess what we decided to buy. An '07 imported from the US Escalade. With our $ at par it was a considerable savings from just 6 months ago.
I too drove the Caddy and really liked it. I just felt more confident with the Toyota brand for long term reliability.
The big downside for me in the Escalade was the absolutely miserable 2nd row leg room that I just couldn't accept again after the DXL. Not to mention that dragging the 3rd row in and out of the Escalade was a non-starter for me after having 4 Suburbans and now better choices with vehicles that offer fold flat 3rd row seats.
If GM were to redesign the Suburban platform with IRS, folding 3rd row seat, and legitimate 2nd row seating, they will be back in the game and back on my list in the future. If they invest nothing more in the redesign of this platform, I'm afraid that the "good days" for GM's large suv platform will be behind them.
During a short test drive, I found a lack of feeling in the steering. It appeared too "light" as if there was no resistance. Although I did not take the vehicle on a long highway drive, I am concerned that if there is little feeling at low speeds in the city, there would be even less feeling at highway speeds (around curves etc.)
I don't know if this means that the steering will feel loose and there would be sense that the vehicle wanders on the road, but I do know that the steering does not feel as good as my 01 Limited with about 190,000 miles on it.
Question: Does anybody know whether the dealer is able to adjust the steering (perhaps reduce the steering pump boost) to provide a better feel ?
Mack :shades:
1. The myraid of option combinations.
2. The vast differences in purchasing vehicles from the various Toyota distributions regions (there are 12!), and the issues surrounding dealing with a middleman.
3. The completely different websites that buyers are direct to, depending on what zip code they enter - a product of the distribution regions.
4. The process of obtaining a vehicle that would not be deemed as a "standard" configuration.
5. The abiility to "special order" vs. "preference order".
Having personally done a lot of web based research, I was generally able to piece things together, although, by no means was it easy. Additionally, there was a good bit of debate between HD, Mack, Keg and others on this thread a while back about the ability to "special order" a vehicle. The debate, frankly, ended without any real resolution on the issue.
As part of my ongoing research, I stumbled on a website run by a 4runner enthusiast. While the site deals with the purchasing process of a 4runner as opposed to a Sequoia, I found it extremely helpful in highlighting the nuances associated with purchasing a Toyota, including a very helpful discussion on "Preference ordering" vs. "Special Ordering" and an overall picture on Toyota's dealer allocation process.
I hope the creater of the website doesn't mind, but I thought I'd share the link here. Its a good read and I highly encourage anyone looking to purchase a Sequoia to go through it.
PS: After having read through the whole article, I have to agree that Mack was probably correct and that the vehicle that HD recently took delivery of was a "Preferenced" vehicle and not a Special Order.
Here is the link:
4runner Purchase process
Note to Moderators -- while the link does reference the buying process for a 4runner, I believe it is 100% applicable to a Sequoia buyer as well. As such, as a courtesy, I would respectfully suggest that this topic remain where it is an not be moved elsewhere. Thank you.
Here is the link:
4runner Purchase process
Note to Moderators -- while the link does reference the buying process for a 4runner, I believe it is 100% applicable to a Sequoia buyer as well. As such, as a courtesy, I would respectfully suggest that this topic remain where it is an not be moved elsewhere. Thank you."
Vern, good article. Its worth noting I never suggested that my vehicle order was anythoing other than a run-of the-mill Platinum configuration minus the laser cruise control. This combination can be ordered from any dealer anywhere in the country.
The question was whether or not options could be combined (or deleted) that were not already listed as option packages on the Toyota website. For example, for my zip code the Limited only comes in 2 options (A or
Seems like there's no harm in asking the dealer for a different configuration than is offerred on the website, it that's what you're interested in. Just may take longer to deliver. As an aside, I ordered my platinum Sequoia (Black/Red Rock interior) on Dec. 18 and took delivery on Feb.27
I'm still pondering a SR5 lease and trying to decide upon the options I want. I would like the navigation and the DVD system for the kids, but just came across what seemed to be some aftermarket options that look pretty nice (and cost effective).
Anyone put either of these, or something similar, in their Sequoia's?
DVD Headrest system:
RCA System at Costco
DVD/Bluetooth/Ipod/Backup Camera
Pioneer System and accessories
I'm still pondering a SR5 lease and trying to decide upon the options I want. I would like the navigation and the DVD system for the kids, but just came across what seemed to be some aftermarket options that look pretty nice (and cost effective).
Anyone put either of these, or something similar, in their Sequoia's?
DVD Headrest system:
RCA System at Costco
DVD/Bluetooth/Ipod/Backup Camera
Pioneer System and accessories
I would reach out to a person with the following handle "TundraV8Yamaha" on the Sequoia solutions (www.tundrasolutions.com/forums/sequoia) site. He will tell you enough about the Pioneer Avic system till you are blue in the face. Just keep in mind that the integration of an aftermarket unit is never going to be as nice as factory, however, you do get a lot more in functionality. For me, integration matters a lot and I use a NAV for what it is intented for, Navigation, and hence, the other stuff, while nice, is not that important.
to be honest with you, when I was test driving the Sequoia Limited, I wasn't really paying attention to the engine noise. I was more concerned with the ride and handling so took it on a rough stretch of pavement and didn't drive it over 100 km/hr, so it was obviously quiet. My comments were more to the fact that I would have thought a vehicle in this price range would have had underhood insulation. I also thought the doors sounded quite "tinny" when closing them, as if they didn't have any sound deadener sprayed inside. I agree the Escalade has a nice throaty rumble when you step on the throttle, but as a performance vehicle buff, I like that.
I also have an '07 Denali pickup with the same powertrain and love it. It has the same exhaust and engine noise and is very powerful. I also love the 6 spd automatic and it shifts very smoothly so for the other Denali owner's comment on poor low speed shifting, I would take it back to the dealer.
I would say the "main" reason for deciding on the Escalade has to do with the attractive appearance, both inside and out. I want a vehicle I can be happy with. For my wife it was the Bose sound system. Altho the Sequoia has the edge on 2nd and 3rd row seating, that wasn't much of a factor for us as our 3 kids are all grown and gone (and all drive Toyotas). Each vehicle suits the needs of it's owner. For a family of 4 or 5 and pulling a 28' travel trailer, the Sequoia is the best deal. For our wants and needs, the Escalade fit the bill.
Mack
Don't do that. If you read the manual, I'm sure it will tell you not to drive with the rear window open. The station wagon effect will draw exhaust fumes into the car, and that's bad for you whether they smell like sulfur or not.
Do you anticipate Toyota doing a 0% finance offer on the Sequoia any time soon similar to the current deal offered on the Tundra? If you hear of any such offer coming down the pipe, please be sure to post it here. Also, will there be any significant changes to the 2009 Tundra?
I'll post here first on anything I hear.
The 09 Tundra should be the same as the 07/08 if Toyota stays with the same pattern as the other vehicles,. Usually it's a five year cycle with years 1,2 and three the vehicle looks the same and only option packages or stand alone options are added or deleted. 2010 would bring a "refresh" which usually means a new grille, headlights, and tail lights.
Mack
I'm really not wanting to open up a previous discussion point, but are you guys finding that the Platinums in particular are not being well received or is it the entire Sequoia line? I'm just wondering if what some of us discussed back when the Sequoia hit the lots (in regards to the $$$ that Toyota was asking for a loaded Platinum) was a common perspective or if we were off the mark.
Thanks...
Mack
Mack
Mack
You might do a little homework on your pricing assumptions. I paid $52,300 for a 2008 Platinum with everything except the laser cruise. That gave me adjustable H-TEMS suspension, heated 2nd row seats, ability to raise and lower the rear suspension for hitching up my trailer, air conditioned front row seats, memory powered tilt/telescope steering wheel that moves up and out of the way when the ignition is turned off, 12-way driver seat, 2 position memory driver seat, Red Rock leather interior with black carpeting and a center console between the 2nd row captain's seats. None of these options are available at any price on the SR5 or Limited Sequoia.
If you buy a fully loaded Limited Sequoia the price is going to be just around or over $50,000. For $2000 more I got everything in a loaded Limited plus the exclusive items listed above.
For about $15000-17000 more, I would have had the "luxury"of driving a Land Cruiser which would have essentially the same level of options in the Platinum Sequoia (plus a few add-ons like a crawl feature for off-roading and perhaps a slightly better integrated Nav system). By getting the LC instead of the Sequoia, I also get a significanly smaller interior, no fold-away rear seats, no independent rear suspension, no rear sunshades, no reclining 3rd row seats.
You tell me which vehicle is the better value. If the exclusive options listed above for the Platinum matter to you, then the Platinum is by far the best value luxury suv on the market.
The useable third row seat.
The reliability and resale of Toyotas.
The only one that came close to our needs outside the Toyota was the Mercedes GL. However we did give serious consideration to the Lexus and the Escalade.
Dollar wise we could have gotten a better deal on the Escalade than any of the others and had the third row seat been useable we might have went that route.
We really liked the Mercedes GL but were afraid of Mercedes track record for expensive upkeep/reliability, so in the end when the new Sequoia came out it was a no-brainer for us.
We did buy the Platinum ( and probably paid a little too much for it) because this was the one we wanted with all the options hdfatboy has pointed out. Was it worth it compared to the Mercedes or Escalade? You bet it was and if you are in the market for this type SUV, the Platinum option costs little in comparison.
Do we like the Land Cruiser and Lexus? Again, you bet but without a useable third row seat they were both out of the picture for us. Price wasn't really the deciding factor to us, usability was.
As a side note, we were a little concerned about traveling around with the MB or LC sticking out like a sore thumb calling out this old couple has money so while we certainly feel the Sequoia Platinum is a true luxury SUV it is less obvious without the MB/LC badging on the others. We like that. There is a difference between wearing a status symbol for ego and just living for what you want and or need.
One point, on the Sequoias dash layout if you get the wood option it looks much better and the most used functions are operated from the steering wheel's command buttons.
Just our point of view and others may view it differently.
What is "luxury"?
I ask this b/c....
I don't necessarily consider the Sequoia to be "luxury". While the Platinum does have some nice features, it does not say (at least to my wife and I) "luxury" when you climb in. Instead, we felt that it was more of an nice industrial feel. It has been said here before, but that it appears as if the Sequoia is proud of it's truck heritage and just added in some leather and some features to dress it up a bit.
Other SUVs (Escalade, Navigator, GL, QX, etc.) just have a different "luxury" feel (more along the lines of the interior materials/fit/finish/etc) to them that we thought that the Sequoia was missing. Additionally, there was the standard (and shorter) Toyota warranty and the Toyota dealership experience. Nothing necessarily wrong there, but you're not going to get the experience at the average Toyota dealership as at the average Cadillac, Mercedes, Infiniti, Lexus dealership.
Is any Toyota considered "luxury" since there is Lexus above it?
Personally, I'd tend to say 'no' b/c of much of what I noted above, especially the dealership components.
Do all Lexus/Infiniti/Acura/BMW vehicles automatically qualify as "luxury"?
Personally, I say 'no' to this as well. My DD is an Acura TSX. I don't really consider it a "luxury" car even though it is made by a luxury marquee. It does not have some of the features that I would consider to be necessary to be a truly "luxury" car. Same thing for the new BMW 1-series or some of the other models that don't have a nav system or leather or some other luxury type features. I do like that term "near-luxury" since these cars are definitely above their Toyota/Nissan/Honda/Mini counterparts, but not quite up to snuff w/their more expensive stablemates.
Not trying to bait anybody or start anything...just something that got me thinking when HD called the Sequoia a "luxury SUV". It is a great truck, but my wife and I actually considered it "just a nice Toyota", for better or worse. As noted by a poster above, there is definitely a different perception of a Toyota compared to a Caddy/Infiniti/BMW/Lexus/etc.
Just some random thoughts as I watch UNC beat up on poor MSM :shades:
I never noticed till recently that the Sequoia seems to share the front end with the Tundra.
That could be the reason along with gas prices for Toyota cutting back on Sequoia production.
What is "luxury"?"
Keg, its a legitimate question and I'll think you'll get very different answers from many different perspectives. I think if you're looking at an SR5 it's hard to make the claim that this is a "luxury" model but some might think so based on their previous vehicle.
OTOH I've recently taken delivery on a Platinum Sequoia and am coming from a Denali XL. I considered the DXL a luxury suv and preferred the understated luxury of the Denali over the "flamboyant" Escalade. I wanted certain luxuries with certain capabilities and the only 08 vehicle that met the criteria for me was the Platinum Sequoia. Do I wish I could have purchased an LX version?...absolutely, I would have liked some interior wood trim, push button start and perhaps finer stitching and HID headlights.
However I don't think the absence of these few features drops the Plat Seq out of the luxury category, at least IMO. But I think if you look at the interior and exterior pictures below its really hard to argue that the Platinum Sequoia is not a luxury suv...at least against any reasonable critieria. Particularly when you consider the following features in the Plat Seq:
air conditioned and heated front seats (Plat exclusive)
heated second row seats (Plat exclusive)
3 zone climate control
electrically reclining and fold-away 3rd row seats
manual sliding and reclining 2nd row seats
foldaway mirrors with reverse tilt and electrochromatic dimming
electrically adjustable memory tilt/telescope steering wheel that raises up and out of the way upon exit (Plat exclusive)
12-way drivers seat with 2 memory positions (Plat exclusive)
3 way adjustable suspension (Plat exclusive)
rear suspension that can be raised and lowered from the drivers seat for hitching a trailer (Plat exclusive)
381hp mated to a 6sp tranny
4wd drive with lo, high and locked modes plus 2wd
2nd and 3rd row window shades for napping or better viewing of the rear entertainment screen with wireless rear headsets
hi-pressure headlight cleaners
440watt stereo system with 14 speakers and a sub-woofer
voice activated nav system with Bluetooth and reverse camera
20" allow wheels
6.1 sec 0-60 performance which is better than every suv on the market with the possible exception of the Porsche Cayenne (which hardly counts as an suv)
10" ground clearance which is greater than every suv on the market except the Armada
Now I know there may be a few features that other vehicles may have that are not on the Sequoia but I think you'll have to admit they are few and minor. And there's not a single luxry suv with this list of luxury features that can tow 8800lbs and has the kind of interior passenger space in the Sequoia. All of the features above I consider to be luxury features and I say that as a past owner of 4 BMWs (745il, 540i, 535i and a 528i) so I think my standards are rather high when it comes to luxury features.
I challenge you to find another suv with more luxury that can also fold its 2nd and 3rd row seats flat without removing the seats and tow 8800lbs. And from my perspective there is no SUV on the market with anywhere near the legroom for the second and 3rd row passengers and I'm saying that as a 4 time suburban owner.
You tell me after looking at these pictures and the feature list above if you honestly believe the Plat Sequoia is not a "luxury" suv. I'll be interested in the opinions of others on this question.
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/photopost/data/500/08_Sequoia_a.JPG
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/photopost/data/500/medium/08_Sequoia_d.JPG
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/photopost/data/500/medium/08_Sequoia_b.JPG
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/photopost/data/500/medium/08_Sequoia_y.JPG
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/photopost/data/500/medium/08_Sequoia_l.JPG
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/photopost/data/500/medium/08_Sequoia_q.JPG
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/photopost/data/500/medium/08_Sequoia_i.JPG
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/photopost/data/500/medium/08_Sequoia_p.JPG
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/photopost/data/500/medium/08_Sequoia_h.JPG
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/photopost/data/500/medium/08_Sequoia_n.JPG
But the way you all seem to talk, you make $52k seem like pocket change. Must be nice. But I still say the Platinum is overpriced: with that interior you still think it's a luxury vehicle. In the words of John Pinette, i say nay-nay! I have seen the interiors of a Mercedes GL and similiar vehicles and comparing a Sequoia to that, even a Platinum, you might as well be driving a Suburban.
Sequoias are good vehicles (although I think they are as ugly as hell) but to call a Platinum "luxury" is silly. And btw, the LC is a helluva lot better 4WD than the Sequoia and can pull almost as much...but of course I am remiss in forgetting that this is a Sequoia groupies forum and people are going to disagree with me anyways...but God Bless America (kiss my [non-permissible content removed], Jeremiah Wright!)...
The vehicle wasn't even on the lot since I placed my order for this black Plat Sequoia the week before Christmas (shortly after the vehicle launch). I've never paid much over dealer invoice for any vehicle and its my belief that with the right approach almost any vehicle can be purchased for just above factory invoice to the dealer. I took delivery in the last week of Feb.
"So the LC has less interior room than the Sequoia. BIG DEAL!"
Well yes it was a big deal to me. Interior space and comfort is one of the main definitions of luxury for me and any family and guests ridng in the vehicle with me. Hard to imagine someone would actually find less space and being cramped as more luxurious but I guess others have their own, if not odd, definitions of luxury.
"And since when is having a 6 speed tranny with 5.7L a luxury? or 440 watt stereo system? Bluetooth? you can get those things on a Limited too. That doesn't make them luxury items."
Actually I do consider these to be luxury features as the vast majority of suvs have substantially less power, less # of gears and far less powerful sound systems. And since BT isn't even available on the GM SUVs I assume you would rule out the Escalade as being a luxury suv?
"In fact I would venture to guess that most of the people who buy them don't really even need a Gasosaurus to begin with"
Sounds like you have a problem with all large suvs and not just luxury suvs.
"And maybe you paid low 50's for that "luxury" Platinum Sequoia, but the time you are done with the loan, it'll be over 60. And then you have to factor in gas (enjoying that $3.50 a gallon of gas? Soon you get to fill up your nice little Platinum at $4.00/gallon. That is almost a guarantee)."
I paid in cash so what I paid is exactly what the vehicle cost me. The cost of gas is completely irrelevant from my personal perspective. In fact higher is better since I think people will be more prudent in their driving and purchasing behaviors with "need" outweighing "perceptions" when buying a new vehicle. I think you would agree that higher gas prices will drive better purchasing decisions and I for one have no issue with $5gal gas.
"I have seen the interiors of a Mercedes GL and similiar vehicles and comparing a Sequoia to that, even a Platinum, you might as well be driving a Suburban."
I test drove the GL and found it to be a very nice but quite narrow and a small vehicle by comparison to the Sequoia. To get anywhere near the power and features of the Plat Sequoia you'd have to get the GL 550 and spend over $80K and you would still not have all the features in the Plat Sequoia. I know because it was one of the final candidates I was shopping for.
"And btw, the LC is a helluva lot better 4WD than the Sequoia and can pull almost as much...but of course I am remiss in forgetting that this is a Sequoia groupies forum "
You might consider alittle homework as the drivetrain in the 08 LC is identical to the 08 Plat Sequoia. I for one am hardly a Sequoia groupie as I've been a diehard GM/BMW fan for over 3 decades. I've been really disappointed in both makes lately and have simply moved to vehicles that better met my needs. If the MB GL was wider and larger or the QX56 was larger (and not quite so strange looking) they might have been my final choice.
To me luxury is about space and key features that make life more comfortable. The Platinum Sequoia achieves both of these criteria far better than than any other SUV I could find.