Toyota Sequoia

dana · May 2001

Hello everyone,

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adebisi1 · May 2001

This is what I was told when I stopped by a dealership in Jamaica Queens,NY. Has anyone else had to wait 6-8 weeks for their Seqouia and if so...was it ACTUALLY 6-8 weeks or a little longer?

774 · May 2001

I ordered my Sequoia with the exact options I wanted and was not forced into what could be found by the dealer.The order was a Special Order to my specifications.I had to go to 4 dealerships before finding one who would order the vehicle the way I wanted it equiped.I paid 2500 under retail for the vehicle and the 7 week wait was well worth it.The other dealerships were trying to slam me into what they could find and were only willing to come 300 off retail.The other dealerships all stated you could not SPECIAL ORDER the vehicle I now own.

cliffy1 · May 2001

The PM package does not come with heated seats.

No Toyota comes with a complete undercoating. If you want it, most dealers will put it on for between $200 and $300.

E-Loan can be VERY difficult to deal with. Dealers hate them because we often don't get the funding. They don't send you a check. They send a draft and we have a whole pile of paperwork we must complete for them. Once we send it off, we get funding in 2 to 6 weeks. Many dealers wont accept their drafts because of this. I even know of a few times when funding never came and the dealer had to go back to the customer for the money. Even if you have to pay another half percent in interest, it may behoove you to use another source for your money.

thirdsuv · May 2001

"The seats are NOT heated. I had called toyota about this months ago and they claim it is a misprint and they are not responsible for misprints. "

I was in showroom 2 weeks ago and the same brochures with bad information are still being handed out. After six months of "misprinting" I'd say it's entered into the arena of DECEPTION or WILLFUL NEGLIGANCE.

I wonder how many of us PM package purchasers people could be grouped before a lawyer became interested?

raybear · May 2001

Many times the brochures are printed in bulk for the entire model year, so you are seeing the same thing for that reason. I don't know if it's worth a lawyer's time to push a class action on this one since it's a printing error and not actual deception.

thirdsuv · May 2001

Like I said, at FIRST it might have been a printing error, but after six months I believe it turns into "we're too cheap to even slap a sticker over the wrong part and if someone orders then tough luck to them". I take the position that is sales deception.

Secondly, I'd wager that it wasn't a misprint in the first place. Someone decided that they wanted more profit and deleted the heated seats knowing full well the brochure was in error.
That's what the discovery process is for.

"I don't know if it's worth a lawyer's time to push a class action on this one"

Toyota knows the exact number of PM packages ordered with SR5's. The damages and parties will be easy to calculate and locate.

txt1 · May 2001

cnw57 · May 2001

I say all of the PM purchasers that review this site should unite, all call Toyota, send faxes, call the switchboards, and protest, protest, protest. It is not fair, misprint or no misprint, we were dupped and we should be compensated. Let's call our group "PMPM" for PM Purchasers Mislead. All start the charges.

sbell4 · May 2001

Would you consider that the brochure that states heated seats in the PM package is just an error? Not a cover up or an intention to mislead? Errors occur from time to time no matter what procedures are in place. I am looking forward for the next week of posts featuring this being blown up into a big deal. I challenge you to take a different approach and think of a positive way you would handle this issue if you were Toyota that is reasonable to all involved. Remember that in the brochure there are disclaimers about errors and availability.

thirdsuv · May 2001

The PM package is a pretty simple package of leather,power seat,heated seats, and 6CD changer.

I didn't give a flying flip for the CD player.
I wanted leather and power seats. If I knew the PM pkg did not include heated seats I coulld have saved a good 1K$ by ordering port leather and power seats.

As for the comment that "I challenge you to take a different approach and think of a positive way"
that apparently didn't work for other people who have posted that were told by Toyota that no remediation will be forthcoming.
BTW, I had a very nice conversation with Toyota customer relations today. I'll certainly be working for a "positive solution".

How hard is it for Toyota to send an alert to the dealers? How hard is it for Toyota to kick out an automated Email to the salesman when a PM package is ordered on an SR5 and asking him to make sure his customer isn't expecting heated seats. This isn't rocket science. Acting in a positive and professional way should be for both sides.

lcd1 · May 2001

I'm ready to sign on a dotted line to sue Toyota for the deception!

After driving the Sequoia for about 225 miles, the quietness of the vehicle is now not so quiet. I think my hearing has been adjusted in a relative quiet vehicle to detect "noises" from from it.

toyotatoys · May 2001

Cliffy,

"No Toyota comes with a complete undercoating."

Do you mean to say that the Sequoia always comes with some form of undercoating? I was wondering about this because mine has undercoating, but I don't really know if it is everything on the underside. I thought this undercoating was something the dealer decided to just "throw in" after we got into a heated argument about why he did not order my vehicle after I placed a deposit. Instead of ordering, he gambled by doing a dealer locate and when he could not come up with the vehicle in 8 weeks (he promised 4-6 weeks), I had to get my money back by whatever means. Weeks later he called to inform me that he had the vehicle in his allocation and asked me if I was still interested. I was still angry but his price was still more than $1500 better than the next offer in the 300 mile radius, so I took it. So I thought he just decided not to make an issue about the undercoating and gave it for free.

cliffy1 · May 2001

The undercoating from the factory is a hard plastic type that is applied to the wheel wells and the weld points on the undercarriage. It does not cover the whole floor pan and is applied to the wheel wells before holes are drilled through for objects in the engine compartment. I personally like dealer added undercoating because it covers much better than the factory stuff. It is a personal decision though and some people don't think it is worth the money.

zman3 · May 2001

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is undercoating? Are you referring to rustproofing, or is undercoating used for sound deadening? When I buy my next vehicle, I have no interest in rustproofing, but I am always interested in a quieter ride.

lcd1 · May 2001

I checked with Ziebart. They can apply a coating of 1/15 inch thick under the car for a nice sum of money. I'm getting a product from JCWhitney called Kool-It to coat my Seq. underside for a lot less money. This product is advertised as having rust-inhitor. A coating of this should help prevent paint chip, rust, and deaden noises. I'll post the result of my undercoating project as soon as I am done with it.

comptech4 · May 2001

Cliffy: Thanks for the insight into E-Loan. Do you think Peoplefirst.com would fall into the same catagory, that is, creating problems for dealers?

tlcnut · May 2001

Toyotas typically do not come with a very good undercoat...shotty at best. SouthEast Distribution apply's a generous undercoat with their toyoguard package...don't pay the $600, though...it's in the $200 range for invoice I think. It help's cut down the road noise, but it's intended to protect the car undernieth and running gear against corrsion, salts...if you have a yota and want a better undercoat, take it to a body shop you trust...dealer will not be cheap.

rruck1 · May 2001

The dealer I used cringed when I mentioned Peoplefirst. His description of their process sounded exactly like E-Loan. The dealer was prepared to accept the Peoplefirst draft, but worked hard to get me a competitive rate.

outrun · May 2001

Peoplefirst gives you a certified check. All you do is fill out the dealer's name, and BAM. It's done.

I had a PeopleFirst check with me at a Lexus dealership to purchase an RX300. It had 7.25% for 60 months, up to 28k. The salesperson matched the rate through Lexus, so I ended up going through them (easier to have THEM handle the payoff of the trade, etc). But he wasn't concerned about the check itself.

-Craig

toyotatoys · May 2001

I agree with Craig. I also thought I had a Peoplefirst draft, but my wife who works in the bank pointed out that that's a live check. She also pointed to me that there's a big difference between a draft and a check. The Finance guy told me that he never had seen a Peoplesfirst check before (and I don't care if he's lying or not)and showed a bit of hesitation at first. When I gave him the impression that it was a take-it-or-leave-it proposition, he took it.

I have not yet received my first bill, but so far everything went smoothly. Just like my Seq.

toyotatoys · May 2001

Cliffy,

Now I'm sure I got an undercoating for free. Thanks.

cnw57 · May 2001

I say all of the PM purchasers that review this site should unite, all call Toyota, send faxes, call the switchboards, and protest, protest, protest. It is not fair, misprint or no misprint, we were dupped and we should be compensated. Let's call our group "PMPM" for PM Purchasers Mislead. All start the charges.

raybear · May 2001

I have only seen site drafts from them. If they're issueing live certified checks they'll be accepted at the dealers' more readily.

cliffy1 · May 2001

As has been pointed out, there is a big difference between a draft and a check. The draft requires the dealer to process loan documents before we get funding. If Peoplesfirst is now issuing checks, any dealer in the world will take it. If it is a draft, expect to sign a "hold contract."

What is a "hold contract" you may ask? It is a binding loan contract that the dealer will cash if they have any problem with the funding from E-Loan or Peoplesfirst.

comptech4 · May 2001

I guess I might have checked with Peoplefirst before soliciting board members for their input, but it is nice to get firsthand experience to balance a sales pitch.

Peoplefirst says "Draft" can be either a "Bank Draft" which works just like a check, or it could be a "Site Draft" which requires the dealer to jump through some hoops before they get their money.

Peoplefirst claims not to use the "Site Draft." And they said they would, if necessary, provide a certified check for those locales (such as NY) that would demand it.

Thanks for everyone's input.

rruck1 · May 2001

I had completed the approval process with People First in the morning and had taken a ride out to the dealer that evening, so I had not received a draft or check yet. I made the deal on the Sequoia that evening and when I mentioned PeopleFirst to the business manager at the dealership he told me about the draft process. He may have been misinformed, but he did get me a better rate and while I was working with him my new Sequoia was prepped for me to take home that night. Win/win situation for me (and a huge surprise for the wife when I came home with a Sequoia instead of the old Quest). Had I used PeopleFirst I would have had to wait a day or two for the draft/check to arrive and then make another trip to the dealership, which is a bit of a pain in the butt to get to for me.

I must say though that I was very pleased with the folks at PeopleFirst when I was dealing with them and would not hesitate to use them in the future, so long as it didn't cause problems in the buying process.

drumbold · May 2001

I had my Isuzu Trooper Ziebarted several years ago. I have found that the undercoating gets brittle and cracks with age. Water (salty in the winter months) gets into the cracks and stays between the undercarriage and the undercoating. I now have large chunks of brittle undercoating coated with rust falling from my truck. This has happened even with Ziebarts yearly touch-ups. I recently purchased a new Toyota... it will not be undercoated/rustproofed.

cliffy1 · May 2001

These are not the same thing. Very few dealers still offer rustproofing. This was goop that was shot up into your door panels. With today's galvanization, this really isn't necessary. Undercoating is a tar like compound that is applied to the undercarriage. I can't speak for other dealers but we steam clean the undercarriage before application and ours carries a 10 year warranty with no need for touch ups. If you want undercoating, ask about warranties.

outrun · May 2001

"What is a Blank Check® Loan?"

A PeopleFirst.com Blank Check® works just like your own personal check. You specify the loan amount you need and if approved, PeopleFirst will issue a check good up to the approved amount with your name and address printed on it.

When you've found the vehicle you want, make the check payable to the seller. It's that easy!

Your loan won't start until you've signed the check and it has been processed. So, you are under no obligation to PeopleFirst until you use the check. By signing the check, you will be accepting the terms and conditions of the loan agreement attached to the check.
----------------------------------------

Maybe their process changed in the past, but as of two months ago, this is how it's worked. I received a blank check from then in 3 days.

-Craig

petro33 · May 2001

I think it is the dealers problem. If this has been going on since the book came out on the Sequoias then there must be plenty of buyers who did not get what they contracted for. The dealer must have known of this "printing error". His failure to notify customers of this error, when he knew there was one, makes him responsible. I would try and pursue this issue with your states "consumer protection" group. It could be that there is an after market item that can be added that you can request the dealer to install. Some cities have those television consumer call lines where they help you solve your problems. Most big companies do not like to make the 5 o'clock news in a negative way!

good luck

lcd1 · May 2001

Cliffy, could you email me privately and give me a more detail info on underside coating? I'm more interested in deadening noises as much as possible. Rust proofing would also be a bonus. Thanks.

lcd@ureach.com

cliffy1 · May 2001

Blame the dealer? Remember, we buy these things from Toyota. If it is missing equipment, we are owed it as well. I'm not going to get into the whole debate here, but I will point out that the brochure does warn you about equipment changes. I will also point out that most of you were able to touch and see the vehicles before you bought them. Most of you should also have been aware of the non-heated seats because of your participation here.

To me, it just sounds like some (not all) of you are just looking to get a freebie. There are plenty of sources to find out about this vehicle. Not the least of which is actually looking over the vehicle before you drive it home. Some of you are just looking at the pockets of the dealer to make up for your lack of research beyond a picture book.

Sorry to sound harsh, but this debate is getting silly.

suznjones · May 2001

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade but I did most of my research on-line and was very aware of the lack of heated seats. That's why we decided to buy a limited. I'm sorry you guys feel duped but I don't know that there is much that can be done to resolve that.

petro33 · May 2001

I have been branded as "over researching" things by my wife but in this case it paid off. I was also aware of the heated seat issue and went ahead and purchased a limited. Even though that was not the entire reason but was one thing that helped make my decision.

I still feel that some responsibility rests with the dealer. What if the stereo only came with two speakers instead of six. Sorry it was a misprint?? I think if the dealer knows the truth, they has the responsibility to tell the customers.

Has anyone found a way of attaching a clothes hanging bar across the rear cargo space? That is one thing I really miss from my old Ford Van conversion.

thirdsuv · May 2001

I can't blame my dealer because when I ordered mine in Decemeber, it was the first PM package he ordered with SR5. Three other large dealers had no PM/SR5s because they were putting port leather on SR5s. I ordered on faith.

lcd1 · May 2001

I'm getting ready to add sound deadening material to my Seq. I'm hesitant to do the undercoating myself but I'm will to venture to add Qpads or Dynamats where it can help reduce noise and improve the sound of the pathetic stereo system. Has anyone taken door panels or the like off before and would like to offer some advices or recommend a manual to read before tearing up my Sequoia? Thanks in advance for your advices.

seqedg · May 2001

why would you ever tear up a new sequoia to make it "noise proof"? you must have a lot of time on your hands. why didnt you but a lexus or a mercedes if you wanted a silent vehicle? you bought a truck.
the sequoia is already smooth and quiet. i agree the stereo is PATHETIC but why not just upgrade that?

gauntlett1 · May 2001

I used people first check to purchase my Seq last month. The only process that must be done is for you to sign the check, dealer to include the VIN number on the check, send a copy of the attached paper to PeopleSoft with the leinholder on the vehicle. I had no problems and no questions were asked about the check. The dealer just wanted to know the rate, and he could not match it or beat it, so the deal was done. Yes, this was the first time using PeopleFirst. Their first payment was EFT from my account two days ago.

lcd1 · May 2001

seqedg, thanks for your concern. My wife would freak out if and when she sees the truck being dismantled.

The Sequoia is quiet, but as an engineer I like to tinker with things to make improvements. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of free time, that's why I'm seeking advices and publications on how to do it. If I had cash, I'd have paid an autosound expert to do it for me.

This morning, when outside temperature was 56 deg., I definitely heard tapping noise from the engine. It's the same noise I hear on my motorcycle when the engine is very cold. Also, the transmission seemed to have lingered in first gear much longer than it should. It was very annoying because the noise level was very loud as the car got up to higher and higher speed but the transmission was still in first gear. This was the first time I notice this and the car only has 235 miles on it.

Another thing I noticed is that the oil temperature gage fluctuates from near the top to near the bottom level frequently as if a certain valve would not open until the oil gets really hot then it would shut when the oil temp gets cooled off. I don't know if this matters much, but I think the oil temp. gauge should be more stabled once the car is warmed up. Any similar observation, anyone?

petro33 · May 2001

I think that this is the oil pressure gage, not oil temp. According to the manual the up and down pressure (low at idle and high at driving speed 2K RMPs)is its normal for this engine.

jbroyhill · May 2001

Research or no research, the dealers should provide full disclosure to each potential buyer before moving forward with a sale. It is the dealerships responsibility to inform their sales staff when changes have been made to vehicle options. It is then the salesman's job to pass this information on to the consumer. When ordering a vehicle you have no way to inspect its contents, and can only go by what the dealer's sales staff tells you.

Dealers are accountable to their buyers and should be prepared to compensate their customers when failing to deliver on expectations. I have since visited another Toyota dealer and this manager self-admittingly said the dealership should compensate customers in cases where the consumer was possible misled. This is just good customer service and the type of dealership I will certainly deal with in the future--not from one that places blame on the customer. Sorry Cliffy, I disagree with your hardline stance on this one.

The dealer can hold Toyota accountable if they so choose and seek whatever remedy is appropriate. Bottom line is both Toyota, their dealers, and their sales forces need to make the necessary corrections and inform their customers of any misprints beforehand. Anything less is misrepresenation.

No one is looking for freebies, just what Toyota, the dealers, and saleman promised.

lcd1 · May 2001

I'll take a look tonight. I hope I was wrong. It would be a relief the gauge reads pressure and not temp.

lcd1 · May 2001

I was given a price quote from a major video/audio retail store in the Northern VA for a complete installation of Dynamat Extreme in the Seq. It's $2,700.00 and would take 1 week. Wow! Ouch!

nighter50 · May 2001

there doesnt seem to be much participation in the Owner's Forums. I own a trooper too and that owner's forum is busy busy busy. Are you working too hard to post messages (gotta pay for these things) or are you out playing with your new truck?

thirdsuv · May 2001

What a softball question....

we're too busy smiling over our good fortune.
This is the first year of a big and complicated vehicle and the screwups are pretty negliable.

thirdsuv · May 2001

In the very back on passenger side in cargo area is a vented panel. How do I remove it???

I need to install a backup sensor system and I need access there.

siasconset · May 2001

I'm the first one to nail someone to the cross but can someone specifically tell me where in the brochure is says the SR5 has heated seats. Please give a page number. I have one that was printed 10/00 and cannot find it.

tyy · May 2001

I ordered my 2-wheel drive Thunder Grey Sequoia on February 27. I was told it would take 2-3 months. I was recently called by my dealer and given a final assembly date of June 11. He wasn't sure when I would actually take possession. Assuming it arrives by the end of June, that would be approximately 17 weeks. I'm starting to get anxious since my friend went down and purchased his 4-wheel drive, SR5 in Dessert Sand right off the lot. He loves it and has had no problems except for a very optimistic computer registering 2-3 MPG higher than his actual calculations. I live in Northern CA by the way, and had no use for 4 wheel drive. Just needed something big, dependable and capable of pulling a ski boat. I had originally ordered a Tahoe and the dealer carries both Chevy and Toyota. Once he pointed me in the direction of the Sequoia that was on the lot (black limited at $45K) I had to get one. I'll let you know when it arrives.

lcd1 · May 2001

I leave my Seq. in 4x4 on full time and got actual gas mileage of 13.7 mpg. The computer's average is 15mpg. I wonder if the car's computer takes into account that it is in 4x4 mode.

Toyota Sequoia

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