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Toyota Highlander Prices Paid and Buying Experience

3425 messages,  Last post on Oct 09, 2008 at 1:32 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Highlander, SUV

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#470 of 3425 Picked up my 2002 Highlander in Florida by bigdad Sep 05, 2002 (3:43 pm)
I just got back to Tennessee from picking up my 2002 V6 2wd base from a dealer in Lakeland FL. I had a friend who had purchased a vehicle from them and found they were reasonable in pricing. In Knoxville and vicinity I got the usual lying and deceit from the dealers when I asked them to match (or at least come close) the price I had negotiated ("that's less than I paid for it", etc.). These guys didn't return calls, tried to pass used cars off as new (demos and program cars) and were generally arrogant and unprofessional. I had heard about Toyota dealers and the general opinion that they are less consumer oriented that most (I guess they have the cars people want so don't care about how customers are treated....I almost decided not to buy a Toyota because of the "attitude"). However, I digress. Lakeland Toyota was straightforward and I ordered the vehicle I wanted. They called and said they couldn't find exactly what I wanted, but had one that also had the power drivers seat...so I ok'ed the addition at $312 (invoice per Edmunds). When the arrived it did not have the appearance pkg I ordered, but did have the privacy glass part...so I asked them to put on the alloy wheels from another vehicle on the lot (which they did) and credit me for the mudguards (which was fine with them too). Obviously the deal was a little botched, but they did the best they could to satisfy me. The options I had were: 50 state emissions Tow prep pkg Convenience pkg Privacy glass Alloy wheels Prewire for alarm Pass. and cargo trunk carpet mats Roof Rack 8 way Power drivers seat Toyoguard Plus protection group (what a rip, but I never paid a nickel extra for this...my original quote did not take this into consideration...this car just happen to have it) The total MSRP was $28,840 and I gave them $25,068....this is exclusive of taxes. I was pretty satisfied with the deal and they made a bit, so everyone came out ok...BTW my mileage on the way home to Tenn was far better than I expected....25.5 mpg despite my continually varying speed during the drive to assist in proper break-in..lots of throttle action, slowing up then speeding up...no constant speed. So far I really am pleased with this vehicle.
#471 of 3425 Buying HL in Tacoma, WA by lzhuk Sep 05, 2002 (10:16 pm)
I got the following e-mail from a dealer in Tacoma, WA. Do you think I am getting fair deal? I am a first time new car buyer... "Thank you for your Internet request concerning the Toyota 2002 Highlander 4x4with 4 cylinder engine. Jim will need to try to locate the indigo ink for you if it is your "must have" color. He does have one remaining in stock in super white. For comparison, it is equipped pretty much the basic way Toyota sends this model. It has all the standard features plus mudguards, roof rack, tonneau cover, keyless entry, privacy glass, prewire for alarm, auto dimming rearview mirror, rear spoiler and Plus Security System. MSRP is $27,613 and Jim is asking $25,012."
#472 of 3425 bigdad is smoking something..... by john_fonti Sep 08, 2002 (8:34 am)
3,800 off msrp? 25mpg? This is difficult to believe. As to price, is the car custom painted purple and yellow? As to mileage, is it all downhill from Lakeland to Knoxville? With numbers like those you should get into the business. Then again, maybe you really are with Lakeland Toyota.
#473 of 3425 don't be too quick to judge John Fonti by tielgirl Sep 08, 2002 (3:43 pm)
Bigdad is not so difficult to believe. The MSRP on my Highlander was over $33,300. I got internet quotes from several different dealers ranging from $29500 to $32500. This is in the same region of the country (Southeast Toyota Distributors) where Bigdad got his vehicle. The lowest quotes I received were several hundred dollars less than invoice. 25 mpg on the highway - I don't think that is hard to believe at all either. I haven't had my Highlander on a roadtrip yet but it gets nearly 22 mpg around town (mostly stop and go driving) and it's a V6. Maybe your experiences with pricing are from a different part of the country but I can tell you in the Southeast you can find a very good deal if you ask enough dealers and/or find the right situation. Getting internet quotes is the way to go - if nothing else gives you something to bargain with if you're determined to purchase from a local dealer. My Highlander is Sundown Red Pearl (not purple and yellow - yuck).
#474 of 3425 bigdad quit smokin' a long time ago by bigdad Sep 08, 2002 (6:52 pm)
Having lived a long time and bought many cars, I am pretty familiar with how the system works and I don't tolerate b.s from dealers...I just walk..or hang up when they lie to me...life is too short to waste time on this sort of thing. So when I ask them for their best price...they get one chance...Lakeland understood where I was coming from and I have already referred another sale to them. As far as the mileage, I was immensely pleased, having expected about 20 or so, to get 25+, especially on new engine and less than ideal conditions (changing speed a lot). My next two tanks here in Tenn were all local driving (going to store, etc.) and I got 22.1 on both tanks (premium Texaco). I am 56 and not a speed demon and drive responsibly but not a little old lady either (just sold my NSX and I do ride a large motorcycle too). My Highlander is Millenium Silver (my wife says "not another silver car" I like silver!). Like they say "old age and treachery beats youth and exhuberance all day"...I am sure the end of month sales date (8/31) and end of model year helped me on the price...I was just another fleet sale in their books that they wouldn't have gotten otherwise..so they made a little less on me & they made up for it on the next schmuck!
#475 of 3425 BigDad needs to get out of the car!!!! by john_fonti Sep 08, 2002 (9:10 pm)
Let's see....700 miles from Lakeland to Knoxville then another two tanks of gas = another 800 miles. BigDad must be smokin/snortin something for only one week's ownership = 1,500 miles. At that rate BigDad will be ready for another new car while the Highlander still has that new-car smell.
#476 of 3425 Internet quotes by darko1996 Sep 09, 2002 (2:21 pm)
I have done all of my research. I have enough money saved up for a nice downpayment, and am now ready to go forward with the internet quotes. I have all the email addresses from the local dealerships (I live in Baltimore, MD). My only question is what do I say in my email to these people? Do I tell them how much I want to pay? Am I supposed to spell out every item I want in the car? Or do I say this is what I want, what can you do for me? Any imput is much appreciated.
#477 of 3425 Internet Quotes by tielgirl Sep 09, 2002 (7:30 pm)
Darko1996 - I would suggest searching inventories of your region to find a vehicle like you want and requesting a quote specifically on that vehicle. You don't need names and addresses of dealerships (I would be willing to bet any direct emails would get bounced anyhow for too full mailboxes or some other reason)- just go into the Toyota website - search for all the dealers (can find all the ones in your state by just searching by state). Go to the dealer's website (there should be a link from the search result), do an inventory search and find the vehicle you want (should be able to search the entire region) and request a quote (there is a quote request button on the page that the specific vehicle will be on). You do not necessarily have to find the exact (ie. same VIN) vehicle for quotes from different dealers - as long as all same features you want (should be same MSRP). Do NOT offer up a price. Some dealers will come back high (though they would likely come down more) and those really wanting the business will come back low. Try as many dealers as you want to get the deal you want! If you're willing to drive outside of your area you may be able to get a better deal (like in a smaller town). It may take a couple days for some of them to get back to you (my experience has been anywhere from five minute response time to two or three days to one dealer never responding more than a "canned" response) - but be patient and wait to weigh your options.
#478 of 3425 Bigdad is worn out by bigdad Sep 09, 2002 (8:13 pm)
John Fonti is right, I am about worn out (actually only have 1400 on the odometer after the first week!). I do have to drive a lot and that's why the comfort factor was important to me..I originally was going to buy an Avalon, but tried the Highlander (really didn't expect to buy an SUV) and was very pleased at ease in getting in and out for my elderly mother (85 and blind)so went with it. So far this year I have made many trips to FL. and put on 36K miles (Jan to Sept)...I am worn out!

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