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SUVs We thought we picked out an SUV....but we are having doubts
63 messages, Last post on Aug 06, 2009 at 9:28 AM
You are in the SUVs Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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Replying to: buzzy8 (Jan 11, 2009 11:55 am) Buzzy, The center console in the 2nd row has a lever on the back of the console that allows you to flip it forward so that it lies flat with the 2 captains chairs when they are folded down. With the 3rd row seats folded you will have a flat surface from the back of the front seats to the rear hatch. Regarding the dealership, I've bought a significant number of vehicles from all types of dealers over 30 years. To be honest, none of them should be trusted. They really only have one single goal in mind and that is to size up the customer and exact the highest potential price from that customer regardless of the cost of the vehicle. That's not a good or bad thing, its just the way it is. Therefore my recommendation is to let as many dealers as possible know the exact vehicle with options that you are interested in and have them send you their best price in writing by email. Those that refuse should be ingnored. If you then want to take the best price to your local dealer to see if they'll match it, then by all means test them out. In the end, you need to look out for your family and their finances, not the financial well-being of a particular auto dealership. Sounds harsh however there will likely be over 1000 auto dealerships that close shop this year and you need to be more focused on your own bank account than theirs. There's likely to be alot of shenanigans by dealers in the coming months as many of them reach their final financial gasps. Don't get caught up in one of their last ditch efforts to take advantage of buyers. My apologies in advance to any and all auto dealership employees that are offended however I say it like I see it and and unfortunately the seeds of demise of many dealerships were sown decades ago.
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Replying to: hdfatboy (Jan 11, 2009 2:01 pm) Does this void the warranty on the vehicle in any way? I paid for the extended warranty and would hate to screw it all up.
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Replying to: mikey13170 (Jan 11, 2009 5:13 pm) I have an extended warranty from Toyota and was not concerned. Or at least my concern was overidden by my need to use the Nav unit while underway. |
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Replying to: hdfatboy (Jan 11, 2009 2:47 pm) I wish we played with that center console in the Platinum but when you fold it flat does it require that the chairs be folded at the same time ?(you mentioned that it folds flat with the captains chairs but does fold independently) We also failed to look at the Platinums cargo space the is left when the 2/3 part is folded down. We are going to go to our local dealer to look at that on the Limited as I am sure it is the same. We have a ton of luggage when we go on trips which is another issue to work through on the Platinum. I am so glad you explained the aftermarket Satellite so we know that getting that as a line item and finding one that has it is not important as it can be added later. Oh, and do you have laser cruise control? If not do you miss and if you do would you miss it if it wasn't there? thanks!
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Replying to: mikey13170 (Jan 11, 2009 12:12 pm) I did find what you mentioned on Cars.com...wow! I really makes it much easier to see what is out there....bettter than how I was looking. It seems from what our local dealer is saying is that they have other Toyota dealerships they work with and trade...not sure how they do that on their end? We were just always under the understanding that dealers are able to make a better deal with what is sitting on their lot. Appreciate the info on the IPOD. I know not to look for this option or the satellite or remote start and to install it aftermarket. Such helpful info.....just have to settle on the Limited or Platinum.... |
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Replying to: buzzy8 (Jan 12, 2009 6:43 am) Yes, the 2nd row center console in the Plat can be folded flat independent of folding the Captain's chairs down. In fact, on long trips if we stop for a snack or lunch to go, the center console is folded flat and used as a table top. Its actually designed with shallow compartments to keep meals/snacks on the surface from sliding off during braking or turns. Additionally, the cupholder divider is removable from the front of the center console so that it can be placed on top of the center console after its been flipped into a table...rather nice design. "We also failed to look at the Platinums cargo space the is left when the 2/3 part is folded down. We are going to go to our local dealer to look at that on the Limited as I am sure it is the same. We have a ton of luggage when we go on trips which is another issue to work through on the Platinum." We had a similar concern coming from a Suburban where there was alot more space behind the 3rd row seat. We've taken our daughter back to college many times and typically fold either the 1/3 or the 2/3 side of the 3rd row seat down to hold more stuff on the return to school while still letting my son sit in the 3rd row section that remains up. Its worked well for us. "I am so glad you explained the aftermarket Satellite so we know that getting that as a line item and finding one that has it is not important as it can be added later." Glad to help. No sense in giving the dealer $800 when you can install an XM tuner for under $300. If the dealer offers to install the tuner for $400, its probably worth it not to have to install it yourself. "Oh, and do you have laser cruise control? If not do you miss and if you do would you miss it if it wasn't there?" Interesting...this was the only option I didn't get and it was by design although I could easily see the benefit of laser cruise. I didn't get it because I tow a boat alot in the summer. I had heard from others that they were concerned that while towing in traffic you could find yourself exiting traffic to a ramp and then the laser thinking the road was clear and unexpectedly increase speed to the pre-set. Not a good situation while towing and I elected not to get this option. That being said there have been many times on long trips that I wished I had the laser cruise to avoid the braking and cruise re-setting steps. Hope that helps.
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i would look for a loaded low mileage used suv, there are tons out there. if you don't like it, maybe you lose 10k swapping it. on any new one you will lose 20k. plus with the kids beating it up, you won't be as bothered about it. i recommend having one of the kids in the 3rd row. keeps the peace. if you need more room for vacation. buy a hitch mount or rooftop cargo box. |
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Replying to: hdfatboy (Jan 12, 2009 8:39 am) hdfatboy, The line item (MSPR) cost on the XM radio in the window was $449.00 for the one we saw that had it in it. So I would think that having them add it on for $449 if it didn't have it in it would be okay for the labor and time it would take us to do it. Is it the same system if they do it or the one you did aftermarket? If it the same, I would probably think having them do it is okay. My husband and I talked about it all again last night.....he is leaning toward either waiting for something that comes out with everything we want (Platinum with bench seats) but if he would have to buy right now he agrees with most here that the Platinum is workable with the kids. (not preferable but workable). His concern is that he does not want to spend the money on an SUV and not have enough cargo space with the one child in the 3rd row that when we go on vacation we have to put a cargo bin on our roof. Then we might as well keep our minivan where we do not need to do that now. He also is not crazy about the idea of having a lot of aftermarket work for him to do.....he is an electrician so it is easy for him, he really just doesn't like the idea of a lot of fooling around in the dash. (it would be for the remote start, navigation bypass and the satellite radio maybe) I am still leaning toward the bench seats and giving up the platinum goodies for the sake of being easier with the in and out with the kids and not loosing the back cargo. If one of the kids wants to get away from the others by sitting in the 3rd row they still can. I called a few of my friends yesterday who have 3 kids and there opinion in mainly the bench seat unless the captains chairs have a walkthough in between the two captains chairs but since the center console is there, that is not possible. We are going to go to our local dealer and look at the cargo space that is left with one of the seats in use......and I can't help being nervous with one of the kids being back there for safety reasons on a long trip. There are not any government studies on the safety of that 3rd row for what I am reading.....Sorry for rambling outloud....thanks for listening and all the valuable input.
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Replying to: buzzy8 (Jan 13, 2009 5:53 am) Buzzy, if the xm tuner is already in a vehicle on the lot at the $449 MSRP its probably worth it. However if you find the vehicle you want and decide to add the xm tuner at a later time, I thought it was worth letting you know that most dealers charge $600-800 to add XM later. I didn't add xm when I purchased the vehicle because XM and Sirius were going through a corporate merger and I didn't know what changes might happen to the tuners. In the end, it was easy enough to add however for $449 its worth having the dealer handle it. Regarding the seating in the Platinum versus the Ltd, ultimately only you and your family can make the decision that best meets your needs. All depends on you priorities and budget. For my family, the heated second row seats, a/c front seats, TEMS adjustable suspension, 2 position memory driver seat and the Red Rock leather interior easily outweighed the loss of the 2nd row bench seat. Since you can only get these options in the Platinum, then its a relatively easy decision to make. If the options above are less important than the 2nd row bench, then its best to save the money and get a fully loaded LTD which will include every option that's in the Plat other than those noted (plus laser cruise is not available in the LTD if that option was of interest). Hopefully that helps in your decision-making. |
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hdfatboy, Everything you have answered has helped us with our decision making.....wouldn't have gotton this far without you!! 
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