Opinions on 2017 Highlander deal

[Edmond]

Originally Posted By: SatinSilver
I wouldn't rule out the 2016 which could save you an additional $2k or so. Plus they look the same.


The front is different so it doesn't look the same. Outside of looks, the '17 is getting more HP/TQ and better mileage along with standard safety features that were an option on the '16.

List price didn't increase that much, I believe by about $1,000 or so.

 

[SatinSilver]

Originally Posted By: Edmond
List price didn't increase that much, I believe by about $1,000 or so.


Yes, price went up 1k and you could realize an additional savings of $1k since the newer year model is out. Which equals about 2k less than a comparable 2017 model.

 

[CKN]

Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
$43,031 for a Toyota? I would shop around.



Crazyoildude.....your better than this comment.......

 

[Edmond]

Originally Posted By: SatinSilver
Yes, price went up 1k and you could realize an additional savings of $1k since the newer year model is out. Which equals about 2k less than a comparable 2017 model.


Yes but getting the safety package would probably cost another $1k on the 2016. Plus the 8 speed trans and increased power/mileage are hard to pass up.

But maybe it's something to consider if the money makes sense. An additional 25 HP, 15 ft. lbs and 2 MPG seem to be significant.

The dealership is only 6 miles down the street from me. Might be worth seeing what they try to blow the 2016's out for.

 

[Merkava_4]

^ Looks pretty goofy.

I'd rather have this:

 

[cheech279]

If you're shopping price and you don't know what the holdback money is, log onto www.truecar.com, enter all your car's equipment and see what bottom line price they come up with at a particular dealer near you. It's worth a shot. Worked well on my 2015 Outback.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: NormanBuntz
If you're shopping price and you don't know what the holdback money is, log onto www.truecar.com, enter all your car's equipment and see what bottom line price they come up with at a particular dealer near you. It's worth a shot. Worked well on my 2015 Outback.


That's interesting, I paid significantly less, and in Canadian dollars nonetheless, for my JGC SRT, than Factory invoice according to that site..... Apparently I did even better on it than I thought I did

How accurate are those numbers?

 

[edyvw]

That Highlander is ultimate appliance car. that being said, hard to find a car that holds value better then Highlander! Looking from that angle, it makes sense paying that much money.

 

[69GTX]

The best deals will come in the last week of December assuming what you want remains available.

 

[Ed_Flecko]

Check the door jamb of the drivers door. Look at the Month/Year of manufacture. Dealers lease cars from the factory - they don't buy them as some salespeople tell you.

You'll get your best deal on one that has been made this month or last month because they have fewer hard costs (lease payments from the factory, etc.) tied up in it.

Ed

 

[crazyoildude]

CKN...LOL that was a quote from my wife when we were looking for the 2016 we looked at Hyundai Full size Santa Fe and the Highlander And also the Explorer..

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: NormanBuntz
If you're shopping price and you don't know what the holdback money is, log onto www.truecar.com, enter all your car's equipment and see what bottom line price they come up with at a particular dealer near you. It's worth a shot. Worked well on my 2015 Outback.


That's interesting, I paid significantly less, and in Canadian dollars nonetheless, for my JGC SRT, than Factory invoice according to that site..... Apparently I did even better on it than I thought I did

How accurate are those numbers?


Truecar essentially works for the dealers. They scam people into their claim that $x is a good price. Really its good because thats what the dealer says.

Of course truecar will link you up with a dealer or dealers more than happy to sell you the car at that price. That means its a good target price for the dealer.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: Edmond
Originally Posted By: SatinSilver
Also an XLE V6 is a good $3k less expensive and still comes with leather interior.


I'm trying to see what big differences there are between the XLE and the Limited.

Saving $3k wouldn't be a bad thing at all.


On the flip side, back to my original post, for that sort of money, you might look at the Lexus RX. An RX FWD (I note youre in TX, so AWD may not be necessary for you) has an MSRP of $43xxx, so you could likely haggle down a siimilar deal on a more upscale car with a better dealer experience.

Of course the third row on the highlander may be a make or break... But Ive always found three row non-suburban SUVs to be marginally useless, because the cargo area becomes tiny when the third row is up.

Id suspect the Lexus got the upgrades the Toyota got for 17 a year or three ago...

 

[Edmond]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
On the flip side, back to my original post, for that sort of money, you might look at the Lexus RX. An RX FWD (I note youre in TX, so AWD may not be necessary for you) has an MSRP of $43xxx, so you could likely haggle down a siimilar deal on a more upscale car with a better dealer experience.

Of course the third row on the highlander may be a make or break... But Ive always found three row non-suburban SUVs to be marginally useless, because the cargo area becomes tiny when the third row is up.

Id suspect the Lexus got the upgrades the Toyota got for 17 a year or three ago...


Great points you bring up!

The Lexus was considered but we really do want that 3rd row. Kid is still in a baby seat and will be in a car seat for a few more years. She suffers from her parents' short genes so she's going to be car seat bound for quite a few years. Those things seem to take up more than 1 seat, seemingly.

The 3rd row itself will come in handy not only for the 2 leg passengers but we also have a couple of 4 leg family members who could use the space and the air vent back there.

Cargo space isn't as much of an issue because I always put a hitch and cargo rack on. That's where luggage goes. Not a believer in the roof rack due to decreased mileage and difficulty in accessing the roof.

 

[maximus]

Need a 3rd row with one kid? It sounds like you're trying to justify buying more vehicle than you need. You'll never put your daughter in that third row anyway. You won't be able to reach her to hand her juice box, happy meal, or give her her toy she dropped etc..

I've had 2 two carseats in my Sonata for 4 1/2 years and its worked out great. Don't see how an suv would be advantageous other than the extra height is easier on the back loading and unloading the yougn's. However at this point my 6 year old can get in the car and buckle up all on his own, which he wouldn't be able to do in a truck or SUV.

If you really need all that extra space, you should look at a Suburban or Expedition, not a station wagon which is essentially what a Highlander is.

 

[glock19]

For reference we bought a 2016 Highlander Limited AWD last summer for $41k out the door. We wanted FWD but they just couldn't find any in our area. I'm thinking you should be able to knock off another $1-2k for FWD. However, this was a 2016. Considering that the MSRP went up $1k for 2017, I would aim for $40k out the door.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: NormanBuntz
If you're shopping price and you don't know what the holdback money is, log onto www.truecar.com, enter all your car's equipment and see what bottom line price they come up with at a particular dealer near you. It's worth a shot. Worked well on my 2015 Outback.


That's interesting, I paid significantly less, and in Canadian dollars nonetheless, for my JGC SRT, than Factory invoice according to that site..... Apparently I did even better on it than I thought I did

How accurate are those numbers?


Truecar essentially works for the dealers. They scam people into their claim that $x is a good price. Really its good because thats what the dealer says.

Of course truecar will link you up with a dealer or dealers more than happy to sell you the car at that price. That means its a good target price for the dealer.


Thanks for the clarification

 

[BearZDefect]

The 2017 Sienna also receives the V6 engine with upgraded fuel delivery.
Toyota brought the combination GDI + PFI to a non-Lexus vehicle.

If Toyota brings this fuel delivery to their mainstream 4 cylinder engines next year that would be very nice.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: Edmond
The Lexus was considered but we really do want that 3rd row.


The 3rd row is GREAT to have. We use ours in the MDX regularly. I wouldn't be without a 3 row vehicle...whether it's moving kids and friends back and forth between dance practice or youth group at church to moving family around, it's super nice to have. Don't feel the need to justify an SUV over a minivan. My family has owned two minivans, and now we own a 3 row SUV. Both vehicle types have pros and cons. Neither is better or worse than the other -- they're just different. Now, more than ever, pricing and fuel economy between the two types with like quality is in the same ballpark. Pick what you like the best and move on with life and enjoy it.

Regarding the cost, I'm in the camp that this is probably a decent price for this vehicle. You could spend HOURS' of time on the internet and email going back and forth with dealership sales people. Maybe you'll save another 500 bucks. Who cares, on a $40k vehicle? I presume your time is valuable (I know mine is). Buy what you want and go with it.

I don't know anything about the new 8 speed transmission, and that's probably the only thing that I'd hesitate on with this. Not that I like to live in the past, but I do like to see some level of reliability of such a new component first. Obviously, that requires customers to use it, so my model does require early adopters -- I'm just typically not one of them.

 

[Edmond]

Wife compared the Limited with the XLE as did I. We do not believe the extra $3,200 is worth it in getting the Limited so we are going with the XLE.

Sales manager was very aggressive in trying to get us to buy today. Told us that December is a tough time to buy a car. Yeah right. LOL. More like it's a tough time to sell a car because everyone is spending money on Christmas.

I'm going to put 25-30% down and finance the rest through USAA or PenFed if I buy this.

Another vehicle we're considering is the Santa Fe. I've had good experience with both Toyota and Hyundai/Kia.