gocubsgo55

So, it looks like its ALL over for our f'cking minivan. My parents are FINALLY sticking to a Highlander Limited (or so it seems). Preferably a 2004, but we did negotiate a good deal for a 2005 just in case. Tomarrow we head to 2 other dealers for comparasion.

I can't stand that things looks, and my parents don't mind it. Quality is what they want. I basically do the searching for them with my dad, and we both found this to be the best choice. the budget is 25-35k, and Honda or Toyota is a must (best quality, reliability, value, etc..) We ruled out the Acura MDX because although the model year is changing, they wouldn't go down from 39k for the Touring model. Plus for that price we would easily get the Japanese built RX330.

The Pilot was ruled out because it lacks some features the Highlander does have with options. One thing I do like about the Highlander is that it's built in Japan . For me, any car built in Japan by a respective company is great. My family has owned 3 Japanese-built cars, and all 3 have been/are WONDERFUL. The 2 American-built cars sucked incredibly.

So, it was either a brand new Highlander LTD. or slightly used 2004 RX330 with about 11k miles on it. That thing cost over 36k. Not bad at all, but negotiating would be tough and for a little less than that, we could get a new Highlander. Less to pay in terms of insurance, APR, so I agree that the Highlander is a good choice. Again, in making this decision, quality was my main thought. I want my parents to have this for 10 years like my Japanese-built Camry's of old. I'm sure I've made the right decision for them. Any opinions before they hopefully make the deal? Thanks, and I hope this is the LAST time I post about this. Believe me, it got old for me and my dad a year ago.

slo007

I have a '96 4Runner with 97,000 miles, on its second set of brake pads, and 4th set of tires. That truck rocks! The paint is solid like a rock, unlike my TSX...

I highly recommend the Highlander. Some friends have one and they love it.

slo007

That's nice. I'm planning in getting a 2007 or 2008 RX400H. Right after the TSX hits 100K miles...

gocubsgo55

Just not to get you confused/ clear things up, that would be my dad's future car. I myself will have the TSX, and my mom the "future" Highlander, hopefully. But the idea of a hybrid car in a luxury brand sounds sweet. I really like the RX, the materials are outstanding, the interior is versatile, and it comes with a host of standard features for what you pay (which is a good amount of course). It really is a nice car. Good luck.

Poindexter919

Unfortunately, the RX330's sold in North America are built at TMMC. That's Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada. I'm not positive if they will have the capacity to build the 400h there though. They may still be made in Japan.

Poindexter

Sorry, that's me in the above post.

The Highlander is a superb vehicle. Picked one up for my wife earlier this year. Except for the minor hesitation with the drive-by-wire system We have no complaints.

keg1997

A buddy of mine just grabbed a Highlander 2 weeks ago. They looked at both the Pilot and the HL and ended up with the HL. His wife did not like the drive of the Pilot as much...

Me...I have not driven either but the MDX will be at the top of the list for trucks to replace our '01 Pathfinder. We'll definitely want a 3rd row and I'm not a fan of the Pilot's looks. It's funny, but my wife drives the PF and she wants a truck that looks like a truck. We never looked at the HL in '01 b/c she hated the looks It's especially funny b/c she's not exactly the truck-type....she barked at me for taking the PF on the beach She is one of those types that the marketers are aiming for...luxury that looks tough.

Congrats to the OP...your mom is getting a fine vehicle.

corbs

The Highlander looks tough???? Despite this, if given the choice between these two vehicles I'd definitely take the Highlander, no hesitation. I really like Toyota's new SUV engines.

gilboman

i'm pretty sure not All of the RX330 will be comming from cambridge..i dont think they have the capacity to take over all the rx's sold in N/A. but that plant has won numerous adwards as the highest quality plant in n/a... so quality there shouldnt be and have never been an issue. i know ppl who have visited the plant and see the lexus area..it is a great facility.

keg1997

no...no..no...if that is how it sounds, I was not clear. We did not even look at the HL b/c of the exterior.
Reading my post again....it sounded clear to me

sipark

I think he misread.. It sounds clear to me.

For me,
Highlander = :ghey:
4runner =
pilot =


yah, i own 4runner

keg1997

what yr is your 'runner? We looked at those a good bit before we got our PF and we'll look at them again

Godwhacker

Is the Highlander Limited the one with the third row seat?

Between these vehicles, alot depends on how many you want to seat (or seat comfortably). If you are only seating five, the RX and the Highlander are good bets (hell, my CR-V has about as much room as an RX330 for half the price and a quarter of the luxury). If you are looking at seating more, then the Pilot, MDX and the third row Highlander are your options for crossover SUVs (i.e., not counting the truck based ones).

Frankly, my op is that if you want to seat over five adults comfortably and/or take them on a long trip, the only real option is a minivan. The third rows for the Pilot, MDX and Highlander are really meant for kids.

As for five seater SUV's, I'm waiting to see what Acura does with the CR-V.

gocubsgo55

well take a look at the signature, it's official. Millenium Silver was the only option on the lot. Sure the car doesn't look great, but for what you pay it is pretty nice. It isn't jaw dropping, but as you all know cars get very expensive after taxes, financing, insurance, etc. I'm not going to disclose any figures on the car but I can say that I myself did all the negotiations and got it down to 500 below invoice . I'm hoping for the best for my parents. Good luck to them, I think I made a pretty good job. (But that thing is so damn ghey ).

Infamous425

used infiniti fx is within that price range

gocubsgo55

Infiniti fx35 = no no with my mom, she cant stand the look/sportiness. I myself LOVE that thing and would take it over an rx330 or MDX anyday of the week.

keg1997

I'm truly interested if it was difficult to get the dealer to negotiate w/you. Did you do it in person or via email or what? Just wondering b/c surely most dealers are not used to working w/ a 17 yr old kid buying their parents ride....

gocubsgo55

Exactly my thoughts when I was talking! I mean come ON!! I did all the research and decided to give them a call just for information for my parents. After all was done from that point, I actually did most of the negotiating. My parents handled financing, but I seriously got the price down to 2,000 less than what they had got the previous night. Believe me it came as a suprise, but the guy said I'd be a good diplomat or negotiator (not going to be a career choice I consider). So an answer to your question, I did both talk on the phone and in person with the salesman and manager.

By the way I also got screamed at by the previous night's dealer who gave us a $100 less offer. The guy was furious saying there was no way I got it down to what it was. Lame ass, he made a great salesman lose a sale.

slo007

That's interesting. The same thing happened to me. Sales manager told me he would only negotiate on the TL, and even gave me an indirect that I could not afford the TSX. I bought one the next day at another dealership for $1k less.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

I've learned that real age is not a factor when dealing with salespeople. Perceived age is much more important. As long as he was professional and didn't sound like some punk kid, the dealer has no reason to suspect otherwise. Plus, if you know what you're talking about, it makes it much harder for dealers to cheat you.

1SICKLEX

Good deal. I looked at one hard before I bought my mothers RX 300. The price for the Highlander loaded was 35k .

gocubsgo55

same thought i had. for 1k more, an 11k 2004 rx330 was available with everything you'd want but xenons (and navi, r.e.s.). still not bad at all, but the highlander was easily negotiable and cost much much less with insurance/taxes/financing, etc...

did you know insurance is more expensive on a 27k 2004 Acura TSX than it is on a 35k 2005 Toyota Highlander Limited??

keg1997

I just got my insurance bill in today and my TSX cost about 100/year less to insure than our '01 Pathfinder LE. Plus, I'm the more "problematic" driver than my wife. I was quite surprised to see that a brand new car (27K new) was cheaper than a 3yr old truck (33K new). Who knows with insurance anyway