Well, I did it! Ended up trading in my 2007 BMW X3 yesterday for a Highlander!
I was planning to buy, but ended up leasing as the deal was just better for me. Will probably end up buying it at the end of the 35mos, but wanted to be sure I'd be happy with it first, so the lease option does that for me.
I got a SE model with Tech package, tinted windows, and window etching. Also negotiated the aluminum running boards which they're installing later this week! And got the hard to find, black on black! Can't believe how tough it is to find a black exterior with black leather interior.
It looks awesome, and I'm very happy with the deal. Feels so much bigger than my X3 and the best part is that I don't have to worry anymore about BMW maintenance!!! A load off my shoulders.
Just wanted to thank everyone for their feedback since I joined just a week or so ago. Sounds like you all love your HLs and I am sure that I'm going to REALLY enjoy mine! Such a smooth ride!
After the running boards, which I want purely for aesthetics, I am thinking of adding some sort of ski rack or cross bars to my roof rails. So sporty!!!! My poor husband is tired of me yapping about car stuff!
Great find I would think purchasing from the start is cheaper in the long run than leasing for three years then buying. I don't know how the numbers work.
Also, dosen't the BMW X3 have only one cup holder in the front?
Great find I would think purchasing from the start is cheaper in the long run than leasing for three years then buying. I don't know how the numbers work.
Also, dosen't the BMW X3 have only one cup holder in the front?
Thanks! Yes, buying from the start would have probably been cheaper, but there were lots of variables for me....still had a large payoff on the BMW, needed to stick to a budget for my monthly note, didn't put any other cash down, etc.
Ha, yes, the X3 has one ridiculous cup holder in the front! Something that drove me nuts. When I first saw that the HL has FOUR in the front, I was blown away!
Thanks! Yes, buying from the start would have probably been cheaper, but there were lots of variables for me....still had a large payoff on the BMW, needed to stick to a budget for my monthly note, didn't put any other cash down, etc.
Ha, yes, the X3 has one ridiculous cup holder in the front! Something that drove me nuts. When I first saw that the HL has FOUR in the front, I was blown away!
Congratulations on your new HL. I've been leasing since '99, usually 48 month terms. I read somewhere a while ago that purchasing would save about $950. I don't regret leasing, in fact it paid off somewhat on my '06 since the sales tax dropped during the contract period and because you only pay taxes on your monthly payment, the payment also dropped. aboard.
Peter
__________________ Lease Transferred - Canadian '09 HL Ltd, Classic Silver Metallic with Nav, ash interior, body side moulding, hood deflector, Camry trumpet horns, Philips X-Treme Power bulbs, Toyota 3 piece rubber floor and cargo mats.My 2011 Explorer Limited has arrived.
Congratulations on your new HL. I've been leasing since '99, usually 48 month terms. I read somewhere a while ago that purchasing would save about $950. I don't regret leasing, in fact it paid off somewhat on my '06 since the sales tax dropped during the contract period and because you only pay taxes on your monthly payment, the payment also dropped. aboard.
Peter
Thanks so much Peter! To be honest, so much of this car finance stuff is over my head...my husband admits the same. In the end, I had to be at a certain monthly note, and I wasn't putting a penny down aside from my trade...and I wanted those running boards so it all worked out!!! Took close to 5 hrs but it worked out! There will always be a debate over leasing vs. buying and the answer is that BOTH are right...just has to be the right fit for the person
Nothing like Highlander porn to start off a day.... By all means, when you have some pics post them up, I'm sure a lot of members will want to see them.
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2008 Highlander Base 4WD
2002 Avalon XL
1987 Suzuki Samurai 4X4 - Treading where no Jeep can follow....
Nothing like Highlander porn to start off a day.... By all means, when you have some pics post them up, I'm sure a lot of members will want to see them.
Will do. Install will likely be on Saturday morning so look out for pics next weekend!
Thanks! Yes, buying from the start would have probably been cheaper, but there were lots of variables for me....still had a large payoff on the BMW, needed to stick to a budget for my monthly note, didn't put any other cash down, etc.
Ha, yes, the X3 has one ridiculous cup holder in the front! Something that drove me nuts. When I first saw that the HL has FOUR in the front, I was blown away!
I used to have a "no bottle/can" policy on my Mini Cooper S - there are only two very small cup holder(barely fits a soda can) + 1 slightly larger cup holder for the "rear passenger". Now with the HL I have 10 usable cup holders (4@front row + 4@2nd row + 2@3rd row) + 2xbottle holders (on each front door).
I used to have a "no bottle/can" policy on my Mini Cooper S - there are only two very small cup holder(barely fits a soda can) + 1 slightly larger cup holder for the "rear passenger". Now with the HL I have 10 usable cup holders (4@front row + 4@2nd row + 2@3rd row) + 2xbottle holders (on each front door).
Yeh, who thought that something like cup holders would make us so happy!!! Makes a difference though! All about practicality in 'real life'.
I used to have a "no bottle/can" policy on my Mini Cooper S - there are only two very small cup holder(barely fits a soda can) + 1 slightly larger cup holder for the "rear passenger". Now with the HL I have 10 usable cup holders (4@front row + 4@2nd row + 2@3rd row) + 2xbottle holders (on each front door).
Yep the Highlander has too many cup and bottle holders. As many as if not more than the rattles/creaks if the temp is below zero.
These car manufacturers have gotten so bad, I'm surprised no one has installed cup holders somewhere on the exterior, or under the hood at least....
Front: 2 bottle holders, one in each door, 4 cup-holders in the console.
Rear: 2 bottle holders, one in each door (I think), 2 when center console is in place, 2 pull out from center console, and another two in the 3rd row.
Sad thing, the 4 in the console of mine are always used, I don't think I could make due with any less than 4 now
I'd think twice about the running boards, especially if you wear nice pants and/or dress up for work. I have a Tacoma with them and they aren't the most functional things in the world and they have a habit of making my pants dirty. Where the rocker panels are covered in my Highlander, they don't get dirty and my pants stay clean!
__________________ 2008 Highlander Sport V6 AWD, classic silver, black leather, Canadian version, 90 000 KM. 2009 Tacoma AC V6 4X4, SR5 w/ power package, timberland mica, beige cloth, 48 000 KM.
2002 Highlander Limited V6 4WD, black, tan leather, 134 000 KM (SOLD)
I took the divider out of the cupholder in the front row center console and use that as a storage bin. Thank goodness Toyota engineers thought to put a removable divider in or that space would be useless to me.
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2008 Highlander Base 4WD
2002 Avalon XL
1987 Suzuki Samurai 4X4 - Treading where no Jeep can follow....
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I would think purchasing from the start is cheaper in the long run than leasing for three years then buying. I don't know how the numbers work. 
aboard.
My 2011 Explorer Limited has arrived.
Congratulations, kcmo, glad to see you pull the trigger on your new baby! Hope you enjoy your HL as much as I've enjoyed mine. 
By all means, when you have some pics post them up, I'm sure a lot of members will want to see them.
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