Considering a used Highlander

[momof2]

I am looking at a 2009 Highlander Limited, 43000mi, AWD, Nav, Dvd for $30,000. It pretty much has everything I was looking for, but I'm concerned about the higher mileage.

I looked at an '08 Limited with 22,000mi but they wanted $32,500 and it didn't have DVD or Nav. It seemed WAY overpriced to me.

Does the '09 seem like a good deal for the Indianapolis area?

[fj62]

I was offered $24,000 for my 2009 base Highlander Hybrid with 15,000 miles and 10 months left on new car warranty. I did not trade it in. I believe it was about $42,000 sticker priced as equipped.

[JMSinMD]

Ouch, my 2009 Sport V6 AWD with leather, navigation, remote start, roof rack cross bars,etc was $40k sticker new and since I worked for TFS I got it for $33k.

I'd check out Carmax.com for prices on new as well as Edmunds.com for prices on used.

[Zembonez]

Why not consider a new one? That's a lot of $$$ to pay for a used unit that you have no real idea of its history.

[fj62]

I believe it was around 7-8,000 premium for the hybrid version. Our posts may help someone looking to buy.

Discounts when I bought mine 3,500 off list price, 1,000 Toyota Corporate discount which I found on the internet, and 4,500 for cash for clunkers, another 150 for my clunker and 500 for parts that I removed before trade in and sold on the internet. So my final price wasn't too bad.

[Dman1]

Originally Posted by momof2

I am looking at a 2009 Highlander Limited, 43000mi, AWD, Nav, Dvd for $30,000. It pretty much has everything I was looking for, but I'm concerned about the higher mileage.

I looked at an '08 Limited with 22,000mi but they wanted $32,500 and it didn't have DVD or Nav. It seemed WAY overpriced to me.

Does the '09 seem like a good deal for the Indianapolis area?

I'd be more concerned with the price than I would the mileage. 43000 miles on a 3 yo vehicle is not high. It's around 15k a year. I would think that would be less than the average mileage on a vehicle.

[CascoBay]

I have been scanning the web for a late model ('09 or newer) Limited for several months.

Given the economic conditions and low new vehicle sales, prices of used vehicles are high.
Kelly, Edmunds etc., show a new 2012 Highlander 4WD Limited has an invoice price of ~ $36k. I see several '09 and '10's with average mileage for $30-32k.

If you are planning to finance, it very well may be cheaper to buy new. Edmunds did a comparison of new vs used and in many cases it was cheaper to go NEW. Do a search for the article.

Food for thought.

[momof2]

I hadn't considered buying new, but it looks like it probably wouldn't hurt to check out that option. Thanks to everyone for their input and suggestions!

[CascoBay]

Here is the link to the Edmunds article

http://www.edmunds.com/car-news/new-...ar-buying.html

I bought my used 4Runner from Carmax in '01. Great selection and decent prices back then. They show the same price ranges and other dealers on Hoghlanders these days.

[qban066]

I've been looking around for a used HL, and have a deposit down on a 2010 Limited 4x4, fully loaded (sans dvd entertainment for back row), with only 11K miles for $30K, which I'm learning is a steal.

However, while looking, I spent some time considering a hybrid, until I calculated that the ROI is 8+ years over that of a conventional. Let me know if you want the numbers.

[dallen3737]

I bought my Certified 2008 Sport FWD with 19K miles last year. It was loaded with Nav, leather, DVD, sunroof, etc.. I paid $31K which included the extended warranty and 2.9% Toyota financing. In the N. Va. area the going price was $33K to $36K for the identical vehicle.

I prefer to see the vehicle in person then negotiate the price online. It takes out any emotions and you can usually get a better price, JMO