2011 Highlander Questions

[evjm]

I am currently looking to buy a Highlander. We are trying to work out a deal for a 2011 Demo at the local dealership. It is the V6 with AWD, 11000 km, Cypress Pearl, has winter mats, vent visors/bug deflector. An equivalent 2012 would be around $36 000 , CAD, before taxes, freight etc. We are currently at $32 900 before taxes. I think they can still move a little on their end. Does this sound like a reasonable price for a demo?

What kind of things should I be looking for on the HL? I suspected the rear hatch could be an issue. Is it covered by extended warranty? I also read about an oil leak TSB online very non-specific. Where would I see this?

I am pretty sure we are going with the HL. We also test drove the Pilot and CX-9, and overall prefer the HL. We're trading up from an 04 Murano.

Thanks for the help!

[dtown40]

Remember you are buying a used Highlander, and should price it accordingly. Take into account the mileage and depreciation as well. Im not sure that it would be worth a penny over 30.000 myself. Also remember that today is one of the last days dealers have to get cars moved off their lots for lower year end inventories, and they will deal.

[luck123]

Originally Posted by evjm

I am currently looking to buy a Highlander. We are trying to work out a deal for a 2011 Demo at the local dealership. It is the V6 with AWD, 11000 km, Cypress Pearl, has winter mats, vent visors/bug deflector. An equivalent 2012 would be around $36 000 , CAD, before taxes, freight etc. We are currently at $32 900 before taxes. I think they can still move a little on their end. Does this sound like a reasonable price for a demo?

What kind of things should I be looking for on the HL? I suspected the rear hatch could be an issue. Is it covered by extended warranty? I also read about an oil leak TSB online very non-specific. Where would I see this?

I am pretty sure we are going with the HL. We also test drove the Pilot and CX-9, and overall prefer the HL. We're trading up from an 04 Murano.

Thanks for the help!

Not sure about ATL Cda, but I certainly would not consider that a great deal. That is hardly a demo anymore...with that many KMs, it is classified as a used vehicle. You may want to spend the a few bucks for some quotes from carcostcanada to find invoice costs, and negotiate on a 2012. The discount they are offering off a used vehicle is about the discount I negotiated on my brand new 2009 Sport. Also, not sure about you, but have you seen how demo cars are treated by both customers and dealer staff? They can be driven pretty hard...not a good thing, especially within the break in period. Personally, I would never buy a demo, but ultimately, I do not know what is best for you, what the competition is like in your area, and the degree to which dealers are willing to haggle. You also mention a trade, so the value they are giving you for your trade also has to factor into the equation.

My approach: I decide on the vehicle, call the sales managers of 3 or 4 local dealers first thing in the morning, tell them by noon I will be buying a vehicle from the first dealer that gives me what I am looking for (price), and wait. Bought my last 3 vehicles this way and each time, I got asking or very close to it. Everything was signed by fax, then when the car was ready, went in and put an original signature on all the papers (checking them all for consistency with the original agreement of course), and took delivery.

Anyway, take what I say with a grain of salt, but IMHO, it sounds to me that they are negotiating from a very inflated starting price given the mileage of that vehicle.

Good luck.

[Subaryota]

I presume it's the V6 AWD non-Sport version.

When new, they went for $35800 or so. It's not really a demo anymore with 11000km on it. You've also lost warranty time as the warranty period started when the dealer started using it as a demo. Essentially, pricing should be that of a used vehicle.

If they are asking for $32900, that's only $2900 off a new car price. For my MY12 HL Sport, that was purchased in Sept 2011, we got $2900 off. That was for a brand new vehicle with 3km on the odometer. I don't think $32900 is a good deal. If you're not in a hurry, I'd walk away from that deal and wait a couple months and negotiate for a new vehicle.

The TSB oil leak is for pre-2009 V6s; I was just reading a thread on these forums about that.

If the dealer tells you it's that expensive because of the "options". Have them remove and keep the options. You can get Canadian Tire floormats.

If it can fit your budget, I would also suggest selling your Murano privately and not as a trade-in. You can work out the numbers accounting for how the trade-in will affect the GST.

Cheers

[evjm]

Thanks guys,

I was also thinking right around $30 000 was right as well. I subscribed to carcostcanada, thanks so much. They list invoice price of a 2011 at $34 436, and a 2012 at $34 595 (freight included). I figured I'd put those numbers on here as a thank you for all the great info on this site! I did go looking for a brand new HL but I think they are just trying to push the demo on me as it is the only HL they have.

They are still undervaluing my Murano as well. It is well maintained and I presented the records to them with some recent big work such as catalytic converter, wheel bearings etc. So they are still trying to pinch me on the trade as well. I've already tried selling it privately for a week now, will continue.

Unfortunately I expected this. The auto group own's about 75% of dealerships in my area. I bought my Murano from them and it was a two week ordeal where they tried a number of tricks and deceitful practices. There are a number of horror stories about them. The other closest Toyota Dealerships are 3 and 5 hours away. I'm going to be calling them, the only kicker is I doubt they can give me any estimate on my Murano.

By what percentage should I expect a dealership to go under the MSRP?

[z27ls3]

also look at APR
used may be 4-8%
new may be 0-2% with toyotathon or whatever the latest sale is.
the savings in interest on a new car may equal the greater cost and you have a new car.
I would pass on a demo car, those get beat on. the '12 models are just coming out.
I bet you could sell your car privately, then find a suitable '11 or '12 new car.

[luck123]

Originally Posted by evjm

Thanks guys,

I was also thinking right around $30 000 was right as well. I subscribed to carcostcanada, thanks so much. They list invoice price of a 2011 at $34 436, and a 2012 at $34 595 (freight included). I figured I'd put those numbers on here as a thank you for all the great info on this site! I did go looking for a brand new HL but I think they are just trying to push the demo on me as it is the only HL they have.

They are still undervaluing my Murano as well. It is well maintained and I presented the records to them with some recent big work such as catalytic converter, wheel bearings etc. So they are still trying to pinch me on the trade as well. I've already tried selling it privately for a week now, will continue.

Unfortunately I expected this. The auto group own's about 75% of dealerships in my area. I bought my Murano from them and it was a two week ordeal where they tried a number of tricks and deceitful practices. There are a number of horror stories about them. The other closest Toyota Dealerships are 3 and 5 hours away. I'm going to be calling them, the only kicker is I doubt they can give me any estimate on my Murano.

By what percentage should I expect a dealership to go under the MSRP?

Hmmm...sounds like you're facing a bit of a "monopoly" situation. Not good, but you will be surprised how much dealers will try to outbid each other even though they belong to the same group.

I would not calculate based on MSRP...I would use the invoice cost as a starting point and add 2.5 - 3% for a fair profit margin. Not sure what Toyota sales are like in your neck of the woods, but Toyota has been hurting lately....YTD they are down 8.5%, so this might bode well for a better deal. Be upfront....tell them you have the invoice cost from CarCost, and you're willing to give them a fair profit of XX% over invoice. Or start with slightly lower profit margin, and work up to your target.

[evjm]

Well I am glad to share that we purchased a Magnetic Grey 2012 HL, V6 AWD, Base! We are taking delivery in a couple days as it is coming from out of province. I can't believe how hard they are to get. There were only 4 brand new ones in Atlantic Canada, and only 4 coming in the next couple months! We ended up going with a dealer a few hours away and they were great.

I will miss my Murano but can't wait to get the HL. I think I will miss the heated seats the most! But we didn't want leather, never been a fan.

I'd like to thank you all for your help and look forward to using this forum. I used a similiar forum for the Murano and it was always a great spot for information. The only mods planned at this point are remote start and factory hitch and harness. I see there is plenty of info on here about that!

[luck123]

Originally Posted by evjm

Well I am glad to share that we purchased a Magnetic Grey 2012 HL, V6 AWD, Base! We are taking delivery in a couple days as it is coming from out of province. I can't believe how hard they are to get. There were only 4 brand new ones in Atlantic Canada, and only 4 coming in the next couple months! We ended up going with a dealer a few hours away and they were great.

I will miss my Murano but can't wait to get the HL. I think I will miss the heated seats the most! But we didn't want leather, never been a fan.

I'd like to thank you all for your help and look forward to using this forum. I used a similiar forum for the Murano and it was always a great spot for information. The only mods planned at this point are remote start and factory hitch and harness. I see there is plenty of info on here about that!

Congrats!!!