Hybrid Highlander Waiting Lists?

Kind of a side note to this topic:

That's interesting that they gave you a price on the Lexus. As far as I know, the official word is not out yet on the pricing of either it or the Highlander. I'm guessing that the Highlander model that I want (4WD, heated seats, sunroof) will be around $33k - $35k. Too bad the third row of seats is standard, because (for me) it will just be useless and heavy. At least it's supposed to fold down flat!

How do the waiting lists work? If you put down a deposit, is it non-refundable? Don't you lose your negotiating leverage when you eventually make your way up to the top of the list?

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The company intends, in fact, to be operating
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I've got my name down on a waiting list for a Hybrid Highlander in Northern California. The first dealer I talked to indicated he didn't need any money to put your name down. But since I don't really trust that dealer, for several other reasons, I went somewhere else. The dealer I ended up at asked for a check for a $1000, but they didn't cash it. It can either be used for the down payment, or if you change your mind you can call them at anytime and ask them to mail your check back to you.

You aren't going to have much bargaining power no matter what because the high demand for these vehicles pretty much means you are going to pay MSRP or higher, depending on the dealer. For me, my bargaining power will come from the trade-in value for my truck.

Yes there are waiting lists. This is just another way to get the consumers to create anticipation and hype about the new Hybrid cars. By 2007 you will see almost EVERY automaker with their own hybrid model. Now in Southern California, cars such as the Prius and Honda Accord Hybrid have to be preordered. While the price tag is substantially higher than the regular models the smooth ride, environmental friendlieness and fuel economy is enough to get you to overlook price.

Sincerely,

Apparently well worth the wait.

This vehicle is so advanced and has so many innovative features, it will take a while to be fully appreciated.

Bet GM and Ford are wetting their pants.

http://www.just-auto.com/news_detail.asp?art=47025

No dealer that I talked to would even guess about the price. Only one wanted a deposit, several were simply taking names. I'm hoping that you're price estimate is right on. I'm interested in a model with a few less features, and I'm hoping to pay $35k max. I think a lot of people are a little confused between this one and the Lexus. It wouldn't surprise me if the Lexus is in the $50k range.

I wish they'd make a hybrid version of the 4Runner. It would make me soooo happy. But, I guess the 4Runner is too big an SUV to make into a hybrid at this point. I haven't heard anything about a Sienna hybrid. But, it would definitely be interesting to see how Toyota plans on expanding it's hybrid technology into their current models. Anyone have any info on this? How about some Toyota insiders ...

I talked w/a Lexus dealer last year, they had a list going for the RX400h and the salesman guessed there would be a $3-5K premium over the RX330.

My wife talked to a Toyota salesman this weekend, he told her to expect about $32K for the Highlander Hybrid. I wasn't there, but that sounds low to me. However, this dealership has a short list ($500 down makes us #2), with a full refund if we decide against it so we'll see how it works out.

I'm going to check prices for both cars. While the RX400h will have a higher base price, Lexus also comes with more stuff standard and they have a better warranty than Toyota, so it may be worth it.

The problem, of course, as many have stated, is that you have no bargaining power in this kind of market. Waiting a year or two may be smart, but I have a new kid and want the convenience, I just can't bring myself to spend what amounts to the same money on a regular SUV with their truly horrible gas mileage.

Don't forget, the govt just extended the $2K tax credit for hybrids. They actually have a list, unfortunately neither of these vehicles is on it, yet.

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=104549,00.html

Happy shopping.

I am number 15 on a Lexus RX400h list here in Southern California. I was also #2 on a Highlander hybrid list, but the dealership decided to disband the list without telling everyone. I noticed that my $500 was credited to my Visa account and called the dealership. The manager decided that he didn't want to bother paying someone to keep track of the list and accept new names to be added.
Although I like both vehicles, I prefer the shape of the RX. I am guessing (based upon standard features and a $4-5,000 premium over the RX330 price) that the RX400h will start at $50,000. If this is true, then the Highlander hybrid will probably start at $40,000 or so.
I also estimate that most dealerships will receive 10-11 RXs per month, so I may be offered one in late May or eatly June. There are currently 11,000 people on waiting lists for the RX400h.

This just in from the Lexus forum: The list price for the Lexus RX400h is $48,535.00

I was just in a large Toyota dealer in Nor Cal. They are # 1 seller of Priuses in the country.

I was told that the highlanders were going to take awhile to come out and that they were going to be produced as Limiteds -- I guess that means they will all be totally pimped out (well as much as a Toyota can be). Also, it sounds like they will be north of 40K.

Just wanted to share what I heard...

Hybrid Daze Blog @ HybridCars.com

3-4 RX400s per month sounds low, considering that there are 180 dealerships in the US and Toyota will be cranking out 2000 per month. The reason why there was a 6-month delay of introduction is because Toyota wanted to prevent a Prius-type clamour that resulted in excessive markups and bad feelings. Therefore, I expect that most Lexus dealerships will be allocated with more than 3-4 400hs per month, although you may very well be right about most, if not all, will be fully loaded.
All of the lexus dealerships around here (San Diego) have told me that there is no markup above MSRP. I am number 15 on a list, so I expect to be offered one by the end of May, early June.

Just got an email update from Toyota, MSRP for the 4x2 Hybrid Highlander will start at $33030, which is about $7000 over the MSRP for a regular V6 2WD Highlander w/ the 3rd row seat.

Now my question is whether you can choose your color in this kind of market. Will you have to settle for what you can get, or you can order one with your favorite color?

At the dealer where my name is on the waiting list, they took down color preferences, but they said they would still start at the top of the list and ask if you wanted to take any of the cars they had received that month. If you passed on a car, you wouldn't lose your spot on the list.

As far as the price difference between the hybrid and non-hybrid versions, I think it's going to be hard to get an accurate number because of the new features they're offering on the hybrid (i.e. the LED tail lights, new vehicle stability control system). I tried and priced out on Yahoo Autos a similarly equipped V6 2WD w/3rd row seat and came up with a price difference of about $4500. However, when I priced out the difference on the Toyota website, I came up with about $3700.

I just received an E-mail from Toyota regarding the Highlander Hybrid pricing.

2WD $33,030
4WD $34,430

Limited 2WD $37,890
Limited 4WD $39,290

Forgot to mention that I had to leave a check for $1000.

I work for a Toyota dealer. We currently have 3 Hybrid Highlander's in stock.

If you are interested please contact Sal Piazza at (208) 765-8228.

i talked to the guy from Power Cerritos yesterday he told me he had the model i wanted in stock and i could have it for $35k about 500 over sticker (for the non-4x4, non-limited) ...

We walked into a San Diego Co. dealership on June 4th and were told the 3 Highlander hybrids they had on the lot were all pre-sold, with an extensive waiting list. While looking at one of the "pre-sold" vehicles, a staff person informed a few of the sales people that the individual that had order it, just backed out. The newly available vehicle was offered to those looking at it on a first come, first serve basis at MSRP with no upcharge. It was a limited with the Nav system, which puts it near the top of the price range. We made the decision on the spot, having only researched the Lexus RX 400H, but no test drives. Not quite two weeks later, and my wife is happy with her new vehicle. I'm still wondering though, how long I would have waited if we hadn't made the decision on the spot. We had other sales people congratulating us on our "luck" in avoiding a waiting list. Hype or really lucky in Carlsbad???

if anyone doesn't want to wait on a highlander hybrid I have 2 in stock ready for a home.
I am at Neill-Sandler Toyota in Murfreesboro Tn.
My phone number is (615) 890-1500. I have a 2wd and a 4wd model. You can also call 1-800-467-0510
My name is Jonathan Pickens. Please call fast and make your deposit today

Got my Limited, 4 WD, loaded June 11 and am LOVING it. Supposedly the person who ordered it a year ago no longer wanted it. The Dealer kept it on the lot a week trying to get over MSRP. All the dealers in our area were trying to get $5000 over, and all claimed to have the only one in the Northwest. After a week of my pestering (and no one stepping up to pay the mark up) they relented. We're enjoying seeing what all it can do on the battery (climbs our kinda steep driveway just fine). I did have to have the moon roof reset as it wasn't closing properly. I was directed to the hybrid certified mechanic at the dealer who did it in seconds.

I have spoken with two local Toyota dealerships (near Syracuse, NY) about purchasing a Highlander Hybrid. One told me I needed to give them a $500 deposit just to be put on the list. The other didn't require one. I told the dealer that asked for a deposit that I objected on principle to putting down a deposit just to be put on a waiting list. If they aren't ordering it specifically for me and if, as they claim, they have a long waiting list, I see no reason why I should make a financial commitment without so much as an approximate timeframe, let alone any kind of guarantee on options, colors, etc. Within 24 hours, they reduced the deposit they were asking for from $500 to $200 to $100, then finally to no deposit at all. A few hours later they called to tell me they could get exactly what I wanted that very afternoon. When I offered to split the difference between MSRP and Invoice as my final price, they told me they couldn't do it. The other dealership told me there was no problem getting me what I wanted within about 4-12 weeks, but they also refused to sell for anything less than MSRP and even claimed their invoice price was within $1,000 of MSRP. I wouldn't be surprised if they call me tomorrow to change their minds yet again. If they can get full MSRP, more power to them, but this experience has put me off Toyota. I don't appreciate being made to jump through hoops for the privelege of being the first on my block to purchase an already-overpriced vehicle. Asking to front money just to be put on a waiting list is absolutely uncalled for. I suppose there are people who are so hot to own the latest-and-greatest new thing that they are willing to be treated this way, but I am not. Unfortunately, no other Hybrid will A) make it out of my driveway in the winter or B) is anywhere near worth the money they want for the poor quality of the vehicle (I'm thinking of the Escape here.) I will either keep my current vehicle and wait a few months for the hysteria to subside or forego the Hybrid this time around and go with a vehicle that is superior in every other way, the Volvo V70 Cross Country.

I think the Lexus RX400h would easily make it out of your driveway, no? I have one and so far (2000+ miles) I couldn't be happier. The difference between the Toyota and Lexus dealership attitudes appears to be significant. We were very interested in looking at the Highlander hybrid until the local dealership dropped us (and everyone else) from the waiting list.
The way gas prices continue to soar, either vehicle will pay for itself well within 5 years. Certainly, you can wait two or three years for prices to come down (from MSRP), but I for one am glad I didn't wait to save a couple of thousand. Besides, the $2000 tax credit is greatly reduced after this year!

>> the poor quality of the vehicle (I'm thinking of the Escape here.)

Hmm, that's the first negative thing I've heard on the Escape. From following this site for six months, I've gotten the impression that Escape Hybrid buyers are pretty happy with it. Care to elaborate on this negative note??

I thought the ride was loud and rough; the transmission was clunky; the interior compartments were an ergonomic trainwreck; the seats were uncomfortable; and the leather/finish seemed cheap and flimsy. I knew before I drove off the lot that I wouldn't be buying it.

please educate yourself people.every negative argument about the difference in cost between conventional and hybrid vehicles is defeated by the value of the product.a used prius is more valuable then a new one.a used focus, if new cost is 16000,one month later you would be lucky in a desperate sale situation to aquire 10,000.a 22000.new prius one month later ,in one day you could sell it for 25,000.on ebay.hybrid car at this time are WISE INVESTMENTS do some research and you will begin to think american car companys research and development engineers work for the oil companys.my average millage is 58 in my 05 prius,you have to work at that but that is the fun part.use that battery pack like a wallet,every chance you get.the millage,the tax break, the value its all money in the bank,good luck everyone.

Maria,
My husbandand I are in the market for a Hybrid and during my research I came across the website www.hybridcars.com they had a special section on the 2004/2005 $2000 deduction as well as the tax 'credits' of varying amounts for folks who take delivery after January 2006. I understand that you purchased in 2003 but I'm assuming it's the same IRS forms for the deduction. It also gives you a specific IRS site to search on. I would not waste your time actually trying to call the IRS. I called them several days ago with a basic question involving hybrids and spoke with 3 separate people in 3 departments (one is the tax law department) and not one had a clue what I was talking about. They had to type a formal request to a supervisor who they say will be in contact with me within 5 weeks... Anyway, hope that helps.