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BigWoof31
"Barkin' up the wrong tree"
Wife and I are buying a new car and I experienced something totally unfamiliar. I placed a $1,000.00 down to hold a vehicle that isn't even built yet.
We're getting a Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid and they essentially don't exist on any dealership in Metro 513.
Things I've learned as I've begun researching the delays and what might be the issue:
1). In a quiet move, Toyota has shifted production; making fewer of the "middle of the road" trim, the XLE. Everything is base or PLATINUM version. Or at least those percentages are greater than XLE's
2). Demand and resale for Hybrids is through the roof
3). Toyota doesn't take custom orders. Dealers "get what they get" and it has no bearing on how quickly they sell them. Toyota has some grand algorithm they drop into different regions in order to balance out the number of vehicles are in a certain region to stabilize parts and service costs.
There was one Grand Highlander on the lot when I went to test drive and they have 11 vehicles in "sale pending" pre-sales status (12 now, including mine)
Overall, it's not the worst thing in the world. Gives me time to shop around with financing. Just curious if anyone else has experienced this with Toyota or any other manufacturer.
We're getting a Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid and they essentially don't exist on any dealership in Metro 513.
Things I've learned as I've begun researching the delays and what might be the issue:
1). In a quiet move, Toyota has shifted production; making fewer of the "middle of the road" trim, the XLE. Everything is base or PLATINUM version. Or at least those percentages are greater than XLE's
2). Demand and resale for Hybrids is through the roof
3). Toyota doesn't take custom orders. Dealers "get what they get" and it has no bearing on how quickly they sell them. Toyota has some grand algorithm they drop into different regions in order to balance out the number of vehicles are in a certain region to stabilize parts and service costs.
There was one Grand Highlander on the lot when I went to test drive and they have 11 vehicles in "sale pending" pre-sales status (12 now, including mine)
Overall, it's not the worst thing in the world. Gives me time to shop around with financing. Just curious if anyone else has experienced this with Toyota or any other manufacturer.
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calibuck
Too soon old, too late smart
Woof, my experience with Toyota is that if they don't have exactly what you want, they'll send out a request, and other dealerships will respond with what your specs are. Not sure whether they trade, or just pay for vehicle. But they will work with you to accommodate your requests, though might take a little time. In a fevered market, that won't apply, as too hard to keep cars in stock to sell, but in a quieter market, they'll work with you. PS, wifey has a 2015 Highlander Hybrid, and she has refused a new car several times. Just turned 75,000 miles, but she won't part with it. But you're spot on, dealerships are selling the premium version, as they make more money on the 'extras', and won't stock the 'poor boy' models if they can help it. Good luck. PSS, am not convinced that hybrids get all that better of gas mileage. And when your 'battery deck' needs replacing, will cost you upwards of $15-20,000 to replace it. You might want to get that number before you plunk down your cash.
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Just picked up a new '26 Honda Pilot Elite trim and had a hard time finding it available in the color and interior I wanted. Heard similar things about limited production, dealer allotments, etc. Took a few weeks and ultimately found one just under an hour away. But, had to pay full sticker plus cost for a hitch and crossbars I had the dealer add. I wanted to consider the Grand Highlander and the Lexus TX but the lack of availability was frustrating and I couldn't get comfortable with a turbo 4-cylinder in that size vehicle. Hybrid was a bit more enticing but the mileage didn't seem to cover the premium cost. After a week of driving I'm really pleased with the selection.
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calibuck
Too soon old, too late smart
A final thought. You might/will be able to strike a better deal if your choice is on the lot. If it is, and it sells, the carrying costs (interest expense, being able to get a new car for that spot) etc will let them collect the cash instead of paying interest on the invested money. But if they have to order it, from either factory or another dealership, then it'll be a straight cash in, cash out transaction. Ergo, not as much wiggle room to strike a deal. Hope this helps.
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Almost identical situation I was in 2 years ago.. bought the 2025 Pilot Black Edition... paid full sticker.. There was no bartering on any of the comparables from Toyota, Lexis, etc... Hell, couldn't even find vehicles to test drive including the Pilot. Was told at numerous dealerships, if we ordered they had no idea when it would come and not sure it'd be exactly what we ordered. They had to take whatever came. Just happened to be there when the smoke colored Black Edition came in.. Was told, it'll be gone by tomorrow. Gotta admit, great car.. every bell and whistle I ever knew of and then some.
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BuckBackHome
Wolverine is largest member of weasel family
Had to quickly replace a dead car for a kid. Ended up with a used Crosstrek. It was my first time behind the wheel of one and it handled much better than I anticipated. Not a bad little car.
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JohnnyCockfight
Beer is God's proof that he loves us.
Any long term reviews on the Honda Pilot @dozenmonkeyz and @NJ-Buckeye ? (Or anyone else). The family hauler Odyssey is getting a bit long in the tooth, and I need to decide between higher maintenance costs going forward versus getting something new.
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Crump's brother
Moxahala Park Carnie/ Rehoboth Strangler
My wife (Crump's Sister in law) has a late model Passport, which she got after her 2021 Pilot had electrical problems. Honda did right by her and bought it back...so far so good. It does have the same 3.5 engine that my 06 Odyssey has, just updated a bit.
I have a buddy who tows his bass boat with a Pilot, he loves it-going on 8 years now. For what they are they are pretty nice vehicles.
I have a buddy who tows his bass boat with a Pilot, he loves it-going on 8 years now. For what they are they are pretty nice vehicles.
I easily give my Honda Pilot Black Edition 5 stars.. and it has been driven a ton in last 2 years... Would buy it again in a heartbeat
My 2007 Pilot is sitting at 235,000
exhawg
Mirror Guy
It's the best way to get an EV. The batteries are warrantied for 8 years/100K miles. Modern batteries can go 2-300K without losing much range. If you find one with an LFP battery rather than an NMC battery, it will last even longer, but typically those are in the lower range models. There is so much less to go wrong in an EV than in an ICE car. Prices were supposed to go down the back half of this year due to a bunch of leases that were ending, but thanks to fuel prices, demand has been up, and prices ended up going up. I bought a Fisker Ocean in May and absolutely love it, but an EV from a bankrupt automaker has a ton of risk.