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I need help or at least wisdom from someone who knows the ways of dealers and Toyota. I'm eager to purchase an '08 Highlander with the Navigation package. I see that the HH base version is $33,700, and it would seem logical (to my silly self at least) that I should be able to buy this, add on the Navigation system for another kilobuck or two, and be on my way. Nooooooo....

The HH base version doesn't even EXIST, according to my dealer. In order to get it, I have to get an option package that brings the price to $38,820. But that doesn't give me the Nav. package. Perhaps the "Limited" will do?

The HH Limited, listed at $39,950, ALSO doesn't EXIST. I would have to buy it with an option package that brings the price to $43,275. At which point I STILL don't have the Nav. package. To get that, I have to buy yet more options, which bring the price to $48,224. At which point I will not only have my Nav. package, but also the rear seat DVD system, which to me is about as useful as one tube of epoxy, and the sunroof as well, which I would then have to pay someone to REMOVE.

I'm not totally unreasonable. I don't expect Toyota to custom order every tiny little feature and have (literally) a million or so variations of the HH. But surely it should not be necessary to buy almost $15,000 worth of unwanted features to get a major one like the Navigation package. Does anyone have any insight into this seemingly counterproductive strategy of "sales?" After going through all this with the dealer, I ended up vowing to wait until reason ruled. Will it ever?

Thank!
Richard

Amen, Richard

The packaging of options on the HiHy Limited is ridiculous! Hopefully, the next batch of cars to arrive will have a more sensible selection.

Navigations systems are very popular now, why no NAV option on the base model?

Like you, I think the rear seat entertainment and moonroof are useless options. I would also like to see the third row seats as an option on the Limited, rather than being standard.

I hope someone from Toyota is reading this.

Rickey can probably jump in here on this. My dealer says he can only get the full package. Maybe when there is no longer a "list."
(And of course no one purchasing the Highlander Hybrid is buying one for economies sake.)

This vehicle is the lowest optioned with the Navigation .

It looks that the lowest Price is $43.665.00


08 Highlander Hybrid Navi and required packages for now.

Vehicle Base Model ....................: $ 39950.00

Destination Charge ..........................: $ 685.00


Standard Items and features.

MECHANICAL & PERFORMANCE
Hybrid Synergy Drive System
3.3L V6 Eng w/VVT-i w/EV Mode, ECON Mode
Elec Contr Continuously Variable Trans
Electronic Power Steering System
4WD w/Intelligence /4-whl Ind Suspension
4Whl Pwr Ast Vent Fr/Solid Rr Disc Brake
Hill-Start Assist Control / Tow Prep Pkg
19" 10-Spoke Alloy Wheels/245/55R19Tires
SAFETY
Star Safety System w/VDIM Includes:
Veh Stability Ctrl w/TRAC
Anti-Lock Brakes w/Brake Assist & EBD
Dr & Fr Pass Advanced Front Airbags,
Driver Knee Airbag, Dr & Fr Pass Seat
Mounted Side Airbags,3 Row Roll-Sensing
Side Curtain Airbags / Daytime Run Light
Dr & Fr Pass Active Headrests
Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System
EXTERIOR
Color-Keyed Bumpers/Foldable Pwr Htd
Mirr/Sp Sty Rear Spoiler/Chrome Dr Hdles
Slvr Painted Grille/Rr License Garnish
Roof Rails / Rr Step Bumper Lower Cvrs
Fog Lamps / Blue Tint Hdl/Tail Lens
Fr Variable & Rr Intermittent Wipers
In-Glass Antenna / Rr Privacy Glass
Multi-Reflector Auto-on/off Headlamps
COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE
Front Air Conditioner w/Clean Air Filter
Rr Back-up Camera w/Multi Func Display
AM/FM/6-Disc In-Dash CD Chgr, Mini Plug
Pwr Windows,Dr Locks,Rr Door/Cruise Ctl
Smart Entry System / Conversation Mirror
Tilt/Tlscopic Lthr Strg Whl, Audio Ctrls
Lthr Pwr Htd 10way Frt Dr/4way Pass,
40/20/40 Splt 2nd Row Seat,w/Fold-Flat,
Recline, Fore & Aft Slide Adj & Rt-Hand
Walk-in Function + Center Stow Seat &
Center Stow Console, Lthr 3rd Row Seat
w/fold headrests / Fold Flat Into Floor
1Touch Fold Flat 2nd Row Lvr/Tonneau Cvr
Wood-Grained-Styled Int Trim/Eng Immobiliser.

Navigation System with ..................... $2655.00
Voice-Activation and JBL AM/FM 4-Disc ......
In Dash CD Changer with Hands-Free .........
Phone Capability via Bluetooth Wireless ....
Technology, Satellite Ready Capability, ....
(Requires: Subscription to XM or Sirius, ...
Antenna and Receiver) MP3/WMA Playback .....
Capability and 9 Speakers (including .......
sub woofer) in 7 locations .................

Front Auto Dual Zone Climate Control .......$375.00
System (Includes Steering Wheel AC .........
Controls) ..................................

Thanks, Rickey. That's certainly an improvement over what I came up with. I'm not even unhappy with the $2655 price for the Navigation package, but I sure wish it were available with the base model. This must be new, since when I posted the message I couldn't "build" a model like this. It's still $10K more than the base vehicle, not that that isn't a big improvement over $15K!

Richard

[quote="Thanks, Rickey. That's certainly an improvement over what I came up with. I'm not even unhappy with the $2655 price for the Navigation package, but I sure wish it were available with the base model. This must be new, since when I posted the message I couldn't "build" a model like this. It's still $10K more than the base vehicle, not that that isn't a big improvement over $15K!

Richard[/quote]

RichardF,

How about getting the HH Non-Limited version and add an aftermarket GPS/Navi unit that slides right in where the stock radio is for around $2500 ? that way you will be saving more...NOT much although!

Vehicle Base Model ....................: $ 33700.00
Destination Charge ..........................: $ 685.00
Aftermarket Navi.................................$2500.00

You can build one for ......................$41.320.00

MECHANICAL & PERFORMANCE
Hybrid Synergy Drive System
3.3L V6 Eng w/VVT-i w/EV Mode, ECON Mode
Elec Contr Continuously Variable Trans
Electronic Power Steering System
4WD w/Intelligence /4-whl Ind Suspension
4Whl Pwr Ast Vent Fr/Solid Rr Disc Brake
Hill-Start Assist Control / Tow Prep Pkg
17" 6-Spoke Alloy Wheels/245/65R17 Tires
SAFETY
Star Safety System w/VDIM Includes:
Veh Stability Ctrl w/TRAC
Anti-Lock Brakes w/Brake Assist & EBD
Dr & Fr Pass Advanced Front Airbags,
Driver Knee Airbag, Dr & Fr Pass Seat
Mounted Side Airbags,3 Row Roll-Sensing
Side Curtain Airbags
Dr & Fr Pass Active Headrests
Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System
3-Pt Seat Belts - All Seating Positions
2nd Row CRS Lower/Top Tether Anchors
EXTERIOR
Color-Keyed Bumpers/Foldable Pwr Htd
Mirr/Small Rear Spoiler/Chrome Dr Hdles
Slvr Painted Grille/Rr License Garnish
Rr Step Bumper Lower Cvrs
Blk Fog Lamp Cv/Blue Tint Hdl/Tail Lens
Fr Variable & Rr Intermittent Wipers
In-Glass Antenna / Rr Privacy Glass
Multi-Reflector Auto-off Headlamps
COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE
Front Air Conditioner w/Clean Air Filter
Rr Back-up Camera w/Multi Func Display
AM/FM/CD w/6 Spks, Mini Plug
Power Windows & Door Locks/Cruise Ctrl
Smart Entry System / Conversation Mirror
Tilt/Tlscopic Strg Whl, Audio/MID Ctrls
Cloth Int, 8-way Frt Dr/4-way Pass,2way
Adj Headrst, 40/20/40 Splt 2nd Row Seat
w/Fold-Flat, Slide, Recline, Fore & Aft
Adj+Center Stow Seat&Center Stow Console
Wood-Grained-Styled Int Trim/Eng Immob

Popular Package Plus Includes: Popular ..... $3850.00
Package: Fabric Trimmed 3rd Row Seat, 19" ..
10-Spoke Alloy Wheels, Color Keyed Sport ...
Styled Rear Spoiler w/LED Stop Lamp, .......
Puddle Lamps, Leather Steering Wheel and ...
Shift Knob, 2nd Row 2 Personal Reading .....
Lamps, Driver and Front Passenger Sun ......
Visors w/ Lamps, 8-way Power Driver Seat, ..
Silver Painted Roof Rails, and Cargo Area ..
2nd Row One-Touch Fold Down Flat Levers, ...
Tonneau Cover, Power Rear Door, AM/FM ......
6-Disc in-dash CD Changer w/6 Speakers .....
and MP3 / WMA Playback Capability, and .....
Satellite Ready Capability, Rear Glass .....
Hatch, and Homelink ........................
Manual Rear Air Conditioning System ........$ 585.00
w/ Rear Vents for 2nd & 3Rd Row ............

I thought I'd post a follow-up on my final decision. I would have been prepared to wait as long as necessary until Toyota came to its senses, but I had just gotten rid of my only 4WD vehicle and it's getting nasty early here in NJ. I decided to consider the Ford Escape Hybrid and started to look around for one to try out. It seems that these are almost impossible to find in stock and I went a couple of weeks w/o being able to see one at any of the 9 dealers in my local area. Finally, one popped up at the most convenient dealer of all, and it was even blue and optioned almost exactly the way I wanted it. The only exception is the accursed moon roof, unaccountably packaged with satellite radio (Sirius, 6 months trial free). But this was an extra kilobuck only, and I could hardly ask them to remove it.

I decided to take it, sticker price $33,095 + $665 destination charge, off of which they offered only a token discount. I've only driven it about 100 miles so far and have no major pros or cons to offer yet. One thing I did notice in reading the manual: The hybrid battery can be "jumped" internally, that is, it can be recharged from the low voltage battery just by pushing a button. Certainly an improvement over the Prius rigamarole!

If I have any further comments on the Ford Escape Hybrid I'll post them to the correct forum subsection.

Richard

I'm not a frequent reader and less frequent poster here but I thought I'd check this site out today.
I Can't believe what I'm reading here!!

I only have one thing to comment on.

First: You guy's never heard of a company called Garmin? How about Tom Tom? There are many others!

These people make GPS navigation devices for just about every mode of transportation. Cars, Motorcycles, Boats, Hiking??
The list goes on. These GPS's sell for anywhere from $200 up to $ 1000 and will do much more than the average "built-in" auto manufacturer GPS will do.

You can get mp3 music, voice directions, and voice actuated , blue tooth, much more.
Quite a lot of them will allow you to create route's on your computer and transfer the route to the GPS.

I can only ask one question. Why would anyone even consider spending $2000 much less $14,000 for a manufactures navigation device?

GOD! There must be a lot of wealthy people in this country.

I have a Garmin Nuvi750 that cost $300 at a local Sam’s Club. It will take addresses and tell me how to get there.
It plays mp3 music and will even tell me the speed limits on most roads I happen to be on. I can create routes on my computer and transfer them to the GPS so I can travel just the roads I want to be on, not what the GPS programming tell me to drive on. I can search for and get directions to restaurants, gas stations, places of interest, the list goes on.

Not only have I heard of Garmin, but I met Gary Burrell, the Gar of Garmin, before he started that company. Credentials thus established:

I appreciate portable GPS units. I appreciate removable navigation systems. In fact, I'm a gadget nut and have so many science toys that I have no time to play with them all. BUT, I also appreciate the convenience of having an integrated GPS. More to the point, the other driver of the candidate vehicle, a human female with little experience and less interest in learning about accessories, specifically wanted the integrated navigation system.

To answer your question: I'm too cheap to spend $14K (as you can see) but not so cheap that I want to deal with accusatory looks or even a modicum of potential unhappiness.

OK?

Richard