Early Sequoia options to hunt down

[fjdemon]

I hate when people misrepresent vehicles and waste time. I was helping my mother look for a vehicle after hers was totaled; I was very up front with people and highlighted what was absolutely a deal breaker (smoked in car, smells, rust, etc). Some of the cars we drove an hour to look at were almost impossible to tell they were the same car from the photos....totally trashed. One guy I even asked why he wasted my time lying about it. I don’t mind if a car has issues I just need to make sure it’s worth the time/ effort. Okay off my rant! Good luck with the search

 

[toyotaspeed90]

I hate when people misrepresent vehicles and waste time. I was helping my mother look for a vehicle after hers was totaled; I was very up front with people and highlighted what was absolutely a deal breaker (smoked in car, smells, rust, etc). Some of the cars we drove an hour to look at were almost impossible to tell they were the same car from the photos....totally trashed. One guy I even asked why he wasted my time lying about it. I don’t mind if a car has issues I just need to make sure it’s worth the time/ effort. Okay off my rant! Good luck with the search

Yup.... around here the asking price is $6k-8k for good clean vehicles.

The guy asked what it would take for me to take it home. I told him we were too far apart on price. He asked "what do you think?" and I responded "I think I don't want a project vehicle".

I feel bad that someone is going to get HAD on that vehicle....


still not understanding that orange 4wd light...

 

[Rusto]

another option to look for is that ALL limited edition Sequioa's have the tow package, and on SR5s it's an option.

 

[toyotaspeed90]

Shook on a deal last night (bank wasn't open) that I assume will go through today.


The Sequoia used market is kind of annoying. Actually it's really annoying. There's a somewhat finite market of them - far less of them than say a Tahoe/Suburban or Expedition. The dealers then think they can, and should, charge significantly over blue book. Multiple dealers told me the same thing - "blue book is just a guide, it's not accurate, and the actual market dictates what the prices are". While I understand what they're saying, blue book on the vehicles I was looking at was $7k-10k, and most were asking $13k+ and NOT willing to lower pricing. The lowest mileage vehicle I inquired about was 145k, only one could verify the timing belt had been done and none of them seemed to think proving maintenance (in correlation to their asking price) was important.

I literally had one dealer tell me "$10k is a pile of money, it's a lot - but sometimes you just can't get as much car as you want." I promptly hung up on that prick.

So.... 191k miles, about $4k in recent work (radiator, t-belt, tires). And it's a 2001 LX470. After gov't fees I'll still be well within our budget.

 

[Rusto]

Welcome to the Toyota tax. We paid $14k for a 2007 Sequoia Limited. 106,000 miles and service records, including timing belt change, drive the price up by a few grand. Add in that it was rust free and comparable in price to many others in far worse

Regarding KBB value, I've never put much stock in that. It rarely matches what I buy and sell cars for that are more than 10 years old.

 

[toyotaspeed90]

Welcome to the Toyota tax. We paid $14k for a 2007 Sequoia Limited. 106,000 miles and service records, including timing belt change, drive the price up by a few grand. Add in that it was rust free and comparable in price to many others in far worse

Regarding KBB value, I've never put much stock in that. It rarely matches what I buy and sell cars for that are more than 10 years old.

My old rare (5 speed manual, thundercloud color, factory LSD, 2004 IS300 sport design) was listed at $18k and bought it $200 over blue book from a dealer. Purchased new 2010 Corolla S 5 speed and 2017 Prius V's at reasonable value/prices. I've had close to 30 different vehicles, most Toyotas. The Toyota dealership near me had one we should have made an offer on - was in blue book price range. Toyota of Renton has one that is listed just a bit above blue book and will probably sell within or very close to blue book - not 30-40% more.

Private sellers around here are dead on, pricewise, with bluebook for Sequoias. The problem is the false market the shady dealers who pick them up at auction - are paying too much at auction. Then create a false market by increasing prices. Add to the fact that most of the shady small dealers have no problem selling junk.

The LX470 was purchased from someone who used to have a small dealership and before that worked for the local Toyota dealership. While the LX470 might be a bit smaller and doesn't have the 1 feature I was looking forward to (roll down rear window) - it's going to be a better overall built vehicle, drove nicer, quieter, and for all practical purposes should have been more expensive.


I'm not bitching about Sequoia's by any means, just frustrated with the market here.