Highlander same as LandCruiser - Dealer said so!

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A

Archtaan

10 Year
Joined
Aug 21, 2012
Threads
5
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333
Location
Idaho
So I was at the local Toyota dealership picking up an oil filter for the 200 and one of the sales guys comes over asking if I wanted to trade in my Cruiser.
I chuckled and said I really want to put my hands on a new 2016 Land Cruiser and might be willing to trade for one.
He scowled and told me that they dont have any Land Cruisers but they do have Highlanders and they are the exact same thing except for the V8. I played along and asked if they were capable offroad and if they could tow my 8000# trailer. "Of course, all the benefits of the Land Cruiser with the V6 fuel economy and luxury of the Highlander - it even has bluetooth!"

There is definitely a model knowledge deficiency for Land Cruisers in the US for sure.

Well, time for another 5 minute oil change :)
 
Just curious, but was this dealership in the SW of Idaho, or somewhere else?
 
Most car dealers have 100% turnover rate of salesmen. Knowledge of the cars they sell isn't their strong point. He was doing what he was taught -- sell what is on the lot.
 
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wow.....just wow
 
How do you like new fuel efficient highlander? LOL.
 
I find most salesman, including ones at Merc and BMW to lack knowledge in the product they are selling. The best salesman I have come across are those that have worked as mechanics for the dealership and come loaded with info.
 
Angelo1 said:
I find most salesman, including ones at Merc and BMW to lack knowledge in the product they are selling. The best salesman I have come across are those that have worked as mechanics for the dealership and come loaded with info.
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A friend of ours recently retired after decades selling Mercedes. We bought two C-class sedans from him. He was very knowledgable about the cars and not your typical pushy salesman type. He did a consultative sale. Most of his sales were from repeat customers. But he's the exception.
Particularly at a dealership for non-premium brands, I find that their salesmen typically have little experience and less competence.
 
Moron


Sent from my extremely unreliable mobile device using IH8MUD Forum
 
I've always been amazed at car sales people's lack of knowledge too. I'm no car buff...but if I'm interested in a vehicle...I find out about it before I go see it. I read, research a bit...learn about specs, etc. It just amazes me that people whose SOLE source of income is to convince people their product is a good buy...so often don't seem to do ANY of this on their own. I don't care what you're selling. If it's Boots...or cars... FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU AR
Tripledave said:
Moron


Sent from my extremely unreliable mobile device using IH8MUD Forum
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Agreed. I try to avoid salesmen at dealerships, and try to talk to the sales manager personally.

At my local dealer, there's a service manager I TRULY trust, and he has pointed me in that same direction.
 
When I bought my Landcruiser this fall, the salesmen that I dealt with were pretty good. It was their sales managers who were doing the "what will it take to get to buy a car today" schtick...


Sent from my iPad
 
M1911 said:
When I bought my Landcruiser this fall, the salesmen that I dealt with were pretty good. It was their sales managers who were doing the "what will it take to get to buy a car today" schtick...


Sent from my iPad
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Ya... In my case...the Toyota place just happens to have a fantastic guy in charge of internet sales. If you ever need a Toyota in the San Diego area, I'll look up his name. Also... If you want an truly HONEST service contact, let me know and I'll send contact info. He would TELL ME when I could get things done for much less elsewhere and... Name of Service guy is "Simo" and he works at Toyota of El Cajon (just east of San Diego city limit).
 
M1911 said:
A friend of ours recently retired after decades selling Mercedes. We bought two C-class sedans from him. He was very knowledgable about the cars and not your typical pushy salesman type. He did a consultative sale. Most of his sales were from repeat customers. But he's the exception.
Particularly at a dealership for non-premium brands, I find that their salesmen typically have little experience and less competence.
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You're lucky, because I have bought many high-end cars and SUVs over the past 10yrs. and I have schooled almost every single one of them with the expection of the(mechanic turned salesman)at my local Merc drealership as I do my "OCD" research on every vehicle I purchase and I just simply have a passion for cars/SUVs. Granted I do race AMG's, so knowing what I'm driving is critical.
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Angelo1 said:
You're lucky, because I have bought many high-end cars and SUVs over the past 10yrs. and I have schooled almost every single one of them with the expection of the(mechanic turned salesman)at my local Merc drealership as I do my "OCD" research on every vehicle I purchase and I just simply have a passion for cars/SUVs. Granted I do race AMG's, so knowing what I'm driving is critical.View attachment 1180146View attachment 1180147
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When I die, can I be reincarnated as you? ;)

Sounds like a blast...
 
Archtaan said:
LOL, it wasnt Peterson/Tom Scott in Nampa/Boise. I am actually in the Nashville area for work for 1 year.
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This dealership wouldn't happen to be just south of Nashville, would it? There's a large dealership here south of town that I avoid at all costs and this sounds exactly like something they'd say.
 
Imagine that...I'm amazed at how some businesses are able to keep the lights on. I guess there are a lot of people in this world who don't mind being treated like garbage while also forking over cash for a car.
 
Highlanders are better off road actually because of the hybrid :D

Nearly every time I've been around a sales guy and we start talking about the LC, it turns into them furiously asking questions about why they're special and sought after. I can't count how many times I've educated sales guys that the 100 series has a timing belt instead of a chain!
 
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