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Many prefer the Sport with the different suspension and steering , but coming from an Avalon I felt more at home with the Limited. If you don't care about Leather seats in the Sport, you can save some money there, and get most everything else the Limited has as well.
They are both great SUV's, and I hope you decide to get one. I cannot tell you the number of people that have stopped me and told me how beautiful and sharp this SUV is. I bought the Blizzard Pearl with gray interior, and I love it. I never want to leave this car!!
The MDX is also a great SUV, I drove one several years ago, but I think it is still more pricey, and I have always owned Toyotas. My dealership has always taken great care of me...and I use one mechanic for oil changes and check ups which is all I've ever needed.
Best of luck. You would love the Highlander. Hope you get one!!!
Ronn
Is that a sign they are not selling well? I have yet to see one on the road here.
2008 Highlander Features (PDF)
From memory, I think the main features that are exclusive to the Limited are:
Puddle lamps on the mirrors
Smart Key
Door scuff plates (metal)
Satin wood-grain trim
Chrome door handles
Auto-dimming rear view mirror
Power front passenger seat
There are also minor exterior trim differences between the Sport and Limited (e.g. Sport has smoked headlights and dark accents on the wheels).
I noticed you were also considering the '09 Murano. That's what I'm debating right now -- Highlander or Murano.
I took my Murano test drive today and I was very impressed with the interior. The materials are noticeably better than the Highlander.
Where the Highlander has that mouse-fuzz headliner, the Murano uses a nice woven cloth (that extends down the pillars as well, like an Infiniti or Lexus). The Highlander has a nicely textured dashboard, but it's hard to the touch. The Murano's dashboard and upper door trim are all padded.
It's a really tough decision for me -- the Highlander is the "safer" choice, as I've used the same dealer (and salesperson) for my last two vehicles and I'm pretty confident in Toyota's reliability and resale value. I guess it's good to have options.
It will do short distances if you don't stop much, but you have to remember there is no protection on the undercarriage. I have broken the flexible part of the exhaust twice while off roading, it cost around 100 to fix. Many parts of the engine are not well protected on crossovers in general so you can easily mess up your AC or other valuable components.
If you do use it offroad in the sand, just be careful, bring tow straps and a shovel. Its not going to go as far as the Seqoia. I have high centered my rx once in a few dozen trips off road.
Hope this helps
Appreciate your tips.
Dan
This thing is driving me nuts!!! :sick:
Thanks so much!
I am VERY upset by this.
Meanwhile if you can park inside each night and lower the windows overnight each and EVERY night that will aid tremendously in keeping the A/C evaporator and plenum area dry and free of mould and mildew.
Google:
wwest demist denso
I would never dream of taking any crossover for aggressive off roading, but I think some light off roading is not generally harmful. I've seen front drive sedans out at the beach a few times.
Of course, that is excellent and sound advice. I will note, however, that the OP gave no indication that he would not be using the seatbelt.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
I classify off-road as more like the boulder climbing sports type charactors out there.
Not just wintertime conditions but year 'round there are lots of on-road, non-paved road, situations/circumstances where one needs only an adequate AWD system.
Personally, I ALWAYS wear my seatbelt, except:
1. When I am mucking with the trailer in the driveway, boat launch, quarry or dump (ever try to three point turn a trailer in a width less than the car+trailer with something ringing in your head?)
2. The _long_ ride up the driveway from the mailbox
All of my previous Toyota's didn't have this annoying "GM" beep, Please help me stop it !
Thanks.
link title
When the conversation mirror is deployed, it partially covers the rear view mirror. The view out the rear is cut off by 75%.
I have been wanting to check how bad the rear seat DVD screen interferes with the view out the back when looking in the rear view mirror?
Has anyone got first hand experience with both these issues?
Thanks
It is no big deal to me though, as I will rarely use it. For those who will want to use it, be careful as it does block the rear view mirror, and could become a hazard.
When I was having my XM installed, the dealership said they took it for a drive but couldn't hear what I heard. They said they adjusted the seal anyway, yet I heard it on the way home. I don't drive over 50 very often (mostly in-town stuff) but when I do it's very annoying!
Other than that ... and the fact they scrapped my gear shift all to pieces installing my XM ... I'm LOVING my Highlander! I've already got a couple of people here at work wanting one too!
Just an FYI for those who either have an XM ready Highlander or those who are thinking about purchasing a new one. If you don't already have one, make sure the XM is factory installed ... if that is even an option!!
the technicians have to completely take the dash and driver's seat out of the vehicle to get behind the radio. There's not a simple panel to remove for them to get to the components they need. So yes, it comes XM ready, but Toyota obviously didn't think it through all the way. Why did they have to make it so difficult to get to the back of the radio?
I have an 08 basic 4x4 with 5,000 miles on it. I really enjoy this car after driving an 01 4x2 4 cylinder for 7 years. There is no comparison between the two cars. However, I do have a problem that is concerning me. Each morning or afternoon when I start and drive off after a short warm-up period the engine sound like it's a diesel. I get a clacking sound until the engine is really warmed up. The service department writes it off to redesigned cylinders that are oval shaped and take a short time to adjust. They say don't worry about it because no damage is being done. I was wondering if others are experiencing this symptom and any answers they may have received. By the way for those checking gas mileage I have averaged over 21 mpg in mixed driving since I bought the car the end of Sept. This is almost the same as the 4 banger!
I have not ask about it, because I had read that they will do this until the engine warms -up, and it was normal. If any one that reads our post has found out something different, I hope they will respond, if it shouldn't do this.
I have had my Highlander going on four weeks, and I love it !!! Glad you are enjoying yours,
Ronn
You can most definitely hear the SFI noise in my 2001 RX300 so my guess would be that DFI noise would be a LOT greater.
Also, the use of DFI allows the ignition timing to be adjusted throughout a wider range.
Are you aware that experiments are currently ongoing to build a "diesel" (no spark plugs) gasoline engine?
Whistle noise above 45mph..but coming from passenger side windshield. I had them reseal it once already but it still has the issue. I may have them just replace the windshield or look into something from the exterior causing it. I had an '05 Odyssey that made a whistle that was attributed the the cowling right below the windshield. They replaced that and all was better. So we will see what happens this time around.
I plan on having them look into this as it now makes a lot of vibration in idle that never was there before. So maybe there is an issue..I am sure they will find nothing as usual.
Have any other 2008 HL owners experienced this problem and if so what is the problem and how was it solved? The sound is very annoying. Information to solve this problem would be appreciated.
ET.
I have seen concept cars without any side view or rear view mirrors. A system of cameras displayed the view behind the car on a small screen in the instrument cluster.
If something like this were available, then the issue of the rear seat entertainment screen blocking the view of the rear view mirror would be solved