Toyota Highlander

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Comments

  • mazzonimazzoni Member Posts: 4
    I've started shopping in earnest for an Highlander but am stumped by the increase in price between the 4 cyl and the V6, which seems to come with more options. I'm worried that the 4 might be underpowered. I live in the flatlands, but travel to hill country once a year. Anyone have experience with both powertrains?
  • rugby65rugby65 Member Posts: 81
    I don't have experience with the HL 4cyl. I do have experience with other 4cyl's and one thing for sure is that when you enter a ramp on an Interstate Highway and you look in the rear view mirror and see an 18 Wheeler bearing down on you, you will sure feel good to hear that HL V6 roar and come to life.
    To me the difference in a 4cyl and the v6 is like going to do a job and you take a wheel Barrow and wished you had brought a pick up.
    I have not met one man yet that bought a Hl V6 and say's he wished he'd bought the 4cyl.
  • junepugjunepug Member Posts: 161
    Hear!! Hear!! I second that.
  • ch1133ch1133 Member Posts: 43
    Dont look at SUV like Highlander with small 4 or 6 cyl. engines

    Get a big V-8 block, if over 6000 lbs truck you can get a fat tax deduction comliments Bush and co.

    Go BIG, the heavier SUV the better.

    http://www.detnews.com/2003/autosinsider/0301/20/a01-64218.htm

    http://www.bcentral.com/articles/anthony/148.asp

    http://www.selfemployedweb.com/suv-tax-deduction.htm
  • larryt22larryt22 Member Posts: 125
    I just bought a 4 cyl 2 weeks ago. I have not had it long enough to provide an honest appraisal, but.....I went in to buy a V6. I didn't even want to look at 4 cyl. No way was I going to buy a Highlander with a 4 cyl!!! The salesman convinced me to test drive a 4 cyl and make up my own mind. I was amazed at how peppy the 4 cyl was. Toyota knows how to get the most power to the ground of any manufacturer. If you aren't going to be doing towing, hauling a lot or constantly driving in the mountains, my guess is you would be satisified with the 4, but by all means drive one before buying to make sure it seems satisfactory to you. I am happy but it has only been 2 weeks.
  • herzogtum71herzogtum71 Member Posts: 470
    I agree completely with larryt22. I have had our 4-cylinder FWD Highlander for almost a month and am impressed with how much pep it has when you pull onto a major thoroughfare where the speed limit is 45 mph from a side street or parking lot. It also gets up to speed quickly when merging onto the interstate. I haven't had it in the mountains yet, but based on how well it accelerates and holds speed on steep hills nearby I would expect it to be more than adequate. The 4-cylinder engine has been around for a long time, and Toyota seems to have tweaked it well. You can even tow stuff with the 4-cylinder, so unless you are towing stuff in the mountains you should be fine with the 4.
  • landdriverlanddriver Member Posts: 607
    I agree completely with herzogtum71. I test drove the 4 cyl -- I liked its efficient feel and it had enough power for my somewhat modest needs. Only reason I went with the V6 is the 4 cyl wasn't available on Limited models. I've driven cars before with under-powered 4 cyls, but the Highlander isn't one of them.

    (If you see an 18-wheeler barreling down on you, turn on the cruise control, take your foot off the gas, quit looking in the rear-view mirror, and assume a relaxed-looking demeanor. This works whether you're driving a 4 cyl or V6.)
  • illinitoddillinitodd Member Posts: 1
    Purchased a 2004 Limited AWD. Had a 2 inch hitch installed. After braking it in I pulled my 2,500 lb bass boat 100 miles(one way) to a lake. I was very Happy the way it pulled my boat. This vehicle replaces a 1999 Bravada. Acceleration and Braking were very good. I averaged 16 MPG on the trip. I did turn the Overdrive off when I did get into a hilly area. But I did not notice any extra downshifting while on flat roads while pulling in overdrive. I am very happy with this
    SUV so far.
  • rugby65rugby65 Member Posts: 81
    (If you see an 18-wheeler barreling down on you, turn on the cruise control, take your foot off the gas, quit looking in the rear-view mirror, and assume a relaxed-looking demeanor. This works whether you're driving a 4 cyl or V6.)

    When I mentioned needing extra power when an 18 wheeler is bearing down on you, I was referring to entering the Inter state Hi way and being able to blend in with the traffic.

    Your suggestion about turning on the cruise control and not looking back should never be ok with any driver.
    I have avoided many accidents by having a little extra power and looking in my rear view mirror.

    I'm not knocking the 4cyl, To each his own.
  • piuspius Member Posts: 4
    My 2001 HL V6 limited passenger side window got smashed by a stone someone throwed and the alarm did not sound off. Afterwards, I checked and reached inside and unlock the door. Then open door from
    outside. Again no alarm. Then why do I need this stupid OEM theft deterrent security system??????

    Any suggestion on improvement?

    Pius
  • thoonthoon Member Posts: 74
    You probably don't have the glass breakage sensor.
  • piuspius Member Posts: 4
    Mine is an OEM security alarm system. Is the glass
    breakage sensor an additional add-on parts?
  • thoonthoon Member Posts: 74
    It's an additional option for the OEM alarm. Check out http://www.toyota.com/highlander/accessories.html
  • piuspius Member Posts: 4
    Would there be any after market alarm system to add on the OEM alarm that can achieve same/better
    features?

    Pius
  • ohmygoshohmygosh Member Posts: 66
    I purchased the '04 6cyl 4WD and am very satisfied so far. I wanted to add on the chrome side step-up tubes. Did anyone have this done ? What is the cost installed, and any contact would be helpful. East coast Philly area. I would also like to get the rear spoiler if anyone has info on this.
  • lmacmillmacmil Member Posts: 1,758
    Just got back from a 1500 mile trip to the Great Smoky Mountains. Averaged 22.2 mpg on mostly freeway driving at 65-75 mph. I was very pleased with that. The mileage display was optimistic by .8-1.7 mpg on each tank.

    Overall a very relaxing ride although there's more wind noise than I would like. Don't notice it with the stereo on.
  • thoonthoon Member Posts: 74
    Is it worth getting the 15,000 mile service for $250? Or should I just get the 7,500 service or just a regular oil change and tire rotation?
  • grapevinetxgrapevinetx Member Posts: 89
    Thoon, in order to give you advice, we probably need to define some terms. The dealers 15,000 mile service is likely different from what is specified in the manual for the 15,000 mile service. So, what's included in the 15,000 mile and 7,500 mile service that you mention? Also need to know how you drive the vehicle. Any conditions that would put you into the severe service schedule?
  • thoonthoon Member Posts: 74
       I can't type in everything that's in included in the 7,500 and 15,000 service. They're both the same except the 15,000 service adds wheels bearing inspection, injection cleaner, checks CV joints, clutch operation and checks for hydraulic leaks, inspects A/C system, adjusts idle speed and A/C idle speed, replace air filter, and some other checks.
      Most of my miles are highway miles so I'm not in the severe schedule. My car idle's pretty roughly so I thought about getting the 15,000 service. But for $150 more? Is it worth it?
  • grapevinetxgrapevinetx Member Posts: 89
    Thoon, I should have thought to ask before, but what mileage is actually on your Highlander now? You indicate that it is idling roughly. How long ago did this start? Any problems besides a rough idle?
  • thoonthoon Member Posts: 74
    13,800. Didn't really have any problems. I noticed my car idles a little rough a couple months ago. My handle and sometimes the seat vibrates a little at stop lights or when I first start up. The RPM at start up is at around 1,200 then goes down to 1000 when I put it in gear then 500 after it warms up. My transmission also makes a "weer weer" or sometimes kind of a rattling sound when I press on the gas lightly then goes away as I go faster.
  • grapevinetxgrapevinetx Member Posts: 89
    Thoon, I would just have them do the 7,500 mile service plus check the CV joints and check for hydraulic leaks. The rest of the stuff proposed for the 15,000 mile service isn't needed at your mileage according to Toyota. Dealers often recommend more than the required maintenance, which, of course, runs up the bill.

    If you're concerned that the idle isn't right, then request that they investigate that as a separate item. If there is an idle problem, any work needed to correct it should be covered under warranty at your mileage.
  • flowerpowerflowerpower Member Posts: 14
    hi, has anyone heard when toyota will be offering satalite radio in more of their vehicles as an option,they have it in the solara, i think its strange its so limited. thanks for any feedback
  • bravedavebravedave Member Posts: 100
    Given the current HL is based off the previous Camry platform, and the redesigned Lexus RX330 is based off the current Camry, any idea as to when the Highlander is due for a redesign?? I'd hate to get a vehicle and it look old within a short span of time....Thanks.
  • b767b767 Member Posts: 6
    The current Camry platform was first used in the Highlander then the Camry, followed by the 330.
    The Highlander had it first.
  • thoonthoon Member Posts: 74
    b767 is correct. The highlander had the current camry plaform before the RX 330 and the current camry. Check the wheel base for the RX 300 and RX 330 and compare them to the highlander. The 330's is the same as the highlander.
  • petlpetl Member Posts: 610
    The Highlander is due for a major redesign in 2006 (model year). Usually released in the fall of the previous year (2005). That's what I'm waiting for.
  • mpsrentmpsrent Member Posts: 4
    I'm interested in hearing opinions from owners who have towed trailers. How mcuh can you realisiticlly tow? Problems? Things I should know? Thanks in advance.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    You might want to check out the Towing tips for SUVs discussion while you're waiting for a reply here.

    tidester, host
  • mpsrentmpsrent Member Posts: 4
    Thanks for the prompt reply. I'll check it out. In the menatime, I welcome other comments.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    You can also search for "tow" using the Search This Discussion box. You'll get a lot of messages from people talking about the towing option pack on their Highlander instead of actual experiences, but it's a way to while away some time while waiting for others to pop in with comments :-)

    Steve, Host
  • tkoimmtkoimm Member Posts: 12
    I see that Consumer Reports gives the Highlander a poor rating for being "twitchy" in emergency situations, or words to that effect. I'm assuming this means that CR is saying that the Highlander is not all that stable on sharp turns. What is the reaction of Highlander owners to this criticism?
  • grapevinetxgrapevinetx Member Posts: 89
    My reaction is that it's the low grip OEM tires, not the truck itself. Better tires make a big difference. Actually, I never found it all that "twitchy" even with the original tires. Mine's AWD and that may be a factor.
  • sdanderssdanders Member Posts: 37
    to Knoxville TN, which was far beyond the 3500 lb. rating. The boat is 24' and weighs 4250 lb itself, and the trailer is all aluminum dual axle and must weigh a few hundred too. I averaged about 14 mpg, but drove it in 3rd a good part of the way....should have left it in overdrive. Had no problems except manueverability of a long vehicle in the rain at night!! I drove at around 60mph the whole way. Car only weighs 3800 lb.! I also tow my personal watercraft that only weighs about 1000 lb. YOu can't even tell its behind you...I get 24 mpg at 75 mph with that behind it. The vehicle's handling with good tires is fine...BTW, mine is a 2002 V6 2WD
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    Thinking about it I would suspect that the torque converter (torque multiplier) represents the greatest problem with regards towing weight. The harder the engine has to pull the more multiplication the converter must provide. High towing load would therefore cause the transmission oil to overheat due to torque converter loading.

    It just might be best to leave the vehicle in OD, torque converter lockup, as much as possible.

    But then would lockup still occur in OD with high torque loading??

    Anyone know??
  • bdymentbdyment Member Posts: 573
    Which issue of Consumer Reports are you referring to? I have a 2004 V6 AWD Limited and it is very stable. i also subscribe to Consumer Reports and I do not recall this concern. It seems to me they have not tested the Highlander for some time now.
  • desertguydesertguy Member Posts: 730
    The April auto issue of Consumer reports states the following about the HL........"Handling is responsive and secure." No mention of twitchy in thier comments. Elswhere, they do mention "so so tire grip."
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    I had a friend we had a Toyota 4WD for "mudding". he had oversize tires and typcially had them underinflated. That truck was "twitchy" because sometime the body wanted to go somewhere (inertia, momentum, etc,) that the high traction, stickiness, of the tires wouldn't allow.

    Worse I ever say was when he was towing another vehicle and got sideways to the tow.

    Anyway, in his case "twitchiness" was caused by high traction at the tread, not slipperyness.
  • tkoimmtkoimm Member Posts: 12
    Apparently, it depends on which CR you look at. The CR edition "New Car Preview 2004" says, "Handling is responsive ordinarily, but got twitchy at the limits in our 2001 test, even with the available stability-control system." The same issue gave the HL a half-black circle for "emergency handling." Curiously, the CR edition "2004 Best & Worst Cars" states that the HL's "handling is responsive and secure." To make matters more puzzling, there is a new CR car issue on the racks that reverts to the description of the HL as being "twitchy."
  • sdanderssdanders Member Posts: 37
    the torque converter lockup would then be only a 1:1 ratio with the engine and the rpm range for the engine was too low to provide good torque. In third gear the torque converter is able to multiply torque, but engine gearing is a little too low and the engine runs a little too fast for the speed traveled, and there goes the fuel economy. As far as being good to the car, it was better to run in 3rd rather than overdrive and lugging the engine. Numerous checks to tranny and oil and coolant indicated no temp problems, although I did change tranny fluid recently at 40K miles...it looked and smelled fine. It uses the "permanent" T1-IV fluid in the tranny. I have nearly 43K on the vehicle in less than 19 months of use.
  • desertguydesertguy Member Posts: 730
    Do you have the transmission cooler and HD radiator that come with the towing package? I do and was thinking that having these (along with the HD generator) would make the whole towing process easier on the car.
  • bikeman3bikeman3 Member Posts: 85
    IF you read the April 04 issue you will plainly see the highlander has perfect ratings and only 2 other vehicles both Lexus match it
  • sdanderssdanders Member Posts: 37
    Yes, I have the towing package....wouldn't have tried to tow this boat without it...
  • mfhmfh Member Posts: 37
    Hey folks,

    i currently drive a 2001 outback H6 3.0. It has been a good car- no dependability problems, served well for my needs of carrying bikes and skis. But we need another car.
    Here's my question, I feel that the outback has mostly fine acceleration to merge on highways and feel secure but when I would pass vehicles at higher speeds (60mph), it lagged. How do HL V6 AWD owners experience the acceleration and handling of the HL especially for passing and in the mountains?
    Sorry to those who have seen a similar post by me on the subaru board....

    thanks ahead of time.

    MH
  • catch4catch4 Member Posts: 2
    I am intereted if anybody has gotten the 2004 highlander with navigation. I just purchased one and wonder if the integration of audio and climate controls into the screen is a problem or confusing to other drivers. Also, where is the GPS antenna located. I have looked all over for it.

    catch4
  • hsvillagehsvillage Member Posts: 36
    I drive a 2001 V6 AWD Highlander with 39k miles and am still impressed with the engine. It gets me on the interstate with ease and I pass at will. I usually go 65-70 and there is still reserve enough to get to the front of the line. I chose AWD because of the hills, winding roads and abundant rainfall here in Arkansas. Handling is predictable even with the OEM Bridgestone tires and improves significantly with more aggressive treaded rubber. But dont take my word, test drive one and decide for yourself.
  • siennalookersiennalooker Member Posts: 6
    I'm shopping for my teenager and we thought the HL would be great for him. I found a dealer in MD - DARCARS that is selling (certain) HL's (all kinds of Toyotas) for $1600 under invoice. It sounds to good to be true. I found it posted on their website, thought it was a come on, but they did verify that the HL was on the lot, has 41 miles on it. I have yet to go there yet. Does this sound too good to be real? Has anyone ever heard of such deals? I myself am looking for a Sienna but the HL under invoice will make me and my son pretty happy in the meantime.
    Any thoughts ??? any skepticism ??
  • corner_kickcorner_kick Member Posts: 6
    Could be true..it may be worth the drive. I just got an '04 for $900 below Edmund's invoice. The dealer rolled all the other add-on cost together - those fees for port and destination and his admin fees which he discounted down to $300. So, I ended up at $600 below invoice and then we started the negotiations. By the time it was over I was close to $1000 below invoice. So to think that he is $1600 below isn't that far off. Go for it !!!
  • loucapriloucapri Member Posts: 214
    You got $1000 below invoice? So what trim did you get and what's the final price? Oh where did you get it??? Want to know. thanks
  • herzogtum71herzogtum71 Member Posts: 470
    Dealers can still make money on sales below factory invoice if there are cash incentives from the company that go to the dealer instead of the customer. There also could be cash incentives to the dealer for selling a certain number of cars in a particular month. And they may offer deals like this to get rid of vehicles that aren't equipped like most buyers want. It sounds like a great deal, and you can always walk away if it's not as advertized.
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