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Comments
B.
Thanks
Can anyone confirm this, because there is nothing about a delay on toyota's website.
[Update] According to our district ( CAT ) ordering guidelines each dealership should be getting one 2008 in mid-July!!!
I watched the 2008 HL video on Toyota website. Is all the features listed there Key features section is standard?
It talks about Rear seat entertainment system with 9 in screen. Is that standard or optional?
Any idea what would be the pricings for 4D 4x2 V6 model?
Should I wait for 2008 model or take advantage of $1500 cashback bonus in 2007 model now?
Any insight would be of great help. Thanks
If Toyota substantially increases the pricing on the 2008 then it is likely that resale on the 2007 and older models will hold up for at least another couple of years.
Currently the outgoing ones have $1500 rebates behind invoice so a V6 2WD w/o SR lists for ~ $29000 but can be had for about $25000 after rebates.
Expect the new 2008 V6 2WD w/o SR but with new engine and possibly some interior goodies to be right at $29000 again.
Secondly, at normal highway speeds the gasoline engine geared right is as efficient as the hybrid combo.
So if you do mainly highway driving, might as well stick to the tried and true gas engine. Don't get out on the leading edge of technology and battery replacements and worry about hybrid maintenance costs over the long haul (outside of warranty). If you are doing a lot of city driving, hybrid becomes a legitimate option.
For the Highlander Hybrid you'll also gain about 20% better performance over the ICE version!
Here is what you can expect from an HH vs an ICE HIghlander
Highway : 27 mpg vs 23 mpg
City : 31 mpg vs 20 mpg
Performance : 270 hp vs 220 hp
Too hard? The hybrid version of the Toyota vehicles operate in a much easier environment over their lifetimes than any other vehicle. On average the ICE in the hybrid model is off or idling 30-50% of the time you are driving, depending on your personal situation of course. The traditional ICE is never off while you're driving.
Thanks
In the same conditions you should achieve similar results. Most drivers don't drive that way so their mileages suffer by comparison.
Outside forces will definitely deteriorate your fuel economy just as it does for every driver on the road. The difference is that most drivers don't care, don't have any way to measure the effects of outside forces, don't record these effects over time. Normally they get a readout from a trip computer or measure one tank of gas and then extrapolate from the specific to the general.
If OTOH you measure every tank you use, keep track of the time you drive, the distance, the weather and the speed then you can make a good determination of your real fuel economy.
In my Prius, at 85% Highway ( 60 mph ) and 15% city ( 20-40 mph ) in fair weather, over flat terrain and moderate temperatures I achieve the OLD values published by the EPA. My personal weighted average Fuel Economy according the previous EPA numbers should be about 52 mpg. Im right there right now.
In winter when none of the outside forces are favorable I normally get 45 mpg on average.
Literally Your Mileage May Vary ( due to your personal situation and environment )
To enjoy your vehicle just drive it normally and think. This is most important. The single most important factor in getting good mileage is the driver's brain.
..if all the traffic is doing 65 and that's the speed limit do you need to do 75??
..if the stop light up ahead is yellow do you need to drive up to it at full speed or can you let off the fuel pedal and glide up to the light?
..can you take a different route that's more fuel efficient, but possibly longer?
..can you combine short trips into one longer one so that you don't have to 'cold start' the engine so often?
OUtside forces you can't control, the others you can most times.
Fuel mileage shown on the sticker here in Australia tends to be fairly accurate over normal ranges. Here we have litres and kilometres and expect to get about 12.3litres per 100km. Lower number is better and higher suggets more fuel used to cover same distance.
I am routinely getting about 10.5litres per 100km. I don't like driving in peak hour traffic and tend to avoid it where possible. I also think about alternative routes which have most even traffic flows and think about light phases at intersections ahead. If I can see that the pedestrian crossing lights attached to traffic lights chow green, it indicates a reasonable time before traffic controls will change. Conversely, if showing red, there is a fair chance the traffic light will change before I get to the junction
I drive to the speed limit or at general traffic speed if below limit. I would rarely be passed by more than a handful of cars over my 25 km commute and rarely at all at freeway conditions.
If I shift to stop-start conditions, economy drops off to about 13.5 litres per 100km.
I tend not to accelerate or brake hard unless conditions dictate it. I do monitor the fuel economy and look to have the cumulative read out below 11.0litres per 100kilometres within 3 kilometres of fill up and keep it there. I drive for traffic 300 metres ahead, slowing early if lights are red and seeking to keep rolling as evenly as possible through changed traffic conditions. The thing that surprises me is that by driving steadily, I frequently beat the lane changers who jerk their way through traffic only to be boxed in by slower vehicles.
Using a premium fuel with detergents increases economy by about 10% and also aids rapid acceleration when needed. Transmission shift problmes are also reduced if using top quality fuels from a major oil company.
This does not require driving timidly but rather thinking about the conditions ahead. If you get your mind in the right gear to start with, it makes it much easier.
Cheers
Graham
It is certainly very good news that you are able to avoid the type of city traffic "hassles", stop and go, slow/accelerate, etc, for which the hybrid system is primarily advantagous.
But the stellar fuel economy of these hybrids can only be attained in relation to, when compared with, equivalent non-hybrid vehicles trapped in the environment you are apparently able to avoid.
IMMHO it is entirely possible that given your stated driving style and ability and willingness to make the effort to avoid traffic conditions under which hybrid systems' FE is greatest you might attain even better FE with the electrics totally disabled but with the ICE remaining derated.
Totally, TOTALLY, out of context, huh...?
But worth a thought or two, so I'll leave it here.
Yes, I reckon that a hybrid would be nice but I have a conventional 3.3l Auto. Melbourne and Sydney have as dire a traffic problem as most Western cities (certainly worse than many I have drivin in USA and Europe) so figures are not unreasonable.
Cheers
Graham
My experience for my GAS AWD HL:
Highway: 25-27
City: 21-22
What I do is be gentle on acceleration especially after a new tank of gas and drive the terrain. Once up to speed frequent use of the Neutral Gear extands the gas even further. If you want to stretch the gas you have to drive smart.
I drive in Baltimore and Washington DC most every day so I understand traffic congestion.
Highway trips are mainly to North Mrytle Beach averaging between 68 an 73 mph. Also frequent trips to Pa to see family still getting over 25mpg on a gas engine.
Drive smart to stretch the gas.
I have owned 2001/2003/2004 HL and the bvest milage I have gotten is the 2003/2004 the 2001 was under powered when the larger engine came in the milage went up.
On my '03 HL V6 2wd, I have averaged 23/17 for 4 years. Very disappointed and expect the new 08 to be worse with the upsizing.
A. No 4c model
..
B. All models will have 6 or 7 airbags standard a la the Camry.
C. The 3.5L engine of course
D. Bigger body and more room inside
E. Trims:
Standard with cloth and no SunRoof; Toyota sound system; 2WD or 4WD..Est $29500 + $2000 for 4WD
Middle trims, your options, 2WD or 4WD .. Same Base Prices
..JBL 440wt w/BT, .. $1000
..SunRoof............. $1000
..3rd Row Seating.... $600
..Leather?............ $1300
..Navi?................ $1200
..RES?................ $1600
Limited trims, 2WD or 4WD Est $34500 - $37000
..prolly the only options will be with or without Navi or RES.
No incentives of course.
Overall market situation ( generally weak this year )
Specific vehicle segment ( Hybrids??? Big Trucks??? )
Initial reception of the new model by the market.
If past performance is any indication then for the first year there are no incentives. At the beginning of the 2nd year there may be no incentives. As the vehicle ages it needs incentives to maintain volume. As a vehicle reaches its dottage it often has to be 'given away'.
Ignore all of that as regards the Corolla. That stupid little vehicle is increasing sales as it ages and often has little or no incentives. It's remarkable, it hasn't changed in 6 years and it's volume is growing!!!
One question re: the pre-2008 model, is there much difference in the suspension between the Sport and other models, as I am wondering about same issue for 2008s.
Thanks.
If you are concerned about getting to the next light first or burning the guys next to you ...forget about it.
If you wnat to stretch the gas then do smart things:
Start slowly, drive ahead...look at the lights (can I drift to the next one without being a hinderance?,am I going down a hill (Yes then shift to neutral)
You know the crazy thing is that I often seems to meet the people that have 'blown by me' at the next light or two. They get to the next red light faster and wait longer, explain that to me!!!!
I do drive conservatively anticipating stops and starting with a light foot. Nothing will get better mileage on the roads I drive and the cold weather factor.
One thing I was taught however a long time ago was never go down hill in neutral. It is not a gear as you describe it, you have no control over the vehicle and alowing the engine to brake the vehicle also saves your brakes.
Another old wives tale that should have been put to bed ages ago. Applies to boats drifting downriver with no "drag" anchor but otherwise..
I can readily see it for a trucker wherein engine braking is very likely a big part of downhill speed control strategy but a regular passenger vehicle with an automatic transmission??
And how do we know that this new FWD upshift sequence/pattern doesn't involve being in neutral at times. Sure felt, looked, like that to me until I read the shop/repair manual.
Unless I missed my 5th grade physics lesson Sir Issac Newton will control the vehicle through a little know force called friction. Personnally I have never had a problem controlling a vehicle(in good weather conditions) while in neutral.
That may be a function of the tranny, but it doesn't involve the operator trying to move the gear selector between drive and neutral while bombing downhill at 75mph.
I can't imagine that you are saving any measurable amount of gas from coasting in neutral vs "coasting" in gear. And the Highlander tranny likely isn't designed to be repeatedly shifted into neutral at speed.
There's another theory that says you don't use any fuel coasting in gear (the wheels turn and keep the engine rpms up, and the fuel injectors shut off the flow). When you coast in neutral you have to burn gas to keep the engine running.
I believe the theory is that if you're coasting in neutral then you are not fully in control of your vehicle.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
Additionally, you’re vehicle will have much better handling if the car is in gear. Also, what happens if the engine stalls while your peeling down the hill with tractor trailor bearing down on you? Good luck. Your insurance company will have a field day with you and the lawyers suing you if there is anything left. Coasting in gear is cool
Absent being in "B" no engine braking is available, only regenerative braking to help keep the roadspeed low.
Dealers can discount whatever they wish but don't expect any discounts ( rebates ) from Toyota for at least a year.
The planning for a 'new model changeover' is almost always nearly perfect. Toyota ( & Honda ) dont do what the detroiters do in these situations. They've already stopped shipping the old '07's about a month ago. Whatever is on the lots and in the pipeline is it. If a store has 10 Highlanders now that's all it'll get before the new '08s arrive. Often the last of the outgoing model is sold the day before or the week after the new model arrives.