2008 Toyota Highlander

mackabee

Third row delete option is also available on the base model.
Mackabee

qs933

With the 4Runner, it was just the rim portion that needed to be replaced. The hub (with airbag) and steering wheel controls need to be removed, but not replaced.

Personally, I prefer leather on the steering wheel over wood or plood. I would think that the wood would make the wheel slippery in an area where you would want to have a pretty good grip.

pablox

but only if you get FWD.

pablox

compare it to the Hyundai Veracruz. The numbers for the Highlander front passenger really aren't much different than that of the Veracruz driver. I'm not sure what numbers equate to 4 vs. 5 stars but it seems the Highlander was just over the mark. In addition, the Highlander seems much less prone to leg injuries.

I wouldn't worry about it personally.

roho1

That's odd, the '07 AWD w/o 3rd row that I saw had a storage area where the seat would be covered with a lid.

pablox

This was a base Highlander? What I said is according to Toyota's web site. It's possible they've changed option combinations.

roho1

base model

sylvan2

I do have the third row seat.you dont have to dismantle anything. it take a little time but that left side piece will come out.there is a clip and 2 plastic nuts that have to be removed. you have to lift that piece out at an angle. it will come with a bit of persistence. make sure the nuts are removed and that snap in retainer is removed from the clip. once your done there is also a 30 amp fuse that goes in the fuse box under the hood. good luck.

toyseeker

I finally got it. The trick was to remove the cover that moves as you raise/lower the 3rd row seat. I was unable to get the 'box' out at an angle - as you mentioned - as it was way to stiff. I used a 3/8" open box wrench to push up on the sides of the 5 snap clips that hold it in (under the carpet, above the space where the seat bottom slides back).

Thanks for your help.

nimrod99

Anyone installed a genuine Toyota tow hitch on their 2008 Highlander yet?
Can you post the pdf instructions, or a picture?

How much is the hitch and the wire harness to connect to the vehicle wiring harness? Is the plug a flat-4?

thanks

lucky_777

Someone asked for a proof that Yahoo removes positive HL reviews. Go check for yourself now. All positive reviews that were there, dated before 10/15 gone. Yahoo didn't delete any negative reviews.

Yahoo HL reviews

nxs138

What about other reviews from different SUV brands, especially Japanese (e.g. Honda, Mazda)? Wondering if this might be the work of one person who doesn't like Toyota, or simply doesn't like non-American products. It would be interesting to see if the Acadia/Outlook/Enclave get glowing reviews.

eastwing

I see it now. This could warrant a suit from Toyota, I would say.

qs933

Yikes. I remember seeing at least one positive review prior to 10/15, last time I looked. The newest three reviews are positive (all three 10/15, two 4-stars, one 5-star). I wonder how long before those disappear.

Note: looking at it further, I think I know how those reviews are disappearing. You can click to say whether a review is helpful. The three positive reviews have only 1 of 8 people clicking that the review was helpful. Yahoo! is probably doing an automated sweep of "unhelpful" reviews.

yukoner

Does anyone know whether Toyota or is dealers have resumed installing body side moldings (BM) on the 2008 Highlanders?

Karen_S

A reporter seeks to talk with owners and serious shoppers of the 2008 Toyota Highlander who are also parents. If you are interested in commenting on your experience, please reply to jfallon@edmunds.com no later than Thursday, November 15, 2007 and include your city and state of residence as well as the age of your child/ren.

toyseeker

I've been told that the Toyota harness is a 4-flat. I am buying it from the dealer for about $100 -- should be in any time now (Part Number: PT219-48871).

The Toyota receiver comes with two brackets, the receiver and a new rear bumper insert - presumably with a cutout for the ball mount. The dealer quoted me over $400 for just the parts (Part Number PT228-69080). I passed and bought an aftermarket hitch for $150 - it came yesterday but I have not had time to install it. The paint needs touched up due to poor packing and rough shipping.

garyanders

I told you I would give you an update. Picked up my new 08 highlander limited 4wd last night. Sure drives and handles great. I sure like the push button start feature, no key. In addition, no torque steer with the 4wd, which is great as I am tired of front wheel drive. My salesman told me that they place an order with Gulf States Toyota and when one arrives matching your specs they ship it to them. It took 8 weeks to get the vehicle but well worth waiting. Hope you get yours real soon. By the way, do not pay retail price for the extended warranty as they quoted me $1488 for 6 yrs/75,000 miles bumper to bumper with a $50 deductible. I went to toyotawarranty.com and got a quote for $790 and they matched the price at my dealership. Gary

scottgbwi

I tried the toyotawarranty site & it was down. I may have had the wrong site, can you provide a direct link? Thank! Scott

lucky_777

Guys you need do some reading before buying extended warranty. I paid $560 for Toyota extra care platinum warranty for 7year/75000 miles with $0 deductible from Toyota Midwest Super store in Ks. . Give them a call, it well worth it.

hause7

It's not just the highlander, it's all Toyota's cars and trucks. Honda is also being bashed by the same person. Must be an American car company employee. :P

gdkoger

Congrats again. The vehicle that I was getting from a trade, came in to the port without a DVD player, and was mistyped on the invoice. So that one fell through, but I was informed last week, that mine is on the ship, and should arrive in New York by the 30th, and then will be trucked down to Maryland. It has been so long since we ordered it, I forgot what it drove like. I still haven't seen one on the road. Keep in touch Gary!!

gdkoger

Do you have a POC at this dealer?

scottgbwi

The Toyota website now allows people to build a Hybrid w/price. At least in Wisconsin zip code.

nimrod99

here is a link to the install instructions
http://sumbiz03.home.comcast.net/~sumbiz03/TowHitch.pdf

scottgbwi

I know it might seem minor. On my quote for a vehicle, was told there is a $129.00 service fee that all dealers have. Anyone know if this sounds familiar. This would be different then the delivery fee. Thanks in advance. Scott

rzepa1

No, not all of them have it, from my experience. Sometimes less, sometimes more,sometimes none. Personally, when I shop for a car, I do not negotiate every item becuase of the argument "all dealerships have it". I prefer to negotiate OTD price and let them figure out the details. I do not finance my cars, so it is easier to do so this way.

Furthermore, I believe there is some type of agreement between Toyota delearships in close proximity about the "extra" fees they charge. It seems to me that the dealerships who are close to you or you have done business with in the past, will not give you as much break as the ones further away. This is just my observation, and not necessary for Highlander as the stock on the lot it is still somewhat limited.

denverbrian

Interesting. It appears that the replacement fascia cover is not body colored, but black.

So your options are:

--$600 or so for the OEM parts and install, which "integrates" the receiver hitch into the lower fascia, although it's no longer body colored; or

--$220 or so for the parts and install of an aftermarket hitch, which sits below the lower fascia.

mackabee

Here's a couple of pics I took with my phone camera. Resolution is low but you can see the black fascia.

gdkoger

Hey Gary,
Update.. I am supposed to get delivery of mine between Nov 12-23. How is the GPS working? Do you still have to hit the "I Agree" button every time you start the vehicle? Also, can you watch a DVD through the GPS screen, if the vehicle is in park, like others were saying earlier in this thread? Thanks. Congrats Again.

nimrod99

Just heard from a dealer that 2008 Highlanders have a Navi issue and thats why supply is so limited

Anyone else heard about it?

nimrod99

there is a trick to over ride the navi lockout when driving
http://youtube.com/watch?v=WfFKPE4SHYQ

denverbrian

The little nav lockout trick doesn't work on '08 Highlanders or other newer navs from Toyota/Lexus. Unfortunately.

My 2008 Sport w/nav works flawlessly. It is an 06 version DVD and I'm awaiting word on when the 07 DVDs will be available. They are $300 or so as I recall - Toyota doesn't supply updates free. Unfortunately.

moline

I just had an aftermarket hitch put onto my 2008 Highlander which came with the tow prep package, and got ahold of the wiring harness kit (part # PT219-48871). Although it looks like the kit probably has everything I need for parts, the package contained no installation instructions. Does anyone have a copy of the instructions that they can post, or tips on where I can look?

denverbrian

Here's a link to the OEM wiring harness install:

http://sumbiz03.home.comcast.net/~sumbiz03/TrailerWireHarness.pdf

moline

Thank you!!

nxs138

$300 for a DVD update! Holy crap! No wonder NAV systems don't tend to help resale value.

I was thinking of getting built-in NAV, maybe I think about one of those portable units...$300 buys you a decent one these days.

alkric

Hey guys,
How is the second row seating? Do your arms slide off the arm rests? Is the middle seat on the second row comfortable?
thanks

denverbrian

$300 does buy you a decent portable nav...with a 3" screen. I'll take my built-in 8" honker.

scottgbwi

I have an opportunity to get a Highlander sooner then later if I pass up the factory installed DVD system. Dealer said he can install a Audiovox system w/a bigger screen & would also have the plug-in installed. Sounds like it would be intregated w/the sound system, much like the factory installed one. The feature to watch the DVD on the Navigation screen wouldn't be available. I can live w/out that. Is there anything else I should be concerned about, or questions to ask? Thanks much in advance.

kdhspyder

I;d feel fully confident in the aftermarket version, especially if it's bigger. We do 20-50 per month in our store in everything from Camrys to Sequoias and used vehicles. It takes part of a day. No one has had any comments either way in over 5 yrs so I take that as blissful quiet satisfaction.

BTW the waarranty on the new factory unit is 3 yrs/ 36000 miles. What is the warranty on the post-installed unit?

scottgbwi

Spyder, Thanks for the reply. The question about the warranty is a good one. I will have to ask. Can I assume that if I get a extended warranty, that it wouldn't be covered, even if the dealer had it installed before I got it? Also, as far as your experience, do you know if most aftermarket ones not allow you to use the navigation screen? Thanks again!

cmptrguy74

If DVD is EY package from factory, then YES you can watch a DVD through the GPS screen, but the vehichle not only should be in park, but MORE IMPORTANTLY the Emergency Brake MUST BE ON... Only then will DVD play through both front GPS screen and back DVD screen.

When did you order/request yours? I requested mine back in 1st week of September and haven't heard a peep... 2-3 Months was original estimate.

garyanders

Did not get the navigation system, just to pricey. Yes all you do is hit the push button after you apply the brake. Works great, just have the remote fob in your pocket. Also, with the remote in your pocket, just grab the door handle and it unlocks automatically. If the battery dies on you, just push a button on the remote and a key pops out so you can unlock the door and then just hold the remote up to the push button and hit the push button start and the vehicle will start. You will really like this feature. I don't think you can watch a DVD thru the navigation due to safety reasons but maybe you can along as it is in park. Glad you received a date for yours and I know you will really enjoy it. Gary

garyanders

Hey Scott, do not know why it is down. Just try later on, this is all I know to do. Take care, Gary

chinchaz

hey i just bought a 2008 highlander with the navigation and i was wondering if anyone knows about putting in sirius satellite radio. the manual says that the radio is satellite ready but no one at the dealership seems to know anything about it.

BTW i love the pearl white.

gdkoger

Thanks for the info. I ordered mine the end of Aug, but Toyota didn't get the request until the beginning of Sept. I was told 6-8 weeks. I ordered the Blizzard Pearl limited with all the options.

denverbrian

It's XM ready - don't know if anyone is making a Sirius module for it but I expect they would. Google will be your friend in that case.

XM install as a dealer-installed option was about $400 for me IIRC. It's on my list when I go in for first service, because some channels are not picking up via the tuning knob, only via scan or the touch screen. Odd but so far a minor issue - I can program any channel to a touch button once I can get to it.

scottgbwi

I think if you build the Hybrid, they offer both satellite radio options.

dnc420

Would you have a link for an install on the receiver hitch sold by Toyota? My local delearship quoted me $450 for the hitch alone. I would like to know if the hitch is any easier to install at that price compared to other hitches ie Valley, Curtis etc.

Thank you in advance.