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2008 Toyota Highlander

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  • toyotagaltoyotagal Member Posts: 215
    Hmmm "Mid-Year" does not sound like "Spring" to me. It sounds more like "Summer". I have always been skeptical of the April or May release dates bantered around on the Boards et al.
  • cubssoxscubssoxs Member Posts: 139
    Yeah I have a feeling a Summer 2007 release date for the Highlander seems right. But of course I really am not 100% sure as most of us around here.

    For the Corolla I think that won't come out till late 2007 or early 2008 because I know it delayed.
  • nocturnaldracunocturnaldracu Member Posts: 6
    New Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid to Debut in Chicago


    Carmakers have been hush-hush about what they’ll be debuting at the Chicago Auto Show next month, but finally we have some news. Toyota announced today that it would debut its redesigned 2008 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid SUVs on Feb. 7 at McCormick Place. We don’t have much more information, but it is kind of funny that while most automakers are trying not to use the term “crossover” for their car-based SUVs these days, Toyota is still using sport utility vehicle for the Highlander, which is currently based on the same platform as the Toyota Camry. The 2008 Highlander is rumored to be based on the larger Avalon platform to make room for a roomier third row of seats
  • nocturnaldracunocturnaldracu Member Posts: 6
    Press Release Source: Toyota Motor Sales
    http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070119/laf027.html?.v=78

    Toyota to Unveil All-New, Second-Generation Highlander and Highlander Hybrid at 2007 Chicago Auto Show

    The Toyota press conference will take place on Wednesday, February 7 at 9:15 A.M. CT in the Grand Ballroom in McCormick Place, with a live simulcast to the Toyota display area at the show. A video clip of the press conference will be available for viewing following the event on the Toyota.com website.

    Public Web site: http://www.toyota.com
  • brutus22brutus22 Member Posts: 122
    Awesome now if we can just catch some spy shots in the next few weeks before it is revealed.

    B.
  • toyotagaltoyotagal Member Posts: 215
    Thanks for the info. Finally we have something we can sink our teeth into. February 7th is not that far away. And it will help me determine whether to get an 07 or wait for the 08. I suspect it will be the 07 if everything I have heard about the 08 to date is true.
  • cubssoxscubssoxs Member Posts: 139
    I guess it now seems right the 2008 Highlander will come out in April or May of this year with it being revealed next month in Chicago.

    Also between now and February 7th everyone here will be wondering what it will look like. I know one thing for sure it wont be as bland as the current highlander and it will have a edgier design. I have heard it may look like a mini Sequoia with a little more edge to it.
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    ...that the new Hybrid Highlander will inject some excitement as well.

    One scenario:
    .. there is no 4c Highlander ( that's the RAV4 now )
    .. the 'base' model is a 2WD 4c+HSD ( a la the TCH ) at about $29000. That would put it $2000 above the 'base' TCH.
    .. the top model is the 3.5L AWD Ltd w/Navi at say $37000,
    .. or the 2.4L HSD AWD HH w/Navi at say $36000

    Front Whl Drive
    2.4L HH $29000
    3.5L ICE $30000
    2.4L HH Ltd $35000
    3.5L ICE Ltd $36000

    AWD
    2.4L HH $31000
    3.5L ICE $32000
    2.4L HH Ltd $36000
    3.5L ICE Ltd $37000

    Take your choice Fuel Economy or power?
  • toyotagaltoyotagal Member Posts: 215
    I only want what I have always wanted "fuel economy and power" (smile)
  • tommyg12tommyg12 Member Posts: 158
    '08 Highlander initial orders begin 3/10/07. Initial production is 5/07 with initial delivery as 7/07. Hybrid '08s begin production 8/07 with delivery scheduled for 10/07.
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    Sounds like accurate info. thanks.
  • toyotagaltoyotagal Member Posts: 215
    That sounds more like the real scoop and we can put April/May to bed for showroom floors. Unless you are saying that you cannot get one until 7/07 but they will be on the showroom floors.
  • hr_seahr_sea Member Posts: 4
    Bummer for me. :cry: I need a new car by June and was hoping to get an 08 highlander hybrid. Maybe it'll be a new MDX afterall.

    By this I take it you must be a dealer/insider?
  • toyotagaltoyotagal Member Posts: 215
    I do feel sorry for you. This since I haven't "needed" a new car in the last 30 years or so. And I don't "need" one now. I just "want" one as my wheels are 12 years old. And I get a new car every 10-12 years whether I need one or not................

    It sure is nice to not "need" a car. Then you can call the terms and if it is no go...............So what?
  • hr_seahr_sea Member Posts: 4
    Both of our cars are 9 years old. But we have a baby and our Accord is feeling pretty small when loaded up with stroller, diaper bags, etc... Our other car is a regular cab Tacoma so it's not useful as family transportation.

    But I agree, haven't had a car payment in 6 years an it feels great!
  • toyotagaltoyotagal Member Posts: 215
    You are right it is sure nice to not have car payments.

    In fact years ago I had an older co-worker who passed this little hint along to me. And I have used it for the last 30 years of so.

    i.e. When you make the last car payment and your car is paid off continue to make those same payments but to yourself rather than the bank. And when you have enough to buy another car for cash, do it.

    I love it. Not having a car payment in the last 30 years.

    While it won't help you now, since you need a new car but down the road, it is a thought.
  • nxs138nxs138 Member Posts: 481
    Bah, come on, you can wait it out! I have an 2001 Audi A4 which is probably smaller than the Accord, and have used that car as the family car since we had our baby 2.5 years ago: I can fit luggage for me, wife and baby, as well as the stroller. Diaper bag and other baby needs go in the back seat. Mind you, the car is stuffed when we go on trips, but it is doable.
  • hr_seahr_sea Member Posts: 4
    :) Trying to wait it out. Haven't had an excuse to get a new car in a while. With the new addition last year even mundane trips to Costco are a pain (stuffing 3 boxes of daipers in). With the folks and inlaws coming more often space disappears. If I don't break down and wait it out until October, I'd have to consider the new Pilot as well although I'd love a hybrid (don't care about the economics).

    I'm really curious to see the rumored "collapsing" second row middle seat in the new highlander. Will it be 4+3 seating like the new MDX? Maybe it'll be an 8 seater like the Pilot.

    I can't believe there hasn't been one spy photo somewhere out there. Show's you how sexy this car is that not one person would snap a photo or one media outlet would pay up for a photo.

    Somebody leak a photo!
  • nxs138nxs138 Member Posts: 481
    I'm basically in the same boat as you, where we have to take 2 cars whenever guests/family comes over, which is a real pain once you get into heavy traffic. I'm strongly considering the Mazda CX-9 or Hyundai Veracruz, but have decided to wait it out until the new Highlander is introduced, and maybe even wait for the Pilot. With all these new crossovers coming out, I think the manufacturers might be trying to outdo each other, so there might be some nice features coming up on the Highlander.
  • toyotagaltoyotagal Member Posts: 215
    Hope Springs Eternal. I just hope that they are not ugly like many of the new vehicles. IMO
  • eastwingeastwing Member Posts: 78
    I am another exicited poster - cannot wait to check out the new Highlander!! Man, this wait has been too long - 7 long years without any ungrading....Toyota has been very slow on this...

    Featurs I would like to see:

    - a little more stylelish (yehh..I know people don't buy Toyota mainly for style, but it would be better to add "style" as icying to the cake...)

    - more second-row shoulder room to fit three adults - or two adults plus one car seat - comfortably. I can care less about three row.

    - easy-to-understand option packages. I can never figure out the endless combiations of the option packages in the current model. Hoe Toyota learn this from Honda.

    Hold your breath...
  • toyotagaltoyotagal Member Posts: 215
    Toyota sure needs to bring out a new Highlander with sales saggng to 129,794 in 2006. (smile)

    It does sound like more than a few people have been happy with the 2001 styling that is so often panned..........

    Please make it better not worse...................

    Fingers crossed.
  • tdiaz339tdiaz339 Member Posts: 10
    Or, what Consumer Reports said, is only buy half the amount of what you can afford. In other words, if you qualify or can afford $20,000.....then you are supposed to buy a car half that amount, $10,000.
    I was looking to spend $12,000 for a small car, like a Focus, Corolla, or Civic. Instead, I ended up buying a '99 Corolla for under $6000. I saved the other $6000 in the bank, and plan on taking an Alaskan cruise this year, and a trip to Walt Disney World next year with my wife, that's more than enough to cover both trips for the both of us. Any money leftover, I'll go to Vegas or San Francisco.
    Enjoy life, and save your money for good stuff like that.
  • wyang76wyang76 Member Posts: 6
    Any one have any spy pics or know anything about the 08 Highlander?
  • cubssoxscubssoxs Member Posts: 139
    I have not found any spy pics on the new 2008 Highlander.

    The 2008 Highlander is scheduled to debut February 7th at the Chicago Auto Show. Till then Toyota is not going to reveal anything most likely until it is revealed at 9:30am on Feb. 7th.
  • toyotagaltoyotagal Member Posts: 215
    I haven't followed the Auto Shows closely in the past. When the 08 Highlander is revealed do they reveal anything else other than pics? i.e. specs such as dimensions, engine etc.
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    They will have a full operable model on stage probably with specs soon thereafter on the Toyota website.
  • toyotagaltoyotagal Member Posts: 215
    Thanks! I will be looking forward to seeing what specs shake out as well as the overall appearance, which will be on stage.
  • cubssoxscubssoxs Member Posts: 139
    ONE WEEK AWAY TILL THE ALL NEW 2008 HIGHLANDER IS REVEALED!!!!!!!!!!!
  • coach06coach06 Member Posts: 16
    Does anyone have any knowledge or expert advice as to when we can expect the new highlander to hit dealerships?? I went to look at the new Mazda CX-9 this weekend and was not impressed. I especially didn't like the rails that allows middle seats to move. Expecting great things out of the "Next Gen 2008 Highlander"...
  • toyotagaltoyotagal Member Posts: 215
    Someone posted a while back that they would be taking orders starting 3/07 with initial production to begin 5/07 and Deliveries to begin 7/07.
  • pricememberpricemember Member Posts: 12
    I am going to take a really wild guess right now before the show and say that the FT-SX is the next Highlander but will be a different seating configuration for 7 (3 rows) and probably a more standard hatch opening at the rear. What does everyone else think?
  • seabrook99300mseabrook99300m Member Posts: 13
    Here's my guess:

    1) DIMENSIONS: 111 in. wheelbase - same as Avalon. That would make it longer than the current Highlander, and well past the RAV4 @ 104.7. This also would be shorter than the GMC Lambdas (118.9) and even the Mazda CX-9 (113.2), but longer than a Honda Pilot (106.3). Width would be 73 in - same as Avalon. This will make it similar to a Ford Freestyle, and considerably narrower than the GMC Lambdas, Mazda CX-9, and Honda Pilot. Length will be about 195 in. A bit longer than a Pilot, but shorter than the GM Lambdas or CX-9. Overall dimensions will most closely resemble the Ford Freestyle vs. other CUVs.

    2) Style - 7 passengers. More "car-like" stying than the GM Lambdas or CX-9. I'll bet it looks more like a current Camry than the FT-SX concept by a wide margin.

    3) Obvious stuff: 3.5L / 268HP V6 available with, or without HSD.

    It should be interesting to see on 2/7. Currently I'm down to either a Toyota Sienna or GMC Acadia to replace our 10-year old Grand Caravan. I will definitely be interested to see what the Highlander specs are on 2/7.

    If the dimensions turn out to be much larger, than perhaps there will be platform sharing with the Sienna instead of the Avalon as was widely speculated. That could provide some interesting CUV first - such as a fold-in-the-floor 3rd row. (Wishful thinking).
  • pricememberpricemember Member Posts: 12
    Great to hear what someone else thinks. Here are FT-SX specs to compare with what you are saying.....I think it is a close match. :surprise:

    Exterior
    Length 187.401 in
    Width 74.401 in
    Height 61.001 in
    Wheelbase 114.201 in
    Tires: 255/45 R21
    Engine Configuration V
    Cylinders 6
    Displacement 3499.00 cc 213.5 cu in. 3.5 L.

    I am an owner of the current Highlander since 2002 and if I were to design a new one myself I would hopefully craft something exactly like the FT-SX.
  • coach06coach06 Member Posts: 16
    The 07's current MSRP price range is $24-880 - $32,210. My thinking is that even though the 08 Highlander will be possibly larger, pricing will still have to remain very competitive due to the many choices available and their trim levels. (CX-9, Acadia, Pilot, Outlook, etc). By the way, the FT-SX concept will definitely have to grow in size to stay on the playing field.
  • piastpiast Member Posts: 269
    I think it may actually stay closer to Edge/Murano/Santa Fe/Tribeca in size, price and form. Rav4 is not big enough to fill midsize shoes. Also few others are coming soon in this size to compete (Dodge code named JC49 ,Volvo, LR2).
  • kdhspyderkdhspyder Member Posts: 7,160
    Now two days to go....
  • toyotagaltoyotagal Member Posts: 215
    And to think, they will not take our orders until 3/10 either, for delivery on 7/7. And it is so beautiful and perfect too.............
  • cubssoxscubssoxs Member Posts: 139
    I don't even care about that I just want to see what the car looks like first.

    We have been waiting so long for that just to happen. I will think about orders and deliveries later.
  • toyotagaltoyotagal Member Posts: 215
    tick, tick, tick..................the clock is ticking and the heart is a pounding..........

    What will be particularly interesting to me is the comments and reactions of others such as yourself to the Highlander.

    But of course my own reaction will dictate my course of action.

    If it is much bigger it will be just a visual since my garage is not that big and parking spaces are tight around here.

    And if it is too modern it will scare this older person away...........
  • pricememberpricemember Member Posts: 12
    Has anyone taken the 2 pictures of the current Highlander and the FT-SX and put the front 3/4 views next to each other and seen all design similarities? (the T-shape front with 3 bar grill, fenders tapering into doors, roofline and rear window, rake of windshield, spokes on wheels the same, etc.... - it is just more car-like and aerodynamic which should improve MPG quite a bit)

    It is unbelievable how much it looks like a future shocked version of the current model.....I am ready for the future today!!! :)

    Hey....what else could make the Enclave look bad anyway???

    I am certainly not saying that it will look like the FT-SX and I don't want to keep harping on about it....just wondering if anyone has compared the pictures like I say.
  • nxs138nxs138 Member Posts: 481
    And if it is too modern it will scare this older person away...........

    That's an interesting comment. I've read that Toyota's average owner is about 52 years old, and aging. I wonder if the Highlander will indeed have conservative lines as to not alienate these older buyers, or try to draw in younger families with a more streamlined model (Toyota has admitted that conservative styling is an issue drawing in the Gen Y crowd--those younger than 30).
  • pricememberpricemember Member Posts: 12
    That was what promted me to write what I wrote "future shocked version". My opinion is that the RAV4 would be the vehicle to attract buyers that want the more conservative SUV looking ride. They had to make the RAV into a failover car for the future shocked people....I really think that is why it is such a big secret because it will be shocking for many people to look at (sorry to say that word again...FT-SX). Can't wait to see if me and Edmunds.com future vehicles picture are correct !!! :D
  • toyotagaltoyotagal Member Posts: 215
    Only time will tell and that time is getting shorter and shorter and shorter...............smile
  • pricememberpricemember Member Posts: 12
    I'm going in for a preorder if it looks as good as I think it will !!! :)
  • coach06coach06 Member Posts: 16
    Yes the count down is on. My wife and I had all but signed the deal on an '07 Avalon. Found out that a new body style was in-store for the Highlander on the Avalon platform. My trusted salesperson (smile) stated with confidence that the new look would be similar to the Chrysler Pacific. Anyone thinking FT-SX???
  • pricememberpricemember Member Posts: 12
    I am !!!!!!!!! Thank goodness someone else used that word FT-SX. Glad to hear you were saved by a Salesperson...stick with that one !! I just have a very strong feeling about this one and I can say that I will be quite devastated if my gut feelings are wrong. I might have to skip over to the Mazda dealer for the CX-9 :cry: or WHOA!! :mad: ...buy that Enclave thing that looks like a next generation Highlander itself with that cute double-humped dashboard and those muscular fenders that taper into the doors (can we all say copycat? :sick: ).
  • nxs138nxs138 Member Posts: 481
    Well let's hope that it doesn't look too much like the Pacifica...there's something about that SUV that doesn't sit right with me...looks like a minivan that's been squashed from the top ;-)

    The Enclave looks nice; the back looks like the VW Touareg! But I think this next Highlander will be more affordable than the Enclave.
  • pricememberpricemember Member Posts: 12
    I agree with that 1000%...my Mother would not drive the Pacifica when she got one for a 2 day rental car because she didn't feel comfortable driving the albatross When the current Highlander was introduced I fell in love with it and no doubt it will be drool-worthy this time also. It certainly won't look like this :lemon: !!
  • eastwingeastwing Member Posts: 78
    Today is the day !!!! ..................woohoow.................. It is already 2/7 EST here.......
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