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Comments
wwest: Wow, you offered to help him and he got mad? Sheesh, you would think that he would thank you for your help!
I probably over-stated, he was clearly already frustrated that his brand new AWD wouldn't go, and he simply didn't want my "help" in pointing out its shortcomings.
I might have felt the same way in his circumstance.
The shorter time is usually the longest distance due to faster speeds on highways that don't take you "directly" to your destination (if highways are a part of your travel). I commute about 25 miles to work (each way) taking highways (Route 9 and 495 in MA). I could find some schleppy backroads to save about 5 miles, but it would take me about 90 minutes instead of 30. It's a rather simple concept. And of course, the NAV correctly picked the Route 9 to 495 route for me when I tested it out. But I could have also TOLD it to not pick highways, and it would have led me via backroads, albeit a longer traveling time.
TRAC will never help distribution. All it does is stop a tire from spinning by applying the breaks to the spinning tire and/or cutting engine power. If anything, it's going to REDUCE overall torque, which is actually what you want. If one tire is slipping, you do NOT want more torque to go to another wheel, as that will cause instability. No?
And Willy, Oregon? I don't think that the Nav manufacturer spent much time there to map every dirt road available.
-Craig
"I probably over-stated, he was clearly already frustrated that his brand new AWD wouldn't go, and he simply didn't want my "help" in pointing out its shortcomings."
Well there ya go. "Rubbing it in" to him isnt exactly gonna make anybody happy. I thought you meant you tried to lend him a helping hand and he got upset.
outrun: The AeroStar aint a crappy van, I have a friend who has had one and it was pretty reliable. It had 170,000 miles on it before he sold it and traded it in for a Winstar ... the Winstar though is another story altogether... he has had bad luck with it.
The nav calculation mistake was not due to gaps in the coverage nor "byways", both routes, "shortest distance" and "shortest time" were major roadbeds. It clearly indicated that the route it chose for shortest time was a substantially greater distance and it indicated that it was an hour less travel time than the path it chose for the shortest distance.
"TRAC will never help torque distribution."
I disagree.
On the rear wheels TRAC simply supplants the need for a mechanical LSD. Does an LSD create instability?
If a driven rear wheel slips and spins freely that clearly limits the level of effective HP/torque the engine can generate. On the other hand if that slipping wheel has its brake applied by TRAC then the wheel on the other end of that open rear differential MUST turn. And yes, a lot of the engine torque is heating that brake but unless the other wheel also loses traction (hopefully the VC tightens when that happens) the effective HP the engine can now generate is limited only by the operator.
I actually can't figure out how TRAC acts on the front wheels. I do know that with the FWD model and TRAC it does not use differential braking on the front wheels (maybe both as it does on the rear of my 92 LS) but it definitely dethrottles the engine if a front wheel slips.
I suspect that the AWD model likely acts the same way as far as the front wheels are concerned. If TRAC were to be used to brake a single slipping front wheel the "feedback" to the steering wheel might be great enough to break thumbs or knuckles.
Many years ago my wife and I boarded a ferry on a nice summer day in out 78 911 Targa. The ferry crew went out of their way to place us at the heard of the line so we might be the first off the ferry.
When we docked on the opposite shore low and behold that 78 911, that had never given us a moment's worry, wouldn't start. So the ferry crew and I sat about pushing and shoving moving it first out of this line and then out of that.
In the end they brought a jitney on board to tow us up the ramp and off into a remote part of the parking area. As we were towed from the ferry I remember someone shouting "get a horse!"
A VERY frustrating event especially given what the crew had done to place us there. I think I took it all in good humor but I do wonder about others.
Oh, it was a blown fuse for the fuel pump.
A redesigned rear suspension to eliminate the potential HAZARDS of using snow chains only on the front.
A climate control system that compensates for radiant cooling effects on the human body in the wintertime and therefore does not needlessly run the A/C compressor unless actual cabin cooling is needed.
A defog/demist system that actually works, like the Canadian LS430, even when the OAT is below freezing.
An A/C evaporator moisture "extraction" system, like many Saturns, so that moisture leftover in the evaporator plenum does not promote the growth of mold and mildew nor the precipitous fogging of the windshield at random times.
Please take the discussion of this vehicle to the appropriate board, I am sick of hearing about it!!
So basically the answer to the question "Have you ever gotten stuck with your RX?" is NO. The other fluff in your message was a waste of my time...but man have you made this board interesting! It's always great to have an antogonist!!
I can just picture the commercial for FORD - a whole bunch of RXs and HLs stuck on the side of the snowy "slight" incline while the Ford MiniVan tromps through like a sure-footed mountain lion!!!
Screw this HL, I own.....I'm convinced...I'm trading up to a Ford product....a Minivan no less!!! I just hope I will be able to sell it...probably won't get much for it. I better call up Consumer Report magazine while I'm at it and correct their data collectors. "Recommended Buy" what the hell are they talkin' about!!!
wwest take care...by the way we are going to kick some American A** in Hockey on Sunday!!!
You can be the Superpower of the world...all we want is Superpower of the hockey world!!!
Check (against the boards) you later!!!
The camry, at closer to 3100lbs or so, can take a 4 much better...along with better gearing.
I've "been told" that the stickers on the windows don't lie. They state 22-27mpg for a 4, then that's about what you'll get. If you get a FWDV6, you'll get the 18-24mpg. 4x4v6=a mile or 2 lower mpg. Of course, the perverbial driving habits may affect outcome applies.
I was convinced that I would have to travel nearly 1000 miles, or more to purchase at a reasonable price. I was passing by the area recently and decided to just check out the lot. A check late last fall, revealed no Highlanders on the lot and a comment that "we can order one and should be able to save you a couple hundred dollars"
!
Big change now, very pleasant sales girl (Maggie Millen), said she thought she could beat any quote. She took my best quote and thought she would beat it by $400. Her sales manager (Daryl Johnson) approved $200. under. When the actual vehicle was found (at the POE), it had an additional $400. in options. Daryl, still held the quoted price!
When I went to sign papers, I expected a big push to an overpriced warranty. Business manager (Gene Martin, extremely polite and efficient) handed me the warranty booklet and told me that if I wanted an extended warranty, I had 3 yrs. Or 36K to decide and he recommended Platinum package. He quoted same price as www.toyotawarranty.com!!
After the sale, and dinner nearby, I realized that tank had not been filled. New kid had forgotten to do that. I returned as they were turning out lights and locking up. Pete Stoddard (General Manager) came back to front door and welcomed me in. Big apology and Maggie escorted me to local station where they paid for fill up and apologized again.
An overall unusually good experience with the nicest, well informed staff that I have ever encountered in my many years of buying many automobiles. As Maggie said, "Just give us a chance." This is an unsolicited endorsement offered due to the outstanding staff, I have no ties or compensation (your mileage may vary, but I suggest you check them out!)
Jeff Haubrich
ps
I am not posting the actual price paid for two reasons; 1) Someone will invariably tell me that they did better (or that I should have bought and Aerostar) and 2) The price may have been due to special dealer incentives or bonus. A good knowledge of price structure and advertising costs will help you get the best deal.
1. I was extremely impressed with the Highlander from a quality standpoint. For this price, there is nothing else out there like it. I was amazed at how luxurious the AWD Limited Highlander I test drove was for $32000, it was a deal. I was impressed with the RX300 just as much (more for its luxurious interior), however for the money, the Highlander seems the better deal. Also, the Acura MDX is nice, but pricey, and I feel that in terms of quality it was more on the level of the Highlander rather than the RX300. The third row seat is nice to have, but I don't think I would use it enough to merit the purchase of this vehicle.
2. A friend of mine has a Highlander 4cylinder, Front-wheel drive (with virtually no options that he picked up for $25k). He took me seriously off-roading in it two weeks ago (unpaved dirt areas, rocks, and steep 45degree inclines). I was amazed at the offroad ability of a FWD, 4 cylinder. The vehicle had no problems escalating (no pun intended) inclines, and rough roads, even took to situations with left or right side vehicle inclines with no worries. The ride was smooth and quiet the whole time too! If a 4cylinder front wheel drive can do that, I'd love to see the V6 AWD offroad!
I couldn't have said it better!
Would it be out-landish to suggest that the Canadian HL VC actually WORKS?
Or maybe the VC fluid has been drained (so it doesn't interfere with the ABS) and they use the brakes, TRAC, to apportion engine torque to ANY wheel or wheels, like the X5 or ML. ??
ltw
Then, I asked the dealer to let me take the 6 on my own for a longer drive. I loaded the family in it and some extra items - namely some drum equipment (I play in a band) that added weight made my decision to go with the 6. I keep my cars for 7+ years avg. and the resale value of having a 6,plus the power to tow and carry more weight has made up my mind. Even the 6 grunted a little by the time I was done:) But, if you're just tooling around town and some lighter trips, the 4 IS a nice unit and quite smooth at that.
One thing that did surprise me is how much LESS room there really is in one of these SUV's than in a minivan!! Truly, the mini's are more versatile for hauling stuff inside and with seats removed have an awesome amount of cargo hold compared to the HL and others. When hauling my gear, it was a REAL stretch to get it all in the HL compared to my old 95 DC (Shorty sport model).
So, THAT may be something else to think about. These SUV's are cool to drive and look at, but if you want to haul stuff (INSIDE), a mini has the room hands-down. (And priced lower when loaded too)
Any similar experiences???
Thanks
Here are my problems with the Honda: I disliked the spare tire on the back. I disliked the roof. I dislike the dashboard shifter on the automatic (and the lack of an armrest on the manual).
Other than that, there was only the engine size issue, and I could have lived just fine with the CRV's decent pick-up (felt a stronger than the 4-cyl HL I tested). The HL's 6-cyl power will come in handy then it's loaded with family and stuff and climbing a mountain, but the great majority of my miles are solo commuting.
Bottom line: If I liked its looks a little more, I would definitely have chosen the CR-V
Thanks for any info you may give, Larry
I've been checking internet pricing and unfortunately have not found a price as good as 750 over invoice.Which leads to a question, Is everyone out there quoting price over invoice like found on Kelly Blue Book or is it dealer's invoice which has advertising or whatever fees added to KBB invoice?
Anyway the best prices I've gotten so far are from longotoyota.com and carsontoyota.com. Both also have large inventories of HL whereas in San Diego most places have only two or three in stock.
Steve
Got mine in Indigo, BTW, and I like the way it looks. Bluestone was the top of my list when the salesman was searching for a car that met my specs (an additional requirement was a vehicle right off the truck... no test drives by anyone but me). Indigo was #2 on the list. The advantage of Bluestone is it doesn't show dirt as easily as a darker color.
VSC applies brakes to individual wheels when the car is skidding to "correct" it. For example, if the back was sliding out (oversteer) the rear wheels would be braked to keep the vehicle from sliding all over the road. It's a safety feature which helps in high-speed manuevers, especially in rain, snow, and ice.
Differential braking of the front wheels could be dangerous to someone not aware of the need to keep thumbs and fingers "clear".
Seeing out here we don't get snow/ice sometimes rain, I guess I'll only get the Trac control is the HL is pre-loaded already.
I'm going to take a look at the BlueStone Thursday(I'll keep you posted on how we(I) like the color.)
Still haven't decided on the Limited or not. I'm not sure for you get with it, justifies the extra dollars
Larry
I believe I could special order it (may have been mentioned in a post?)But, the dealer was adament about only 4WD's getting this option. It doesn't sound to me like it has anything to do with the transmission...it's the braking that is the key to this option...right?
Thanks.
Please advise.
Thanks!
Gary
Slow thermal response of this type of sensor prevents false triggering due to sloshing.
These systems can give significantly different indications in COLD weather vs warm or hot.
I had test driven a Highlander with the standard Radio/CD/speakers and was disappointed with the sound: very boomy and not that clear. My wife's 96 Camry basic system is better. I recently pulled off a door panel to replace a side mirror (garage casualty) and found that they were only single speakers with no tweeters, so the speakers in the Highlander must be REALLY cheap. I got the info for the door removel from a $15 book at the local parts store but I doubt they would have one for the Highlander yet. I did see several pretty cheap but good 2-way and 3-way speakers for the highlander at Crutchfieland and I will probably get speakers from Crutchfield when I buy a Highlander. They also list the available speakers by ease of installation from "E-Z" (Easiest [factory size]), "E-Z Plus" (Installed with supplied adapters) to "M" Modifications (some surgery). The basic size for the front and rear doors are 6.5" or 6.75".
Good luck and I hope to hear a report on the replacement. Although there have been several postings here relating to the speakers, I haven't seen any postings where the change had actually been made.
My conclusion is therefore different than Cliffy's. The tank holds 19.8 and the filler tube must hold a gallon(?). I'm guessing there is not much more than a gallon left when the light comes on.
Still, I appreciate the feature. Imagine the trouble we would be in if a fuel light actually meant we were out of gas!
If your HL has the towing prep option, there is a plug in connector in that black plastic box under the spare. It may even be there without the towing prep option, I am not sure. If you want to e-mail me I can send you a scan of the plug in wiring kit directions that www.toyotaguys.com sells. (mnovak999@yahoo.com)