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Comments
I have had no vibration problems.
The HL like all vehicles is a lot of compromises. I could pick on a dozen "features" I dont like. Some drivers dont care, some drivers dont know, some drivers have no idea what their buying. Other drivers over-analyze (I tend to be in the last).
On average the HL is a good vehicle for me,perfect NO, But I have never found a perfect car.
Also, exactly what rattle(s) are you hiding with the radio on (I do the same thing so maybe it is not a deal breaker, but I am a fussy type who hears and feels every little mis-step in a car).
I guess the vibration people are talking about is at idle in gear like waiiting for a light? And, I guess you don't have that.
I am hoping if the car I am looking at has it it will show up in the test drive.
Thanks all, keep comments coming.
Bob
Kelley Blue Book still shows the current college graduate incentive and the expired cash and financing incentives that varied by region; edmunds lists just the college graduate incentive.
Thanks
Incentive info isn't released ahead of time, and it takes us a little while to get the info updated.
Steve, Host
The term "3 years free maintenace" just not so clear.
The rattles in my HL come from
1) in the cargo area near the cargo cover on the driver side. When we are driving on the freeway, I notice the noise every once a while. When I press my finger to that plastic side wall, the noise is gone.
2) near the steering wheel, same noise but it comes and goes.
I think it's just a matter of finishing touch that Toyota missed. My 97 Camry has no such problem and seems like most HL owner has this rattle problem since day 1.
When I tested my HL, I didn't hear the rattle noise at all. Can't recall when was the 1st time I notice that. It bothered me at the beginning but now I am ok because as I said, the rattle comes and goes.
My question is when do you think Toyota will have a new face lift for Highlander in general?
I think since 01 to now, the highlander looks the same to me (am I right?) I mean from the outside. I can't really tell the different, I do know they have a new set of wheel for the 04 model.
Toyota in general likes to do a minor face lift every 2-3 yrs but I don't see it happened to the Highlander. Wondering when before they give a new look for the HL.
You know, I want to think about the resale value before the NEW one hit the market.
Any comments?
The seats in the Camry are much more comfortable than the HL. I have to mess around too much with the HL to get comfortable. Then my wife drives it, adjusts the seat, and I spend many miles getting comfortable again. In the Camry I am always comfortable.
Noise & rattles - The Camry is one of the quietest vehicles I have ever owned, except for the rattles. The windshield creak is driving me crazy. The HL has no squeaks or rattles at all. However, the road/tire noise and wind noise on the HL is much higher than I would have expected for a Toyota.
The radio is great sounding in the Camry yet sounds lousy in the HL. My assumption is it is speaker related and the location of the speakers in the HL is poor because they are all mounted so low. Compounded with the road/tire noise and wind noise, the sound quality just does not cut it in the HL.
Ride and Handling - People have different tastes, but the handling on the Camry (an LE model) is poor. I much prefer the handling on the HL. I probably would have been happier with a Camry SE than the LE. Ride although different on each model is very good on both.
1. Slight vibration through brake pedal and steering wheel while idling at traffic lights. When I put it in neutral no vibration - I didn't like. Salesman said it was just the AC compressor but it happened with AC off as well as on.
2. I could never feel comfortable in the seats, I doubt even with power adjustment. I had measured my '02 Altima before going for the test ride then measured the HL. The bottom cushion of the HL is 1.75" shorter from front to back than the eat in the Altima - that's a lot. Almost half of my upper leg was hanging unsupported. I looked over at the salesman and the same with him - he said he was 6'1" and I am almost 6'3" so I guess I looked even worse.
3. Every time I started up from a light with a modest push on the pedal the tranny hesitated then surged ahead (this happened 4 or 5 times in a row). Once moving the subsequent upshifts were seamless. Also, if I gave the pedal a robust jab when starting up there was no hesitation. That practice would increase fuel consumption which I would not like.
4. There were a number of minor rattles coming from the rear cargo area. These could be explained by the fact that the vehicle hadn't been prepped yet but still it made me nervous.
5. It seemed sluggish and the engine very loud around town.
6. General comment: Coming from my 1998 Trooper (which I just sold privately today) I felt the HL was like "faking it" in the sense that there was a feeling of extensive sound deadening masking the fact that it is not very substantially built. The Trooper always felt like a "brick .....house."
After that test drive I soured on the HL and went to see Subaru's. They had a 05 Outback that looked fantastic and fit my body perfectly - very pricey for my target outlay though. But, surprisingly the dealer also sells Hondas and I think I fell for the Element. If fit me to a tee, has tons of head and legroom, comfortable thigh-supporting seats and when I drove it had zero rattles. This surprised me with the fold up rear seats hanging by straps and the weird suicide doors looking like they were going to make all kinds of noises when you hit a bump. So maybe that's what is coming! I'll try to limp along on the 02 Altima 4 cyl (which actually is very nice car but doesn't have a rear cargo area) and probably re-visit buying something new in a month or two.
Thanks again for the input. The HL is a fine vehicle but as it turns out, the cheapo version I wanted to buy is not for me. Maybe when my memories of the solid old Trooper fade I'll take a different view.
Bob
My Camry has no noise or rattles at all. It doesn't have a lot of wind or road noise compare to the HL. My HL has rattles from under the steering wheel and in the real cargo area. As long as I have my radio ON, I am "ok". But kind of suck sometime.
I agree with you that HL's audio is not good compare to the Camry.
Even though it has 6 speakers but as you mentions, their location is bad. Too low on the door that I can notice the different when driving between the Camry and HL. All I can hear is low freq. and no high freq. at all.
the camry is quieter even tho its a 4 and the HL is a 6.
the 94 seats are longer and the 94 steering wheel tilts farther down.
the owner but at a different dealer.Love it so far especially the JBL sound system.Traded an 02 CRV with 39000 miles.The CRV was as reliable as the sun BUT the quality of the interior materials is cheaper than previous Hondas IMO.The seat and armrests were fraying and the steering wheel plastic was wearing away where my hands were placed.I did not know plastic could wear.I love the power of the Highlander compared to the CRV but it is not as strong as my Acura
3.2 TL.
However, if you have a family of 4+, I will suggest you get the van. I have a HL and a van (town & country) and it does make your life easier when you are talking about taking the family out for dinner. There is no way the HL will win over the Sienna.
Lot of people stay away from van because they think van doesn't look cool compare to SUV. However, the new style mini van is very attractive in my opinion. They usually have better gas mileage than SUV and handle better. Just like fashion, now we are "in" to SUV, that's all. I don't know any of my friend (including myself) to go off road at all our SUV.
I bought my HL just for the "look" and be honest, I use my van is more often and it costs cheaper to insure too.
Upcoming requests:
1. Mud fap replacement (both fronts are torn)
I hope they'll honor this under warranty.
2. Squeaky steering wheel
3. Check A/C temperature. (Inadequate cooling?)
4. Rear wiper chatter.
5. Child safety locks (Recall)
6. Ceiling trim coming loose near hatch
7. Rubber gasket on hatch coming out
(hatch handle/toyota logo)
Already done:
1. Fuel tank filler pipe (Recall)
2. Rear seat carseat LATCH tether hook covers (cracked)
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Gary
2001 Toyota Highlander V6 2wd (non-Ltd.)
Reliability is very important to me and I notice that recently the number of posts to this HL board is very low (the last one was 8 days ago). Most of the other forums I visit get several (and some many) postings each day. I am wondering if the inactivity at this forum means that HL's are reliable and there isn't much to talk about, or maybe there is just a different kind of owner - less of car nut type, for example.
I am considering the fwd Base 4 cylinder HL (I'd go for the V6 but am really attracted to the timing chain on the 4 cyl). Any comments?
Thanks,
Bob
I certainly wouldn't make an engine decision based on belt vs. chain construction. Drive them both and if you feel the 4 is adequate go for it. I personally like some low end torque available when I need it. I don't think the 4 will have enough for a 4000# vehicle.
There are a few issues, which I'm sure are legitimate complaints, like the vibration in the brake pedal and the slight road noise leak around the front windows, but just visit the Jeep Liberty and Chevy Blazer forums for a reality check. These other sites are littered with drive shaft recalls, entire engine replacements, etc. I've never heard of a total engine or transmission replacement on a new HL.
but get better mileage
offer a sunroof and I don't really need the extra seat.I almost went for the Mazda 6 sportwagon but the weird stereo turned me off but mostly the depreciation is awful.So I got this Highlander Limited which my wife drives cause that's the way it is.I get to wash it!
I don't mean to sound like a simpleton, but to me it might almost be immoral to do so. Got to think it through more.
Thanks again,
Bob
Steve, Host
Steve, Host
I am intrigued by comparison of two (Toyota Corp.) vehicles that are very similar, but offered in distinctly different price ranges and I assume different quality of appointments.
My question centers on basics: Engine, tranny, drive train, A/C system, brake system, shocks/struts, and general safety specs. Are these essential elements the same on each vehicle's makeup, or, are we really looking at two very differently constructed suvs?
At a local Toyota dealership, a salesman went to great lengths to explain the HL was essentially a 330 at a lower price point.
Thanks for any enlightenment.
tidester, host
we expect a good report!!!!!!!!!
I've not done much highway driving yet but am averaging 18.5 in the city. I was driving a 94 Pontiac Bonneville and in 10 years, only went 71, 000 (I live close to work and family and usually fly when I travel). My Pontiac rode real well but my Highlander is almost as smooth. It's way too early to tell but I feel I got a nice vehicle.
Of course, I wanted a Lexus but......
I'm not sure, what to do,I was thinking of buying a better set of front rotors and replace the stock ones that came with the HL.