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Mikefm58... I had read the warranty info in detail on the ToyotaWarranty.com site, which is why I got the Platinum instead of the Gold warranty. The dealer did mention that we could have the Toyota warranty or one offered by another company. Since I was prepared to buy online I wasn't interested in anything other than Toyota's warranty. The "money back" was something not offered by the dot-com dealer, and seemed like a good gamble on the face of it. I sent my DW to pick up and pay for the stuff, figuring no matter how bad it was, I'd be out $200 at most (since I was already to pay for the Platinum with no money-back guarantee).
We have already put into our calendars the date we'll need to apply for the refund, and already made copies of the paperwork, since it is mostly on carbonless paper and the writing will likely disappear before 4 years are up. Who knows, maybe we'll need the warranty and it'll be a moot point.
The REAL gamble would be if we need a $500 repair. Do we pay for it ourselves hoping no other repairs will be needed before 100,000 miles so we can get $1370 back?
Phil
At $500, I think you use the warranty. If you paid for the repair, you're now out a minimum of $500 if you don't need another repair. If do you need another one, especially a larger one, now your warranty has cost you $1870.
You bought the warranty to protect you against repair bills, not to loan the dealer $1370 for several years at 0% interest in the hopes of never needing a repair.
Steve, Host
I'm still optomistic that I won't need any repairs at all anyway. The vehicle has been about perfect so far and I hope it continues.
Phil
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Share your vehicle reviews
We're contemplating popping up the third row, putting 8 yera old DD there, folding down the passenger side 2nd row seat and putting 1 year old DS and the newborn on the drivers side and middle spots.
How safe is the third row seat? I'm assuming it doesn't have LATCH (which I don't need for her booster seat anyway) but I worry if we're ever in a car accident how that third row would hold up. I am going to try to cram three seats in the middle row but need another option just in case.
Thanks!
Carrie
We may have a chance to get a nice pre-owned 2003 and it has the 3.0 motor and was curious if there was difference in gas mileage from 3.3 in current HL's. I didn't see much difference in hp from the 2005 I drove with the 3.3 motor and don't think there would be big gas mileage difference either but curious. This forum has been so helpful in our quest of buying a vehicle. Thanks
Winter (AZ winter!) and summer city MPG 20-21
Winter and summer Highway MPG 22-23 (this represtents 75-80 MPH on trips of 450 to CA)
WORST city MPG was 19.5
BEST was 21.9
I always drive till the tank is under 1/4 full, then fill up completely, dividing the miles driven since last fill-up by gallons put in.
Interesting to note, the insurance costs for this vehicle, are much less than our 2003 Camry...virtually makes up for the difference in MPG between the two cars, in fact, we love the Highlander so much, we are considering trading the Camry for a 2005 Highlander.
Hope this helps!
By the way, we have 25,980 trouble free miles.
Jeff
No change in gas mileage with the addition of Michelin Cross Terrains, but a much better ride and much safer than the Goodyear's in poor weather. The Goodyear tires are junk.
Although the 3.0 is an excellent engine, I would try to buy a newer model with the 3.3 because it has the 5 speed automatic. On the highway at speed, that would make a very positive difference. (Not that the 4 speed is a disaster, but I also own another vehicle with a 5 speed, and I can tell the difference).
My Highlander has 32,000 trouble free miles. My wife and I are VERY happy with this vehicle.
Thanks Jeff & Vatrojan for the info. I really appreciate it.
hope this helps
Jeff
A few things I don't like:
1) window switches and cruise controls are not illuminated. I test drove during the daytime and wouldn't have noticed this.
2) radio station seek from steering wheel controls is difficult to seek through entire dial. Have to press a button for a couple of seconds, wait for audible beep, then let up. Upon finding a station all the steps need to be repeated to find next one. I assumed the seek would work just like the seek button on the radio itself.
3) can't see odometer and trip meter at same time.
4) Driver armrest too close and narrow to be useful (I'm 6'1" 200lbs).
5) some of the doors and lids to various storage cubbies seem kind of flimsy. Time will tell how well they'll last.
A few things I wish it had/did:
1) ability to control ALL windows and sunroof from driver-door lock. My 1994 Audi can do this. My 2005 HL can only control the driver's window with the key.
2) tailgate window doesn't open. My mistake for not checking this feature though I would have still bought vehicle.
3) external keypad to open door without key ala Ford SUVs. Handy.
Some things I find puzzling (all might be my misunderstandings):
1) can't figure out how to turn on the cabin lights from the dashboard. Thought that twisting the odometer reset stem clockwise until it hits the detent would perform this function, but it doesn't seem to do anyting. Anybody know what this action actually does do?
2) when CD is in changer, even if the last thing I was doing was listening to the radio, each time I start the car it switches back to CD.
3) instructions for initiliazing the tire pressure monitor seem confusing.
Things I like:
1) smooth and quiet ride
2) plenty of acceleration
3) engine very quiet at idle
4) doors feel and sound solid when opening and closing
5) braking
6) view through windshield
To conclude - the important features like ride and power are way above average and amongst the main reasons I bought this vehicle (plus reliability). I had considered the Pilot (I liked it quite a bit also) but it was larger than I needed and a little noisier.
I'm looking forward to a long and pleasant experience with my new Highlander.
Dawnee
I just noticed your question regarding gas mileage. I have an '03, 4cy. 4WD now with 15,000miles on it. In REAL City driving, I average 17 and if I hold 60-65 on the highway, the best I've gotten so far is 26. Again, keep in mind that this is a full time Four Wheel Drive vehicle, which most definately affects MPG. However, the pick-up, acceleration and all around power of this 4cyl. has surprised alot of people in my family, including my sons who are into high performance vehicles; and the other son that drives an Expedition with a 5.4 liter and "tuned" exhaust. They can't get over this 4 banger. The way I drive up my son's snow covered and very steep driveway at his mountain hope truly amazes him. This driveway is about 300 feet of unpaved hillside. My wife, two huge dogs and I spend alot of time in the mountains upstate and really enjoy the HL's 4WD capablilies.
In cold weather, it warms up VERY fast and is MUCH quieter than the Honda 4 cyl. I had in my last car.
So far, I am very happy with my HL and have no real complaints. Like most other owners, there are always some things you would rather have or wish were done differently. But, did you EVER see a perfect vehicle?
Good luck.
I would agree with macmil about resale value. The 4-cylinder costs thousands less than the lowest mode V6 to begin with, and I can't see the 4-cylinder being worth less than a V6 a few years down the road in terms of percentage below original purchase price. And with gas prices on the rise again, I think there always will be people interested in 4-cylinder vehicles.
Yes, I paid less for it than I would have paid for a V-6, so the previous owner didn't get a lot for it. But he probably paid $3-4k less than he would have for the V-6 initially. So, I think it's a wash there. Plus, around here in So Cal, you can't find a V-6 without a lot of added options that push them close to $30k, but you can find a Base 4-cyl around $24k, and buy one for about $23k. The Base model has everything I need anyway, and I actually prefer the manual 6-way seats over the power seats.
Note that we test drove the 6 cylinder, and felt it was too much like a truck. I do not miss the extra power at all (it feels more like a car, which is what I wanted). Just be sure to get a 2004 or later model (it was revamped to get 10 extra HP).
Thanks,
-Ken
A $300 amortized over 21000 miles really isn't very much. OTOH, I suspect this is a very profitable service for the dealer since all those inspections probably don't take more than 30 minutes. You could ask an independant shop what they would charge or even another Toyota dealer. Some dealers charge more than others for the same service.
Regards -Ken
Our 2003 is Gold, and the new one is Salsa red pearl, a real beauty! I think we got lucky, as the tires are Michelins, rather than the so/so Goodyear Integritys that we have on our 2003, and have seen on many of the 2005 Limited's that we drove before deciding on this one.
You will probably experience the hesitation by decelerating from 40 down to 15-20 (going around a corner or slowing for a light) then trying to accelerate quickly back to 40 or so. On our 2004, it is not consistent and ranges from barely noticeable to somewhat annoying. It doesn't make me like the car any less and my wife, the primary driver, has never even mentioned it.
Or then again what if the driver is somewhat "hesitant" as s/he coasts forward waiting for an opening in traffic to merge into?
Coasting, gas on, coasting, gas on, coasting.....aha, now, quickly, zoom into that opening!
What, No ZOOM??!!
I think that's probably why the dealers are saying that left foot braking has something to do with the hesitation or as a minimum exacerbates it.
Obviously someone that brakes with the left foot would have a higher likelihood of "resting" their right foot on the gas pedal during coastdown.
I'm amazed at the number of vehicles I see cruising down the freeway with the brake lights on continuously. But I'll bet the brake shops love them.
I think you're right. I never noticed it until almost 6000 miles and it still doesn't happen every time in the expected situation. And when it does happen, it's sometimes worse than others.
How's the acceleration on the 4 cyl AWD? I really want AWD because of the weather around here, and I like the standard stability assist that Toyota has on all the HLs (Pilot only has it on the versions with leather).
My best friend owns an RX330 and I've driven it some. I was surprised on the Toyota website that let you compare the HL to the 330 and the HL has some advantages due to less weight.
Does the HL and 330 feel pretty similar behind the wheel?
Thanks.
Dean
Just my two cents. I initially leaned toward the RX, but after driving both, chose the HL. The Limited version is still quite luxurious.
You'll have to drive both yourself, of course, to decide which you prefer.
1. replace engine oil & filter
2. rotate tires
3. re-torque drive shaft bolt
4. visually inspect brakes
5. inspect a lot of other stuff
I can easily do 1,2,4 myself. Does anyone know what amount of torque should be applied to the drive shaft bolt? Could you please share the ft/lbs amount?
I don't drive in heavy traffic, nor off-road, nor in desert areas, nor do I tow. I think that the price of this service is a lot for what you get in return.
Any other thoughts or comments? Thanks.
In short if you like acceleration especially in hilly environments, you might find it a little lacking. The gas mileage over the Olds is great though and true to the EPA ratings from what I can tell.
Regards and safe driving,
-Ken