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That being said, I hope you are sucessful in bringing your car up to your expectations, the Highlander is a fine vehicle, and worthy owning for a long time
My comments related more to the fact that after reading these boards awhile I think it is important to distinguish between:
1) Individual cars that exhibit a common a problem (which does happen and is unfortunate)
2) A design flaw that results in dangerous behavior among all cars of a particular model
3) People who for whatever reason have decided they are not happy with their purchase.
Overall the Highlander is a great car that the majority of owners have no problems with. We love ours and have absolutely no complaints. I sympathize with those who have valid issues, but I am bothered a bit by the exaggerations that claim that there is a design flaw that renders all Highlanders dangerous to drive. We just need to keep thing in perspective, that's all.
Based on your extensive list, I see no way you could ever be happy with your HL. If I were in your shoes, I'd bite the bullet and trade it.
Good advice from jbollt, always test drive the exact vehicle you're purchasing. I made that mistake once. I test drove an '01 Accord, loved it, but they didn't have the color we wanted, but said one would be here shortly. We signed the paper work and when we went to pick it up, it had 600 miles. It was ugly but they eventually gave us some money back. They fought us even though the odometer paper they signed said something like 10 miles.
It is only a $40 option. Has anyone had the option installed by the dealer? If so, how much did it cost?
Thanks
I would be upset if I was in your shoes and had a windows sticker that said I had a option that was not on the vehicle
Is this expected or is there a flaw with my weather-stripping? I guess, I am curious about what would happen if the car were parked for a long time in heavy rains or if a particular door were not opened for a long time. Would the water just build up inside the door and lead to rusting?
Patrick
My 99 Camaro has DRL that are actually the amber turn lights. Our Camry that we got rid of to get the Highlander had the DRL also.
I don't have the auto on headlights on the Highlander either. Oh, the trouble to remember to turn the switch on when it gets dark, how will I ever remember.
Funny how you get used to things on the newer cars that we never had on cars 10 years ago.
I replied back to him and asked if the highlander also came with a heavy duty electorstatic combobulator.
I will paste his comment about the timing belt below. And, no, I did not buy a car from this guy
So, here are the answear to you last set of question's; #1) You no longer have to worry about, `as you reffered to it the older belt's, that could easily break, or as you put it, "cause interfernce with the engine" Those old fallable timing belt's, are no longer put in to our Highlnader's; These, ( I have been told by our mechanic's), are now, "TitaniumTiming Chains!
tidester, host
"... These, ( I have been told by our mechanic's), are now, 'TitaniumTiming Chains!"
you'll note the salesman uses the apostrophe in the word "mechanic's" to indicate the possessive, but doesn't specify what it was that the mechanic had that told the salesman this. Was it the mechanic's dog? The mechanic's therapist?
Back to the question at hand, did we ever resolve definitively whether the V6 has an interference engine or not? My salesman told me it did not. The Gates Rubber timing belt guide says yes as did someone here who supposedly knew a Toyota mechanic or had some inside info.
- feel as if the cost of gasoline is significantly driving up their commuting costs (no pun intended)
- have been impressed with their vehicles' gas mileage
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Review your vehicle
You may want to have your alignment checked if the you hit the curb hard
It's disappointing that for just under $40k before tax and freight that Honda doesn't include stability control except in the top of the line EX-L. I was sure that it was standard on Highlander, until tonight that is. When I took out a 2004 V6 Highlander I asked the salesman if it had stability control. He looked puzzled and started to check the dash but didn't see anything to indicate it had stability control so he tells me they only include it on the limited versions.
Could it be that he's right? Consumers reports says stability control is standard on Highlanders even on the 04's. Did Toyota not include stability control on Canadian models?
Thank you
The button on the shift lever will take the transmission out of fifth, if desired.
We have had our 2004 V6 Limited for almost two years. It is an excellent vehicle.
The explanation is as wwest states is his post. For front wheel drive the off button allows you to spin the front wheels to dig yourself out of sand or snow.
I cannot get the rear wiper cartridge off the 2002 Highlander. I just dont see a release like you do on the front wipers. Thank you in advance!
You're right, my Camry has a Trac Off button but not the HL. Mea culpa.
BTW, the lite came on for about a half hour at 17,000 miles then went out.
Need some help, thanks
Can't help you on the 4 vs 6 question. Depends on whether you're willing to sacrifice mileage for power. I can tell you that the 6 will get only 22-23 mpg on the highway and probably less than 18 around town.
This month's issue, October, has an article on new models/redesigns that is online for a short time. Compared to other new models, the HL in its first year, while having more problems per hundred than in later years, still had less problems the first year than the other vehicles in the comparison, and none improved after 3 years to the low level the HL had the first year.
We've always bought new under the philosophy that 1) we keep the vehicle until it dies and 2) you know where it's been. I have a colleague who's been shopping at the local bank's used off-lease lot where they only sell their off-lease cars. He has purchased several vehicles, the last a HL, and while the price was a little higher than other used the bank knew the history of the vehicle and was willing to share. And Carfax can give the history of a specific vehicle if you are wanting to buy used, an added investment that might be worthwhile. - John
Anyone know?
Some things to note:
The '01 HL does not have the integrated center console that was introduced with the '02 model, though some '01s have a stand-alone center console. Also lacking in the '01 is the second-row seat fold down center arm rest.
A few minor bugs in early HLs (mostly '01s and some '02s) were corrected in later years and via TSBs on '01s and '02s in some cases, including engine oil sludging, front door side wind noise, and glovebox rattle.
Minor interior and exterior styling changes, an increase in the V6 size from 3.0L to 3.3L, introduction of a 5-speed transmission on the V6, and a third row seat option were introduced with the '04 model.
In my and other's on this board opinions the I4 has plenty of pep/is not underpowered as it is on some other cars; a thorough test drive should address whether the I4 has enough power for you (whether new or used). If you buy an AWD, however, the V6 is strongly advised (as it is if you plan to do a lot of towing).
"How many miles does the HL typically go before major problems crop up in your opinions?"
So far no signs of increased problems yet even on '01s on these boards!