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Just bought the 2003 HL limited and looking for a place to buy tube steps. Have any websites that I can check out? I'm not sure what looks good or where to get the best deal. The dealer wants $650 installed, not going to happen.
I'm also curious about how to get my Ipod hooked up without using the cassette player option. I was wondering if there was a way to come from the back and have one single wire coming out?
Just received a letter from our Dealer stating Toyota wants a number of 2004 HL back and they would trade in our 2004 for a 2006 HL at 2005 prices. Is this just a marketing ploy or is Toyota trying to get some of the 2004's back for recall reasons?
It's a pure sales pitch by your dealer. I don't think Toyota buys used cars back absent litigation. That's the dealer's bailiwick.
Nothing wrong with a sales pitch - that's how I bought my last car. I emailed a friend who owned a creampuff and told her if she was in the market for a new wagon, I'd buy her old one. She took the hint. :-)
I have searched and found may post about doing this but never found the instructions. Could some 1 please post instructions for this. I have an 06 ltd if it matters.
"2008 Toyota Highlander: Redesigned on the Avalon platform, growing larger in size to make room for the RAV4."
This makes sense from the Highlander Hybrid standpoint as they just introduced it as an '06 model and would be inefficient to redesign it the very next model year.
Just curious if any Highlander owners have looked at the new Rav4. All of the specs seem to favor the Rav4 over the Highlander. I think Toyota may have problems moving Highlanders until they do a much overdue redo of the Highlander. Are others feeling this way too?
I wondered the same thing when I saw a magazine ad recently for the new RAV4. The reasons I didn't buy the RAV4 in 2004 were the cramped rear seats and the cargo volume that was less than my old '94 Corolla wagon. The redesigned RAV4 claims 40 percent more cargo space and presumably offers better legroom. It seems to me like Toyota sees the new RAV4 as a replacement for the Highlander. Besides being redesigned to make it larger, I also read somewhere that the 4-cylinder version of the Highlander will be discontinued. The Land Cruiser has already been redesigned, I believe as a 2007 model, so I am wondering just how the bigger Highlander will fit with the other SUVs in Toyota's line-up. It seems like they would need to discontinue something to keep all the products distinct from each other. And since they chose the Highlander as the vehicle to market as a hybrid, it makes me think that the 4Runner or Sequoia will be the odd man out.
Took a look at the new RAV4 today -- even though it's increased in size it's definitely somewhat smaller than the HL. It most notably has a much sportier, outgoing character, in terms of it's styling both inside and out. The HL, in contrast, is more understated and sedate in it's styling, with a more up-scale aura, in comparison.
For this reason I personally would still lean toward the HL if I was trying to decide between these two SUVs today. But that's just me. Specs aside, check out both vehicles in person to see which appeals to you. If size or cargo capacity is an issue then this would favor the HL. If sportiness and pizzazz are what you're after, then go for the RAV4!
Gosh you're right -- looking at the specs the RAV is very close to the HL in terms of size.
Visually looking inside the RAV it seemed a "size" smaller than the HL -- similar to the interior size difference between a compact and full-size car. Looking at the cargo volume numbers the RAV is maybe 10% smaller than the HL, so perhaps this is what I was seeing.
It's interesting how the perception of size can be influenced by styling. I worked for a company that made medical ultrasound machines that were about the size of a washing machine. At one point during it's product cycle they gave it a complete face lift -- by redesigning the shape and style of the exterior sheetmetal and plastic panels they were able to make it appear more compact, whereas in reality it was the exact same size -- I didn't believe it myself until I put the two side by side.
Still while specs are an excellent starting point for comparing vehicles you still have to check them out in person. If you're going to use it to cart your family around in, get your whole family in there to see if they fit comfortably, baby seats and all. If you're going to use it for hauling, load up the cargo area with your stuff to see how well it fits. If it's mostly an image thing, then see what the car seems to be saying to you.
Specs are important to me too -- I'm getting ready to replace my Toyota pickup with a Ford, as Toyota doesn't make longbeds anymore -- I looked at reliability data in some detail before making this decision!
I went to the Indianapolis Auto Show last week and they had 2 4cyl Rav4 Limiteds with Sunroof. The price was about the same as my '04 HL 4cyl. I would be hard pressed not to buy the Rav4 instead of the HL especially with the much improved gas mileage on the Rav4. Heck, the 3.5 V6 Rav4 gets better gas mileage than my 4cyl HL. And that ought to be a real hot rod suv.
You know I'm not sure whether the RAV I was looking at was a limited; I may have been looking at a non-limited and that may have influenced my impression -- I'll have to look at them again and ensure I check-out a limited.
if i was to buy a used toyota highlander off of a nissan lot am i still covered under the 7 year /100,000 mile power train warranty or is that a certified toyota deal only.. i see no difference in buying a certified highlander vs. a non certified highlander . is there a comprehensive warranty if i go certified?
I thought it was cheaper looking than my Highlander, but.... I think a lot of the vehicles that have been released in the past couple of years are looking cheaper on the inside. However, from just sitting in the Rav4 for a few minutes, I thought the seats felt more comfortable than those in my Highlander. For some reason, I can't get comfortable in my Highlander. There seems to be a world of dfference in comfort between a HL with leather vs. cloth as I have. The seats in my Camry are the most comfortable seats I have ever had and the HL are the worst. And if you look at the seat shape, there isn't really that much difference. It is hard to explain. My wife thinks the seats in the Highlander are fine, but she is almost a foot shorter and weighs quite a few pounds less as well.
If you do not get a Toyota certified warranty, typically you only get the balance of the original 3yr/36 mo basic & 5yr/60,000 powertrain warranty. If those are expired, you only get whatever the selling dealer offers for a warranty which could be nothing, or 30 days/1,000 miles, or something else. Some larger dealers offer their own certified warranty. The factory or Toyota certified warranty are definitely the preferred type of warranty if you travel a lot as they are good at any Toyota dealership. The warranty a dealer offers if usually only good at their dealership. Hope this information helps.
The seat cushion in the HL is shorter than in the current Camry (approx. 1"). It does make a difference for some. The Matrix and 2005 RAV's seat cushions are also longer than the HL's. Until I measure, I'll assume the 2006 RAV's seat cushion is longer as well (based on your seat comfort assessment). The previous Camry had a shorter seat cushion (than the current model). Nothing beats the first generation Camry seats for comfort (we had a 1986 LE). I'm seriously looking at the RAV, altough I did consider purchasing the HL.
New to forum. I have a 2003. Is diagnosing and correcting, replacing parts when CEL comes on still under warranty??? I purchase the Platinum Service package (wrong move!!) when it came out. I check previous postings and none on this topic on certain terms. Thanks.
Yes you can do this, up to 2003. For some unknown reason Toyota deleated this reset feature on the 2004 and up years. The average gas mileage only resets when putting gas in the tank in these model years.
Was charged $85 to diagnose a CEL. Ended up they just put pack the vaccumm hose that came loose from the air intake box. Tech mentioned they come loose all of the time. Then pulled a fuse to reset. They did not mention what fuse they pulled to reset. (Dealer secret). Isn't this suppose to be on warranty? Thanks.
I looked at the specs too, and for legroom, the RAV4 beats RAV4 41.8/38.3/30.0 HL 40.7/36.4/30.2 even though the RAV4 is shorter. Plus the RAV4 has more cargo space behind the 3rd row: HL 80.6/39.7/10.5 RAV4 73.0/37.2/12.3 And the RAV4 is smaller on the outside: HL 184.6/71.9/68.3 (with roofrack) RAV4 181.1/71.5/69.1 (with roofrack)
Regardless of the style, you have to admit that the RAV4 makes a better use of interior space for it's outside size.
I was at a local dealer the other night. They had a 2006 RAV and a HL side by side. The RAV's second row seat has a shorter seat cushion than the HL (I forgot my tape measuring tape, used my arm and fingers to measure). It's shorter by approx. 1/2 inch. It's about 1 inch shorter than my current Camry. Consequently, the second row seat is not as comfortable as the HL or Camry (not that I'll be sitting back there). What helps the RAV is that the seat-back is adjustable (nice touch). Just an observation.
The RAV does make good use of interior space. The HL has a slightly classier feel to it. I do prefer the RAV's exterior styling. I don't like the seat materials in either vehicle. These are just my opinions (so far). Decisions, decisions.
FYI, you can use a dollar bill to measure anything. Our money is exactly 6 inches long. I have always used this when in need of a measurement. However, it must be a one dollar bill, not a five or any other.
Yes, I know. It just seems to help the RAV a little more because the seat cushion is shorter (in the RAV). I just wish the HL had a little more personality. It certainly feels classier and projects the feeling that it is more substancial (than the RAV).
It's only 6 1/8 inches long if you iron the bill; with all the usual wrinkles it's usually six inches even. :-)
Sneakers over in News and Views wants y'all to know that a dollar bill is also the amount of lead you have to add to the head of a golf club to change it by one swingweight.
Fascinating Highlander trivia for your weekend ...
I like everything about the Highlander except for the seats.
As with all Toyotas, they make my back hurt. Feels like a rod running vertically against my spine. Have noticed that with the Matrix and Highlander that I rented. I have to sit slightly sideways to be even somewhat comfortable.
I don't have that problem with other makes such as GM or Mercury or Infiniti.
There is something fundamentally different about the design of Toyota seats. Lexus seats are better for me, but still not as comfortable as other makes.
Anyone had any experience getting an auto upholsterer to work on the seats?
I tried a seatback pad in the rented Highlander. It didn't help.
Of course I will talk to a couple of local auto upholsterers, but I thought I'd see what you folks have learned.
I am glad that there are others who think the same as I do. My wife has a 2004 HL with cloth seats and I have a 2004 Camry with cloth seats. The Camry seats are the most comfortable seats I have ever had in a vehicle. But every time I sit in the HL, I immediately have a pain in my back and can not get comfortable at all in it. I have ridden in HL's with leather and they are MUCH better than the cloth. When I visibly compare the HL and Camry seats, they look almost alike in shape and size. The only solution I have found is to let my wife drive the HL, but if the 2 of us are going somewhere together, it has to be in the Camry. Thus the HL sits in the garage at home a lot. Too bad because I really like the way the HL drives and handles. If you find a fix, please post it here as I need it too
Sounds like what you really need is a good chiropractor. Seriously... if you get a pain in your back when sitting in any standard automotive seat then there is probably something going on with your spine that you should look into.
I initially had some problems getting comfortable in the Highlander but had previously experienced the same problem in a Mercedes I had some years ago. At that time, the back pain became so intense that I required fairly extensive physiotherapy. The attached link takes you to some very sound pointers onhow to configure a car seat for maximum comfort.
Chriropractors typically sell lumbar support pillows in their offices. They are pricier than the ones in mail-order catalogs but are better quality and will easily last a decade or more with daily use while driving. They come in various designs and colors; some are quite thin and work well in automobiles.
I have taken highway trips in Ramblers, Hondas, Chevies, Renaults, Nissans, Toyotas, Subarus, Buicks, Dodges, VWs, Suzukis, Fords, Pontiacs, Volvos, and probably others that I can't think of right now. I have yet to find a car seat that is truly comfortable for me over the long haul, but with these pillows I can drive 12 or 13 hours in a day and walk away unscathed. For me it's a better solution than the built-in lumbar support adjustments in the seats that I have tried.
I use a rolled up t-shirt for most cars; it's easy to move around on long road trips. The seats in my current van have never bothered me, but you really can't tell how well the seats will work for you on a shorter test drive.
Some people have success getting an upholsterer to rebuild their seats with different types of foam. Let us know if you go that route, Curt2005.
I first thought it was the profile of the Toyota seats along the vertical axis. There is a pronounced convex shape to the seat-back when you look at it from the side. If that were the problem for me, I would have solved it with several pad experiments I made with the rented Highlander, essentially the equivalent of Steve's T-shirt suggestion.
I got it a few blocks and then spent 15 minutes fooling with the seat adjustments. Then drove it in pain to the nearest drugstore and bought a seatback pad, which didn't help despite my trying it in several configurations.
Since I found some comfort improvement with the rented Matrix by sitting slightly sideways of the center of the seat (instead of properly centered) I am thinking now that it is an issue of the horizontal profile of the seat. I.e. the shape of the seat-back as seen from above.
Since I don't have trouble with my current GM car or with a rented Ford or a rented Infiniti, I think that it is some fundamental difference in the seat-back design by Toyota. Hyundai seems to have cloned the Toyota seat, but not 100%. I was not very comfortable in the Azera that I test-drove.
Thanks for the suggestions. Will go to that URL someone suggested and will talk to upholsterers.
steve said: "...you really can't tell how well the seats will work for you on a shorter test drive."
Amen. Living with a car for a couple of days is very different from several short test drives. Well worth the money to rent before buying.
For example, the Infiniti G35 sedan was wonderful until I did some short-trip errands and got a splitting headache from the loud "vroom-vroom" engine noise on even the slightest acceleration. Guess it is for "midlife crisis hotrodders!"
In my area, Hertz Local Edition has Camry and Matrix and was able to scare up a Highlander.
I want to replace front brake pads and disk rotors on my 2001 HL myself. Is there anything I should be aware? I changed brakes on Toyota Avalon few times before and was wondering if HL has similar break assembly. I also want to change rear break pad and rotors. Please post if you have any information. Thanks
My rotors warped. Toyota techs screwed up but it is very difficult to make them pay for the new rotors after the warranty is out. I don't think it's cost effective to turn rotors. They will never perform as expected. I can buy 2 new Brembo rotors for $100. That's my logic.
Not cost effective? I've had 2 brake jobs on my 99 Honda CRV and each time the rotors were turned rather than replaced and I've still got enough left for another turn. And they work just fine. You do the math.
Comments
I'm also curious about how to get my Ipod hooked up without using the cassette player option. I was wondering if there was a way to come from the back and have one single wire coming out?
thanks
Steve, Host
Nothing wrong with a sales pitch - that's how I bought my last car. I emailed a friend who owned a creampuff and told her if she was in the market for a new wagon, I'd buy her old one. She took the hint. :-)
Steve, Host
See how good they work.....
Take it back and get a Garmin Street Pilot that will sit on the dash and you can move it from car to car.
From the Motor Trend website:
"2008 Toyota Highlander: Redesigned on the Avalon platform, growing larger in size to make room for the RAV4."
This makes sense from the Highlander Hybrid standpoint as they just introduced it as an '06 model and would be inefficient to redesign it the very next model year.
For this reason I personally would still lean toward the HL if I was trying to decide between these two SUVs today. But that's just me. Specs aside, check out both vehicles in person to see which appeals to you. If size or cargo capacity is an issue then this would favor the HL. If sportiness and pizzazz are what you're after, then go for the RAV4!
HL Rav4
Length 184.6 181.1
Width 71.9 71.5
Height 67.9 66.3
Wheelbase 106.9 104.7
Curb Weight (4cyl) 3516 3300
Curb Weight V6 3935 3655
Cargo volume behind
Ft Seat 80.6 73.0
2nd Seat 39.7 37.2
3rd Seat 10.5 12.3
Leg Room 2nd Seat 36.4 38.3
MPG (4cyl-2wd) 22/27 24/30
MPG (V6-4wd) 18/24 21/28
Visually looking inside the RAV it seemed a "size" smaller than the HL -- similar to the interior size difference between a compact and full-size car. Looking at the cargo volume numbers the RAV is maybe 10% smaller than the HL, so perhaps this is what I was seeing.
It's interesting how the perception of size can be influenced by styling. I worked for a company that made medical ultrasound machines that were about the size of a washing machine. At one point during it's product cycle they gave it a complete face lift -- by redesigning the shape and style of the exterior sheetmetal and plastic panels they were able to make it appear more compact, whereas in reality it was the exact same size -- I didn't believe it myself until I put the two side by side.
Still while specs are an excellent starting point for comparing vehicles you still have to check them out in person. If you're going to use it to cart your family around in, get your whole family in there to see if they fit comfortably, baby seats and all. If you're going to use it for hauling, load up the cargo area with your stuff to see how well it fits. If it's mostly an image thing, then see what the car seems to be saying to you.
Specs are important to me too -- I'm getting ready to replace my Toyota pickup with a Ford, as Toyota doesn't make longbeds anymore -- I looked at reliability data in some detail before making this decision!
Did you like how it looked inside?
http://www.toyota.com/html/tcuv/index.html?s_van=GM_STN_TCUV
If you do not get a Toyota certified warranty, typically you only get the balance of the original 3yr/36 mo basic & 5yr/60,000 powertrain warranty. If those are expired, you only get whatever the selling dealer offers for a warranty which could be nothing, or 30 days/1,000 miles, or something else. Some larger dealers offer their own certified warranty. The factory or Toyota certified warranty are definitely the preferred type of warranty if you travel a lot as they are good at any Toyota dealership. The warranty a dealer offers if usually only good at their dealership. Hope this information helps.
Das Boots
Das Boots
RAV4 41.8/38.3/30.0
HL 40.7/36.4/30.2
even though the RAV4 is shorter. Plus the RAV4 has more cargo space behind the 3rd row:
HL 80.6/39.7/10.5
RAV4 73.0/37.2/12.3
And the RAV4 is smaller on the outside:
HL 184.6/71.9/68.3 (with roofrack)
RAV4 181.1/71.5/69.1 (with roofrack)
Regardless of the style, you have to admit that the RAV4 makes a better use of interior space for it's outside size.
The RAV does make good use of interior space. The HL has a slightly classier feel to it. I do prefer the RAV's exterior styling. I don't like the seat materials in either vehicle. These are just my opinions (so far). Decisions, decisions.
My Highlander's seat back is adjustable as well.(2004)
tidester, host
Sneakers over in News and Views wants y'all to know that a dollar bill is also the amount of lead you have to add to the head of a golf club to change it by one swingweight.
Fascinating Highlander trivia for your weekend ...
Steve, Host
As with all Toyotas, they make my back hurt. Feels like a rod running vertically against my spine. Have noticed that with the Matrix and Highlander that I rented. I have to sit slightly sideways to be even somewhat comfortable.
I don't have that problem with other makes such as GM or Mercury or Infiniti.
There is something fundamentally different about the design of Toyota seats. Lexus seats are better for me, but still not as comfortable as other makes.
Anyone had any experience getting an auto upholsterer to work on the seats?
I tried a seatback pad in the rented Highlander. It didn't help.
Of course I will talk to a couple of local auto upholsterers, but I thought I'd see what you folks have learned.
Thanks!
I initially had some problems getting comfortable in the Highlander but had previously experienced the same problem in a Mercedes I had some years ago. At that time, the back pain became so intense that I required fairly extensive physiotherapy. The attached link takes you to some very sound pointers onhow to configure a car seat for maximum comfort.
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/cd/docs_dandt/research/ergonomics/biw/docs/dr- iving_position_guide.pdf
Cheers
Graham
I have taken highway trips in Ramblers, Hondas, Chevies, Renaults, Nissans, Toyotas, Subarus, Buicks, Dodges, VWs, Suzukis, Fords, Pontiacs, Volvos, and probably others that I can't think of right now. I have yet to find a car seat that is truly comfortable for me over the long haul, but with these pillows I can drive 12 or 13 hours in a day and walk away unscathed. For me it's a better solution than the built-in lumbar support adjustments in the seats that I have tried.
Some people have success getting an upholsterer to rebuild their seats with different types of foam. Let us know if you go that route, Curt2005.
Steve, Host
I first thought it was the profile of the Toyota seats along the vertical axis. There is a pronounced convex shape to the seat-back when you look at it from the side. If that were the problem for me, I would have solved it with several pad experiments I made with the rented Highlander, essentially the equivalent of Steve's T-shirt suggestion.
I got it a few blocks and then spent 15 minutes fooling with the seat adjustments. Then drove it in pain to the nearest drugstore and bought a seatback pad, which didn't help despite my trying it in several configurations.
Since I found some comfort improvement with the rented Matrix by sitting slightly sideways of the center of the seat (instead of properly centered) I am thinking now that it is an issue of the horizontal profile of the seat. I.e. the shape of the seat-back as seen from above.
Since I don't have trouble with my current GM car or with a rented Ford or a rented Infiniti, I think that it is some fundamental difference in the seat-back design by Toyota. Hyundai seems to have cloned the Toyota seat, but not 100%. I was not very comfortable in the Azera that I test-drove.
Thanks for the suggestions. Will go to that URL someone suggested and will talk to upholsterers.
Amen. Living with a car for a couple of days is very different from several short test drives. Well worth the money to rent before buying.
For example, the Infiniti G35 sedan was wonderful until I did some short-trip errands and got a splitting headache from the loud "vroom-vroom" engine noise on even the slightest acceleration. Guess it is for "midlife crisis hotrodders!"
In my area, Hertz Local Edition has Camry and Matrix and was able to scare up a Highlander.