Toyota Highlander

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Comments

  • tejanotejano Member Posts: 2
    I am considering buying a V-6 2wd HL...test drove one and enjoyed everything about it! However, when I rolled down the passenger window or the back windows a loud turbulent sound was produced. It was very disturbing to the ears. The driver's window did not produce this irritating sound. Has anyone experienced this effect? Is this a characteristic of SUV's? Any info will be appreciated!
  • andrec8513andrec8513 Member Posts: 16
    My Limited HL is coming this way. I just had to wait two months for it. It is actually coming in tomorrow! I also have most other options available, but if you want one, your dealer can get one for you if they REALLY want to. Some just say they cant to sell what is on the lot. My HL is from Toyota of Newburgh in New Windsor, N.Y.. Speak to Tony Crisci. 845-561-0340. He is very helpful and should be able to get you what you want if you have the patience.
  • skyrebskyreb Member Posts: 129
    I am no expert, but I think it has more to do with physics, and less to do with defective design. Open a window, air rushes in, compresses with no place to excape. Years ago we did not have A/C, so all the windows were open; look at an older car and they had a small vent window right behind the windshield .... that deflected the air; I recall when sun roofs first came out the sound was deafning until they added the little deflector at the leading edge; My Acura does it, the Explorer that I recently turned in did it. I suppose it would help if the HL had an opening rear hatch window, but my Explorer had one and I rarely, if ever, opened it.

    Happy Motoring
  • mkstringmkstring Member Posts: 53
    tejano: check out these old posts on the noise when you roll the back windows down: #1186,#1283. Yes, others have it (my old 2 dr. Buick regal did it), and #1283 has some "it doesn't do it when you do this". Plus what skyreb said :).

    On the electochromatic mirrors/compass: My base HL has it - I think it's a port option. One of the few good things about Gulf States Toyota :). The rs3200 security is the same way i think. daltex, you'll be in luck since we're in the same area.
  • toyotawalttoyotawalt Member Posts: 15
    Rear-window turbulence is not the only instance, for HL's sunroof owners. Indeed, the owner's manual notes that the auto-open feature on the sunroof will only open it about 3/4 of the way, and recommends that the owner NOT press it again to open it all the way because of wind noise. Yup, it certainly does!!!!
    It lacks the automatic flip-up spoiler that my '94 Camry has.

    By the way: I'm still enjoying this marvelous vehicle. Only getting about 20.3 mpg right now (v6 awd), but that should improve with a nice long trip....to which I'm very much looking forward. Man, am I glad I didn't get that MDX! (of course, I still wouldn't actually have it yet, anyway!)

    Hi-yo Silver*, away!
    *Reference to the fact that my "Millenium Silver" HL has been so-dubbed by my Sunday School kids...
  • amkupamkup Member Posts: 9
    Just back from the dealer I've been working with - Boulder Toyota. But no HL on the way! I had been told by the sales manager on the phone that a FWD Limited HL with VD and BE could be had in 4-6 weeks by trading with a dealer in AZ. So I made an appointment and expected to do the deal. Today in the dealership I get the story that it is still a 3-4 month special order. The sales manager didn't even bother to come over to apologize for the misinformation.

    So I left.

    Just can't believe it has to be this hard to get the car I want without thousands of extra dollars. I was even willing to spring for the sunroof which I could do without.

    Is a special order my only route at this point?

    Very frustrated and quite disappointed.
  • daltexdaltex Member Posts: 19
    I haven't received my anxiously-awaited HL yet, but after reading all of the postings regarding the center console, I decided to give my dealership a call to have one ordered so that it could be installed when the HL arrives.

    GET THIS.....the manager of the parts department told me that they just got a memo that the dealer-installation of the center console has been DISCONTINUED due to the EPA (?!?). Somebody please explain that one to me (possibly made out of Uranium or Plutonium???). So my question is this...has anyonone whose HL didn't originally come with the center console actually found & installed one yet?

    John
  • gwkisergwkiser Member Posts: 326
    Sorry to hear about the problems w/ your HL. I have now waited about 3+ weeks for ours. Dealer claims that they found one in transit to port for me. Ordered 2/27, promised 3/10-3/12. Got call on 3/10 and was told it would be in 3/17-3/20. Still not here. Checked in on it on 3/13 and was told it was in port (Houston, Gulf States Toyota (disrtib.)) on 3/12 and should take 5-7 working days to get to me. Have been advised by other sales staff at other dealerships outside of Gulf States distribution area that GST does "strange things", inferring that maybe they do what they want when they want. Purely speculation on their/my part.....

    My suspicion is that my choice of color (Bluestone also) has compounded the delay. Also, I chose a gray leather interior and center console, both to be installed at GST. Who knows, maybe my HL has been sold out from under me at the dealership. At this point they have been very forthright and diligent in letting me know when a delay was going to happen, albeit without a clear reason why. I have even reapplied for my financing (via e-loan) so I could get an extention on the original note (my 60 day period on the draft was going to expire before the 20th). I figure about another week and I start gathering firewood to start a fire under them. "Give me my HL or give me a legitimate reason why it's delayed!"

    BTW, we have 3 dealerships here in San Antonio, and I have yet to see a single Bluestone of any kind on any of their lots or on the road. Lots of white (I call "BLINDING WHITE"), black, silver, red, indigo blue, and even a green.

    You might want to post a message here to all Toyota salespersons re: your needs. Maybe someone can help you out quicker than a special order. IMHO no vehicle short of an exotic car is worth the wait of 3-4 months! I'll be looking elsewhere if that becomes the case with ours (new GMC Envoy, Jeep Liberty, etc.).
  • tshadletshadle Member Posts: 38
    I recently canceled an order for an Outback VDC I waited 5 months for, because of the lack of communication and because the Highlander had come out . No phone calls, nothing from the dealer around the time it was due. I wouldn't have minded waiting had he been straight with me. If you even suspect they're jerking you around, get your deposit back or know the reason why.
    And Cliffy, Dianne what is the real reason behind the mysterious Bluestones? Dianne has been good enough to post pictures of the ones she gets on her website, but is Toyota trying to create some kind of artificial extra demand by not producing enough of one color?
  • dniehusdniehus Member Posts: 83
    I also was giving serious consideration to a Subaru Outback LLBean or a VDC. Excellent vehicle. I just decided I preferred the HL (which I finally put in an order to "preference" yesterday; expect delivery in early May; like others a bluestone! We'll see if I have any problem). Not to talk you out of the HL, but if you still want to pursue an Outback, given your location, I would recommend Fitzgerald Subaru in Rockville, MD. Check out their website at www.fitzmall.com (it's a multibrand, multilocation dealer group). They have an excellent supply of VDC's and LLBeans; all are selling for $300 UNDER invoice. Fitzgerald also has a Toyota dealership in Gaithersburg, MD selling HL's for $1200 over invoice -- best price I've seen in the Midatlantic area. Their entire stock and special pricing is posted on their website. It would be great if all dealerships did that. Certainly saves a lot of aggravation. Good luck.
  • devlopperdevlopper Member Posts: 44
    It seems as though the Japanese are real good at limiting production in order to keep prices high. OPEC too, seems to be getting better at it. What we Americans have known for years is that creating an artificial limit on supply can and will end up biting the supplier.

    With the state of the Japanese economy as it is today, maybe it's time to really deflate the yen, lower their prices and get those factories pumping out cars. I think that we all agree that these prices are a little high......
  • cliffy1cliffy1 Member Posts: 3,581
    There is no conspiracy at play here. It just isn't that popular of a color. Demand is much higher for silver and gold so that is what we get more of. Combine this with the fact that tan leather doesn't exactly match the exterior and you have the reason bluestone is hard to find. It isn't impossible but it is difficult.
  • venicebeachvenicebeach Member Posts: 5
    Just picked up my HL Limited (Silver) from Carson Toyota. I am a CPA/Business manager and
    have hated making car deals for clients because of unprofessional sales people.
    Dianne Whitmire at Carson Toyota was the most professional, straightforward and honest salesperson I have ever met. It was a pleasure doing business with her.
    Do not waste your time by dealing with any other dealer....just call Dianne.
  • raybearraybear Member Posts: 1,795
    I work for one of the internet services and she's my best Toyota dealer. Our customers love her.
  • dianne4toyotadianne4toyota Member Posts: 343
    OK, Mike's miffed. He thinks you thought he was me, LOL!!! (Kidding!)

    It was wonderful to meet you both too. You are so charming (and patient, for certain!)

    The manuals saga = the book's mis printed. The items as far as tools go are IN the car, neatly separated and set up to not rattle. There isn't a "tool kit" in any HL we have, and we have 20+ on ground, I looked thru every one (with help)!

    Di
  • dniehusdniehus Member Posts: 83
    Well, color preference is certainly a very subjective, personal issue! Judging by the number of posts regarding bluestone, I'd hardly say it was an unpopular color! It's definitely my first choice. I frankly think the bluestone with ivory leather is a great combination. I'm not about to start a silly poll on color preferences as appeared several times (!) on the Yahoo Ford Escape Club. Silver and gold are nice as well and, because they are so neutral, probably a "safe" color for resale. I read recently that silver is now the number one vehicle color in the US (replacing white).
  • sotagearsotagear Member Posts: 17
    Just to let you know a different perspective on the Bluestone color.
    I very luckily found out last week that my manager is good friends with the big cheese at Lexus/Toyota (what timing!). The cheese turned me over to the main buyer on the west coast for Toyota & I'm going through him to get a VIP price on a HL. I'm not telling you that to brag, but just to set up the fact that the guys I've been talking to seriously know their stuff & what's going on at Toyota.
    As I was telling him my color choice, I asked him about the Bluestone controversy that I had been hearing about. This head Toyota buyer guy told me that Bluestone is presently the most popular color. Previously it was the gold. It sounded like they were going to crank out this color to meet the demand. Obviously he wants to order the most popularly requested colors for the dealerships. Of course I threw him a curve ball & told him I'm probably going with the red color, as soon as I can see it again in the sunlight. He informed me that red represents about 1% of the total output of HL's at the present time & might take 3 or 4 weeks to get me one. Hey - at the price I'll be getting, I'm not complaining.
    So . . . don't believe the jive that this color has been discontinued. It's the most requested color at the moment & it sounds like they're trying to meet those requests at Toyota.

    BTW - if anyone has a red HL, please let me know what you think about it since you've been living with it every day. I know it's a bit orangy, but it looks pretty good to me.
    Cheers,
    -Dave
  • blvdsngrblvdsngr Member Posts: 1
    I am seriously considering the I4 because of fuel and other costs. Have driven it twice and felt it had noteworthy performance. Anybody out there have one who can report mileage? By the way, from what I've read, this engine was specifically designed for Highlander, has variable valve tech. which provides a broad torque curve, has a power to weight ratio similar to Camry. It is a willing performer and the auto trans is very responsive to throttle input and incline demand.
  • amkupamkup Member Posts: 9
    E-mailed Dianne after I got back from my disappointing meeting at Boulder Toyota. She called me back within a few minutes. A BLUESTONE FWD V6 HL with all the features I desired (VD and BE) was sitting on her website. I had to take SR and HD, which I could do without, but the car lands on the 28th!

    Now to drive it home from CA or have it shipped?

    Either way I'm elated.

    Thanks for all the help on the board and good luck to those still searching.
  • dianne4toyotadianne4toyota Member Posts: 343
    thanks...and I am elated for you too! As I got my first glance at the new allocation, I was thrilled because I'd made that bluestone Limited car my #1 request, and hadn't had it up more than a few hours on the site before it became "history" to you. Great minds think alike.

    Di
  • jreajrea Member Posts: 26
    I'm very interested in your experience at Boulder Toyota. I am about in the market for a Highlander and always prefer to buy locally if possible. However, if the local experience is not good, I too might consider a trip to California to bring a car back.

    Is there a difference between a CA Highlander and CO vehicle? It used to be that Rocky Mtn. cars had some kind of high-altitude emmissions equipment installed.

    If you would prefer to answer privately, go to my user profile and send email.

    Thanks to all who participate on this board; it is really excellent!
  • raybearraybear Member Posts: 1,795
    I've had Dianne ship cars for some of my out of state customers, she just sent a Camry to New Mexico.
  • dianne4toyotadianne4toyota Member Posts: 343
    Nah... CA cars here for Highlanders are FE cars -- fifty state emissions. No diff! I get the same cars they get in Colorado. Well, they are optioned out a little differently, perhaps

    Di
  • dianne4toyotadianne4toyota Member Posts: 343
    That was a Solara SE V6!
    Dianne
  • raybearraybear Member Posts: 1,795
    Hey it's still in the Camry family, right?
  • dianne4toyotadianne4toyota Member Posts: 343
    http://www.carsontoyota.com/upload/highlander/highlander05.jpg


    and that's the red car! Sorry --- can't see the orange in that car in any light.

  • tejanotejano Member Posts: 2
    Thanks to those who informed me on the possible cause of the wind turbulence...I discovered that the turbulence dissipates if one rolls the front windows slightly when the back windows are down. Thanks again...I am picking up my HL tomorrow!!
  • toyotawalttoyotawalt Member Posts: 15
    I've got Millenium silver (as noted earlier), but that RED is beautiful! Thanks, Dianne for showing it to us....
  • rrmcdonaldrrmcdonald Member Posts: 29
    We have had a red one with the Ivory Leather for about a month and a half. We think it's great, and is quite a head turner (MANY people have come up to us asking about it). I think it is the only one in town, still. I don't consider it "orangy", but I describe it more as a "burnt" red. It's been a wonderful vehicle for my short (4'10") wife for hauling around our 2 kids.
  • mkstringmkstring Member Posts: 53
    I know this is one of those personal preference things, but I saw a Red HL on the road about 3 weeks ago, and I was a little more than unimpressed.

    The Red looked a bit darker than my 92 Pickup - almost a maroon, and it had a gold package on it, which I think added to my lack of enthusiasm for the color.

    In ANY case, a Highlander in ANY COLOR is a great purchase and if you like red, then hey, you like red. I like my Mill. Silver. :)

    regards,
    michael
  • dianne4toyotadianne4toyota Member Posts: 343
    As to color, to each his own, but I really like the indigo ink and bluestone as well. Love that red though too. Not a fan of the green, wish it had been a more teal-emerald color vs. that brighter echo-like color. Silver and gold with the ivory leather are stunners.
    I do have photos of virtually (pardon the pun) all Highlanders, and can add the URLs here upon request!
    Dianne
  • needsahlneedsahl Member Posts: 6
    Picked up a white hl with v6 with leather.I had never driven one until I drove it off the lot! It's so smooth hardly feels like driving at all. Found a good deal on it too At Cramer Toyota in Venice Fl. They were really good and true to their word,Thanks Joe and Tom (internet manager) really a breath of fresh air after dealing with the other dealers in S.W. Fl.
  • pauleulpauleul Member Posts: 116
    Those interested in more pictures, click on the link Dianne provided above under #1430, then after the picture comes up - click on the (05) in the address bar twice - edit it to any number between 01 and 44 - and hit enter. Those looking at the red might want to check out (10), (23), and (35). They do look a little on the orange side and are shot in brighter sunlight. All the other colors are spread out through the number range I listed.

    Hope Dianne doesn't mind -- just tried to save her a little time with all those color requests that were sure to follow.

    Enjoy!
  • jimxojimxo Member Posts: 423
    I have not seen bluestone up close. Would this color be close to the Lexus Blue Vapor?
  • dianne4toyotadianne4toyota Member Posts: 343
    Yes, that was very astute of you. The powers that be here will not let me post the URL of the entire pages where I post 48+ Highlanders, colors and descriptions, but the instructions you have given are very good!!!
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Please, more discourse, less soliciting.

    Steve
    Host
    Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
  • dianne4toyotadianne4toyota Member Posts: 343
    I missed the Friday Trivia Freeway thingie! :sob:: duty calls!!! Oh well! :/

    Di
  • mivaldesmivaldes Member Posts: 1
    Well, I went out looking for a Spyder today. I bought one and my wife decided she wanted to replace her 2000 Odyssey. We bought a Highlander Limited. I usually don't buy anything that expensive without doing the research, but boy we really liked the car. We paid sticker (33k drive out), but they gave us our full payoff on the Honda which I was a couple of thousand upside down on. Not the most brilliant money move, but hey we've got two beautiful cars now :)
  • sjzsjz Member Posts: 33
    I took my credit card out today, dialed 1 800 622-2033 (this number is given in the maint. book that came with the car), and ordered the factory service manuals for my HL. There are 4 books all told. Volume #1 is the engine ($114.95), Volume #2 is chassis...or visa versa($105.95). The electric manual is $70.95, and the tranny manual is $16 and change. You need to look on the door jam sticker for the tranny code. It's on the very bottom, and begins with "U".
    I'll do a "book review" when I get 'em to let you know if they're worth the high price.
    -Steve
  • sonicdsonicd Member Posts: 1
    I have recently been told that I cannot get a 4 cyl AWD Highlander in Houston. I want the smaller engine for better gas mileage and a cheaper price. Is there any way to order a Highlander outside of Texas with these specs? Or does anyone know a dealer who has any close to Texas? Thanks for your help.
  • gwkisergwkiser Member Posts: 326
    Sonic,

    I'm not an authority but it seems to me that if Toyota makes the HL with a 4 cyl, you can get one. I'm sure however that the vast majority of HLs sold will be with the 6 cyl. I haven't seen a 4 cyl HL yet at any of the 3 dealers here in town (San Antonio). I suggest that you contact each of the local dealers and ask them specifically to contact Gulf States to see if there are any coming in. There's no reason why they cannot be found (except that maybe Toyota just isn't building any or enough of them right now). At the worse case, you may have to special order one (be prepared for a long wait). I realize that both MPG and price are a concern to you, but you might want to reconsider that 3 MPG and $1500 more are not that much more in cost when you factor how long you will own the AL and the possible negative impact on resale later of a 4 cyl model. Regarding shipping one to you, why not just have the dealer do it? In the past I have purchased a vehicle through a local dealer who had to swap with another to get the car I wanted. My dealer just hired a driver to drive the car to my dealer 200 miles away. Let the dealer do all the leg work if you can. Pay him a REASONABLE fee for the trouble and let him absorb all the risk. The alternative is to have the out of town dealer em-ail you photos, detailed invoice of the exact vehicle you are wanting and then eventually fly or take a bus to the selling dealer. Just my thoughts...... Oh, one last thing. Leave a post here for Dianne4Toyota and she might be able to give you some insight on availability of the 4 cyl HL outside of the Gulf States service area. Good luck...
  • pauleulpauleul Member Posts: 116
    WHOOPS! Didn't mean to get you in trouble with MR HOST. I too am strongly considering the Red HL. Here in Oregon I don't get as many chances to see it in bright sunlight. At least there are no rolling blackouts so I always have artificial light! Is the earlier post stating only 1% red production true?

    Two things are holding us back. One, the cheap piece of junk being called a console box when a real one is being provided in the Japan model. Two, can't stand the light colored interior and want leather. So far the only solution for this one is order the grey cloth and do aftermarket leather. I know others are still checking into ways to get that real console from Japan. So far no dealers have been helpful. Guess we consumers will have to get together and send a mission to Japan to bring back a container or two full. Someone could make a fortune on them I'm sure.

    How soon will you know what changes will be available on next years model? Maybe some Japanese nerd will come to his senses and address these issues.
  • dianne4toyotadianne4toyota Member Posts: 343
    to the best of my knowledge, there are no plans for gray leather. My advice is to buy cloth and add leather, bearing in mind that a car with thew side airbags isn't able to be modified legally... FYI!

    Di
  • ellybillellybill Member Posts: 5
    we do things different here in ax my white El came with gray leather window sticker shows l1 leather interior upgrade 1015.00 and seating area is full holes,whatever you call that feature. could they have added l1 at the port?
  • ellybillellybill Member Posts: 5
    I'am not in ax it's TX
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Sorry about the spell-checker there. You do have 30 minutes to make any changes or fixes after you post a message. Just click on the Edit button that follows your message after you post it.

    Steve
    Host
    Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
  • dianne4toyotadianne4toyota Member Posts: 343
    There are regions with PORT installed leather. You may have that port option there ::checking all spelling carefully:: where we don't have the PORT region adds you do. Most of that time, that's a GREAT thing for us. :D
  • hobie1981hobie1981 Member Posts: 23
    Hi: Toysport.com can get other than US market Toyota parts. I've emailed them to find out fit, availability, pricing etc on the JP market Kluger V console. Why Toyota didn't offer it here is beyond me...I'm also checking with Manik.com regarding side bars. They make a nice set for the Lexus RX300. I'll update y'all when I get some info back...

    Whats everybody doing for wax.....????

    Hobie
  • galungalun Member Posts: 1
    Just picked up my silver limited highlander, and I must say I am very sastified. Paid 5% over invoice ($31,804), had to wait 2 weeks to get the silver, but it's definatley worth the wait! I got it at R&G Toyota in San Rafael. They threw in the 100,000 miles warranty for $908 - one of the cheapest I have found so far. It was such a pleasant car buying experience that I almost could not believe it. They try to get you out the door with a new car within an hour. The other Toyota internet sales in the bay area either did not respond to me or could not match the price.

    I did notice the burning smell... hopefully it will go away soon. Can't wait till the 1000 miles break in period is over!
  • forfeitelevenforfeiteleven Member Posts: 1
    Got my HL. V6 AWD and just love it. I'm 4ft.11in. and I feel so high when I'm in my HL. The only down side I see with my HL. is that I have to stand on a step ladder to wash it or clean the windshield. Hubby hates cleaning cars!
    Other than that, this vehicle is fantastic. Just sold my 1985 Honda and saw the HL.,test drove it and then bought it ASAP. Here in Canada,the limited is $9200.00 than the basic V6 AWD,needless to say I settled for the basic V6.
    silver millenium. The red HL here is a Burgundy color,which is the one I test drove.
    Hope this HL is like my 85 HONDA,that lasted so well and gave me NO problems.
    Toyota dealers that I went to would not dicker very much.
    Hope everyone is as happy with their HL's as I am.
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