Toyota Highlander

smallz · April 2001

I have a .jpg of a green HL with fender flares if someone can tell me a good site I can use to post it.

sscherr · April 2001

Who is your salesperson? That is an excellent deal! I have gotten an okay price from Antwerpen ($2,300 off MSRP) and know that I can do better.

What is the MSRP on your vehicle?

Thanks!

Scott R. Scherr

dniehus · April 2001

Mike -- I'd suggest you check out Fitzgerald's Toyota in Gaithersburg. They post their availability and pricing on their website (www.fitzmall.com). Very reasonable. Cliffy1 who frequently posts on this site works at Springfield Toyota and might be able to make you a reasonable offer. (Check back through messages. His profile includes his email address.)

Good luck.

Don

dniehus · April 2001

For $31K are you getting a 4X4, V6, limited with all (or most options). MSRP for that would be over $35,000. If this is correct, your deal would be just about dealer invoice! Does your $31K price include the advertising and destination charge (as well as other fees, but not tax and title/registration)? Good deals now seem to be in the $1000-1200 over invoice range. Perhaps you don't have the vehicle skid/traction control?

Thanks for the clarification.

Don

cliffy1 · April 2001

There are plenty of AWD Highlanders in this area and many of us are not out of our skulls on the pricing. We (collectively in the region) are even getting a good supply of completely loaded models with leather, VSC and side air bags. That will be changing soon though. I just saw the latest allocation guide and most will now be coming with the Limited package and sunroof but not the VSC and side bags.

judgem · April 2001

My wife and I purchased our HL two weeks ago and we love it! From past minivan experience, we are looking to install a heavy gauge vinyl cargo mat to catch all the spills and debris from items placed in the rear ( wet bags of topsoil, spilled sauces, etc.). Is anyone aware of any such products manufactured to the specs of our HL? I checked Weathertech and other sites without luck. Thanks!

mkmaryland · April 2001

Thanks for the advice about Fitzgeralds. I checked their web site, the prices were definitely interesting. I may make a stop this weekend after going to Car Max. Thanks again!

gwkiser · April 2001

Don't wait for someone closer to "get it" for you. "A bird in hand...." as they say. The approximately $200 diff. is worth the advantage of not having to wait (at least to me anyway). I waited about 2+ weeks for our first Bluestone HL Ltd. which eventually arrived at the port with damage (refused). Dealer found one at another dealer, but it turned out it was a sold vehicle. Have ordered another and now will wait about two or three more weeks, or so we've been told. We started all this on Feb 27th and are still waiting.....GOOD LUCK!

palmerswanson · April 2001

but it isn't Bluestone which may explain why I was able to get it. The closer dealer was able to locate the car I wanted. I just posted my pricing info in the Toyota Highlander Owner's Club section, but I'll post it here too in case it's helpful.

Boston Area Purchase
4X4 V6
MSRP: $35,466 (inc. $480 delivery)
I Paid: $32,500
Discount: $2,966
I did not have a trade in and did not need financing. Other charges were $20 documentation fee and Mass. tax (5%).
Options:
SR - moonroof
BE - side air bags
TO - tow prep pkg.
UQ - Tow Hitch
VD - Vehicle Skid Device
LL - Ltd. package
EJ - Prem. stereo 6 disc changer
LA - Leather
HD - Heated seats
CF - Cargo Mats
GN - Cargo Net
V2 - Glass Breakage Sensor
SK - Center Console Box
WL - Alloy Wheel Locks

jimxo · April 2001

You can post your photo at Yahoo/clubs toyotahighlander club is a great place to post.

ajbshrew · April 2001

I bought the HL V6 4WD 2 weeks ago - My wife and I love it - We got the black - Limited, Leather, VSC, Loaded - It looks great and drives better - Super Smooth - We bought it a Bernardi Toyota in Framingham MA - Managed to get $800+ off MSRP plus a center console thrown in (about a $400 item) huge, clean comfortable dealership - The sales person was JOHN ANGELO - great guy - no pressure - great experience - I would highly recommend him and the truck -

gwkiser · April 2001

All right!!! Congratulations on your new HL. Looks like you got one really loaded AND a good price as well!! Post some photos if you like....make the rest of us jealous!!

Happy Motoring.....

hialeahmaria · April 2001

Finally got my HL...
Millenium Silver 2WD V6
LA Leather / LL Limited / EJ 6CD 3in1 JBL upgrade / SR Sunroof w/deflector / CF 5pc Mats / V2 Glass Break Sensor / TO Tow Prep / Fender Flares
MSRP $32561 (inc $480 del)
Purchased $29883 (inc del)
$2678 under MSRP, approx $1600 over invoice
Everything I thought it would be and then some...rides great, powerful engine, quiet, roomy, classy, fun. No shortage here (Miami, FL). Found them available at dealers around town (I visited four of them) in various configurations, but I've only seen a couple on the road. Good for me!
To those considering it.......buy, buy, buy!

osoriob · April 2001

This is the best place I have found to publish photos for your vehicles, just need an account with yahoo and nothing more.

Hope to see that picture of the fender flares soon, since here in CA we don't have the option.

http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/toyotahighlanderclub

jar1945 · April 2001

I bought a Highlander today without a center console and found out from my dealer in Colorado that there was a 6 month wait for one. Is there any place in the country where I can get one and have it shipped here.

thanks,

Jerry

jrea · April 2001

I also am looking to buy a Highlander soon in Colorado. I'm in the Denver metro area. Where did you purchase yours and how was the experience? Thanks for any info you can give.

weichi · April 2001

I recently brushed the corner of my HL's front bumper against a hardened snow bank as I was turning the car around in the yard.(Yes out here in Sherbrooke,Qc, we still have several feet of snow on the ground and the snow banks are yet higher.)
I am now left with a scrape several inches large which I would very much like to correct.
Any suggestions on how to repair this?
Thx.

sbell4 · April 2001

I do not know about the rest of the country but in the Southeast the consloe may only be installed by the port facility. Under no circumstances do they want a dealer to install a console. I do not know why but assume it has to do with either wires or lines under where the console goes that may be tricky.

singhvicky · April 2001

Can anybody tell me the full Price after all paper work of HL 2wd V6. And how some people get too much discount like $2000 off from MSRP. Thank you. I am considering to buy HL next week.

hialeahmaria · April 2001

I have a pic of the flares from my car. How do I post it?

sbell4 · April 2001

short and to the point, the answer is supply and demand. In my part of the country you can buy a Highlander for a 2k discount(if not more) at any time. Other parts of the country where consumers are fighting over the Highlanders a fair price for you and the dealer may need to adjust to higher figures. These cars are a great value at any price, if you do not mind me saying, pick a dealer that treats you well, wants your business and willing to get you the car of your choice at a fair price to all for your region.

stever · April 2001

See "Posting a Photo" in Help from the left navigation sidebar.

Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards

jrea · April 2001

Would anyone be willing to share their buying experience in Colorado... deals made, dollars paid, dealerships recommended? Thanks so much for your help.

dianne4toyota · April 2001

There are many different regions in the country... and different markets. Perhaps if we knew where you were, the members might advise you better as to what to pay or what deals they got? I find that rather than think that anyone's posting "I got $XXXX off deals from MSRP", is what you can expect across the whole USA, and have it be frustrating for you to read that and go locally to your dealers who may sell for more due to supply/demand, or worse: what if someone knows of a dealer/deal that might have saved you $1000 more? Posting your own locale will catch someone's attention, and we can all better help you. In my area of CA, pricing seem to be well off the MSRP and in some cases, even $3k off on 4WDs. I'd assume that where it's snowing, they'd call me nuts! But, MSRP's even vary in different area of the country due to SET/Gulf state extras often added.

Di

smallz · April 2001

-hialeahmaria
I love your HL too. That is the HL that I would like to get!!! Please, please, please post some pictures of it if you can. I would love to see the silver HL with the fender flares. I saw green, blue, and red while visiting Florida but no silver, and we have no fender flares for HLs here in Michigan. Thanks.

leilani3 · April 2001

I too would like to trade in my 98 Camry LEV6 for the Highlander. I'm in SoCal, how did you do on your trade-in?

I also have the cargo net and windshield shade. Did you have that also and does it fit the Highlander?

dianne4toyota · April 2001

That Camry V6 trade (1998) is very hot property. As a SoCal dealer, we'd feel blessed to have it, as the ratio of the 4cyls to the V6'es is amazingly low. You'll get very good money for the V6 as long as it's in good shape!

I think the cargo net will fit the HL, but the windshield shade won't.

Dianne
dianne@earthlink.net

cap420 · April 2001

To the tire pros on this board (smallz, gasman, etc.),
What is the most I can deviate from the 225/70/R16 tire size on the stock OEM rim without causing a problem. I'd like to go bigger to fill the wheel well but wouldn't want to reduce handling and ride drastically.

Host,
Info about any other board you think this might get a better response from would be appreciated.

Thanks,
cap420

Indigo Ink 4WD Limited Highlander
Just finished the 1k break-in.
Stats at 1023 miles:
avg speed: 21.4 mph
avg mpg: 17.8 mpg
I CAN hear the ticking.
I DON'T hear the wind noise (no deflector installed).
Ivroy leather needs to be cleaned already (from dark blue denim jeans).
Installed the Hidden Hitch bolt on hitch ($109). Looks OK, but wait for the toyota hitch - it looks so much better (I obviously couldn't wait).
Found the TO wire harness in the black box beneth the spare tire well taped up to another cable (it's short and crimped to a non-standard molex plug).

Wish list:
fender flares
bull bars
running boards

gasman1 · April 2001

Not me. However, I recall a post that was on this site (could've been in Accessories under "tires", or it could've been at the Yahoo Highlander club. Someone tried a wider tire and went back to the original size due to clearance problems. I'm keeping the original size, but changing tire brands (to the Michelin Cross Terrain SUV).

When changing the tire size, you must consider clearance (horizontal and vertical due to increased width and height). A tire's height will also effect its true speedometer indication due to being calibrated to the factory tire height.

You may want to try "tires.com". They list two additional 16-inch tire sizes as replacement. You can call them and discuss what you want to do and get their expert opinion. I've never dealt with them. You sould try to obtain a trial-period warranty. You need a 1,000-mile or 30-day trial period to see if the tires will work for you without problems. Getting this won't be easy.

Best of luck and let us know how it goes...

stever · April 2001

I think gasman1 has the right idea. Also, in addition to reading/posting on the Tires, tires, tires message board, you may want to look around tirerack.com.

Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards

cliffy1 · April 2001

I don't know the answer to this, but it is possible that different tire size may affect the operation of the VSC. Drew would probably know better than I about this.

singhvicky · April 2001

Good deal on 2WD V6 HL in California Area?? Central valley or Bay area?

ledwidge · April 2001

I went for a test drive last week. I kept snagging my left foot on the parking brake. Getting in, getting out, turning to get something from the back seat. So is this just me or are others having problems?

And now for a little saleman humor. I asked about the rocker switch marked SNOW. The answer -that's like 4WD low range for off road use.

abuyer1 · April 2001

Yes, I have the same problem. Toyota left strangely little space for your left foot below the parking brake. But you do eventually get used to sliding your foot carefully below that brake. Until you get used to it, you need to shine your shoes often to hide the scrapes and scratches that needlessly accumulate on the top of your left shoe. Maybe in 2002, Toyota wil provide another inch of space below that brake.

drew_ · April 2001

Yes, VSC will be affected if the new tires have diameters that are drastically different. There is some leeway, but it depends on the system characteristics. For the M-class, you can go about + or - 5% larger/smaller than the stock tire diameter. I'm not sure about the Toyota products though, as their system is different.

Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards

hialeahmaria · April 2001

I haven't touched the parking brake once. Maybe the space is similar to my previous car (Accord)so I don't notice it. Maybe it's leg length? I'm not sure, but I've had no problems.

jar1945 · April 2001

Again, does anyone know where I can get a center console for my Highlander? Any place in the country? Any dealers out there? How hard is it to install and is that why it has to be POI? Help... as I would really love something there to store all of my stuff.

jar1945 · April 2001

I meant (PIO).

smallz · April 2001

Me neither. I mentioned in a couple previous postings (#1655 and #1665) that a dealer I visited had an HL with slightly larger outlined white letter tires on it, and I thought they looked good. I was not and am not suggesting that anybody increase tire size from the manufacturers suggestion. I also mentioned the OWL tires I saw were available in the stock size for the HL. I second gasman1's (#1733) thoughts as well.

seemomgo · April 2001

smallz:

Could you please post some pictures of the interior? I'd love to see what the gray leather looks like.

thank you

cliffy1 · April 2001

It kills me when I hear stupid salesman stories like that. I once had a customer looking at a 2000 Land Cruiser. He asked his local dealer is the 2000 has locking rear differential like the '99. His salesman proudly declared that it did. "Here's the button for it right here," he said while pointing to the seat heater button. The guy bought from me here in VA and had it shipped to his house in Northern California.

Did you ever get the correct answer to your question?

smallz · April 2001

-seemomgo
Unfortunately, although I did think about it, I did not take any pictures of the gray leather interior. I saw the HL in the picture I posted at a dealership in Florida, and I am now in Michigan. I know it doesn't help you visualize the color, but it is a very light gray. It is so light, that I had to do a double take the first time I saw it before I realized it wasn't ivory . This partly was due to the fact I had not previously heard of PIO gray leather and only thought ivory was available. Personally, I would chose the PIO gray over the ivory, but ideally I am hoping Toyota comes out with a dark factory gray leather for 2002 (along with some factory fender flares for all of the USA). Keeping my fingers crossed.

Maybe someone with the gray leather in their own HL could post some pictures for you. Anyone, anyone?

smallz · April 2001

cliffy1
Are you getting any HLs at the dealership in Virginia with the PIO options like fender flares?

sstober · April 2001

I just completed an 800 mile trip and experienced the worst aerodynamic related whistle/screech noise that I have ever experience on a car. It happens when I went 80+MPH (greater than approx. 130Km/hr) and eminates from somewhere on the roof. We're not talking about a light whistle - we're talking about a VERY noisy irritating screech/whistle. I played with location of the roof rack cross bars to see if that would help - but it didn't. It seemed to occur when I encountered cross winds. It was so irritating that I'm thinking of trading in my HL if I can't find a solution to this. Any suggestions?

skyreb · April 2001

The first solution is to not drive 80+ mph .... that is against the law!

Secondly, I too have heard what you describe, but only briefly when I was doing 65 - 70 mph and a very strong gust of wind hit me. I thought it was the roof rack, (I believe at that time I had the ski racks installed) and I too considered moving the cross members, but didn't because the sound was only brief, and the cross members were set for my skies.

I recall that when we took delkivery of teh HL, both cross members were pretty far towards teh rear.

Good Luck, and let us know what you find, inasmuch as I do not plan on having any experience with it at 80+ mph.

cliffy1 · April 2001

The fender flares are not genuine Toyota equipment and therefore, I can't get them PIO.

mvt3157 · April 2001

Picked up my new AL on Sat. Had agreed on a price but wanted a different color than AL on the lot. Was told the gold color AL, I wanted, would have everything the lot AL had-quick order and preferred p., roof rack, mud guards, floor mats. Upon looking at my AL on Sat, it did not have floor mats and there was an external antenna. After checking with the manager, the sales person said he would ship me the floor mats, and that only limited have the antenna in the rear window. I do not recall seeing an external antenna on the lot L. Would Dianne or Cliffy have any insight re: only limiteds have rear window antennas and if not, do I have any recourse. I like the HL, but want to make sure I got what I payed for.

rubytuesday · April 2001

Jar1945: the list posters are not really ignoring your question, but we've gone over this topic so many times I guess no one has bothered to reply to you. Suggest you search through the list postings (over 1700 messages) to see more on this subject. Apparently the dealers or the ports are installing the consoles, apparently they can be ordered but there is a backlog, and apparently the answer is different in each region. Maybe one of our salespersons/dealers on this list would care to comment, I think most of the HL buyers are having the same problem as you.

I found I can live without the place to store the junk by putting a small, but nice basket in the space, although a more sturdy cupholder would have been nice.

smallz · April 2001

cliffy1 (or anyone else who might know)
How can the Gulf and Southeastern states get the fender flares and other items as PIOs, and other states cannot? Is Toyota associated with any of the PIO options? (ie - Are "any" of the PIOs genuine Toyota equipment?) For those PIOs that are not genuine Toyota parts, does Toyota authorize, endorse, or even recommend any of the suppilers of those parts for the PIOs? I ask because Edmund's lists C7-Convenience Package, CF-Cargo Mats, GN-Cargo Net, GP-Gold Package, HP-Hood Protector, RF-Rear Spoiler, V2-Glass Breakage Sensor, V5-RS3200 Security System, and W*-Wheel Locks as PIOs. Are these PIOs covered by Toyota's warranty?

smallz · April 2001

...for that spell checker. It turns your HL into an AL. : )

Toyota Highlander

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