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Comments
Because of the rather narrow 16 inch stock rims, and the limited tire sizes available, switching to "plus one" was deemed to be absolutely necessary.
17x8's huh? I'll bet that looked sharp. I originally purchased 255/65-16....if I had known that "spacers" existed, I might have kept them. : ) What kind of spacer did you use? It would be good for future reference.
nimrod99:
All valid points. The new tire diameter and width both increase by 1/2 an inch. The reason for the change was purely for appearance and some off-road traction improvements. I'll get those pictures posted soon...I think then you'll agree the finished product looks great!
Right away, we didn't like the back seat. It's too low and puts you in a "knees in the chest" position. The front seats are much better, though, and there is room to spare. Interior materials are good, though we're used to less expensive cars so they should be.
The ride felt tolerant, quiet, refined. V6 is torquey, relaxed, very nice. I liked it a lot, actually, but the wife didn't find it "fun", were her words. I was surprised. I think she's used to smaller cars and wants to stay small, though with a 2nd kid on the way we need a reasonable amount of space.
So it was too big, even "too nice" for our needs. Isn't that hilarious?
We also tried a Camry SE, 4 cylinder 5 speed, and she liked that better. Not very exciting, but we couldn't really find anything wrong with it, so that's still on our short list.
Interesting, though, how tastes vary. I liked it, but it's her vehicle.
-juice
Tribute doesn't meet our reliability standards. We had a 626, great for 5 years, then fell apart. The Tribute has had a long string of recalls that I find embarassing (wheels falling off?).
-juice
the vehicle.
If she were fine with an unreliable car, we would have kept her 7 year old one.
-juice
I couldn't agree more with this. This is my wife's car and I really do not like the angle of the front passenger seat. I was thinking of raising the angle at the front of the seat by adding some washers to the front seat anchors.
The front seat bottom cushions for driver and passenger seem to be quite a bit on the short side, as in they are not long enough It's as if they were made for people with very short thighs, elves come to mind. Our previous Sienna had what I consider to be regular length seat cushions. Other than that no other complaints so far in our first month of ownership.
Or the cheap standard radio on the base.
Again, these gripes point to the lack of anything substantial to mention.
As we were "nit-picking" our new HL, we also noted the visors and mirrors seemed rather chincy.
However, we were pleasantly surprised by the radio/CD/cassette quality. After reading so many posts on the apparently substandard sound system, we really expected something poor. It is quite sufficient for our needs. (Maybe being 50-ish has something to do with it???)
Glad these minor things are all we can find to complain about. We are absolutely happy with our purchase.
However one complaint - The driver seat is very uncomfortable, it does not lean back and very short on the thighs. I agree with everyone else in the group - Think Toyota listens to us ?
Bob
I am looking to buy a new car to replace my 2001 BMW 330ci, which was stolen about two weeks ago. Two weeks after I bought the BMW I feel in love with the Land Rover Discovery SE Series II. Now that I have a second chance I have been researching it and found it to be in the same price class as the Highlander. Has anyone considered the Disco and the Highlander while shopping? What are your thoughts of the Land Rovers now that they just finished 5 years with BMW and now are a Ford family product?
Please advise.
A CHEAP Land Rover? Get Real, Ford has enough sense to know when a model needs to be DUMPED!
The X5 3.0 is at the top of the list, then the ML320, next comes the RX, and then maybe the HL.
I love the Highlander and have been researching purchasing one but I may wait to see what Nissan has to offer. If the price is on par with the Highlander it looks like you get alot more for the money.
-Mark
Thanks a bunch!
The wiring was extremely easy to put in.
Draw-Tite and Dalan also make decent hitches for the HL as does Reese. You can see them at Hitch-web.com.
Your comments are Appreciated. However I would have to disagree with you. The BMW X5 and the ML320 are plagued with problems (Consumer Reports). I also know that this is fact because when I was having me 330ci's oil changed the mechanic said that the X5 is constantly breaking down on a number of owners. In addition the 3 separate owners that I personally know who own both of them compounded this. As for the ML I am shocked that anyone mentioned that, with the fact that Mercedes Benz had to re-launch the 2002s MLs with a redesigned marketing ploy due to the total bad press the first model was experiencing only 3 years prior. Not to mention it looks like a Caravan. A Ford Escape? That is a completely different class, plus have you seen the recall list on that one and its sister SUV from Mazda? Yikes! You do know what a Discovery looks like right? Its not the one that looks like all the rest of the minivan posers with all wheel drive. You also seem to feel that Highlanders are cheep, being that you were shocked that I found them to be in the same price class as the Discovery. A Highlander with the same options as the Discovery SE is priced slightly under (highest level DII). Even with that price it does not have the capacity to seat 9, tow up to 5,500 lbs, have an expectable back seat and have even fair off road abilities. I feel that $35K for a fully loaded mid sized SUV to be cheaper then the class pricing for what you get. What with a base BMW starting at $39K and the ML driving off at $43K. The RX was stated by Consumer Reports to be allergic to highway repairs and anything off road, and looks just like the Acura SUV, the Saturn SUV, the Highlander, the Rav4, should I go on? Yes, I should. What about the warrantees? Land Rover has 5/50 on parts, service, maintenance, roadside assistance and then a 6/unlimited on rust. What is Toyota at 3/36 and do they have maintenance included? I have a 1997 SR5 extended cab with more rust on it then a 1972 Plymouth Newport and has been in more service shops. Right now it has a great FOR SALE sign in it.
Anyway, I thank you again for your comments. I have one for you, which is to stop by a Land Rover dealer and test-drive some. They usually have a simulated course that will allow you to see what its true capabilities are. Its free and there is no commitment, you can consider it a cheep day out.
The only thing a dressed out HL will be missing is the HID headlamps.
I have never owned an MB nor a BMW, but I know enough that they can both be trusted to continually improve their products, And yes, past history on the ML series is horrible, that's why I ignored it when we bought our first RX. Today IS a new day.
I owned two Cherokee Limited's, an 85 and a 92. Would anyone buy a Jeep except for base functionality? At least that's why I bought mine.
I currently own a '97 Defender(0 problems by the way) and love it. I am somewhat familiar with the workings of the D2. and I am also looking to replace my wife's car with a 2003HL Limited. It seems to me that an HL vs. D2 purchase decision, is purely apples/oranges. 1. price: LOADED HL out the door $32,444.00 vs. base SD(not the nicely equipped SE) $32,345. These prices are based on my dealings here in So Cal. If you want to lease, prepare to spend a good deal out of pocket on the D2 to get equal terms. 2. offroad capability: HL - none vs LR - unmatched 3. dependability: HL - VG to Excellent vs. LR - horrible(go to a few Disco forums,here and on the web and find out for yourself, all they talk about is leaking this, leaking that. It comes with the territory of owning a LR, hence the "great warranty") and the list goes on.
and finaly to quote Edmunds on the Disco2:
Pros
Off-road ability, unique design, advanced handling features.
Cons
Difficult entry and egress, quirky ergonomics, not much cargo space, poor gas mileage from underpowered V8.
What Edmunds.com Says
There are two reasons to buy this truck: either you need incredible off-road capability or you need to show off to the neighbors. If you have different needs, buy a different SUV.
I await comments.
MURANO
LxWxH: 187.5 x 74 x 66.5 inches
Cargo Vol: 32.6/70.8
Passenger vol: 110.0
wheelbase: 111.2
HIGHLANDER:
LxWxH: 184.5 x 72 x 66.5 inches
Cargo Vol: 38.5/81.4
Passenger vol: 105.7
wheelbase: 107
Is the Murano really that large? If so, it seems to make far less use out of interior space when compared to the smaller Highlander.
Murano = 144.2
Highlander = 142.6
Do you mean that the back rests do not go lean back flat? Mine does.
So I took the visor off the car and tried to get the stickers off, with no luck, and wound up accidently cutting the visor material (thin vinyl?).
I tried a few cd holders (that I wasn't going to put any CD's in), but they are rather thick and make the visor stay down from the roof a little and also cover up the "homelink" garage door opener buttons.
Does anyone know of a material or thick vinyl stickers that would closely match the tan color of the visor that could either cover it or at least make it so those stickers can't be seen? Does this bother anyone else or am I just being annoyed that a company wants to avoid a lawsuit so much that they are willing to distract us when driving?
I am getting the Toyota harness from http://www.toyotaguys.com and don't foresee any install problems with it.
I got the hitch from a local United Rentals shop here in Portland OR for $129 complete, no shipping. While web shopping I recall http://www.hitches4less.com having the best price although I don't remember if it was a Hidden Hitch.
Good luck and Happy HLing to all!!!
Greg
As far as power they are right on the money, with a bit more oomph than HL (240 vs 220) and no 4-banger engine options. The interior looks nice and they managed to get a big center console put into the design in year 1 instead of in year 2, as with the HL.
The high-tech feature, a real break-through, is the optional Continuously Variable Transmission. Not because a CVT is new, but because it is being designed into a fairly powerful normal-size vehicle, not an econo-box. This ought to help boost the gas mileage, along with the more slippery shape. Rightly or wrongly people paste all SUVs with a gas-guzzler badge. Here we might see one mid-size SUV with decent power yet pulling down EPA mileage on a par with mini-sport-utes. Let's see if they can break 20MPG city with a 240HP mid-size rig.
The most impractical feature might be the strange sail panels in the rear quarter area. They look swoopy and stylish, but I like to be able to look around at the city traffic as I merge and this design has nothing but blind spots in back. The panels and the smallish rear glass area (reminds me of the little hatch glass used on the Taurus/Sable wagons) are really going to make the driver count on the mirrors a lot.
Give Nissan a little praise for breaking out of the SUV mold. This is more of a crossover vehicle than the HL, at least based on the styling. From some angles it reminds one of the old Volvo P1800 Sportwagon.
Nice to see some serious HL competition, which will be good for buyers and even for Toyota. HL, Honda Pilot, Nissan Murano. 12 months ago HL had this market to itself. In August there will be 3 choices and the North American HL factory should be pumping out HLs to augment the Japanese factory (assuming the Japanese factory does not slow down production).
By the way, have they all run out of good names for these things? Murano? Highlander? Pilot?
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
While washing and polishing it this afternoon, I noticed that both side view mirrors and the front bumper were protected with a Stongard like cover. This was something I was going to have installed in the next month or so. Now it looks like I will only have to do the hood. Thanks Toyota!
Too late, it won't help gas mileage.
The image reminded me more of what Chrysler might do with a PT Cruiser SUV.
The only negative I had, and it is a big negative in my mind .... look at what appears to be a terrible blind spot off the rear quarter. I concede that some use the right morror before changing lanes, and I always do too, but I never move over without first taking a quick glance. The area that I am calling a blind spot ... appears ... that it would completely block that view. If that is correct, for what?? Styling??
Maybe a drive would correct that perception, but my early impression is none too favorable.
That's my early opinion.
Happy HL'ing to all.
Steve
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SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
They use a sophisticated metal chains instead of belts, which have limitations.
When the Volkswagen Touareg hits the market, we're definately going to be saying good-bye to our Highlander... as nice a car as it is...
First of all, it has the most sophisticated AWD (read: all electronic differentials) system on the market, able to divert electronically up to 100% of the power to any wheel. (even wwest would be able to tolerate it)
Secondly, it has the most sophisticated suspension on the market, able to adjust dampening and even lower the car at highway speeds for cornering stability.
Thirdly, its interior is exquisite reeks of quality, and the overall design is very classy and Audi-esque.
Add to that all of VW's standard features, like head protection and rollover airbags, ambient nighttime lighting, auto-dimming mirrors; and electronic braking force distribution, electronic stability control, etc. and this thing is looking like the ultamite package.
We love our Highlander dearly, is nice to drive, comfortable, and pleasant, but are drooling over this '03 dub... VW took long enough but they really made sure they got it right (unlike its ugly step-sister, the Porsche Cayenne). The only thing I wish they did differently was offer 3rd-row seats.
Check out www.vwvortex.com.
It's nice to see a manufacturer stand behind their product for once. I look forward to many more years of driving one of the best mid-size SUVs on the market.
-Mark
We thought perhaps the holes were a millionth of an inch off so we (here's the brilliant part) tried to "pull" the plate into alignment by pushing up on the bolt and really trying to crank it in there. It would bite, but never take, and never straightened up.
So, took the car and parts over to a friend who rebuilds his own cars and knows more than anyone I know. He got under there with a flashlight and started laughing.
Apparently there is some sort of nut in the frame, held in place by a spring-like mechanism. When I did my test fitting, I must have knocked that out of alignment, so when we went back to it, I was just grinding the bolt against the threads. We tried everything to make it work, but in his opinion, short of taking off the bumper and chiseling out that nut and replacing it with another, there was nothing to do.
So, my hitch is in with 5 bolts, and should be more than enough for my little trailer, but thought I'd share my somewhat embarrassing story. And everyone is right - looks pretty sharp.
BTW, I saw the Murano in person at the NY auto show, and it is gorgous!
Bob
After checking out the Vortex online with its pics and info on the car, it seems to be a very nice SUV. The price according to the article says it is going to start at 35,000 for the V6 and they have a larger engine to boot too. It would seem that the V6 is going to be the low end model. For starting at 35,000 and what kind of options you are talking big bucks and no 3rd row seat? You may be able to afford the new Vortex starting at 35.000 but for my money the Highlander still fits into my price range.
I found out this past weekend that the Ford Escape actually locks the center diff'l ANYTIME it is in 4WD, otherwise it's a FWD vehicle.
It's a shame T/L didn't do that.
Does it come in a single DIN size with a spare slot underneath? It'd be nice to get some extra space to store things.
Thanks,
Brad