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No idea when Toyota will begin shipping CVTs with their vehicles.
Regarding the visor stickers .... Are they not required by law? I am very certain auto manufacturers would not put them there unless they were required to do so. If you find them that objectionable, I would cover them, leaving them in place for resell time. I believe they are required to be there when you sell too. I would not want the liability of removing them and having a future buyer have a problem and come back on me for removing them and selling it that way.
Happy HL'ing to all.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/toyotaguys/?yguid=81553190
If you already have a Yahoo! email address, simply go to the site and "Join" the group.
If you would rather see the dealer site, here's the address: http://www.romaniatoyota.com/
Good luck.
I dont understand this because I dont believe any SUV is that bad.
Steve
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It is done nowhere else in Edmunds Editor's ratings.
The Consumer Rating was 9.0.
As noted before, I liked the Highlander, but it was hard to justify spending that much. The same dealer sells Toyota and Subarus back to back, so I could compare no-haggle prices directly. Even a Camry LE would have cost me a grand more, and I'd give up the space of the wagon. Plus I'd have to special order - I found NO 5 speeds with ABS, hard to believe.
Thanks to all the friendly folks here for your help and advice. My neighbor across the street bought a new Camry on Saturday, so it was fun to have a "new car" day on our block. :-)
-juice
I just read yesterday "Where are the new SUVs headed? Toyota's Highlander is a signpost pointing the way. It's not a truck, neither in its parts list nor its personality."
It must be admitted that the majority of mid size and small SUVs are not purchased for off road driving. The wife is seen driving one to the grocery or dropping the kids off at soccer.
Highlander's unit body is a sibling in the Camry family the Lexus RX300 is another. The Highlander and RX300 are built in the same factory.
Edmunds in their First Drive report said of the Highlander "An SUV for Your Needs Rather Than
Your Wants"
"the Highlander is based on the same platform that is used for the Lexus RX 300 (which is itself similar to the Camry). This means that, like the Lexus, it has a car-like unibody design rather than the 4Runner's truck-based body-on-frame design."
THAT does not sound like a 1 to me.
A too reliable and not a large enough installed base to support a single marque service shop.
This is Karl Brauer, Editor-in-Chief at Edmunds.com, and I want to assure you that the Editor's Rating for the Highlander is not accurate. We've been having trouble with the tool that lets us enter our vehicle ratings, so we used the Highlander as a "test" case to show the tech guys how the tool wasn't working. Since it was only a test, we didn't worry about the actual scores, we just entered "1" in every category to test the system.
Guess what? The system decided to work that time (sort of like when you take your car to the dealer to show them a problem...and it runs just fine). So our Highlander "ratings" went live on the site. This problem is being corrected as I write this. Sorry for the confusion.
BTW, the Highlander deserves far better than a "1" in any category. It's a great vehicle.
Karl Brauer
Editor-in-Chief
Edmunds.com
BMW and Audi All Road were a tad higher but not CHECK RATED.
OK, OK, calm down folks. I'm only kidding!
1. can you explain the difference to me about 4wd and 2wd. I am just wondering if I really need to spend the more money for the 4wd. I am scared to drive in snow, so I really wouldn't be driving in snow. any clarifications.
2. can you clarify the difference between leather and cloth seats. doesn't leather get hot in the summer? also, N checked on the toyota web site and they said that the color HL i want doesn't come in charcoal leather trim. does this mean that it does not come in charcoal leather at all??
Thank you. i know i must sound like an idiot to you all. but this is so new to me
For more info than you probably want about 4x4, check the "Toyota 4WD systems explained" link in the left navigation bar.
Also check the main edmunds.com page for all the new car buying tips and hints.
Steve
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Our family (cousins aunts uncles etc.) have own Toyota's for at least 15 years now and I wouldnt go to another car. I would say it depends on where you live. We are in the burbs of Chicago and the snow get heavy sometimes but the streets are pretty clear after a couple of hours. I own a 4by2 front wheel drive Highlander, IMO the best color which is Bluestone Metallic and Charcoal cloth. If you do get the leather and you do live in some cool or cold climate I would opt for heated seats also. The leather comes in Ivory. The 2wd is fine for my area. The 4wd would come in handy for my cousin who lives out in the country and needs it to get thru the snow. If you opt for 4wd I would load it up with VSC/Trac control and the works. It depends on what you want to spend and what is important to you. Safety is important to me. There are certain pkgs that go along with the 4wd and 2wd Highlanders and they pkgs them according to the area they are shipping them. Check this site also for Invoice of the Highlander and deal from the Invoice on up. You should be able to go between $500 to 1000 over invoice or at least 2000 down from the MSRP. It is a tight market out there and when I check the Internet sites on availability of some they dont have alot in stock.
The one you want will jump out at you, dont let the dealer sell you something that you dont need or want. The one that I bought on a Thursday came in that Tuesday and was the one we were looking for. If you can and have a couple of dealers within 30 miles of you, you can shop and see where you can get the best deal. I hope I have been some help to you. Happy Hunting for your Highlander
I think you even get a little better gas mileage with just the 2wd.
The AWD "label" on an HL or an RX is nothing more than that, a label. The center diff'l's VC is so slack and of such low viscosity that the AWD system is virtually useless in environments, low traction surfaces, where it might be needed.
Additionally snowchains CANNOT be used on the rear wheels of the HL/RX and while the owners manual recommends snowchains ONLY on the front Lexus readily admits that this configuration, extremely high roadbed traction on the front vs the rear, can be extremely hazardous on certain low traction surfaces.
(It's a must have for my wife!)
Thanks,
The Hidden Hitch 70777 does not have brackets that mount to the side of the frame. The hitch mounts flush to the bottom of the frame with 3 bolts on each side, no brackets. You must be thinking of another hitch.
As far as comfort, living in South Texas doesn't offer much exposure to the impact of a cold climate on the leather, unless it's due to the A/C running. Our PIO leather happens to have perforated center panels and so, IMHO, allows for more comfort year round.
Good luck.
I'd recommend the hitch, just don't be a moron like me while putting it on.
As pointed out by another who doesn't like Highlanders, this is not a hardcore off-road vehicle. But, it has more interior room, a better ride and better gas mileage than a hardcore off-roader of similar size and cost (see 4Runner). Different needs for different folks.
This is a very good road car, with the ability to handle poor weather driving or do the occasional off-road jaunt.
As for the leather, my tan leather was never too cold in the (mild) Wisconsin winter we just had - not too concerned about the summer.
Due to closed "tightly sealed" volume to the rear of an open window with wind moving pass reasonably rapidly. Frequency of buffeting will be a function of the volume and loudness will be a function of forward motion.
Chrysler T&C, ML w/sunroof, X5 all of electrically operated rear, quarter panel, vent windows to alleviate this problem. Ford station wagons you could lower the rear glass slightly.
-juice
It does not hurt to have a hitch that will handle more than it is actually used for. I only put 30lbs. of air in my tires but did not think it was necessary to downgrade my tires because they hold a max of 45lbs. Same goes for my roof rack.
I also found a class III hitch to be more compatible with the large number of bike racks out there. Most require an adapter for a class II hitch.
Personally, I have had my HL for 11 months, 16,500 miles, and I have not considered this issue to be of concern to me.
I immediately scotchgarded the cloth. That seems to have helped.
Happy HL'ing to all.
The editors review gave them a low rating. When I see HL'ers on the road - the lights look pretty bright.
How are the fog lights - they are only 35 W bulbs, seems low?
Finally - anybody heard if the 2003 will get Navi and darker leather options?
Thanks
DII - Pretty impressive off road capability. It also has unique character and a certain level of curbside appeal, if image matters to you. Nice to have the extra seating as an option for those times when you want it (the only one of these 5 that has/will have it). That said I drove one for several months when I lived in Europe. Granted this was few years ago, but I have checked out the recent models and some of these next observations persist. Very poor interior ergonomics (kinda remind me of 1980's GM products). The drive trains can feel anemic at times on road (not an issue off road). Finally (I think/hope this has been fixed) the frames from 5 or so years ago had a tendency to rust through and eventually fail. I didn't believe it until I saw it my self when I was in Europe.
Jeep GC - equally impressive off road capability, great engine if you get the V-8 (not so great w/ the new 6). Decent interior. They still have some fit/finish issues and questionable quality control. Stay away from the Quadra-drive. In theory it's a terrific solution to the locking/open differential problem that avoids abusing the brakes like the Hummer/Mercedes/DII/new Toyota systems. In practice it's a nightmare. My sister-in-law is a service manager at a combined Toyota/Jeep dealer (how ironic is that). She sees a constant nonstop flow of Jeeps coming in for a variety of problems, but the Quadra drive leads the pack.
Hilander - Not as capable off road since it has a viscous coupling center diff, but the tracs/vsc systems can mitigate this shortcoming. Decent engine and nice interior. Toyota quality/durability, but their customer service seems to vary widely, depending on the dealership (FWIW I own a Honda and the same can be said for them). Better mileage than the others here, but towing/off-roading is limited by unibody construction, and lack of a lo range.
4-runner - Real off road capability, but I personally preferred the locking differential that went away in 2001. The current tracs system is similar to the Mercedes that uses the brakes to counter wheel spin. Body on frame design provides greater towing/off road capability. Same toyota build quality (my sister in law rarely sees either Toyota come in for other than run of the mill maint. stuff.) Interior is definitely dated. Current engine is weak, but there is an optional supercharger that bumps it up to approx 260hp! Also the runner's getting a complete redesign for 2003 w/ 2 new engines, a v-6 and v-8, both more powerful than the stock 183hp currently available.
Pathfinder - Great engine (best here IMHO). Nice interior. Unibody construction limits towing. Has an awd option w/ a traditional 4wd system is time tested, and covers most peoples needs. It's not that inventive and has nothing other than a limited slip differential (worthless IMO) to limit wheel slip.
This was probably more than you wanted, but I haven't seen too many responses to your inquiries.
HL lights: They are the best of any vehicle I have ever owned. Significantly better than my 1992 Acura, or the Ford Explorer I owned prior to the HL. I do not think it is a fair test to make teh judgement of approaching vehicles. The proof is in the driving.
The HL is not a perfect vehicle, but it is pretty darn good. I think, however, it will be interesting to see how it sells against the newer models that are coming on the market. I, for one, am grateful that mine was assembled in Japan on the Lexus line .... I think that is a "plus."
Happy HL'ing to all.
Consumers can save money on clone cars
Steve
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