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Comments
Had our HL for about 3 months now and I'd like to share some comments. First a little background...
We weren't planning on buying a new vehicle at this time but due to unexpected circumstances, we began to do some looking. We only wanted to spend a certain amount and looked at the Honda CRV LX which fit our budget (they were not discounting). We liked a few things the upgraded EX offered (ABS, alloys, rear privacy glass...)and figured we could scrape up enough money for the difference. On the way to put the deposit on the Honda, we figured we'd stop by the Toyota dealer and just get a price for a 4 cyl HL. The HL's discounted price was about $2300 more than the CRV EX MSRP (no discounting) however, the Toyota dealer gave us $2000 more for our trade (Sienna)so the real difference was only approx. $300 over the CRV EX. The CRV had a few things that our HL doesn't have.. mainly AWD and sunroof - but we didn't need those options anyway. Bottom line.. we got a vehicle that we like within the price we wanted to spend.
We live in a small Texas city (pop 80,000)with no freeways, no hills and our 4 cyl is just fine for everyday driving. Normal hwy driving is fine also.
Now the downside... We went to the big city last week and traveled the freeways, entrance ramps, etc. The 4cyl is lacking in acceleration when you really need it. If I traveled freeways or hills daily, I'd prefer the 6cyl. Luckily, we only do this type of driving once every two months or so.
We had to go with the 4cyl mainly for cost issues. We were not in a position to custom order and all the 6cyl HL's that we found were about $1500 more than the 4cyl. $1500 may not sound like much, but as mentioned earlier, we were already stretching our budget and simply could not afford any more at this time.
Just my comments and situation.
The 5k/7.5k mile service is the oil change and tire rotation for only $35.00. Is the drive shaft re-torque really necessary this early and shouldn't this be a fairly quick and easy procedure?
Also while we are talking maintenance, has anyone noticed that the auto trans service is only required for "severe" conditions? I am not a transmission expert, but fluid does have to be changed sometime, or am I wrong? thanks.
If you do not mind my asking, why you traded Sienna ( 6Cyl) for HL (4 Cyl) ?
If you remove the 3rd row seats you get much more cargo space than HL IMO.
We own Sienna but wife wants SUV and I am stopping her by giving this justification and of course she wants Seqouia!!
Just curious, if you prefer SUV over Van , then it makes sense.
John
One last question is about owners experiences. I have read many of the discussions and found most people to be very happy with their HLs. There seemed to be some problems with the 2001, but 2002 seems to be better model year. Have they worked out the problems with the 2002 or should I wait for the 2003?
Any help or comments would be appreciated!
The problem arises with regards just how much SLOP is enough. In the case of the HL and the RX the VC (viscous coupling) is so sloppy as to NEVER have any real functionality. If you're looking for something with true on-road wintertime AWD functionality then best find one with both modes, full-time and part-time, or one with 2WD normally and part-time for LTS.
1. How did you get to DC Pwr? Did you somehow get under the headliner? Is there a connector already wired in the harness? Does the cable just hang down from the overhead to the mirror?
2. Do you know anything about the details of cable and sensor locations for the temp sensor?
As you can see, I am planning to install myself since the dealer wants $234 to do it!
Thanks again
P.S.- I LOVE this vehicle!! my wife and I think it is everything we expected it to be, and that was quite a lot.
very easy. I installed mine in about 20 minutes.
I didnt get the outside temp since that complicates the install and I have that on my limited.
I soldered a 6 foot 2 conductor thin wire to the +/- connections and made it pretty.
the wire is seen as it goes up to the headliner.
delicately slip the wire under the headliner. At first i didnt think it would go but it dose.
down the pillar under the rubber trim.
into the fuse box area.
I pulled the fuse for the radio and slipped the + wire in and then pushed the fuse in. I then clipped the ground - to a metal frame near it./
others may have better way to attach to DC but this lazy way worked for me.
I like the compass feature, and the glass quality is better than the stock mirror.
good luck
ed
Main reason traded in '98 Sienna:
Began having transmission/driveline problems and could see a large repair bill down the road.
Secondary reason for buying HL:
-Wife really prefers SUV over minivan.
-Baby is big now... don't need all the room to haul the playpen and associated baby stuff.
-Friends we traveled with have moved out of state and we won't be needing to haul 6-7 people anymore.
You're right - Sienna has much more room, it also has a little smoother ride. We also liked being able to get to the back from the front seat. I think I may have preferred having a setup like the 2001 HL without the console for this reason and also we used the space between the front seats for the wife's purse, fast food bags, etc.- but that's a minor issue.
Anyway.. to each his own.
John
The hardest thing for me was taking apart my Highlander - I didn't have the tool that you're supposed to use to pry the panels from the frame. A long screwdriver is enough, though.
As for the sensor locations, they can be found on the mirror's frame (recessed censors on the front and back).
Have fun!
Advice please...Thanks!
The only reason I can think of for higher shipping pressure is less vehicle movement during transport.
tidester
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SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
I know schaeffers blends will go as long as most synth's with lower wear #s.
Get a chance, post your oil analysis and show how well your synth is holding up better than blends. I'm very interested in seeing this. Get a chance, there is a bunch of oil analysis on my board that will let you see how blends compared to synth's are holding up as well as minerals. might suprise you.
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?s&threadid=100060
shows that the full synthetics are holding up to some high mileage. What kind of mileage can the blends go up to before they start to get bad readings?
I do plan to get mine analyzed after the next oil change but it is a new engine so I don't expect the best results this time.
(not that you guys are too off-topic, but this is a slippery slope )
Steve
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SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
I hit the 18,000 mile mark while on what turned out to be an over 850 mile round trip from my home on the central coast of California to Las Vegas, Nevada, and back. It was hot (107 the first day in Las Vegas), windy through the higher elevation passes on the way home (including dust storms with real minimal visibiltiy...like slam on the brakes, can't see the road at times, but yet have to keep going in case the person behind you does not stop; anyway, even with those conditions, no wind noise inside, in my case) , and - for those of you that may know - way city driving plus in Las Vegas proper. As with my other trips in the Highlander, it was great. MPG based only on tankfuls was anywhere from 18 (stop and go in city traffic) to over 23 with the air conditioner always on (in past trips, I have gotten well over 25 on Interstates 5 and 80). At home on a day-to-day basis I average 20 or so with mixed driving.
As with my ownership in general, no problems on this trip. The Highlander has been reliable and perhaps the best vehicle I have owned.
As for some personal feedback on the Highlander verses the Honda Pilot, I have looked at the Pilot....too big for what I need. Heck, I can hardly fit in small parking spots now. I don't need a third seat, and it seems the Pilot's third seat is getting mixed reviews anyway. Believe me, I like Honda...I traded in an Accord for my Highlander...but I hope Toyota does not look at the Pilot for future design ideas. The Highlander is a good performer and a good size as is...in fact, it is perfect for me. The 220 HP is fine, towing capacity is okay for this class of vehicle, MPG is fine for an SUV, and so on.
Some are comparing the size of the Pilot to the Chevy Tahoe..at least being close in width....which, with the deals GM has, could be had for close to the same price as a Highlander with a number of accessories, at least from what I have seen in ads. Bottom line, I hope Toyota does not try to bump up the size of the Highlander in future years.
Again, just some personal thoughts from a satisfied Highlander owner. Also, related to the recent oil change postings, i have done 3,000 or so mile changes as I have with past vehicles....another personal preference, and good insurance. My dealer uses 10W 40 Valvoline regular "dino" oil which I am pleased about. As for the 10W 40 verses 5W, it does not get close to zero degrees F here, so thus I do not have a problem with them using 10W 40.
Ron
Steve
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SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Ron
Steve
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SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
The sound waves can actually be quite painfull at some speeds.
My 68 and 75 Ford station wagons would do the same thing but not to such a high level as the RX and HL and in the Ford I could lower the rear window glass slightly and completely alleviate the sound.
The next models will likely have rear wing windows that can be opened like you find on the Chrysler T&C, the X5 and the ML.
In the meantime use your A/C to enjoy your new HL.
We have a 2002 HL Limited (wife's) and I just got a Honda Pilot and my Mountaineer the we haven't sold yet all have the same issue.
Opening the sunroof all the way does the same also.
Inquired about same for HL at dealer but was informed that such a device may interfere with sensors for airbags in event of real accident.
Can anyone verify? I'm interested in protecting vehicle but not at the risk of losing safety protection.
thanks!
But that's exactly why you would put a brush guard on your car.
Email Toyota and ask for an educated opinion, don't even listen to me.
customer_satisfaction_inquiries@toyota.com
I know the vehicle is great and put together well, but I'd like to seem more brightness in the colors offered.
Anyone heard of any new ones for 2003? THAT would probably be the only change going into the third year of production.
Again, I spot TrailBlazers, Durangos, GMC's, even Ford Explorers that have more bright and exciting colors..why not Toyota?
Took a road trip to Milwaukee to see the local b-ball team play Bud's team a while back...I saw 2 Highlanders between the TC's and Milwaukee. And I was looking hard for them! But saw many Chevy TB's, GMC's, Durango's, and Explorers...new version. Is it just that Highlanders are hard to find or too pricey for what you get? I just thought that it was strange to not find many on the road when it has such high marks in the auto rags...especially compared to these other models mentioned. I really don't see many around the TC's either. Mostly, again, the models mentioned above....any comments?
If one were patient and did not have much else to do but search almost 6,000 messages here, one would find that there are a number of messages posted here on the subject. The generally accepted "solution" to the back window issue is to drive with the front windows down, too, to equalize the pressure. Or, as wwest notes, using the A/C (instead of windows down).
Also, on the Honda Pilot site here on Edmund's Town Hall, just by happenstance there is a message over there with basically the same issue, although the poster there mentions 60 MPH... I find in happens at a much lower spend that that on my HL with only the back windows down. And a response on the Pilot site with someone posting that the Ford Explorers they have driven do the same thing. If interested, they are message numbers 3342, dated June 27 (subject line: "Interesting Experiment") and 3346, also dated June 27. That is on the board titled "Honda Pilot" here in Town Hall; it is under the "SUV" category.
Anyway, you are not alone! But, in my opinion, the Highlander is still a great vehicle and I would not hesitate to buy another one.
With just the right side rear window down the pressure waves were actually painfull, VERY, I don't think I could have endured the pain for even a few more moments.
On the RX I attribute it to being very well insulated and sealed. With it very well insulated no road noise can get in, but also no interior noise can get out. The Lexus cabins are very well sealed to air leakage and air "flow-thru, mostly in order to reduce the cycling of the A/C compressor and thus increase their MPG.
From what I know - the airbag is triggered by deceleration sensors. The brush guard is still attached to the vehicle, and the vehicle will still have to decelerate, and if severe enough - the airbag will deploy.
I would never listen to a dealer on anything technical - they are not engineers
Now, I know the Ford Escape doesn't really compare to the HL, but my son just purchased one (4 cyl/ manual, AWD{?}), outright, for approximately what you're paying just to lease your HL for 4 years.
The escape isn't full-time AWD, it's FWD with AWD mode on low traction surfaces only. But for serious wintertime on-road driving that's far superior to even the HL/RX AWD series, with predominantly FWD (90/10 F/R) a totally flaccid VC that never rises to the occassion, no ability to use snowchains without sacrificing your personal safety, and one helluva lot better than a FWD HL or RX.
But I presume that since you bought the FWD model wintertime traction is not an issue for you.
While on the subject of paint, the only aspect of the vehicle that I am disappointed in is Toyota’s paint finish. Perhaps it is my particular vehicle, but I find the paint /clearcoat to be very thin and soft in that it scratches and chips quite easily compared to other makes that I have owned in the past. As it stands, I would think twice before purchasing another Toyota product.
tidester
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SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
Those of you who have an HL; has that become an issue when your hauling items? Thanks.
As for the hatch opening in general, it has been fine for me, for overall use (Home Depot and related loads, vacation trips, even trips to the landfill/dump). Although, I can see where a musician loading up a full gig worth of equipment might find a Highlander a little...or a lot...tight, depending, of course, on how much and what one will actually be hauling. I have a friend who both plays and records professionally; he liked my HL and thought it would be good, but he ended up buying a used mini-van...I think due to price.
Bottom line is, it all depends on one's needs...the Highlander, in my opinion after one year of ownership, is a great vehicle, but it certainly can't be used for everything. Personal preference and use always comes into play when determining what type or make of vehicle to buy, of course. Including, the size or lack thereof of hatch openings. But again, I have found it great for my needs.
On the point of preference, I understand the new Honda Pilot is a little wider than the Highlander....while I am very pleased with the HL, perhaps those that need a little bigger space can check out the Pilot or other vehicles (by the way, I looked at a Pilot...no question that I if something happened to my Highlander, I would buy another HL to replace it...again, personal preference! I like mine a lot, and it has been great).
IMMHO the HL and RX are AWD in "name" only. 50/50 torque distribution on high traction surfaces, granted. When the going gets tough, low traction surfaces, with a flaccid VC that never rises to the occassion, and NO way to use tire chains without sacrificing your personal safety, these are predominantly FWD vehicles only.
When we test drove the HL before buying, we stopped at our house to make sure we could fit our two bikes in the cargo area without removing the wheel. No problem at all.
Now with 2500 miles, our HL developed the infamous glove box rattle. Rather than going through past posts, could someone briefly outline where the foam pad should be placed to fix this?
Thanks!