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Comments
With NAV and REAR ENT, that will make limited invoice up to $34000 range. I think you can get a RX330 with same setup for $37,500 invoice.
The 4runner do have 3rd row seat, but you will have to give up a lot of other option to get it, such as the 10 speakers sound system, NAV system and etc. and NAV is now not available for sport and SR5
It also looks like the second seat MIGHT be a 40-20-40, which might allow the center section to be used for a child seat and slide forward BUT THAT IS TOTAL SPECULATION ON MY PART. I didn't get enough information to know for sure, so your guess is as good as mine.
Last I heard all V6 models except the 2WD non-limited will come standard with the third row seat. Apparently in some markets, all V6 models will have the third row seat for the first few months of production.
Will the Nav be available to install on a 2003 Ltd
Thanks
Steve, Host
With 3Rd Row Seating, NAV and DVD Player, now the HL will really be in the RX price range.
It sometimes happens around 40mph. It also happens at slower speed and at higher speed. I was just on a road trip and was running the AC etc and wondering what causes this "kick" I find when I take my foot of the gas to ease the speed it can happen. I don't know if its the wayI drive or something i should have checked out by the dealer.
I apprecite any insight.
Thanks
It's designed to prevent loss of control of FWD, or front torque biased AWD, on slippery surfaces due to engine braking, most noticable just before coming to a stop, feels as if being nudged from the rear.
Multiply the height of the cargo area by its width then multiply that result by the distance between the backs of the 2nd and 3rd row seats. That's how much space you lose. All measurements in feet, of course.
tidester, host
Why would I like to know? After five months of searching for a dealer who would special order a Highlander for us and then waiting three months for it to be delivered, it supposedly will arrive next week. Now we are faced with the decision to take this '03 HL or order an '04 instead and start the wait all over again. Unknowns are the new prices, the amount of space the third row decreases the capacity, and how the second row now operates. Benefits of the '04 would be the 3.3 V6, 5 speed auto, side curtain air bags, and possibly the third row. Disadvantages would be waiting even longer, fighting the ordering process again, possibly missing the $1,000 rebate, and other intangible benefits of having the car now.
So we're trying to gather as much information about an almost introduced model as possible. I was hoping the '03 would arrive in mid-September as information about the '04 should be much more available by then. Alas, we have to decide now with as much information as we can get.
Does anyone have information that will help us?
After limited test drives in both, the Highlander scores on smooth ride and quiet cabin. Forester scores on acceleration and handling - and maybe - front seats.
If it applies, I’d be interested in hearing why you made the decsion to go Highlander vs Forester.
tia!
srp
ps: Just Say No 3rd Row!
You described it well....it is like getting nudged from the back...
So its just something I should become accustomed to and not have to worry about ?!
As long as you properly load the thing, I wouldn't worry about a FWD for towing a 1500 pound travel trailer. Just make sure the tongue is level and the weight is properly distributed.
Putting a 1500lb load ONLY on the rear of a 3500lb vehicle represents a very serious load imbalance IMMHO.
With just a simple ball type hitch just how does one assure a balanced load?
I am new to this forum, so please forgive my arrogance. I don't know either of you, but both of you speak with authority on the '04 Highlander.
I would like to know the confidence level you have in the sources for your info on the 04 HL that you posted here earlier. If you're willing, give your source, or the nature of it. I'm not implying you're wrong, I've simply heard too many dealers promise nothing but the paint chips will change for 04. Of course they do want to sell me 03's.
I really like the HL V6 Ltd AWD, but I found it a little unexciting to drive - especially the 4spd transmission. (Not that I'm a speed junky, I currently have a 01 Rav4 - but at least that's a stick).
Since I plan to hang on to whatever I purchase for a long time, I don't mind waiting a few months, or paying a little extra if it will make me happier. Looking at what the Rx330 gained over the Rx300, I think the 3.3L 5spd is a little more significant than paint chips.
I'm ready to buy (i.e. a need a new car soon) but if the 04 is close, I'll wait. I can get a fully loaded 03 Ltd V6 AWD for $31k @ 1.9%, that's 4.5k of the MSRP, which is tempting if the 04 is little or no different. I'm in Southern CA if that makes any difference.
Please advise, or if you want e-mail me @ nicol@verheem.com
My guess is that the $1000 rebate may go away with the '04 as the purpose of the rebate may be to move to '03s in the face of customer anticipation of the '04s.
I speculate (or at least hope) that the cargo capacity with the third row seat won't decrease much, assuming it folds down flat like the second row seat currently does, but not having had a vehicle with a third row seat, I can't say for sure -- perhaps check out other car-based SUVs with third row seats such as the Honda Pilot to see how they fold down, or perhaps others on this board with more experience with third row seat vehicles care to speculate further...
As far as whether to wait -- only you can answer whether the third row seat would be an asset to you, and unless if you're a power monger the V6 and, for me, even the 4cyl are plenty powerful enough -- drive the '03 3.0 V6 and see if its enough for you.
One bit of personal experience -- I bought my '01 in August, about a month before the '02s came out, figuring there wouldn't be any difference between the two as the '01 was the first year the Highlander was introduced in the U.S. Actually, I wanted to wait as this would have been the smart thing to do except that I had spent so much time researching the Highlander and became so obsessed with the purchase that I couldn't sleep at nights, so I decided to purchase it just to get it over with, which I did. Well, low and behold, the '02 saw a significant change to the interior (in my opinion) as it introduced the center console, and I was kicking myself for not waiting (until I purchased the parts to install a '02 center console in my '01 (about $1000)). Moral? (1.) Don't become obsessed with a Highlander. (2.) It's a gamble -- if you can compromise on available features, wait for that slim window when both '03s and '04s are available on lots at the same time (or at least until Toyota posts some info on the '04s (monitor www.toyota.com and www.pressroom.toyota.com)).
Steve, Host
Thanks for sharing your experience. I think we are going to go with the '03 for a few reasons.
First, the AMAZING TRIALS of custom ordering a HL is probably unparalleled in the industry, sad to say. Toyota is making massive stride towards the industry's best build-to-order system, but until then, it's the absolute worst if you're in the SouthEast. No dealer would help us and we went through four. Finally we contacted the SouthEast Regional Distributor and told our sad story. The regional sales manager placed the order for us through a fifth dealer. We'd hate to go through this again. It took five months to get someone to order the car the way we want it (with side air bags - BIG DEAL!) and another three months of waiting for production delivery.
Second, we tested a lot of other vehicles and were happiest with the HL. The Pilot is too big (but nice). So while the '04 will have more, we were content with the '03 before. We would have bought one back in February if a dealer had the right one.
Third, we don't really need the third seat. We might use it once a year.
Fourth, the $1,000 rebate will be gone on the '04 models.
The only things we'll miss will be the 3.3 V6 and the 5 speed tranny.
Just don't ask Cliffy for anchor advice <g>.
Steve, Host
So, my newfound well informed friends, any ideas when John Public will see a 04 @ the dealers ? Please keep us posted !
Thanks
nlv
The information I posted is right off Dealer Daily, which is our intranet communication system with Toyota. They have already posted the "spec book" on the '04 and that is what I relayed.
Now, as far as when you will see them, my guess is late September. We have been given the "TVO" book which is the list of the models that are inbound to our region. We get two allocations per month from the TVO book. It was assumed that the allocation cut in Mid-August would have the '04 Highlanders in it but it didn't. That means they will be allocated on September 2. From the time they are allocated until we see them is anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks.
I hope that helps and welcome to the group.
Yes, we would love the side curtain air bags. However, that is the only thing we'd add to our configuration other than the 3.3 V6 and the 5 speed tranny. The problem is to do that, we'd have to pass on this one (built to our specs), custom order again (kill me now), and wait at least three more months for the '04 HL. It's just hard to think about going through that again. That would make it a full twelve months it us to get one with five months of that consumed with arguing with dealers and tracking down SE Toyota. I guess if we felt like the dealers would accommodate us, we might try it again.
Also, we are giving our car away to some relatives and we'd like to help them sooner than later. This has already taken a long time.
I don't know; we'll see. A lot of it depends on if we can get cooperation from the dealer and SE Toyota. The salesman who was helping us left the dealership and if I hadn't called to checkup on it two weeks ago, it would have arrived and they would have sold it without knowing it was for me. I have so many stories...
Does anyone know if this will be available over the counter, as I would like to retrofit my 2003 AWD ltd.
Thanks
We are in the same situation........whether to get the '03 or wait for the '04's !!
We did not like the standard Am-Fm-Cd stereo, and really loved the JBL system in the 6 cylinder, but need the economy of the 4 cylinder Highlander........any word on putting a better sounding stereo, like the JBL in the 4 cylinder ?
These problems are documented in the Highlander messages and my own personal experiences with my 03 HL V6. I would also suggest you buy the V6 engine. The new V6 with the 5 speed should be awesome, and the mileage should be good. If the price is close to the 03, it should be a no brainer.
Is the ABS standard or optional for Highlander V6 2WD?
Thanks,
tidester, host
Most all of that "repair" expense was spent on oil changes, tune-ups, tires, batteries, brakes, shocks, alignments and other consumables that a warranty wouldn't ordinarily cover anyway. I honestly can't remember a non-consumable item breaking, except a $300 bent axle from a 4 wheel power slide into a curb. Oops ;-).
So check the fine print on coverage.
My '89 Voyager would have cost me money but it had a 7/70 factory drivetrain warranty (3 head gaskets).
Aftermarket warranties are a big profit center for the dealer. These days you're really gambling that your expensive electronics are going to die. Some people sleep better not worrying about repair bills.
And remember that a 7 year warranty really just covers you for the non-factory warranty period (i.e. 2 years/40k for the drivetrain, 4 years/64k for the rest).
That's my anti view (and I'm ahead money-wise on my '99 Nissan w/ 85k and my '97 Subaru w/ 40k). Here's a pro view:
Extended Warranties: Extending The Joys Of Ownership
Take a look at this week's poll and extended warranty links on the main Town Hall page.
And finally, a plug for an upcoming Town Hall Chat:
• 9/17: Chat - Warranties: Are they worth it? Mark your calendars!
Steve, Host
They are not for everybody and not every dealership is willing to sell them at reasonable prices. If a person plans on long term ownership and is concerned about things like climate control systems, CD changers, DVD systems, alternators, ABS sensors and the like, a properly priced factory warranty certainly can be a good idea.
I am in Texas. Is the leather seat too hot when parking outside for some time(4-hour or more)? I had the experience with vinyl seat. I had to wait some time, then step in and sit on the seat.
Dealer told me leather is unlike vinyl which could be very hot. Leather can breath. There are many visible small holes in the leather to keep temperature down.
Is that true? Any experience?
Thanks,
Unfortunately, I can't figure out the change in cargo volume with the addition of the 3rd row. Anyone here read Japanese?
http://www.toyota.co.jp/Showroom/All_toyota_lineup/klugerv/utilit- y/index2.html
http://www.toyota.co.jp/Showroom/All_toyota_lineup/klugerv/interi- or/images/int02_xga.jpg
I wonder if this can be retrofitted into a 2003?