Toyota Highlander

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Comments

  • spencer327spencer327 Member Posts: 106
    I have HL 2004 with Nav. Generally like the display, but its not perfect. I find it not at all confusing. Any questions just ask any teenager. My grandson knew more than I did in a minute of playing around.I dont have a clue where the antenna is located.
    Not being able to program while the HL is in motion is a real drag.I can see the rational, but allow for the passenger to program, Toyota does have a seat sensor for the passenger airbag. Tie that into the nav
  • loggerlogger Member Posts: 8
    I have had a 2004 Highlander (Kluger they call it here in Australia) for about a month. I am not totally convinced yet on the merits of integrating NAV, Climate and Audio controls. For instance when you want to quickly hop though preset radio stations you have to Hit the Audio button which is up top beside the screen. Then if you want to change bands from AM to FM you have to reach about 8" lower to the radio head to find the correct button. Still once you get used to it is OK.
    As far as I can tell the GPS antenna in on the top of the dashboard at the bottom RH side of the windscreen. It may well be on the LHS on your US models. Two round protrusions. One is the headlight sensor. Put your hand over it in daylight with Auto selected on the stalk and the lights come on. The other smaller one is I believe the GPS antenna.
  • lamontbondlamontbond Member Posts: 15
    i just purchased a HL at darcars in MD one month ago and paid exactly the price they quoted. my advice to you is to call before and tell them to have the car waiting for you so that you don't have to sit at the dealer for an hour waiting. also they will try to push the extended warranty and life insurance but you can purchase those things online a little cheaper so it isn't worth it. I had an excellent experience with them and would highly recommend them. i had gone to koons the day before and they were horrible no service and they quoted me MSRP. good luck
    one more thing, i asked if there was something wrong with these vehicles and why they are selling only certain cars with certain vin numbers and not others. they answered that these are the oldest cars on the lot even though they were never used they still try to get rid of them first. it doesn't make sense to me but my HL had four miles on it total. they call it a virgin because it has so few miles. my only complaint is that i get vibration in the brake and steering wheel at stop lights but that is a debate that is ongoing in the problems forum and i dont think that is the reason why darcars is getting rid of these particular cars.
  • boikoboiko Member Posts: 82
    Has anyone yet seen any info on the 2005 Highlanders coming in a few months? I know the gas/electric is coming, but what about the other models?

    Thanks,
    -mike-
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Check out the 2005 Hybrid Toyota Highlander discussion for the hybrid flavor (sounds like you already have?).

    I haven't seen a specific topic over in the Future Vehicles board.

    Anyone?

    Steve, Host
  • racerx1racerx1 Member Posts: 35
    I just sold my Outback for a Highlander -- the HL accelerates much better. I too found the Outback lagged when passing and hill climbing. The Outback does handle better due to lower center of gravity but the HL does handle well.
  • mfhmfh Member Posts: 37
    Thanks racerx1, did you go from an H6 OB to an V6 HL? Do you in general like your HL better? Is it a switch you recommend?
  • kato8kato8 Member Posts: 12
    The 3 year warranty on my Highlander will expire in September. Does anyone have info regarding extended warranties offered by Toyota (at a reasonable cost).
  • phrosutphrosut Member Posts: 122
    I've only got 20,000 miles, but expect to get an extended warranty here:

    http://www.toyotawarranty.com/

    unless I get my local dealer to match that price (which I've heard can sometimes happen).
  • dynaclassdynaclass Member Posts: 1
    I'm wanting to purchase the 2004 highlander but it's a little pricey for me. My second choice is the 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe. Anyone know if it will compare with the Toyota in performance, & dependability?
  • mzopinonatedmzopinonated Member Posts: 24
    not according to Consumer Reports, the Highlander is a much better choice.
  • racerx1racerx1 Member Posts: 35
    I had the 4-cyl in the OB but drove my friend's 6-cyl many times. Neither was fast off the line, which is why the Impreza was turbocharged.

    I prefer the HL overall for: (1) wider body is more comfortable to sit in; (2) better acceleration - HL feels more powerful for hills and passing; (3) tighter turning radius; and (4) much quieter ride. The Outback was preferable for its handling & tracking - the HL has feels more vague. I haven't driven the HL in the snow but the OB was great.
  • loucapriloucapri Member Posts: 214
    I have a 97 Camry and just got an used 01 HL (4-cyl, 2WD). Every time I sit on the HL, I feel dizzy, I don't know why. The ride kind of make me feel sick for some reason. Do all SUV ride like this? Or it just 'me' who are not getting used to the SUV ride? I have never feel like that in my Camry, I can turn my head to the back seat and pick up stuffs. Oh, no way in the HL, I always need to ask my wife, "give me a bag just in case".

    Guys, any comment?
  • desertguydesertguy Member Posts: 730
    The Highlander is based on the Camry platform!
  • bdymentbdyment Member Posts: 573
    How many miles on the 01 HL? Maybe the struts need replacing. This is very unusual for a Highlander. They are quite stable without the rocking motion that some SUVs have.
  • jimtarheeljimtarheel Member Posts: 18
    After testdriving both the HL 4 and 6, as well as the Subaru Forester - twice each - we selected the Forester because it offered much more spirited performance and even better visibility. Each time my wife testdrove the HL, she refused to back it up because she couldn't see where the rear of the vehicle was. She loved the visibility of the Forester and after we've driven her new 2004 Forester XS three months, I'm thinking of trading in my Toyota Camry on another new Forester! We'd be a TWO-Forester family. Love that car! (Seriously, I'm not a dealer, salesman or anything other than a very pleased Forester owner. My wife is crazy about her Forester and when she's happy, I'm happy. Go test drive a Forester to see for yourself.
  • bikeman3bikeman3 Member Posts: 85
    Obviously, the hl is larger for a woman to work with but I see plenty of gals driving them, every day. there is no comparison with these vehicles as they serve different needs, and obviously your mrs. needed something smaller. and you saved alot of money about $7000. Good luck with your foresters but its no Toyota
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    2004 New Crash Test Results (NHTSA)

    Steve, Host
  • loucapriloucapri Member Posts: 214
    My HL has 80k miles and all 4 struts were replaced 6 months ago (according from the paper works I found).

    My wife thinks it might be the struts or the brake. She said the struts feel soft. Also she notice the brake is kind of soft too, just a little tap and we are talking about a juky ride.

    I will try to drive it more often and see if I can get used to it. Thanks for all the info, guys
  • jimtarheeljimtarheel Member Posts: 18
    I saw the Crash test results for HL and wondered why they didn't rate HL for "rollover" risk. I went to NHTSA's website and saw that they "didn't rate" HL for rollover. Hasn't this been a problem for all SUVs? Forester is in a different category: hybrids but has fared extremely well in Crash tests AND for rollover risks. Love my Subaru Forester. The fact that it costs less is a bonus! Thanks for your feedback. I think we'll soon be a Two-Forester Family....and Very Happy.

    Jim
  • jimtarheeljimtarheel Member Posts: 18
    They're advertising a brand new HL for 21,999 and the only add on is a $300 doc fee (that may keep me from setting foot on that dealer's lot). But the price looks interesting. I may drive it again. If you want anything extra, they nickel and dime you to death. Worse than any model I've seen anywhere.
  • eastern1eastern1 Member Posts: 7
    For me, the Highlander wins over Subaru Forester by a long shot, and I've owned both. I was ecstatic when I traded in my 2001 Forester for a 2004 Highlander last November and still am extremely pleased with the upgrade. Very different vehicles, ride, space, visibility, looks. HL is excellent IMO. Car shopping is very personal--buy what best suits your own tastes, needs and wallets; for some that's a Forester or a Pilot or whatever, for others it's an HL.
  • collins14collins14 Member Posts: 39
    We just bought a Santa Fe one week ago. When we were comparing vehicles we narrowed our choice to the Santa Fe and the HL. I initially started the search certain I wanted to purchase the HL.

    I just could not justify the extra $5000 difference in price to buy the HL. Maybe Toyota dealers are different elsewhere but in Houston they insist on tacking on options we did not want. I checked every dealer in the area and no one was willing to sell us just the car we wanted. Interestingly, several years ago when we were looking at mini-vans I encountered the same problem when looking at the Sienna. I really liked the Sienna but when everyone insisted on extra add-ons we ended up with the Odyssey instead.

    My husband bought a Santa Fe two years ago and has been very happy with it. He has had no problems with it.

    Safety was very important to me. I know the HL got excellent crash test scores but the Santa Fe does also. You should note the side airbags on the SF also extend upward to cover the head.

    Don't forget the SF warranty is tremendous. Hard to beat it!
  • loucapriloucapri Member Posts: 214
    The problem with Toyota is they sell cars with "package". You can't say I don't want this and this because I don't need it. For example if you want power windows, you might need to pay more for the whole package that might includes something else like a CD play. You can't just get power windows option only. I think it's marketing thing so they can show the lowest price for the car but we all know once you get other options, the price can be way more than you expected.

    I have to agree with you that it's kind of pain in the butt.

    So you did own a Santa Fe before and this is your second one? I guess this is a good indication about how much you like the Santa Fe. The only thing that I am not sure is their resale value.
  • collins14collins14 Member Posts: 39
    The two options the Houston dealers would not sell the HL without were PE (Power Drivers seat) and EJ (upgraded CD player). I realize you have to buy a complete option package- you cannot choose just one piece of it but that was not the case here. I personally did not want to spend another $800 on things I did not need/want.

    Edmunds may want to look into things like this so as to alert the consumer before they go out to purchase a vehicle. I did the "price with options" for the HL and then went out shopping expecting to pay close to that price. If Toyota will not actually sell a car without certain options (in certain geographical regions) Edmunds may want to include that in their "price with options" price so people are not disappointed when they go to the dealer. I realize this probably only applies to the Houston (Gulf Coast Area) dealers but it would be nice to know. You have to input your zip code when they calculate the price so they could control it that way.

    Anyway, thanks to Edmunds and everyone's comments to make this an almost enjoyble experience!
  • nelsoncmnelsoncm Member Posts: 103
    I can't tell from all the stuff I've read, does Highlander have a/c vents for rear seat passengers? (the second seat, not the third). Haven't had a chance to go to a lot and get in one yet, but it's a sticking point with me. Rear passengers need air too!
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    You may want to fill out a Feedback Form.

    tidester, host
  • lmacmillmacmil Member Posts: 1,758
    There are vents at the very back (next to the 3rd seat) and a control that says "rear heat." I assume that's the fan speed. Haven't used it or the 3rd row seat. Mine is a Limited model.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I think you just ran into one of the two captive Toyota distributors - Gulf States (SouthEast Toyota is the other).

    "Finally, in the South and Southeast large independent distributors control the pricing of Toyota vehicles, and they may set prices at different levels than those established by Toyota for the rest of the country. Similarly, in the Northeast a single independent distributor distributes Subaru vehicles."

    Why does the car I'm looking at have a different invoice price or MSRP than what's listed on Edmunds.com?

    Not only do they set pricing, they also may load the cars up with mop and glow, etching and other overpriced or useless options.

    Steve, Host
  • collins14collins14 Member Posts: 39
    Thanks Steve. I guess I already had figured out that was the case. I thought perhaps edmunds could make certain options "mandatory" when someone does a 'price with options' search on some cars (namely Toyota). This would help avoid sticker shock when visiting dealerships.

    I am surprised Toyota does this to this extent. They have now lost two car sales to my family in the last two years solely because of this "you must take these options on this car' attitude. Two years ago we were looking at the Sienna but I refuse to pay for things I did not want and now this year the same thing happened with the HL. As long as we live in the Houston area I will forgo even looking at any more Toyotas- though hopefully with the Odyssey and the Santa Fe(s) we will not be purchasing any more vehicles for a looong while.

    Thanks again for Edmunds help.
  • mikefm58mikefm58 Member Posts: 2,882
    There was an ad in my local paper for a base HL for $20985 plus tax, tag, title, and $699 dealer fee, still a great price.
  • 2003tls2003tls Member Posts: 100
    Don't forget about Hawaii. Here we have to deal with Servco Hawaii, which is the distributor for Toyotas here. They control everything! In fact, they even mess with the standard equipment (HL Limiteds sold here do NOT have the upgraded speakers as standard). And talk about forcing you to buy options - they won't even ORDER a vehicle how you want it. I just picked up my 2004 Highlander V6 AWD and wanted the factory optional fog lights and towing package. Servco said no - even on a special order vehicle that I had to wait 4 months for (normal wait is 3 months). You want side curtain airbags? You have to take the rear spoiler (I did). So count your blessings if you live in a state that you really can order it how you want it.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    What's the boat fee to ship one over?

    At least when I lived in Alaska you could fly down to America and drive a new car back.

    Steve, Host
  • airnmax2airnmax2 Member Posts: 2
    I am going to buy a 04 Highlander 3rd row v6 but was told that to get a sunroof and side/curtain impact bags I have to have the dearler install the sunroof. Has anyone done this? pros? cons?
  • mckeownmckeown Member Posts: 165
    My wife's 04 HL has both from the factory, and it is not a limited. V6/AWD/3rd row seat/ engine immobilizer/ sunroof/ Side curtain impact bags/ Towing pkg, and last trip we got 25mpg...(18 around town).
    Try another Dealer....
  • lmacmillmacmil Member Posts: 1,758
    I also have a factory installed sunroof and side-curtain airbags. Go to the Toyota website, put in your zip, then build the vehicle and see if it allows you to add these items. If it does, then your dealer isn't giving you the straight scoop. Btw, I'd never let anyone start cutting into a brand new car but that's just me.
  • oldmanoldman Member Posts: 35
    Anybody annoyed by cupping and howling tire noise on 04 v6 HL with 3rd row seats? I've taken it to dealer at 1k miles, they claimed it was out of specification (toe), front and rear. Now with 9k miles, still wears tires excessively, requires rotation at 4500 else wear is enough to be uncorrected by rotation. Does the independent HL suspension have too much play, too flimsy, or what? Why does it need so much toe as to result in noisy tire wear problems. My 01 volvo and 99 Land Cruiser could easily go 10k without rotation and never have tire wear or howling noise. Is the HL just a hyped cheap junker??
  • lmacmillmacmil Member Posts: 1,758
    Have not noticed this on my '04 at 3000 miles. I have the 3rd row seat but have never used it (it's folded away.
  • dcsysdcsys Member Posts: 5
    Thats totally false. Run, don't walk, to another dealer and find out for yourself.
  • edhedh Member Posts: 246
    How do they perform and does anyone tow with a 4 cyl/
    Mileage?

    all the v6 models in south east seem to have an appearance package for about $1000, even if u don't want it
  • lmacmillmacmil Member Posts: 1,758
    Search the archives, there have been numerous discussions on 4 cylinders. Most have recommended the V6 if you plan to tow.
  • herzogtum71herzogtum71 Member Posts: 470
    I don't recall any of those recommendations coming from a 4-cylinder owner who had actual towing experience. (I have the 4-cylinder, but I don't plan to tow anything.)
  • loucapriloucapri Member Posts: 214
    I have a 4cyl but I don't use it to tow.
    the 4 cyl and the v6 both have the same towing cap.(weight wise).

    What are you planning to tow?
    You know, the ~150hp 4 cyl can't really do a whole lot of towing (I mean it will be slow and not good for the engine. Even the V6, I don't think they are designed for doing any heavy towing (my opinion).

    anything like a small moving trailer from Uhal or a dirt bike maybe ok I guess.
  • 2003tls2003tls Member Posts: 100
    In case anyone is wondering, it costs about $900 to ship a car from the West Coast to/from Hawaii. And then you have to pay the Hawaii sales tax when you register the car in Hawaii (which you have to do) anyway so it isn't really an option.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Well, if you buy the car in LA you shouldn't have to pay California sales tax, since you aren't registering the car in CA (or if you do, then go up the coast to Oregon I guess where there's no sales tax).

    Then you have the issue of trying to get satisfactory warranty service from the non-selling dealer.

    Do they sell the used rental fleets on the islands or ship them back to stateside?

    Steve, Host
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Sales tax and registration are separate taxes. I believe the exemption applies only to trucks weighing more than 6,000 pounds purchased for out of state use (and removed from the state within 30 days). See California Exemptions and Exlcusions

    Of course, that may have changed since Ah-nohlt took over! ;-)

    tidester, host
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I'm still not used to sales taxes after living in AK all those years. I used to get exemptions for WA purchases when shopping there. Something tells me if a Californian buys a car in sales tax free OR, they'll have to pay tax and registration in CA. So maybe there's a sales tax offset if you register a new car in HA that was purchased elsewhere?

    It's too early in the am to contemplate this stuff :-)

    2003tls, my advice is to buy a Zodiac.

    Steve, Host
  • paulapaula Member Posts: 2
    Negotiating on a Highlander. They have it priced at $22,988 for a 2002, 8800 miles, Limited, 4x2, loaded, no towing pkg. I have a Nissan Maxima as trade-in. They are quoting me with my trade in $26999. I came back and offered them $24,600 out the door. They said they will not budge. They are giving me $15,000 for my Maxima and I still owe $17,300 (so I would be upside down). What do you think a fair out the door price would be?
  • nimrod99nimrod99 Member Posts: 343
    On a 2003 V6 Ltd, where is the DLC3 or ODBII connector located?.

    Under the glove box - I can see a connector taped to a wire harness.

    I just need to know - so that the local Smog Check station doesn't pull out the wrong connector.

    thanks
  • jackmick656jackmick656 Member Posts: 61
    Stick by your final offer to them. If there is any way they can make money on your final offer, the dealer will do it. If not, try another dealer, if that doesn't work, enjoy your Maxima. As far as getting ripped off by a dealer, 99% of buyers get ripped off and just don't know it. Dealers are offered cash incentives from Toyota that the buyer is unaware of. Dealers never loose, buyers do. Reminds me of the casinos.
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