discussion   |   photos   |   email   |   myProfile   |   home          Login Now | Sign Up


Forum Index


New As Posted | Active Subjects



Click to Post a New Message!

Discussion Boards > Active Subjects > Messages as Posted > Toyota Cars Forum

Page [ 1 ] |
Reply | Pop Up Window Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo
 08-10-2005, 10:10 Post: 114636
kwschumm



View my Photos

View my Photos  Pics
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NW Oregon
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 5764

Return to Full
 toyota highlander

We live in the sticks and bought a highlander two weeks ago. My wife mostly drives it and hasn't complained about the hesitation but I know many owners have that problem. I believe there is a NHTSA investigation on this problem and toyota has been stonewalling on it for several years.

Some misc. impressions.

1. It does fabulously well on our five mile gravel logging road. AWD and stability control kick in and it's almost like you're on pavement.
2. The seats are too short for drivers 5' 10" tall or taller
3. My 5' 8" wife complains that the steering wheel position blocks the instrument panel
4. The radio reception sucks. Seriously, it's the worst radio in any vehicle we've owned. It's a common issue apparently and Toyota won't do anything about it. We'll have to replace it with an aftermarket unit.
5. Too much body roll in turns.
6. They need to offer a stick transmission
7. This is funky. My wife reports that you can get locked IN the highlander. If you are sitting inside and lock the doors with the remote you can't manually unlock them. I haven't verified but it seems that would be a safety hazard. What if the battery died or it caught on fire?
8. Very roomy, lots of nice storage nooks and crannies
9. Lots of road noise, might be tires
10. Speaking of tires, the OEM Bridgestone Dualler tires on ours have an incredibly thin 9/32" of tread. I'm sure they will last about a year before requiring replacement. Toyota cheaped out here.
11. If you drive on dusty roads be sure to get the rear spoiler. It REALLY helps keep dirt build-up off the back window. The window still gets dirty but it doesn't get 1/2" of dirt piled high which is what we got before the spoiler was installed.

It's been reliable so far but it's only been two weeks.






Reply to PostReply | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo




Bookmarks: Digg It | Del.icio.us |
 08-10-2005, 10:15 Post: 114637
kwschumm



View my Photos

View my Photos  Pics
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NW Oregon
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 5764

Return to Full
 toyota highlander

Forgot to mention, our HL came with daytime running lights which are a ~$50 option. My wife hates them because every time she is in traffic and her lights are reflected back at her from the car ahead she automatically thinks she left her lights on. Took it to the dealer to disconnect them and they said Toyota won't tell them how to reprogram the computer to disable DRL. WTF? It's an OPTION not a federal requirement.






Reply to PostReply | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo




Bookmarks: Digg It | Del.icio.us |
 08-10-2005, 11:32 Post: 114643
kwschumm



View my Photos

View my Photos  Pics
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NW Oregon
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 5764

Return to Full
 toyota highlander

I'm being picky, but we're happy with the Highlander so far. As long as it stays reliable we'll have it for the long haul. I'll replace the radio and tighten up the suspension with better shocks, thicker sway bars and better tires. I hope the dreaded hesitation problem doesn't strike our HL. Toyota has let that problem go on for YEARS. Seems to affect the V6, not the 4 cyl and the scuttlebutt is that it's related to the "fly by wire" throttle. Give me a throttle cable any day.






Reply to PostReply | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo




Bookmarks: Digg It | Del.icio.us |
 08-10-2005, 12:28 Post: 114654
kwschumm



View my Photos

View my Photos  Pics
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NW Oregon
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 5764

Return to Full
 toyota highlander

I know about the Toyota V6 sludge problems. Supposedly Toyota redesigned them to solve the problem. I'm not taking any chances, after break-in it's getting nothing but synthetic oil.

Dennis, it does have the mast antenna. Others on Edmunds have complained about poor reception as well. When we had it in to get the spoiler installed they gave me a tacoma loaner which had much better reception than the HL. The dealer says it's normal (of course) but I put in a complaint with Toyota and have an appointment on the 23rd to meet with the dealer rep. I'm not expecting much out of it though. She supposedly will drive a highlander for the next two weeks and see if the reception is poor.






Reply to PostReply | Quote Post Reply to PostQuote Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo




Bookmarks: Digg It | Del.icio.us |
Reply | Pop Up Window Reply | Add PhotoAdd Photo


Page [ 1 ] |

Discussion Boards > Active Subjects > Messages as Posted > Toyota Cars Forum

Thread 111000 Filter by Poster:
53Gravely 1 | brokenarrow 1 | DennisCTB 1 | DRankin 1 | kwschumm 4 | wvbowman 1 | yooperpete 1 |

 (advanced search)

Picture of the Day
DennisCTB

Current Events - Winter Storm
Winter Storm


Unanswered Questions

Gas Generator Weather Protecti
Horse Injured Polyrope Electri
Do electric fences keep out de
Any Peruvian Paso Owners Out T
gas powered post driver
My new born foal is really sic
Trailer Axle
dump trailer blueprints


Active Subjects

Gas Generator Weather Protecti
Went to see Dennis Reis this w
Signs to look for prior to lab
leg injury
Broodmare has welts all over h
Some Christmas Humor For Horse
poles in the ground vs. concre
ever thought about moving?


Hot Topics

new app owner
Some Christmas Humor For Horse
Any Peruvian Paso Owners Out T
Heating a Garage
Gas Generator Weather Protecti
Do electric fences keep out de
gas powered post driver
Trailer Axle


Featured Suppliers

Mountain Creek Labradoodles
      MountainCreekLabradoodles.com





New Forums on Gun Sport Shooting and Hunting -- BarrelPoint.com  New Forums on Horses ManePoint.com
Talk Horses at ManePoint
Hunting + Gun Sports at BarrelPoint



Most Viewed

+ New Toyota No Oil Filter Cartridge
+ toyota highlander
+ Body-work on Cars -- Choosing a Shop
+ 2010 camry fuse help

Most Discussion

+ toyota highlander
+ Body-work on Cars -- Choosing
+ New Toyota No Oil Filter Cartr
+ 2010 camry fuse help

Newest Topics

+ New Toyota No Oil Filter Cartridge
+ 2010 camry fuse help
+ Body-work on Cars -- Choosing a Shop
+ toyota highlander
















Turbochargers for Tractors and Industrial Machines
Cab Glass for Tractors and Industrial Machines

Alternators for Tractors and Industrial Machines
Radiators for Tractors and Industrial Machines

Driveline Components for Tractors and Industrial Machines
Starter Motors for Tractors and Industrial Machines