Question Might join the HL club need input!

[kevin c]

Just joined today. What a find!

I'm new to these forums, still getting up to speed with protocol.

We're turning in our 05 sienna, lease end, and found a private party 02 HL, 4 cyl, 99K, Drove it and loved it! Felt real tight, engine was quiet, braking was great, no body/trim rattles/squeaks, interior was just detailed but is in very good condition. The owner just had the brakes done and put on 08 HL 19" rims and brand new tires. They're asking $9K

This is for my wife around town and trips throughout New England.

When we own cars we drive 'em til they die! Do you think we could get another 100K out if this? Are the Cat's an issue and should be worry about this oil gelation thing I've read about?

What do you guys think?

Thanks for your input.

kc

[bepperb]

You can drive any car to 200,000 miles if you take good care of it. There's nothing specific about the HL that's prone to failure, except the HVAC controls. You shouldn't have sludging (oil) problems with the 4cyl of that vintage.

The cat's aren't a big issue that I've heard of, but across all cars they do fail from time to time. With so little reserve power, you'll definately know if there's aproblem with failure and blockage of the cats.

I'm not sure how the 19"s will be in the snow. If you also got the 16"s, you may want to get some snow tires or something like the LTX/CrossTerrains on them for winter duty.

We have an 04, 4cyl 2wd and like it a lot. About the same power as a civic/corolla/focus, which isn't alot. I've towed with it. Does OK. Good in the snow even without 4wd. Anything I've ever needed to know was already here.

9k seems a bit high, but I'm not very familiar with what they go for. I got our 04 in 07, 30,000 miles for 15. And that's when gas was two bucks a gallon.

[kevin c]

Thanks bepperb,

Owner did say he had the original rims with all seasons on them. I had the same thought about the 19s and mounting some snows on the other rims.

When you say the HVAC controls are you referring to the actual controls on the dash or "modules"/other stuff (my automotive knowledge is fairly basic)?

I've been looking around and the price seems to be in the ballpark all things considered.

Thanks for your input!

kc

[kevin c]

Originally Posted by bepperb

You can drive any car to 200,000 miles if you take good care of it. There's nothing specific about the HL that's prone to failure, except the HVAC controls. You shouldn't have sludging (oil) problems with the 4cyl of that vintage.

The cat's aren't a big issue that I've heard of, but across all cars they do fail from time to time. With so little reserve power, you'll definately know if there's aproblem with failure and blockage of the cats.

I'm not sure how the 19"s will be in the snow. If you also got the 16"s, you may want to get some snow tires or something like the LTX/CrossTerrains on them for winter duty.

We have an 04, 4cyl 2wd and like it a lot. About the same power as a civic/corolla/focus, which isn't alot. I've towed with it. Does OK. Good in the snow even without 4wd. Anything I've ever needed to know was already here.

9k seems a bit high, but I'm not very familiar with what they go for. I got our 04 in 07, 30,000 miles for 15. And that's when gas was two bucks a gallon.

Just did a search on the HVAC and came up with some great intell. Nothing I can't handle!

bepperb Thanks again,

kc

[MKII/Mx83]

For the HVAC knobs, if they are loose, pull the knobs off and tighten the nut holding them. This will solvole that problem before you really have one..
Bepperb, what kind of gas mileage are you getting? I have an 02 HL 4 cycl and my best is 18-19 in town and 22 MPG on the road. This seems a little low for the 4 banger.
Let me know your opions.
Thanks
R Bodiot

[bepperb]

That does seem a bit low to me. We usually get about 23-25 in a 50/50 mix. If we do a road trip, 330 miles to mpls all at 75mph, we get 27-28.

I have 2wd, that probably makes a bigger difference than people think. I also have the Dueler 687's, which while being horrible tires in almost every way, finished first for low rolling resistance in a consumer reports test. And I put the crossbars for the cargo rack all the way back. But that's it.

[MKII/Mx83]

Thanks bepperb, the Toyota people seems to think its about right. Mine is also 2wd. I ask about resetting the computer and they didn't think it would make any difference. The tech did think it may need to be run hard to blow the carbon out. I'll give that a shot, then see what happens.
Thanks
R Bodiot