Highlander vs. Competition (Buying? Pros & Cons)

Boone · #1 (**permalink**) 04-23-2002, 05:21 PM

For those of you who have the highlander (teledyne), how do you like it? Did you compare the 4Runner to it? Any gripes? Power good? Thanks in advance. Boone

NOTATION - Threads merged and renamed due to similar topics and discussion. If you have any questions please let me know.

Peid

Simias · #2 (**permalink**) 04-23-2002, 05:55 PM

Boone,

the highlander is really nice! we were actually looking at buying one after we realized that the RX300 was just a little too expensive. my friend has a highlander and she digs it. we decided on a new house instead of the highlander though, but once my wife is ready for a new car the highlander might be it. are you looking or just looking for someone to talk too?

j/k!

Chris

Boone · #3 (**permalink**) 04-23-2002, 06:47 PM

Looking for the wife. She doesn't like her Accord now that she's driven the Sequoia. Go figure. Oh yeah, those rims I wanted, I just spent the money on a new leather sofa, chair, and ottoman. Just as long as she knows it's my chair and ottoman

Simias · #4 (**permalink**) 04-23-2002, 07:24 PM

my wife drove a couple of highlanders with the kids in them and they really liked it. i've only sat in my friends ride, but i thoroughly checked it out and it seemed really well built. toss some 18s on it and your stylin'!

dang, furniture over rims!! ouch!!

j/k! i know how it is! i'm gonna hold off on anything new for the sequoia at least til xmas. the house is gonna kill me! flooring, landscaping, etc...

teledyne · #5 (**permalink**) 04-24-2002, 12:45 AM

I'm not your average rich guy, so the Sequoia was out of my league. Before, I used to drive a '97 Ford F-150, and I was tired of the bulkiness, I wanted something fast! The 4Runner had too low of a ceiling for me. Everytime my dad tried to get in the front passenger or driver's seat his head always rubbed up against the ceiling.

Plus, after driving on a truck's suspension, I was completely mesmerized by the Highlander's excellent independent shocks.

On another note, if you leave a rear window open while going >45MPH, you will get a terrible cabin pressure noise. Although this really isn't a problem since I'm the one driving, it is nice to know that it does have a lock window button if you're traveling with children in the back seats. TRD parts are scarce for the Highlander, also. Only parts I have seen are the Exhaust muffler, which I am a bit sketchy on. Other parts are TRD oil filters, oil caps, little stuff really.

My Highlander is the SR5 V6 4WD version. The HLs are not 4WD however, it's AWD. This feature I really loved because traction is not a problem. The VVT-i engine helps out a lot, but sometimes it can be a pain. If you're going a steady 55 and you want to floor it to pass someone, don't. It'll take a second for the engine to realize that you want to go fast. The VVT-i like the Honda VTEC enriches the engine with fuel for a boost. It'll eat up gas if you try to floor it, so don't expect it to always do what you like!

However, it doesn't seem to eat up gas when you floor it at a stop light, very nice. Sorry for the ultra long reply, don't expect a lot of it to make sense!

Boone · #6 (**permalink**) 04-24-2002, 10:25 AM

Thanks teledyne (and Simias, I guess

) Did you compare the SR5 vs. the Limited? What are the major differences? Thanks for all of the information, I appreciate it.

teledyne · #7 (**permalink**) 04-24-2002, 07:09 PM

The Limited came with Leather (I believe, may be optional), it had a thermostat-like cooling/heating (enter the desired temperature), moonroof, rear spoiler. You can find out more information at Toyota's Highlander page. Much more detailed.

jenningspaige · #8 (**permalink**) 04-25-2002, 11:32 AM

My mom got a highlander and she loves it (I love it too). I test drove the 4 cylinder and the V6, and I found there wasn't that much difference in power or acceleration between the two. I think the 4 is pretty fast. I'm used to the V8 Tundra but I didn't think the HL was lacking in power. For the money difference I'd go with a SR5 4 cylinder. It's a really nice car, and much much cheaper than the limited V6. I think she paid $26,000 for it. Well worth the money.

-JP

teledyne · #9 (**permalink**) 05-12-2002, 01:14 AM

I would agree with jenningspaige but I would very much recommend the 4WD (actually AWD) version of the Highlander to anyone. Smoother ride, more traction, and better "climate control." The 4WD version comes standard with the V6 engine, mainly because the torque is split between both axles to maintain traction (50/50, even 75/25 when the front wheels need more traction). If you plan on towing, of course you're going to want the V6.

Vansolo · #10 (**permalink**) 05-28-2002, 04:21 AM

Love my Highlander and it's great to have a Highlander forum here again. Also teledyne, the Highlander does not have an SR5 model for it. They just have Limited, V6 4WD, V6 2WD, and the 4 cyclinder with both 4WD and 2WD.

LiuBei · #11 (**permalink**) 06-14-2002, 01:16 PM

I really like the Highlander, but not near as much as the Honda Pilot

Sorry Toyota!

Peapods · #12 (**permalink**) 06-19-2002, 06:16 PM

Did you install the fog lamps in your Highlander? I want to do that. Tell me more about the cost and where you got the lamps, brackets, and wiring/switch parts.

jim
peapods_indy@yahoo.com

Quote:

Originally posted by Simias
my wife drove a couple of highlanders with the kids in them and they really liked it. i've only sat in my friends ride, but i thoroughly checked it out and it seemed really well built. toss some 18s on it and your stylin'!

dang, furniture over rims!! ouch!! j/k! i know how it is! i'm gonna hold off on anything new for the sequoia at least til xmas. the house is gonna kill me! flooring, landscaping, etc...

Spurlock · #13 (**permalink**) 07-15-2002, 06:31 PM

I've had a 2002 Highlander Limited for about two months. My three primary complaints are:

1. The engine has very little low-end torque (V6). Until you get to about 3000 RPM it's pretty doggy. Keep it above that point and it's great.

2. The outside temp sensor takes a LONG time to respond to the current temp if you've had it parked in a garage--sometimes as long as 45 minutes to do so. Dealer says "that's normal." Sure.

3. The heated seats don't seem to work well--they get lukewarm and then shut themselves off until they cool off. I think I should be able to decide when they turn off, like all other cars I'm aware of.

Other than that, I love the build quality and ride.

Simias · #14 (**permalink**) 07-15-2002, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Peapods
Did you install the fog lamps in your Highlander? I want to do that. Tell me more about the cost and where you got the lamps, brackets, and wiring/switch parts.

Jim,

sorry it took me so long to reply! i must have missed this thread. anyways, i don't have a highlander, so i can't really help you out. you could do what most of us sequoia owners did though and purchase the stock fogs for your ride and splice them into a line that will power them. get a foglight relay kit and you're good to go!

Chris

Vansolo · #15 (**permalink**) 07-16-2002, 03:35 AM

Peapods, there is a kit from Performance Products that will fit into your factory foglight opening. Here is a link to the product and a picture of it too: Highlander Foglight Kit The reference number is 5543 and it is going for $450. They also have a kit for the Sequoia SUV and Tundra truck too.