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gossamer88 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-01-2006, 09:00 PM

I live in the NYC area. I had to take this picture when I saw this Highlander!

randyeverett · #2 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 01:25 AM

I remember seeing something about NYC going over to hybrids. Looks like they picked a dependable one.

RE

ddvk · #3 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 06:31 PM

I doubt these Highlanders can put up with the NY traffic like the TownCars can do...(yes from FORD -- Found On Road Dead). The NY TownCars are specifically designed for hauling and stop and go traffic and they can at max put 100K on them. After that they are total...

Bad idea for these fancy Highlanders to be out there among the American bad boys!!

mustang67408 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randyeverett

I remember seeing something about NYC going over to hybrids. Looks like they picked a dependable one.

RE

I'd have to agree with you. The Highlander will definatley outlast the FRD's.
TOYOTA will show them who #1 really is.

Eddie · #5 (**permalink**) 12-02-2006, 09:31 PM

The Highlander hybrid should do well,they get better gas mileage in stop-and-go driving than highway driving thanks to regenerative braking.

PhillyTurboSix · #6 (**permalink**) 12-03-2006, 03:23 PM

Awesome idea for a Taxi! I'm sure they beefed it up where it needed like Ferd does. Being it's a Toyota I'm sure it will outlast ANY Ferd POS they have!

LifeTech · #7 (**permalink**) 12-05-2006, 07:24 PM

The NYC Taxi and Limosine commission Had a Taxi Medalion auction early this year. It was only open to single non-Fleet purchases. These medalions equate to a mortgage on a house....But more importantly, THE RULE was that the medalion MUST be for hybrids only!!!

I've seen many HIHy's like this as well as Ford Escape Hybrids(Ford borrows the engine/drivetrain and Hybrid electronics directly from Toyota!) and even a Prius and Camry Hybrid. I passed a Taxi Shop that retros the interiors to TLC specs. They add a meter and and remove the cloth on seats and put vinyl. It then gets painted Taxi Cab Yellow. These are the rules. I know for a fact that the HiHY is not Beefed up by Toyota.

New Taxi medalion owners are spending much dollars over sticker for the HiHY's. But it is just small change investment. These taxis must be driven 24/7 to pay off the note on the Medalion.

LT

mustang67408 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-05-2006, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LifeTech

Ford Escape Hybrids(Ford borrows the engine/drivetrain and Hybrid electronics directly from Toyota!) . I know for a fact that the HiHY is not Beefed up by Toyota.

Funny you mention FORD borrowing stuff.
In the beginning, FORD bought the rights to the POWERTRAIN for the 1st Gen Prius and told TOYOTA,"WE DONT NEED THE ELECTRONICS, WE CAN MAKE IT WORK".

HA HA HA.
They then turned around and had to purchase the use of the electronics too, their engineers couldnt make it work properly.
I dont see any reason for Toyota to have to beef anything up. I beleive you when you say they are not beefed. NO REASON TOO. TOYOTA HYBRIDS ROCK!
There are a few HiHY taxi's here in LV too, as well as a few Prius Taxis.

underPSI · #9 (**permalink**) 01-18-2007, 10:14 AM

For some reason, a Highlander in yellow looks surprisingly good.

Vansolo · #10 (**permalink**) 01-18-2007, 09:08 PM

I was going to say that myself. The Highlander does look good in the color yellow.