Southern CA Area Highlander?

[SCRunner12]

Can someone clue me in on what it is about the Highlander that makes or worth 3-k more than others? I'd rather buy a sport/limited and put the extra into mods. $.02

The highlander is the sport, but prior to 01. The only thing I care for on the highlander/sports are the hood (i have one in my garage so that doesn't matter anymore) and the color matched bumpers. The 00 highlander has limited flares, while the 99 has the black sr5 flares. I really only like the 00 because of the limited flares and I would rather get an 01 if the 00 doesn't have a locker, because then at least you get AWD. This only works if you are going for an auto.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Yeah,the big diff for the Highlander/Sport models is the scoop but most of the stuff could be had with an SR5 model or swapped over to an SR5. In '99 I do think the Highlander was the only one that had the color keyed bumper and grill (i didn't want chrome) and it did come with the Limited wheels. The Highlander model pretty much meant you had a pretty close to a fully loaded (fogs,4:10 rearend,sport seats) 4Runner save for a few limited items.

Most Sport models really aren't too different in price but having the rear locker and 5 speed makes any SR5 attractive to alot of buyers.

I personally like my '99 with it's smaller plastic flares since I off road and painted limited versions take a beating on the trail plus in '99 it was only available in black or green so they were a little rarer that the other years of Sport models.
IMO it was the closest thing to a TRD edition that Toyota never released.

 

[WrexHAmm]

I imagine that a lot of people see the appeal in the Highlander because of the "tall" coils which I understand only to a certain degree. Yes it gives you a few inches or ride height but most of them are pushing 100K plus miles and shouldn’t it be close to changing out the suspension anyways?

Personally I am very pleased with mine. 2000 SR5 with sport options (color matched bumpers, hood scoop, fog lights, rear locker etc) I have all options except for leather and wood grain. Frankly the leather in the T4R is crap and the wood grain looks cheap so I have everything I’ve wanted.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Yes,the coil thing is overrated since you can either buy aftermarket or swap in a set of the taller version. I replaced my coils and shocks at 110k since I agree that by that time the suspension is starting to tire.