Toyota Highlander Forum?

[donkeyhoatie]

Hi guys,

Some of you may know me as the guy who had a low-mileage (83K) 4Runner develop a catastrophic case of frame rot. I'm still looking around for a new rig. And, while I loved my 4Runner, I'm not sure I'm willing to go back to one for my next ride.

My parents own a Toyota Highlander, and I've always liked it. So, I'm considering a used one as my next ride. But, I want to do some research on them before really shopping around for one.

I know, it's not a 4Runner. But, it is a Toyota, and I've owned 3 different Toyotas since 96 when I bought a new Camry. I'd like something decent sized (only have one kid, but thinking about adding a dog or two to the mix next year since we put our faithful 14.5 year old dog down last week, man it's been a tough couple of weeks here). I don't do any off-roading, so I'd rather go with a Highlander than a minivan, much to my wife's disappointment.

While I know there is no other forum quite like this one. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for, or had visited a Highlander forum that was at least somewhat similar to this one. Like I said, I want to educate myself on known issues so that I know what to look for when shopping around.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

 

[Stick Figure]

Forums usually pop up for "Enthusiast" vehicles. Don't take this as an insult to your vehicle choice but the Highlander (non 4Runner version) is not quite an enthusiast vehicle, most of the people that buy them look at them as an appliance. After they pick the color they want and the features they want they use it everyday, and occasionally may call a repair man if it needs serviced but that's about it.

A google search shows a few sub forums for the Highlander on other forums like Toyota Nation, but I have no idea how much info is available. If it helps I thought the highlander was originally just based off of the Camry platform, so if this is still true a lot of the info may carry over.

If I had one child no want to offroad, or need to tow, I would pick up a used GS430. Hell I want one now, but I'm not willing to get rid of the 4Runner or sports cars for it.

 

[donkeyhoatie]

Thanks, Stick Figure. I appreciate the input.

As far as not being an "Enthusiast" car, I would definitely agree. Much of that is probably due to the fact that it's built off of the Camry, which is in no way an enthusiast ride by any stretch of the imagination.

Unfortunately, budget constraints limit what I can look for that will still fit into the parameters of what my family needs. Our other car is a 2006 Altima (again, not an enthusiast car), and we're looking for one car to be a bit bigger to haul stuff around on vacations/road trips/etc. My wife is pushing for another Sienna, which we used to have. I think we both would rather have the Highlander, truth be told.

And, while the Lexus you mentioned is definitely a great car, it's not financially feasible. The difference between the Lexus, Highlander, and Sienna is fairly large. For the years and mileages I'm considering, the Lexus comes in at about 16K, the Highlander at 13K, and the Sienna 10K. The 3K between the Lexus and Highlander is a lot of dough, and the 6K between the Lexus and Sienna is way too much to ignore. I know you can't put a price on happiness, but I think you can put a price on driving and 6K sounds about as good as any for us.

Again, I'm not entirely sold on the Highlander, and will probably look at a number of cars outside the Toyota family in my search for the right fit. I was just hoping to educate myself a little bit on a possibility before moving forward.

 

[blizz86]

Sounds like the sienna is in line again. But why don't you want another 4runner?

 

[Acidmeld]

I'd say go with the highlander. It's just as family friendly as the sienna but better looking and you can still take it down some good dirt roads. If you don't find a good forum for them you can always find one of us Toyota techs on here and shoot a PM our way.

 

[nevada]

Highlanders are great, we have one and love it.

go here:
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/207-highlander-forum/

 

[nevada]

Forums usually pop up for "Enthusiast" vehicles. Don't take this as an insult to your vehicle choice but the Highlander (non 4Runner version) is not quite an enthusiast vehicle, most of the people that buy them look at them as an appliance. After they pick the color they want and the features they want they use it everyday, and occasionally may call a repair man if it needs serviced but that's about it.

A google search shows a few sub forums for the Highlander on other forums like Toyota Nation, but I have no idea how much info is available. If it helps I thought the highlander was originally just based off of the Camry platform, so if this is still true a lot of the info may carry over.

If I had one child no want to offroad, or need to tow, I would pick up a used GS430. Hell I want one now, but I'm not willing to get rid of the 4Runner or sports cars for it.

the HL is rated to tow 3500. while it wont pull a large TT, it will handle a flat deck, or utility trailer just fine. perhaps dirtbikes/quads, whatever.:biggrin2:

 

[LittleCaesar]

I remember, the frame rot. I still can't wrap my head around that one.

I'd vote for the Highlander as well. I have friends who have the 4 cylinder older model (2001-2006) that has a chain (no belt) and doesn't miss a beat. One friend has the 4wd version, which is in reality, is just AWD.

My aunt just picked up a 2010 V6 4wd and it has more room than my 3rd gen 4runner. All the Highlanders seem to be put together well.

 

[woodro]

i say go with the lexus , on my 3rd and way nicer than the highlander

 

[Stick Figure]

Thanks, Stick Figure. I appreciate the input.

As far as not being an "Enthusiast" car,...............

The Lexus was just what I would do, my car ideas will differ greatly with the vast majority of sane and rational people. lol My favorite GS body style are the older early- mid 2000's right at the GS400-430 change, which probably puts them right in the price of your Highlander price.

The other option that comes to mind for affordable, cooler than a minivan and still able to have some room would be the Scion xB and similar.

the HL is rated to tow 3500. while it wont pull a large TT, it will handle a flat deck, or utility trailer just fine. perhaps dirtbikes/quads, whatever.:biggrin2:

Yeah, I don't really ever consider things like that. My usual towing trip with the 4Runner usually involves lying to Uhaul about what car I am hauling so they will rent me the trailer in the first place. Or grossly overloading an enclosed trailer to move rather heavy automotive equipment, tool boxes, spare parts etc.