We keep flip-flopping on whether to get a HL with 3rd row. It is obviously cheaper to get it w/o. The sales guy also tried to steer us away from it (although they had none on hand with 3rd row, so he was probably trying to get the quick sale).
How useful is the 3rd row? Does it really allow enough room to be used practically?
We keep flip-flopping on whether to get a HL with 3rd row. It is obviously cheaper to get it w/o. The sales guy also tried to steer us away from it (although they had none on hand with 3rd row, so he was probably trying to get the quick sale).
How useful is the 3rd row? Does it really allow enough room to be used practically?
For 08 the 3rd row is very useful compared to my 05 which I can't even sit in. Every 08 HL that I have sold so far one of the main reasons was the usable 3rd row that a adult can sit in. Most the HL on my lot have the 3rd row.
yeah, I have to agree. It's potentially useful. It's not one of those "afterthought 3rd row seats" like in the RAV4. And when you don't need it (we don't 95% of the time) it folds completely flat to the floor.
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08 Black Highlander Sport AWD
09 Blue Camry LE 4cyl
So far since I have had my 08 HL i have not used the 3rd row ( I only have 2 young children), so it is folded away nice and flat. Good to know that if I need it that it is there. The delaers only take off like $700 or something, so to me it is worth having it if only for resale alone. I doubt that buying an HL without the 3rd row gives that much more cargo space.
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Peter
2008 Silver Metallic Highlander Sport 4WD; TRD Air Filter, Body Side Moldings, 100% synthetic 5W-30 Amsoil, TRD Shift Knob, PIE Ipod Adapter, running boards, factory tow hitch, Parrot CK3100 Bluetooth Hands Free Kit, Inalfa ASI 840 Sunroof.
If we didn't have 2 children who have friends I would pass on it. I like the idea of having the storage compartment instead of the 3rd row. However, they are useful if you do need to cart friends around.
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08 4WD HL Limited, Magnetic Flint/Ash Leather, Toyo OC HT's 255/55/19's, European Horns, Extended Step Plate On Rear, DeBadged All Around. No NAV/DVD
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For those with a 3rd row, when in use can you store items in the compartment it would go into when it's folded flat? Thanks.
No, that is where the passengers feet go when they are sitting in the third row.
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Peter
2008 Silver Metallic Highlander Sport 4WD; TRD Air Filter, Body Side Moldings, 100% synthetic 5W-30 Amsoil, TRD Shift Knob, PIE Ipod Adapter, running boards, factory tow hitch, Parrot CK3100 Bluetooth Hands Free Kit, Inalfa ASI 840 Sunroof.
You lose the carpartment when you get 3rd row seats. Without the 3rd row seats you actually have a carpartment in the floor that opens and closes. At least thats what the brochure indicates. I have yet to see an 08 HL without the 3rd row seats at the dealer.
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08 4WD HL Limited, Magnetic Flint/Ash Leather, Toyo OC HT's 255/55/19's, European Horns, Extended Step Plate On Rear, DeBadged All Around. No NAV/DVD
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In 12 months of ownership of a 06 HL we used the 3rd row 2 times. However, both times were for two extra adults and I heard no complaints about the accomodations. That being said, if I had to do it over again with the option I would not get the 3rd row seat.
Be aware that only the Sport model comes with the no third row option. I ought to know, I just bought my base model Highlander and went through the order process with Toyota corporate. Although they allowed me to special order my vehicle from Japan with different features, they would not budge on the third row seat and were emphatic that only the Sport trim was offered without the seat. Suffice it to say I was left with a seat I didn't need (no little kids to haul), and would like to have had the extra cargo room afforded with the seat removed...so I removed it myself. Wow, I'm happy with the seat gone! Got extra space to store camping gear in the back, including a "well" where the seat used to be that allows me to keep items in there that won't slide around during turns or climbing hills. The only bummer is I've got a seat that's stored in my garage and no place to sell it. Dealers don't want it, parts stores don't want it, and no one is asking for it on the Web. In the end, I'm happy with the seat removed, but that's a personal thing. Anyone with kids will appreciate that seat, and if anyone out there gets their seat ripped up by rambunctious kids you know where to get a new seat...wink...wink....
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