While all the bells and whistles are very nice on the LTD, we're leaning toward the SE because we're not a fan of wood trim nor the giant blingy wheels (I prefer lightweight, forged but that's another story). The snag is, the Bluetooth controls are not available on the steering wheel (nor is the upgraded sound system) for the SE (why not?), so the sorta-after-market Blu Logic upgrade seems to me a tiny bit slapped on.
I guess my question is what would be a good decision tree/thought process for weighing this decision?
*Also: will the iPod interface kit work with all trim levels, regardless of factory stereo packages?
My wife and I just purchased a 2008 HL Sport last night. If the Sport youre looking at has the JBL audio system, or the Nav system, it does have Bluetooth with steering wheel controls. I'm not sure why you mention that the upgraded stereo is not available...it is on the options list on Toyota's web site. We have the JBL (no Nav) system, with bluetooth controls on the wheel. We love the look of the interior without the wood grain and we like the sport wheels paired with the magnetic gray paint. All together, it's a great combo for our tastes. This stereo option also has the auxillary input for an ipod...we tried it out last night and it sounds great. I'm not sure about the standard audio system as fasr as the ipod, though.
While all the bells and whistles are very nice on the LTD, we're leaning toward the SE because we're not a fan of wood trim nor the giant blingy wheels (I prefer lightweight, forged but that's another story). The snag is, the Bluetooth controls are not available on the steering wheel (nor is the upgraded sound system) for the SE (why not?), so the sorta-after-market Blu Logic upgrade seems to me a tiny bit slapped on.
I guess my question is what would be a good decision tree/thought process for weighing this decision?
*Also: will the iPod interface kit work with all trim levels, regardless of factory stereo packages?
Thanks!
We chose the Limited over the Sport (not sure if its the same as the SE, which I believe is a new trim line for 2010) for a couple of reasons. Smoother suspension over the sport tuned suspension was one reason. The Smart Key system was another. Tri-zone climate control was another feature that we liked. JBL and Bluetooth were not a big selling point for me, but I am glad that I have them. The wood grained trim did not appeal to me at all and it was one concern, but when I picked up the vehicle, there was so little of it, that it did not really matter to me, although the Sport trim was nice (and I believe that you can get after market trim pieces to replace the wood grain). I am sure that there were other reasons, but those should be the key ones.
Happy shopping.
__________________ 2009 Highlander Limited
2005 Corolla CE, Canadian Edition, Silver with grey interior, automatic transmission, CD changer, cruise control, rear bumper protector.
The Following User Says Thank You to Dman1 For This Useful Post:
I just bought a Highlander SE. I cant stand the fake wood trim and those ugly 19" wheels. I would have liked nav and hands free blue tooth but that was not a deal breaker. I got a Garmnin 265WT for $170 and now I have both! Sure beats the $2500 built in Toyota version that doesnt work as good. Plus I can bring it in other vehicles.
The only thing I dislike is having a bulky key and separate key fob in my dress slacks!
I just bought a Highlander SE. I cant stand the fake wood trim and those ugly 19" wheels. I would have liked nav and hands free blue tooth but that was not a deal breaker. I got a Garmnin 265WT for $170 and now I have both! Sure beats the $2500 built in Toyota version that doesn't work as good. Plus I can bring it in other vehicles.
The only thing I dislike is having a bulky key and separate key fob in my dress slacks!
I just did the same thing (Bought an SE 2010). Also, my experience is that going with the higher end model in comparison to base will not fetch alot or sometimes nothing during trade-in or resale.
Along with is said above about the portable Nav, it is also good because we can take it home/hotel and type in all address we need at the comfort and luxury of home.
These days auto vendors are cheating us by looks (for example Rosen Nav unit etc.,) but no proper functionality and more importantly support when needed.
According to me, SE has almost everything but a good sound system. Any suggestions as to how to improve without any drilling and holes??
I'm leaning toward the SE for all the reasons people are listing. However, I do have a built-in nav in my Honda, and far prefer it built-in (security, factory-look, more integrated feeling, etc.), so that sounds more like an excuse than a reason to me ($.02).
I wonder how much it would cost to upgrade the Limited to non-wood?
The audio system. Hadn't thought of that. I can definitely tell the difference between crap speakers, but I'm no audiophile. Hmmm.
I'm leaning toward the SE for all the reasons people are listing. However, I do have a built-in nav in my Honda, and far prefer it built-in (security, factory-look, more integrated feeling, etc.), so that sounds more like an excuse than a reason to me ($.02).
I wonder how much it would cost to upgrade the Limited to non-wood?
The audio system. Hadn't thought of that. I can definitely tell the difference between crap speakers, but I'm no audiophile. Hmmm.
iomatic: I am no audiophile either, but I feel that these are not of appreciable quality. I just posted another thread asking, " How to upgrade base speakers keeping the same head unit and no drills/holes in the body".
I will leave it to our experts/enthusiasts/seniors/engineers in our forum.
I really like the in-dash Nav but what can we do: 1) It is either super expensive that a common man cannot afford it like the real Toyota's ones, or 2). Complete looks but no functionality or support like the Rosen Nav etc.,
I just bought a Highlander SE. I cant stand the fake wood trim and those ugly 19" wheels. I would have liked nav and hands free blue tooth but that was not a deal breaker. I got a Garmnin 265WT for $170 and now I have both! Sure beats the $2500 built in Toyota version that doesnt work as good. Plus I can bring it in other vehicles.
The only thing I dislike is having a bulky key and separate key fob in my dress slacks!
My Limited does not have the Nav option as I opted for the much cheaper (and more reliable) Garmin as well.
Also, could you post a picture of your SE's wheels? I just want to see how they compare to my "ugly" 19" wheels, which I happen to like the looks of (not overly happy with the amount of tire options, but that will improve over time).
As for the fake wood trim that you cannot stand, I tried to get the real wood trim option, but that was not available in the 2009 models. Seriously though, I was not overly thrilled about the fake wood trim option at first (much preferred the Sport stainless steel look), but the amount of trim is not that much and it is not really as bad as you think. I guess you do get used to it, but in all honesty, I actually liked it almost immediately when I picked it up from the dealer (I ordered it and had never spent alot of time in a Limited before I ordered it).
__________________ 2009 Highlander Limited
2005 Corolla CE, Canadian Edition, Silver with grey interior, automatic transmission, CD changer, cruise control, rear bumper protector.
I've always wondered. When did cheap fake plastic wood become synonymous with luxury?
It used to be REAL wood (still is) in HIGH-END cars, like Maybachs, Bentleys, Rolls, etc. so somehow the mistranslation of fake wood appearing as something high-end somehow ended up in some middle manager pushing it on the design teams, likely.
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