Thinking of Buying a Highlander

[flick37]

Hello,

We are thinking of buying a 2010 HL. We currently own a Subaru Forester, which I love, but it is too small.
We test drove a HL and quite liked it, but I have been reading reviews about problems with the brakes and major paint chipping issues, which makes me less keen about buying one.
Are these real issues with the 2010 Highlanders?

Thanks!

[KDHL]

What issues? LOL.

Just buy one and enjoy. We just bought one and love it.

FYI- All automakers are using water based paints to comply with the govt requirements.

You can't compare with the paint quality of the vehicles 10 years ago with current vehicles.

You should Thanks the "Save Green" group... or shoot them up... I would shoot them all....

[naturoses]

Originally Posted by KDHL

What issues? LOL.

Just buy one and enjoy. We just bought one and love it.

FYI- All automakers are using water based paints to comply with the govt requirements.

You can't compare with the paint quality of the vehicles 10 years ago with current vehicles.

You should Thanks the "Save Green" group... or shoot them up... I would shoot them all....

I agree with KDHL, This is the best car I have ever purchased. Before highlander, we had 2010 Rav4 and honestly this vehicle has completely satisfied my needs.

The ride is quieter than Rav4 and smoother.

Also, my gas mileage currently is 18+ and 100% city driving with 356 miles on my car.

I also feel this is better value for money than Rav4 in a way.

P.S.: paint issues are there and as KDHL said this is a common problem whatever car you may buy...

[flick37]

Thanks for the replies!

What about the problems with the brakes that some owners are complaining about? Does anyone else have these problems with the brakes?

[Camread]

Not I. No brake, or paint issues here. Mines made in Japan BTW.

[KDHL]

Originally Posted by naturoses

I...Before highlander, we had 2010 Rav4 and honestly this vehicle has completely satisfied my needs.

The ride is quieter than Rav4 and smoother.

Interesting! My wife wanted a Rav4, but my neighbor has one... so I do not want another one. I convinced her to get the Murano... but later found out it uses premium gas... I changed my mind to go with Highlander. I'm glad I did.. She is glad to get the Highlander over the Rav4 also, because of the interior and the 3rd row seats.

Like you said, quiet... I'm surprise! The Higlander is insulated very well to make the vehicle quiet. We do not want to spend too much $$, so we went with the base version, but it included the racks, rear spoiler, electronic driver side, 3rd row seat... so it's not bad. I miss the audio controller on the steering wheel, because my Tundra has one. Other than that... very nice!

I installed the mud guards... and I'm installing the running boards now. Was thinking about the side mouldings... but not sure yet.

My next project is to replace all the speakers and the head unit. I get spoiled with my Tundra's audio system....

flick37 -
This Highlander is the 3rd year of the same style... so I don't think it has much problems as the first year they came out... which is 2008.

If you still worry about it... get the extended platinum warranty... do not buy from the local dealer, there are few online Toyota dealers are selling for cheap.

Search in this forum. or check this link to see the options and prices...
http://www.handytoyota.com/new-toyot...agreements.htm

PS: do not believe and take the total BS Toyota Runaway chit news seriously...! I have been driving Toyota brand since 1984... I drove other brands too... Nissan, Honda, Porsche, BMW, etc. in the past. But still come back to Toyota... because it's easy to maintain. I know the qualities are down from 10 or so years ago... because all automakers are cutting cost and cutting corners!

Good Luck... sorry for a long post!

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by naturoses

I agree with KDHL, This is the best car I have ever purchased. Before highlander, we had 2010 Rav4 and honestly this vehicle has completely satisfied my needs.

The ride is quieter than Rav4 and smoother.

Also, my gas mileage currently is 18+ and 100% city driving with 356 miles on my car.

I also feel this is better value for money than Rav4 in a way.

P.S.: paint issues are there and as KDHL said this is a common problem whatever car you may buy...

+1 to your observations about the HL, especially the city mileage.

[dirtraven1]

15k on my '08 Sport and IMO the brakes are vey good for this size vehicle. I'm not a heavy footed driver on my brakes so that helps. The paint is not the best, but none of the modern cars are. My Honda Odyssey scratches just by looking at it as well. My previous Infiniti's paint was not much better.

[conradcbrown]

I have 13k on my 09 Sport. I have had no paint issues thus far. My car spent its first 3,000 miles in central Texas and the remaining in west Georgia. The dealer put on a 3M clear hood guard, which has served its purpose. I'm about to remove it.

As far as brake issues, I have had none. They are very responsive. When I go in for my 15k services I may ask them to take them in a little bit, but that's just because I'm anal about my cars .

[JMSinMD]

FYI, I have a $65k Sequoia Platinum 4x4 while she has a $35k Highlander Sport AWD. If I had to give one up (hypothetically speaking) it wouldn't be the Highlander.