I have a 2008 HL Limited, all the options, had it for just shy of 2 years now and 30k miles.
Not a bad car in my book - good size, no major problems in 30k and hasn't try to accelerate me into a wall or anything.
Problems I have had:
Dash rattle, ended up fixing it mostly with some sitcky foam and removing the dash, but a pretty lame issue that most people that live in climates that go below 40 degrees have - the dash rattle time of the year is approaching!
Also have received the recall to replace the oil line on the engine, but that will be someone elses problem to deal with.
Tires just plain suck - maybe it is Toyota's fault for going cheap, maybe they just picked tires that ended up being terrible, but they where terrible when new and now are totally done with 30k miles!
Things I would like to see changed:
All the things Toyota has decided we can't do!
Nav lockout when driving - no one else does this anymore.
The rediculous amount of time you have to hold down the button to have the power door operate
Lack of Memory on the drivers seat
Should come with IPOD at this price
DVD won't play copies and my kids destroy all the DVD's when they are in the car, so copies would be nice to leave in the car to be stepped on instead of the originals
I know they have to make sure it doesn't get into Lexus territory, but at an MSRP loaded of $44K, the interior feels cheap both in how it looks and how it feels in my book.
Things I liked:
Price - paid like 10 grand less than MSRP and got good money on the trade, so has cost me very little to drive for 2 years.
Reliability - never had an issue with it (except the rattle), basically oil changes and that is it.
Space - Interior space is great, 3rd row is useful and the 2nd row options to have a space, seat or console in the middle was nice.
All in all it was a decent family vehicle, a bit of an appliance and in no way exciting to drive, but did the job well as expected of a Toyota, was reliable, cheap to run and most importantly wasn't a minivan!
Rob, curious what are you replacing your HL with? After only 1.5 yrs in, I too am starting to look at options as I will probably replace my HL in another 1.5 yrs. It may be another HL....don't know. Although I haven't had a domestic in some 15 yrs, I must admit Ford has come a long way, and the 2011 Explorer looks pretty sweet, and wicked technology. Anyway, a lot could change by then...but curious what you're moving on to.
__________________ 09 Black HL Sport, loaded Cdn version: AWD, bk leather int.
Mods: tinted windows; upgraded headlight and fog bulbs; bug deflector; Ichiba 15mm bolt on wheel spacers, Pioneer FH-P8000BT head unit; Blaupunkt underseat sub, Viper 5901 security/auto start, stainless dual exhaust tip, upgraded horns.
I have a 2008 HL Limited, all the options, had it for just shy of 2 years now and 30k miles.
Not a bad car in my book - good size, no major problems in 30k and hasn't try to accelerate me into a wall or anything.
We have "owned" 2 through 2.5+ years now. A 2009 for almost 14k and a 2010 just over 6k now. Overall, I agree. No major problems here. Just little annoyances.
Quote:
Originally Posted by roadkillrob
Problems I have had:
Dash rattle, ended up fixing it mostly with some sitcky foam and removing the dash, but a pretty lame issue that most people that live in climates that go below 40 degrees have - the dash rattle time of the year is approaching!
I know exactly what you mean except the rattle in our HL is in the cup holders area of the front console. And yes it is on the brink of getting cold here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by roadkillrob
Tires just plain suck - maybe it is Toyota's fault for going cheap, maybe they just picked tires that ended up being terrible, but they where terrible when new and now are totally done with 30k miles!
Agreed. The Bridegstones were "better" on the '09 we had, but these Toyos on this 2010 we have now plain suck. My overall consensus is based on smoothness of ride.
Quote:
Originally Posted by roadkillrob
Things I would like to see changed:
All the things Toyota has decided we can't do!
Nav lockout when driving - no one else does this anymore. The rediculous amount of time you have to hold down the button to have the power door operate
Lack of Memory on the drivers seat
Should come with IPOD at this price
*DVD won't play copies and my kids destroy all the DVD's when they are in the car, so copies would be nice to leave in the car to be stepped on instead of the originals
*We've never had an issue with playing backup copies of DVD's on our HL's players. First one in our '09 was factory DVD, this one in our 2010 is aftermarket. Then again, they could have "fixed" that in 2009.
Quote:
Originally Posted by roadkillrob
I know they have to make sure it doesn't get into Lexus territory, but at an MSRP loaded of $44K, the interior feels cheap both in how it looks and how it feels in my book.
I HAVE noticed the beige leather "feels" better than the grey....
Quote:
Originally Posted by roadkillrob
Things I liked:
Price - paid like 10 grand less than MSRP and got good money on the trade, so has cost me very little to drive for 2 years.
Reliability - never had an issue with it (except the rattle), basically oil changes and that is it.
Space - Interior space is great, 3rd row is useful and the 2nd row options to have a space, seat or console in the middle was nice.
Agreed. I would like to have had the split row option on that 3rd seat though. Guess we'll have to get the 2011 for that...
Quote:
Originally Posted by roadkillrob
All in all it was a decent family vehicle, a bit of an appliance and in no way exciting to drive, but did the job well as expected of a Toyota, was reliable, cheap to run and most importantly wasn't a minivan!
Just wondering how people can manage to sell a 2010 for 2011 because of some additions its has like 3rd row split, etc.,?
Won't you lose lot of money? Is it not a big hassle?
I am only asking because I love a third row seat as well and if possible want to do that too...
We went from a 2009 @3.9% Financing to a 2010 @0%. We did not lose any money when we did that. And it was not a big hassle. Just went in, signed a few papers and done. All taken care of through Toyota Financial.
If we were to trade our 2010, it would have to be in on a 2011 @0% again AND I would scrap the DVD entertainment and Nav system. That would save quite a few bucks right there.
Rob, curious what are you replacing your HL with? After only 1.5 yrs in, I too am starting to look at options as I will probably replace my HL in another 1.5 yrs. It may be another HL....don't know. Although I haven't had a domestic in some 15 yrs, I must admit Ford has come a long way, and the 2011 Explorer looks pretty sweet, and wicked technology. Anyway, a lot could change by then...but curious what you're moving on to.
Went to the Dark side - I am definitely a German car guy, but never really wanted to lay out the money for a German SUV with small kids and grocery store parking lots. The Highlander was my first Toyota technically, but was preceeded by an RX300, GX470 and RX350. The big reason I bought the Highlander was to get out of the 2009 RX350 which was a heap, lot of issues, including the transfer case at 9k miles - only kept it for 6 months and traded for the Highlander so I wouldn't loose out too bad as the dealer was Lexus/Toyota.
The answer to the question is that the 2011 BMW X5 will be here in a week - totally different animal in terms of power/handling/4wd technology and isn't as big inside. It will likely have many more problems than the Toyota, but is so fun to drive I jsut don't care (and I will get a loaner for service again!)
Went to the Dark side - I am definitely a German car guy, but never really wanted to lay out the money for a German SUV with small kids and grocery store parking lots. The Highlander was my first Toyota technically, but was preceeded by an RX300, GX470 and RX350. The big reason I bought the Highlander was to get out of the 2009 RX350 which was a heap, lot of issues, including the transfer case at 9k miles - only kept it for 6 months and traded for the Highlander so I wouldn't loose out too bad as the dealer was Lexus/Toyota.
The answer to the question is that the 2011 BMW X5 will be here in a week - totally different animal in terms of power/handling/4wd technology and isn't as big inside. It will likely have many more problems than the Toyota, but is so fun to drive I jsut don't care (and I will get a loaner for service again!)
Very nice vehicle indeed. Neighbor just traded his in a few months ago for a Infinity FX-35. He liked the beemer but had a few more problems with it than he had expected. Don't recall the details, but nevertheless, he really like the power and handling. Enjoy!!!
__________________ 09 Black HL Sport, loaded Cdn version: AWD, bk leather int.
Mods: tinted windows; upgraded headlight and fog bulbs; bug deflector; Ichiba 15mm bolt on wheel spacers, Pioneer FH-P8000BT head unit; Blaupunkt underseat sub, Viper 5901 security/auto start, stainless dual exhaust tip, upgraded horns.
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*We've never had an issue with playing backup copies of DVD's on our HL's players. First one in our '09 was factory DVD, this one in our 2010 is aftermarket. Then again, they could have "fixed" that in 2009.
Neighbor just traded his in a few months ago for a Infinity FX-35. He liked the beemer but had a few more problems with it than he had expected. Don't recall the details, but nevertheless, he really like the power and handling. Enjoy!!!
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