HL Noob here with a few Qs! :)

[Carbonized]

Hi everyone,
I am new member (as of Friday) of the 2ND GEN HL club and happy to be here, specially based on the last few days of driving!
car history: 92 accord, 02 audi A4 1.8t, 05 Audi S4 V8 (Best car ever!), 06 Mini Cooper (2nd best!),
current: 08 GTI dsg, 95 accord manual

Got a white 08 Base with no 3rd row and 52k miles for 20K$ + Tax + Lic + 2k$ for 4yers/60 months warranty (Easy Care Stated Care - 50$ deductable). Feel like I over paid. Specially with the looming market crash tomorrow.

We had twins a few months back and my Mini had to go! To be honest my first choice was a CX9 and then MDX but the wife made me get the HL for the cost (although CX9 would've costed the same but she thinks its too big for her to drive!!). Long story short she still think the HL is too big so I will be driving it but I am quite happy about it and a have a few questions for you guys.

1. Is it possible to add 3rd row seats for this Gen toyota if it came off the line without it?

2. Does anyone here use Easy Care and what is your experience with them?

3. Will I need the warranty?

4. Based on the carfax for this car the oil was not changed every 3k, more like every6-7k during the first 30k (1st own) and then ONCE in 20k (2nd own)!!!! I just hope it doesn't reflect the true record or I am in trouble. I like to take care of my oil changes on time and it pissed me off when people don't!

5. What are the most common problems that you have faced?

6. What do you love most about your 2nd Gen HL?


Thanks EVERYONE and once again hello!

[sweeneyp]

Originally Posted by Carbonized

Hi everyone

Hey there to the forum and congrats on your new highlander . I can't provide help on everything but I'll help with what I can.
1) I believe it is possible, if you get all the required equipment (seats, cargo area panels, seat-belt equipment, new interior panels for seat-belts etc...not cheap). I know people have swapped their 3rd row with somebody who has a cargo bin (Traildust did this), so it is most definitely possible, hopefully the people who have done this will pitch in on this as I don't know a whole lot about it besides reading their threads on it.
2)never used
3)I have no extended warranty (and my power-train warranty just ran out (61k+ miles), and I've never had any major problems. I have a worrying engine noise at start up (reported before warranty expired so it would be on record encase something goes wrong, it will be covered under warranty). But besides this I've never had any problems at all with my car. Its run great and nothing has broken. Since nothing was showing wear I just decided to skip the extended warranty, I considered the toyota brand as an extended warranty
4)I bought mine used as well about a 1-1/2 years ago and the previous owner also was very lazy when it came to oil changes (she changed them about the same intervals as your previous owners) so I understand the frustration involved with that. Hopefully it won't lead to any issues down the road.
5) As for problems, nothing really to report. I have that engine issue I mentioned above, and during the winter the dashboard will rattle (many have this problem) a little bit. That would be the only problems I could think about. Oh also I am not a fan of the bridgestone duelers tires (OEM tires) on mine as their traction in rain is FAR less than desired.
6) I'm a bit of a speed freak, so I love the power-to-weight ratio of the highlander compared to the other vehicles in its class. Plus its pretty easy to do mods to it (I've done a lot of audio and lighting mods), which I definitely appreciate. Its just a solid car that will last, thats what I like the most.
Again welcome to the forum!
Patrick

[Carbonized]

Thank you for the response Patrick!
If you have a link to any of the audio and lightings mods that you have done, would love to see it. I wouldn't mind at least planning for it since the money is not there now!
About the warranty, I am almost tempted to cancel it (although my monthly payments would stay the same and it would go for the buttom end of the loan payments).
The power and speed on this car is great and quite tempting!!

I know I have Bridgetones (new) up front but not sure what kind. will look them up. I personally believe that the tires are the most important part for any car and won't like to have something that would put my family in danger! Specially since it rains a lot here. I would really appreciate any tips.
I actually noticed a bit of lost traction and wheel yanking when I floored it from a stop sign to go into the freeway. What would be the best option for tires? Michelin?

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by Carbonized

1. Is it possible to add 3rd row seats for this Gen toyota if it came off the line without it?

Answer is absolutely yes. See the 3rd row removal/seat swap links in the DIY Maintenance & Modifications sticky thread for more info and pictures. The hard part is finding someone to swap parts with, and for me that took six months to hook up with another TN member.

5. What are the most common problems that you have faced?

For this check out the DIY Common Problems & Solutions sticky for a full list.

6. What do you love most about your 2nd Gen HL?

Hands down, the mileage! Second favorite thing would be the comfort of the vehicle in every aspect.

-

[fongster]

On the oil changed every 3000k, that is now regarded as a widely spread myth that wastes consumer $ but rakes it in for shops. Most vehicles can go 5, 6, 7500 between changes. See these links, do a search and find a ton more.

http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/UsedOil/OilChange/

http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-300...ve-your-money/

[Carbonized]

Originally Posted by fongster

On the oil changed every 3000k, that is now regarded as a widely spread myth that wastes consumer $ but rakes it in for shops. Most vehicles can go 5, 6, 7500 between changes. See these links, do a search and find a ton more.

http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/UsedOil/OilChange/

http://www.moneybluebook.com/the-300...ve-your-money/

I agree but when you hit 10 or 15 k then it's a probelm (obviously not with synthetic in german cars). I personally like to stick to around every 5k for japanese cars.

[sweeneyp]

Originally Posted by Carbonized

Thank you for the response Patrick!
If you have a link to any of the audio and lightings mods that you have done, would love to see it. I wouldn't mind at least planning for it since the money is not there now!
About the warranty, I am almost tempted to cancel it (although my monthly payments would stay the same and it would go for the buttom end of the loan payments).
The power and speed on this car is great and quite tempting!!

I know I have Bridgetones (new) up front but not sure what kind. will look them up. I personally believe that the tires are the most important part for any car and won't like to have something that would put my family in danger! Specially since it rains a lot here. I would really appreciate any tips.
I actually noticed a bit of lost traction and wheel yanking when I floored it from a stop sign to go into the freeway. What would be the best option for tires? Michelin?

Here are the modifications I have done (well most of them) (Link). As for tires, they were new when I bought the car and they still have 5-6/32" tread on them so I haven't actually been looking up new tires that much, only complaining about what I got . All I know is that accelerating uphill on the interstate during rain is well lets just put it like this, finicky at best.

[fongster]

Originally Posted by Carbonized

I agree but when you hit 10 or 15 k then it's a probelm (obviously not with synthetic in german cars). I personally like to stick to around every 5k for japanese cars.

10 or 15k? Yeah, that's slightly overdue.

[becks]

Hi Fongster, and Welcome.

I have owned my HL for almost 4 years now. 35,000mi on the odom. To date I have had no problems, and continue to like this vehicle a lot. My only peeve is that the windshield sometimes creaks when it is cold out. After the interior warms up it goes away.

I also considered the Mazda CX line. Although it can run on regular gas, it was intended to use premium. If you use premium then it would cost you more in the long run. Also The CX's cost more to insure.

I love the HP/Weight ratio of the HL with the 6 Cyl. For a hauler it has nice get up and go. Best of luck, and Happy Motoring.

[pgoelz]

Originally Posted by Carbonized

4. Based on the carfax for this car the oil was not changed every 3k, more like every6-7k during the first 30k (1st own) and then ONCE in 20k (2nd own)!!!! I just hope it doesn't reflect the true record or I am in trouble. I like to take care of my oil changes on time and it pissed me off when people don't!

FWIW, I traded my well maintained 2002 Buick Rendezvous on my HL. I had the oil changed every 3000 miles, most repairs were done by GM dealers including the one where I bought it and it was rear-ended a couple years ago to the tune of about $5700. NONE of that showed up on the CarFax. For the entire time that I owned it, all that showed up were the registration renewals.

5. What are the most common problems that you have faced?

None so far (6600 miles)

6. What do you love most about your 2nd Gen HL?

Fuel economy coupled with towing capacity. On my 2011 HL V6, I get 22+ in town, 26+ on the highway (and have been as high as 29+) and 19+ towing a 2000 pound pop-up with the AC on. I don't think there is another vehicle out there that can touch that, especially not with a 5000 pound tow rating. When I was shopping, I almost bought an Acadia but decided it was just a shade too big for me. I spoke to someone over the weekend that has one and asked him about fuel economy. His answer was "sometimes I get close to 20". OUCH!

Paul

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by pgoelz

FWIW, I traded my well maintained 2002 Buick Rendezvous on my HL. I had the oil changed every 3000 miles, most repairs were done by GM dealers including the one where I bought it and it was rear-ended a couple years ago to the tune of about $5700. NONE of that showed up on the CarFax. For the entire time that I owned it, all that showed up were the registration renewals.

This is a commonly reported problem with Carfax by TN members. Just adding that in support....

[nitronate33]

carfax is only as good as the reporting done. obviously, any work done by a DIY'er like myself will not show up in a carfax. so, that basically means all service on all my cars. the problem with carfax is that you have no idea what ISN'T reported and carfax can actually falsely misled buyers into not purchasing cars that have been well maintained or purchasing cars that are missing accident records and could have issues.

carfax can definitely help clue you in on potentially major things like a salvaged title or major accident, but it is not fool proof and all the little stuff like oil changes and service intervals is pretty useless because a lot of people do that stuff themselves.