2nd Gen Highlander buying advice + reliability/recalls/common problems

[bigd480]

I've done some browsing on this forum and others since my wife is interested in this model HL as our next vehicle since we're having our first child. I've driven an old corolla for the past 7 years and love that car, but from everything I'm reading Toyota quality isn't what it used to be.

Given our budget/preferences, the 08/09 2WD Limited models are what we will be shopping for. I've read about the numerous recalls, tire quality/availability issues, and weird things like water pumps failing at 40k, so I'm wondering what I should be looking for in an 08/09 with 30-60k on it.

If I get a J-VIN, low-mileage vehicle with maintenance records, should I still get an extended warranty or are the common problems rarely covered by those warranties? Her current car is a 97 Maxima with close to 200k on it and the only unplanned maintenance was a starter that died 9 years in and an alternator that went after 12 years so between that and the Corolla I'm not used to the car ever being in the shop.

There also seem to be a lot of computer-based maintenance controls on newer cars that "only the dealer" can do and wanted opinions also on how easy/difficult it is to work on this car, and how much you've spent in your first few years of ownership on repairs/maintenance.

Thanks for any advice!

[TrailDust]

Personally, my Highlander has been extremely reliable in the 3 1/2 years I've owned it with only one issue, which was a bad A/C compressor clutch relay that was causing the battery to run down. My Toyota Nation observations as well as off forum observations are that this vehicle has no major showstopper issues that would keep you away from the Highlander. The Common Problems, Solutions, and Questions sticky gives some insight, though, into the lesser issues that irritate owners. As for the extended warranty I'd only suggest to give Jerry Johnson a call and discuss the details and pricing. You can find his phone number in the Extended Warranty sticky thread too.

That's my two cents. I'm sure a number of other members here will have some additional insight for you.