Just wait til Fall when more 11's will be available. Right now supplies are short, and you won't see the 12's until early 2012.

 

Thanks for your reply! I wasn't sure if more '11s were coming or not. So you don't think '12s are coming out until about Jan or Feb 2012? Wow! Sounds like fall is good for an '11 then!

 

Late fall is always the best time to buy, regardless of model. Also, food for thought, a complete redesign of the Highlander is coming out in 2014 in case you can wait that long. One would hope some ongoing issues will be addressed with that redesign, such as interior rattles or the needed rear bumper guard.

 

One would hope some ongoing issues will be addressed with that redesign, such as interior rattles or the needed rear bumper guard.

Thanks for the reply. I am not aware of the interior rattles. Can you please tell me more about this?

 

Check out the Common Problems & Solutions sticky thread. There's two entries in there about the rattles, pops, and squeaks at the bottom of the thread. I'm lucky as I only have two, but to date it's an issue Toyota has not eliminated in this 2nd Gen model. :facepalm:

 

Check out the Common Problems & Solutions sticky thread. There's one of two entries in there about the rattles, pops, and squeaks at the bottom of the thread. I'm lucky as I only have two, but to date it's an issue Toyota has not eliminated in this 2nd Gen model. :facepalm:

Thanks for bringing that to my attention. I will look into this problem some more.

 

If your in no rush for a new vehicle I'd probably wait a bit till more details about the 3rd gen HL become known. The 2012's will likely be unchanged from the 2011's, and the 3rd gen should be right around the corner at that point.

I've heard that thew new HL could be sharing a platform with the new Subaru Tribeca, but then I've also heard the Tribeca's not making it into a new generation...so who knows.


As for interior rattles, I haven't really noticed a single one yet in mine. Maybe a lifetime of nothing but GM's before my HL have made me oblivious to interior rattles, or maybe I'm just lucky? LOL.

 

As for interior rattles, I haven't really noticed a single one yet in mine. Maybe a lifetime of nothing but GM's before my HL have made me oblivious to interior rattles, or maybe I'm just lucky? LOL.

You're lucky, I've got two: the windshield rattle when it gets cold out, and a window/door rattle from the passenger-side 2nd row. Like some of the others have said, when you pay for a vehicle in this class you expect a certain level of refinement that would not allow for so many squeaks and rattles.

 

I have one.. the windshield rattle when it gets cold out. It does go away after the interior warms up. I can also get in in summer when the AC is running. Drives me NUTZ And is completely unexceptable. Overall I still love my HL.

 

I had same issue but found a way to get rid of this rattle, cost under $1. Buy 1/2" - 3/4" by 3' pipe foam insulation from any hardware store. Cut in half along it's length and tuck in between windshield and the dash.

 

Update: Looks like they're going to start producing the 2012's earlier than we all thought. The Highlander for 2012 should pop on dealer lots by October now. There will be no changes as I've been told. Still, there is almost no Highlander inventory out there, so don't count on a good deal until incentives (and inventory) come back.

 

Good deal. Thank you for the update.

 

Aw, was hoping for Memory Seats at the very least

Whatever, see what comes around and might snatch a Highlander late this year/early next year.

 

I also have the windshield clicking noise but i am pretty sure mine is somehow related to the panel outside the window inside the hood. That plastic panel. Everytime i play with it the sound goes away for a while and then comes back. There is a recal about it which you might know about trimming the windshield clips. I will try to take mine to the service this weekend i will report back.

As for buying or waiting, 0% financing is back. I would say it is a good time to buy.

 

When I was buying a new 2011 earlier this week, one of the dealers said they're getting a 2012 Highlander SE in Blizzard Pearl the second week in August.

Not sure if it's true, but, I don't think he'll lie to me because they didn't have any SE/Blizzard Pearls in stock and told me that he'll check what's coming in the next truck load.

 

When I was buying a new 2011 earlier this week, one of the dealers said they're getting a 2012 Highlander SE in Blizzard Pearl the second week in August.

Not sure if it's true, but, I don't think he'll lie to me because they didn't have any SE/Blizzard Pearls in stock and told me that he'll check what's coming in the next truck load.

Did you deal with Ourisman off Rt.50? I've been asking around about an SE in MagGray and I'm getting the same story. Sales have picked up dramatically over the last month.

 

Spoke to Tyson's Toyota.

If you're looking for a Gray, I think Bethesda and Springfield have one (but that was last week)

 

Highlander got a refresh for 2011, so the '12 won't be different. Maybe a color will be added and another dropped and maybe something optional becomes standard, but nothing too extreme.

 

I heard the 2012 will have the black plastic cladding that is now at the bottom of the 2011's go all the way up to the windows.

 

:lol:..Funny Man

 

I have a Highlander Base with Tech Pkg. on order in Blizzard Pearl . I have been told it will be at dealer in middle of August however they have not received papers work from Toyota yet. They said thie VIN number and cost will be on the paper work. When we negotiated it was based on 2011 costs. It may be I get a 2012. When we get paper work I will find out.
Bob R.

 

No differences for 2012 from 2011 except probably a price increase.

 

Thanks for all the replies. Just called my local dealership. They said the '12s will be available for order in about 2 weeks & start seeing them at dealerships beginning September.

I wonder what August's incentives are for '11 Highlanders.

 

2012 - no new features - no change in price

"The Highlander and Highlander Hybrid carry over with no new features for 2012 yet retain their excellent value as the MSRP for all models remain unchanged."

http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/toyota+2012+pricing+highlander+fj+cruiser.download

 

There was a mid-year price increase in May. The press release seemed to indicate 2012 production started July 20th for the hybrid and the start of August for the regular Highlander.

 

Is the blizzard pearl now a standard color starting 2011?!?

 

Yes.

Just picked up a '12 mag gray SE today. :thumbsup:

 

An '11. Better rates, and the cars are identical.

 

Ditto.

 

You can get leather, bluetooth with the upgraded radio, fog lights, power liftgate, monnroof, heated seats, auto-dimming mirror with compass and homelink, anti-theft system, second row reading lamps....the list goes on

 

Nailed it.

 

2012 SE pictures

http://www.carmax.com/enus/view-car-gallery/default.html?sn=7694329&zip=22192

 

Thanks for the link to pics and replies! Didn't know CarMax has NEW cars. Thought they just sold used. Looks nice!

 

They do sell new cars, but they only sell Toyota, Nissan, scion, Chrysler and jeep.

 

I was discussing 2011. There are numerous changes from 2010 to 2011 but there are no changes from 2011 to 2012.

 

A local dealership has a base black 2011 (which I've been looking for and are hard to come by right now). However, it's got the 4-cylinder. Can anyone comment on that vs. the V6? A salesman told me the 4's are now "peppy" as he put it compared to older Highlanders.

Has anyone test driven both?

 

Has anyone test driven both?

A relative of mine has a 4-cyl Rav-4 (2011) and his only complaint is the lack of power (...and the side opening hatch). I do not recommend a 4-cyl in an SUV as large as the Highlander.

 

I think it more or less depends on your situation. If you drive on highways a lot, or steep hills, don't come near the 4 cylinder :lol:. If, however, you just drive around in the city or at mostly slower speeds, the 4 cylinder won't hurt. Our dealership's service manager drove a 2008 2wd 4 cylinder Highlander for 3 years and loved it....he recently traded it in for a 2011 Corolla LE.