I do have major remorse when it comes to spending money, usually after I buy something or order something and once I have the item in my hands it goes away. I miss my old Highlander, it was a great car, simple to operate and I loved it. I thought I would love a new Highlander, it was great and I thought it through hard, but I don't really like it.. It's too big, too complicated, hard to back-up and park. I think it's a sign that I'm getting older when I can't grasp new technology. I also took pride in keeping the black exterior of my old Highlander clean, but this one.. I don't really care..
I wish I shopped around, I rented a Ford Edge and I loved it also the Mercedes GLK is interesting.. maybe in a few years..
Hopefully I warm up to this Highlander..
My 1996 Honda Accord V6 hit 200K miles (321,868.8 km) in January 2009 and it was going to take some money to get it nice and stable again (like $1-2k). Winter was no joke and I had travel plans. So after looking at all the SUVs: I wanted one with decent mileage, fold flat seats, no tire on the back / also lift gate-type rear door, preferable V6, I found the Highlander (although it was more than I wanted to spend). Moreover, I have been working on hybrids for nearly 10 years yet never owned one so I said, hey...why not a Highlander Hybrid if the price is reasonable.
Well the dealership really went out of their way to give me darn near a Limited for a AWD Base cost (I got leather, wood trim, 19" tires, tow package, 3 row seat, etc). It is definitely an eye catcher, powerful, and Hybrid is fun.
But it is soooo hard for me to park this thing, hard to back up, I am scared to death everytime I have to drive it up or down my driveway between the houses. Even though it is EXACTLY the same length as my Accord (hard to believe!) it is 13 inches taller (more like 16 with my tires and 5 inches wider (say: half a tires width). Unlike my Accord, I cannot even see cars next to me without the outside mirrors, I can't see them behind me unless they are more than 10 feet away or the rear view camera is on, and the SmartKey drives me nuts. I can't open the trunk if the vehicle is on!!! I can't operate the locks from the FOB if the vehicle is on, etc. And what I have been reading about HiHy in deep snow (traction control can't be turned off) is so terrible. Rolling down a window is PAINFUL! The radio reception is so-so. My mileage is always about 23mpg, which is just a little less than my V6 Accord but $10K more.
And man, one month later the Honda Insight Hybrid comes out. I would have just loved that car (except it is a little small: cargo with seat down is 30cubic inches, up is 16 cubic. HiHy with seat down is 90+ cubic inches, up is 30cubic. And fully loaded: $23K out the door.
So, just to say: it ain't age. This is just a big vehicle with blind spots everywhere except straight ahead...and even then you can't see how close you are to the object in front cause you are taller than everything. My hood is taller than some roofs.
But my Black Highlander Highlander is a beautiful vehicle, especially when I put the painted black mudguards, black bug shield and dark tinted side windshields on. I like the electronic displays and once I get my compass mirror installed it is very classy.
But I would have been just as happy with a nice hybrid wagon not much taller than my Honda Accord, something with a lower window sill.
-Jason.
