solopaddler Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 I've done my due diligence and researched what I could online. Any thoughts from you guys on the Highlander hybrids? I'm specifically looking at an 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid with super low km's. What say you? Any pros or cons? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pics Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 What is the battery life? Even with moderate use the batteries age and lose the ability to hold a charge over the course of 5 years. New ones could be very expensive but then again since it's a Toyota the quality is excellent.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 Is there an off switch for the traction control on that model, Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 (edited) Highlanders aren't known for their mileage, even the hybrids Other then that you're getting a bulletproof drivetrain, proven reliability, etc.. Very capable offroad as well (Depending on the options it's got) Edited February 14, 2012 by BillM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cram Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 Roy hit the nail on the head. Pretty sure you can't turn it off, which means you can get stuck in the snow. Opt for gas - the mileage is actually pretty good. Love highlanders too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solopaddler Posted February 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 Thanks for the feedback guys. My only concern with this vehicle is possible replacement of the batteries. I'm just not sure if that will be an issue or not. If it is it's expensive. Under normal circumstances I'd go with a gas vehicle every time. I'm looking at this one solely because the price is so ridiculously cheap I can't afford not to. No way would I ever pay normal market value for a hybrid. On a side note it seems everything's going to hell in a handbasket lately. Since we've been back from Cuba my washing machine died, my furnace is not functioning properly and needs repairs, the new water heater started leaking, both computers in the house are fubar, and to top it off our car is dying (hence the search). I kid you not every day it's been something else. LOL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTorra Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 (edited) I have the Lexus 400H. Very similar. Share drivetrains and some other parts. Give me a call and I'll give you the skinny. Billy, mileage is good. He will not trying be to spin the tires on a Duramax at 80 km/Hr! Edited February 14, 2012 by JTorra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 I have the Lexus 400H. Very similar. Share drivetrains and some other parts. Give me a call and I'll give you the skinny. Billy, mileage is good. He will not trying be to spin the tires on a Duramax at 80 km/Hr! I plead the 5th! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 Bottom line Mike is that I would buy one if the price was as good as you say it is. It's a solid ride. The only thing I'd be concerned about is getting stuck in sand or snow and having to get towed out by a Volkswagen. Now that would burn me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIFTER_016 Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 Bottom line Mike is that I would buy one if the price was as good as you say it is. It's a solid ride. The only thing I'd be concerned about is getting stuck in sand or snow and having to get towed out by a Volkswagen. Now that would burn me. That and the $8K cost for replacing the batteries when the time comes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GYPSY400 Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 I'm not sold on the hybrids yet.. The only advantage is city ( low speed) driving.. On the highway the electric stuff is not used, if it is, it's helping the gas engine.. So mileage is not really helped compaired to a straight gas version.. Also, when considering the extra cost for maintaining the cyberspace - that alone can buy a lot of gas. If your doing a lot of city driving and keeping the vehicle short term - go for it.. If your doing a lot of highway and plan on driving it in the ground, it will never pay off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 Personally Mike, I'm not a hybrid fan. They don't make sense either economically or eco-friendly wise. I would go diesel in a heartbeat if economy from a larger vehicle is the goal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish4Eyes Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 Good advice above by GYPSY400 and John. I would go VW Taureg TDI or Cherokee CRD if I were you Mike. I have personally driven and towed my boat with the Taureg TDI and it is amazing. I did not even feel the boat on the back, whereas with my 4Runner I know damn well its there. My brother went on a road trip to Florida in the Taureg TDI and averaged 11L/100km driving 120+ish almost the whole way. Mercedes makes the engine that is in the Cherokee CRD, enough said. If you decide to get a Toyota, make sure you don't take it to Red Hill Toyota for anything other than an oil change as they have tried to screw me around. Miraculously, every single bolt "seized" on my 4Runner when they went to change my timing belt and water pump. Lets just say they were quick to reverse the 6 additional hours of labour they tried to charge me. I wont even get into inexperienced "mechanics" not being able to diagnose a problem. Good luck with your purchase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 The Touareg TDI is a 70k vehicle.... Also, I don't think Mike is going to do much towing (if any)... Those two vehicles are complete overkill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solopaddler Posted February 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 Thanks lads once again your input is appreciated. Personally Mike, I'm not a hybrid fan. They don't make sense either economically or eco-friendly wise. I would go diesel in a heartbeat if economy from a larger vehicle is the goal. I'm not necessarily a hybrid fan either. The only goal I have is finding a cheap set of wheels LOL! If you decide to get a Toyota, make sure you don't take it to Red Hill Toyota for anything other than an oil change as they have tried to screw me around. Miraculously, every single bolt "seized" on my 4Runner when they went to change my timing belt and water pump. Lets just say they were quick to reverse the 6 additional hours of labour they tried to charge me. I wont even get into inexperienced "mechanics" not being able to diagnose a problem. Good luck with your purchase. No need to warn me about Red Hill. A while back I had a small 4X4 Toyota pickup and made the mistake of getting it serviced there. Let's just say my experience was similar to yours. Without getting into the details, they were refusing to own up to their shennanigans and would do nothing further for me....until I walked into their service dept which happened to be filled with customers and started asking them why in a VERY loud voice LOL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Buck Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 Hybrid Battery life is around 5 years... which is where you are with the vehicle right now... you don't want to know what it would cost to change it... As for the Highlander... My brother while working up in the oil sands in alberta raved about it... said it had the least amount of problems out of all the site vehicles... these were abused day in day out in extreme conditions and the highlander stood their ground he says Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troutologist Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 Is there an off switch for the traction control on that model, Mike. On my Tacoma, you need to hold down the traction control switch for 6 or 8 seconds to turn it completely off...not sure if it is the same on the highlander. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedimaster Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 On my Tacoma, you need to hold down the traction control switch for 6 or 8 seconds to turn it completely off...not sure if it is the same on the highlander. Diesel Jeep liberty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captpierre Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 If you have a breakdown, pretty much the only place that can look after you is a dealer. That can make for a long weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cram Posted February 15, 2012 Report Share Posted February 15, 2012 Like Roy said, you could get stuck in the snow. Highlanders are great, but get a regular gas version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ice_ice Posted February 15, 2012 Report Share Posted February 15, 2012 Bottom line - go to Whitby Toyota, ask for Andrew and get the car you really want. Lol Toyotas are all right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solopaddler Posted February 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2012 Bottom line - go to Whitby Toyota, ask for Andrew and get the car you really want. Lol Toyotas are all right. If Andrew can get me into an '07 with less than 60K for under $12,000 I'm all ears. 'Cause that's what I'm looking at right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Bob Posted February 15, 2012 Report Share Posted February 15, 2012 Bottom line - go to Whitby Toyota, ask for Andrew and get the car you really want. Lol Toyotas are all right. Errrrrr....bottom line would be a GM product.... Toyota is the TOP of the Line....with TUNDRA leading the way.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish4Eyes Posted February 15, 2012 Report Share Posted February 15, 2012 Diesel Jeep liberty I looked into one of these and the reviews on them are horrible. There is a reason they partnered with Mercedes to make a diesel engine to go in the Cherokee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike the Pike Posted February 15, 2012 Report Share Posted February 15, 2012 Thanks for the feedback guys. My only concern with this vehicle is possible replacement of the batteries. I'm just not sure if that will be an issue or not. If it is it's expensive. Under normal circumstances I'd go with a gas vehicle every time. I'm looking at this one solely because the price is so ridiculously cheap I can't afford not to. No way would I ever pay normal market value for a hybrid. On a side note it seems everything's going to hell in a handbasket lately. Since we've been back from Cuba my washing machine died, my furnace is not functioning properly and needs repairs, the new water heater started leaking, both computers in the house are fubar, and to top it off our car is dying (hence the search). I kid you not every day it's been something else. LOL! Mike there are owners with 12 and 13 year old Toyota Prius the still have the original batteries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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