Boring Highlander is boring, but acceptable.

"mazda616" (mazda616) 09/11/2019 at 10:49 • Filed to: Highlander

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Highlander content.

The stop /start feature is neat. You activate it by pressing firmly on the brake (not just holding it). The A/C stays on, somehow. And the restart is seamless. It also activates a timer to show how much idling you are avoiding.

The lane keep assist is nice but gets confused sometimes when merging.

Comfy, plenty of power, reliable, well-built, and boring. The perfect Toyota!

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > mazda616 09/11/2019 at 10:57

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Has a V6?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > mazda616 09/11/2019 at 10:59

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Like I mentioned, test drive a lightly used MDX before pulling the trigger.

But c an’t fault a Toyota for the family.

mazda616 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/11/2019 at 11:03

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I can’t even find any Acuras  locally. Closest ones are in Louisville.

mazda616 > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 09/11/2019 at 11:03

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Yep. 3.5 with 295 HP.

Nibby > mazda616 09/11/2019 at 11:03

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so hot and sexy

Sovande > mazda616 09/11/2019 at 11:07

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I purchased a 2006 Highlander that was lightly driven by an adorable and re sp onsible older lady (who was also my mom). It was probably the most boring car I have ever owned/driven. It was exceedingly easy to get in and out of (I’m kind of tall at 6'4"). The transmission drove me crazy as it always seemed to be in too low a gear and I ended up trading it in for a Legacy wagon (which was exceedingly difficult to get in and out of).

benjrblant > mazda616 09/11/2019 at 11:10

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plenty of power

huh? what the- ohhh, you must be talkin’ ‘bout them new toyoders.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > mazda616 09/11/2019 at 11:11

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It’s not exciting, but there’s a reason they sell well and why you still see older ones everywhere.

functionoverfashion > mazda616 09/11/2019 at 11:19

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eh, my Volvo XC70 is boring compared to my E46 wagon. But it’s a nice place to be, it’s very comfy, and has the space we need for my family. It’s hard to reset my expectations for driving dynamics after a decade of driving manual E46 wagons. But it’s also hard to complain about having a nice car to drive every day.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > mazda616 09/11/2019 at 11:20

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New or used? Yeah, if you don’t have a local dealer, that might be a bust (although the Honda dealer should be able to service it).

TysMagic > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/11/2019 at 11:22

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weird side note, when I had a TSX it was cheaper to get it serviced at Acura than Honda 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > TysMagic 09/11/2019 at 11:22

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That is weird. Extra cost for getting parts in that they didn’t have in stock?

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > mazda616 09/11/2019 at 11:25

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oooo, naice!

vicali > mazda616 09/11/2019 at 11:32

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Very nice.

When the Forester is no more this may be a contender.. I might lean more to a Rav4 but we’ll see how tall the kids get by then..

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > mazda616 09/11/2019 at 11:36

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I hate to say this but this is probably the best choice.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > mazda616 09/11/2019 at 11:48

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Clearly what you need is a Honda Fit!

Chariotoflove > mazda616 09/11/2019 at 12:03

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I thought you’d decided on the Ascent. 

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 09/11/2019 at 12:21

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People that buy them don’t know any better?....

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > mazda616 09/11/2019 at 12:22

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Don’t do it.

mazda616 > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 09/11/2019 at 12:30

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Why?

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 09/11/2019 at 12:32

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If you’re not worried about features and plan to keep it for years, it’s hard to beat that or a Sienna. 

Hoy! Lip buddy pawnch! > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 09/11/2019 at 13:40

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Or people that do buy them know better.  Works both ways (09 Venza and 18 HL owner).It’s only boring if you don’t ha e other cars to drive daily.  Otherwise they save me a grip of money to spend on the other toys. 

TysMagic > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/11/2019 at 13:46

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This was just advertised rates for basics (oil change, tire rotation, etc). They did a pretty thorough inspection with the service too. The car was a quick flip for me and the dealer service inspection was a nice plus for selling

412GTI > mazda616 09/11/2019 at 14:12

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A boring but safe choice. Can’t fault anyone for choosing one. I’d still look at a Durango, but I’m a but biased working for a CDJR dealer.

Please get it in a different color than gray..it does come in brown! 

Robert T > mazda616 09/11/2019 at 14:54

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There’s a reason why HIGHLANDERS LAST 200,000 to 400,000 miles. unlike fords,dodges , Chryslers, Chevys SUVs that barely make it to 100,000 miles or w hen the warranty ends

mazda616 > 412GTI 09/11/2019 at 15:20

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Oh Lord. If I tell her the Highlander comes in brown, we’ll have one for sure.

mazda616 > Chariotoflove 09/11/2019 at 15:21

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Googling “Subaru Ascent problems” scared me away. :-(

Myth > mazda616 09/11/2019 at 15:31

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I might get a 2016 - 2017 Highlander. Just that I don’t need repair issues right now in exchange for better performance. Less depreciation is preferable too. A nice 3 year old Acura MDX is a good idea though.

Chariotoflove > mazda616 09/11/2019 at 15:31

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Reasonable.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > mazda616 09/11/2019 at 15:55

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Try and find one on the lot without those awful Bridgestones. Some batches of Highlanders come with Michelin Latitudes which last longer and perform much better. 

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > mazda616 09/11/2019 at 16:10

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Because every time you drive it you will die a little inside, eventually leading to you being another mindless Toyota hogging the left lane at 10mph under the limit oblivious to the world around you!

mazda616 > Chariotoflove 09/11/2019 at 16:24

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It checked ALL the boxes for us and we fell in love with it, but people online are having major engine and transmission problems. Sometimes, engines and transmissions are having to be replaced under 10,000 miles. And there are numerous other complaints, such as A/C problems.

Chariotoflove > mazda616 09/11/2019 at 16:27

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I have been reading that Subaru has enjoyed a renaissance of increasing sales success in the past several years.  I would’ve thought numerous reliability issues would run contrary to that, but the more I read, the more I hear of problems across lots of their lineup.

BPDChief > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 09/11/2019 at 19:57

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Got the wife a Fit...no good for any trip longer than 30-40 miles, but it's been amazingly trouble free for 10 years..only money has been tires and brakes... Still gets near 40 on the highway

BPDChief > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 09/11/2019 at 19:59

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Come on man.. drove my folks 12 Limited back and forth to Florida for 8 years.. did triple digits easily, quietly, no fuss and low to mid 20s mileage. Not exciting, but just works..and still working these days..

Nibby > mazda616 09/11/2019 at 20:02

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QCGoose > mazda616 09/12/2019 at 00:26

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Don’t mind him; he’s just a Chrysler shill. Anything that isn’t an ancient Mopar product is just trash. 

Why buy something reliable and nice when you could have a Dodge Journey or Grand Caravan in your driveway? Yeah!!! You’d be a FOOL to consider anything else!

/s

Highland Burner > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 09/12/2019 at 01:07

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Your are so w right two sienna and now 2019 highlander wife color looks great. It’s b uilt  strong. 

Computer Forensics Expert > mazda616 09/12/2019 at 02:21

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My 2¢. I bought one, in February. Ford and Lincoln Mer cury screwed around, for too long, making promises, but delivering NOTHING. Here I am, ready to drop $80-$109k on a Navigator, Aviator, Expedition or Explorer h y brid, for the past 10 years, and they have ZIP. I’d even take one with 2 wheel drive. My MKZ bought the farm, so I went shopping. Something that was a hybrid, and SUV, decent mileage and pick-up, great suspension and reliability. Four or Al l W heel drive would be nice.

Highlander hit it on all the requirements. The only drawback? No “six” or “ eight-way” seat, on the passenger side. The other benefit? I don’t hit my head, o n the door frame, either, and my golf clubs and cart bags fit, in the back !

GoldenDog > mazda616 09/12/2019 at 06:37

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Fou r time Subaru owner, last being 18 WRX. My Dad passed unexpectedly and I inherited his sports cars last fall, but still needed family car. WRX was traded for Highlander. Incidentally, was developing a SERIOUS love/hate relationship with WRX (front end clunking. WI th under 4500 miles it sounded like what I’d imagine a 1980 Buick with 300k miles would). Saw pics of intake valve carbon on WRX DIT engines at 25-30K. My wants were V6 versus turbo , direct AND port fuel injection (D-4S) , conventional auto trans verses CVT. Only Highlander checked the boxes in my price range. Coming up on a year. Would buy it again. Not faultless, but capable, and checked the boxes. Don’t miss WRX, the other cars give me my fix.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > QCGoose 09/12/2019 at 07:07

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I’m all for him getting something else, so long as it isn’t a boring ass Toyota still living on the coattails of their 90s reliability.

Why have something nice, reliable, and enjoyable when you can buy a Toyota?

Hoy! Lip buddy pawnch! > mazda616 09/12/2019 at 07:32

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Both my Venza and HL are brown.  Wish I had the Tundra in sunset copper/brown.  

Hoy! Lip buddy pawnch! > Chariotoflove 09/12/2019 at 07:39

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This is because Subaru needs to work on their quality control for high volume manufacturing. Like I’ve said in the past, it’s one thing to hold quality for smaller volumes but it is a totally different animal when you try to do it for high volume.

I like Subaru but you can’t compare it to a Toyota for reliability. We keep our vehicles for life and the thought of having to repair everything at 100k miles on a Subaru vs Toyota can be night and day. Hence why I keep saying that I save more money for the other money pits  by driving beige.

QCGoose > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 09/12/2019 at 08:03

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Riiiiiiight.

nomeDdiorD > mazda616 09/12/2019 at 09:07

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“The lane keep assist is nice but gets confused sometimes when merging.”

Use your signal, it won’t go off if you’re signaling correctly.

Oh, and my wife loves her 2017 Highlander. I’d buy another in a heartbeat. Not boring at all, but I drive a 2001 Camry... 

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > BPDChief 09/12/2019 at 09:14

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What happens after 30-40 miles? Does it explode?

Note that I recently took my Fit on a 320 mile road trip ... 160 each way... and that was with the Fit loaded with camping gear and 2 bicycles.

It was perfectly fine.... though all that weight meant it hurt the fuel economy by around 20%

mazda616 > nomeDdiorD 09/12/2019 at 09:34

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I think it got confused as I was merging onto the highway because my signal was done and the lines were in the midst of changing from solid to dotted.

John D > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 09/12/2019 at 09:36

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Just n eed to look at the residual values of these vehicles and that’s all you need to know. I’ve had a Highlander for the wife for about a year and it has been great. AWD actually works fairly well. It’s no Subaru AWD, but it is pretty good. The vehicle is so relaxing. We will take 200 mile trips and you feel like you’ve been driving for 50 to 75 miles. It is super quiet inside. The wife wanted a CX-9 and I do like the design, however they do not hold their value well. It was a toss up between the Highlander and the Ascent. Subaru wouldn’t do the deal we wanted, so we went with the Highlander. 0.9 percent financing for five years, you can’t really beat that.

Sepopala > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 09/12/2019 at 10:04

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The only boring part about highlanders are the lack of drama. We pounded 170,000 drama free miles onto our 2008 HL and sold it for ~ $800/year depreciation. Also the V6 is quick.

To balance it out, I drive a built VW  GTi that eats tires, blows water pumps, and random bits fall off every day.

Chariotoflove > Hoy! Lip buddy pawnch! 09/12/2019 at 11:19

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Well I guess it hasn’t stopped them from growing sales so far. 

Hoy! Lip buddy pawnch! > Chariotoflove 09/12/2019 at 11:57

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No it hasn’t. I like Subaru but with the higher mileage driving I do, I need reliability over fun to get to work. My car works for me and I shouldn’t have to work for my car. Basic maintenance costs for a Subaru vs a Toyota are probably around the same ballpark in terms of pricing. The HUGE difference is that I can easily get away with delaying basic maintenance on a Toyota vs a Subaru. One will work well when you keep up with it. The other will poo on you when you look at it differently. Doing your own work saves more money and thus allows me to have many more toys.

Chariotoflove > Hoy! Lip buddy pawnch! 09/12/2019 at 12:04

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Be careful around here admitting you delay basic maintenance. 

But yeah, there is a reason Toyota sells well, and it isn’t because they’re sexy. 

Hoy! Lip buddy pawnch! > Chariotoflove 09/12/2019 at 12:19

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Lol. You’re talking to the guy who has 7 Toyotas. I’m use to the flaming on this site. I do my own work, own two brown cars and in true Jalop fashion have unrunning cars as well. Those are money pits but still fun nonetheless.

I will agree that Toyota will never be able to meet their over engineered cars of the 90s but I have Toyotas from the 80s, 90s and mid 2000s to recent times. I love them all otherwise I would never have bought them. Why buy a headache?

 My mother is probably going to buy the new RAV4 hybrid.  38mpg is hard to beat.

The_End_Is_Near > mazda616 09/12/2019 at 13:11

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I'm only curious what other SUVs in this class are not boring? I personally find them all to be pretty blah. Except for the 4runner sr5 with 3rd row but your sacrificing mpg with that one. 

Chariotoflove > Hoy! Lip buddy pawnch! 09/12/2019 at 14:15

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My BIL is fell in love with Toyota with his first car. Since then, he has brokered sales to friends and family. They should give him a sales commission.

My wife has had a Corolla and a Solara. That said, the Solara developed a cylinder misfire . I guess nobody’s perfect.

mazda616 > The_End_Is_Near 09/12/2019 at 15:14

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This is true. And, I’ll take boring if it’s  reliable and doesn’t give me much of a fuss.

BPDChief > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 09/12/2019 at 17:04

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No, just not comfortable enough for me...My butt and back start to hurt. Wife doesn’t mind, she drives it to her sisters which is about 120 away. It is an amazing little car, we’ve stuffed a ton of things in it with back seats down...

Blk18SEBlk18XSE > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 09/12/2019 at 19:16

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I love my '18. It was a well thought out purchase. 

Blk18SEBlk18XSE > 412GTI 09/12/2019 at 19:17

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No not Brown. Lol

Blk18SEBlk18XSE > QCGoose 09/12/2019 at 19:22

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Haha. I hated my Dodge vehicle.