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2008 Toyota Highlander

2952 messages,  Last post on Feb 03, 2013 at 1:20 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Highlander, Toyota, SUV

Messages Page 148 of 296

#1463 of 2952 Re: 2008 Highlander Nav question [nimrod99] by denverbrian

Sep 11, 2007 (7:40 pm)

Replying to: nimrod99 (Sep 07, 2007 2:09 pm)
Hey nimrod...my new 2008 Highlander Sport has nav, and I'm very familiar with it as it's my third Toyota with nav.
 
Nav lady will say: "In half of a mile, right turn onto I-25 South." "Right turn ahead." "Bong bong."
 
Unfortunately, she will only be this chatty on interstates and state and federal highways. She can't say neighborhood street names.
 
In return for the lack of chattiness, she doesn't sound nearly as computerized as text-to-speech synthesis voices.
 
In the new nav system, you also have certain voice commands available; however, other than the command for "home," it's a bit clunky because you have to press the button on the steering wheel and then say your command. Meanwhile, nav lady is TELLING you that you have to give your command after "briefly pressing the voice button." So the timing is weird.
 
One thing that irked me about my '08 HL Sport is that the nav DVD is version 2006.1 - and I'm hearing that 2007.1 is not only available but shipping on some '08s. I'll have to cough up $250 for an updated nav DVD...which I've also heard will eliminate the need to press the infernal "I agree" button every time you start the car.

#1464 of 2952 Re: 2008 Highlander Nav question [nimrod99] by denverbrian

Sep 11, 2007 (7:44 pm)

Replying to: nimrod99 (Sep 08, 2007 1:20 pm)
The second part of CNET's niggle about the nav system is flat wrong. Nav lady quite clearly says "Your destination is ahead, on the right" or "on the left."
 
It may be that the particular destination they programmed in wasn't recorded in the DVD database correctly so nav lady couldn't tell which side of the road it was on. 99.99% of the time she'll tell you left or right side of the road.
 
"You have arrived at your destination. Your route guidance is now finished" does usually occur a block or so before you're on top of the address - but of course the oh-so-giant 8" screen clearly shows you the target. Biggest...nav screen..ever!!!!

#1465 of 2952 Re: Looking forward to buying a 08' Highlander Sport [taz16] by denverbrian

Sep 11, 2007 (7:57 pm)

Replying to: taz16 (Sep 09, 2007 8:33 am)
My '08 HL Sport has 300 miles on it. A thing of beauty.
 
It really drives like a raised Camry - essentially, it IS a raised Camry, as chassis and engine are from the Camry.
 
The 19" wheels on the Sport and Limited will provide a different ride feel than the 17" wheels on the base model you drove. I personally felt no real differences between Sport and Limited when driving - both were quiet, competent, just a bit more live over tar strips and seams on roads than a Camry.
 
I preferred the Sport over the Limited for several reasons:
 
--$4K less in general.
  
--You give up HomeLink, the power rear liftgate, the ridiculous extra one inch of "thigh support" on the driver's seat, and (in most cases) SmartKey with the Sport; but you also give up (gladly) the absolutely hideous looking "wood trim" in the Limited. It's far too fake for my tastes. For $160, I can buy an aftermarket wood trim kit in an exact wood color and style to make the Sport look super cool, if I want.
 
--You can get Sports with nav and leather, and that provides seat heaters and 98% of the gizmos on the Limited.
 
I am insufferably pleased with myself because I was able to get a Cypress Green Sport - a rare color here in CO - a subtle, silver/green light to medium tone, not GREEN green at all. Very sharp especially compared to all the other colors, which are the ever popular and ever boring silver, gray, black and white. (There is a dark red that's kind of fun and a blue that's too vibrant.)

#1466 of 2952 Re: Looking forward to buying a 08' Highlander Sport [denverbrian] by nimrod99

Sep 11, 2007 (9:55 pm)

Replying to: denverbrian (Sep 11, 2007 7:57 pm)
denverbrian (go Broncos!)
I am in the Bay Area CA (ex Boulder)
Thanks for the information
I was torn between getting a Sport vs the Limited.
The only thing a Sport does not have is the push button start. You can get everything a Limited has (power rear door etc).
I was also concerned about the ride of the limited. I test drove one and found it fine, not as floaty as people have said it is.
 
I also think the fake wood trim is ugly, but I can get used to it. I like the push to start feature.
 
I am planning to get a green limited (wish it had the grey roof rails like the sport). I think the limited has the theft deterent system as standard (sport does not)

#1467 of 2952 Re: Looking forward to buying a 08' Highlander Sport [nimrod99] by qs933

Sep 12, 2007 (1:53 am)

Replying to: nimrod99 (Sep 11, 2007 9:55 pm)
Comparably equipped, I came out to about an $800 difference between the Sport and Limited.
 
This would be for a Sport 2WD with leather, JBL w/Bluetooth, auto front and rear A/C, power rear door, anti-theft system, and HomeLink. The Limited is with the power rear door, JBL w/Bluetooth, auto-rear air, and spoiler.
 
I actually like the fake wood better than the fake metal, and the Smart Key, auto-dimming mirror, chrome scuff plates, and puddle lights seem like they'd be worth the extra $800.

#1468 of 2952 Re: add third row seat in future? [dc_rectifier] by donnieo

Sep 12, 2007 (8:36 am)

Replying to: dc_rectifier (Sep 05, 2007 8:50 pm)
Where did you purchase your sport with the deleted third row seat? I've checked with several dealers in the Chicago area and they ALL tell me that it is unavailable and is not even being made yet. It may be made sometime this fall.

#1469 of 2952 The fake wood by mackabee

Sep 12, 2007 (9:35 am)

I can't believe I'm probably the only one that likes the simulated wood trim on the Ltd Highlander. Of all the plastic wood trims Toyota has offered throughout the years I believe this is the one that actually comes closest to looking like real wood. I'm not an expert on wood but I do consider myself a bit knowledgeable. I have done several wood working projects in my life and own some fine musical instruments made of real wood to know the difference. What is it about this type that you guys don't like?
 
 Mackabee

#1470 of 2952 Trailer Hitch by bsmestad

Sep 12, 2007 (10:03 am)

Has anyone tried any of the 3rd party trailer hitches that are available? I saw this one online, but am hesitant. I still don't know why the towing package doesn't include a fricken hitch.
 
http://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2008_Toyota_Highlander.htm

#1471 of 2952 Re: The fake wood [mackabee] by mcswine

Sep 12, 2007 (10:09 am)

Replying to: mackabee (Sep 12, 2007 9:35 am)
Well, I have not seen the new Highlander so I can't comment on that, but the fake wood in my '03 is so obviously fake it's not even funny. There is no way it could ever be confused with "real" wood. Is the trim in the new Highlander that much better than before?

#1472 of 2952 Re: The fake wood [mcswine] by qs933

Sep 12, 2007 (12:24 pm)

Replying to: mcswine (Sep 12, 2007 10:09 am)
The plood (plastic wood) in the '08 has a "satin" finish. It's not glossy like plood usually is (which was the case with the previous Limited).
 
Although I prefer the fake wood trim versus the fake aluminum trim that's becoming more common, I'm definitely not a wood expert. I've sat in some cars with supposedly real wood trim and thought the wood looked really fake.

Messages Page 148 of 296

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