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Toyota Highlander Hybrid

3943 messages,  Last post on Nov 02, 2009 at 9:19 AM

You are in the Toyota Highlander Hybrid Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer

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


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#3912 of 3943
Re: HH in snow [cdptrap] by volkov
Mar 14, 2008 (10:28 am)
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Replying to: cdptrap (Mar 14, 2008 8:54 am)

Well the source of reverse power is important. I have a 4x8 utility trailer that I store next to my parents' garage. I have to back it up their steep driveway and then on grass, often loaded. Whether running on electric alone versus ICE power also and AWD versus only two could make a significant difference in available power for that situation. The HiHy would become the primary choice for tow vehicle for that unless it's only powering one electric motor in reverse.
#3913 of 3943
Re: HH in snow [volkov] by cdptrap
Mar 14, 2008 (11:54 am)
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Replying to: volkov (Mar 14, 2008 10:28 am)

Hi Volkov,
 
Coincidentally, that was precisely what we did last night. Had to back a 4+ x 12 flatbed trailer uphill to unload. We had to pull it up a steep switchback that gains about 500+ ft in 0.2 mile first, it ran on battery where it could and that depleted the battery to 25%. About 2000 lb gross for this load. We have gone as high as 2500 lb but that is max because our old trailer cannot handle more. The reverse uphill at the end was not too bad, it gains only about 3 ft for the length of the car and the trailer.
 
I have never tried reversing it up anything steeper though because this old trailer is just long enough to make me uncomfortable. You can check the torque specification and see what it says.
 
For a 4x8 trailer, I imagine the loaded gross will be around 1500 lb? if so, that is well within the car's spec. I will strongly suggest using good trailer tires if there are slick grass. We use GY Wrangler but whatever brands that provide toughness and strong traction will do.
 
For the HH, AWD is absolutely essential in this case because I want powered traction on all wheels especially where we work. It is often loose gravel, dirt or tall slick grass. Good SUV or truck tires is a must. Van-type tires will just spin on tall grass and slide downhill. If your HH stock tires are van tires, best to replace them ASAP. We had to do that to ours.
  
Hope this experience helps a bit.
#3914 of 3943
Re: HH in snow [monte8] by stevedebi
Mar 14, 2008 (1:19 pm)
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Replying to: monte8 (Mar 14, 2008 8:28 am)

" However, that does not mean that the ICE cannot power the front wheels in reverse. How would you drive this car if the traction battery pack failed (something I hope does not happen for 200K miles or so)? Do you think Toyota would produce a vehicle without the ability for the ICE to back the car? "
 
I think this may have been answered, but yes; the Prius cannot use the ICE to back the vehicle. It is electric only.
 
Also, the HSD will not operate if the traction battery fails. You must have the hybrid battery or the car won't operate. This is the reason there is so much concern about how long the traction batteries will last...
#3915 of 3943
Press Request by KarenS HOST
Mar 21, 2008 (8:26 am)
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A reporter hopes to speak with consumers who want to buy hybrid SUVs that are having a hard time finding them at dealerships and/or are frustrated by dealers marking up the prices on the hybrids. If you are a consumer looking to purchase a hybrid SUV, please respond to ctalatiedmunds.com with your daytime contact information no later than Tuesday, March 25, 2008.
#3916 of 3943
Re: Performance Hybrids [kyrpto] by vinnyd13
Apr 03, 2008 (6:48 pm)
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Replying to: kyrpto (Mar 08, 2007 6:11 am)

Krypto, just out of curiosity , what Thule Box are you using?. I am trying to find one that doesn't interfere with the rear spoiler on my Highlander Sport.
 
Thanks in advance.
Vince
#3917 of 3943
Re: Hybrids Harder to come by? by lglwizard
May 05, 2008 (4:41 am)
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Replying to: KarenS (Mar 21, 2008 8:26 am)

When I started looking for 08 Highlander Hybrid Limiteds in the Jacksonville, Florida area back in March of this year, I had no problem locating vehicles on dealer lots. Now that I am actually ready to buy one, there are almost no vehicles on dealer lots, and dealers do seem to be unwilling to discuss deals because of the apparent increase in the demand for hybrids of all kinds. The dealers like to tell stories about there being 1000 Priuses available 30-60 days ago, and now there are allegedly "100 in country." I'm not sure I believe the figures, but the point is obvious. Sales figures are down for all vehicles EXCEPT hybrids.
 
I am wondering if there is a lag (say of at least a month or two) between the month that sales occur and when Edmunds calculates its TMV because the TMV has trended down since March in my area while the selection of vehicles has significantly decreased and demand has escalated. There also seems to be a conflict between Edmunds TMV data and the Kelly Blue Book "new car blue book value" which purports to reflect what people are actually paying for the vehicle. KBB says people are paying MORE than MSRP for Hi Hy Ltds, whereas Edmunds says TMV is approximately 3,500 less. I understand that Edmunds data is supposed to be more targeted (my zip code vs. nation wide), but I still find the discrepancy interesting.
 
In my area Edmunds seems to be closer to the truth. The vehicles are hardER to come by, but dealers are not demanding or getting more than MSRP.
 
I was able to negotiate a deal (waiting for actual vehicle) on a Ltd with Nav, Sunroof, and dual front/auto rear A/C, for $800 over invoice, which in my area worked out to about three grand under MSRP. I tried to get in under TMV, but the dealers were not having it.
 
Anyone else care to share recent purhasing experiences?
#3918 of 3943
Re: Hybrids Harder to come by? [lglwizard] by wwest
May 05, 2008 (4:54 am)
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Replying to: lglwizard (May 05, 2008 4:41 am)

"...was able to negotiate a deal (waiting for actual vehicle)......"
 
Unless you have an IRON CLAD contract you may be in for a long wait...
 
What's to keep the dealer, what are the "penalties" for selling the vehicle to the higher bidder once it arrives...??
 
The dealer gets to place a hybrid order above his factory quota in a "hot" market.
#3919 of 3943
Re: Hybrids Harder to come by? [lglwizard] by shovelhd
May 05, 2008 (6:49 am)
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Replying to: lglwizard (May 05, 2008 4:41 am)

Most of the pricing info is in the pricing thread. I paid $400 over invoice for a base with PP + a few options. Out here in the Northeast, dealers have very few HH's. I had to drive two hours to get one at this price. They were sold out in my immediate area. Within 50 miles I was able to find a few but they were holding onto MSRP. Within 100 miles there were more, but still few. My dealer had 8 total and they're the largest volume Toyota dealer in the country. 6 were Limited, two were base, and the two base sold on the same day. Base models are tough to get.
#3920 of 3943
2008 HH in Kansas Region by soonercat
May 06, 2008 (9:21 am)
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I had to go to Kansas Region where HH inventory was about 20 on various dealer interconnected inventory pages. Oklahoma had zero, none, --I found one 90 miles north in rural Kansas and did an internet deal for MSRP-$2500. This was fine. MSRP was $45,900 with AC upgrades, NAVI, exhaust tip, mud guards and driver passeger tint.
Got the purple one. My wife loves it. First tank has been amazing at 29 mpg currently 300 miles.
#3921 of 3943
NEw HiHy by ginostef
May 07, 2008 (5:43 pm)
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I just picked up a brand new HiHy 08, with the C package, Nav, etc. mudflaps, running boards, Cypress Pearl and ash leather interior. Has everything but the moon roof and trailer hitch. I paid $42K for it, while MSRP was close to $49K. This is Northern Virginia, where using a hybrid generally means riding HOV and commuting 35+ miles one way is a fact of life. So - hy's are in hy demand. My 2004 Prius, loaded, black, just sold for 17K. When I started looking there were plenty of Highlander's around, and now there are a bit less, but every dealer has at least a few. Hang in there - it ain't so bad everywhere.

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