| jay |
Last year, I made a big Black Friday purchase, and started this thread. In the past year colorider was starting to overshadow me, with a BMW and a Mazda since I'd gotten the Camry Hybrid (because he had one !! :p), not to mention the various motorcycle swaps in the last few months, and today I decided it was time to take the gloves off and defend my reputation.
Today, I traded my beloved 2007 Camry Hybrid for a 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited.
I know the drill.
:needpics: |
|
|
| jay |
| Getting ready to move into her new home. |
|
|
| jay |
| 19 inch wheels with Toyo rubber. I'm a big Michelin fan, so we'll see how this goes. |
|
|
| jay |
| Lexus-like interior, but the trim is simulated. The nice thing is that unlike my RX 330, the wheel is all leather. I quickly discovered that a wood trim wheel ala the Lexus would be hot in the summer and cold in the winter, but leather is "just right." :p |
|
|
| jay |
The second row has a "stow and go" middle seat. Here it's shown folded down. There's a center seat tray stowed in the front center console, so I can go three across with the seat, or two buckets and a center beverage etc. tray if I choose.
There's also a third row, not pictured, that I'll likely never us as a third row. |
|
|
| jay |
| It has a power rear door, backup camera, and the glass flips up!:p |
|
|
| jay |
The original Highlander had a great run, but was long overdue for an update.
Here's my '01 Highlander, which was based on the 4th generation Camry platform. The latest one is based on the current 6th generation Camry platform. |
|
|
| jay |
My Camry Hybrid was fully loaded as well, and basically unchanged from '07 to '08. The differences from the Camry to the Highlander are the usual - FWD vs. AWD, more cargo and passenger room and ground clearance. The Highlander also has auto up on the driver's window, the backup camera, and multi-adjustable seat heaters.
The Camry had no auto up on any windows, only on or off on the seat heaters, and no backup camera. |
|
|
| sblvro |
| :bling: :bling: nice upgrade. |
|
|
| tim.s |
quote:
Originally posted by jay
Last year, I made a big Black Friday purchase, and started this thread....
...Today, I traded my beloved 2007 Camry Hybrid for a 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited...
:1pat: |
|
|
| jdeanski |
quote:
Originally posted by jay
..................................... and today I decided it was time to take the gloves off and defend my reputation.
See what I mean.............If you were a Republican your mental health would be great, you would feel better, more secure about yourself and you wouldn't worry about your supposed reputation. :D |
|
|
| jay |
quote:
Originally posted by jdeanski
See what I mean.............If you were a Republican your mental health would be great, you would feel better, more secure about yourself and you wouldn't worry about your supposed reputation. :D
Touche':p |
|
|
| robrecht |
quote:
Originally posted by jay
infinitely adjustable seat heaters.
Infinitely adjustable??? :7: |
|
|
| jay |
quote:
Originally posted by robrecht
Infinitely adjustable??? :7:
I should have said multi-adjustable. They have an adjustment dial, as opposed to on/off or off/low/high like some other seat heaters. :1: |
|
|
| colorider |
quote:
Originally posted by jay
Last year, I made a big Black Friday purchase, and started this thread. In the past year colorider was starting to overshadow me, with a BMW and a Mazda since I'd gotten the Camry Hybrid (because he had one !! :p), not to mention the various motorcycle swaps in the last few months, and today I decided it was time to take the gloves off and defend my reputation.
Today, I traded my beloved 2007 Camry Hybrid for a 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited.
I know the drill.
:needpics:
Congrats jay!!!! Looks nice! Is that the same pearl paint they use on the special edition of the Camry Hybrid?
I don't want to ruin the moment, but since we are taking gloves off - here is the latest in our household. We picked this up Friday for Chris. |
|
|
| jay |
Looks nice! Is it a WRX? :confused:
The Blizzard Pearl color is the same one used on the 50th anniversary edition Camry Hybrid. |
|
|
| colorider |
quote:
Originally posted by jay
Looks nice! Is it a WRX? :confused:
The Blizzard Pearl color is the same one used on the 50th anniversary edition Camry Hybrid.
I thought it looked like the same color. Although I have not seen it on the Highlander, it is sweet on the Camry. :29:
No, it is the straight Impreza. He is in his second year at Colorado School of Mines and the last thing he needs is the distraction of either a WRX or a STI!!! We looked at the '08 Impreza, but the older style just seems to retain the tradition of the Impreza better. |
|
|
| ncelk |
Wow, and just the other week I wondered out loud if the Camry would make 2 years.:cool:
This is great, we have a resource for input on a wide range of vehicles.
Looking forward to hearing how you like the Highlinder Hybrid over time!
Congrats. |
|
|
| Sunday Rider |
Congratulations Jay,
Looks like a great new ride (again). With you and Colorider who needs car magazine reviews.
I was wondering how long it would take for you to get back to the SUV ride again. |
|
|
| jay |
Thanks, everyone.
Yesterday I discovered a new feature on my HiHy. I was looking at all the switches, and noticed two defroster switches, one that was also linked to the heated mirrors.
But by the mirror adjustment buttons there's another switch, that for the life of me I couldn't figure out. A short RTFM :p later, and I discovered it was a switch to turn on wiper blade heaters to de-ice the blades. Pretty neat.
Of course, whenever we have weather that would be cause to use that switch, my vehicle will be safely tucked away in the garage.:4: |
|
|
| ramirami |
nice ride..real sweet..congrats..
so how does it compare with the current generation pilot... |
|
|
| jay |
quote:
Originally posted by ramirami
nice ride..real sweet..congrats..
so how does it compare with the current generation pilot...
It's as big inside, unlike the last gen Highlander compared to the current gen Pilot. The other thing I noticed today is that in every SUV I've owned, and even in the xB to a large extent, the seating position and placement of the rearview mirror is such that you have wide open view out the front, and clear view to the back.
In the Camry, the seating position and rear view mirror placement was such that the mirror was more at "eye level" in the windshield, blocking a large part of the view out the front. At some point during a drive, with a right hand turn in particular, I'd be moving my head around to see around the mirror.
Not so with the Pilot or the HiHy. |
|
|
| jay |
I've had the '08 Highlander Hybrid Limited just over 6 weeks, and I'm really enjoying the vehicle.
Just a week or so ago, I discovered an additional power adjustment on the driver's seat; I can adjust the length of the bottom of the seat with a power extender, giving me more thigh support. I fully extended it, and made a really comfortable seat even better.
And I think Toyota's heard the message about quality slipping, and is addressing the issue. This Highlander is the best built new car I've ever owned. The fit and finish are excellent, the best of any Toyota or Lexus I've owned. In 6 weeks I've had zero quality issues. No squeaks, groans, rattles, wind noise, vibrations, etc. etc. And this is the latest of a long string of 1st year of production vehicles for me, and I'm really impressed that there aren't any 1st year issues turning up.
And the improvements from the first gen Highlander tell me Toyota's really listening to its customers.
Let's hope Honda has done the same with the 2nd gen Pilot! |
|
|
| netman88 |
Jay.. Congrats on your new SUV.
I still prefer my Pilot 4WD over it though.
The new 2nd Gen. Pilot doesn't look that good on the initial release but I guess it's just a proto. |
|
|
|
