Toyota Highlander...2006-2008....any known issues at all?

[Meghan54]

So, we're finally going to be replacing the dead Blazer and have pretty much settled on a Toyota Highlander.

This time, though, won't be buying new but instead used with as few miles as we can find within our $20K or below cash budget. (The market around here on Cape Cod puts our budget buying like a 2006-2008 Highlander w/ AWD and V6. And we're not financing a penny....don't need the payments right now.)


Anyone know of any particular issues with this age range of Highlanders I should watch out for?

 

[Doppel]

I was looking into one. They are fine, CR rates them well and they are solid. You want to strongly go for a 2008 IMO because it is the current gen. The 2007 looks the same as the 2003 more or less. Don't be scared to drive somewhere. Around the start of this year the very best deal I saw on a Highlander was $19,500 for a 2008 with 55k on it. It WAS AWD, though. Be careful with the ads as most of the super cheap ones are only FWD.

You should look at Pilots, though. They seat 8, similar reliability, mileage, etc. They are larger. The only thing that really seemed to bother me about the Pilot was that it has a timing belt so at 100k you have a guaranteed $700-800 maintenance item. Seem to be more pilots around so you may have more to choose from. You can't go wrong with either one, and both appear to me to stand up to rust well (maybe the Pilot even better, but that's totally anecdotal).

 

[Demo24]

Yeah I think 2008 was the gen 2, which is significantly larger vehicle and I've not seen quite as many. The first gen I've had quite a bit of experience with and it's probably one of the most reliable vehicles I've ever driven. Nothing ever went wrong in its nearly 100k life time with us. It's a good comfortable vehicle that I wouldn't hesitate on recommending if the price is right.

 

[Sid59]

http://www.truedelta.com