[Coastal Dave]

I purchased a hybrid Highlander a couple of days ago and have been driving it locally and geting to know it better. I own a 2001 Prius and a 2004 Prius and was very interested in the Highlander as a replacement for an older van. So far I am enjoying the ride and happy with the purchase. The hybrid system combined with a V6 demonstrates tremendous power and pickup. A sunroof was another plus along with obviously more room and versatility. The power seats, leather, heavier weight, 17 inch tires and other touches make for a much improved ride. This is a Prius forum so I won't go into a lot of detail, but as hybrid enthusiasts, if you are interested in the Toyota or Lexus SUV's, the hybrid option looks very attractive and seems to perform very well.

 

[An04Prius]

Congratulations.

Be careful of the power seat adjustment. There have been reports of too much tension...

 

[efusco]

Congrats Dave...please let me (us) know if you find an integrated XM solution that works in the HiHy. We should be picking ours up in late July or August.

 

[hyperion]

Did you have to pay the $41,500 list price Hirose has quoted?

 

[Coastal Dave]

I'll be careful with that power seat : )
I will put in an XM today or tomorrow depending on my fathers day duties and desire to violate the so far, untouched dash.
My Highlander didn't come with any great breaks on the price but I didn't really haggle a lot. I just kind of walked in and picked up one that just arrived off the truck. It was there and so was I : )

 

[hyperion]

Did it cost you the $41,500? Ive seen the expected list prices on all the new hybrids and they all seem to be 7 to 10 thousand dollars more than the standard models.
Having a hybrid drive is really going to be expensive for a few years.
Seems like we'll be talking more about house payments than car payments to remain hybrid.

 

[efusco]

I will put in an XM today or tomorrow depending on my fathers day duties and desire to violate the so far, untouched dash.

So do you already know what unit will work? Can I pick one up with my Highlander or are you gonna sell with instruct? Share all share all!! :shock:

 

[Coastal Dave]

Hooked up XM to the hybrid Highlander. Now I will put even more miles on it for sure : )

 

[efusco]

DAVE Come on dude, what unit did you install?? Is it the same as for Prius or what???

 

[An04Prius]

Hooked up XM to the hybrid Highlander. Now I will put even more miles on it for sure : )

That picture looks like a sure bet for the center-fold of this months
Pri-Boy magazine.

 

[GreyMud]

DAVE Come on dude, what unit did you install?? Is it the same as for Prius or what???

*waits (im)patiently*

 

[DanMan32]

Both cars are late model Toyotas, should work fine.

 

[efusco]

One other question...does it clip the names at 10 characters like the Prius?

 

[efusco]

And Dave...another question while we've got your attention....

Is this: http://www.audioandvideointerfaces.com/ ... TOYOTA.htm

And the base site you? It sounds like your voice on the demo and looks exactly like your product on coastaletech that you're not yet shipping....but this site says it ships in 1-2 days. What's the scoop?

 

[hyperion]

Someone has one of the first "new" generation of the coming hybrids and is on this web-site and the only questions asked about it other than price are about the addition of a radio and video camera operation. "AMAZING"

 

[efusco]

There are a number of posts on other forums from owners that've had theirs for almost a month now (maybe longer). I think those of us really curious about it have gotten our questions addressed there.

 

[firepa63]

Someone has one of the first "new" generation of the coming hybrids and is on this web-site and the only questions asked about it other than price are about the addition of a radio and video camera operation. "AMAZING"

Ya, I would like to hear about mileage...!!!

 

[Coastal Dave]

We have been producing and shipping the universal video interface for most major automobiles screens for months and have multiple distributers. It can be seen in various forms on several websites.

I started this thread as just a simple heads-up for hybrid enthusiasts who may be interested in the new hybrid SUV option that Toyota is now making available. I have been doing mostly low speed stop and go city driving for the last 150 miles and am sitting at around 27 mpg. I haven't performed any sustained high speed driving to judge interstate performance. I am still getting a charge out of stepping deep into the peddle and getting set back in my seat with really terrific performance. It reminds me of the old high school days of my souped up Mustang only it gets better than 8 miles per gallon and has air and leather and ..... : ) The air conditioner is slightly overpowered and creates a hurricane when it is on high, but in Florida it comes in handy and cools the vehicle down very quickly. The Highlander is very quiet and stable and easily capable of pulling heavy loads and climbing hills. It has the normal amount of big V6 noise on hard acceleration and silent operation when going slow. The Hybrid Highlander is expensive at around 41,000 and so are many of the loaded SUV's out there. I have the fold down third row seating (very small) and the fold down split second row seats (very comfortable). I opted for the lighted running boards and fender flares which I think accent it nicely. For a powerful, comfortable, SUV so far, it fills that need. I can put up a picture if you would like.

 

[BIF]

...I can put up a picture if you would like.

Yes please! Thanks.

 

[hyperion]

And as someone who has found prius chat "down" the few times I've attempted it "thanks Dave. My local dealer has not seen one as yet and couldn't even give me a price, just estimated. I wanted to compare the "H" with an equally equipped standard Highlander to get some idea what the future has in store and I'm afraid after the Prius and Civic there is none. The extra ten thousand I fear will put the hybrid market on hold for a few more years. Even the Camry at only five thousand greater than the Prius is not price acceptable.