Highlander Hybrid

A friend of mine just recently purchased a Lexus RX 400h. He paid $60k for
it. BTW no trees were cut down to provide wood accents, Lexus' are known
for, in this vehicle, but it does have leather seats. I guess Hybrids, are
associated with "Tree Huggers" or something. No offence. It get something
like 30mpg, I thought it would be more.

BTW how much for the Hybrid Highlander?

"MC" <mbv500 RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:TYWdnQuRRL7YsuHfRVn-2w@comcast.com...
 > Well, I just took the plunge today and signed a deal to buy the 1st
 > Highlander Hybrid to be received by our area dealer. They say I should get
 > it between end of May and mid-June. It all happened real fast although
I've
 > been following the development news for a while. I've never been so
excited
 > about a new vehicle before so I hope I'm not going to be disappointed.
It's
 > a Limited version with 4WD and NAV system, JBL 6 CD 8 speaker, power moon
 > roof, Leather etc... All the typical goodies. Plus a Fed Tax deduction!
 >
 > I love the combination of 2 electric motors and a gas engine - produces
268
 > horsepower and 0-60 time of 7.5 secs. However, it is very expensive...wow.
 > Anyone else out there considering or in the process of getting one? Even
if
 > not what's your opinion of the Highlander Hybrid? Is it a bit risky to get
 > the 1st year of a new line or major revision like this is? Is Hybrid hype
or
 > heaven?
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Highlander Hybrid 

44k for the Highlander. Now I don't feel so bad when I hear 60k for the
Lexus. It's the same engine, the Highlander seats 7 - Lexus 5, has leather,
8 way power seats and one of the car magazines says the Highlander rides
better than the Lexus. Very quiet and smooth ride.

"Joseph Wind" <jw DeleteThis @neoplastic.ph.invalid> wrote in message
news:zJ%ee.655$w81.564@trnddc06...
 > A friend of mine just recently purchased a Lexus RX 400h. He paid $60k
for
 > it. BTW no trees were cut down to provide wood accents, Lexus' are known
 > for, in this vehicle, but it does have leather seats. I guess Hybrids,
are
 > associated with "Tree Huggers" or something. No offence. It get something
 > like 30mpg, I thought it would be more.
 >
 > BTW how much for the Hybrid Highlander?
 >
 > "MC" <mbv500 DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
 > news:TYWdnQuRRL7YsuHfRVn-2w@comcast.com...
  > > Well, I just took the plunge today and signed a deal to buy the 1st
  > > Highlander Hybrid to be received by our area dealer. They say I should
get
  > > it between end of May and mid-June. It all happened real fast although
 > I've
  > > been following the development news for a while. I've never been so
 > excited
  > > about a new vehicle before so I hope I'm not going to be disappointed.
 > It's
  > > a Limited version with 4WD and NAV system, JBL 6 CD 8 speaker, power
moon
  > > roof, Leather etc... All the typical goodies. Plus a Fed Tax deduction!
  > >
  > > I love the combination of 2 electric motors and a gas engine - produces
 > 268
  > > horsepower and 0-60 time of 7.5 secs. However, it is very
expensive...wow.
  > > Anyone else out there considering or in the process of getting one? Even
 > if
  > > not what's your opinion of the Highlander Hybrid? Is it a bit risky to
get
  > > the 1st year of a new line or major revision like this is? Is Hybrid
hype
 > or
  > > heaven?
  > >
  > >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Highlander Hybrid 

The Highlander seats 7? The last two must be children, there is hardly any
room in the third row. The 400h is pretty quite when the engine is not
running. The engine sounds like a muffled compressor motor when it's
recharging the batteries. Lexus' are known for their ride comfort. The
Highlander and the 400h/330 are build on the same platform. I guess you
have to drive/ride both to really feel the difference.

"MC" <mbv500 RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:md-dnUixY4eCOuHfRVn-3w@comcast.com...
 > 44k for the Highlander. Now I don't feel so bad when I hear 60k for the
 > Lexus. It's the same engine, the Highlander seats 7 - Lexus 5, has
leather,
 > 8 way power seats and one of the car magazines says the Highlander rides
 > better than the Lexus. Very quiet and smooth ride.
 >
 > "Joseph Wind" <jw RemoveThis @neoplastic.ph.invalid> wrote in message
 > news:zJ%ee.655$w81.564@trnddc06...
  > > A friend of mine just recently purchased a Lexus RX 400h. He paid $60k
 > for
  > > it. BTW no trees were cut down to provide wood accents, Lexus' are
known
  > > for, in this vehicle, but it does have leather seats. I guess Hybrids,
 > are
  > > associated with "Tree Huggers" or something. No offence. It get
something
  > > like 30mpg, I thought it would be more.
  > >
  > > BTW how much for the Hybrid Highlander?
  > >
  > > "MC" <mbv500 RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
  > > news:TYWdnQuRRL7YsuHfRVn-2w@comcast.com...
   > > > Well, I just took the plunge today and signed a deal to buy the 1st
   > > > Highlander Hybrid to be received by our area dealer. They say I should
 > get
   > > > it between end of May and mid-June. It all happened real fast although
  > > I've
   > > > been following the development news for a while. I've never been so
  > > excited
   > > > about a new vehicle before so I hope I'm not going to be disappointed.
  > > It's
   > > > a Limited version with 4WD and NAV system, JBL 6 CD 8 speaker, power
 > moon
   > > > roof, Leather etc... All the typical goodies. Plus a Fed Tax
deduction!
   > > >
   > > > I love the combination of 2 electric motors and a gas engine -
produces
  > > 268
   > > > horsepower and 0-60 time of 7.5 secs. However, it is very
 > expensive...wow.
   > > > Anyone else out there considering or in the process of getting one?
Even
  > > if
   > > > not what's your opinion of the Highlander Hybrid? Is it a bit risky to
 > get
   > > > the 1st year of a new line or major revision like this is? Is Hybrid
 > hype
  > > or
   > > > heaven?
   > > >
   > > >
  > >
  > >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Highlander Hybrid 

I'm just curious as to how many miles you have to drive before you break
even (Higher price-higher MPG vs. Lower price-lower MPG) with the cost of
owning a regular Highlander. I heard on a Honda Civic hybrid you have to
drive something like 60,000 miles before you recoupe your costs.


"MC" <mbv500.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:TYWdnQuRRL7YsuHfRVn-2w@comcast.com...
 > Well, I just took the plunge today and signed a deal to buy the 1st
 > Highlander Hybrid to be received by our area dealer. They say I should get
 > it between end of May and mid-June. It all happened real fast although
 > I've
 > been following the development news for a while. I've never been so
 > excited
 > about a new vehicle before so I hope I'm not going to be disappointed.
 > It's
 > a Limited version with 4WD and NAV system, JBL 6 CD 8 speaker, power moon
 > roof, Leather etc... All the typical goodies. Plus a Fed Tax deduction!
 >
 > I love the combination of 2 electric motors and a gas engine - produces
 > 268
 > horsepower and 0-60 time of 7.5 secs. However, it is very expensive...wow.
 > Anyone else out there considering or in the process of getting one? Even
 > if
 > not what's your opinion of the Highlander Hybrid? Is it a bit risky to get
 > the 1st year of a new line or major revision like this is? Is Hybrid hype
 > or
 > heaven?
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Highlander Hybrid 

I would love to have one....going to wait till the second year to see
what it does....had a 2002 until my wife made a charter boat(Platte
River) out of it....it was great for the room but I missed the git up
and go my XLE Camry had so we bought a Avalon for better mileage....miss
the room the highlander had and if you ck with your insurance it may be
one of the cheaper ones to insure....the 2002 highlander was a 11 for
insurance, my Avalon is a 15 and my new Tundra is a 17!!!!!!! Most
don't ask what the insurance is going to cost and are in shock later.
My next highlander is going to have flotation seats,oars, and cell phone
with gps....wouldn't be a bad idea to have a electric winch to pull us
out of the river the next time I let my wife drive....she hits deer too!
Deer in our area have a early warning system just when she leaves the
driveway!
After the sinking we had a Prius...sp? and it was great...got 45 miles
to the gal.
you are probably wondering how we got one....had to rent a car and we
were given the choice of that or a camry....jumped at it.
Enterprise may have some of the new Highlanders....I would try one for a
few days first before a commitment of that kind of money....you didn't
say how much of a discount you got? smile!

If the new Highlander is like the one I had the biggest trouble will be
getting used to the "Joy" stick.....different, and I had to look at the
dash to see if I was in the correct gear. In daylight the dash was hard
to see in bright sunlight...have the same problem with the Avalon. Which
with 8500 miles on it gets lousy mileage and only after changing to
Mobil one oil am I getting 27.5 on a trip of more than 200 miles...if I
stay under 72 miles per hour....faster the mileage goes south.
the old Highlander got about 22...and one time going down hill it got 26
going into Las vegas with a tail wind...

One thing the dealers never tell you is...to reset the mileage average
thing of a jig....some out there are getting the average mileage since
day one not knowing this....I reset it when going on a longer trip. Just
hold the button down on the Highlanders for a few seconds.

when you get it I would love to hear what you think about it.

No I'm no writing a book....smile!


ROBERT F. THOMAS

http://community.webtv.net/gator45/NAVIGATIONDEPTUSS
 >> Stay informed about: Highlander Hybrid 

I'd be curious also but fairly sure it's not that great a savings. I do feel
that one thing we are doing is making something of a political statement by
saying to car mfgs that there are many people who do want to have less of an
impact on global resources by using less and being cleaner.

"Lee Aanderud" <aanderud.TakeThisOut@alltel.net> wrote in message
news:1115516382.25158e001a15f3a252ccc7972d981246@teranews...
 > I'm just curious as to how many miles you have to drive before you break
 > even (Higher price-higher MPG vs. Lower price-lower MPG) with the cost of
 > owning a regular Highlander. I heard on a Honda Civic hybrid you have to
 > drive something like 60,000 miles before you recoupe your costs.
 >
 >
 > "MC" <mbv500.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote in message
 > news:TYWdnQuRRL7YsuHfRVn-2w@comcast.com...
  > > Well, I just took the plunge today and signed a deal to buy the 1st
  > > Highlander Hybrid to be received by our area dealer. They say I should
get
  > > it between end of May and mid-June. It all happened real fast although
  > > I've
  > > been following the development news for a while. I've never been so
  > > excited
  > > about a new vehicle before so I hope I'm not going to be disappointed.
  > > It's
  > > a Limited version with 4WD and NAV system, JBL 6 CD 8 speaker, power
moon
  > > roof, Leather etc... All the typical goodies. Plus a Fed Tax deduction!
  > >
  > > I love the combination of 2 electric motors and a gas engine - produces
  > > 268
  > > horsepower and 0-60 time of 7.5 secs. However, it is very
expensive...wow.
  > > Anyone else out there considering or in the process of getting one? Even
  > > if
  > > not what's your opinion of the Highlander Hybrid? Is it a bit risky to
get
  > > the 1st year of a new line or major revision like this is? Is Hybrid
hype
  > > or
  > > heaven?
  > >
  > >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Highlander Hybrid 

"MC" <mbv500.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:TYWdnQuRRL7YsuHfRVn-2w@comcast.com...
 > Well, I just took the plunge today and signed a deal to buy the 1st
 > Highlander Hybrid to be received by our area dealer. They say I should get
 > it between end of May and mid-June. It all happened real fast although
 > I've
 > been following the development news for a while. I've never been so
 > excited
 > about a new vehicle before so I hope I'm not going to be disappointed.
 > It's
 > a Limited version with 4WD and NAV system, JBL 6 CD 8 speaker, power moon
 > roof, Leather etc... All the typical goodies. Plus a Fed Tax deduction!
 >
 > I love the combination of 2 electric motors and a gas engine - produces
 > 268
 > horsepower and 0-60 time of 7.5 secs. However, it is very expensive...wow.
 > Anyone else out there considering or in the process of getting one? Even
 > if
 > not what's your opinion of the Highlander Hybrid? Is it a bit risky to get
 > the 1st year of a new line or major revision like this is? Is Hybrid hype
 > or
 > heaven?
 >
 >

Personally I think Hybrid technology is not that great. The savings in gas
are not worth the premium. I think other alternatives like Ethanol, which is
renewable fuel source and is finally energy positive to produce, will be the
future. Toyota investing in Hybrids is a mistake. Especially since a Corolla
can get similar gas mileage to a Prius. Nissan is putting out E85
compatible trucks, why can't Toyota?

By my house, E85 fuel is 1.35 a gallon. Regular unleaded stuff is 2.19 a
gallon.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Highlander Hybrid 

Dan J.S. wrote:
>
> "MC" <mbv500.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:TYWdnQuRRL7YsuHfRVn-2w@comcast.com...
> > Well, I just took the plunge today and signed a deal to buy the 1st
> > Highlander Hybrid to be received by our area dealer. They say I should get
> > it between end of May and mid-June. It all happened real fast although
> > I've
> > been following the development news for a while. I've never been so
> > excited
> > about a new vehicle before so I hope I'm not going to be disappointed.
> > It's
> > a Limited version with 4WD and NAV system, JBL 6 CD 8 speaker, power moon
> > roof, Leather etc... All the typical goodies. Plus a Fed Tax deduction!
> >
> > I love the combination of 2 electric motors and a gas engine - produces
> > 268
> > horsepower and 0-60 time of 7.5 secs. However, it is very expensive...wow.
> > Anyone else out there considering or in the process of getting one? Even
> > if
> > not what's your opinion of the Highlander Hybrid? Is it a bit risky to get
> > the 1st year of a new line or major revision like this is? Is Hybrid hype
> > or
> > heaven?
> >
> >
>
> Personally I think Hybrid technology is not that great. The savings in gas
> are not worth the premium. I think other alternatives like Ethanol, which is
> renewable fuel source and is finally energy positive to produce, will be the
> future. Toyota investing in Hybrids is a mistake. Especially since a Corolla
> can get similar gas mileage to a Prius. Nissan is putting out E85
> compatible trucks, why can't Toyota?
>
> By my house, E85 fuel is 1.35 a gallon. Regular unleaded stuff is 2.19 a
> gallon.

Understand also FCHV Highlander will not be true 4WD and will only
be 4WD if there is no slippage, as, slippage screws up he 2nd motor,
i.e. in balancing use of gas vs. electric.

G
--
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
••INVALID ADDRESS ON POSTS - RESEARCHING SPAM ORIGINS••
••••••••••• EMAIL WILL USE ANOTHER PROGRAM ••••••••••••
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
 >> Stay informed about: Highlander Hybrid 

E85 is OK but you give up 25% of your MPG. Add that much to the price of E85
to see what it really costs. Your vehicle has to be designed for E85 and the
stuff takes more energy to make that gas.


"Raneman" <IGNITE RemoveThis @verizon.net> wrote in message
news:42E65882.5A05@verizon.net...
> Dan J.S. wrote:
>>
>> "MC" <mbv500 RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:TYWdnQuRRL7YsuHfRVn-2w@comcast.com...
>> > Well, I just took the plunge today and signed a deal to buy the 1st
>> > Highlander Hybrid to be received by our area dealer. They say I should
>> > get
>> > it between end of May and mid-June. It all happened real fast although
>> > I've
>> > been following the development news for a while. I've never been so
>> > excited
>> > about a new vehicle before so I hope I'm not going to be disappointed.
>> > It's
>> > a Limited version with 4WD and NAV system, JBL 6 CD 8 speaker, power
>> > moon
>> > roof, Leather etc... All the typical goodies. Plus a Fed Tax deduction!
>> >
>> > I love the combination of 2 electric motors and a gas engine - produces
>> > 268
>> > horsepower and 0-60 time of 7.5 secs. However, it is very
>> > expensive...wow.
>> > Anyone else out there considering or in the process of getting one?
>> > Even
>> > if
>> > not what's your opinion of the Highlander Hybrid? Is it a bit risky to
>> > get
>> > the 1st year of a new line or major revision like this is? Is Hybrid
>> > hype
>> > or
>> > heaven?
>> >
>> >
>>
>> Personally I think Hybrid technology is not that great. The savings in
>> gas
>> are not worth the premium. I think other alternatives like Ethanol, which
>> is
>> renewable fuel source and is finally energy positive to produce, will be
>> the
>> future. Toyota investing in Hybrids is a mistake. Especially since a
>> Corolla
>> can get similar gas mileage to a Prius. Nissan is putting out E85
>> compatible trucks, why can't Toyota?
>>
>> By my house, E85 fuel is 1.35 a gallon. Regular unleaded stuff is 2.19 a
>> gallon.
>
> Understand also FCHV Highlander will not be true 4WD and will only
> be 4WD if there is no slippage, as, slippage screws up he 2nd motor,
> i.e. in balancing use of gas vs. electric.
>
> G
> --
> .......................................................
> ..INVALID ADDRESS ON POSTS - RESEARCHING SPAM ORIGINS..
> ........... EMAIL WILL USE ANOTHER PROGRAM ............
> .......................................................
 >> Stay informed about: Highlander Hybrid