I’ve heard good things about Highlanders being reliable. How do the 07 hybrids perform? Appreciate any insights!
You can find the non-hybrid models on Facebook Marketplace for a much lower price and similar mileage.
Nye said:
You can find the non-hybrid models on Facebook Marketplace for a much lower price and similar mileage.
Prices have dropped a bit, and I’m considering financing. I want to ensure it’s reliable, but if I can get a non-hybrid for half the price and miles, I’m starting to doubt the hybrid.
@Zaren
Dealerships do mark up prices significantly. Check the blue book value; it might only be worth $2-3k.
@Zaren
You might need a personal loan or pre-approval from your credit union. Most loans don’t cover cars older than 10 years or with over 100k miles.
Nye said:
@Zaren
You might need a personal loan or pre-approval from your credit union. Most loans don’t cover cars older than 10 years or with over 100k miles.
I got approved and test drove the car. It felt good, but I wanted to check with others before making a decision.
Nye said:
You can find the non-hybrid models on Facebook Marketplace for a much lower price and similar mileage.
I just bought an '07 with 138,000 miles for $3k. It’s fully loaded and non-hybrid.
I’ve heard these hybrids can be reliable, but being an older model, it might need some work. They have timing belts, which can be costly to replace.
I own a 2006 model with 320,000 miles and the original HV battery. I need to replace the rear suspension and the transaxle motor. Despite that, I still get 25 mpg on the highway.
Have you driven it? These early models are fun to drive and perform well. My mom’s 2016 hybrid feels slow in comparison.
Currently, I only have a code for one catalytic converter not performing well, but overall, it’s been a reliable vehicle.
@Fane
That’s great to hear! How many miles were on it when you got it? Besides regular maintenance, have you changed any significant parts?
I test drove it and was surprised by how quiet it was. I barely noticed it was running!
@Zaren
My parents bought it new and gave it to me in 2017 with 180k miles. They’ve kept up with all the maintenance, so nothing major has gone wrong.
I do think the HV battery might be wearing down, as my city mileage has dropped. A test drive should give you a good idea of the battery’s condition. Ideally, have the battery checked by a professional, but a refurbished pack is around $2k, which isn’t too bad if the rest of the car is solid.
Make sure to check for leaks in the rear motor and inspect the suspension carefully. Some parts can be pricey to replace. I’ve had no issues with the engine or transmission, and I’ve replaced the timing belt and water pump twice, so it’s worth knowing if that’s been done.
I had an '08 HH Limited that I sold in January 2023 with 197k miles. I sold it for $7500 and it was still running well. I wish I had kept it a bit longer.
This car is great! It has good gas mileage, is spacious, and comes with a premium JBL sound system. Don’t worry too much about the hybrid battery; you can find rebuilt ones for $1500-1900, and they rarely fail. I have the same model with 176k miles.
@Zia
I noticed the JBL logo on the speaker grill, which got me excited! I looked into the battery and saw similar prices. It’s reassuring to know that the battery isn’t a major concern.
I just bought an '03 Highlander XLE (non-hybrid) with 82K miles for $4K in Pennsylvania.