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Location: Still in Portland, Oregon, for some reason
890 posts, read 3,681,390 times
Reputation: 743
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve_TN
Actually, the quality of the interior materials in the Veracruz is far superior to the plasticky interior of the Highlander. Older Highllanders were rock solid, but the new design has followed Toyota's declining quality path.
Agreed. I rented an '08 Highlander Sport and was not impressed with the interior materials or fit and finish. The damn thing was a rattle trap. Quite honestly, I was surprised to have that coming from Toyota.
Agreed. I rented an '08 Highlander Sport and was not impressed with the interior materials or fit and finish. The damn thing was a rattle trap. Quite honestly, I was surprised to have that coming from Toyota.
Unfortunately, that seems to be the way Toyota is going with it's newer models.
The quality of cars is a real interesting psychological study. I started as a tech in the mid 80s, working in independent Honda specialty shops. The early Hondas were really bulletproof; only a few trouble areas that were easily prevented and diagnosed. Their biggest weakness was GM and Ford tech who broke stuff (tractor mechanics, we called them). As the years went on, and their popularity and models grew, they started to develop quality control problems, like the automatic transmissions that had the rear nut on the counter shaft not torqued to the right specs (the nut would work loose and allow the bearings and clutch packs to slam, resulting in expensive hard parts repair). The 70s and early 80s hondas and toyotas were the best automotive products in history--I managed to average 47mpg on a 1983 honda civic, a standard miserably unachieved by any contemporary car. (On a side note, almost all cars at this time had a 10$ headlight--part of the reason auto insurance was so cheap back then). It is ironic to see the quality of japanese cars decline and american cars improve (although the inbreeding of parts and plants make it hard to ascribe cultural differences to cars as they used to exist). I'd like to see a return to a simpler times but unfortunately auto manufacturers are going in the exact opposite direction, which is one reason I have quit teaching to open an auto shop. It's hard to argue with ninety bucks an hour, but that's where our society has led us.
Location: Still in Portland, Oregon, for some reason
890 posts, read 3,681,390 times
Reputation: 743
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve_TN
Unfortunately, that seems to be the way Toyota is going with it's newer models.
It seriously makes me wonder how long they can skate out on their reputation alone.
Honda is not immune to criticism in this department, either. My dad bought a brand-new 2004 Acura TL when they first came out and it was rather questionable in some aspects.
- Headliner fell down at the sunroof probably five or six times (I hear Honda/Acuras are notorious for this)
- Rattled like an SOB
- Generally sub-par interior plastics but okay fit and finish
- Leather began cracking and losing dye at less than 30,000 miles.
- Road noise like you wouldn't believe
- Occasional weird electrical hiccups that came seemingly without cause and would never reappear.
The TL was totaled in an accident so he bought an '07 RL to replace it. Let me put things in perspective here. The TL is built in Marysville, Ohio by the same folks that put the Accord together. The RL is still built in Japan by a team of hand-picked employees who have exemplary records and have been on general assembly for no less than five years.
The RL has not rattled once, the headliner has not budged a millimeter, the fit and finish and materials quality is SUPERB, and the seats, approaching 30,000 miles now, are showing only slight wear from entry and exit and exhibit NO cracking or dye loss. The only complaint I have about the car is that the rubber steering wheel buttons and stalks are vulnerable to scratches from stray finger nails. But besides that, it is a fabulous car. So comfortable to drive, powerful, smooth, light on its feet (for a 2-ton machine), gets almost 30 mpg on an Interstate cruise and is a terribly underrated automobile. It's a shame Acura doesn't market it more.
Those are discerning comments on the Highlander as it is one of the vehicle we're considering for an SUV. Btw, as I recall the Highlander is still made in Japan.
Location: Still in Portland, Oregon, for some reason
890 posts, read 3,681,390 times
Reputation: 743
Quote:
Originally Posted by EmBee
Those are discerning comments on the Highlander as it is one of the vehicle we're considering for an SUV. Btw, as I recall the Highlander is still made in Japan.
Take a look at the Hyundai Santa Fe. Better built, better warranty, and even fully loaded it's $10,000 or so cheaper than the Highlander which is WAY overpriced in my book.
Take a look at the Hyundai Santa Fe. Better built, better warranty, and even fully loaded it's $10,000 or so cheaper than the Highlander which is WAY overpriced in my book.
Yes Highlander is pricey. I guess I'll check the Santa Fe and even the Veracruz while I'm there. Seems like more and more people are recommending Hyundai and less Toyota and Honda.
The older Highlanders were rock-solid and beautifully crafted. Unfortunately they no longer are. I would certainly recommend a Hyundai over a Toyota anytime.
Take a look at the Hyundai Santa Fe. Better built, better warranty, and even fully loaded it's $10,000 or so cheaper than the Highlander which is WAY overpriced in my book.
Location: Still in Portland, Oregon, for some reason
890 posts, read 3,681,390 times
Reputation: 743
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve_TN
I completely agree with you!!!!
Thanks.
I was quite frankly astonished when I rented that Highlander and how much it rattled. The seats were nice and it has some cool features but in general it seemed to be a car that was convinced it could skate by on its own reputation rather than its actual accolades.
The fact that my 2004 Santa Fe with 116,000 miles on it rattles less, is far quieter and has roughly the same amount of room astonishes me. My SF was built and designed in a time where Hyundai did not have a ton of money at their disposal and some interior plastics are noticeably cheaper. But they get the job done.
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