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Hiland, WY Car Consumer Discussions

Re: Shift at over 3,000 RPM's???? [spacedog]

by trmend1 on Sat Apr 12 11:18:40 PDT 2008

Bottom line – we’re stuck with these POS’s. I am going to talk with the GM of the dealership and see what I can do to get out my lease or change to something else. Never thought I’d say it, but I’d even consider a mini-van over this pilot. Now I have 2500 miles, still getting less than 15MPG, and the shifting feels like Mr Toad’s Wild Ride. I have do deal with this for another 33 months? No thank you!!! I feel sorry for those of you that purchased. Spacedog I am sorry that the Pilot doesn't work for you. However we don't need your sympathy. I took a long time to research a vehicle that would work for me and all the parameters that I had, the Pilot was the best choice for my present life situation. Yes, the fuel ecomony is not the best, but I KNOW an Insight or an Oddessy is not going to haul 3 growing boys, and their friends, and their sports gear and camping/ski trips on a logging road with some light toy towing (the need for 4WD and ground clearance) and of course the Costco runs to feed these ventures. I did look into Yukons, and Envoys, and Hilanders, and Explorers but they either didn't have the seating/cargo capacity and/or the fuel ecomony was even worse. My 07 4WD EXL is now a little over 6000 miles and its taken me a bit to readjust my driving style and my fuel ecomony can range from 14-16 mpg for strict city driving (all under 40 mph) and 19 - 22 mpg for highway (depending if I am towing or not). As for shift points... I was concerned as well in the beginning. My Pilot would shift at 33 -35 rpms constantly and it was a tad jarring... now with a better foot and 6000 miles later I usually shift at 25 rpms and it is smooth. Talking to my Honda techs (I have known 2 for a bazillion years, one being my bro) the acceptable and typical range is 27 - 33 rpms. This is not to say that each and every Pilot will do this each and everytime. I know my cold engine in winter tachs high even when I only use my pinkie toe on the accelerator... and it takes at least 5 - 10 minutes for the engine to settle down on cold mornings. Is this a design flaw... perhaps. But for me... right now, the Pilot is my best option. Talk to me in 15 years and I will have an S2000... just enough room for me, my caddy and my clubs in the trunk! By then fuel economy should be in the 100's!! I hope you can work out a deal where you can switch your lease. I can understand how having the right vehicle is very important. Perhaps a CRV or an Oddessy would work better. Good luck. Cheers, Tess

Re: 2007 GC Diesel comments - not correct for me [sahara111]

by kipk on Mon Dec 03 05:08:49 PST 2007

Sahara, It certainly appears that you did your homework and purchased the correct vehicle for your intended purchases. I do have some questions and comments. You say you need serious power for heavy duty towing and for off roading. "The 3.8l and 4.7 engines were not options for me; no interest". Yet you also said earlier that the Hilander and Saturn were your 2nd choices, after the GC diesel. Neither of those have the towing ability or trail-ability of the GC 4.7. This is a bit confusing. What is the difference in rated towing of the Diesel GC and the 4.7 GC? The GC tow package includes a 7 pin electrical trailer connector, for towing heavy duty trailers with electric brakes? I don't believe those are available from the dealer for the Highlander or Saturn. What is the price difference of the 4WD GC diesel when compared to an identical equipped GC with the 4.7 after rebates. Are fuel additives for the diesel required on a regular basis? What do they cost? Does the diesel have a turbo? If so, is there extra expense involved such as more frequent oil changes than a gas engine? I'm asking this based on ongoing experiences with my diesel farm tractors that tend to dirty the oil quickly. And I understand that the high revving turbos units themselves like clean oil. This last question is for the poster that said it is much more expensive to process diesel than gasoline. I've heard that before and feel it must be true! I just don't understand WHY! The feel and smell of diesel, right out of the pump, seems to suggest it is much closer to crude than gas and therefore not refined as much, thus should be less costly. Any ideas! Thanks, Kip

Re: My 2008 LE buying story. [mommyjan]

by dirkg on Sun Nov 04 15:45:25 PST 2007

Sorry wasn't Chicago area, dealer was Hiland Toyota in Moline, IL. Yes the van price was 25,100, but OTD price was 25,771. So you will need a better trade in than I had to get OTD for under 25k!

Re: CA Rebate [mickeyrom]

by dhuang2 on Mon Aug 27 10:05:55 PDT 2007

I think Ford should increase the output rate to not to push petential customers away. I believe the Hilander Hybrid is also a nice car, but I incline to 2008 Escape's new styling and better mpg. According to Real Hybrid Mileage Database (http://www.greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/) the 2WD and 4WD Escape (2007 and 2008) gets to 32 mpg and 29 mpg respectively. I believe the mpg should be higher (1~2 mpg) for pure 2008 model.

Re: When was Traction Control First Available? [autohound1]

by supersupergreg on Fri Jul 13 14:34:33 PDT 2007

I have a 1999 4Runner SR5 4x4 with the hilander pkg(sports pkg with the key colored bumper's, hood scoop, 4.10 dif and what not) I have the ETC button, but it is not traction control. It is 'Electronic Controlled Transmission' which moves the shift points to a higher rpm for more gusto.(its a nice thing to have :) ) I have used my truck mainly in Minnesota. I've been through 8 winters, travled to Big Sky montana a couple times in the middle of winter, started the thing in -35F temperature, been through blizzards, some back-country roads of Idaho and Texas tropical storms. I currently have Michelin LTX M/S tires on there and have had no problems. They ride great, quiet, and feel rock solid on the road. No flats either, the Dunlop tires the truck came with sucked and had numerous flats(pop'd sidewalls) and lost control all the time in wet weather. I feel traction control is more of a mind safety thing. How cautious you are driving is your best bet. Don't count on 'traction control' to save you if you are spinning out at 70mph. :surprise: If you hit black ice you're screwed no matter what. Best advice is to have a good set of tires(Michelin LTX MS) and use the 4high accordingly. For the times I am on wet ground and its in spring or fall with potential of ice formation I will run on 4High if I feel the truck may slip and disengage it when I make slow sharp turns. Not having traction control for me hasn't been a problem. I have driven both versions and various other 4runner setups since I used to be a New/Used Sales rep for Fred Haas Toyota World in Texas. Traction control should't be a determining point in your purchase. Engine, transmission, 2 vs 4x4, milage, truck history, price and cosmetics would be more of a concern I should think :D I do recommend getting a 1999 or newer 4Runner. There were some suppension changes after the 1998 model to solve the 'sagging' butt end of the truck and made it a lot smoother of a ride. Good luck in 4runner hunting and lemmie know how it goes!

Re: HYBRID HILANDER 4WD V6 LIMITED, $36000 [gasman1]

by terry92270 on Tue Oct 24 07:37:45 PDT 2006

Dear me....you have had this happen to you personally, an aftermarket insurer going bankrupt, and leaving you holding the bag :confuse: My sympathies..... The larger companies in this, have been around longer than 25 years, and are top-rated by A. M. Best, the company who rates all insurers. Some of them actually handle the warranties that the manufacturers sell, at a nice profit. ;)