We had a 2003 Lexus RX with the same drivetrain and was at 347k miles when we traded it. These are one of the most reliable cars on the road with regular maintenance.
Had a 2002 Limited 4x4 V6 with every single option. Even the bull bar in the front which got ripped off by a hit and run cargo truck in midtown Manhattan. Dad bought it new in 2002 and gave it to me. Drove it from NY to Atlanta. NY to the Upper Peninsula in Michigan. To Maine. To and from college in the Berkshires in Massachusetts. Never once skipped a beat. Just fluids and filters. Slow transmission under full throttle downshifts and a ton of body roll by modern standards. Still a gorgeous car with no unnecessary tech. The beige leather interior looked almost factory fresh including the instrumentation. I ride motorcycles now so we sold it when it was 17 years old. Still miss it. It was a part of our family.
My grandfather in law also gave me his that he bought new in 2002, difference is I still have it and never plan to get rid of it! With a little bit of updating it's really not worse/different than a modern SUV that now costs $35+ grand
Incredibly well made vehicles. Mechanically and cosmetically they have held up shockingly well, and even in rust country there are plenty still around. I wonder what the "Info" button on the auto climate panel does.
About the info button, it changes the small display on the left corner of that screen to display outside temp, current mpg, or a few less useful bits of data.
Have the OG 1st generation highlander still. This is the "work car" I drive to work. & its the 4 cylinder 2AZ-FE engine. Yes it burns oil. BUT I change it myself. Right now that car is on 287,*** & still running strong like it's brand new.
It burns oil just like mine? I have a 2003 2.4 cylinder one just like you, do you think it is the piston rings that may be the issue? I top My oil off a lot just like you brother
@deluxo2901 for sure it's the piston rings. Once you've done a lil research about it, you know it. For ME, I personally refill the oil every week. I refill it, but only need to add a little bit. I've done the math & like a good half quart burns every good 1,000 ish miles. I buy 6 quarts with the 5 quart bottle & 1 little quart bottle. Put the 4 quarts inside, & just use the extra 2 quarts as the refill. Then once I'm done with my oil or refill, I literally change my oil the very next week. To start a new 6 quart, 4,000 ish miles drive cycle. I used Castrol gtx, valvoline, & pennzoil. All of their high milage & pennzoil was the smoothest, most quiet drive I've had. Hope this helps. 👍✌️
The Highlander actually used the next updated version of the Camry chassis while thr RX300 continued to use the old one. The turning circles is the most obvious difference. But the RX300 got updated much sooner in 2004 vs 2008 for the Highlander
I still these 1st gen highlanders all over the place, they were all made in Japan so i see why theyre still running to this day, the Japanese have quality when it comes to making anything. Especially cars
It's definitely not. I've driven all the variants up to 2023 because I'm in the automotive industry. Crazy how much they charge now for clearly a cheaper built car, but lots of people don't know any better if they aren't used to owning this generation of Toyota. Imo I've noticed the quality drastically went downhill around 2010. Even the new Land Cruiser which is $60+k doesn't seem as well built as my 2002 Highlander. It's just the small details like the fit and finish, quality of materials and just the solidness of everything.
Not sure what month the first highlander/kluger rolled out but mine was made 6/01 in Japan and with only a 100000 miles I plan on driving it for the next 10 yrs if I’m allowed gas that is.
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There are still a lot of these on the road today here in VA. I think the styling has held up pretty well.
This is my favorite generation of Toyota Highlander all because this design even existed as early as 2001
Best gen Highlander by far the ones with the rear entertainment system that got introduced in 2004 are extremely rare.
@@cameronb3834 The first gen is best of Toyota Hinghlander
@@fernandorocha-dx1wv agree 100%
Very good SUV, and incredibly reliable. You can spot the highlander on road and still running strong.
We had a 2003 Lexus RX with the same drivetrain and was at 347k miles when we traded it. These are one of the most reliable cars on the road with regular maintenance.
Had a 2002 Limited 4x4 V6 with every single option. Even the bull bar in the front which got ripped off by a hit and run cargo truck in midtown Manhattan. Dad bought it new in 2002 and gave it to me. Drove it from NY to Atlanta. NY to the Upper Peninsula in Michigan. To Maine. To and from college in the Berkshires in Massachusetts. Never once skipped a beat. Just fluids and filters.
Slow transmission under full throttle downshifts and a ton of body roll by modern standards. Still a gorgeous car with no unnecessary tech. The beige leather interior looked almost factory fresh including the instrumentation. I ride motorcycles now so we sold it when it was 17 years old. Still miss it. It was a part of our family.
My grandfather in law also gave me his that he bought new in 2002, difference is I still have it and never plan to get rid of it! With a little bit of updating it's really not worse/different than a modern SUV that now costs $35+ grand
WAS lucky enough to get a 2002 with 75k original Miles. I love the vehicle, absolute cream puff.
Incredibly well made vehicles. Mechanically and cosmetically they have held up shockingly well, and even in rust country there are plenty still around. I wonder what the "Info" button on the auto climate panel does.
About the info button, it changes the small display on the left corner of that screen to display outside temp, current mpg, or a few less useful bits of data.
Have the OG 1st generation highlander still. This is the "work car" I drive to work. & its the 4 cylinder 2AZ-FE engine. Yes it burns oil. BUT I change it myself.
Right now that car is on 287,*** & still running strong like it's brand new.
It burns oil just like mine? I have a 2003 2.4 cylinder one just like you, do you think it is the piston rings that may be the issue? I top My oil off a lot just like you brother
@deluxo2901 for sure it's the piston rings. Once you've done a lil research about it, you know it. For ME, I personally refill the oil every week. I refill it, but only need to add a little bit. I've done the math & like a good half quart burns every good 1,000 ish miles.
I buy 6 quarts with the 5 quart bottle & 1 little quart bottle. Put the 4 quarts inside, & just use the extra 2 quarts as the refill. Then once I'm done with my oil or refill, I literally change my oil the very next week. To start a new 6 quart, 4,000 ish miles drive cycle. I used Castrol gtx, valvoline, & pennzoil. All of their high milage & pennzoil was the smoothest, most quiet drive I've had.
Hope this helps. 👍✌️
The Highlander actually used the next updated version of the Camry chassis while thr RX300 continued to use the old one. The turning circles is the most obvious difference. But the RX300 got updated much sooner in 2004 vs 2008 for the Highlander
Would love to own one of these old Highlanders
I still these 1st gen highlanders all over the place, they were all made in Japan so i see why theyre still running to this day, the Japanese have quality when it comes to making anything. Especially cars
This is entirely true but unfortunately the same quality is now only reserved for their high end Lexus models such as the LC500
These Highlanders still roam the roads today……STILL!
Shows you how reliable they are
@Cameron B it’s that same story with MOST if not ALL Toyotas.
Toyota Highlander V6 engine is history, and for 2023, Highlander has a new 2.4L Turbo.
Very good and beautiful this SUV
miss my moms 05 limited v6...she gas a 15 lexus rx now but i feel like it isnt built to the same standard smh
It's definitely not. I've driven all the variants up to 2023 because I'm in the automotive industry. Crazy how much they charge now for clearly a cheaper built car, but lots of people don't know any better if they aren't used to owning this generation of Toyota. Imo I've noticed the quality drastically went downhill around 2010. Even the new Land Cruiser which is $60+k doesn't seem as well built as my 2002 Highlander. It's just the small details like the fit and finish, quality of materials and just the solidness of everything.
I never knew this is basically a camry suv
A Camry on stilts!
Not sure what month the first highlander/kluger rolled out but mine was made 6/01 in Japan and with only a 100000 miles I plan on driving it for the next 10 yrs if I’m allowed gas that is.