- Joined
- Dec 19, 2015
- Posts
- 2,647
Like a few others here, I had a 2003 Highlander. Kept it for 13 years and 200k. I live a gear intensive life - always loading up with amplifiers and PA for playing music. I do videography and throw cases of gear: lighting kits, cables, tripods, stands, etc in and sometimes take that stuff on long drives for jobs. Load kayaks and bikes and guitars for general vacations. And then skis gear of course. Early season we often bring bikes and skis.
I did replace the rear struts after 10 years. One time I way overloaded it with a treadmill we purchased. Should have had that sucker delivered.
Last year I replaced it with a used Highlander with 80K and it has been great. I have not yet driven it out west but regularly drive up to NH and VT and other points north. Used to take the '03 up to CAN for ski trips and as far as Toronto for work.
Bottom line for me is I think a crossover SUV like the Highlander is a better and more comfortable highway ride than any of the truck based SUVs. And here are you going to be doing most of your driving? I grew up driving in the snow in rear wheel drive vehicles and then front wheel drive vehicles. I have complete confidence driving in snow in my Highlander. My better half drives a Subaru Forester and it's AWD may be better than my 4WD but I have never slid off the road nor lost control. The Highlander is definitely the more comfortable road trip car and the suspension does feel better with a couple of mountain bikes on our hitch mounted tray rack.
I did replace the rear struts after 10 years. One time I way overloaded it with a treadmill we purchased. Should have had that sucker delivered.
Last year I replaced it with a used Highlander with 80K and it has been great. I have not yet driven it out west but regularly drive up to NH and VT and other points north. Used to take the '03 up to CAN for ski trips and as far as Toronto for work.
Bottom line for me is I think a crossover SUV like the Highlander is a better and more comfortable highway ride than any of the truck based SUVs. And here are you going to be doing most of your driving? I grew up driving in the snow in rear wheel drive vehicles and then front wheel drive vehicles. I have complete confidence driving in snow in my Highlander. My better half drives a Subaru Forester and it's AWD may be better than my 4WD but I have never slid off the road nor lost control. The Highlander is definitely the more comfortable road trip car and the suspension does feel better with a couple of mountain bikes on our hitch mounted tray rack.