2012 Toyota Highlander

[Kira]

Heavens. There's a 2012 Toyota Highlander Limited near me for sale.
Original owner
It's loaded...it's pristine
has 50,600 miles
has the 2 GR-FE engine I believe (from a sticker under the hood)
asking $18,000

What do you guys think? I have to start at square 1 as I don't even know the V6's displacement.

 

[FlyNavyP3]

2GR-FE is a 3.5L

I like the Highlander all around, other domestic makes have better Tech if you're into that, I'm not. I prefer robust drivetrain and reliability over Tech.

 

[SatinSilver]

Kira,

Is the vehicle for you or someone else that you know?

 

[Kira]

It's for us. It'll be our "third vehicle" spread between 2 people so the mileage won't pile on too fast.

Reliability, 4WD and safety are the concerns. A truck crossed our minds but we don't move refrigerators and they all drink gas like Niagara Falls.

This one has a third seat (a surprise) so it'd be good for gatherings.

The kicker is that we're flexible. Months ago I spied a Toyota Matrix for a lot less $ but it was a lot less vehicle.

 

[Dino01]

I can't comment on price, but those things, while a little plasticy inside, are safe and as reliable as the sun

 

[skyactiv]

18K asking price for a vehicle that is 7 model years old.
You discussed a Toyota Matrix.
For $2 more, you can buy a new Impreza hatch

 

[EdwardC]

Originally Posted by JEL01
I can't comment on price, but those things, while a little plasticy inside, are safe and as reliable as the sun


Gotta watch out for skin cancer!

Those vehicles are pretty bulletproof, at least from the experiences I've heard from the Highlander and RX owners I know. The 3rd row is a nice bonus if you ever need to carry 4-5 adults and some 4 legged critters or small humans.

 

[mclasser]

We were cross-shopping the Highlander with the Pilot back in 2012/2013. The HL was alright; definitely rode/felt like a larger Camry. The interior was too cheap & plasticky for my liking.

 

[CT8]

Blue book value?

 

[supton]

Did you do a crawl-under and assess? I wouldn't expect it to be "gone" underneath, but who knows. A good look might reveal any accidents or problems waiting to happen.

I presume AWD?

I forget but I think this is a sealed transmission. You should probably look up all the usual DIY's to see what you might not like (is the serpentine easy or hard to change?). This engine is the cartridge type that so many like to complain about; it does take a special socket to remove. FWIW I don't find it a real problem, also I bulk buy OEM filters online, 10 filters for $40 shipped. YMMV.

 

[AZjeff]

Here is Edmunds' value (without options) for 12919 zip code: https://www.edmunds.com/toyota/highlander/2012/st-101400176/appraisal-value/tmv/

Sounds like the price is correct. This is what I was looking for when the new RAV caught my wife's eye.

 

[FirstNissan]

I would get a brand new RAV4 for three grand more. The dealership I bought both my Toyotas from Up in Chicago has multiple on the lot currently for 21 to 22,000 new. No way I would pay 18,000 for a seven-year-old Highlander, regardless of the low miles. Any East Coast car will have rust and corrosion issues from my past experience living in Northern New Jersey.

 

[HangFire]

If it's the vehicle you want and rust is not a problem, go for it. Then get it rustproofed!

 

[anndel]

We have that engine in our 2005 Toyota Avalon, 3.5L V6 2GR-FE. It's a die hard work horse of an engine. Good acceleration and it sips gas frugally. Check the engine when you go and look at it, check the oil, transmission fluids by pulling the dipstick and see if any metal bits. Also smell the oil to see if they kept up with the maintenance. If you can, test drive it. If all good by all means pick it up.

 

[edyvw]

It is actually 50:50% split on AWD all the time, it is not like these new AWD in Toyota which are IMO worst performers in industry. I was thinking about that particular Highlander some time ago, but did not need appliance vehicle at that time. Was checking them so drove a lot of them to see whether I could live with them.
It is 5 speed transmission, and there is no doubt it is slush box, but reliable one. It has very small third row, probably smallest one in industry. Only car I saw having smaller one was BMW X5 I had before this Sienna, but that car does not pretend to be family appliance vehicle.
It seems inside that it is assembled OK due to cheap plastic that kind of looks on "tough" side. How it is assembled I cannot say, hopefully better than my Sienna which is definiately on mediocre side.
Those vehicles have proven engine and transmission. But that is about it. It is very reliable. Forget anything that resembles steering feel, handling or braking.

 

[MaximaGuy]

Honestly the Highlander is a great vehicle among all the SUVs around at least the mine has served me well with 190K.
The only big bill I had was a mandatory belt replacement at 120K, I did it at 140K and the old belt could have gone for 300K easily and front bearings. In the newer 3.5L it has a chain and all the better.

Now the ride is not the best as every vehicle that gets old with miles.

I would say it is the best SUV for the money from a reliability standpoint but not from a ride stdpt.

If I knew the seller and has been taken care of, buy it in a heartbeat.

 

[HemiBenny]

$19,300 is average and $21,000 is clean retail according to my book, that's without adding any adds. Just under $18,000 clean wholesale without adds. These values are in my area, but they're probably not too far off from yours. I saw a base 2005 Highlander with 105,000 miles go for $6000. plus fees at auction Friday. Toyota's hold their value very well and there is a reason for that.
Now with all of that said, do your homework and make sure it has a clean title. Have a mechanic check it. Heck, have a body shop look at it as well if you're not experienced at spotting body and paint work.

 

[methusaleh]

Originally Posted by edyvw
It is actually 50:50% split on AWD all the time, it is not like these new AWD in Toyota which are IMO worst performers in industry. I was thinking about that particular Highlander some time ago, but did not need appliance vehicle at that time. Was checking them so drove a lot of them to see whether I could live with them.


Not to derail the thread, but this comment caught my attention. We have been considering a Highlander of similar vintage as a manageable-sized vehicle that my wife can use occasionally for work purposes. What is the difference in the different forms of AWD? Were certain systems only in use for certain years or trim levels?

 

[supton]

I have to wonder just how bad "worst" really is. Worst today might outperform stuff from twenty years ago, and might be still better than needed.

And of course we have to mention snow tires.

 

[Tundragod]

I have a 2012 Limited Highlander bought 08/11/2018 with 121,164 miles. Didn't notice hail damages until I got it home and washed it. Paid $15,500. Drain and filled front transfer case, rear differential. Flush transmission fluid via cooler line with Maxlife ATF. Old fuild was dark. I would've paid $18,000 for a 50k miles Highlander. Gas mileage was 18.29 m/gal on a 1,800 miles trip to TX and back with a large topper on top.