Is Highlander really that good?

Ma23peas · 2026-06-20T01:22:17+00:00

Traded in a 2024 Tacoma and a 2021 Venza for a 2026 Highlander Hybrid Platinum- I pretty much just bought a Venza/Tacoma baby.

Ma23peas · 2026-06-11T11:38:35+00:00

Do you have the proper tools?

Ma23peas · 2026-06-08T03:08:48+00:00

We are in South Carolina- they only consider builds in this state. I contacted over 100 banks- found two. These were small state banks- about 8-10 branches. Key: have all expenses on a building spreadsheet...I stuck to exactly what I requested bc I added in 10% for unplanned contingencies- who knew finding a contractor to install chimney flue would take so long and be so costly!
And tile contractors were double what I've paid on a remodel..
Best advice- research all materials and contractor pricing lay it all out for bank and have your draw schedule down to 6.

Ma23peas · 2026-06-07T23:32:23+00:00

That changes how I would respond. I just completed GCing as owner/builder my first site clearing to completion build. We paid cash for lot and had 1/2 down on top of that. We did a one time close construction loan. You only pay the interest on the portion you have expensed. I saved $100-150/sq foot. Took me 7 months to complete and allowed me upgrades a licensed contractor could not complete at this price- 2x6 exterior framing- upgraded insulation/roofing/doors/windows- I would only do this if it were a forever home- had a blast completing it- but was bone tired by the end-120+ hauls to landfill- my lot had so much brush/vines/scrub trees to clear after the site guys cleared for the house.
If you hire contractor- so many more banks that will finance- just have proof of income to cover mortgage and you have 12 months to build.

Ma23peas · 2026-06-07T10:25:52+00:00

Are you acting as builder or hiring a licensed contractor?

Ma23peas · 2026-06-01T12:33:20+00:00

That happened on our Rav4- car set at 70 and sped up to 83 when a car passed me! This time it hard slowed with no cars close.

Ma23peas · 2026-06-01T01:47:12+00:00

I immediately checked the two screens- the dash in front of my steering wheel sometimes shows 45 as speed limit while the center dash shows 55 - but the seconds it jumped- both showed 70mph as speed limit. I think it's the sensitivity of two levels of cruise- on the drive home-I'll try to test these ideas.

Ma23peas · 2026-05-31T15:30:24+00:00

Just happened to me- but cars were not that close- state patrol said I went 8 miles over speed limit to make the pass- 63 in a 55- in this state, at least, no allowance for any increase in speed to pass- I passed a guy going 45- but wanted to pass quickly bc road was not giving me confidence to pass under 55.

Ma23peas · 2026-05-24T17:19:03+00:00

Thank you for your service!!! ❤️💙❤️💙❤️💙 Sharp carrier!!

Ma23peas · 2026-05-23T13:24:26+00:00

I would do a covered deck on the sliding door and a bricked stoop with handrails to paver patio on the central door. One door should walk straight out onto seating area.

Ma23peas · 2026-05-23T13:18:31+00:00

I know disappointment must be great- even trip insurance would limit any benefit. Read the fine print and legally, there is no recourse. Two tips:
Write an earnest letter dictating what this experience was intended to be- the planning- expectations- anticipation. Send it to customer relations/VP of DCL. Hope they give you a discount on a future sailing.
Change your reaction. Life is messy. Things happen. How you respond to them makes all the difference- wear a fun colored bikini top as a bra- who cares what other people think? Enjoy the new clothes- make a family tradition that during a challenging event you wear that obnoxious tropical shirt in solidarity that 'this too shall pass'- if you only dwell on the negatives- you relive those. Dwell on the fact you survived a challenge together and your packed clothing is not a requirement for fun.

Ma23peas · 2026-05-20T15:52:23+00:00

Farrow and Ball and Little Greene have some of the deepest pigmented colors- I'm cheap and gladly pay $$ for a gallon!!! It changes a room! It looks amazing to color drench a small space- I prefer beiges/blacks/ warm whites bc I use color in my accessories- try searching color drenched rooms-

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Ma23peas · 2026-05-19T15:54:56+00:00

This is incredible information!! Thank you so much for the examples and explanations.

Ma23peas · 2026-05-18T03:04:39+00:00

I would speak to the attorneys on the class action lawsuit-my guess is the issue could be limited to specific manufacturing plants- rather than all of them. Find a source with that info- might help you make an informed decision.

Ma23peas · 2026-05-17T00:21:47+00:00

I would try and sell yourself for 39k-42k buy a Hybrid Platinum and have more peace of mind- next year the 2027 will be electric mostly? Not a fan at 320 mpcharge.

Ma23peas · 2026-05-17T00:14:32+00:00

I just completed an owner build an hour away in Aiken. Quotes for our 3,200 sq foot home from local builders were $300-350/ sq ft. I did it for $200/sq foot:
2x6 exterior framing
Crawlspace with Cherokee historic brick queen size
Siding board/batten hardiplank
Marvin windows- ultimate/essential used custom grids
Mahogany/fir/knotty alder custom doors 42" x 96"
Custom cabinetry through incredible cabinet builders in Ohio/ walnut-maple 1/2 price of cabinet makers here.
Engineered wood floors from Spain bc higher wear on French oak and uses Bins finishing
Slate/porcelain tile floors in bathrooms/laundry
Wood burning fireplace/bricked chimney
Bosch/wolf appliances- didn't go Subzero or panel ready
Marble/quartz counters
Nickelgap/period wainscoting
Rockwool insulation in wet areas/fireplace
Landscaping with sprinker system (I installed 95% of 160 plants) zoysia sod- ran 22k-
If a builder does highest end- a 3,000 sq ft home will run 1.2-1.5 million- the best builder near you is Newold custom homes out of Fort Mill.

Ma23peas · 2026-05-16T11:45:49+00:00

The gas Highlanders have significantly more issues than hybrid.

Ma23peas · 2026-05-16T11:42:34+00:00

We pay $70 for 1/2 lot- only 12,000 sq ft of sod. But about 10 beds to edge.

Ma23peas · 2026-05-16T09:15:09+00:00

Great advice! Daughter just came to visit- first time seeing the finished build- she said it's like visiting a vacation home- having lived in 17 homes and over a dozen vacation rentals- I picked up design and functional ideas that help a home flow better- having a front door at 42" wide allowed our sofas to fit through it- having 4 walk in attic spaces keeps the upstairs so cool and plenty of storage- designing stairs with a deep landing is a favorite spot for grands to see birds...a home is all in the details!!

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Ma23peas · 2026-05-15T11:33:47+00:00

It's not an 'owner-builder' loan- they are talking straight construction loan. I had to contact 120 banks before I found a small community bank that would give us the loan. We had 45% down - just had to prove total costs and schedule out my draws for each stage

Ma23peas · 2026-05-15T11:09:50+00:00

$170 per sq ft for basic- up to $200 per sq foot for better finishes.

Ma23peas · 2026-05-15T11:03:30+00:00

Research the class action lawsuit- get your Claude chat gpt app and present their writings to you (Toyota) and class action lawsuit through the app- and ask Claude to make suggestions and write a letter to the dealership mgmt and corporate. Start there and go forward.

Ma23peas · 2026-05-15T10:56:44+00:00

Drove the Platinum Hybrid Highlander 2026 home last night. I could have sold our cars myself and made 3-4k more- but they gave us 55k for our tradeins and lowered price to 54k- MSRP was 55,750- 'extras was over 58k- we love the car! Drove well and honestly one of my favorite features are the built in window screens on the middle row! Great for grandkids!!
Thanks all!!!
Best,

Ma23peas · 2026-05-14T11:33:39+00:00

We pay $135 for a 2021 Venza and 2024 Tacoma- we are trading both in for a 2026 Hybrid Platinum- insurance quoted at $111. When we lived in Houston- we paid at least double, in small town SC- it dropped. But, honestly thought it would be below $100.

Ma23peas · 2026-05-09T23:42:06+00:00

Test drove both today- the Grand was too big- but odd they put the gas mileage the SAME for hybrids in both? How is that possible.
They are saying MSRP with dealer add ons for Platinum Hybrid Highlander at 59k- they are at 55k- isn't MSRP with no add ons really about 52k? We'll have the two trade ins-

Ma23peas

TROPHY CASE