aardvark

I can tell you for a fact that they do.

I only bought the FWD Kluger.... is it driveable without AWD?

Just took the silver bullet for a blast to my parents place - 220km away. Averaged 8.9L/100 on the highway and 10.9L/100 for the round trip, including driving around town for the weekend. Very, very happy with the fuel economy. Have a trip to Halls Gap coming up at the start of April and will have 4 adults on board. It's a 1200km round trip and will be interesting to see if the results are repeated.

Congrats on the purchase. You won't be dissapointed!

<_< I hate to break your ill-conceived perception. I own a Territory, purchased at the age of 37 and I am very fit & muscular. In all fairness, I did say most! Saw a Territory driver of the type I mentioned a couple of days ago. He was driving along, opening and closing his door. Each time he closed it, seemed to be more forceful than the last. Pulled up next to him at the lights and asked him what the hell he was doing. Turns out his drivers door has dropped and the latch doesn't quite line up properly. This is a problem that has haunted Ford since the early 70's and I'm suprised they haven't got it sorted out yet. On the other hand, if you buy a Holden, expect the glovebox to fall out. This is my first Toyota, anyone with more experience know what they are renown for?

I guess the question is.... What happens if you break one? Surely Toyota can get replacements?

Further to my above post, there is also the odd review around that says stuff like: "On the road, handling and steering are both within the bounds of what you'd expect from a 'family' vehicle. Overall, the Kluger combines decent vehicle dynamics with a well tuned ride. For bump absorption and cornering, the Kluger takes the battle up to Ford's Territory. "

The Australian motoring press has had a long standing love affair with the Territory and heaven forbid anyone that says a bad word about it. On the other hand, say a bad thing about the Falcon and you'll find them cheering for you from the rooftops and shouting "Go the Commodore". I mean, how can anyone take the Aussie motoring journalists seriously when they try and convince us that the VE Commodore is a better car than a 5 series Beemer? Personally, I find that the territory is a bit too soft and squishy for my liking, perfect for most of the lard ****d people that buy them I suppose. The Kluger could certainly have some improvements made - I'd like to see the front end tightened up a little and have some of the lack of feel through the wheel sorted out - but give me the Kluger suspension and body roll any day over the Ford. I for one am not in the slightest bit interested in buying a car based on reviews. The only way to buy a car is to find one or two that tick all the boxes, drive them, speak to other owners, then buy the one you like the most.

I've heard of dealers quoting prices and signing contracts, only to continually tell customers that their car is still on order. In the mean time, the customer (thinking they got a bargain) sends a couple of other buyers in the direction of the dealer. I'm led to believe that the dealer price for an AWD Grande is a shade under 58K - they'll then get a percentage off (anywhere between 1 and 15%) of this based on turnover, dealership size etc. Things that can't be avoided are stamp duty and rego. I'm sure you guys can do the sums. :) Do you know why sharks won't eat car salesmen? Professional courtesy...

I actually quite like the ride on the Kluger. There's a little bit of body roll there, but it isn't nearly as bad as the Territory, and what can you expect for a car with such a high centre of gravity?

Was just having a scrounge around on: www.ebay.com The yanks have some pretty cool trim kits for their Highlanders, and the kits are also available in right hand drive variants. If you do a search for: highlander trim kit The carbon fibre looks cool!

Thanks Scott. What's the difference between the Bladerunner steps and the Integras?

I just spoke with my local Bushranger dealer. He tells me that the side steps are approved for use with the airbags, and that the steps are about 150mm wide. I think I'm going to have to wait and see if they look ok, because 150mm is a long way for them to stick out!

I took the silver beast for a drive today. Did around 240km. Had to drive through metro and the CBD on the way out of town for about an hour, same on the way back. The rest was freeway/highway and hills driving. Got home and it returned 10.6l/100km. Happy with that.

I live at the dark end of the street (down near where the bats hang out :) ) and in the week that I've had the Kluger I've had no issues reversing with the camera in the dark.

That's ok. No one in my family (except the kids) is under about 5'10", and most of us are 6 foot plus. Shouldn't be a big drama. :)

I was going to buy those ones, but they don't stick out enough to protect my car doors from getting hit by other car doors in car parks.

The American site is pretty cool: http://www.toyota.com/highlander/demos.html

Not sure why ebay links cause so much trouble lately. If you go to www.ebay.com.au and do a search for "Kluger", the sidesteps and nudgebar will be listed there.

Looks like those side steps should work. The website says: "Toyota Kluger *(Including New Model) " How much are they?? The wife and I are looking at some way of stopping the doors from getting dents in them in shopping centre car parks. The Toyota side steps don't stick out enough. If these ones are cheap enough, and stick out enough, they might be an option! Other side skirts: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-Toyota-Kluger-2...1QQcmdZViewItem Again, these ones dont stick out enough to protect the doors. After market nudgebar: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-Toyota-Kluger-2...1QQcmdZViewItem As for the towbar, you should be able to get one from Toyota for around $750 installed.

I'll add photos/details when I get it done.

Sure, the price seems a bit rich, but it is a Kluger! :)

In October I am planning on taking the Kluger from Adelaide to Victoria for the MotoGP. In the vehicle will be myself (6 foot), my wife (5'11"), my brother in law (6'4") and my sister-in-law (6") PLUS our two 2 year olds. The kids aren't yet big enough to be in booster seats, so they will stay in their capsule seat thingos. At the moment, the only option is to have them in the second row seats, where the anchor points are, and stick a couple of 6 footers in the 3rd row of seats for the 1100km trip!!! So, I made some enquiries and have found a place in Adelaide who are authorised under Australian Standards to fit extra anchor points. I gave them a call and was shocked at the price. $64 per point!!!! BARGAIN! I will be getting two extra points put in for the 3rd row seats. Why the hell don't Toyota do this?

I also have audio only with the parking sensors.

KXR, 7 seater demo with front and rear parking sensors, rubber mats, headlight protectors, towbar, 4 months rego = $38,500 drive away