Toyota Highlander - 2007 Review

As the soundbite indicates, I have owned a 1988 Toyota Camry on which I put 188,000 miles and other family members brought up to over 200,00 miles.  I had initial problems because it was a manual transmission vehicle and the flywheel developed major noise problems until they installed a device that required the clutch be depressed before the vehicle would start.  Toyota took care of all of the problems and once that was done, it was the best vehicle I ever owned.  I subsequently owned a Lincoln Town Car that was great, but the Camry was the best yet.  During the time I drove the vehicle I was getting 36 miles per gallon and until the day my niece totalled the vehicle, it was still getting 36 miles per gallon.  So much for relatives.  I had a smillar experience with my 1982 Honda Civic which I also drove over 180,000 miles and others took well over 200,000 miles, but it was not the size of the Camry nor as comfortable.  Following the Town Car I had a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo until 2006.  The Jeep was not a great experience.  I drove 120 miles round trip to work for over 20 years which is why I the high miles. I am now retired and own a 2006 Toyota Highlander Limited that is a great vehicle.  We have driven from Florida to Maine twice in this vehicle and have gotten as much as 29 miles per gallon on the open road with cruise in control. I believe the Highlander is built on a Camry frame which gives it the car like ride as opposed to a truck like ride.  My wife's car is a 2004 KIA Optima EX 6 cylinder automatic.  It is a great vehicle but is not great on mileage.  I believe KIA has improved the mileage since 2004.  Have a great day.