I had to take a trip to NW Idaho last week due to a family illness - I took
this same trip several times in our 02 Highlander but usually in better
weather.  As all know, the 08 is larger, heavier, quieter and much more
powerful.  02 was a base awd and the 08 is a limited awd.

The 8 days we were up there it was never above freezing and most of the way
back to Redding was same.

In the 02, the ride was harder on the butt - the 08 is better and a.s didn't
get near as sore.

The big thing was, IMHO was the difference in mileage.  In the 02, the best
I recall getting was 23.2 with usually in 22 range.  Up and back I never got
less than 22.8 and on the run from Madras, Or to Redding, Ca I got 25.3.  I
know, at this savings I'll be 150 before I can pay for the new one.  It was
just interesting to me they can get better mileage with more power and
heavier vehicle.  Be interesting to me to see if I get the bit of jump in
mileage at about 15k that we've got with the other Toyotas we've had.

Ron in Ca