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In the market for a used Hybrid Hylander

Discussion in 'Toyota Hybrids and EVs' started by Bill the Engineer, Feb 3, 2019.

  1. Bill the Engineer

    Bill the Engineer Senior Member

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    Life may be about to throw me a curveball. My best friend has terminal cancer, and I have promised to adopt his 4 dogs. These aren't small dogs (except for one.) I am certain that I can't get all 4 of them into my Gen-III Prius. (... especially the Great Dane!) I have been looking at used Hybrid Hylanders as a solution. My questions are:

    1. Will a HH be a good fit for transporting large dogs?
    2. What do I need to know about a used HH that I wouldn't already be familiar with having owned 3 Prii?
    3. Does anyone else here haul multiple large dogs in an HH?
    4. Are dog-friendly adaptations available for protecting the back of an HH?
    5. Which model year HH should I look for and which should I avoid.

    I am not looking to give up any of my existing cars, but an HH would bring my Toyota HSD fleet up to 4 vehicles.

    Sometimes life comes at you fast...

    Bill
     
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  2. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Sorry to hear that. I just lost a colleague on Friday to terminal cancer:(.

    There will be plenty of room for the dogs. I’d just buy a fence style gate for the front passenger area as separation ;).

    It’s a great hauling vehicle with decent mpg for its size :).

    My avatar is a pic of what I was able to get our 2017 RX450h up to;).

    37.3 for the big girl ain’t too bad(y).
     
  3. Rupert B Puppenstein

    Rupert B Puppenstein Active Member

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    There is plenty of room. Depending on the size of the dogs, you might be able to use a sling dog seat cover on the two front seats (I had a dog that used the space in the middle as a hammock), and you can either leave the back row down, or up depending on the dogs behavior and cover that with a sling seat cover, too. You could add all weather mats. Just depends on the dogs. My friend went for the fully loaded hybrid, the only issue he ended up having was with the crazy wheel finishes that most people gripe about on the limited version. The dealer was a bit sneaky at concealing damage (scraping to the finish) on the wheel, so just watch for that. He got a pretty good deal by getting dealers to fight against each other. It just depends on how flexible you are. He drove from GA to VA. But, even with the wheel scraping, it was a great deal, and it’s a great car. I’m considering getting one if the Prius design doesn’t improve.
     
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  4. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    There is plenty of options out there for protecting the interior from dogs. Depends on how much you wish to spend. I remember seeing cargo are covers that actually go up the sides. You may need a ramp or dog steps depending on their age and physical condition.
     
  5. Bill the Engineer

    Bill the Engineer Senior Member

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    1. Bichon. Elderly prima donna. He's going to be carried into the vehicle.
    2. Boxer. Not far out of puppyhood and very playful.
    3. Husky. Middle aged and beautiful, but quite shy.
    4. Great Dane. Elderly and partly blind. Sweet personality.
    They would fill up any vehicle!
     
  6. Rupert B Puppenstein

    Rupert B Puppenstein Active Member

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    The bichon would love the middle gap of the front two seats, the boxer would probably like to sit in one of the two bucket seats, the Great Dane gets the back with the seats down, and the Husky gets the other bucket seat. Hopefully, the Great Dane doesn’t have a slobber issue, but one thing is for sure, you’ll need to vacuum a lot, no matter what interior you choose. That’s quite a group of dogs. But it’s great that they get to stay together. It’s definitely a great thing that you are doing for your friend. :)
     
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  7. hyhi

    hyhi Member

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    So a few thoughts....had a 2007, last year of old smaller body style v6 hybrid limited. You might get by with that size though maybe better to move to a 2008 or newer due to the increase size. I am a fan of the bench 2nd row seat, not captain chairs which also have...I feel...the dumb tray that fits between the captain seats and folds down thus removing one seating spot. They did have a year with a hide and use center seat section that fit between the left and right sides which made second row a ‘bench’ seat, uncertain what years that was offered after 2007. I am a fan of the v6 engine, less so of the CVT used back in 2007, too much of a rubber band effect to me though did drive it for 10 years and just short of 100,000 miles. Best of luck shopping.
     
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  8. hyhi

    hyhi Member

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    Hum...old age...check out this thread for info on that hide a seat center section.
    post 2007 highlander hybrid model - pick one
     
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  9. Rupert B Puppenstein

    Rupert B Puppenstein Active Member

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    They only have second row captains seats with the latest generation, and the third row folds down (and is barely functional for normal sized peeps, even children to an extent) but at least you can choose cargo or seats without any effort. I think the latest generation drives a lot better than the previous, and the hybrid is really nice. There is a reason you see so many on the road.
     
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  10. Bill the Engineer

    Bill the Engineer Senior Member

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    Sounds like I am targeting a 2008 or 2009. This will be for hauling the dogs after all.
     
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  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    dogs deserve captain seats too.;)
     
  12. Bill the Engineer

    Bill the Engineer Senior Member

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    The Husky and the boxer, yes. The rear bench will be a tight fit for the Great Dane all by herself!
     
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  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i know you have the skills to customize it!
     
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