Used 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID (NEEDS WORK) - - by for sale in Gainesville, FL

$3000 OBO. Edmunds online generated a private party sale value of $4000 despite multiple repairs input. The vehicle is worn and needs work, so the price is negotiable. Text or email preferred, then we can speak on the phone. VIN provided after we speak and it's clear we're both real humans located in the same part of Florida actually interested in selling and buying this vehicle.

I will only conduct the actual sale at a Florida DMV service center, where we will both file all title/sale paperwork together at the same time. I will accept a cashier's check or money orders. I would prefer that I witness you purchasing the monetary instruments. I will accept cash if you will provide a verifiable personal reference or I witness you getting the cash at an ATM or bank.

Now about the SUV:

Very well-used, well-loved, dusty, and worn fixer upper that's ready for it's next chapter in life. Lots of dents, dings, and worn/damaged interior. 177,200 miles driven. No collision accidents. Engine and hybrid system are working well. Gets 23 mpg whether city or highway driving. Hybrid battery still charges fully after a long downhill drive. I expect this vehicle will go another 75,000 to 100,000 miles once repaired. I recently drove it from California to Florida towing my 17 foot RV travel trailer despite all of the outstanding current issues described in more detail below.

Would make a great adventure vehicle or work car for a handy person or trade person as it tows great, and I've added a roof rack system that holds lumber or other building materials, but was designed to snugly hold six large black and yellow storage bins sold by Costco. All of the wood frame parts were cut at the appropriate angles to snugly hold the bins. Driving around town, I don't necessarily strap the bins down. For highway driving I have a system with 2x4's and ratchet straps that secures the roof rack cargo (included). If you're not in need of the roof rack, I can remove it before sale.

Tows 3500 pounds. I've installed a 7-pin trailer plug which controls e-brakes and also has 4-pin plug for light trailers. Brake controller is included. When towing, fuel economy declines as expected.

Seats seven passengers (third row for seats 6 and 7 is cramped but useful when needed, folds flat when not needed).

There are a number of things that need repair: primarily the front steering and suspension system is out of alignment, probably due to worn out suspension or steering components. It definitely needs the front right shock/strut replaced (it's slightly bent due to driving over a pointy rock on a sandy road last fall, but is still drivable). There are steering/suspension control arms where the rubber grommets are worn out. I'm not sure if this is the correct name for the part. I'll show you if you come look at it, or can I will send pictures. The control arm repair is the primary reason I'm selling the car rather than giving it to my daughter. Having it done professionally is daunting to me as the there's apparently a lot of labor involved, and I don't want to do the repair myself as I'm too busy and I'm ready to move on. If you are a DIY'er or have the money to pay for the repair, then you're right for this car.

Also: The rear window is broken out due to a recent construction site accident. Needs all 4 tires replaced immediately. One of the fog lights is broken. Needs an oil change. Main headlights are hazy.

Disclosure: The main wiring harness was severed at one point about 4 years ago. I spliced back together all of the wires, and all of the effected systems are currently functioning except the aftermarket stereo system (I never spliced the speaker wires back together). The wiring harness wires could be re-spliced with soldered splices and heat shrink tape. I crimp-spliced the wires for a quick and dirty fix, and never got around to re-splicing the wires as all of the electronic systems have worked fine since.

I replaced the four complete brake calipers and two front rotors and machined the rear rotors around 150,000 miles. I replace the timing belt and pulleys around 160,000 miles. I replaced all 4 shock/struts one year ago before the rock incident last fall as noted above.

Stereo is NOT currently working. It expect it to be easily repairable after splicing the speaker wires, replacing the missing subwoofer, and likely changing out fuses in the amplifier and/or the vehicle. The main stereo system is the factory 6-disc stereo controlled through the navigation touch screen. Unfortunately it does NOT have bluetooth and will only play audio file CD's (not MP3 CD's). There is an aftermarket hardwired 2.5 mm stereo mini line in that works through the FM radio tuner, which is ok, not great). The system has an aftermarket amplifier and all eight speakers, plus wiring for a non-powered subwoofer but the subwoofer is missing. This system (with a small subwoofer) originally cost $2000 installed. It rocked before the wiring harness was damaged and the sub was stolen. Could it rock again?

Vehicle Specification Details from the Toyota website through VIN lookup:
Body Type: 5Dr. Wagon
Model: 2006 Highlander Hybrid Driver Type 4WD
Grade: LIMITED
Transmission: CVT-E
Exterior Color: Millennium Silver(1C0)
Interior: Grey Leather
Engine: 6-CYL
Date of First Use: December 08, 2005

ADDITIONAL VEHICLE DETAILS
Order date: 10/2005
Body Style: HYBRID 4WD-i V6 SUV

PORT OR FACTORY INSTALLED EQUIPMENT
CF Carpet/Cargo Mat Set Port
E5 Exhaust Tip by Valor Port
FE 50 State Emissions Factory
LL Limited Package Factory
Touch-Screen Navigation System Factory

STANDARD INSTALLATION EQUIPMENT
Mechanical And Performance
Hybrid Synergy Drive System 3.3L V6 Engine
w/VVT-i Elect Contr Continuously Variable

Safety:
Star Safety System w/VDIM Includes: - Veh
Stability Ctrl w/Traction Ctrl - Anti-Lock Brakes
Trans Electronic Power Steering System 4WD
w/intelligence/4-Whl Ind Suspension Fr&Rr
Stabilizer Bars/ 4-Whl Disc Brakes 17 inch Split
5- Spoke Alloy Wheels with P225/65R17 Tires
and Full-Size Spare
w/Brake Assist & EBD Dr & Fr Pass Advanced Fr
Airbags (SRS) Dr & Fr Pass Seat Mounted Side/
Fr & 2nd Row Roll-Sensing Side Curtain
Airbags Fr Seatblt Pretension & Force Limiters/
Side-Impact Door Beams/ Day Run Lights 3
Point Seatbelts in all positions 2nd Row CRS
Lower & Top Tether Anchors
Exterior
Color-Keyed Bumpers, Side Molding, Htd Pwr
Mirrors, Hdles, Mudguards, Rr Spoiler Chrome
Grille/License Plate Garnish LED Taillamps/Rr
Privacy Glass/Roof Rack Power Moonroof /
Fog Lamps
Comfort And Convenience
Auto Air Conditioning w/Clean Air Filter
Leather Trim Seats w/Dr & Fr Pass Heated
Seats, Pwr Fr Captain's Chairs 60/40 Split 2nd
Row Seat w/ Fold-Flat, Slide, Recline & Rt-
Hand Walk-in funct Fold-Flat, recline 3rd Row
Seat w/ Rear Heating System and 2 cup
holders JBL Premium AM/FM/Casette,6-Disc
In-Dash CD Chger,8 Spk/6 Locations/In-Glass
Ant w/FM Diversity & Strng Whl Audio Ctrls
Optitron IP Gauges w/kw Power Meter/Multi
Info Dsplay/Pwr Wndws/Door Locks/Tnneau
Cvr/Cruise Ctrl/Tlt Strng Whl/Auto On/Off
Headlmps/Kyless Entry/ Silver&Burled Maple
Wood Style Int Trim