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I'm in Hawaii -- those photos were taken near the airport on Oahu. I should take some photos with a more "tropical" background.
Have you waxed yours yet? I haven't had time and will do it when I get back.
I have a 6 cylinder FWD. I got 27 mpg on a trip last week from south Louisiana to central Arkansas and back.
I haven't waxed mine yet (had it about six weeks). I keep hearing conflicting opinions; you need to let the paint/clearcoat fully cure for six months: no, that isn't true they're good to go from the factory, etc., etc.
Yet another quasi-knowledgeable friend says yes, the paint isn't fully cured fresh from the factory, but the Zaino products don't "seal" like regular wax does and will allow the paint to finish curing, etc.
IOW, I'm totally confused on this issue.
My Venza was less than two weeks out of the factory when I took delivery, for what that's worth...
It is perfectly acceptable to wax a new car on Day 1 if you'd like. The paint was cured at high temperatures at the factory. They can use high temps because there are no other materials installed on the body (like plastics and rubber components) that may be affected by the high temps. The confusion remains because if you need body work done after you take delivery and the car is painted by your local body shop, they cannot heat-cure the paint at high temps. Thus, you need to let it "air-cure" about 30 to 90 days before waxing. When in doubt, check the owner's manual or just Google it. BTW, I have been using Malm's liquid carnauba wax for about 30 years - it is a bit expensive but the bottles last a long time. Easy to use and works great - I think it is only available online.
Meantime I'm curious to know if any of you potential or actual Venza owners consider the Venza to be a "non-poseur" vehicle, i.e. not trying to be an SUV (because 95% of SUVs aren't taken off-road anyway, etc.).
Based on a hard-core car forum I'm on, and Toyota's Venza positioning ("don't call it an SUV or a station wagon"), I'm starting to think that the Venza has started a valid, solid vehicle trend that's all about functionality with good style thrown in.
This has me eliminating the semi-SUV vehicles like the CRV, Murano, and the like.
Did you / will you buy the Venza because you think it's an honest design, and that it just makes sense ?
You mean what Subaru started 10 years ago with the Outback?? BTW here's the new one:
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/wagons/112_0904_2010_subaru_outback_first_lo- ok/index.html
With it's new sizing it will be more of a direct competitor for those who can get past the fact it's not a Toyota.
Although I'd say that previous gen Outbacks - while I liked them for myself - were raised Legacy wagons which didn't have significantly more space than the wagon platform. This new model appears to have corrected that.
style (interior mostly)
pricing (~$30k in Canada)
functionality (folding seats & hatchback comes in handy for the stroller or trips to IKEA/Costco)
We're cross shopped against the CRV/Edge (didnt like the interior), Suzuki Grand Vitara (won't go offroading), and Nissan Rogue (storage was limited)
Other cars like the Murano/MDX were out of our price range
Can't wait to boogey on down the road in my Venza with that nice sound system listening to my "oldies".
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/reviews/healey/2008-11-06-drive-toyota-venza- _N.htm
"The Venza takes Toyota to a place it has never been before.
Not only does this big crossover deliver SUV-like utility without the unruly ride, it boasts a degree of style for which Toyota is not normally noted. From the grille to the tailgate, the Venza has road presence."
http://www.canada.com/Toyota+Venza+beautiful+inside/1481376/story.html
I like Subaru, but I think the Outback is the opposite of "non-poseur." At least for the first couple of generations, Subaru took a station wagon, gave it some ground clearance, two-tone paint/cladding, large fog lamps, white-letter tires, a hood scoop, etc. to make it look like an SUV.
The 2010 is pretty nice looking, though. Definitely will be worth driving/comparing with the Venza. One disappointment: the center position in the back seat still uses a roof-mounted shoulder belt.
Regarding the original question about whether the "trueness" of the Venza influenced my decision, not really. I didn't want to own a "station wagon."
Yeah I was kind of sad when they killed the Legacy wagon. I am hoping our '05 lasts a long long time. The ride/handling combination, the utility of a wagon, the towing capacity, the easy of ingress/egress, the AWD, and the fuel economy make it pretty much the perfect vehicle for our family.
I have looked at the Venza twice (our Subaru dealer is also a Toyota dealer) and I just can't warm up to the styling or price. I do like that the curb weight of the 4cyl AWD is under 4k, although the Subaru is closer to 3k lbs.
Its just funny because the early-mid 90s Camry wagon was one of the best vehicles ever for utility and longevity, now all the wagons are replaced by posuer-pods.
The Venza just seems like a logical progression to a more passenger friendly vehicle.
I don't think it's posing as anything. There are copies on the way, including a Honda this fall?
What is a posuer-pod anyway? Avril's ipod?
Toyota USA even reportedly refuses to call the Venza a cross-over or wagon and likes to call it an "optimized car" (http://reviews.cnet.com/car-tech-blog/?keyword=toyota+venza). I suspect that Toyota tries to look at the broader horizon of value retention of its vehicles and attempts to affect that with branding and positioning of a vehicle at introduction.
Obviously any car company can call a vehicle what it wants. In the case of the Venza, the title of "optimized car" appears to be true. Considering how things are going, imo that new vehicle type has a fair chance of catching on, with good effect on resale value.
Hopefully this explains my interest in the Venza's classification.
I don't see the "SUV concept" fading away in the near future. The perception of an SUV will continue to evolve, though. There will be fewer body-on-frame, truck-based models (like the 4Runner) and more variations on the "crossover," car-based theme.
Look at the Flex (which looks like a station wagon to me) and even the Scion xB. All of these "not-a-sedan" body styles will continue to blur the line between hatchback, station wagon, crossover, and SUV.
Resale value is important to me too, but it's difficult to guess what the resale market will look like in a few years given all the potential macroeconomic factors.
These have always brought up many POIs in my experience. But I have not done it at high speeds frankly. There is also a distance threshhold that's in place. I don't remember it off the top of my head but I believe that if you have the range set at a 5 mile radius it doesn't show any local POIs. At a 1 mi radius it does show the POIs I believe. This is from memory.
I think it's interesting to see the different takes everyone has on the Venza. With any new vehicle launch, there's a certain amount of comparison to be had between what we were trying to achieve vs. how our product is received by consumers. Judging from these comments, it appears we're on the right track!
Sacha Terrill
Online Community Coordinator
Toyota Motor Sales, USA
Sacha Terrill
Online Community Coordinator
Toyota Motor Sales, USA
NOT...!!!
Why design/build a new I4 engine without DFI....?
Why not simply throw in the towell and use a non-notchy CVT transaxle, avoid the queasy stomach constant "shiftiness" of a 6(9) speed..?? A CVT that doesn't need DBW to provide an engine "stall" during a re-acceleration that requires a downshift..??
And now since '00 you have no less than 4 C-best options that allow more sensible, SAFER, operation of the climate control that only the dealer can set to the safer mode.
And while those 20" wheels look "super" do you really get enough FE improvement with the low CSA, contact patch, to justify the overall loss in vehicle directional control and stability...??
Thanks for watching the site...
A question - One of the target audiences of the Venza is empty nesters WITH animals - Yes?? Then why can I not find the Toyota accessories that we need to keep our cute little dog in the back section?? I have been trying to find a Venza specific DOG "fence" to keep our pouch in the back (trunk) area as well as a "soft" blanket type Protector. I can find some after market generic pieces but thought that Toyota was going to produce and sell "genuine" gear.
Also, since I got you here, is there a supplier of Toyota Mud Flaps for the Venza on the West Coast?? They seem to be stock on the SE Toyota Venzas... We DO have MUD in the Seattle area!!!
Again - Thanks for representing Toyota for us in the forum.
Deepsouth in Alabama
Any PHOTOS of your Venza WITH Mudgaurds??
I just can't seem to find anything on the web...
I'll keep you in mind if I find any Venza specific "DOG" things.
I cross posted the same question at "prices paid" area...
Can anyone tell me how long it takes to get their hands on a Venza AFTER special ordering one??
I feel like I may be getting a wee bit of a run-around from my dealer here in Western Washington...
Oh, "deepsouth" looking forward to the photos of your CLEAN Venza !!
Thanks
Ordered March 12; sales guy said the order was processed and built on April 7...so we're estimating sometime in May (total ~6-8 weeks)
I'm keeping my eye on Venza, but it's too expensive for me. Any chance they could make a Venza Jr. that sells for no more than $20K on the midlevel model? I'm otherwise on the lookout for used and rental Venzas at a discount.
Thanks - great to have an actual Toyota person to talk to!
I've made a note of your experience because I am debating the pros and cons of going to a larger car. It must be quite an adjustment going from a 30mpg Corolla - at least mine got that when it was young - to an 18mpg Venza! I've been waiting for the push button start for a long time. Unfortunately, these cars are out of my price range in the new market and am hoping to snag a low mileage used one in the $21K range. I may have to get a "meantime" car while I wait, because with my arthritis I need a car that sits higher than my Corolla. Years ago hail beat the black trim of the windows, so Venza is BOUND to be quieter than what I'm driving now! We all have different tolerance levels for noise, though, so I understand your frustration. I hope they make it right for you.
BTW, you never mentioned the color? Thanks
Mine is averaging between 24-27; leaning toward the higer figure if I stay the hell out of Baton Rouge (larger city-horrible congestion).
Rotsa ruck on "snagging a low mileage used one". If other new owners are halfway as happy as I am, there won't be many used ones around, period, for quite some time.
They already do -- that would be the Matrix. The mid-level S model is under $20K.
Used Venzas are going to be few and far between given how new ones seems to be trickling out the factory. I don't think Venzas are available to the fleet and rent-a-car channels.
Maybe when the 2010 models come out in the fall, you'll get lucky with a left-over 2009 model on clearance. As long as Toyota continues to keep supply low, though, I wouldn't count on it.
Also, I don't know if there will be rental units available, either, but in 1-2 years when the depreciation gets low enough, and if I haven't lost interest in it by then, maybe one will turn up in the used market that fits my needs.
Thank you, though, for trying to be helpful.