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Comments
1) There was a burning smell outside the car after the test drive and the salesman mentioned that it was because the car was new and still needs to break in.
2) The cargo area with the trunk closed and the second row in position is not that great.
3) I always position my elbow either on the door or door handle, did not find a good position in this vehicle and the leather seats we not comfortable.
4) 20" wheels are way too big for this vehicle.
5) Too expensive for a Camry Wagon.
Saturn VUE is affordable. It doesn't have the burning smell nor 20" wheels.
I don't have the same observation like yours. I love every bit and driving my VENZA that I accumulated 15000 miles within 6 months.
You seem to love your Venza so much that you cannot tolerate others observation. BTW, nobody asked for your advise on which vehicle one should buy.
I am planning to buy 2010 RX350 in December but since I read from various posts that Venza is a good vehicle and in comparison with RX350, I thought of checking it out and post my observation. I am not trying to explain to you but to others who may get offended by my post. "I am not here to trash Venza but for good input from sensible owners".
My Iphone cell phone is connected to the car's bluetooth but not the audio bluetooth.
UPDATE: I got it to work for both bluetooth phone and audio. However, you can't connect at the same time. The trick is to change the password for Bluetooth Audio same as the Bluetooth Phone.
1) There was a burning smell outside the car after the test drive and the salesman mentioned that it was because the car was new and still needs to break in.
-That is normal in a brand new vehicle. It can last for a while as various surface waxes and oils left over from the build burn off.
2) The cargo area with the trunk closed and the second row in position is not that great.
-Form over function. People tend not to like squared off rear ends these days. Raking the back reduces cargo but the buying public prefers the look. If you are considering the '10 RX, look at the profiles - looks like it's just the Lexus version of the Venza, so don't expect much improvement from your choice.
3) I always position my elbow either on the door or door handle, did not find a good position in this vehicle and the leather seats we not comfortable.
-That's always personal and varies by body size and shape. I could never find a comfortable driving position in our Sienna. My wife loved it.
4) 20" wheels are way too big for this vehicle.
-I agree wholeheartedly and the wheels on the Lexus look better IMHO. Many people here don't. Personal taste on that one.
5) Too expensive for a Camry Wagon.
- Maybe, but the premium for the AWD option is worth it to some of us. I personally agree with you if folks are considering the FWD version. OTOH some might argue the RX is expensive for a Venza with a Lexus badge, wood trim and fancier leather.
That said, I wouldn't buy a V-6 AWD unless I lived in a snowy, mountainous area, or had a few secret backwoods fishing holes that were isolated by mud bogs. Why? Because it's much more expensive than the base model. The FWD 2.7L with Avalon-level standard equipment is the bargain buy. Less than $28k. And fine in snow (with decent all-season tires). 2010's will have standard Bluetooth and USB audio input for iPod. My lease is up in February, and am beginning the countdown.
I was worried about this too, given the steep slope of the rear window. I had the same concern when I looked at the RX. On paper, the '10 RX has more cargo room than the Venza (30 vs. 40 cu ft), but I think part of it's due to the RX being 4 inches taller. There's a difference between numbers on paper and actual usable space for the kinds of things you expect to carry.
Before I bought my Venza, I took several suitcases (which is probably the most cargo that I'd carry at any one time) to the dealer to see if it would all fit. Fortunately, it did, so the cargo area became a non-issue for me.
3) I always position my elbow either on the door or door handle, did not find a good position in this vehicle and the leather seats we not comfortable.
I agree on the driver's side -- the door is too high to rest my arm and the armrest is too low. Not a big deal for me, though.
The best right-side armrest that I ever had was the seat-mounted one on my 2001 Highlander, which lacked a center console. Everything else has been too low for comfort, though I find myself resting my hand on the Venza's gear shift.
4) 20" wheels are way too big for this vehicle.
Count me in as one of those who like the 20" wheels. The 18" wheels on the '10 RX look tiny and plain. Notice how all the photos on Lexus' site are of the optional 19" wheels.
5) Too expensive for a Camry Wagon.
If it really was just a wagon version of the Camry, I'd agree. But the Venza is better than a Camry. If you had to call it a wagon version of something, it's closer to being an Avalon wagon, IMHO.
I took a good look at the '10 RX (which had just gone on sale) before deciding on the Venza. Without the navigation system, you're stuck with a cheesy black and white display and a large plastic tray where the remote touch controller would have been. With the Navigation, you're looking at over $45K based on the package combinations my distributor brings in.
To some, the real wood (yes, the Venza's attempt at wood is not fooling anyone), softer leather, longer warranty, premium dealer experience, exclusive tech options (HUDs, PCS, dynamic radar), etc. are worth it. For others (like me), the Venza was the right balance of luxury and price. Either way, both are great vehicles.
I think the parallel experience follows those cross-shopping the Forrester and the CR-V against the Venza. Is the Venza worth the premium over those fine vehicles? I think it is, but neither the Forrester nor the CR-V were serious contenders for me when I was shopping, so I really didn't take a good look at them.
But I would be THRILLED to buy a hybrid F/awd (drive shaft rear drive) Venza with the I4, DFI, and extended VVT-i. Or even a CX-7 under the same "build".
I think many didn't see a direct competitor for the Venza earlier this year. The real cross-shopping going forward is going to be the new '10 Outback and the soon to be released Crosstour. They all promise a more car-like look and ride with higher level of interior finish.
FWD =front wheel drive
AWD = all wheel drive
F/AWD is a bit less established. I've seen it used to mean front bias part time AWD sometimes and at others to mean front or AWD versions in the same vehicle.
F/awd = a vehicle that is based on an otherwise FWD vehicle and:
A) Primarily drives only the front wheels. Examples = Ford Escape, Mazda CX-7, Toyota Venza, 2010 RX350.
or:
B. Provides continuous drive to all 4 wheels but normally with POOR drive coupling to the rear wheels. Definite front wheel drive BIAS, say 95/5, in highly tractive conditions. Examples = Chrysler T&C minivan, RX300.
or:
C. A system wherein all wheels are driven at an equal level provided all four wheels have roughly equal surface traction. Otherwise, disparate traction, TC is used to sustain a high level of engine traction. Examples = Toyota Highlander, Sienna, and RX330.
Have I missed one..??
Toyota 4WD systems explained
And if that's not bad enough, there's this:
4WD & AWD systems explained
Enjoy.
This old video shows that. It was in your link,
utube comparison
My favourite first step is rapid acceleration from a stop into a right hand turn while sitting on a loose surface (snow or gravel). Forget the mechanics of the AWD, you'll see and feel the real world differences instantly. And for anyone who thinks it's an artificial test, I do it almost every morning as I turn off my residential street onto a busy boulevard with fast moving traffic. Road surface at that STOP sign is glazed ice about 4 months of the year.
Hmmmm....
See "..turn onto.." just beyond halfway down this post.
.[quote=camrtm3;2942032]Hello everyone,
I have recently acquired a 04 Lexus RX 330 with 31K on it and all the goodies possible for it. Right now do to me still being a student and the crazy insurance premium that I would have me and my dad decided to share it for the time and put it under his name.
Anyway, the issue is when the car is in motion and occasionally from a dead stop you can hammer the gas pedal, and go at it aggressively then a normal acceleration and the damn this wont move.:ugh3: The first time I noticed it was I was getting on I-83 and i could merge into this one spot if i got up to speed quickly. So I pushed the pedal all the way down.......and the SUV just was like im going to take my time on this. Was very dangerous!
[b]In the circumstance you describe the DBW/e-throttle firmware is intentionally designed to NOT allow the engine to begin increasing RPM and/or torque levels until the transaxle has completed a downshift, REQUIRED downshift, as a result of the "new" gas pedal position. The delay is usually only on the order of 1-2 seconds but highly notable, and inherently HAZARDOUS in the wrong circumstance.
"..occasionally from a dead stop.."
There is likely NO FWD or F/awd vehicle in the market today that when coasting down, or even braking down, to a dead stop will begin shifting down into 1st gear automatically until a few hundred milliseconds AFTER the vehicle has come to a FULL/complete stop. Then allow a second or 2 for the downshift to complete. To do so would simply increase the HAZARDS of FWD an/or F/awd vehicle operating, POTENTUALLY operating, on a slippery roadbed surface.
There are many posts here and abouts wherein owners of these vehicles are complaining of loss of braking power, or a "lunge" forward at 10-5 MPH during coastdowns, braking or no. This is mostly the result of a new technique being used to extend FE via the use "fuel cut" procedures. As you coastdown from a higher speed with the throttle fully closed the engine's fuel flow will be cut completely. Then to prevent an inadvertent engine stall the transaxle is downshifted, accordingly, as roadspeed declines. Except at ~10-5MPH the resulting engine braking, engine braking on the FRONT, could potentually prove to be HAZARDOUS should it happen that the roadbed be slippery. So, not only is the engine NOT to downshift to 1st and was often the case in days gone past, but an upshift often occurs.
As you may note the same hazards do not exist, do not equally exist, for RWD an/or R/awd so the downshift to 1st for those vehicles may be as always.
[/b]
The time my father noticed it, he was at a dead stop at a stop sign. He saw a gap on the road he was going to turn onto and once again he pressed the accelerator about 3/4 the way down and the SUV again decided to takes its time moving. Once again very dangerous!
[b]"..turn onto.." "...pressed the accelerator.."
There is an aspect of the control system, VSC/TRAC, that will NOT allow a rapid acceleration into a tight turn from a dead stop. Anti-rollover functionality or maybe even pre-emptive action against the STRONG potential for loss of directional control when asking the front tires to perform, at HIGH level, both functions, lateral and longitudinal traction, simultaneously. In any case, SOP (my '01 F/awd RX300 does this), you MUST fully lift the gas pedal in order to regain throttle control.[/b]
I will admit, I have gotten used to this issue and found ways to drive the RX to compensate for this problem... However my dad is not so lucky with this. He went from my 96 V6 Camry which is cable throttle to his 05 4Runner
[b]First, the 4runner is a R/awd vehicle and therefore it is NOT as likely to need pre-emptive dethrottling of the engine to prevent loss of directional control in the stated instance. I think I have read somewhere that the 4runner, when in R/awd mode, even begins removing engine torque from the front wheels, dedicating them to lateral traction, in this very circumstance.
Second, the 4runner' engine and transmission are mounted longitudnally so there was no need back in '98 to begin squeezing and/or eliminating transaxle components altogether due to the limited space and need for GROWING transaxle fucntionality[/b]
which is throttle by wire, and expected to have no problems since you can barely tell the difference in response between the 4runnerlongitudinallyfunctionality and the Camry.
We have talked to some shops to get their thoughts and they said three is something wrong, but that they do not know what it could be. Also there is no Engine Check Light at all except on start up the car and normal diagnostics check. I'm about to take it to a dealer to get them to check it, was hoping to get some ideas here first. My thoughts are there is some issue with the transmission controller, Traction Control, throttle body and wire harnesses, or the AWD Controller.
Thanks[/quote]
Google for:
wwest abolition hesitation -dfg
for more detailed info.
Keep in mind, these VDC/TC systems are always about a balance between power and control. The Toyo system is the most intrusive and control biased I have driven and there are many complaints about that on various boards.
It's why my personal car is a Subaru. The trade-off, as CR loves to point out is that I can oversteer the Subaru if I'm too aggressive. It comes back almost instantly and I know the threshold so it's not a surprise and doesn't bother me. Toyotas are extremely hard to wash the back end, and therefore are preferred by the many people who have spent their entire driving life with FWD. Some will have a fit when they fish-tail and have no idea what to do when it happens. I also think some of those same drivers tend to be more abrupt on the accelerator. FWD doesn't punish that in poor traction the way RWD or AWD can so they've never learned to be gentle on initial throttle. In many cases, those driving habits are partly to blame for the VSC kicking in. FWIW my wife knows the rear end traction threshold too, and she never slides in the Subaru.
Is that reacting?
Absolutely...!!
The more the public has dumbed down the easier it si to sell non-functional features.
The Toyota Highlander, Sienna, and the Lexus RX series have not had a functional F/awd system.....FOREVER....!!
There is, can be no, full time 4WD.
But, in a literal sense the system that Toyota uses in the Highlander & Sienna, and Lexus in the RX series truly is full-time 4WD. Virtually useless full-time 4WD but full-time 4WD none-the-less.
But that's how Toyota's marketing gets away with misleading the buying public so vey easily. Marketing is not lying and the buying public is in the belief that if it says 4WD then that's what they need.
How can that be explained, reconcilled..??
The Toyota 4WD system as used above is 4WD just as long as one doesn't have need of REAL 4WD.
Are the doors suppose to lock automatically when you walk away from the vehicle with the smart key in your pocket or purse???.
I just bought the AWD V today
To lock the doors without touching the Smart Key, you need to touch the indentations on the upper or lower left side of the exterior driver or passenger door handle after all the doors are closed.
Even the video I posted here was done by Subaru so how does anyone know if this was done on the up and up?
Buyer beware, my 07 Highlander isn't was I thought was. I am now putting an asterisk on the Venza which is on my short list and maybe not for long.
I myself am not a fan of SC/TC/ABS mediated AWD systems for deep snow traction. Rear LSD are typically thought of as track options only these days, but they also work very well in deep snow. I was disappointed as Subaru has now dropped them from all but their STi - their top sport model. Even many faithful Subaru owners were unaware when it was removed from each model, and Subaru certainly didn't advertise it.
"... misinformed by the media..."
And who do you think supplies the DUMBED DOWN media reporter, editors and editorialists with the base material...?
But I'm with you, when more traction is required I put rear chains on my '01 F/awd RX300 and then add the fronts as matters dictate. I can't say I'm against VSC, just wish it were more like PSM on my 911. TC is NEVER of any reasonable use on my '92 LS400 (RWD) except as a forewarning of roadbed conditions for which I had not taking notice.
On the other hand I have no doubt that TC on a FWD or F/awd vehicle can be and often is a life-saver.
And I think ABS should be modified such that it does not activate unless VSC indicates a need.
In my personal opinion it would be rather nice if ONLY the rear brakes were applied initially as long as moderate to hard braking was not required nor ABS activating. Could be a real life-saver in wintertime and "no harm no foul" otherwise.
Your skepticism of "so called experts" should extend to forums such as this one...
All of this ranting and raving about traction control and AWD across various manufacturers and what allegedly is and isn't happening has been interesting, but can it be moved to a more appropriate forum? Please?
Are you the moderator here? Anyway, I'm done. Sometimes discussions go down paths that don't please everyone.
"..most of us.."
Really...??
Then most of "us" should wake up and smell the....."roses".
Maybe ignorance is BLISS.
Until the day arrives that what you didn't know, didn't wish to know, didn't think you needed to know, jumps up and bites you in the....
Well, you know.
Did you read the post immediately prior to yours or were you composing yours as the previous one was being posted..??
It's the tires. :shades:
We're boring the people shopping for a new Venza, so let's move on please.
Does it take the title of "moderator" to make a suggestion to those who've strayed off topic? If so, then disregard my previous message.
Go ahead. Keep complaining away about the ignorant public, misleading marketers, and everything else related to AWD/4WD systems. I'll just move on elsewhere to a site where the discussion is actually about the Venza.
I am very interested in a Venza and before spending $30,000 on a new vehcle I would like to know what I'm getting.
Sorry if I bored you.
Thanks for the link. I really liked the video. I will be leasing this vehicle in 2010.
Have a great day
Robert
thanks for any education you can provide.
Steve in Vermont
http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/1160/15-cars-fueling- -the-auto-recovery/
I have my Venza since Feb 2009. I have nothing but positive about this car. What about you?