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Monday she says she needs to drive a Camry Hybrid, so on Wednesday we go to local Toyota dealer and drive the Camry; everything's good to go until we look at trunk space. Hybrid trunk with battery way too small for us since we have two grandkids that are with us a lot, especially on vacations. Then she drove an Avalon, she liked the ride of the Camry better, but Avalon had very good size trunk. We had not researched a Venza and really didn't know it existed until we saw one at the dealer that day. Dealer had an I4 in show room so we checked it out. Long story short, she drove a loaded (MSRP $38,600) V6. Got a price from dealer of $36,636 OTD (included Tax, Title, etc.). My wife, being the good German, said OK, we'll be back Saturday, we have to sleep on purchases of this magnitude. Salesman of course wants to know what they can do to make it happen now. He's obviously not dealt with a frugal German and we leave after being introduced to Sales Manager and some more arm twisting to buy now.
Thursday we call two other Toyota dealerships in neighboring city's to get pricing on 4 cylinder version configured with Premium #2, Navigation, and Sunroof. All dealers say same thing, can't get one until late April/May in that configuration and her color choice (Gray, White, Red in that order), possibly even later.
Call local dealer, tell them she wants 4 cyl, they say same thing and ask what if we could sell you a V6 at price of a 4 cyl? I ask wife she says what's the bottom line? I'm on Edmunds and talking to dealer and tell him you've got a red V6, 2WD on the lot with Premium #2, Nav, Sunroof, Tow Package, Pin Stripes, and Carpets that we would take if we can get a price of $35,500 OTD. The MSRP is $37,295, Edmunds TMV is $33,700. Our price was $34 something and tax title got it to $35,500. They accepted and I knew I could have gone lower, oh well. We were happy with the price, didn't pay sticker, didn't pay invoice, but believe we got a decent price. I haven't driven and probably won't be allowed for some time. My only dislike are the 20" alloy wheels; as someone on this board said, they look like something that should be on a Pimped Out Escalade; the 19" are more to my liking.
I'll report back after I've been given permission to drive her car. But other than the wheels I'm impressed with the car. I'm in my late 50's and have gone through literally dozens of vehicles, so I like to think I know a little about cars, but then again that's only my opinion.
Keep me posted on how well it works out.
Also I have the extended warranty 7 yrs 100000 miles paid about 1000.00
Metric Highlander Venza
WB 106.9 109..3
Length 184.6 189.0
Width 71.9 75.0
Height 67.9 63.4
G Clearance 6.9 8.1
Weight 3516 3760
I may wait until the 2010 model comes out - reputed to be 0.5 to 0.75 inches lower. This would sacrifice a little ground clearance for better cornering. Still better ground clearance than I have now...
Wax or no wax, you still have to wash the bugs off. I like washing with a clay bar myself, leaves the paint nice and smooth.
btw, did anyone check their manual about washing and or waxing?
Apart from DFI, I've read that Toyota has invested heavily in Dual VVT-i and Valvematic technologies for cam phasing and lift control. I'd be more inclined to believe that the next engine improvement for Venza is Valvematic. I'd welcome that upgrade.
I've gone over to Engine and Fuel forums to check this out. Not much there....
My only dislike are the 20" alloy wheels; as someone on this board said, they look like something that should be on a Pimped Out Escalade; the 19" are more to my liking.
I really like the way the 20" wheels look -- it makes the 19" wheels on the 4-cyl seem small. Two practical advantages of the 20" wheels: 1) the 5-spokes are easier to clean; and 2) the 20" tire is used on several other vehicles including the CX-9 and Edge, so there are several good options for replacements when that time comes.
If you look on the Highlander boards, many are finding the 19" replacements to be few and far between (and expensive, given the limited supply).
Be thankful: to really maximize the "pimped out Escalade" look, Toyota could have used a chrome finish like the 20" wheels on the Ford Edge.
Just rolled over a thousand miles on mine. I am VERY happy with this ride; its the first time I've had a vehicle with all the "comfort" goodies. Mine has every option except the moon roof, towing, and rear DVD package.
I'm getting between 22 and 24 mpg (six cylinder FWD).
Another gripe (aside from the non-extendable visor deal) is that, for me, visibility out the right rear quadrant is somewhat inhibited by the head rest on the passenger seat. Just noticed this since the wife has ridden with me a few times, so I'll need to play with moving the seat back and forth.
BTW, steve, thanks for the reminder re the clay bar. Saw that in Auto Zone, wondered "What the hell is THAT for?", and did some research. Amazing... guess I need to get out more, eh?
I'm assuming it will also do fine on that huge plastic fairing under the grille? THAT puppy is gonna be a bug-smashing king...
.
Careful, or I'll mention Zaino and ruin you for life.
VW was one of the first DFI manufacturers in N/A but a lot of vehicles use that technology in Europe. That technological marvel General Motors is using it in many models as is Ford...it is a big part of how they can effectively turbo charge smaller motors in their eco-boost strategy.
I think you acessed things correctly, Honda and Toyota are making advancements in valve timing technology while some other manufacturers are looking at direct injection. Just when you think the internal combustion engine is out of tricks, along comes a new way to use technology on it.
Well, yes, and NO...!
Prior to DFI availability a turbocharged engine would often have a "native" cylinder CR, compression ratio, of 8:1 or less in order to allow for the effective compression ratio to rise to, and possibly above, the non-boost standard CR of 10:1. All DFI has accomplished is to move the non-boost CR from 8:1 to 9.5:1.
99% of the time, relatively constant speed cruising, a turbocharged engine runs in derated/detuned mode. Which is why the Mazda CX-7's FE is so abysmal.
This is kind of cool, if you like dance:
Alvin Ailey(R) American Dance Theater Partners With Toyota VENZA During 50th Anniversary Celebration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DYUMG8aM4Q
How comfy is the "ride" for the rest of you?????????????? :confuse:
Hey, does anyone have a lead for a tubular "dog guard" for the rear end of this thing?? I don't think Toyota offers it yet...
Thanks
Of course, I haven't a clue what 17 x 8 tires are but I can always learn!
Looks like a new set of tires for me right away!
But.... I'm not seeing memory seats offered on any of the packages. This would probably be a dealbreaker for me, as I love
having memory seats in my current car!!! :confuse:
Does this vehicle not offer memory seats??
Ah, so see which tires are on the test drive vehicle in my driveway and ask if the other Venza in stock has the opposite tire! Thank you! I'll do that!
That's my solution.
If my seat settings are changed (i.e. when I take my car into service, it's almost guaranteed the seat is moved when I pick it up), I just take a few extra minutes to readjust. Not a big deal, especially with power seats.
I can see it being important for a car that's shared on a day-to-day basis, though.
Getting into the Venza truly is a different and more comfortable experience for me. It doesn't feel too tall. I very much like the smooth curvy feminine lines of the exterior of the Venza.
For those with more critical cargo needs than mine the Highlander has a flatter cargo area when the back seats are down. I was surprised that that was not duplicated in the Venza but it really isn't critical to me.
Has anybody seen Tropical Sea Metallic?
Different needs for different people. That's why Toyota offers both vehicles.
Need to seat 7 occasionally or haul bulky items? Enter the Highlander.
Looking for something that rides higher than a Camry, carries a maximum of 5, and has more cargo room than a sedan but less than a box-shaped SUV? Enter the Venza.
How can I share a photo with you here?
This is useful too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPy7efXZyxo
The 19" rims on the I4 ride much more 'toyota-like'. I also think that the 2.7L I4 is perfectly sufficient. But to put this in perspective I've been driving 4c Camry's, 4c Civics, 4c Escorts and the 4c Prius since the 80's. I've never seen the need for a V6 for my personal ride. OTOH my wife prefers only V6s. The US market in a microcosm.
Do you suppose perhaps the extra metal in the wheels is less costly than the rubber in the tires and the beancounters have taken "control"....??
Larger wheels do look better, up to a point.......
Additionally, larger wheels, lower sidewalls, will result in less CSA for road contact/traction, not exactly what one might want in an "SUV" crossover.
Maybe so, but the I4 Venza with the new F/awd sure appeals to me if/when it's time to replace my '01 F/awd RX300. In point of fact if the I4 were equipped with DFI it WOULD be time to replace my RX.
Back in 2001, you and I exchanged severeral messages re Toyota's AWD system on the Highlander. The Venza system is different, is it not? You seem to like this sytem ... will you explain a bit more about the differences, and why you like this system?
Sorry, I didn't fully explain my answer there. I was responding to a general statement that tires on 20" wheels don't last as long as tires on smaller wheels. IF you do not adjust tire width and aspect to maintain the same overall tire circumference, then my answer is accurate. For example, a 245-50x17 tire will require about 9% more rolling revolutions per mile than a 245-50x20 tire - thus the 20" tire should last longer, assuming all other conditions are equal. Of course if you did such a conversion on any car, you would screw up the speedometer, odometer and countless other meters and sensors that rely on wheel revs equating to an expected distance covered. BUT, if one did adjust tire width and aspect properly to maintain circumference when changing to a different wheel size then, yes, there is little difference in revolutions per mile.
The current HL and Sienna F/awd system is a simple ONE wheel drive with the exception that TC, Traction Control, is used to sustain a high level of engine torque when wheelspin/slip develops. TC will moderately brake a slipping wheel or wheels in order to maintain engine torque at a failrly high level. Regretably if this happens to be a F/awd vehicle then traction MUST be regained quickly so engine dethrottling is just as instantaneous as the braking.
Loss of traction at the front (driven) wheels can too quickly result in loss of directional control.
With the new Venze and 2010 RX350 F/awd system the first action ( I hope.) upon wheelspin/slip, FRONT wheelspin/slip, detection will undoubtedly be to engage the rear driveline in order to distribute the available engine torque over a greater tire contact patch CSA.
Ecoboost is direct injection and in some cases, turbo charging (think MazdaSpeed3 and MazdaSpeed6). The 3.6l motor from GM (Cadillac CTS) is also direct injection.
Does Toyota have a DI motor? They seem to have tuning down for excellent fuel economy, so maybe they don't need to use a technology like that...I know the components are more expensive to withstand combustion pressures and temps.
This seems like a GM move to me. Create un-needed cars and fake demand.
Oh, I learned about the lumbar button today. This should help a bit on comfort for me.
I'm curious -- what is "fake demand?"
Given the relatively low volume of the Venza, I'm guessing the economics make sense even if Toyota produces the Venza to meet a very specific demographic: customers who want the versatility of a station wagon, the driving experience of a sedan, and the ride-height of a crossover.
They don't need to seat 7 and are OK with sacrificing some cargo room for a sleek exterior. Styling is important -- hence the big grill and 20" wheels.
If Toyota didn't have the Venza, would I have bought a Highlander? Maybe. But I was also seriously considering the Murano, which "fit" better with what I was looking for.
Maybe the Subaru Outback is more suitable? Nissan Rogue?
Also note that while the Venza can be purchased with the new I4 AND F/awd the HL cannot.