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Comments
The only thing that makes halfway sense is that they didn't have enough supply capacity of the curtain airbags and so they got the most value out of the limited supply by putting them mainly in Limited. The 5% for the SR5 allowed them advertise availability across the line and to get people in the showroom floor thinking they could get the curtain bag on a cheapie SR5 but in reality that was rarely possible.
I'm just glad I gutted it out and waited.
Let me give you a more concrete example that makes more sense. Take the Sienna. The Sienna is available with dual power sliding doors as an option. That option adds weight to the van. The EPA is responsible for the fuel economy and emissions ratings. The heavier a vehicle is, the lower the economy and emissions will be. Therefore, they limit us to 33% of production on that option. They figure the ratings based on an average weight of the product line and calculate it with 33% of the vans having the dual power doors.
Like I said, I'm not positive the side air curtains fall into this 33% limit but I think it does. If only 33% nationwide can get this, Toyota will put them on all the Limiteds and as many SR5s as they can. If the Mid west region orders all their SR5s with them, the SET region may not be able to order them at all.
I can adjust the stereo to a point where it sounds good, but I don't like the non-linearity of the bass in this JBL system.
If I turn the volume down, I don't want to also have to adjust the bass down at the same time because the amp has decided to boost it at low volumes. If they felt like they needed this, they should have used the LOUDNESS button or another bass control that would change the rate of response or something.
I think the speakers and the dynamic range of the stereo is great and very impressive for a factory system, but there are better factory premium systems out there.
It seems apparent to me that you have a misconception about how frequency controls work. The bass control doesn't either boost or diminish all bass frequencies at the same rate or by the same amount. Each control is tuned to the center of its effective range, with the amount of change decreasing as you leave the center frequency in either direction, up or down. The graph essentially looks like a hump/bell, or a dip/inverted bell. Attempting to adjust this type of frequency response error using this type of simple control will produce even more unnatural results. Plus, your dismissal of the problem by advising adjustment of the bass control, and the accompanying attitude is both disrespectful and contemptible to the owners of these expensive vehicles who know a helluva lot more about sound/sound systems than you do. I had a 2000 Avalon, which supposedly had the same sound system, and my Sequoia sound system sounds like excrement by comparison.
Frankly I'm shocked by this attitude you've displayed here today, and can only chalk it up to the possibility that you just had a bad day.
-Steve
In reality, the electronics COULD be designed with a shelving profile which would be a flat
or sloped cut/boost. If its DSP based it could be anything the programmer desires. I don't know if it's either but I don't necessarily think it's a bad idea to ATTEMPT to find a bass/mid/treble setting that may work for you. You MIGHT find a setting that REDUCES the problem until Toyota steps up to the plate.
Of course, OTOH, screaming here may be one of the better ways to get Toyotas attention. But while you're screaming, you might as well still do some tweaking and I'd be surprised if you don't end up making it sound SOMWEWHAT better.
But NOOOOO. I didn't see one that came with S.A.B option in my area (4 weeks ago when I was actively looking for this car), but instead it was painless to find one with options such as CC, AH, AC etc sitting on the lot. So, I got to wonder where the safety factor is on their priority list when they began churning these trucks out of the factory?
Yes, I did buy a SEQ with the S.A.B option, and didn't mind going 1200 miles for it either.
2) For a $40K vehicle, they tried to pull a fast one, by putting in low quality sounds system in this vehicle. The fact that one has to tweak the knobs, shows that what the listener hear is inherently not right, and below acceptable standard to the ears.
I think for a few dollars more, people would be happy to pay Toyota to have better sound system than what's currently installed at the factory. And in the end everyone is happy.
Instead, if we had a poll of the SEQ sound system of all owners on this board, I doubt if the approval rating breaks 55%. Which leaves lots of room for improvement.
I'm glad that I'm not the only one gripping about this, maybe something's wrong with my ears? And interestingly it was one of the first things I noticed about the car on the long drive home from the dealership. Yes, one can get to know a lot of intimate details about the new car on long long trips. And it was a fun & smooth ride home nonetheless.
So you go out and buy a $45K vehicle and find several "problems", and then you go about "complaining" about these "problems" to no-one and everyone at the same time. If it is not the bass on the radio, it is side air bags, or ticking, or carpets, or availability of one option or the other, and, the list is endless....
Does anyone here expect perfection on a first year release vehicle ? Clearly, Toyota has a lot of things to work out on this vehicle, but these complaints of "problems" are just getting way out of hand.
For one, NO ONE forced you to buy this vehicle. For another, if you do own it, you can always put it up for sale and go find your perfect vehicle that has everything you like/want. Good luck !
So you paid $45K and find a bag of issues you'd wish don't exist in your vehicle. How much did you pay for your house ? If you buy a house that is newly built, at some ridiculous price (>200K, to find a median number for a 3Bdr+2BA), do you find everything works perfectly ? My home is only 5 years old, and I can count a number of things I have had to change, fix, repair, replace, etc. in it. You don't find me calling up the guy who sold me the house crying that I bought a lemon ?
Get over it, people.... You walked into the car dealership and placed your bet on this vehicle. If at anytime it fails to meet your needs, get rid of it and move on. Life is hard enough without complicating things more for yourselves. I bought this car with my eyes wide open, and with a lot less information about it than I now have. So I have learnt more about the vehicle. For me, it performs what it is designed for: transport me and my family in relative comfort and safety. I am thankful that I had the means to afford such a vehicle, in a society where others cannot even afford food or a roof over their heads. People just love to complain instead of counting their blessings...
Go on and complain about how your vehicle failed to meet your standards or expectations... You have no one to blame but yourself. If that don't sound right to you, find one that does....
peace
Thanks in advance for your reply.
At higher volumes I think the system sounds pretty good, but thats about 1% of the time for me (when I actually get to take the truck out without kids).
The fact that there isn't an option to have the 'loudness' off (like there are on most other low end stereos) is an oversight.
Sorry Cliffy, but the fact that nobody has complained to you or that some people actually like the sound doesn't negate the fact that a lot of owners don't like it.
oac - is that "Sequoia - love it or leave it" I hear? This is a forum to allow people to express concerns and share experiences (good and bad).
Since I ordered it in Tennessee, I did not have to deal with all the port installed options in the SE Region, like a $700 Toyoguard package, etc. There was also no problem getting the side airbag curtain, which seems to be a problem on the SR5 in the south. The dealership I got it from is Neill Sandler Toyota, and the super-nice sales guy is Wendell Cothran 615-890-1500, or e-mail nstoyota@hotmail.com Totally easy deal without any surprises.
Question to all. Is there an entertainment system that fits in the already installed overhead compartment. It seems as if the last bin should be big enough to fit a screen. Any advise is greatly appreciated, since my kid's birthdays are comming up soon.
By the way, I share some of your pains regarding the bass on the JBL radio.
Marc1966
So, since Toyota has a staff of engineers dedicated to all parts of this and their many other vehicles, is it asking too much to assign some of these "annoyances" (is that more PC to some of you out there?) to an engineer to check out and come up with either a TSB, an upgrade option, or a change for future cars rolling off the line??? The Toyota manufacturing and service bureacracy looks far more challenging than the engineering fixes here.
Why can't somebody from Toyota just say -
"You have a point and we'll see what we can do about it - will let you know our options shortly."
By the way, I don't think Toyota has a 30 day return policy, or do they? If they don't, then I say get to work and resolve these and other issues that are bound to surface. Yer right, its a new car, and you take your chances with first year models. But I don't see any discounts for first year buyers either, so....
HOW ABOUT AN ANSWER FROM TOYOTA?????????? Got a rapid response team in place yet???
I don't know what the delivery process was at the dealerships that many of you purchased from, but allow me to describe what I do when selling a car or SUV. After the test drive, demo, negotiations, closing, paperwork and all, I take 20 to 30 minutes going over the vehicle. I describe every aspect of the new vehicle. Included in this is how to adjust the stereo for maximum pleasure. I advise my customers how to adjust it to meet their particular needs. Some prefer more bass, some less. It is an individual thing and can be dictated by how loud they like their stereo. My customers are generally impressed by the wide range of settings available on the Sequoia.
Maybe this delivery process is why I never hear of complaints. Come to think of it, maybe that is why I don't get complaints about the climate control, cruise control, 4 wheel drive system, moonroof operation or anything else for that matter. Just a thought. I'm done with this subject now.
Further, I would strongly encourage more forum readers to join in the discussions, as it appears that there are a few Toyota die-hard fans who seem to dominate this forum.
In view of all positive and negative comments about the Seq. and despite my criticisms of its minor problems, I still am buying a Seq. The reason is, having own many Camrys in my family, I think Toyota can make dependable cars. However, having seen problems with the camrys, such as poor paint job, water leakage into trunk areas, tail light electrical problems, etc, that continued to exist from one model year to another, I think that I must be objective about Toyota quality as I try to measure it by taking all major as well as minor problems into consideration.
I think that measuring Toyota quality by comparing it with extremely poor product quality from other makers (such as the technique popularly used by some Toyata fanatics in this forum) is unsounded. I hope that those Toyota fanatics out there remember that quality cannot be maintained or improved if it is based on that kind of comparison.
Enough said.
Adjusting the Bass level would work OK if the Bass level didn't modulate with volume. If you turn the bass down for low-level listening, it's thin for high-level listening, and vice-versa.
I love my Seq. I've had it for a week now and have yet to regret spending the money or the increased gas costs.
Pleeze let me know about all weather floor mats!!!!
tbever: yep, you're right... we gotta [non-permissible content removed] or it's not fun... But, this forum can best serve everybody if we tone down our so-called "annoyances" (dforr !), that way we can hear and respond to questions of other posters like suznjones.
dforr: I don't know what you use your vehicles for, but I believe it's major use is as a means of transportation, when last I checked.
I am NOT by any stretch of the imagination, a Toyota fanatic. I have owned (and continue to own) other cars besides Toyota. I just do not believe in looking under the hood, and every nook and cranny, to find something to [non-permissible content removed] about, just to make me feel good. I guess I am one who looks on the bright side of life, while I concede there appears to be far too many people who'd rather look on the, shall I say, not-so-bright side of things.
nuff said
No, this won't stop me from buying one. Heck, my Grand Caravan stereo died at the three year mark (just after warranty expired). Oh, and just replaced the front cylinder head at 52k miles ($2,000.) Oh what a feeling! By the way, in Calif., if an officer can hear your stereo from 50' away, he can cite you for a loud stereo violation (a little over $100.) So careful Sequoia owners
Steve
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Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
I think this board is destined to be primarily about minutia. The odds of someone posting that they threw a rod or their engine blew up is just about nil.
My earlier comment about the bass sounding good at a certain adjustment was misconstrued that I was complaining about not being able to listen to the stereo at 0,0,0. I am not an idiot. I am an electrical engineer by day and a hobbyist by night. My comments on how the system performs are accurate. The only thing I don't like about the bass adjustment is that you have to keep fiddling with it depending on which song, volume, etc.
oh-Oh, What a Forum!
Seqlady, I appreciate the support..
I checked out their web site and the prices are good and have custom fit floor mats for the front and second rows and a nice custom fit cargo area/third row liner. The address is WWW.huskyliners.com. they will show you the products and give you info on retailers. I got a set for my 2001 ford F-250 super cab , and am going to get the whole set for my sequoia. they fit great and really catch the crap.
I think this board is destined to be primarily about minutia. The odds of someone posting that they threw a rod or their engine blew up is just about nil.
My earlier comment about the bass sounding good at a certain adjustment was misconstrued that I was complaining about not being able to listen to the stereo at 0,0,0. I am not an idiot. I am an electrical engineer by day and a hobbyist by night. My comments on how the system performs are accurate. The only thing I don't like about the bass adjustment is that you have to keep fiddling with it depending on which song, volume, etc.
I am certain that people saw that and assumed that the Sequoia had the same problem. Some members here have used identical phrases in describing the problem. They missed the point that the Sequoia system could be adjusted to eliminate the "booming". It is the tempest in a teapot thing that can happen here. That is the humor I see.
Here's the other thing that makes me chuckle. I own a Tundra which has a 6 disc CD but not the JBL amplifier and speakers. I am constantly changing the bass adjustments. I have the treble set to 4, mid to 1 and the bass from +3 to -2 depending on my mood, volume and type of music/talk. If I am listening to Rush Limbaugh, I have to back to -2 because his voice booms a lot. If I am listening to rock, +2 works for most, but if I crank the volume and have a good drum beat, I move it up a notch to match my preferences at the time. I never considered this to be a "problem" but rather, a feature.
Oh well, to each his own.
I commented to my wife soon after I picked my LTD up that the radio was good, but "...the bass is a little boomy for my taste." This comment was made before I had ever known the existence of any Seq website and definitely before I heard of any TSB issue on the LC. I only found the LC info after searching for booming bass threads on the Seq.
Just keep in mind you might not have everyone figured out quite as well as you think you do.
1. What are the other port-installed options that we are being unneceesarily subjected to in So. Fla?
2. What is unique about So. Fla. (or the southeast) that makes our Toyota shopping different?
3. How did the Tenn. to Fla. process work? How did the car get to So. Fla. and what did it cost you?
Thanks and congrats.
Regarding getting the Seq. from Tennessee to Florida, the dealer delivered it on a trailer to Orlando. Since we have family up there, we just combined the trip. I'm sure they could deliver it further south, if needed.
Regarding ease of deal and paperwork. I didn't have to sign anything until we picked up the car in Orlando - a $500 deposit when putting in the order, that's it.
Again, there may be some good deals out there in the S.E. Region, but I was just unable to find them. If you're interested in getting a quote from the dealer, I can only recommend him after a painless car buying experience. His e-mail is nstoyota@hotmail.com
Caution to all. We ordered ours in Desert Sand with Warm Silver trim. Warm Silver is supposed to be darker than Desert Sand, but the actual colour is Silver. We are getting used to it, but you may want to take a look at this combination first.
We bought a SEQ LTD 4x4 with some extras like a moon roof, which, BTW, I only noticed the helicopter noise/vibration at about 35mph.
Bought it 4/7/01 out of state (better deal, better trade in price). Drove home Sunday (awesome 5 hour ride home) pulled in the driveway and my SEQ was smoking, and leaking what turned out to be oil all over our driveway. Under the hood it was splattered too. I drove it to a dealer the next day (4/9/01). I have not seen it since. They told me, after I called them late the next day, that the factory will be involved. The next day they said it was the cam shaft. The first time the service guy picked up the phone to call me was 8 days after they had my SEQ to tell me that the part was on back order and he has no idea on a date of arrival. Needless to say I have called them every day.... I'm sure they love me. I have also been in contact with customer relations (800#)twice. I called them on Mon the 16th and was informed that a manager would be in contact with me no later than the end of the business day on Thurs the 19th. I also spoke with CR on the 18th. I am in the mid west, it is 11:17pm on Thurs and no phone call yet.
I would love to have a replacement SEQ, probably won't get one. I don't have any confidence left in the one I bought. With my luck damage to other parts will have been done that won't show up until after I get it back. I am usually very positive, but I have pretty much lost faith here. The sad thing is I don't want a different SUV, I love(d)my SEQ. My dad just bought a Tahoe, very nice, but I still prefer the Sequoia. I have a relative who works at a Toyota dealer in So.Florida and of course is shocked at my dillema.
I am kinda stuck in limbo....any advice, suggestions???
BTW, I saw your post over in Owner's Problems & Solutions but you're right, everyone hangs out here.
Good luck and keep us posted.
http://www.geocities.com/shweggy/shweggys_page.html.html
I hate to disagree with Cliffy on the radio, but I think it sounds pretty bad, and I listen to a lot of music. Thing is, my trips around town are so short I leave the radio off (I enjoy the break from all the music I play at home). BUT, if the radio were a big deal to me, I'd look into a fix to get some clarity in the bass. You can dial the bass up or down, but at any level it's muddy. I would think the problem's easy to fix for those so motivated, I just lack the motivation.
Maybe you can help us understand the hierarchy of the Toyota service side of the house. Who do we call when bad things happen to good cars.
Obviously, dealer service is first. But after that level - what's the pecking order and resources. Seems like the oil leak case noted above is a good example - I would have expected to hear that she immediately received a loaner at a minimum, and that someone keeps her posted on what's going on. When you lose confidence, then you start looking for a replacement, even if it's a brand new Seq. You don't need laws to provide good service.