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2009 Toyota Venza Crossover

1243 messages,  Last post on Feb 26, 2013 at 9:04 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Venza, SUV

    

Messages Page 91 of 125

#895 of 1243 Wife's Venza by odinala

Mar 14, 2009 (6:25 am)

We're in North Alabama, wife was ready to get rid of 07 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS. The Outlander was the right size, however, the comfort amenities are lacking. She has been looking for the last two months and last Saturday was ready to pull the trigger on a 2010 Mercedes GLK with a MSRP of $39K, I guess the German in her was ready for a Vaterland vehicle. What finally changed her mind was not the 16mpg in town, but the fact it also required Premium Gas.
 
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.

#896 of 1243 Re: Wife's Venza [odinala] by deepsouth

Mar 14, 2009 (11:30 am)

Replying to: odinala (Mar 14, 2009 6:25 am)
I think she will enjoy the Venza. It may be a bit on the small side when traveling on trips. Thats a great price I got mine for $35175 OTD and got Pac 2, Pana Roof, Nav, Mats and trunk mat, Extra tint, Toyo gaurd plus, Came with Good Year Eagle tires, First tank avg 19.8 MPG mostly city driving
Keep me posted on how well it works out.
Also I have the extended warranty 7 yrs 100000 miles paid about 1000.00

#897 of 1243 Re: Drove a 4-cyl on Monday [bamacar] by ecotrklvr

Mar 14, 2009 (1:07 pm)

Replying to: bamacar (Mar 13, 2009 5:10 am)
Venza is 4.5" lower! Even so, the width of the Venza is the most noticeable difference. Parked side-by-side it wasn't noticeable, but the drive showed the lowering and the widening. Just did the Edmund Spec hunt, and here's the tally:
 
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...

#898 of 1243 Re: Sun visor... [LSP972] by Stever@Edmunds HOST

Mar 15, 2009 (12:00 am)

Replying to: LSP972 (Mar 10, 2009 4:46 am)
We got bugs - sometimes they have to put out "caution - slippery" signs when the Mormon crickets migrate across the roads (link).
 
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?

#899 of 1243 Re: Drove a 4-cyl on Monday [ecotrklvr] by wwest

Mar 15, 2009 (11:04 am)

Replying to: ecotrklvr (Mar 14, 2009 1:07 pm)
And if the 2010 model doesn't get DFI for both engines then I will be VERY disappointed in Toyota.

#900 of 1243 DFI guy by ecotrklvr

Mar 15, 2009 (7:13 pm)

Replying to: wwest (Mar 15, 2009 11:04 am)
wwest, is DFI ready to be considered mainstream technology? It seems to be able to develop more power - does it have significant FE upside as well? Surely there must be a logical reason why Toyota and most other manufacturers are not offering DFI on Venza or very many cars at all. I love the idea of DFI, and want to see it developed and its use expanded. However, VW seems to be the one manufacturer to put it into high-volume cars. Anyone know what are the downsides to DFI, other than the added cost? Is reliability a concern? I know that standard Fuel Injectors, operating at much lower pressures and at lower temperatures, suffer from build-up of varnish-like deposits. Perhaps DFI is affected more so?
 
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....

#901 of 1243 Re: Wife's Venza [odinala] by qs933

Mar 15, 2009 (8:20 pm)

Replying to: odinala (Mar 14, 2009 6:25 am)
Congratulations on the purchase. I got a similar deal on my Venza (AWD) -- didn't pay MSRP, didn't pay invoice, but a good overall value. Price is what you pay. Value is what you receive, and that's what counts.
 
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.

#902 of 1243 by LSP972

Mar 16, 2009 (5:02 am)

I like the 20" wheels (and their "look") too.
 
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...
 
.

#903 of 1243 Re: [LSP972] by Stever@Edmunds HOST

Mar 16, 2009 (12:20 pm)

Replying to: LSP972 (Mar 16, 2009 5:02 am)
thanks for the reminder re the clay bar
 
Careful, or I'll mention Zaino and ruin you for life.

#904 of 1243 Re: DFI guy [ecotrklvr] by lilengineerboy

Mar 16, 2009 (4:26 pm)

Replying to: ecotrklvr (Mar 15, 2009 7:13 pm)
west, is DFI ready to be considered mainstream technology? It seems to be able to develop more power - does it have significant FE upside as well? Surely there must be a logical reason why Toyota and most other manufacturers are not offering DFI on Venza or very many cars at all. I love the idea of DFI, and want to see it developed and its use expanded. However, VW seems to be the one manufacturer to put it into high-volume cars. Anyone know what are the downsides to DFI, other than the added cost? Is reliability a concern? I know that standard Fuel Injectors, operating at much lower pressures and at lower temperatures, suffer from build-up of varnish-like deposits. Perhaps DFI is affected more so?
 
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.

Messages Page 91 of 125

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