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2010 Toyota Venza

94 messages,  Last post on Jan 11, 2012 at 9:46 AM

You are in the Toyota Venza Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Venza, SUV

Messages Page 6 of 11

#42 of 94 Carney Strikes Out by michiganmike1

Nov 23, 2009 (12:14 pm)

If you read the comments on the MSNBC review of the Venza, you will find a number of reasons to question Mr. Carney's objectivity, fact-checking and honesty in his Venza review. He appears to have an axe to grind with Toyota. Compare his earlier review of the Toyota Matrix where he made several of the same points. He praised the quality of materials in a recent Chevy Equinox review in contrast to the Venza review that discusses at length the cheap plastic used by Toyota. Based on my own observations of these materials in these two vehicles there seems to be a double standard employed by Mr. Carney in evaluating plastic interior components.
 
Let's put the reference to the Pacifica and Taurus X in context with the following quote from Mr. Carney's review:
"It's unknown whether this was the result of a genuine belief that the company should offer a product in every imaginable category, or because hubris led Toyota to believe that the Venza would find buyers who eluded the very similar (and discontinued due to lack of interest) Chrysler Pacifica and Ford Taurus X crossovers."
 
His point was to question whether the Venza would find a market. A little research would have shown Mr. Carney that Toyota targeted first year sales of 60,000 Venzas in press releases in the 4th quarter of 2008. Venza is on track to sell 90% of its target in 2009, despite the headwinds of the worst new car sales market in many years. Note that Honda has only targeted 40,000 for sales of its Crosstour, but apparently concluded this was a market segment deserving a product.
 
Consider another irrelevant aside by Mr. Carney at the end of the Venza review where he goes out of his way to praise Volkswagen as closing on the leaders where only quality products need apply. VW has a poor reputation for quality based on several sources. In addition, VW does not have a car that competes directly with the Venza, so why is it mentioned in this Venza review? Was this gratuitous compliment in appreciation of Mr. Carney being selected as one of three guest drivers earlier in the year in a VW sponsored race? Is this why he cites the hubris of Toyota in bringing the Venza to market, while praising the leadership of VW. Keep in mind this is the same VW that brought us the Phaeton, the embodiment of hubris and a car that sold 6,000 units per year from a factory built to produce 20,000 Phaetons. VW's leadership is currently exemplified in its re-badged Chrysler minivan, the Routan. However, do not bother Mr. Carney with such facts.

#43 of 94 Re: Carney Strikes Out [michiganmike1] by md_outback

Nov 24, 2009 (7:10 am)

Replying to: michiganmike1 (Nov 23, 2009 12:14 pm)
A careful read of Carney's review shows little evidence that he actually drove a Venza, except maybe one or two circles around the dealer's parking lot. He offers no objective or even subjective info about ride comfort, engine/transmission feel and performance, handling, etc. It's almost like he wrote the review based upon reading a brochure and sitting in the vehicle in a Toyota showroom. Mr. Carney should have published his document in the opinion pages, rather than pushing it as an objective review of the Venza.
 
MD

#44 of 94 Venza 20 inch tires by valuewonk

Nov 30, 2009 (3:34 pm)

I am a happy Venza owner and I have not noticed any particular problems with handling or suspension related to the vehicle's 20 inch tires. I gather that I may wince at the cost when it comes time to replace them.
I have a very basic question for the Forum. What are the advantages and disadvantages of tire sizes ranging from 16 inch to 20 inch? Surely there must be some trade-offs, but I have never seen these defined.
Many of the reviews of other vehicles make a point that a pricier version of the same car means that, for example, you get 18 inch tires instead of 17 inch. That would suggest that bigger is better, but most comments on the Venza tires take the position that 20 inche tires are too big and magnify the effect of a rough road surface..
It seems unlikely to me that Toyota would equip the Venza with 20 inch tires if there were no advantages whatsoever to that size, but I have never seen the plusses and minuses explained.

#45 of 94 Re: A mistake called Venza [bearlover] by maximafan

Nov 30, 2009 (10:22 pm)

Replying to: bearlover (Nov 20, 2009 6:03 am)
But as far as the memory seats go, you can't get that in the
Highlander either, from what I understand. I really like the exterior looks of the Venza. I saw quite a few on the road up in the North Georgia area while I was away for Thanksgiving.
 
But I'm also spoiled in my Lexus ('07 RX350) with the memory seats, power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, memory mirrors, reverse-tilt mirrors and rain-sensing wipers. My lease will be up
in August of next year, and I'm having trouble finding these features all together in any other vehicle that would fall between the RX in price and the Venza in price.

#46 of 94 Toyota struck out with this one by yassy

Dec 01, 2009 (9:36 pm)

all the dealers ive been to have virtually a huge stock of 2009 venzas left over. My guess is toyota is thinking twice about making more of these. There was no reason for this whale to hit the market. Plenty of suv's in toyotas fleet and YES i think they are becoming a GM. It makes me think twice whether i will ever buy a toyota again!

#47 of 94 Re: Toyota struck out with this one [yassy] by dave139

Dec 02, 2009 (8:10 pm)

Replying to: yassy (Dec 01, 2009 9:36 pm)
My experience has been different. Put 1,000 Thanksgiving travel miles on my 4cyl Venza during a round trip from NY to Virginia. Averaged 26.1 mpg (w/AWD) and found the seating to be very comfortable w/smooth and easy handling. So far, I love this car.

#49 of 94 Thanks to the group by amseld

Dec 12, 2009 (1:39 pm)

I just wanted to say thank you to entire forum. I've been lurking for around three months and just purchased my 2010 V6 AWD Premium 2 car. I appreciate all of the comments (even the negative ones) and will add my thoughts in the weeks to come (pick up my car next week).

#50 of 94 Re: A mistake called Venza [maximafan] by luvwow

Dec 13, 2009 (4:56 am)

Replying to: maximafan (Nov 30, 2009 10:22 pm)
I am in the market now for new suv hubby and I both drive toyotas hylander and sienna van have loved them very reliable and have gotten us across country quite a few times while psc. I am cross shopping 2011 kia sorento its releasing next month looks very nice and has gotten some good reviews have test drove nissan murano,accura mdx,ford escape hybrid,mazada cx9,santa fe, I did check out the venza,hylander, I am tired of driving hylander now since 2001 so ruled that one out and I like riding higher up so ruled out venza plus it does not seat seven looked at the rav 4 just too small for my taste.

#51 of 94 Re: A mistake called Venza [luvwow] by roho1

Dec 13, 2009 (7:38 am)

Replying to: luvwow (Dec 13, 2009 4:56 am)
I can only guess this is what texting does to your grammar and spelling.
 
Sorry, but I had to read your post over 3 times to make sense of it.

Messages Page 6 of 11

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