Vancouver CorollaRev members...

Before I post up my tires for sale elsewhere, does anyone here want them?

Stock 2006 Corolla S tires. Size is 195/65/15. No rims, just the rubber. Just slightly over 15,000kms so its still relatively new. They are Bridgestone Insignia SE200 (all season tires) and since I'm just wanting to get rid of them, maybe $25 each so $100 for the set of 4? I have no need for them since I have a set of summer tires and a full set for winter.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/thenews/2008/10/19/toyota-will-sell-scion-brand-in-canada-in-2010.htm

October 19, 2008
Toyota will sell Scion brand in Canada in 2010

Toronto, Ontario - Toyota has announced that it will bring its Scion brand to Canada in 2010; the company first launched its entry-level, youth-oriented brand in the United States in 2003.

“Young Canadians have been telling us they want Scion, and now their desire is within reach,” said Larry Hutchinson, director of Toyota Canada. “Scion is an authentic brand, created to mesh with youthful tastes and sensibilities, and we’re excited to expand our presence in Canada with new vehicles that offer a unique blend of flexibility, personalization, affordability and fuel efficiency. The time is right to bring Scion culture to Canada.”

Scion will come to Canada with three vehicles: the tC compact “sport coupe” five-seat hatchback with panorama moon roof; xD subcompact four-door hatchback, and the boxy xB four-door hatchback.

“Scion is a unique brand, yet still a member of the Toyota family, so it benefits from the same high standards as our Toyota and Lexus lines,” Hutchinson said. “As such, Scion will be an important avenue through which we reach new drivers - those who represent the greatest future growth of the market - and give them the opportunity to experience, first-hand, Toyota’s reputation for quality, fuel efficiency, safety and value.”

In the U.S., about 70 per cent of Scion buyers are new to Toyota, and over 50 per cent of Scion owners eventually migrate to a Toyota vehicle.

Scion will be established at select Toyota dealer locations, using a “store within a store” model, and will be rolled out in phases, starting with Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver in 2010. These will be followed by other Canadian urban centres. For more information, visit Scion.

i wonder what the prices will be like. they're kind of expensive

2009 Toyota Venza

2009 Toyota Venza http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/pw/2009-toyota-venza.php

November 3, 2008
First Drive: 2009 Toyota Venza

Review and photos by Paul Williams

Farmington, Pennsylvania - Brisk weather and stormy skies didn't prevent the new Toyota Venza from shining at its recent launch in rural Pennsylvania. The Venza features powerful but economical engines, a roomy interior, and in my opinion, is a practical but stylish option for families on the move.

Designed and built in North America for this market only, the five-seat Venza offers consumers an alternative to an SUV or minivan (or a sedan, for that matter) by combining attributes of each of those vehicles on its Toyota Camry platform.

Two engines are offered: a new 2.7-litre inline-four cylinder (I-4) making 182 horsepower and 182 pounds-feet of torque, and a 3.5-litre V6 making 268-hp and 246-lb.ft. of torque. Both engines are mated to six-speed automatic transmissions which use "Artificial Intelligence Shift Control" to adjust the transmission's operation depending on driver input. "Hill-Start Assist Control", which prevents the vehicle rolling back when starting on an incline, is standard across the range.

With the optional towing package, the Venza V6 will tow 3500 lbs, while the I-4 will tow 2500 lbs. Both the V6 and I-4 Venza can be ordered with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The starting price is, "under $30,000," said Toyota Canada Managing Director Steven Beatty. Presumably, this would refer to the I-4 version with front-wheel drive.

The exterior design of the Venza is perhaps what sets it apart from other crossover-style vehicles, as it features a particularly sleek profile. Its alloy wheels are large (19-inch for the I-4, and 20-inch for the V6) and its waistline is high, which gives Venza a substantial but modern appearance.

The Venza is slightly longer and not quite as tall as a Ford Edge or Nissan Murano, which are two models that buyers for this type of vehicle may also consider. Significantly, the difference of only a few centimetres makes the Venza look less boxy. In fact, the Venza's exterior dimensions (length, height) are virtually the same as the Volvo XC-70 wagon, although that vehicle exceeds Venza's starting price by a large margin and rides on comparatively small 16-inch or 17-inch wheels. You could, therefore, call the Venza a Camry wagon, if you focus only on the common platform and familiar profile, but I suspect buyers will regard it as a better-looking crossover.

Labels aside, the Venza's innovative features include the "sweeping rocker panels" in which the sills are "set back" into the vehicle to assist with entry and exit, and help prevent soiling clothes when doing so. Also, rear-seat legroom is more than sufficient for passengers to sit for long distances in comfort, while rear seatbacks recline up to 14 degrees.

Standard equipment includes power heated mirrors, windshield wiper de-icer, fog lamps, auto up/down power windows, power driver's seat, auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass, dual zone automatic climate control, "Optitron" instrumentation with outside temperature gauge and 8.9-cm (3.5-inch) multi-information display. A full range of safety equipment includes electronic stability control (Toyota's Vehicle Stability Control), traction control, anti-lock brakes, hill-start assist, and seven airbags.

Available features include a back-up camera, navigation system (only with V6), power liftgate, automatic high beams, leather seating surfaces, JBL Synthesis audio system and all-wheel drive, as already mentioned, which automatically distributes torque between 100 per cent front/0 per cent rear to 55 per cent front/45 per cent rear, as conditions require. A DVD entertainment system is not on the option list.

The Venza's interior is designed to maximize storage space without encroaching on occupant comfort. You'll find very little "unused" space in the vehicle -- everything is utilized by adding a door, a sliding cover, a compartment or a tray, so that when you sit in the Venza, you immediately encounter an abundance of places to put whatever odds and ends you may be carrying.

This goes for the cargo area as well. Its low floor and even surfaces make loading bulky items easy, and the optional power liftgate (only available with the Venza V6) is something that owners will quickly regard as a necessity. Remote rear seat release levers will also be appreciated.

The interior design is very pleasant, with a variety of new cloth fabrics and surfaces contributing to an inviting, fresh environment. A partially fixed, full-length sunroof is available to further brighten the cabin. There area also handy DC and AC power points and an auxiliary jack for portable music players.

Instrumentation features large bright numbers, and the multi-function display can be set to regular and large font. All the major controls are intuitive and positioned for easy access, and the glossy faux carbon-fibre trim found in the four-cylinder models (even though it's brown, rather than black) is actually nicer than the wood-like trim found in the more expensive Venza V6.

Out of place among the tidy, precise gauges and controls is a plus-size gear shift knob that protrudes inelegantly from the centre stack. One wonders why a chunky mechanical device like this is even needed when everything else is flush-mounted and electronic. It seems like a "survival" from another era.

On the road, Venza offers a comfortable ride, a high seating position and good handling, although it felt a little heavy under braking, and the smallish rear window restricts vision behind the vehicle. The I-4 drones somewhat when accelerating (reminiscent of a CVT transmission, which this is not), but is inaudible once up to speed. I drove with three adults in both versions and found power was more than adequate from the I-4 and V6, however the V6 is silky smooth in all situations. And surprisingly, there's not much difference in fuel economy between the engines, even when factoring in FWD vs AWD. The two extremes are 8.5 L/100km (33 mpg) combined city/highway for the I-4 FWD, and 9.9 L/100km (29 mpg) combined city/highway for the V6 AWD.

The transmission is notable for Uphill/Downhill Shift Logic, which means that when climbing a hill, the transmission is "held" in a lower gear for optimum performance. When descending a hill, the transmission automatically downshifts to a lower gear to help maintain a prudent speed. In the hilly terrain around Farmington, this feature was particularly evident and effective.

Although the Venza has a sleek appearance and big, stylish wheels, it is very much a family-type vehicle that will find its home in the suburbs. As Mr. Beatty said at the Venza's introduction here, "Venza is not about horsepower or cavernous space." In other words, you're not going to blow the doors off your neighbour's German sport sedan, or haul seven people and their hockey gear in a Venza. But you will very comfortably carry five people when required in an eye-catching vehicle that makes sense on the morning commute, at the Home Depot parking lot, or for an evening out.

The Venza may be a perfect compromise for the family deciding between, let's say, a Camry V6 sedan and a practical Sienna minivan (or Highlander). "Empty-nesters," or buyers with older children will find it a versatile vehicle that adapts to all or most of their needs (the longed-for two-seat roadster will require a separate purchase...).

What I would like to see are standard heated seats, navigation available on four-cylinder models (not all I-4 buyers are "budget" buyers), Bluetooth standard on all models, and a more discreet shifter.

The Toyota Venza is built in Kentucky, and will go on sale in early January 2009.

i have a feeling this isn't going to sell well. the highlander and rav4 offer 3 rows of seats at about the same price.

you never know.

but you're right about the rav4 and highlander.
for people looking for the best bang for the buck for a small suv, i think they have quite a few choices right now - rav4, vitara, outlander, forester and santa fe. personally, i would go with rav4.

th rav4 with the v6 would be my choice for a small suv. the only thing i don't like about it is the tailgate. it swings the wrong way. i wonder if they'll ever fix that. better yet make it open the proper way. have it swing up like honda fixed with the crv

the next gen rav4 will loose the spare in the back and look like the crv.
i thought it would come out as the 09 model. pictures are already on the internet, looks like a mini highlander.

it's been very quiet here lately. :sad:
where's everyone?

anyone here uses blackberry? i just have some questions about bb.

I don't have a BB. Probably should have got that instead of the Instinct. Telus locked down quite a lot of features on the phone. The only good thing is that I don't have to pay the data fee, and I get unlimited browsing for $5 though.

i was gonna get a bb and already ordered one but i cancelled it yesterday.
i did a lot of research and found out that quite a few bb's have trouble surfing the net using the built-in wi-fi. i also found out that bb is number 2 on list of smart phones breaking down the most. 12% or 15% of bb break down within the first year of service.
i was gonna get one and not bother with the data plans and rely on the wi-fi for email and internet.

so... i decided to cancel my order and i will go back to proven n tested nokia phones.

the iphone is one of the better phones for browsing the net without a data plan

you might want to check out the new bb storm. reviews have been pretty good.

iphone is really nice but they cost an arm and a leg. :sad:
same thing with the bb bold and storm. the bb i ordered and cancelled is curve 8320.
i decided i will go with nokia .

2 of my friends have the new bb bold and they're ok, huge n thick - nothing special with them. both of my friends are paying $80/mo for full data plan - close to $1k a year just for the plan.

so this past weekend, i discovered someone's been sleeping under the hood of my car. i pop my hood open and i see droppings, pee all over the top of my engine!

i clean it up on saturday and sunday morning i check, it's there again. i clean it up sunday afternoon, degreased the engine to get rid of smell or whatever. checked this morning, i see it again with some tomatoes!! :wtf::wallbash:

im gonna try and park in a different spot of my driveway or park inside the garage and park my other car out in the driveway.

if i ever see that raccoon or squirrel, i'm gonna blow it up to pieces!


****************************************************************

hope their cars dont break down on the freeway.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20081201/pl_politico/26682
Goodbye, jets: Ford CEO will make trip to D.C. in a car

Forget the corporate jets.

When the Big Three automakers come back to Washington for hearings later this week on the proposed auto bailout, Ford CEO Alan Mulally will be making the more than eight-hour trip from Detroit to the Capitol by car, the company said today. The company won’t say yet, however, what kind of car Mulally will take (a Ford F-150 pickup truck or a Ford Focus compact car?), whether he will be behind the wheel, or when he will arrive: “It depends on traffic,” says a spokesperson.

The other automakers, General Motors and Chrysler, haven’t yet said what the plans are for their top executives, but Ford’s announcement will make it nearly impossible for them to fly to Washington without facing blistering criticism. A General Motors official said GM CEO Rick Wagoner will definitely not be using the company’s airplane, but did not offer an alternative transportation plan, whether commercial jet, train, or car. The Big Three face Senate hearings Thursday and House hearings on Friday to discuss the details of their plans for the bailout money, which all three companies are expected to release tomorrow.

When they testified on Capitol Hill last month, the executives were widely ridiculed for flying three separate corporate jets to Washington even as they were begging for a $25 billion bailout from taxpayers.

you should set up a trap. then torture it once you've caught it...lol

i park my car inside now and my van out in the driveway.
no way they can crawl up into the engine bay of my van coz it's so packed in there.
on the 2nd day, i was ready to leave in the morning - saw both our garbage cans toppled over and garbage was all over the driveway. same thing with my neighbours. i think i pissed off the raccoons or whatever they heck it was that's been making a mess in my engine bay. so they knocked over the garbage cans for revenge.

maybe i'll buy 2 cats and let them roam around outside.:lol

you're going to need some big cats. racoons are quite large.

i suggest a pit bull.

What's everyone up to during the holidays?

I'm not doing anything :sad:
Just going to relax and get ready for the next school term

I was driving tonight and snow was drifting over the road. It was a pretty sight. Just like out of the movies.

Merry Christmas everyone

Hey everyone, I'm Donald and from Vancouver area (ok Mission, but I work all the way downtown lol), I'm a regular over at www.9thgencorolla.com where I discovered that most of the Vancouverites were over in vvti.net where I then discovered that most of you guys have moved over here. I do hang out with the Toyota Syndicate NW crew down in Washington State every once in awhile but thought it'd be nice to talk to a bit more local Toyota owners. Thought a neat meet idea would be renting the Mission speedway and doing some drag races for fun.

I have a 2008 Corolla CE 5 speed in Phantom Grey Pearl. Nothing special under the hood, just lowered.

hey guys!

it's been a long time since i have visited vvti and see that you guys have moved to here

does anyone want my 17" OEM Matrix rims? I am in the process of buying a set of Volks. If the deal goes through, I won't need them anymore.

2 right rims have slight curbage
2 left rims are mint condition

nuts will with lock will be included

tires = about 70-80% left, i have winters so they are only used 6 months in a year.

price i'm looking for is $450

i will keep you guys updated and post pics if i really get those Volks!

hello everyone.

kinda late buy merry christmas and happy new year to all!
been away for almost 4 weeks and just came back yesterday.

welcome!
put on some matrix mags and you're set to go

wow... 4 weeks. where did you go?

The OEM steelies I have right now are with my winter tires. I'm looking to get rims as soon as it warms up.

Yah I agree those rims could look great on my car especially at that price. YGPM!

it's more like 3.5 weeks.
i was in taiwan for a solid 7 hrs. and the rest i was in phils.
i hate this snow stuff. :wallbash:

phil=philipines?

how was that?

i'd like to visit someday. though it doesn't sound as interesting as some other parts of se asia.

yup, you got it. you're missing one "p", there are 3 "p's"
you should go jimmy - it's really fun. phils. is quite a nice country - beautiful beaches n stuff, excellent food. if you can stand the heat n pollution, it's a great place to visit

if u wanna see some pics n get a taste of what phils. is like - pm me your email address n i'll send u the invite

when i was in phils, the new corollas there look so much nicer than ones over here in canada and usa. they all have LED taillights .
equipment was so much better too.

i'd like to see the pics.

pm sent.

where's a good place to have your brakes serviced?

i go to two places.
this place is owned by a japanese guy who used to be the head mechanic at richmond toyota. he himself dont fix the cars anymore, he's got 2 or 3 mechanics working for him. he knows his stuff. he specializes in toyotas. as far as prices go, cheaper than dealer but he tends to work like a dealer... meaning, he would do extra stuff like winter prep or summer prep and just charge u or he would check a bunch of stuff and tell you u need this n that. so if u go, make sure u agree on what u want to have done and nothing more.
A & A Japanese Engine Specialist
8931 Beckwith Road, Richmond, BC V6X 1V4
Telephone : 604-278-4289

other place i go to is this:
Express Lube & Tune
5651 No. 3 Road, Richmond, BC V6X 2C7
Telephone : 604-278-1018 Free Call

address above is old address. they've moved to north end of 3 rd. near river rock. owner's name is dan coquinco. i know him personally and i go to him for oil changes if i'm lazy. they're pretty good and prices are decent.
u can ask for him and tell him i told u to ask for him.
u can buy your own parts and take it there for them to replace watch them work too. owner is chinese from phils. and his mechanics are mostly filipinos. a lot of their customers are chinese or filipinos.

so there u go, if you decide to use my places.