m_luke

No need to worry about a timing belt if yours is a 2005 Corolla - they're chain driven. -m_luke

I don't recall exactly, but it goes something like: Turn ignition on (or the engine can be running; just need to have power to the windows) Go around to each window and using the control for that window, make the window go all the way down, then all the way back up again. When opening and closing each window, make sure that each step is completed in one move i.e. push/pull and hold the control until the window is all the way down/up. I remember having to do this a couple of times to get it right after disconnecting and reconnecting the driver's side window control.

I'm curious... what is the date as shown on the build plate? -m_luke

I read in a newspaper article somewhere that there is actually a proper way of using the air con in a car. Some of the things I do remember are: Turn a/c fan on full blast for 30min every few months to clean out dust lodged in the vents Use a/c every now and then even in winter to lubricate hoses within a/c system Never use a/c in traffic jam because you're putting unnecessary strain on the engine (and wasting fuel) Never turn on a/c after car has just started because you're putting unnecessary strain on the engine I have also found that the vents that air are drawn into the ventilation seem to be from the (small) grill areas just forward of the wiper blades, which actually draws some of the escaping hot air from the engine bay - what a great design! Of course, there is the more dramatic option of getting the interior of the vehicle professionally cleaned that costed me about $150, which was quite effective at getting rid of the lingering chemical smell after I got the car back from the panel beaters.

This has got to be the most common misconception in regards to new cars! Heaps of people think this, it makes me laugh. Have u ever seen a roof of a car before its installed? All it is is a weak piece of sheet metal. The strength of the vehicle comes from the roof turrets, which are connected to the a b and c pillars of the car. The sunroof has no impact on the structural quality of the car at all in any way. When a car rolls the roof will dint in like crazy, only difference with the sunroof is the glass, like he said, but with all the other glass in the car whats the difference it will make. Except it probably won't shatter due to the mega amount of window tint on there! ...which is also why coupes are always more rigid that their convertible counterparts and explains why manufacturers always have to add more structural reinforcements (hence adding weight) to convertible models. -m_luke

He told me that many of the repos have been thrashed to death by their previous owners. There are many people out there that buy cars they clearly can't afford, and knowing that the car will eventually be repossessed, do not treat the cars very well. Well for Victorians, you could do a pre-purchase check of the vehicle in question through VicRoads so you can at least get some idea if there is money owing on the vehicle. This service is free and completely automated so it is available 24x7x365. Simply give it the license plate number and you'll get all the important info you need including the validity of the rego, the VIN and engine serial number!

Count me in! Haven't done this terrific loop for quite a while... -m_luke

Go Karting is good, but you guys did ask for a cruise, so try this... In conjunction with GT Car Club, we are invited to the Mt. Baw Baw cruise to take place on 23rd Sept. Ohh, and don't worry about any snow being there as by that time, it will be safe to drive up there and the bonus is hardly any traffic to interfere with your fun! After the long freeway work with a section that allows you to legally travel at 110kph, the handling capabilities of your car will be tested on the long, twisty, tree-lined road that is barely wide enough for two cars to pass each other; better than most common knowledge twisties and an incredibly steep ascent that is tougher than the climb up to Lake Mountain giving your engine quite a workout (lift, lift!!!!). This invitation is strictly open to TOCAU members only. GT Car Club members are a group of mature and experienced drivers so any outlandish driving manners will not be tolerated. Make sure to bring $10 for lunch up there and enjoy the trip down again!

There's another one over at CarPoint http://www.carpoint.com.au/car-review/2783028.aspx The tone of this seem a bit more objective than Drive's First Drive article...

Don't know as it is too new; even the Whiteline catalogue didn't have anything. Although I did find this on the TRDUSA website: Part No: PTR02-21060 for the Scion tC.

I think all the models of Camrys, Aurions and even the new Corollas have a thin strut bar... this could be part of their cab forward design... A close look at all these new models reveal that Toyota has repositioned the front suspension strut mounts close to the lower corners of the windscreen with the bar hidden directly underneath the plastic cover running along the bottom edge of the windscreen.

Don't know if this should belong in the Inside and Out thread so I posted this here... If you know the gear ratios in a transmission (auto or manual), is there a way to work out the speed of a particular engine (rpm) in a particular gear when the vehicle is traveling at a given speed? -m_luke

The ES300 uses the VVTi version of the same V6 engine found in the Camry; wished the Camry used that one instead of the non-VVTi version. If you are after a Grande though, I would suggest looking for them at the auction houses simply because I think most of the Gen5.5 Grande models were picked up by rental companies along with some Gen5.5 Sportivo 4-cyl models, whilst the Azura and Sportivo V6 models went to private/leased buyers. -m_luke

...and these plastic runners were actually mentioned in the tech article to further reduce overall weight and manufacturing costs!

If it is, then it is about time, as one complaint has already hit printed media RE Corolla Ascents!

I could be very wrong, but the stock exhaust for a ZZE122R sedan and hatch are the same; I own the latter. For an effective and economical alternative, I have swapped the stock cat back for a cat back from a sportivo that you may be able to acquire through this forum. It is inconspicuous in normal traffic, delivering a slightly louder bass note when compared to the stock cat back as well as providing less restrictive exhaust flow when the engine is at mid to high rpm with the trade off of less torque felt in the low rpm range. -m_luke

RME1, please change this. Anduin owns the blue Sportivo, whilst I'm the driver of the high-riding, looking very stock-as-a-rock silver Rolla Conquest.

Real sorry to hear about this. ...and yes, it is the consumer who is unfortunately bearing the brunt of Toyota's mistake of importing cars from South Africa; thank goodness they won't be doing that again! If it makes them feel any better, a friend of mine is also having all sorts of problems with his South African built VW Golf 2.0 TDI and he is wanting to get rid of it.

I second you on the point of build quality. Having driven in a (brand new) BF Mk1 Falcon XT for about a month and previous and current model Camry Altise that were all from car hire companies, even in their base model spec, the Camry was the clear winner; no misaligned interior trim and no gaping holes in between trim pieces, which are bettered again in the Japanese imported models; even though all Toyotas use hard plastic interiors. Having driven Toyotas all my life and having spent time in that Falcon, I can understand why large Aussie-built RWD cars are so attractive - powerful, lots of bottom end torque, spacious, small turning circle for such a large car, sporting characteristics inherent in RWD, small amounts of the hoon factor, towing, even tyre wear, liked the fact that the Falcon had dual rubber seals around the door and the door frame; I was even amazed at how fast I was able to punt this Falcon on some twisty blacktop roads followed by a very leisurely and comfortable cruise on 60/80kph roads; Ford's seats are definitely much more comfy than Toyotas! The Ford did win me, but I could not look past the lack of quality, which is something I have to live with and the fact that the Falcon did not have a flat boot area and the Camry/Aurion did!

Just thought I'd remind everyone to bring their CBs and a fresh pack of batteries.

1. vyet 2. vyet's mate (TypeS) 2. spec_black 3. BigBum (Still maybe) 4. KaZe-StiVo (Will attend if BBQ is present) 5. Anduin 6. shmicko 7. celicajim 8. RME1 9. akuma 10. oVo 11. Mopp 12. mariox 13. m_luke - Hope I'm not too late. Good to see you back Black Jet! ...oh and don't worry shmicko, mine's more stock that yours!

Have you guys ever thought that TRD may be using TMCA as a testing ground for Hi-Po development of their GR series engines? This series engine seems to be used quite widely throughout the Toyota/Lexus range in various guises: 1GR (4.0L V6 4WD) - Prado, JDM Toyota Hilux Surf 2GR (3.5L V6 FWD) - Aurion/Camry, Tarago, Kluger and possibly in a Hi-Po Corolla 3GR (3.0L V6 RWD) - Lexus IS250, JDM Toyota Mark X, Lexus GS300 4GR (2.5L V6 RWD) - JDM Toyota Crown (and its variants), JDM Toyota Mark X/Toyota Reiz (China) This is the only engine I'm aware of in the current range that has this many variants and so many uses. The next closest would be the UZ and the rest of them, NZ, AZ, ZZ (to be replaced by ZR) don't even rate a mention!

Is the 2002 Camry Altise a 4-cyl or V6??? If it is a 4-cyl, then the engine is chain driven. Only the V6 is belt driven. -m_luke

For weather reports, why not get it straight from the source... http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/vic

Sorry to hear that your car got stolen. I have to agree with Big Pete; it comes down to your requirements... For hauling goods rather than people, hatch backs would be better as you can fold the rear seats flat and instantly it can swallow big boxes in your 'mini-minivan' that can't get past the opening of a boot-lid; Mazda 3 SP23/Focus or if you can stretch, then MPS/Focus XR5 or if you are after Euro, then Golf 2.0 TDI/FSI or GTi. However, if it is people that you want to carry around comfortably along with their suitcases/bags, then go for the Aurion; take the SX6 rather than ATX as you can really hustle the SX6 through your favourite stretch of twisties. Ohh, and don't worry about the turning circle of the Aurion as it is as good as the Falcon/Commo clan! Like Big Pete, I drive a V6 Camry for the same reasons he stated, for hauling people and their suitcases/bags comfortably, but have to suffer the poor turning circle size. However, the Aurion is just that much better... Just my 2c... -m_luke