jps137

Does anyone have a dealer in the USA that they use for TRD USA parts?

Thanks for the input. I was getting some new rubber for the Corolla the other day and asked about pricing for the various sizes for the Camry. I looked specifically at Bridgestone Adrenalins as a sample that fitted all three rim sizes (16, 17 & 18) 16inch around $200 17inch just under $200 18inch over $300 With this in mind 17's are looking pretty good.

New TRD Carbon Fibre trim What benefits these are (apart from looking good) I have no idea, but with a TRD badge oin them they should add a few more kW atw http://trdparts.jp/english/pdf/CarbonPillarGarnishSet.pdf (takes a while to load)

Hmm... Didn't know about that. Learn something new everyday. :) Most dealers were able to sell the parts but many were reluctant (plenty of signs saying this will void warranty etc.) and the prices that Toyota Aust imposed were a bit on the ridiculous side compared with Castle Hill or some of the other TRD part importers. And most dealers would not sell a car with TRD parts included (I know I tried to buy my Corolla with TRD parts in the end I gave up and am buying them gradually which is a shame because otherwise I would have fully kitted up at time of purchase)

In case anyone had ideas http://www.extreme-sportscars.com/360/prices360.htm though these people are based on a Peugeot 406, but I have seen kits around for the MR2 for similar prices http://www.extreme-sportscars.com/prices.htm They do a 355 kit for the MR2

Swarovski (the crystal people) are now getting in to the Auto market along with a known wheel manufacturer and selling wheels with embedded crystals http://www.trc-tuning.com/_products/_unive...imbadge_02f.jpg

The lights look great. Good to see you left the ARC victories sticker on reminds people Corollas can be raced effectively (sure the only thing the rally cars might have in common with our cars is the body shape but that is irrelevant)

Looking to upgrade the wheels on the Camry (36 series) and we are trying to decide between 17 inch and 18 inch (currently have factory 15's). I know appearance is a matter of personal opinion, what I am after is feedback regarding ride and handling I have heard that 19 is going too far and becomes too harsh a ride and jumps around abit with the bumps in the road. The car is more of a family/comfort orientation rather than out and out sports, but 15 is just way too small. What are peoples thoughts re 17 and 18 inch? I would like to hear from someone who has driven both for comparison.

LOOK soo much better than the AUS versiion freaking hell where did the leather seats go i wanted some :( Disturbing isn't it. Leather is a JPY 52,500 (approx AUD 900) option in Japan and an option in Europe (I don't have a price), but here it is only on the Ultima sedan unless you go aftermarket (which I did and cost just under 2k) But I definitely think the two tone interior is a fantastic idea gives a very classy look

For those who were wondering what a ZRE hatch would look like with a two tone interior http://toyota.jp/auris/g_selection/exterior/index2.html http://toyota.jp/auris/g_selection/interior/index.html

We have just finalised our decision making and are likely to be adding a Tarago to the family fleet. We have decided to go for the GLi V6 and option it up, we wanted the GLX but wanted 8 seats and a V6 so unfortunately have to settle for the GLi. Given the high difference between the GLX and the Ultima, get some pricing for a GLX with the options you would want from the Ultima and work out which way is better value. If thinking a 7 or 8 seat SUV try sitting in the third row seats and consider who would be sitting in them and for how long the journey would be Also if you want to be disappointed by what we are offered here have a look at http://toyota.jp/estima/dop/index.html and http://toyota.jp/customize/estima/index.html Personally I like the full timber dash option of Modellista Selection

http://trdparts.jp/english/pdf/19inchTF5.pdf Don't know what the offset is so I am not sure if they will fit the Aurion or any other Toyota's here

19 inch TF5's just released http://trdparts.jp/english/pdf/19inchTF5.pdf

Added the TRD High Response Muffler to my Levin SX this week and the first thing I noticed was the sound it's good but subdued. The response in terms of acceleration of the mark was good and it is especially good in the 5-6k range. There is a little bit of drone at under 2.5k, but it's not too bad and I am not down that low very often or for very long. The big surprise was the improved fuel economy approximately 10% saving when driven sedately given the distances that I do the muffler should pay for itself in under a year (but then again I didn't pay the current retail. Visually it has a nice tip but apart from that the unit itself does not look that different to the standard muffler accept of course the kW adding TRD badge. Apologies for the poor picture quality will get some better ones over the weekend

Undo the clips on the airbox lift the lid take out the stock one, insert the new filter making sure it sits properly close the lid and close the clips. About 2-3 minutes work I have a TRD panel filter in mine, don't think there is any change in noise, but the feels like it revs easier. Get a price for both a K&N and a TRD when I got mine the TRD was actually cheaper.

Now i know why these rims are so expensive besides the TRD name. Just found out they are RAYS and now $550-$600 each Alternatively you could look at OZ Racing's Superturismo (like used on the ARC Corolla) saw them advertised for 500 for 17x7 560ish for 18x7 and just over 600 for 18x8 (yes next time I will remember to write the prices down) http://www.ozracing.com/at-team/wheels/rac...rturismo-wrc/en

I completely agree I run mine on 98 all the time and on the few occasions I have strayed (none available) I have actually noticed the difference

The small front garnish is probably from Modellista (see links) which I think is a Japanese Dealer option http://toyota.jp/customize/auris/modellista/index.html http://toyota.jp/customize/auris/m_selection/index.html I looked for Modellista stuff and we cant get it,i was told in Japan its ordered when purchasing the car new and fitted on the production line. They have great items,I also have Modellista brochure on ZZE. http://www.trc-tuning.com/index_shop.htm EUR 280 (approx. 557) + postage These guys are not the cheapest so look around

Many corporations (not just car makers) do not have a downsize plan for fear that it means they are admitting there will be a downturn, and any way with the govt. bailouts they now have a downturn plan - ask govt for money. Everyone is looking at growth, growth growth rather than sustainable long term growth. One company I used to work for had set a rule in place that each brand had to achieve a certain growth target (I think it was 15% from memory) failure to do so for 4 successive quarters would mean the brand would be axed. 1 brand was consistently falling behind and it's growth only equated to just under population growth at the time (about 3% I think) anyway the heavies came in ready to get rid of this brand when one of the junior analysts pointed out the brand had market saturation and was quite profitable and there was no way known that it reach the growth target. My point is a lot of companies (and their shareholders) are obsessed with growth rather than maintaining the company and ensuring it can survive any downturns.

The small front garnish is probably from Modellista (see links) which I think is a Japanese Dealer option http://toyota.jp/customize/auris/modellista/index.html http://toyota.jp/customize/auris/m_selection/index.html

I have added the chrome strip which is an option in Japan to mine (the attached picture is from the Japanese website I am having trouble getting the image off my camera at the moment) The strip cost about $200 delivered and looks great possibly not worth $200 but definitely improves the appearance of the car. Finally got camera/computer issues sorted So thats what it looks like on,thanks.. Here are a few more pics of different fronts, but we cant buy the small bumper garnish here, only the larger TRD one. Thanks for those images I was wondering how the TRD garnish looked on a red hatch. The Mr Plow front lip looks good though, now it's just a matter of justifying the price to myself

I have added the chrome strip which is an option in Japan to mine (the attached picture is from the Japanese website I am having trouble getting the image off my camera at the moment) The strip cost about $200 delivered and looks great possibly not worth $200 but definitely improves the appearance of the car. Finally got camera/computer issues sorted

From Wikipedia on the topic of The Stig's identity http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_stig#Identity The Stig's identity is one of those mysteries which should remain just that a mystery it takes away all the fun of the character to know who he is. Spillage, Top Gear has already outed Obama as the white Stig

Yes it will. Technically once you do your exhaust you've voided the warranty anyway. You might as well go for it. but since its a toyota part, why wont they cover it as well ? its not like i bought aftermarket stuff. and what if i got them to install it as well if they do do that ... ? A few people have contacted Toyota with mixed responses. I have had Toyota state that the TRD parts (for cars other than an Aurion or Hilux) are covered by Toyota warranty (unfortunately this was only verbal) however a lot of dealers (Castle Hill is an exception) are not prepared to sell you a car with TRD components fitted and some spare parts dept's actually have signs up stating the no warranty coverage applies when TRD parts are fitted (one dealership even requested you sign a document acknowledging that you were aware of this). The reason I have been told is that the parts are not standard on any vehicle in the Australian catalogue and therefore they don't consider them Toyota Genuine Parts. Alternatively you could take the view which I have I bought a Toyota for reliability, TRD and Toyota Motorsport are offered as factory options in other parts of the world so therefore are considered Toyota so therefore would be just as reliable and so you are probably not going to need the warranty anyway - but that's just me

I have added the chrome strip which is an option in Japan to mine (the attached picture is from the Japanese website I am having trouble getting the image off my camera at the moment) The strip cost about $200 delivered and looks great possibly not worth $200 but definitely improves the appearance of the car.