VSportivo6

I rang Toyota the other day and asked about brake pad fitment. At the moment you can get a pair of new front pads supply and fit for $99! This is at CMI Toyota Adelaide.

Besides bragging about a good deal, I have a question, does new pads improve brake performance at all? Even a bit?

You might find that the disks may have to be re-machined. New pads initially will start with a slight soft pedal and will have to bed in before optimum performance. This should improve....have your brake fluid flushed also.

Brad

Ive got 18" chrome on my cam, but i was thinking of chukin 19"or 20 on it........

What to do...Do i keep my 18 or put 19" or 20" on it??

Thanks in advance guys

Personally 18" is large enough....better of putting the cash into lowering it an inch or two and placing a front lip kit on it. I dont think oversize wheels are worth the extra hassle ...ie expensive rubber, more inclined to major knocking, your steering will feel more influenced from the grooves in the road, you will hear more creaking plastics within the cabin. Look out for that pot hole!!

Brad

Yeah not a fan of this mod.....it may come in handy to reduce any high beam glare from following cars.

Does not seem to match the existing lines of the tail.

Brad

At that riding height do you feel the handling has improved or worsend?

Great wheel to body colour combo

Practically its a bit too low (especially in the tail).....but looks pretty good!

Brad

Lookin good mate! Talk to Rollamods about having a custom one spun up for you :) (intake that is)

Looks pretty good!

Correct me if I'm wrong...aren't coloured parkers illegal?

Brad

Manheim Fowles too :)

http://www.manheimfowles.com.au/

I prefer to have the cars inspected by my mechanic on a hoist. Auction cars can't be test driven and carry considerable risk because of that.

I agree with Sionghua....always proceed with caution with Auctions (Nil Waranty from the Auction site and most likely low or nil registration).

If you were considering the Auction path, do your homework and purchase something that still lies under the original motor vehicles waranty...ie nearing 3-4 years depending on the manufacturer. You are able to start the engine and inspect...and thats about it prior the hammer.

Brad

especially when going through the M5 tunnels...

My reception is always good going through the M2 tunnel until I reach teh absolute middle. Craps out for a second or so, and then gets better as I reach the exit.

And my antenna only goes to about a third of it's height. Needs to be replaced.

Reception diff in tunnels:

The M2 tunnel is bored threw structured solid rock ....thats probably why radio reception is not at its best.

Whereas the M5 tunnuel is structurely re-inforced with built-in radio transmitters ....where they can send broadcasts threw your radio.

Brad

Well Im no expert on this... in my case its not quite a tip per say, the previous owner had the mufflers tip cut off and the new tip welded in its place. It could be the muffler as well I dont know, its a new one, but looks like your average run of the mill muffler.

I know you can get resinator tips.

But no tip comes to mind for an increased exhaust note. For this better off getting a high flow muffler. (this does not have to be a cannon...)

If you plan to get a tip...make sure it is stainless steel.

Brad

My steering wheel is slightly slanted when traveling in a straight line. If you hold it level, the car slightly veers to the left, so you have to hold it on an angle. I just rang Toyota about it and they said that they generally fix that with a wheel alignment. The thing is, I recently got new tires and they (not Toyota) did an alignment on it but it didn't fix the problem. Any ideas?

My friend had the same problem with his crappy 98 Barina.

Sounds as if the shop focused on aligning the wheels only, without taking notice of the steering wheel direction.

Heh dont bother removeing and re-aligning the steering wheel...sounds easy but its not.

Personally I would have it re-aligned (for piece of mind).....

Brad

Tip: dont go dealer? go to auction. BUTTT, u must find smb who know the engine and stuff, and do investigate the engine and stuff. In vic, i have been able to help friends to get 03 camry altise $12k & 05 camry $15k. Can get cheaper, if u have time to time to visit more auctions. Most of all, its fun and exciting. It like either u get soso price, or save a few hundred for MODS!!!!!

Or u wan mine?? 05 camry $30k, custom lip kit? Audio? Rim? WAAHAHAHA!! (Joke)

Thanks for the tip mate. When you say 05 Camry at $15k is that the sportivo?

And whereabouts are the auctions in VIC?

The Clarion demo vehicle is up for sale! for $26.6k if your into serious sound(see carsales.com.au).

.......pity it is in a dif state.

As a rough guide:

For 2004-2005 Gen 5.5 V6 Sportivos ~16k-19k = 100k kms

~20k-23k = < 30k kms

4 Cyl abt 1-3k less

All depends on condition of course,rego life,colour,service history...etc (extras are worth Nil)

(I have heard the metalic colours have been slightly pricier than non metalics)

Auctions are ok if you take someone like a mechanic....there are no warranty on these....so what you might save may end up in repairs. I found buying from Auctions that the rego life is short lived.

Brad

Recieved letter 2 weeks ago, going to wait for next service interval before getting it fixed. Never experienced the issue.

Also I noticed the letter came direct from Toyota not the dealer. Which might explain why some people didn't get it if you purchase from private seller?

Letter Received...

I believe they are traceing ppl through the RTA (ie we have changed the Rego since purchase....this letter states current rego)

Brad

TOYOTA is to write to the owners of almost 150,000 of one of the nation's most popular cars alerting them to a defect that can cause the headlights to suddenly black out.

Toyota has discovered that the headlight dimming switch on all 144589 Camry models that were built between June 2002 and May 2006 may become faulty, causing headlamps to flicker or even extinguish.

A Toyota spokesman said that more than 100 customers have reported problems with their headlights, but no one has been injured.

“There’s been 101 cases reported, but there were no accidents,†the spokesman said.

He said that in the worse case scenario, the headlights could go out for “a few secondsâ€.

He said the company was sending letters out to owners this week before commencing an advertising campaign in newspapers around Australia in the next fortnight.

All vehicles would be assessed and repaired free of charge, the spokesman said.

According to Toyota’s statement issued to Recalls Australia, the contact points on the switch may corrode over time.

“The headlamp switch contact points over time may oxidise (corrode) due to insufficient current flow through the switch,†the statement said.

“This oxidation may cause the headlamps (low or high beam) to flicker without warning and in the worst case may cause the headlamps to extinguish momentarily.â€

Did they say what part of Australia?....ie low or high humidity areas / coastal (salt) regions.

It would be interesting how many of those cars are garaged? Percentage wise it is only 0.07%

hi perthcamry

i've got a 2.4 (2005) as well and right now i'm only getting 13.5 / 100

i know for sure that it's way off (i don't drive aggresively), know what i mean?

but at the same time, i'm not sure what to do about it........any suggestions?

and when you say "tyres at 38psi", does that mean front and rear?

i'm 100% sure the recommended pressure is 36psi front and 32psi rear (label says so)

i would REALLY LOVE to get 10 / 100 even 11 :D

thanks

I'm getting around 12.9-13L / 100 with the V6.

Heh.....who would have thought the work vehicle (4Litre Petrol Ford Wagon) gets 11.9L/100

I was always under the presumption that Toyota would have been more fuel efficient.

im saving to get my whole body and suspension done, then chucking 20s! going cost a bit but if you love it why not?

20s! is way too big. Say good bye to comfy ride and handling......wheel balance/ alignment here we come!!

Personally 17-18's max on a Camry.

Hi Guys newbie help required,

Still driving a Mitsubishi Verada Xi 2002

Changing car in June July this year. Looking at Camry amongst others...but Camry is top of shopping list at the moment. Looking for a 2004 Gen5

I have read a lot and understand the basic difference between these models, but was looking for a more personal opinion from the forum of Camry drivers.

Azura seems to bit luxury+sports whereas Grande is luxury only. HAdn't considered Sportivo until I saw the prices for 04 Gande and Azura...

PS Also if I do consider Sportivo what is the performance versus consumption argument like between 2.4 and V6 (obviously for Azura an Grande it's V6 anyway - which is cool.) I get 10l/100 from my Verada and that is a 3.5 v6 so same expecting better from Camry v6.

Any General buying advice or model advice Cheers

Mike

We purchased a 2004 Gen 5.5 V6 Sportivo......and have been very impressed. Fuel consumption is a bit higher than quoted......abt 11-12lt/100k......depends on driving habit. You can pick one of these up in the range of about 20-25k. The Azura basically is a sportivo but with extras like leather, sunroof and Sat nav. Whereas the Grande, has Sat nav and leather but no body kit(not sure if it has the sportivo suspension).

This is from the top of my head.....there may be a few small more variations.

Personally the four cylinder is underpowered....but if your after economy than performance then this might be the option for you.

... lol, yeh, maybe i should but if i dont find it then?..

...check you manual, take an existing bulb out --->check for serial/or use as a sample..or give you local service center a call...from your topic heading it seemed to be an emergency!!..... I guess you can't wait!

Its the old camry, just sell it coz no matter how much u spend, it won't look vip, nor pimpin nor sporty nor anything other then a family mover.

save up and buy the new one instead or better yet, a real sports car.

Ditto,

Cease Spending any money on this car and place it towards the next one