Buddha

I think you have a good point there ... I've been involved in 4 accidents, 1 of which was my fault, but all occurred when I was driving in a non-aggressive manner. I take Iniff's Google definition above, but I also checked www.dictionary.com and amongst stuff very similar to Google, they also had: "Inclined to behave in an actively hostile fashion" and its this definition I believe that people are meaning when they use the word, and the way I've viewed the word. Anyhoo, the main thing is that I'm not alone. Now to form the Buddha Foundation for Unfairly Picked-on Drivers ... :)

That incident doesn't prove that cruise control by itself was the cause ... it may have been faulty installation (my opinion, based on what was posted), it could have been a faulty unit, could be a cheap or nasty brand, could have been any one of many reasons. Friends and family have had similar cruise controls fitted to their cars without a problem. Again, I don't know what type of cruise that fellow had ... I wouldn't touch the cheapies sold at K-mart, for example, but I also know someone who fitted just that model to his ute and has never looked back. After reading the post you listed, I did have a check of the cables on our wagon and all are zip-tied right where they were 2 years ago when we bought it, no signs of slacking in the cable, etc. Certainly the unit we have I would recommend to anyone based on our experience with it.

Here, Azza, let me hold that pot while you stir! :P

smart

Just interested to find out what everyone here thinks about the concept of "aggressive" driving ... no doubt, being car enthusiasts and people that like to drive a bit quicker perhaps than most, a lot of you would have been accused of "aggressive" driving at times. The accusations have fallen my way because I'm sometimes in a mood to get through traffic by moving lane to lane, picking gaps as I go. I know technically its not legal, but I figure what the hey? In fact, most of my car choices in the past (Festiva's, Starlet's), being cars short on stature, have been with that very need in mind. Its only recently that I've gotten used to the extra length of our wagon to start driving peak hour the Buddha way. I've also been told my liking for a quick getaway from lights is also in the aggressive category. I fail to see how my driving is aggressive, assertive might be a better word. To me, aggressive = angry, but I don't drive that way because I'm angry, I just want to get from A to B ASAP. I'm not angry at anyone, there's nothing personal intended, although I know some idiots do take it that way. We're not even talking about speeding here ... with Brisbane's peak hour, if you do get to see 60 for any length of time, you're doing well ... I can only imagine what peak hour is like in more populated places like Sydney and Melbourne! What do you think?

I'm not sure if this is still the case, but on my Starlet the original battery packed it in just over 1 year from new ... Toyota said that they only warrant the battery for 1 year, but paid for half of a battery in the 2nd year. Pretty crappy ... the replacement battery from the RACQ lasted over 4 years before needing replacing! :P I agree with the above comments about maintenance ... even though its a new car, its best to keep an eye on the usual suspects so you can catch a problem before it catches you! I have been told by a sparky that batteries can explode when the water levels drop and the battery overheats ... don't know if that's the issue in this case, but as we've seen, something relatively small like a battery can cause quite a bit of damage when they let go.

I have two concerns ... firstly, the pics in Wheels make the sedan look pretty vanilla bland, almost like the last of the 323's at the front (to my eyes, anyway). The other problem is they're talking about dropping the wagon! <_<

I don't have a Stivo, but we do have aftermarket cruise on our Conquest wagon. Its probably not quite as smooth and intuitive as a factory integrated set-up, but it works a treat ... I just wish the dealer had given us the option of buttons that clip to the wheel, instead of the extra stalk we have. As for the stuff about cruise and safety, I assume that relates to the recent stories about people supposedly losing control in the wet while using cruise. I realise we shouldn't let the facts get in the way of a good story, but those in the know say its a load of baloney. Personally, I've driven our wagon with cruise at 115kmh (110 zone) in heavy rain with the occasional aquaplane puddle, but the car just carried on as I would expect without the cruise on. The efficiency of it has been proven to me, also ... to drive from Brisbane to Hervey Bay, on Christmas Eve in high 30 degree heat with the air on high, auto wagon loaded for a big week away, and only consume just on 7 litres/100kms, I'm pretty darn happy with that! :) Other options I'd like to see include sunroof, better sound systems with concealed subwoofers, standard climate control and a nice 3 spoke steering wheel like you see in the Levins and Sportivos, or the last Starlet for that matter! ;)

OK, I will need to wait for our General meeting the week prior for more info on the Show and Shine, but I do know that the club is having a cruise straight from Toyota headquarters to Mt Glorious. All are invited to join in. I know some of you are concerned about the relative slowness of some of the older Toyota's, but I for one need someone to upstage! :P

Its obviously very hard to tell what the rear end is, because its so disguised ... on previous pics, the rear kinda looked like a combination of the current hatch and the Yaris, which isn't too bad. Another post mentions the latest Wheels, which has pics of the new sedan ... it looks a bit plain to me, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder, isn't it? The saddest news is that Toyota are thinking of dropping the wagon ... currently the top seller in its class (not hard against crap like the Lancer, Astra and Viva, but still ...) and the only conventional wagon that Toyota sells now.

What time did you arrive? I got there a little after 9pm (a bit delayed due to having an unwanted chat with a police officer :( ) and there were probably 8 cars or more there ... another few arrived later. When I left around 10:40pm or so, there were still a good number of cars there. Personally, I quite like the pool carpark as a meeting place, hopefully we can stay there for a while. :)

claim

I will be along to the pool once I've finished at the TCCAQ committee meeting, hopefully will have some more All Toyota Day info for you all. :)

I can add something to that ... I was driving down the South-East Freeway one afternoon, I was in the middle lane and I was coming up to pass a Mirage in the left lane. Anyway, my bonnet was alongside the driver's door when the driver indicated and started to move over on me. Naturally, I hit the horn, and the idiot swerved back into her lane. As I continued to pass, the driver gave me the death stare and tugged at the sleeve of her police uniform, making a point of the badge, as if to say, "hey, I'm a cop, you have to give way to me". First cop I ever flipped the bird to! :P

steel

In previous discussions about the Corolla Compressor, I asked about the exhaust system, as it has the dual outlets (ala Mazda6, Honda Euro, etc) that I'd love on the wagon, but with just the one muffler in the same position as the mufflers on local Corollas and a second pipe running out of the rear of the muffler which wraps around behind the spare wheel. From what I can gather, the muffler kinda looks like my rough pic *(link below) ... the blue arrow indicating exhaust gas coming in, and the red arrows indicating the outlets. Muffler Has anyone seen a muffler like this anywhere, or know of a place that might make something like this as a custom job? I'm interested to find out!

Happy Birthday indeed, but don't let Corey get away with the "old fart" quip! :P

file

I'm going to email around a bit and see what info I can find out ... will keep you all posted.

Not trying to make you look silly, Donna, just learning new forum skills in a constructive manner! :D I'm a tentative at the moment, will need to see how our timetable is looking ... trying to find a new place to live, landlords are selling our current abode, so coupled with end of financial year at work, its a busy time to be Buddha! B) mmm, looking to move hey Buddha....need somewhere to rent hey.... Mrs Azza & I have just today begun process to buy a new place, and may need to break our lease and may need to help the agent look for new tenants.... :P Might be worth considering ... chuck me an email on Hotmail with some details. Cheers.

Let them know that we'll be showing our cars off to the envious southerners ... Sorry, that came out wrong. I mean ... we're promoting Brisbane and Southbank to potential tourists! :P

pole

Not an option for the wagon in the forseeable future, but gee they look great, don't they?

Hey, we non-Sportivo's look pretty good, too! :)

electorate