joefish1298

I love my 2005 stivo, but I've never liked the steering. It pales in comparison to many other lesser cars, things like base model Fiestas and other such sporty european drives. It feels vague, lifeless, over-assisted and almost like I'm driving a bus sometimes. Is there any way to fix this? A quicker steering rack? Suspension mods? Specific wheel alignment settings?

Your car looks like it had a massive night on the booze and has a hang over :D "Oh god, please don't get in and drive me, get me a Berocca or something"

Blu-Tak

Wow, she's hot, hook me up :D

Bummer, you really seem to have bad luck with all this car stuff.

ROFL, too funny coming from you. That's pretty much how you make everyone here feel.

I'm still wondering why she didn't use a 4 for the number plate but I guess you only get a reply if you throw some abuse *shrugs*

How come you didn't use a 4 in your number plate for the A?

Nice sleeper. What's with the ridiculous torque figure?

An American 7L does only have 10kW more than a good Jap 3L

given toyota's conservatism in aus if it simply is a zre152 with a hairdryer on it i highly doubt it will get anywhere near 200 ..... i think it will be a struggling to get Toyota to release it pushing 150kw's Haha, the turbo and intercooler on those things were just so teeny tiny and cute. Dunno how they deluded themselves with the first price, but I saw a demo on a dealers lot for $29990 with 4300km after they'd cut the RRP by $5000. Didn't seem such bad value at that price.

All toyota dealers call you up after you bring the car in for service and recommend that you do the injector service. I think the girl at service desk reception is on a commission for selling this extra to you. They always call me to have it done after I drop the car off for service, for which I politely decline as I did not budget for it. ;) Not _all_ stealerships suggest you need your injectors cleaned. The challenge is trying to find a good one that is not trying to value add (scam you) during the service. Lane Toyota fail.

Awesome project. Not much more to say. Quality of the workmanship is excellent.

Hey Peeps, Well after the flood of responses I got recommending an excellent mechanic for my Sportivo, I did the ring around and found Lane Toyota convenient and reasonably priced, so decided to take a chance on them. Was quoted $240 for a 50000km on the phone and when I arrived in the morning my paperwork listed the price as $256. Off to a bad start. I complain and they fix that, then I tell them specifically I'm not authorising any additional repairs outside of the book service, to which they reply it's doubtful they would need to perform any other work, sounds good considering the car is running perfect. Sure enough, a few hours later I get the dreaded call. Tragedy has struck, not only are my injectors horribly clogged, but alas, my power steering fluid is in dire need of replacement. I politely declined their offer of reaming my wallet of $130 for injector cleaning and $100 for power steering fluid replacement, and am yet again disappointed in the quality of service provided these days. I have to wonder about the quality of the overall service now I know they are the kind of workshop that will try and dupe unsuspecting owners into paying for crap they don't need. My advice, avoid Lane Toyota. The search for a good Toyota mechanic continues.

Thanks for the response guys, maybe I should have asked where to get a fully sik CAI fitted or a super rice cannon muffler put on <_<

Can someone suggest a good mechanic who wont rip me off and knows the Sportivo inside and out? Preferably around Box Hill in Vic, but willing to travel for a good mechanic I can trust. I think I've had enough of the stealership. Thanks.

Or the seaside. Those salt water sure speed up the process. But need another car that doesn't have it next to it for control. THat would be the best experiment. What's the difference between the beach and the seaside?

Wow, you nailed that Monaro. I don't even know why you're planning mods as your car is already so blisteringly fast.

Check your oil level

They dont have more power than the previous model. Only the late 05 onwards models have 93kw, all other years (01-05) have 100kw What??? I thought they are all 100kw....I own a 06 model, does that mean I only have 93kw??? Possibly, check your manual, it will be in the specifications.

Unless this has changed over the last few years, Motor and Wheels had very different testing methodologies. Wheels tried to get a time that an average person could achieve. They had two people in the car, half tank of gas, 25kg suitcase in the back and importantly they didn't abuse the drivetrain. Motor on the other hand were all about getting the absolute fastest time possible. Driver only, near empty tank and no drivetrain sympathy at all (think redline clutch drops in a WRX). Motor times are consistently quicker than Wheels times and this is why. However these were their stated methodologies a few years back and could have changed.

Do TRD make a short shift specifically for the Sportivo?

No chance at 7.5 0-100. Too much weight, not enough power.

If the car isn't new, could mean the previous owner smoked in the car with the aircon on. It's VERY had to get rid of the smell if this is the case. Always switch on the aircon and put your nose right up to the vents when checking out a used car.