ToyotaFreak

While cleaning up the house, I found a very old container of Turtle Wax (Bought in 2005 if I'm not mistaken.), container is pretty dusty on the outside, but the cap is tightly sealed (Not sure if there's a sponge inside or if the contents inside are still good.). Is it still safe to use wax that is unused for quite a while, or should I just chuck it into the trash can? Thanks, TF

Kara - 하니 (Honey) Korean song, just released by Kara. Han Seung Yeon=

My parents have the previous gen model (JDM 2.4G. Similar to Tarago Ultima in Australia.) back home. This isn't our first Estima/ Previa/ Tarago (First one was a 1994 model.). These minivans are a very reliable bunch (8 years old and still going strong!), and perfect on long distance drives, very smooth & comfortable (Okay, the Alphard is better, but it is a lot more expensive and not available in Australia.). I expect the current model to have the same, if not, better qualities (After all, both generations share the same 2AZ-FE engine.). My parents still prefer this minivan over our Mercedes SUV (Felt heavy/ laggy (My mother didn't like this.), had a couple of build quality problems & customer service was sour. In other words, German cars aren't like the tanks they used to be.). From experience by playing with the Hybrid 2.4G & Non-Hybrid 2.4G/ 3.5G at dealers & motor shows, all I can say is that the current model is a step up from the previous one. The third row seat folds flat into the floor which makes better use of space (In our 2001 model, we could only move the 3rd row bench fore & aft, fold the bottom part upwards and move forward a little more.). Also, unlike the American offerings (Chrysler Town & Country/ Dodge/ Chrysler Voyager), the doors can be operated electrically through the door handles (In the Chrysler, only through buttons on a control panel, key fob or a switch on the pillar.) and are very smooth/ quiet (Except for the warning beep which isn't really loud, but still clear enough to be heard.). If you don't want kids to destroy the power door motors (Costs a lot to replace back home.), there's a power door off switch. The factory parking sensors (Standard on GLX & Ultima. Available as a factory option accros the range in JDM markets.) are very useful and is easy to understand, which was what my mother liked (The basic graphics for it haven't changed since our 1994 model!). On another note: Taragos can be modded (That's right!). A lot of nice Original Toyota Accessories (Most that we don't get in Australia.) & aftermarket parts are available. :D

I think 2004am is using the Model Year system. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_year

Since the 2006 calendar year, the Asian/SEA Camry and Aussie-built Aurion shares the same exterior & interior styling, with (Mostly minor) differences in features (Such as full chrome grille, power shoulder seat control & Tricolor Optitron gauges to name a few.). Unique to the Aussie Aurion are the Sportivo grades & the now defunct TRD version. Speaking of East Asia (Particularly the ASEAN region), Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam & the Phillipines are Left Hand Drive. Also, some markets get the 2GR-FE, while some don't. Link on the Chinese version just launched 2 days ago http://auto.sohu.com/20090218/n262297320_2.shtml http://www.autohome.com.cn/news/200902/54903.html The Taiwanese/ Chinese/ SEA Camry had different styling from what the rest of the world got since 2001. http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc...153077_8072.jpg http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc...153078_8329.jpg http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc...153050_9503.jpg http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc...1153052_114.jpg http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc...153056_1323.jpg http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc...1153053_418.jpg http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc...153055_1023.jpg http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc...153067_2419.jpg http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc...153083_9871.jpg

Sportivo pics wouldn't be available, as a Sportivo grade, or something similar to it, isn't available in Asian markets. So, we'll have to wait for Aussie spy shots, if we can find any. I4 versions of the Camry are the most popular in the South East Asian/ Asian markets, due to their lower taxes (e.g. in Malaysia, Singapore & Thailand, cars are taxed according to their engine size.). Boring fact: The pictures shown in the OP is the Chinese spec model, as China (Excluding Taiwan.) is the only market where locally manufactured cars have Chinese character badges.

Hmm... Didn't know about that. Learn something new everyday. :)

I wonder if the TRD brand would have survived down under, if Toyota Australia sold TRD accessories for the rest of the range through dealers. http://www.motortrader.com.my/NUS/articles...1658/page_m.asp http://www.zerotohundred.com/2008/auto-new...ugh-umw-toyota/ http://www.cbt.com.my/news/cat-localnews/1...d-sportivo.html

Unlike the previous thread, which turned out to be nothing more than a mid-life equipment update for China, a facelift is confirmed this time, with spy shots, bar any disguise (Except for covered up badges.). Here is what we can expect for the updated Aurion. At least for the exterior. There are rumours that the updated Asian market Camry will debut at Auto Shanghai 2009. Sources: http://news.cheshi.com/gcxc/200902/90336.shtml http://www.chinacarforums.com/forum/showpo...mp;postcount=10

Nice choice, plus the Chaser TRD Sports Tourer V was apparently made as a homologation for the JGTC series at the time.

JDM version Toyota Camry (Note: Touring grade (A.K.A. Sportivo/ SE) was dropped from the range since the pre-facelift Gen 6 model.) http://toyota.jp/camry/index.html Brochure-> http://gazoo.com/NewCar/VehicleInfo/Catalo...N01%8c%8e%81%60 Daihatsu Altis (Only available in one grade.) http://www.daihatsu.co.jp/lineup/altis/

Sorry for the double post, please delete this thread.

Here's what we will/ might for the Aussie facelift. From WorldCarFans Camry Hybrid Camry SE (Camry Sportivo in Australia) Camry XLE (Top of the line Camry in the US/ Canada.) Interior

Toyota will show an electric-powered prototype of the iQ in Detroit. Wouldn't mind one for the 15 minute commute from home to uni and back. Also to make their debut at the Detroit Motorshow, 3rd gen. Prius & Lexus HS250h. Full press release, photo gallery & video here-> http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/10/toyota-...aded-for-naias/

Merry Christmas to all TOCAU members + their families and to everyone around the world, especially the needy children. :)

Sorry for the late reply, just managed to leach through a stable, fast connection nearby our apartment (It's the Waterworks department's line. heheh). I'm not exactly sure to be honest, but after getting it transliterated, the "thon" (ทน) in "thon non" could mean strong, durable or withstanding something (Used http://thai2english.com). Just to clarify one thing, I'm not Thai btw, just a farang who visits Thailand regularly (Dad works there.). A lot of narak dee girls from uni, just wished I wasn't that shy to ask for their contact number or MSN (Maaaaaaan, I'm hopeless.). I remember hanging around Siam Square & Siam paragon @ 16:00 after my training course just to ummmm..... uhhh.. You get idea. (No. Not that!) Speaking of lady boys, I had the unfortunate encounter with a couple of them HeShe/ Shehe Hybrids (Including a farang!). Here's one (Not of a lady boy though.); I was walking back home with my mother after shopping for groceries. Well, I didn't notice anything, until my mother pointed out that the person we saw isn't a real woman! The cross dresser was wearing blue underwear & a white, thin (See through, almost like clear plastic.) blouse!

Signed. I've experienced this in another country, and this isn't a good thing. On one occasion, some images hotlinked from imageshack got blocked on a gaming forum (Was nothing inappropriate, unless photos from Gran Turismo 4's photo mode is considered as pornography.).

I don't really know about the other parts in Thailand as I spend most of my time in Bangkok. If you're into electronics & computers (You can bargain there, but some shops like the IT supermarket wouldn't allow bargaining.), you can try Pantip Plaza (Also heaven for pirated DVDs & software... heheh.). Another place in Bangkok is Platinum plaza, similar to Pantip but replace the word electronics with, clothes! I mean, you can't go wrong with 1,300 shops dedicated to fashion in the building! :D For the Toyota Fan at heart, There's the "The Style By Toyota Edutainment Center" in Siam Square. Food wise, if you're into Japanese food, try Fuji. It's a chain of Japanese restaurants in Thailand. You might want to ask the waiter/ waitress first though, as I'm not sure if some of the things are cooked with peanut oil. If you go to Siam Paragon, there's a place called the Gourmet Market, my mother love going there to buy rice (a H-U-G-E variety there!) & eat thier Banana Fritters. In Thailand, I recommend trying all the local fruits (e.g. Star fruit, Thai Mango, Jackfruit, Monthong Durian & etc.), as they're quite expensive back in Australia (Or at least it is, back in Perth.). Also, try "look joob", a Thai dessert (Not the one in MBK food court though, as I'm not sure for how long they left it out in the open.). Basically miniature fruit shaped dessert made from green beans & covered in jelly. Another one to try is "thong yib", basically pinched golden egg yolk dipped in hot syrup, layered green beancake (Very easy to find, it's alternately layered, dark green, light green, dark green, light green.) & Mango with Sticky Rice (Dessert). For auto accessories in Bangkok, there's Worajak District & Sri Worachak building-> http://www.sriworajak.com/main.php & http://www.thaitradefair.com/fairin/autoparts/ Oh yeah, be careful for Gem Scam shops in Thailand (Parents got scammed once, and it wasn't good. Exact same thing happened in link.)-> http://2bangkok.com/2bangkok/Scams/Sapphire.shtml Easy to tell them apart, they randomly approach you & claim themselves as a doctor or a different kind of occupation (They're actually touts.), usually appear too friendly & approach tourists at random and most usually speak 98 - 99% perfect English. Just ignore those type of people. There are also touts who work for unscrupulous restaurants, where they'll give you a "Special" English menu and charge a more expensive price (Food might not be good too!). If you have problems, you can always call the Tourist Police hotline. Some basic manners when in Thailand; -When they play the Thai national anthem. Stop, silence & don't make any move or sound till the anthem ends (I usually encounter this at BTS stations). -Do not bad mouth about or show disrespect to the Thai Royalty (Lese majeste law.). -Raising your voice or speaking in a loud tone is not advisable in Thailand. -Do not raise your feet, as this is considered as rude to a Thai. In other words, do as the Thais do. :) One last tip, learn & practice some Thai words, it will be very useful, especially in restaurants (Seeing that you have an allergy to peanuts & peanut-based products.). Have a safe trip! :) PS: I'll be back in Bangkok in January or earlier (Had to fly back to Kuala Lumpur unexpectedly to solve some stuffs for my sister somewhere else.). Would've loved to meet up with another fellow TOCAU member. Not sure if I'll be able to go back early though, as it is the high season for airline tickets now. Please feel free to PM SuperDave, Ascendant Justice or me on the forums if you have any more questions.

Exclusive to Taiwan market. Not launched in South East Asia yet, might be available in its facelift in 2010 in Thailand or maybe never, depending on the market demand in the region (This is something that I always find unusual with Toyota. Although both Taiwanese & SEA markets get the same Corolla Altis, the level of features & grades offered are different.). Corolla Altis 2.0Z Aero Tourer (Taiwan Exclusive. Similar to the Corolla Ultima Down Under, but with bodykit, black headlight housing & LED tail lights) Regular version (1.8 & 2.0) http://www.toyota.com.tw/2F_vehicle/vehicl...x.asp?CARSID=72 http://news.u-car.com.tw/news-detail.asp?nid=8406 http://feature.u-car.com.tw/feature-detail.asp?fid=406 1.8-> http://newcar.u-car.com.tw/newcar-overview.asp?model=2445 2.0-> http://newcar.u-car.com.tw/newcar-overview.asp?model=2447 On another note, although the 2.0 model wasn't launched at the Thailand Motor Expo (Was expecting it.), Toyota launched a Taxi-spec model, the Toyota Limo CNG (Basically a Corolla Altis 1.6J stripped out further & with a factory-installed CNG tank.). They showed a full-sized cutaway model at the expo. http://www.bangkokpost.com/181008_Business...t2008_biz39.php http://www.altisclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=34700

Looks like the 4 cylinder model will get 19 inch wheels, and for 2010, lower ground clearance (Most likely for the 2WD models only.). Its JDM counterpart, the Mark X Zio (Well, they're not the same cars, but are both similarly-sized crossovers.) have 16 inch wheels for the base & mid range grades and 18 inch wheels for the top spec grades. Here are two customized Venzas made for the SEMA show. Five Axis Venza http://jalopnik.com/photogallery/venzafiveaxis/ Street Image Venza http://jalopnik.com/photogallery/sportluxvenza/

Nice! Would do wonders as a gap filler for the Camry Wagon/ Avensis Verso in 2.7 4cyl 2WD guise (Seeing that the Kluger/ Highlander in Australia is V6 only.). Will probably get my dad to consider a Venza AWD or the recently unveiled (LA Auto Show) 2010 Lexus RX450h if he gets posted to Canada.

Just launched in New Zealand. As a Limited Release model. http://www.toyota.co.nz/NewVehicles/Models.../Yaris/Yaris_RS Now, when will Australia get it as a Yaris Sportivo?

lol I finished like last month! :P

thats makmur..hehehe..new rolla ey?? 18" he never comes on the forum! >< Hehe... I kept asking his bro to get him (Makmur) to join the forums...

Bought a box of this; 100% JDM-spec Pocky Chocolate Crunch Sticks with Almond FTW!