PaulMT

Fair call, your right about the Aurion/Camry. I guess they all have significant "history"

I feel guilty now because when I started this thread I was really ****** off at Toyota and their standard of service. If you re-read my post you will see I listed faults, but was mostly concerned about the attitude of Toyota to remedy the problems quickly with as little disruption to me as possible. I have tried a couple of dealerships, and I am on good terms with them all but I just think they are the worst car dealers I have ever had to deal with. I also said I probably wouldn't buy another Toyota Aurion and I meant it. I have put my money where my mouth is and take possession of a shining brand new Black XR6 Turbo next week. I am not stupid enough to expect this to be trouble free, as I said in my post, I have been lucky enough to have owned many new cars, but, I love power and I think the new FG Falcons and especially the XR6T and F6ET are the best they have ever produced and are the legacy of a very long and well respected series of development. prometheus said the Aurion had been around longer, this is just not true. Both Commodore and Falcon have and are basically the result of years of developmental change. I know motors change and body elements change etc, but they essentially the same car throughout and are built on the experience of previous models. Aurion is only at Series II and a few years old so is very new, though the motor is well proven. Anyway thanks to every one on this forum that has contributed even without knowing, to my Aurion experience of the last 22 months. Toyota (if you even bother to read this, you lost one new car sale every three years) C U All

Just to add, my SX6 id February 2008 and has the metal oil line.

Hi Everyone Now I have posted on here a few times or more so I am not new or a troll looking to inflame the community. For the record I am in New Zealand - so what the hell am I doing here, you might ask! well, I am an Australian living overseas who enjoys this forum immensely and has benefited heaps by reading the various posts, especially from generous people like DJKOR to mention but one; and just to add NZ doesn't seem to have a Toyota Owners Club (maybe I should form one???) So what's this all about then. I have just come back from an 850km 3 day business trip visiting my customers with big distance in between and I have been thinking... (I'm told that's dangerous for me) You can see from my sig' that I have a Aurora Gold 2008 SX6 with a few mod's that I think make for a very stunning car. I have had people come up to me in the street just to talk about this "strange" Toyota. After the trip I concluded to myself that I love this car. It is exhilarating to drive, quick powerful and staunch on the road. It doesn't quiet rip it up in the really tight corners but if you have balls and nice wide tyres like I have, you can leave most others in your wake. All of that said I have to also list the negatives I have experienced with this car and Toyota's service. I have owned or had many company cars, all new and of most of the predictable brands, Holden, Mitsubishi, Ford and none have been perfect by any means. I came to Toyota after my company said I could buy any 6 cylinder car I wanted and I tested them all (except not the XR6 Turbo but I did test the XR6) and I found the negatives of all that power on the front wheels was balanced by the sheer sophistication that the Aurion brought to the market. But I have been constantly disappointing with Toyota's attitude to service. I had heard that they were the best but sadly this has not been my experience nor has the Aurion stood up to the rigors of being a "reps" car. Here's my list of problems... From New - Faulty speakers - replaced then replaced by me with aftermarket - Faulty Toyota Bluetooth - replaced - Rear Bumper not fitted correctly and came adrift - replaced - Rear Demister not working - Fixed - Centre Console not fitted properly - refitted - Dash Rattle - removed and refitted twice and then after huge arguments with Toyota NZ finally I got the propriety fix (spacers) Dash out three times. - Pulling to the left - fixed with camber/caster kit - Knocking in steering - Steering Rack replaced, wheel alignment screwed up 3 visits got it fixed - Stopped on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere and car wouldn't restart. Roadside assist - Battery replaced - Lugs holding drivers floor mat broke - replaced - Stone found it's way through grille and punctured the AC coil - Insurance fix - Mesh fitted behind top and bottom grilles to avoids a repeat of the above - my expense - Steering lock does not work replaced - Centre console flopping about again, booked to have it refitted - Drivers Door has sagged 3-4mm to be fixed with centre console - Exclamation light and Stability control light comes on randomly in hot weather - to be looked at Well that's it and not to much of it to do with the motor which is the best thing about the car. It just gets me that everything has been a hassle to get fixed. The steering knock was the worst because they basically said I was imagining it. I have done 67k in 23 month's and make my living from a car so I think I don't imagine to much when it comes to my vehicle. Anyway, I still like the car and I know not everyone has these same problems but If I was to decide to replace it tomorrow I seriously doubt I would buy another Aurion and that is the shame of it. Everything bar the stone through the AC coil is, was or will be covered by warranty although I felt Toyota could have been magnanimous about the refrigerant leak and said "hell, Paul you've had a rough ride, this ones on us" But no they didn't see it that way! That's my vent for today...

It never cost me anywhere near the price you stated but in any case when it's done professionally if something goes wrong you have some come back, when you do it yourself you don't! and, I think they generally do a better, more thorough job than you can do at home. It was applied to seats, headrests, carpets, mats and fabric inserts on the doors.

I had my SX6 upholstery Scotch Guarded as an optional extra at time of purchase. I live in my car, eat in it, Drink Coffee in it and am on the road a lot for business with all the accidents that inevitably happen while trying to multi task with a phone, burger, drink, stereo, GPS and driving! So far the upholstery looks, as new. Any mishaps have all vacuumed out and a light wipe with a damp cloth has left it all looking pristine so I would recommend Scotch Guard as a very worthwhile proactive protection.

I use cruise control a lot and I can certainly say it holds going down hill as good as any cruise control I have ever had. The car will gather some momentum due to gravity but if you haven't got cruise set close to the speed limit it will keep you within the limit.

Same here! :-) Though in this instance I went in pre prepared with the Intermediate Shaft Spline and they found the Steering Rack was the issue. That was also mentioned in this thread so I new they were on to it. The way they explained it to me (and it seemed to make sense) If it was the spline, the "knock" could be forced by making lateral steering movements where-as the "knocking" I had which could be forced by braking and then surging forward was more likely to be something in the rack. I use the "" because knocking is not really an accurate description of the feel it was subtle but noticeable to me because I am driving so much. This forum certainly helps to keep Toyota dealers honest :-)

**** UPDATE **** Had my 60k service yesterday and today and the "clunking" in the steering looked at. This had got worse, and the front right suspension was very noisy. Anyway they have replaced the entire steering rack and it's now BRILLIANT! I can't believe how straight the steering is now as it was wandering really bad and pulling to the left also. This has all gone, the steering is straight, no pulling and no noise. Of course no clunk either. I hadn't noticed how bad the steering had become. I was so focused on the noise and clunk of the steering I had let the handling deteriorate. All good now :-)

boxerboy, I think they were quoting Toyota time not real world time! In any case I would rather they did this and planned on me having the loan car just in case. DJKOR, is the wheel alignment required after either of the two fixes you've talked about? This would be ironic because I have spent a little money and a lot of time to get the steering right, i.e. not pulling left. It's still not quite there and I was going to have another visit to the alignment place but thought I would wait until after the repair. It will be interesting to see if Toyota get it right.

Thanks for the investigation, DJKOR. I have the same problem in my SX6 which is now at 59k. It's exactly as you have described the knocking. Very easy now to reproduce, by breaking or at slow speed tappng the brakes. I spoke to my Toyota Dealer about it and suggested what I had read here previously about the intermediary shaft spline and he said they had a a couple of RAVs with this but had not had a V6 yet and that if it was that it would be a B&%$@ to get to and remedy. The would want the car for a day and maybe overnight and offered a loan Yaris. Now, I am happy with their response and my car is going in for the 60k service next week, but having read your description of the investigating you have done, I'm not sure it is the shaft as earlier described. It is definitely a "clunk" albeit a very subtle to most, huge to me feeling in the steering column. BTW, I do have camber bolts fitted now, but they were only done a month ago. I rang the Toyota agent not long after my last service at 45k after a long business trip away and said I was feeling something but it was subtle. It's now not subtle and always there! Looking to see what your going to do DJKOR :-)

Mine came with double sided tape already fixed. I had them painted, and then stuck them on. They fitted perfectly both sides and have never moved since, and, I have been through car washes with them as well.

I have my phone hooked to bluetooth but used to keep it in the nearest cup holder. I now have a Pro-Clip, which is a screwless fitting suitable and designed for two dash points on an Aurion. One is just above the top right hand centre air vent and the other is left side of the centre console. Both use the same holder but are designed to clip in without permanent fixing. Mine is by the top vent and it's the best thing I ever bought! My signal is now much stronger in the car and I clearly see the phone. I am also going to get another one for the secondary position for my iTouch. Check these out they are really well made, don't move or rattle and aren't too expensive. I found the American company very professional and easy to deal with. Delivery was about a week. I can't speak more highly of them. Over the years I have had more than I can remember car kits and this is the best so far in my opinion. Below is the mounting pad, that screwlessly fits your car. Then you screw the holder to this as shown further down. My phone is a Nokia E71 But I am also ordering the iTouch charging mount and holder now. Top Fitting - Doesn't show the holder that you also buy specific for your phone or device Side Fitting - I am getting the connector and iTouch holder for here. Here's two options for my iTouch. The holders for all devices look more or less the same, but fit your device very snug and secure with easy access Here's the link to Pro Clip's site in USA Hope this helps......

Yeah your Aurion is going to look great! I really like the VIP look, can't wait to see pic's when you have it all done.

I have a Jayco Penguin which is a bit bigger and heavier than yours and I tow that with my SX6 no problem at all. I do have load levellers and would strongly recommend them to you as making a hell of a difference to the overall "stiffness" I am also having electrics fitted to activate the brakes. I've never had a problem pulling up in a short distance, but I drove a similar 5mtr caravan the other day with a car fitted out for electric brakes and was very impressed at how much better the overall braking control this feels. The fuel consumption does go up for the obvious reasons, but it's all worth it when you get to wherever your going, pop your camper up and pull a beer out of the fridge - Ahhhhhhhhh :D