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Post by JonW on Jul 24, 2023 2:26:59 GMT 1
Yeah hes alright that Mr Atkinson. Rowan (i'll pretend we're mates lol) has always been a car guy from what i used to read in (I think?) Car magazine back in the day as he had a column and talked about his life around cars. He seems to like his GRY which is nice, but ive no idea what his tie up with Toyota is other than he is a fan of Hydrogen as a fuel being an 'ICE guy' of course. Its interesting that Toyota is running the GRY engine with Hydrogen and Id be keen to know how it stacks up against the petrol version.
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Post by donkeychomp on Aug 3, 2023 23:26:18 GMT 1
Not actually relevant to this but my little MK1 Yaris had her MOT the other day. For the first time ever she passed with NO advisories. Happy days!
Alex
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Post by JonW on Aug 4, 2023 10:18:07 GMT 1
Good to hear Alex. I did 300km in mine today, visited a forum mate and talked RD/RZs all day. Superb day out!
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Post by cnkxu1 on Aug 9, 2023 11:51:25 GMT 1
Just coming up to 10000kms in the GRY and it is freeing up and really flying. I know it has been a while since I bought it but I sort of forgot how many kms engines take to really get going. Same thing happened on my V8s and the WRXs now I recall but it has been a little while between drinks.
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Post by JonW on Aug 10, 2023 0:46:34 GMT 1
Im only on just over 6000kms, I really dont use a car much these days as we live close to the train line, but agree that the engine does loosen up a bit over time. Good to know youre still enjoying it Chris. They are great fun Ive had issues with wind noise driving me mad, which you may have seen on the GRY forum. I think ive fixed it now as its a baggy seal issue. Ive given up with Toyota to be honest, they never called me back to test my gear change (ToyAus rep was sposed to come out and never bothered) and Ive just learnt to be gentle when cold, anyway they were never going to get the job to fix the seal unless I failed. The door panel is only a few screws and clips to get off and the mirror is 3 bolts, easy, but they'd probably damage something.
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Post by cnkxu1 on Sept 13, 2023 6:49:28 GMT 1
Took the GRY in for a service 18 months but only 10,000kms. Just oil and filter so nothing major. Fuel consumption was on 8.9 per 100km when I took it in and 9.2 when I picked it up. I suspect the road test was a little spirited. I retired last week so I think I will be doing a few more road trips and maybe some dirt and gravel. I also have the time to prepare the 2001 WRX and 2006 STi for sale. GT Forester is ready to go now.
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Post by JonW on Sept 13, 2023 7:04:45 GMT 1
My 2 year service is due next month. It will be about 8k kms by then I suspect. Weve been away a bit and using the train more n more. With insurance renewal (landed this week) up 33% and fuel hitting $2.50+ this week Im starting to wonder if I dont just need a shitbox runabout instead, hmm... lol 0 I'll be looking for another dealer i think. My 'must go to dealer' (according to the local Fb GRY community) has turned out to be a damp squib. What was great 18+ months back when they had a dedicated GR tech isnt what it was. He was very up on the GRY having been involved in the 'first 500bhp' car that got built in Aus etc. But cos he was an achiever he became assistant service manager by the time I had my 1yr service and at 18months he was running the service dept. He had no time for talking or looking at my car, so basically this dealer became GR Tech-less just like so many others and it was just serviced by the apprentices - not what Toyota Aus promised at all. At 18months they bent one of my mudflap brackets so it touched the tyre on hard turns and blamed it on me when they put that right since i took it back... and worse still the promised call from Toyota 'in a few weeks' never came. No one was interested in my gearbox issues and so Ive just decided to drive around the less than new car noises it makes from 1st to 2nd when the car is cold and forget about it, it is getting better... or im caring less lol. Anyway, time for dealer no.3... Congrats on joining the retired community Chris! Oh... and Edited to add, i still love driving the GRY. Its fine round town, but as soon as you punch it out of the city its amazing, so solid and powerful and yet feels light. Its really hard to say how good it is as its better than the Evo and Stis and other cars of its ilk really being modern as well as lightweight. Even on motorways its been a joy now that ive sorted the wind noise which was coming from the edge of the window seal by the mirror. On motorways 7L / 100km is easy to get. Considering whats on tap in the engine bay, thats mental really.
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Post by cnkxu1 on Sept 13, 2023 9:32:45 GMT 1
My Toyota experience has been pretty good and I have just ordered a GR Hilux and a hybrid AWD Yaris Cross. Even more reason to move the older cars on.
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Post by donkeychomp on Oct 1, 2023 21:28:25 GMT 1
Alex
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Post by cnkxu1 on Oct 10, 2023 10:23:13 GMT 1
Going to this event:
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Post by JonW on Oct 10, 2023 12:44:08 GMT 1
I had the offer today and was going to post the info for you in case you didnt get it Chris.
Sadly not even close to being local for me.
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Post by cnkxu1 on Dec 1, 2023 2:07:37 GMT 1
A few GRYs at Sandown for the Gazoo Razing Expo
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Post by cnkxu1 on Dec 1, 2023 2:08:46 GMT 1
Thought you might like this Morizo Corolla, Jonw
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Post by JonW on Dec 1, 2023 4:24:21 GMT 1
Cool pics Chris! How was the event? No exciting news on my GRY, its got just under 8k kms on it now as we rarely use a car these days, even worse Im doing no miles in the Evo and that will have to be sold. The GRY was serviced by a new dealer 6wks back (we have so many Toyota dealers within a 20min drive its almost silly), sadly they were also useless. They didnt keep to the timings they suggested and agreed to, which was very annoying as we had to leave for an appointment. Apparently the customer's time is less important than theirs. Sigh. If you cant manage that part of the job, how can we trust them to use the right oil etc. I asked them to look at 2 small things... They 'fixed' both. hmm... Let's see... Their fix for the notchy drivers door release (the in cabin handle's feeling when opening the door when both opened and closed) was to lube the mech where the door latches shut. The fault is in the cables. I know as I reckon I introduced it when fixing the wind noise and getting the trim back in and lined up on the armrest/handle area. They proudly proclaimed that as fixed, but it was exactly the same as when it came in. I will pull the door card off and fix it myself, along with more wind noise fixing as that is coming back as the seal reforms into the gap that makes the noise. FWIW I know a lot about this wind noise subject now if anyone has the same problem with a GRY lol. The 2nd issue was an occasional squeak like a loose belt noise from the engine bay. It was very intermittent but really loud and obnoxious and once started went on for a bit. I simply asked them to check the tension when in the engine bay doing the service. Not rocket science I felt. I also hoped they might listen to the bearings in the alternator and water pump in case they were failing as that can happen in any car, no matter the age. They said they fixed it and ive not heard it since, but it is intermittent so Im wary. Oh and their fix you ask? ...was to use a can of some kind of lube to spray the belts. When I asked if they checked the tension the guy looked pained and using the tone he uses when his kids are playing up 'reminded me' that they worked fast so I could leave sooner... yeah, only 1.5hrs later than they agreed when booked in and also when dropped off. Sigh... they didnt allow enough time or start it soon enough, but hey its the customers fault of course... Anyway, for me a can of squeal stop is for selling a shit box on ebay as its a bodge, not to be used when a customer asks you to look at what is still essentially a brand new car and certainly not in the first instance, only once you worked out what the issue is and replacing parts isnt the way forwards. :/ So, new dealer next time... will I ever find a dealer who can actually work on this car or has even a mild interest in customer service? I know modern dealers are useless, but Toyota is the biggest car brand in Aus... FWIW Ive yet to receive the special print out youre sposed to get with a GRY service that they advertised as part of the cool stuff you got with your GRY expereince. Sure, its nothing really useful, but it would be nice to see one, the dealers have zero interest in making the ownership expereince 'as promised' it seems... sad really. I know thats normal for cars in 2023 but the boss of Toyota promised a lot and I feel im not seeing any of it. ahh well... lets see in 5 more months... Also... adding this as its funny. Did you Evolve your NFT Chris? I only had $260 in receipt for the service and you had to spend 300 but i figured they had already made these carbon key rings anyway so I used the form to evolve on the off chance they would send it out. I quickly got an email saying I hadnt spend enough... haha. Felt it was worth a try, but i dont use a key ring so was less fussed to go back to em. I guess mine is in the skip behind the offices now... ahh well.
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Post by cnkxu1 on Dec 1, 2023 5:00:04 GMT 1
They were giving away lots of Supra keyrings and cufflinks today. LOL probably more than the number of Supras sold. Some really good presentations from Naohiko Saito GR Yaris Chief Engineer, the Neal Bates family. Had a skin cancer check as the National Skin Cancer Foundation was on site and a walk for charity from Merimbula ended at the track after 621kms and raising $100k.
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Post by cnkxu1 on Dec 1, 2023 5:31:10 GMT 1
Jonw, I just spoke to a service guy Josh from Ferguson’s in Hurstville and he is a GR owner so appreciates your concerns. Might be worth a try if not too far away.
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Post by midlifecrisisrd on Dec 1, 2023 9:58:54 GMT 1
I'm afraid your experience with the Toyota garages is just how things are now
Everywhere and everything is the same, no one cares. Almost like they are doing you the favour taking the work on and you should be grateful
I ordered a new car 2 weeks ago (don't get exited, its a leccy one) and it took 3 weeks between walking into the dealer and arranging a demo before I ordered it
No replying to emails, changing stories on the phone depending who you spoke to
No real selling or relationship building going on
Attitude was almost disinterested
I don't want to be their best buddy but its a £35k order for them, I'd expect some enthusiasm ☹️
Steve
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Post by JonW on Dec 1, 2023 12:47:08 GMT 1
They were giving away lots of Supra keyrings and cufflinks today. LOL probably more than the number of Supras sold. Some really good presentations from Naohiko Saito GR Yaris Chief Engineer, the Neal Bates family. Had a skin cancer check as the National Skin Cancer Foundation was on site and a walk for charity from Merimbula ended at the track after 621kms and raising $100k. sounds like a decent event, the freebies will sell great on ebay lol free skin check was worth the effort to go really.
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Post by JonW on Dec 1, 2023 12:50:28 GMT 1
Jonw, I just spoke to a service guy Josh from Ferguson’s in Hurstville and he is a GR owner so appreciates your concerns. Might be worth a try if not too far away. Sadly a long way from me, but you never know where i'll end up. In the initial days there was a 'GR tech' in some dealers. Castle Hill has one... but he has been promoted 2 or 3 times in the 9months since i heard about him so when i got there he was service manager and not that bothered about customers with GRs it seemed. He's the guy that was managing a Toyota guy come and feel my gearbox issue and then never bothered to come back to me. He'd moved up n on, i get it... but ToyAus isnt back filling these guys with knowledge it seems. Toyota isnt a brand Id bother with again for that reason.
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Post by JonW on Dec 1, 2023 12:54:55 GMT 1
I'm afraid your experience with the Toyota garages is just how things are now Everywhere and everything is the same, no one cares. Almost like they are doing you the favour taking the work on and you should be grateful I ordered a new car 2 weeks ago (don't get exited, its a leccy one) and it took 3 weeks between walking into the dealer and arranging a demo before I ordered it No replying to emails, changing stories on the phone depending who you spoke to No real selling or relationship building going on Attitude was almost disinterested I don't want to be their best buddy but its a £35k order for them, I'd expect some enthusiasm ☹️ Steve Yep I hear ya mate. I popped into Ford the other day. Looked at a Ranger Raptor. Salesman got a couple of cars started and let me look at them in the range and spent about 20mins with me. Didnt bother to tell me his name, til i asked. No 'take my card' and no effort to get my name let alone my phone or email. Disinterested in the extreme it seems, salesman 101 says always follow up if you cant make a sale right now. Nope... not in 2023. BTW the Premium Ranger he offered me had 3500km on it and was A$3k over a new one. Dealers not got the memo that prices are slipping then lol He also offered me a cancelled order Raptor for $3-4k over list, arriving in March - normal wait is 18mths it seems.
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Post by JonW on Dec 1, 2023 13:04:17 GMT 1
I do agree that all car dealers are rubbish, but you'd think by now that buyers would have complained enough that things would be getting an overhaul. Yet it seems that its just going to get worse as people have less and less interest in their vehicle. Most leccy cars seem to have a 24month service interval now, that seems to be driven by the replacement of the brake fluid. Wow... who knew that would be the driver for a service.
Anyway, I love driving the GRY but really only when on it as its wonderful when you get on the gas and carve the bends. Im glad i have it, just hate the dealer experience... which as we know is the same no matter what car you have these days.
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Post by donkeychomp on Dec 1, 2023 23:29:36 GMT 1
I recall a Ford dealer from 1986. In Florida. The bloke I worked for ordered a spanking new pick up, with a host of options including a bed liner, cassette radio, air con, power windows etc. We went to pick it up. The dealer showed it to us, full of that insane toothy grin, and it was the wrong colour. He said that was all he could get. Hmm. No air con, no radio, nothing. It was a base model. No A/C in Florida is a death sentence. My employer wasn't happy and demanded that he should get the truck he ordered. Dealer said take it or leave it. There were about 20 Ford dealers in a 15 mile radius. We tried one 2 miles away and they supplied the exact truck he wanted the next day. Dealers have been a***holes from day one.
Alex
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Post by JonW on Dec 2, 2023 1:01:26 GMT 1
I recall a Ford dealer from 1986. In Florida. The bloke I worked for ordered a spanking new pick up, with a host of options including a bed liner, cassette radio, air con, power windows etc. We went to pick it up. The dealer showed it to us, full of that insane toothy grin, and it was the wrong colour. He said that was all he could get. Hmm. No air con, no radio, nothing. It was a base model. No A/C in Florida is a death sentence. My employer wasn't happy and demanded that he should get the truck he ordered. Dealer said take it or leave it. There were about 20 Ford dealers in a 15 mile radius. We tried one 2 miles away and they supplied the exact truck he wanted the next day. Dealers have been a***holes from day one. Alex Haha, classic. Well thats how new car sales have been the last few years. 'We have one now, in the worst colour and with the spec you dont want (usually the top spec with all the extras cos that costs the most, so the most profit for teh dealer) and you'll pay list+uplift for having it ahead of an ordered car. But inflation's lil recession may change that a bit, but importers have learnt that by controlling supply they can keep prices high (ie no deals) and dealers have made even more money by ordering cars without actual buyers just for stock and then charging more for 'one you can have right now if youre desperate'. Its shit but its the modern world, the old deals system is gone from cars now, almost everyone pays list and you may as well buy online than enjoy 30mins of 'salesman malaise' in the dealership. Even supermarkets (in the uk, it was in yesterday's news) are talking about using demand models for dynamic pricing, ie shelf full of a product then its cheap, but as it sells they up the price with the last few being very exy, until the 'eat by' date comes and then it reduces the price to get rid... ie the easyjet model. bad luck if you come home after work and need milk, now you'll need to get it on your way in or pay more... or roll the dice and go in just before closing to get a deal, if there is any left. jokes aside i think customers will reject this model, as it negatively impacts working families but you never know. I should say that Im sure new bike sales run along the same lines, tho maybe they are smaller dealers so treat customers better. Ive no idea, Ive not bought a brand new bike for ages. Anyway, we should leave this thread for AWD JDM stuff, my moans about the useless Toyota dealers are really only here cos they belong as part of the experience of owning a GRY. The promise vs the reality etc. The bizarre (like the NFT stuff) and the cool, like free invites to events etc. In truth I dont hold any hope that any Sydney dealer will give me the expereince I was 'promised' at the outset cos ToyAus and its dealers are high volume sellers, not niche players who have time or inclination to look after a customer. At least Subaru and Mitsubishi back in the day were small enough to do that, even if only just a little.
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Post by donkeychomp on Dec 2, 2023 1:09:29 GMT 1
This is why I own old vehicles lol.
Alex
ps that and the fact that they are just better...
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Post by cnkxu1 on Dec 2, 2023 4:33:20 GMT 1
Not an AWD JDM but I just picked up this tribute to the 1979 Holden Dealer Team rally car that won the Repco Reliability trial. Travelling around Australia in it next year.
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Post by JonW on Dec 2, 2023 5:42:11 GMT 1
Wow, looks great m8!
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Post by donkeychomp on Dec 2, 2023 22:53:48 GMT 1
Ahh...the glory days of cigarette advertising. Cars and bikes just looked better with Marlboro written on them.
Alex
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Post by cnkxu1 on Dec 3, 2023 5:32:58 GMT 1
Funny thing is if I go to a race track to do a parade lap I have to cover up the ciggie ads.
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Post by JonW on Dec 3, 2023 8:06:52 GMT 1
Funny thing is if I go to a race track to do a parade lap I have to cover up the ciggie ads. thats mad isnt it. You cant rewrite history... until you can. it seems.
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Post by donkeychomp on Dec 3, 2023 22:13:18 GMT 1
Do what all the F1 teams did. Just have the Marloboro logo (the triangle thing) or change it to Benson and Hedges then call it Buzzin' Hornets. Gauloises became GOOOOO! etc
Alex
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