vLane Blog

Articles Matching “Toyota”

• Community Review: 2007 Toyota Corolla

  Banovsky 4 days ago

  Especially with car buyers trying to save every last penny, our vehicle reviews are an invaluable resource. Every now and then, we'd like to highlight some of the great reviews our community members write at vLane.

  Reviewer sunil garg loves how comfortable his Toyota Corolla is:

  I love how comfortable it is to sit in while driving, or even to sit in at the back. The seats are firm but not hard.

  Still, he feels the interior materials could be improved:

  The Corolla's dashboard plastic has nice-looking graining, and the controls are logically arranged. The cloth seats and cloth door-panel inserts look and feel dated when compared to newer competitors.

  …and then he goes and says this:

  A "Win Win" deal in every respect, best car your money can buy. Given a choice between a Merc and a Corolla, I would go for the Corolla, why pay in the high 5 when you can get the same quality and comfort in the lower 5.

  Click over to read the whole review, and don't forget to submit your own!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Toyota, vLane, Community review

• The secret world of cars and tents

  Banovsky on October 16, 2009

  It started with the photo you see below. A Sunday morning browse of Chrysler's press photo archive turned up a photo of the "Magic Camper" package, available on the 1985 Plymouth Voyager. "Hmm…" I wondered, "How many car companies offer tents for their vehicles?" The results may surprise you.

  

  1985 Plymouth Voyager "Magic Camper" package

  If I'm honest, I gave up searching for OEM tent packages. There are simply too many. From laughing at the Chervrolet Nova 6 "Hutch" package (that turns an open hatchback into a three-sided cheese slice tent), to marvelling at the ingenuity of the Honda Element's available "curtains" — it seems outdoorsy people work at nearly every car company.

  So without further adieu, click through for a gallery of my favourites.

  Read full article | Comments (6) | Filed under Classic, Feature, WTF, Saab, Misc, Toyota, Ford, Ford, Nissan, Volkswagen, Chevrolet, Dodge, LOL, GMC, From the web, Original, Camping, outdoors, Weird

• Recap: #carchat 31; October 7 @ 8PM EST

  Banovsky on October 8, 2009

  Social media is such a cool thing that we're constantly evolving how we communicate. Take #carchat: the first few originated out of a spirited conversation.

  
  Anyone can join us each week at 8PM EST on Twitter. And if you'd like to suggest topics, please tag articles on Delicious.com with "carchat."
  
  
  
  
  

  We had:

  • Discussion: Chevrolet's return to police cars
  • Discussion: Toyota is going to make sports cars again…
  • Discussion: Mark LaNeve to leave GM…How would you turn sales around?
  • Help-a-shopper: Phil Herlihy

  So? What are you waiting for? Click through to the recap.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under General Motors, Toyota, This week, Discussion, Social Media, carchat, Twitter, vLane, police, LOL

• Toyota's floor mat fix

  Banovsky on October 8, 2009

  Yes, 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus products have been recalled because of floor mats that can catch under the gas pedal and result in a runaway vehicle. (Only if you're not paying attention – Ed.) We were holding off posting about it until we saw how Toyota would be fixing the affected cars.

  

  Photo: Jalopnik. We added Red Green.

  Yes. That's a zip tie. As we discussed on #carchat, a better situation is to not panic, put the vehicle into neutral, turn on the hazard lights, and use the handbrake to safely pull to the side of the road. Easy. You won't only look smarter, your floor mats won't look like they were attacked by Red Green.

  Jalopnik has a full run-down of the fix, including scans of the service document.

  Click through for a bonus Red Green clip where he makes two K-Cars into one all-wheel-drive one…

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under News, Video, WTF, Technology, Toyota, LOL, Jalopnik, Recall, Red Green

• Toyota FT-86 concept

  Banovsky on October 8, 2009

  I think I can speak for enthusiasts everywhere when I say this car must be built.

  

  Toyota FT-86 concept

  Hailed as a spiritual successor to the legendary "AE-86" Corolla GT-S, this FT-86 concept mates reader drive, a Subaru derived flat-4 cylinder engine, and rear wheel drive.

  Styling? Well, that's a home run. Simple yet aggressive, you'd never mistake this sports car for a Hyundai Genesis coupe, or a Volkswagen GTI, its natural competition.

  We'll tell you more about this car once it's shown at the Tokyo Motor Show, but for now, what vehicle is its biggest competition?

  Powered by vLane.com See more | Create your own!

  Click through for more photos and a video!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Sports car, Concept, Japan, Toyota, Coupe, Subaru, 2010

• Upcoming: #carchat 31; October 7 @ 8PM EST

  Banovsky on October 7, 2009

  Yup, another #carchat. This week, Chevrolet is bringing back the Caprice…but only if you're wearing a badge, Toyota will be making sports cars again in a joint effort with Subaru, we discuss how to improve sales at General Motors, and we'll be helping out a shopper!

  If you'd like to participate, check out the #carchat How-To. Anyone can join us at 8 PM EST September 30, but you'll need a Twitter account to ask questions.

  However, if you'd like to follow things live, go here at 8 PM EST.

  And if you'd like to suggest topics and questions for the discussion, please leave a comment below, tag articles on Delicious.com with "carchat," or email me at michael [at] banovsky.com.

  Topics:

  • Discussion: Chevrolet's return to police cars
  • Discussion: Toyota is going to make sports cars again…
  • Discussion: Mark LaNeve to leave GM…How would you turn sales around?
  • Help-a-shopper: Phil Herlihy

  So click through and read a few links, and see some photos related to the discussion.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under General Motors, Sports car, Toyota, This week, Social Media, carchat, Chevrolet, Twitter, vLane, Caprice

• Upcoming: #carchat 30; September 30 @ 8PM EST

  Banovsky on September 30, 2009

  Well, some big news today to discuss on #carchat! First, Saturn is no more, after Penske couldn't secure a source of vehicles past their contract with GM. Second, the GM and eBay Internet experiment is finished…and it wasn't that positive. Third, Volvo buys ad space to complain about distracted driving! Oh, and Toyota's got a recall they can't sweep under the rug…

  If you'd like to participate, check out the #carchat How-To. Anyone can join us at 8 PM EST September 30, but you'll need a Twitter account to ask questions.

  However, if you'd like to follow things live, go here at 8 PM EST.

  And if you'd like to suggest topics and questions for the discussion, please leave a comment below, tag articles on Delicious.com with "carchat," or email me at michael [at] banovsky.com.

  Topics:

  • Discussion: Saturn is dead!
  • Discussion: GM and eBay…too soon for Internet new car sales?
  • Discussion: Distracted driving…should automakers take sides?
  • Discussion: Toyota's huge recall…over floor mats!

  So click through and read a few links, and see some photos related to the discussion.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under General Motors, Saturn, News, Toyota, This week, Discussion, Social Media, carchat, Volvo, Twitter, Original

• Silly old ad: The Toyota Cavalier

  Banovsky on September 28, 2009

  Yes, Toyota sold a rebadged Chevrolet Cavalier in Japan. But was it a "new form of luxury" as the ads claim?

  

  A strong candidate for an "LOL WTF" award…

  Thanks to Flickr member for uploading this ad. Click through to see it…and two commercials!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under WTF, Sedan, Japan, Toyota, Advertising, Coupe, Chevrolet, LOL, Commercial, Silly old commercial, Cavalier, Original

• What's the best V8-powered mid-sized off-road capable SUV?

  Banovsky on September 14, 2009

  What wins, on-road Japanese prowess or off-road American muscle?

  Powered by vLane.com See more | Create your own!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under SUV, Toyota, Nissan, off-road, HUMMER, Poll

• Tiny Tuner: Gazoo Racing Toyota iQ

  Banovsky on July 30, 2009

  This is a customized Toyota iQ microcar to be sold in limited quantities from this November, in Japan.

  

  The Gazoo Racing Toyota iQ

  Unlike the Smart fortwo, the Toyota iQ has seen a little bit of tuner attraction. This version is lowered, with an exhaust, 16-inch wheels, and a snazzy bodykit.

  And although it's unlikely to come to North America exactly as you see here, it may arrive on our shores as a Scion. And that has us excited.

  Click through for a video…and yes, it sounds awesome.

  [via paultan.org]

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Environment, Green, Mileage, News, WTF, Japan, Misc, Toyota, iQ, Coupe, Smart, 2009, MPG, LOL, Gazoo Racing, iQ