Considering I just saved $2600 on my TCH, was wondering how I was going to spend that money on my car. This new TRD option was just released, I love it but I can't justify spending $189 on it. You would think for that price you would get the whole push-start module, not just the button!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MakeTrack=true

 

My 1965 Dodge Dart had pushbutton start.... the ignition switch broke in that you could use the ACC and ON positions, but turning it to Start did nothing. I moved the wire from the windshield washer motor and plugged it into the starter relay. Turn key to "On", press windshield washer button, car starts. So luxurious!

I really don't see the big deal about a push-button start... I suppose if they were triggered by your wireless keyfob thing so you never had to take your keys out of your pocket, but still...

I'd put that $189.00 towards the principal on the loan. It'll save you a few dollars over the lifetime of the loan-- much better than a pseudo-luxurious gimmick.

 

Do you own a TCH? (your profile lists NONE for hybrid cars owned) The TCH comes standard with push-button start. So this would be a $189 button swap, which is exactly why I'm saying that it's not justifiable to purchase this. For a TCH owner, this introduces no new functionality.

 

$189 for a button marked "TRD"? Adding no new functionality to the factory car? You're absolutely right-- it's not justifiable. (Earlier I was under the impression it could be added to a normal keyed-start system so you just had to turn the key to on and press the button (which would be pretty hokey indeed.))

No, I own no hybrid vehicles-- just an '01 Corolla and a '97 Schwinn Mesa. My next vehicle, hopefully, will be a hybrid of some kind. I'm thinking Prius but I could be persuaded to get a TCH. And if the Corolla came in a hybrid option by the time I'm ready to change cars, I'd probably get that.

 

The new Corolla is going to look like a baby Camry, but I bet it will be a couple more years till we see a Hybrid Rolla.....

Back on topic. Not worth it flop. I was once a TRD freak as well, but this is kinda over the top. I think it might also look out of place in the TCH interior.

 

AlaricD — It's actually a very convenient standard feature in the Camry Hybrid. You appear to be under a misapprehension as to how it works. One does not need to remove the fob from one's pocket. Its presence inside the cabin is sensed wirelessly by the car, and all one has to do to start the car is to press the Start button. I like it!

Stan

 

I knew it worked that way in the Prius, and gathered that it had to have been the same way in the TCH. What I didn't realize at first was that the $189.00 device simply replaced the button with a TRD-branded button, and that it offered no change in functionality over the "normal" button.

 

Your choice of words is not exactly correct, your statement is only true for the TCH (and other start-button equipped Camry's). The TRD device is a full push-button ignition switch, which would be a big enhancement to a car that has a standard key ignition. All I was saying is that because the TCH already comes standard with the upgraded push-button ignition, that there is no change in functionality in a TCH.

Think of it this way. If a Camry with a standard key-ignition was broken into and you had to replace it, how much would that part be from Toyota? Maybe $100? (I'm just guessing at that number, but I would think it's more than $100) So upgrading to this push-button start would only be an additional $89 for that person.

 

My statement is true only for the TCH and other start-button equipped Camrys because I intended it to apply to TCH and start-button equipped Camrys.