View Poll Results: What is the dumbest part of the TCH?
The fact that the fuel refill door can be opened while driving
3
3.33%
The location of the ECO button
50
55.56%
The difficulty required to use the AUX MP3 plug
10
11.11%
Other, please let us know
19
21.11%
Nothing, I think my TCH is perfect!
8
8.89%
Voters: 90. You may not vote on this poll
What is the dumbest part of the TCH?
Pretty Darn Active Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 281
From: Jacksonville, FL
Re: What is the dumbest part of the TCH?
Honestly, I think Toyota could save some $$$ by making the 'hybrid powertrain and A/C' a stand-alone that one could add to the different trim levels, much as they do with the V6. Granted, they sell every one they have the capacity to manufacture, and the current upgrade packages get them most of the way there, but...
Active Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 67
Re: What is the dumbest part of the TCH?
As I surmised in another post, if you add all the goodies in your mid-priced version (Camry) what incentive is there to purchase the premium version (ES300)?
In addition, the cost of these features (if they were standard) would price some consumers out of the market.
I know there are other differences between the cars, but they don't want the cars to canibalize each other's market.
They need to maintain differences.
Lexus is sold to the luxury consumer, it adds all the goodies and charges for it.
Camry is sold to value conscious consumers who'd rather save a few bucks and not get the "automatic tushy wiper", etc.
In addition, the cost of these features (if they were standard) would price some consumers out of the market.
I know there are other differences between the cars, but they don't want the cars to canibalize each other's market.
They need to maintain differences.
Lexus is sold to the luxury consumer, it adds all the goodies and charges for it.
Camry is sold to value conscious consumers who'd rather save a few bucks and not get the "automatic tushy wiper", etc.
People will always buy the ES because its a Lexus. Ideally doesn't the Camry V6 XLE compete directly against the ES350? There are the extra refinements in the Lexus, better leather, better seats, nicer trim, etc. Electronically and mechanically, they are more similar than not.
Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 529
From: Big Canoe GA
Re: What is the dumbest part of the TCH?
And thats the problem. If Toyota had a ES350h or what not, I would have bought that instead of the TCH. But they don't. The only ones they had/have is the GS and the RX. That leaves people like me, who was willing to pay extra, wanting some of these amenities (backup cam, auto drivers side up, memory seats, etc).
People will always buy the ES because its a Lexus. Ideally doesn't the Camry V6 XLE compete directly against the ES350? There are the extra refinements in the Lexus, better leather, better seats, nicer trim, etc. Electronically and mechanically, they are more similar than not.
People will always buy the ES because its a Lexus. Ideally doesn't the Camry V6 XLE compete directly against the ES350? There are the extra refinements in the Lexus, better leather, better seats, nicer trim, etc. Electronically and mechanically, they are more similar than not.
Look at the 600H, avery nice ride.
Veracitorian Muser
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 336
From: Tempe, Arizona
Re: What is the dumbest part of the TCH?
And thats the problem. If Toyota had a ES350h or what not, I would have bought that instead of the TCH. But they don't. The only ones they had/have is the GS and the RX. That leaves people like me, who was willing to pay extra, wanting some of these amenities (backup cam, auto drivers side up, memory seats, etc).
I am very happy with the TCH, but I would like to have the memory seats, auto up/down windows on all 4 windows, much more comfortable seats, auto-dimming inside and outside mirrors, rear sun shade, nicer storage areas with covers, full size spare with alloy wheel, and other niceties well worth the premium on the Lexus version of the Camry (to me). One awesome benefit of the Lexus is the vastly superior customer service at virtually identical service prices (exactly the opposite experience that I've had with Saab, Volvo, and Mercedes, which barely rate above Toyota shops, but at twice or more the price for similar service).
Unfortunately, Lexus will not make an ES with only 190 HP, so even if they do come out with an ES hybrid, it will be more like an Accord Hybrid, tuned more for performance, and probably with a V6. Even with gas cost not a particularly big concern of mine, it is GREAT FUN getting 50+ MPG on my TCH (current tank with at 45 miles is at 50.7, but most complete tanks are closer to 40 for me). I can afford the gas, but I don't enjoy enriching middle eastern countries and putting more CO2 in the air than I need to. I have no problem with only 190 HP!
Interestingly, my brother, who owned a number of BMWs, including more than one 540 Dinon (ultra high performance tuned 540i) traded one of these monster BMWs in for a TCH a few months after I got mine. He also went from speed/performance demon, to a lover of high efficiency chasing the MPGs like me. (First time he ever took my advice on a car!!!!)
-- Alan
Pretty Darn Active Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 281
From: Jacksonville, FL
Re: What is the dumbest part of the TCH?
A quick check would be to verify all 4 tires are at the correct pressure; one that's low could cause a bit of a pull.
Active Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 209
From: Asheville, NC
Re: What is the dumbest part of the TCH?
i checked the pressure and all are fine, i will ask the service guys at my dealer to see what they can do. Its annoying and dangerous, if driving and the road level is higher on the shoulder side (or other side) then the car wants to pull away from it (if i let it). I read on here someone else had it too so its not just me.
Active Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 67
Re: What is the dumbest part of the TCH?
I can afford gas, I can't afford that 600h!
I listed the GS and RX because those were the "limits" that my wife and I were willing to spend!
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,678
From: Beautiful Pacific NW
Re: What is the dumbest part of the TCH?
The lack of a switch by which the control system could be told that there will be few, or NO opportunities for regeneratively recharging the hybrid battery. As a result the hybrid energy would be used ultra conservatively, the control system relying mostly on the ICE for acceleration spurts, or regaining a set roadspeed.
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,678
From: Beautiful Pacific NW
Re: What is the dumbest part of the TCH?
I'm going to go with the fact by default the recirc will come on automatically at startup when the weather's really hot and you don't even have the fan going, let alone AC. I can think of no sensible explanation for excluding outside air when it's hot unless you're running the AC.
It's actually even worse than you might think.
With, or without, the A/C enabled the system should remain in FRESH inlet airflow mode, possibly even raising the blower speed to MAX, until the passenger cabin air temperature declines to at least the level of the OAT, or even a tad beyond in order to help cool down the super heated interior surfaces...BLACK surfaces(??).
Even your owners manual points out the CONFLICT in this, stating that in this circumstance you should initially drive with your rear windows rolled down slightly in order to first EXHAUST the HOT cabin atmosphere.
Idiots..!!
And I'll claim current lack of motivation rather than boredom for responding, at the moment, heh.
I do disapprove of the eco button a bit but as I rarely use AC/heat it doesn't affect me much. Oh one other thing was how incredibly tight the fit was for plugging in my old cell's car charger was. I just changed cells and was afraid it wouldn't come out--I was surprised it did, I'd left it in there since I got the car and first plugged it in, afraid I'd rip the whole thing apart.
It's actually even worse than you might think.
With, or without, the A/C enabled the system should remain in FRESH inlet airflow mode, possibly even raising the blower speed to MAX, until the passenger cabin air temperature declines to at least the level of the OAT, or even a tad beyond in order to help cool down the super heated interior surfaces...BLACK surfaces(??).
Even your owners manual points out the CONFLICT in this, stating that in this circumstance you should initially drive with your rear windows rolled down slightly in order to first EXHAUST the HOT cabin atmosphere.
Idiots..!!
And I'll claim current lack of motivation rather than boredom for responding, at the moment, heh.
I do disapprove of the eco button a bit but as I rarely use AC/heat it doesn't affect me much. Oh one other thing was how incredibly tight the fit was for plugging in my old cell's car charger was. I just changed cells and was afraid it wouldn't come out--I was surprised it did, I'd left it in there since I got the car and first plugged it in, afraid I'd rip the whole thing apart.
