Venza Sold

[Kiwi]

Well after 20 months we sold our Venza.

Good points:
We got a good trade in price.
Loved the dash and layout
Good looking vehicle
Reliable vehicle

Reasons We Sold:
My wife could not get over the huge blind spots and ended up not driving the car.
Ride quality - definitely not smooth especially around town , not overly comfortable.
Rolled back when stopped at traffic lights - first automatic car we have ever had that did this.
We did not find it enjoyable to drive.
Local dealership - servicing was pretty ho hum and they certainly didn't think that being friendly and helpful was an advantage to keeping customers. Also
hard to get answers on Toyota after market products from the parts department - even when I had the parts numbers.

Not a Reason We Sold But:
Amazed how many of you getting incredible mpg. We had an I-4 FWD. Around town about 19 mpg - on trips about 26 mpg (not over that) at 70 to 75 mph.

Our previous car - Subaru Outback actually had as much interior room as this - quite surprised as the Venza looks bigger.

The Venza was not the car for us - this was my first Toyota - not what I hoped it would be. Obviously many of you will think I am wrong because I have read on this site glowing reports from owners about their Venza. We are happier with our new purchase and someone who loves the Venza will get a great condition, low mileage used Venza.

All the best - Kiwi

[brian_fenner]

Congrats on the new vehicle......

What did you get?
Interesting.........
We might be right behind you......we just visited the local Hyundai dealer yesterday and put money down on a brand new 2012 Elantra Limited.
Not a done deal yet but they are giving us a heck of a trade-in on our Venza......just need to see the final numbers tomorrow to give the yea or nay. We'll walk away with a brand new vehicle and several grand in our pockets.

Unlike you we love the Venza but our needs have drastically changed.........
My wife changed jobs so we now both have very long commutes.....it's ridiculious having a vehicle like the Venza to use for mainly commuting. 32K miles in 1.5 years!
The Elantra gets 40MPG and is one heck of a nice vehicle......especially in the Limited trim.

Used to have 2 Toyotas..........soon to have none.
If this deal works it will be our second Hyundai (2011 Tucson)...........best warranty in the business and they build darn good vehicles. Never had the Tucson back to the dealer.
5yr/60K BB
10Yr/100K Powertrain
5Yr Roadside

I do agree that Toyota quality/reliability/fit-finish has slipped when other companies like Hyundai (and even Ford) have stepped it up several notches and build darn good vehicles that are very reliable.

Good luck...........

[Kiwi]

We ended up buying a Honda Odyssey, we get the same mpg both on trips and around town as the the I - 4 Venza.

We have put 5,000 miles on the Odyssey in 5 weeks and it is, in our opinion, a very comfortable driving and riding vehicle. The blind spots are insignificant in the Odyssey.

We initially thought the Venza was bigger inside than it actually is.

Overall the Odyssey suits us better even though we do not really care for the side profile of the new Odyssey, but because of the profile the blind spots are virtually eliminated. The Odyssey is probably a bit bigger than we need but that is OK - when we do an Ikea run we will have plenty of room.

[Giterdone]

Good for you guys. The first vehicle we looked at before the Venza was a 2011 Tucson but the wife didn't like the rear window visibility, I didn't like the lack of backup camera and something else I can't remember now. I'm getting pretty PO'd with the Venza primarily because of my interiior rust problems that Toyota Canada seems to be ignoring or they just have so many problems to deal with that I'm on a very long list ( I was told by a Toyota phone rep a month and a half ago that she was going to put me on the short list) LMAO. Also fuel economy really isnt' what I expected either, nothing like what was displayed on the spec sheet on the window. The ride quality isn't up to par with what I expected from a 30 thousand dollar car either. The bluetooth is crap compared to third party bluetooth I've used in the past (20 contact capability? seriously?) and too many steps to go through just to make a simple voice call that the system can't understand the command anyway. Right now I'm dealing with a very expensive repair to my Ford diesel (I know my friends tried to warn me) I think we're going to go do some window shopping this weekend, just never know.

[brian_fenner]

Good for you guys. The first vehicle we looked at before the Venza was a 2011 Tucson but the wife didn't like the rear window visibility, I didn't like the lack of backup camera and something else I can't remember now.

My 2011 Tucson has the backup camera...........I would never purchase another vehicle without it. Huge safety factor and it makes parking a breeze.
We did pull the plug last night...........Trade for the new 2012 Elantra was basically a swap as the Venza trade-in equaled the purchase price of the Elantra.

2 Weeks before delivery of the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Limited and turning in our Venza............I'll be retiring from this forum at that time.

[Giterdone]

Congrats on your new car. Hopefully you'll have better luck than some of us are having with Toyota. Think I have my wife convinced that just might be the right thing to do with ours. I just can't see that I won't have more rust problems in or out of the Venza if I'm having them now even if they (coat?) the rusty parts. I'm just at the point of not feeling confident that this Venza is going to be the trouble free car we thought it would be when we first bought it. Toyota Canada and the dealer aren't helping with their slow and often not response to this problem. Making up lame excuses such as the moisture in my breath during the winter is causing condensation and I should drive with the windows partly open is one. Another is the during the summer months it's the A/C that's causing condensation and to turn on the heat for 5 min before parking it to dry the interior out. I believe there was one more but I was laughing too hard to remember what it was. Really? That's the best they can come up with. Not really improving my confidence in Toyota quality are they? Maybe I'll be seeing you over at the Hyundai forum real soon.

[brian_fenner]

Congrats on your new car. Hopefully you'll have better luck than some of us are having with Toyota. Think I have my wife convinced that just might be the right thing to do with ours. I just can't see that I won't have more rust problems in or out of the Venza if I'm having them now even if they (coat?) the rusty parts. I'm just at the point of not feeling confident that this Venza is going to be the trouble free car we thought it would be when we first bought it. Toyota Canada and the dealer aren't helping with their slow and often not response to this problem. Making up lame excuses such as the moisture in my breath during the winter is causing condensation and I should drive with the windows partly open is one. Another is the during the summer months it's the A/C that's causing condensation and to turn on the heat for 5 min before parking it to dry the interior out. I believe there was one more but I was laughing too hard to remember what it was. Really? That's the best they can come up with. Not really improving my confidence in Toyota quality are they? Maybe I'll be seeing you over at the Hyundai forum real soon.

Thanks!
Boy that's way lame..........what's up with Toyota and the excuses?
I've never seen rust like that at all.........there has to be some other issue with moisture getting in when it's raining or something.

Sort of reminds me about my first experience with Toyota back in 1985 with an SR5 pickup. The bed was 2-piece with a seam in it and within 6 months was rusting badly........
They fixed it twice but rust would reappear within 3-4 months...........finally they said it's your problem we won't fix it anymore. WTF?
I was forced to sell it at a big loss.........year later they came out with a 1-piece bed.

Good luck with selling yours.........I'd probably do the same.
Wait a minute.......I did.......we just traded in our Venza.

[Giterdone]

Yup the good ole' days. I was an autobody painter for 20 years before I gave my head a shake and got out with my lungs still semi intact. I remember those Toyota's the Hilux was where it all started, Replaced and painted a lot and I mean a lot of them box panels. Nissan was pretty bad too. Might be why I never owned a Toyota before. This has soured me enough I probably never will again. I'm going to make it a point to make sure to tell anyone I know or will ever know and as many forums and blogs as I come across about Toyota's new take on terrible quality and service. Look for an ex Venza owners Blog in the future. Take care and good luck to you.

PS: if your wondering about the Avatar. I took that pic of the Orca about 10 feet away while out fishing one day.

[GaryC]

We have had the Venza for just over a month. My wife loves the car finds it very roomie and comfortable for her 80 mile daily commute. I drive it on weekends and find it OK. It is probably the most boring car I have ever driven. We had the Infiniti EX35 before this but it was too small. It was fun to drive. Before that we had the Rav V-6, that was more powerful than the Venza.
As long as the wife is happy and I have my bike to ride and MX5 I can drive the Venza when I have to.

[venzagirl]

I don't blame you-good move. Regret the purchase of the Venza and can't wait to get rid of it. Had Toyotas all my life but I think this is my worst and last. Like someone said in a different forum, Toyota quality was good in the 90s and not anymore-Toyota needs to step up and we also need to stop thinking of them as reliable/quality vehicles.