Prism Mirror

[Kiwi]

Thanks PA Venza for the help and advice.

I just purchased a couple of prism mirrors from the Dollar store to see if they work - if they fall off i can go get better ones. anyway they work amazingly - as PA Venza advised - I stuck them on both side mirrors in the lower part closest to the door and it really does help significantly with the blind spots - I would highly recommend people to check it out for themselves as it could save someone from an unfortunate accident - just my 2 cents.

[happycamper]

I am not one that usually posts on sites such as this. After reading the responses about the blind spots on the Venza, I was compelled to respond. I own a 2009 Venza. Bought it new in 2009. If I knew then what I know now, I would never have gotten it. The blind spots really are terrible. Not just while completing lane changes but also when backing out of parking spaces. When you turn around and look back in order to back up the little side window is tiny and in the wrong place. It is impossible to see anyone coming from either direction. The quarter panel is huge and is right where we need to see. The turning radius absolutes sucks and if you can't make a wide turn into parking spaces or garages then you have to go back and forth multiple times in order to fit in. And the rear window is really small for a vehicle of that size. Not only is it small but it is too high to see anything. I couldn't afford to get the backup camera. Didn't realize what a mistake that was. As you back up, the hood of the car behind you completely disappears. You can't tell how close you are to anything behind you. I am a very safe driver and I don't trust my kids or even my husband to drive my car. They are not bad drivers, it's that the Venza is really that difficult. It's really sad that it is like that.

[nhcycle]

I am not one that usually posts on sites such as this. After reading the responses about the blind spots on the Venza, I was compelled to respond. I own a 2009 Venza. Bought it new in 2009. If I knew then what I know now, I would never have gotten it. The blind spots really are terrible. Not just while completing lane changes but also when backing out of parking spaces. When you turn around and look back in order to back up the little side window is tiny and in the wrong place. It is impossible to see anyone coming from either direction. The quarter panel is huge and is right where we need to see. The turning radius absolutes sucks and if you can't make a wide turn into parking spaces or garages then you have to go back and forth multiple times in order to fit in. And the rear window is really small for a vehicle of that size. Not only is it small but it is too high to see anything. I couldn't afford to get the backup camera. Didn't realize what a mistake that was. As you back up, the hood of the car behind you completely disappears. You can't tell how close you are to anything behind you. I am a very safe driver and I don't trust my kids or even my husband to drive my car. They are not bad drivers, it's that the Venza is really that difficult. It's really sad that it is like that.

It's unfortunate you are so disappointed with your venza. Did you not notice these short-comings when you test-drove the vehicle before you purchased it?

[Hollywood619]

I drive my Venza 1000 miles a week in both San Diego and Phoenix with a 400 mile commute in between and I have no idea what you people are talking about. I turn my head when changing lanes and check my mirrors when necessary, I have the back up camera for parallel parking and have never had any problems whatsoever. I agree that other cars... CARS... have better visibility, but this is basically an SUV. It has a hatch and the required B and C pillar strengthening to withstand a rollover. I also have a Tundra crewmax (huge truck mirrors), a Land Rover LR3 (talk about enormous blind spots!) and a Porsche Carrera S (don't get me started on the blind spots). I admit that I have to adapt a little when I jump into the Venza, but not that much. Frankly I find it amazing that people don't notice problems such as these that annoy them during the test drive phase (blind spots, dash fitment, loud and hard Goodyear tires) and decide that it is either a small annoyance or a large one before purchase, and instead complain on the forums.
I couldn't be happier with my Venza.
My 2 cents.

[Naath]

Hi, I'm new to this thread. I have a 2010 Venza and I have done lots of customization to it, including installing HEATED + built-in Prism Mirrors.
If any of you are Canadian, lucky you... HEATED Mirrors are Std. in Canadian Venza(s).

Some Venza(s) sold in US, do NOT have HEATED mirrors. I guess it depends on the area you live in...
BUT, if you want HEATED mirrors you can have it, cause CIRCUIT is there in all Venzas. You just have to buy heated mirrors and wire it (Its Easy !)

And.. If you need HEATED mirrors AND built-in Prisim Mirrors... You can have that too...
I bought them from here: http://www.trdsparks.com/install/00016-0T002inst.pdf
If anyone interested in this, I can help with the installation. Installation involves taking the Door Trim off and Taking Side Mirror off as well. You don't have to damage any factory parts at all. Also, you will need 2 wires for each mirror (for Heater circuit), which you will connect 5-pin Mirr. connector.

Other things I have installed are: VIPER 5901 (Push-Start), HID Headlights, Lwr Side Molding, Window Deflectors, Mud guards...etc.

[Mikeacarroll]

It's unfortunate you are so disappointed with your venza. Did you not notice these short-comings when you test-drove the vehicle before you purchased it?

This raises an interesting question about test drives. I was allowed to drive the car about a mile from the dealership - on an on ramp to a small highway, off ramp back to the dealership. Not allowed to park it or have any kind of real driving experience in the 6 or so minutes this took. I had no idea that the turning radius of this vehicle is huge, for example. Is this normal? I live in New York, but not in the City, out in the suburbs. How could I have any experience of parking backing out with the test drive I was offered? I will probably not get a new Venza when my present lease expires. Dealership issues and car issues have me looking elsewhere, but I would like to know what kind of test drive experience others have had.

Thanks.

[nhcycle]

I spent nearly two hours driving both the I4 FWD & AWD and the 6-cl FWD & AWD. The dearly you visited was more than a bit anal.....just imagine what the deal-making experience is going to be...... I'd be looking elsewhere .....

[Mikeacarroll]

Well I must be in for dunce of the decade because after that, I actually leased the car from that dealership. They're not bad, nothing special and they haven't tried to gouge me yet, but I'm not going back there for my next vehicle. Thanks for letting me know about your experience.

[gtbird88]

I too noticed the side blind spot but a quick trip to the auto parts store and $1.69 + tax. solved the problem with two stickon small convex mirrors mounted on the lower outside corner of the side-mirrors for me. Not only solving the blind spot issue but the backing up into parking spaces now I can see the lines and curbs.