Re-delivered

Received my Ipsum back this afternoon. Everything is good except that I'm not to sure about these -

• the front grille is not as shiny as the other body parts. I was informed that even the original looks like that. If the grille is shiny, than it will expose the non-perfection of the grille surface ;
• the emblems at the rear are not positioned correctly as before. I was told that this is how the original fittings should look like.

I need second opinion. Please comment.

Old News - Toyota Ipsum

Toyota has launched the second-generation Ipsum in Japan in a bid to claw back market share in the domestic minivan market.

Hit by successful introductions by key rivals, notably Honda, Toyota's share of the three-seating-row minivan market in Japan has dropped to about 35% from close to 60% in 1997. The Ipsum's task is claw back some of that lost ground at home by pulling in 5,000 customers per month and to mount a challenge in Europe. Exports start this summer.

The first full redesign of the Ipsum since 1996 follows a familiar trend of up-sizing. The new model is 12cm longer than its predecessor with 19cm of additional cabin length to allow seven adults a little more leg room. This change brings the Ipsum into head-to-head conflict with the Honda Odyssey.

Toyota claims the Ipsum is more manouverable than its arch-rival, offering a turning circle of 5.5 metres compared with the Honda's 5.7 metres.

There's a bigger engine to match the bigger frame. A 2.4-liter four-cylinder BEAMS engine (2AZ-FE type) with variable valve timing delivers 160ps at 5,600rpm and 22.5kg-m of torque at 4,000rpm. The engine drives through a 'Super ECT' four-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission.

Two-wheel-drive models can travel 12km on one liter of petrol in mixed cycle tests - one kilmetre per liter better than the Odyssey. Four-wheel-drive models manage 11km.

Although the new Ipsum is bigger and better equipped than the outgoing car, prices are unchanged. The range starts at Y2.04 million (US$16,720) for the two-wheel-drive 240e model topping out at Y2.83 million (US$23,195) for the 4x4 240 G Selection grade.

Buyers can choose between six- and seven-seat versions or go for a 'Welcab' version featuring a swing-out front passenger seat and rear wheelchair access, an increasingly familiar package on Japanese vehicles these days as the population ages.

Standard models cater well to older people, too. The hip point of the front seats is 670mm above the ground, making access and egress relatively painless. The rear two rows of seats are set even higher.

The Ipsum's prime market is expected to be people in their 30s and 40s with children so safety is an important selling point. The new Ipsum is equipped with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), anti-lock brakes, vehicle skid control (VSC) and traction control. The body is built to Toyota's own 'GOA' standards and there are SRS seatbelts all round.

One clever touch is a blind corner monitor. At speeds under 6km/h a camera mounted on the radiator grille monitors the view to left and right giving the driver a clear view at blind crossings.

A yaw control mechanism to minimizes body roll, a common problem in heavily laden MPVs. Passenger comfort is also enhanced by a newly developed electronically controlled suspension system called 'TEMS'. When the vehicle corners, accelerates or decelerates, TEMS instantly adjusts the shock aborbers to any one of 16 settings for best effect.

The driver can interact with the system, using a switch on the instrument panel to select one of four basic settings according to ho heavily the vehicle is loaded.

Entertainment options also rank high in this market and the Ipsum offers an integrated satellite navigation/DVD screen and a choice of three audio systems.

Toyota believes the new Ipsum can boss the Japanese minivan market, beating the Nissan Presage, Mitsubishi Chariot Grandis and Mazda MPV as well as the Odyssey. Toyota's renewed assault on the minivan market will be strengthened next week by the release of the Ipsum's little brother, the Corolla Spacio.

TOYOTA IPSUM SPCIFICATIONS 

Length   4,650-4,670mm
Width   1,660-1,680mm
Wheelbase  2,825mm
Cabin length  2,755mm
Seating capacity 6-7 passengers
Dry weight  1,480-1,580kg
Front track  1,505mm
Rear track  1,500mm
Turning circle  5.5m
Ground clearance 150mm
Engine   2AZ-FE VVT-i four-cyl transverse
Displacement  2,362cc
Power   160ps (115kW) @ 5,600rpm
Torque   22.5kg-m (221Nm) @ 4,000rpm
Bore x stroke  88.5 x 96.0mm
Fuel efficiency  12km/liter (2wd); 11km/liter (4wd)
Fuel capacity  60 liters
Prices   Y2,050,000-2,830,000 (US$16,720-23,195)
Transmission  Super ECT 4-speed automatic

Source

Shine Restored

These are the pictures of my Ipsum as at this morning. The car shall be available for delivery tomorrow. The spray shop told me that my Ipsum had received 4 layers of coating. The Ipsum is yet to be polished / waxed.

The grille is yet to be affixed. The headlamp is yet to be polished.


The shine is back!

Side view. Door handles are not at their places. The same to the skirt.


Rear view.

Engine Vibration

Prior to sending my Ipsum for the paint touch up, I made a complaint for the engine vibration. The dealer guided me to its panel mechanic who did the inspection. It has been confirmed that the engine mountings (4 of them) need to be replaced (at the dealer's costs).

Yesterday, I received a call from the mechanic who informed me that the parts have arrived. Appointment has been set for the installation to be carried out.

Aparts from the engine mountings, I managed to get the dealer to replace the front absorbers (with free wheel alignment) and rubber belting (not engine belting because it uses timing chain) for me.

I think I have covered a lot in my claim before the end of the 1 month warranty. Still have 1 week plus.

Tyres Revisited

Goodyear Eagle RV

My Ipsum came with Goodyear Eagle RV with size 205/60/16 which is the original size for the car. The tyres still look like new and was manufactured in 2006. For the time being I will continue using this tyres while waiting for the arrival of the replacement for Michelin MXV8 (I expect the replacement to be announced soon because XM1+ had just been announced).

Some review -

The Eagle RV is a revolutionary tyre suited to sports RV's and crossover vehicles. Utilising the latest technology to deliver outstanding handling and performance. The combination of silica tread compound, asyymmetric tread design and a spiral overlay makes the Eagle RV an outstanding performer when city driving and in light off road conditions.

Features & Benefits:

• Asymmetric tread design
• Provides strong cornering and improved water dispersion for better wet grip
• Advanced silica compound
• Outstanding traction in the wet and shorter wet braking distances Improves fuel ecomomy
• Spiral overlay jointless band construction
• Improved steering response and stability
• G-TAMS Technology
• Optimised pitch arrangement for low tyre pattern noise

Source

2009 Ipsum?

Downloaded this sometime back. Can't remember the source.

Evolved.

More interesting than Odyssey?

This is the point.

Viewed Ipsum 240s

This is an Ipsum I saw at the re-spray shop. I think it had just arrived in Malaysia. Yet to find an owner.

The front grill is dissimilar to mine. This one has front camera too!

Check it out, it's a 240s. Same alloy and body kit as found on mine.

Different steering wheel. It has gear shift up and down on the thumb placing area. Plus a button about the steermatic (don't know what it does). It has adjustable suspension too.

Paint Touch Up

My Ipsum is currently in the garage. It was sent there last week and is supposed to be there for maximum 10 days for paint touch up. At first I thought my Ipsum was delayed on purpose by the shop owner because I believe paint touch up work should not be longer than a week at most. But look at the picture which was taken just now -

Does it look like paint touch up?

Where is the shine?

No door opener?

I think the terms "touch up" have been wrongly used. This is re-spray. No wonder it takes 10 days.

But hey I'm not complaining. This is a free gift from the dealer.

GPS Navigation Head Unit

I managed to try a DVD movie on the 'DVD Player' located underneath the front passenger. Unfortunately, it is NOT a DVD player. It will not play any DVD Movie. However, there is a set of RCA input for Video and Audio below the dashboard. Thus, my portable DVD player can be hooked up with those input and the LCD display will become the monitor.

The only problem currently remaining is, the video will only be displayed when the vehicle is stationary, handbrake is on and the gear is parked at 'P'. Otherwise, only the sound will be heard. The screen will remain blank.

I have sent my Ipsum to have the radio re-chipped. Before the process I thought -

1. the radio will display normal frequencies - i'll get era from 104.5 frequency ;
2. the radio will function like any other car radio.

I'm wrong. With re-chip, the frequencies will remain the frequencies which are originally set at factory AND I have to choose on which range of radio frequencies I like most. According to the installer, they usually set the middle frequencies because most liked stations are located here. Unfortunately for me, I have to settle for the higher end of the frequencies because my favourite station can only be located here.

Changing the head unit is a no go because I need the display for my front and reverse cameras. It can be done, but very costly.

Took Delivery

I took delivery of my car at 11.40 am this morning. It does not feel like taking delivery of a brand new car. I have never taken delivery of any used car before, so I can't tell if it is the same. This is my most expensive motorcar purchase so far, but I get better satisfaction when taking delivery of my brand new Proton Perdana V6.

Perhaps I have put my expectation to high. I was hoping that the drive would be as comfortable and as silent as a 2001 Harrier. The comfort might be just a little bit less but the silent (NVH) is definitely not anyway better or close to that Harrier.

I might be wrong because I am so used to driving my Perdana V6 where the tappet noise can be heard from the driver's seat. In this Ipsum the engine is so silent, instead replaced with the tyre noise (air sound / bump). All in all, I think the comfort and NVH is better than my Perdana V6.

My car is fitted with a Goodyear tyres which is not sold in Malaysia (I think they are from Japan). I have a feeling that the tyre is not suitable for Malaysian road. I remember that when my Perdana V6 was fitted with Bridgestone Potenza GIII, I had the same harsh feeling. Later when the same was replaced with Michelin MXV8, the ride becomes much more liveable with.

My car is still due for touching-up (paint) and re-chip (radio frequency). That should be done after the Chinese New Year holiday.

So far, I am satisfied with the power provided by the engine. It is responsive and more than enough for a people carrier. I am wondering how much further this has been improved over the original setup because my car is fitted with G-Ready E-management.

I also found out that the front camera is more of a gimmick rather than practical because it does not really help when you want to see how close you are from the front object. Perhaps, this is not the purpose of which the camera is fitted.

I am dissatisfied with the vibration that came from the engine when the gear is on 'D' and the car is not moving. I think this can be rectified by the dealer before the warranty period ends.

I am yet to test whether the DVD player can really play DVD movie. Will do it late this afternoon.

Interior

Still waiting for my delivery. Here are some interior shots found on the internet. Mine is something like that.

There is additional storage underneath the floorboard, which is capable of storing an umbrella style stroller and more.

Review by Asian Auto

Found it here.

Toyota Ipsum 2.4 MPV

I will never know why fathers and their daughters have an almost sacred, untouchable bond but I am simply glad that I had that special connection with mine. So while I strive to pen down a female perspective of the cars I drive, I admit that I owe whatever passion I have for cars and machines today to one great man: my father. Back in the 70s when colonialism had not completely lost its gilt edge and the Japanese were still considered juniors in the automotive industry, we used to joke that Japanese cars like Toyota’s were made from Milo tins.

Okay, so maybe my uncle’s brand new Toyota looked a lot flashier than our second-hand Fiat and we were harbouring a little bit of envy. For us, it was European cars all the way; give us a strong and solid Saab any day! Well, the 80s came and the Japanese learnt how to conquer the world in a different way and what would you know, they conquered my father too. Our very first brand new car was a 1984 Mitsubishi Gallant Super Touring and for some reason I remember him taking all of us out on his final test drive and saying that he wanted to know if we were comfortable at the back.

Now, you might wonder what my father and a Mitsubishi have
got to do with the 2001 Toyota Ipsum 240e. It’s a funny place to start but I got to thinking of the past when I tried to figure out why my first impression of the Ipsum wasn’t that great. This is because I was judging it from the final row of seats, which feel kind of dark and claustrophobic. So if you have a family of six or more, and only possess the budget for one car, read no further because the rest of the car is so good you might not care about the back seats anymore.

What a Feeling
I love driving the Toyota Ipsum I love driving the Toyota Ipsum around. It is really comfortable up front and I am not just talking about seats either! The steering wheel, which is the ultimate point of contact between you and your car, grips well and moves easily. Behind it sits a panel of meters so chic in its simplicity. An all-white glow of needles and numbers against a solid backdrop of black reminds me of some classic Yves Saint Laurent number. Controls for airconditioning and the stereo are very accessible from the driver’s high perch and there’s no need to stretch downward because the automatic gearshifts are placed just to the left of the display panel. The hand brake is also accessible but with your foot, like you would find in Mercedes cars.

Like the French, the Japanese seem to have a penchant for oddment pockets. The difference is that they keep these storage spaces relevant and useful to a driver’s needs. Just beneath an expansive front windscreen, lies a big compartment that is perfect for CDs, sunglasses and keys. Behind the vanity mirror, you will find an actual slot for plastic cards and carpark tickets, ideal for your Touch ‘n Go card. But the best space of all is the one running smack down the middle between driver and front passenger. I would like to call this space the handbag platform because that is exactly what it is. Mothers on the go can call this the ‘diaper bag platform’ if they wish to!

Still on the subject of space, there is one other area, which needs your serious consideration: the boot. At a maximum capacity of seven passengers, there is little boot space left even when you include the secret compartment under the main storage area. So long distance journeys are difficult if not impossible. If you are seating five, then boot space becomes something of a luxury!

Downtown
Accelerating to speeds of 100km/h and above, I begin to find out that there is more to the Ipsum than just style and design. Moving solidly ahead as I speed towards the city centre, the car begins to display its power and responsiveness. Perhaps this is all thanks to the Ipsum’s Electronic Fuel Injection System. This is refreshing because usually when you are considering a family car, you would expect some form of compromise when it comes to the car’s driving performance. Not here. The car’s suspension is also good enough to give you a secure feeling even when you are going over bumps at high speeds.

So, turn up the music, open the twin moon roofs and let your hair down because this is one enjoyable ride. The only grouse I have is the slightly annoying presence of wind noise at higher speeds. There’s that and the fact that the stereo system looks exactly like the one I have in my humble Proton Wira. I would say that if there were any corners that had to be cut, these would be the telltale signs.

If you are what some call a typical female driver, then parking and overall driving efficiency is not your forte but the Ipsum makes things like that easy,offering great handling so you don’t have to struggle. A nice tight turning circle is good for maneuvering the car around and parking is aided by huge side mirrors and, clearance and back sonars. Other aids that make driving the Ipsum a breeze are front and rear fog lamps, front and rear defoggers

So, fret not. You can step out of the car for your next meeting or party knowing full well that your make up is still intact!

Big on Japan
What do I think of Toyotas now? I love them, especially the Ipsum 240e. So you could say that the Japanese have conquered me too. And if you are wondering whether my father became a total convert, the answer is a huge “Of course not!” After years of persistence, he finally got his Saab! But that is another story altogether.

Tyres

My car came with 205/60/16 which is what specified by the manufacturer. The silver Ipsum 240i came with 205/65/15. The 16" donut costs more than RM100 compared to the 15" one.

Today, I saw that the 2004 240s (at Naza, Johor Bahru) came with 215/50/17 (with the stock rim, same as in the above picture). Surprisingly, I found out that this donut costs RM50 less than mine. So, that makes me want to change the rim. Bigger hole in the pocket later. Thinking...

Owner Manual

I received a photocopy of the Owner Manual (written for Avensis Verso, 2003) from Fauzi, Kajang last Friday.

Thank you Fauzi!

2AZ-FE Engine

Tech Briefs
Toyota's new inline four-cylinder engine

Toyota is accelerating hard on its "core" engine update. Significantly, these engines share the second character "Z," beginning with the type-ZZ that was first adopted in the U.S. Corolla and more recently in the revived mid-engine sports car MR-S. It was followed by the NZ-family propelling various small vehicles, including the Echo sedan.

The Z-gen engine for Toyota's mid-size cars and vehicles is the all-new type-2AZ-FE, making its first appearance in the second-generation Estima minivan (the first-generation Estima was the Previa). The 2.4-L 2AZ will power the next-generation Camry replacement as the base engine and other future mid-size vehicles. The
2AZ-FE incorporates many features of Toyota's dual-overhead-camshaft, four-valves-per-cylinder engines, including the slant-squish combustion chamber, offset cylinder and crank centers, and the VVT-i continuously variable intake valve timing system. The aluminum engine measures 626-mm (25-in) long, 608-mm (24-in) wide, and 681-mm (27-in) tall.

The 2AZ-FE obtains a total displacement of 2362 cm3 with 88.5-mm (3.5-in) bore and 96.0-mm (3.8-in) stroke. The cylinder block is now an open-deck, midi-skirt die-cast aluminum type with cast-in iron liners and a die-cast aluminum lower crankcase and a stamped oil pan. The forged steel crankshaft is fully balanced with eight
counterweights and supported by five main bearings. A helical gear pressed in No. 3 counterweight drives twin contra-rotating balance shafts in the shaft housing within the lower crankcase. The balance shaft geartrain includes
plastic Nos. 1 and 3 drive gears, meshing with steel gears.

The dual overhead camshafts are driven by a single-stage roller chain of 8.0-mm (0.3-in) pitch, enabling a narrow included valve angle of 27.5°. The camshafts act on four valves per cylinder via bucket tappets. As in the recent Toyota engine practice, no clearance adjusting shim is employed. Valve diameters are 34.0 mm (1.3 in) for intake and 29.5 mm (1.2 in) for exhaust, with 8.0-mm (0.3-in) lift for both intake and exhaust. The four-vane VVT-i device is fitted on the intake camshaft, altering timing by 50°. Fuel is injected sequentially via an ultra-fine-atomization injector with twelve small injection holes, each 0.18 mm (0.01 in) in diameter.

As in the smaller NZ engine, the new AZ adopts a plastic, built-up, and vibration-welded intake manifold integrating a large volume plenum chamber (3.5-L (214 in3) volume including a 1.3-L (79 in3) resonator). Twin three-way catalytic converters, each with a 0.84-L (51 in3) volume, are mounted immediately downstream of the stainless tubular exhaust manifold. The front exhaust pipe, collecting from the catalysts, has a separator in the
pipe that reduces exhaust gas interference and improves low- and mid-speed torque.

The type 2AZ-FE engine that powers the Estima minivan is rated at 118 kW (160 hp) at 5600 rpm
and 221 N•m (163 lb•ft) at 4000 rpm on a 9.6:1 compression ratio, requiring regular-grade, unleaded gasoline. A smaller version of this engine, the type-1AZ 2.0-L unit, powers the recently updated RAV4 light SUV. The Japanese version of this engine, designated 1AZ-FSE, features the fuel-efficient "D4" direct-injection head.

Jack Yamaguchi
AEI July 2000

Windscreen

At the last moment, I decided to have the free windscreen replacement from the dealer. So, instead of dark looking from the rear, now the vehicle will have a clear looking windscreen.

Went to Naza, Johor Bahru today. They have 1 unit each of Ipsum 240S (2004 - brand new Silver) and Picnic 240i (2005 - recondition) and the asking prices were RM17x,xxx and RM18x,xxx respectively. They told me that I got a good bargain for a 2003 Ipsum. The Naza's were facelifted models. They also have a 2002 Ipsum, RM12x,xxx. Prices exclude road tax and insurance.