Red Third Brake Light

Lim helped me got my third brake light 'converted' to red in color. Easily done with a transparent red sticker, but the spoiler needs to be removed to get to the brake light. Now, both the rear tail lights and the brake lights are red.

Apparently, the effect was good and there were a few other Toyota Wish owners who decided to follow suit immediately after seeing it when Lim collected the car. James was one of them. However, for clear tail light owners, it's best to stick to the clear version. Much more matching. Here's what it looks like when viewed with the tail lights.

Cheers,

Door handle trims

Next item on the agenda...Door handle trims. Comes in a set of four for NT$990. About S$50. Available in carbon fibre, chrome or wood trimings.

Here's what it looks like when fixed up. Notice that there is a tweeter cover on the door. I think I'll go for the wood version, but still need it bring it for additional cubic printing to match it back to ash grey wood. Wonder what's the damage?

Cheers,

Third Brake Light Modification

Henry was telling me about this modification from Japan. This is the Taiwan version on the Taiwanese BBS from a chap called kiwi0906. New on the market.

The 15 LED scans as well as blink, depending if your parking light is on and if you step on your brakes. Procduces a combination of effects, but obviously works if you have the 15 LED brake light.

If it was up to me to choose, I would like the brake light to scan when I switch on the parking light. Blink when I step on brakes (currently, it blinks then scans). And scans again when I switch off the parking lights.

Cheers,

Toyota Wish Technical Manual

This is the Toyota Wish Technical Manual CD. It covers the ZNE1# G Series, ANE10 G Series and ANE 11 W series. Should be better than the hard cover version that I saw earlier.

To get or not to get..... hmm....

Cheers,

Toyota Wish add on spoiler

For those who want a spoiler but can't be borthered with the hassle of installation. Here's a solution...add on spoiler. This are basically just attachments held to the original X, X'E and G model spoilers by means of double sided tapes. Given the large area that the adhesive is deployed, there is no problem with the spoiler falling off or being yanked off easily.





The design is pointed at the two ends, somewhat similar to the Aerosports/Z model spoilers. Cost around NT$3000, it's been around since the begining of the year, but not commonly found in Singapore yet. There is another version that is rounded instead. I'll see if I can get the pictures.

Cheers,

Steering Wheel options

Here's a quick comparison of some of Toyota's 'minivan' interior finishing. It's pretty obvious which are the higher end models. Sadly, Toyota Wish ranks very far below. Nevertheless, I still think it's a great ride.

Higher end models (including the likes of Camry, etc) usually have 4 spoke steering wheels. Good finishing too. Seems like it's possible for us to use the Toyota Alphard steering wheel on our car. I can get the steering wheel as well as the SRS airbag.

However, I just got my new steering wheel with the leather wrap and the ash grey wood trims only 2 weeks ago. Might be a bit too early to dump it without attracting too much heat. We'll see.... options, options, options.. it's endless!

Cheers,

Paint protection done......

Bit the bullet and did the paint protection at 3mendouz Shine. They are having a promotion now and it cost S$333 instead of the usual S$698 to do a Toyota Wish. Micro rejuvenation to remove swirl marks and micro scratches cost an additional S$218. This is suppose to make you car like new before they apply the Teflon PPS to your car. Otherwise, you still get the shiny wet look, but together with all the marks. Pretty hard not to cough up the additional S$218 if they put it this way.

Dropped the car off at about 10 am on the Saturday and collected it at 5 pm. Busy day for them. When I picked up my car, I was not impressed. Obviously, the car is now shiny and looking wet. That part of the promise is delivered. However, I was very disappointed with the micro rejuvenation portion. Plenty of marks are still visible. The scratches were apparently too deep on my 6 months old Wish. The water mark is also impossible to remove. And they couldn't do much on the bumper as it cannot take the heat. All sorts of lame excuses, totally different from the promises they make earlier. Anyway, pictures of the exterior here. The car does look shiny and they have an 18 months warranty for the shine, if your car is kept clean. Duh!

Oh. This is suppose to be a Car Spa concept where they take care of the entire vehicle for you. However, the interior of the car was full of white specks of dirt from the paint protection process. And they claimed to have vaccumed the whole car for you. Worst of all, look at what they did to the leather seats!!! My God! The horrid marks is suppose to go of in a few hours, but so far it's still around. This was the result of uneven application of leather oil and cleaner on the seats. I can't imagine what they have in mind to keep their customers. Too bad they were close for the day and the weekend by the time I realise the nightmare. Let's see what they say on Monday.

Will I recommend 3mendouz Shine to my friend? I don't think so. For the premium they charge, I think they are over rated. Whist they claim an 18 months warranty (only on the shine), it's full of conditions. Their sales staff can't seem to give logical answers to questions and uses excuses like "It's a secret". Jeez!! Outfits like Groomworks or Reflection werks deliver more for less. No warranty, just bring them in when your car don't shine. Simple.

Cheers,

Toyota Wish Aerosports spoiler again

Okay. Here are the day time pictures of my new spoiler. The shape is a bit sharp at the both ends. Like a bat wing. Still subtle, not quite as pronounced at the other spoilers. For a car without a bodykit, I think it will still look ok.

Here's the top view.

And here is the overall view. If the car is lowered, perphaps it will look alright, even without the bodykit.

Here's an old file picture with the original spoiler for comparison.

Anyway, thanks to Henry for looking out for the spoiler for me. Total cost for spoiler plus respraying is only S$220. He Xing wanted about S$750 for it and will take in my spoiler for S$200. In Taiwan, I can get a brand new one for about NT$7000, but not in 209 black. Still substantially cheaper than Singapore. And mine is still fitted with the 15 LED third brake light.

Cheers,

Paint Protection

Yup. It's about time. I've put it off for quite a while and I think it's about time I look at it before my black ride starts to lose it's shine. So far I have only had a polishing session done by a mobile service using Klasse. A disaster of course. They had to come back again to fix the problem.

Currently, here's a few that I've put in consideration.

1. http://www.3mendouz.com.sg


2. http://www.amazingglaze.com.sg


3. http://www.toughseal.com.sg

Amazing glaze is a nanotechnology base system that does not seem to last. Not much details on their site either. I think I'll pass for that. Tough seal is a acrylic based treatment that cost about S$500 and now as a 3 year warranty. Tremendous shine uses a patented Teflon Paint Protection System (PPS) technology and seems quite good. But it's a S$698 program and I'll need to add another S$218 to remove the existing swirl marks. Ouch! Should have send it in when I just got the car. Hopefully, the car will look something like this if I send it in to 3mendouz Shine.

After that, I will consider Groomworks or Reflectionwerks for regular maintanence. Both of them have packages that we can sign up.

Cheers,

Aerosports Spoiler up!!

Got the Original Toyota 15 LED third brake light for the Aerosports/Z model spoiler at last! It's slightly shorter than the usual one. So Robin helped me put up my new rear spoiler. At last, my Toyota Wish looks a little bit different from the stock version now.

Ok, the picture is crap as it's hard to take a black car against a black sky. And the car is dirty as I haven't washed it for two whole weeks. I'll try to get a better picture over the weekend. Anyway, whilst we were at it, Victor decided to try on my original spoiler as the Lexus RX300 looks pretty good with a black spoiler. To be honest, it does look quite good. Matches with his visor too. Perhaps he should consider the black sticker that Lim has on the B/C pillars.

Cheers,

Crystal red tail light

Even more unique than crystal clear tail light....the crystal red tail light!!!

The reverse light and the signal light portion has been converted to pure red. Very striking indeed. Something that I might consider, however, the reverse and signal lights are now blinking red instead. On a white car, this is very impressive. I think it will also look almost as good on a black car. We'll see.

Cheers,

Original Toyota Chrome Handles

Yup. Managed to get the original chrome handles from Toyota. Only S$105 per set. It has the black clip at the end as Alan has indicated. I realised that the new Toyota Camry is also using the same handles too. Anyway, this is a special price that I managed to secure from the boss that owns the Turbo Wish. Subsequent sets should be priced higher, but still less than S$200 per set. A far cry from what they used to charge in the begining. In excess of S$400!!!

What is of interest is that you can order the part with the key hole separately. So the Japanese were converting their door handles into the complete keyless sets. I think I'll pass for that. It's always nice to be able to get into your car if the remote should fail.

Cheers,

TOYOTA WiSH 願いの先へ。

This is the original TV commercial for the launch of the 'new styled Wish', featuring a grey X Aerosports.

Here's the new TV Commercial for the new face lifted Toyota Wish. Featuring the X Aerosports as well as the 'X' limited at the end of the 30 seconds spot.

Cheers,

Shout box is up!

Added a shout box to the site. So the guys can leave comments if they like. Please leave a message and help me test this feature. I'm still fine tuning it.

Thanks!

Cheers,

Original Wish parts bible

This is the electronic parts catalogue for Toyota. It will contain all the parts information for Toyota vehicles (including Toyota Wish) up to Dec 2005. Once we have this, we can find all the necessary part numbers for ordering. Fantastic! Here's what it looks like when the software opens up.

Exactly the same as what we see at He Xing when they open up the computer. Can't wait to get a copy! Incidentally, there is also a hard copy as pictured below. This one is for the pre face lift version. Published in January 2003. There is another edition published in August 2005.

And this is the Electrical Wiring Diagram manual for Toyota Wish. I bet Robin would love to look at this. However, it's only available in Japanese. Perhaps the Thai version is in English, but I doubt it.

Cheers,

Rear Fog Lamp

Was talking to Lim about changing the rear tail light to all red color. However, this will be a slight problem when reversing as the reverse light will be quite dim. Saw the Taiwanese conversion to include an extra reverse parking light at the bottom of the car. Alternatively, we can also convert the original Toyota Wish rear fog light to a reverse parking light or use the Taiwan internal door panel light in place of the rear fog light.

Cheers,

New Mod for Toyota Wish

Grant showed me this new modification for Toyota Wish door handles. Exclusive to Taiwan at the moment. Works on the same principle as the LED scruff plate. Etched Acrylic lighted from the side using LED light. Can be configured to the side signal light so that it will blink when your side signal light comes on.

The logo is a pseudo JDM logo. I wonder why they don't use the original JDM one. Perhaps it's due to copyright reasons. In any case, I think I'll pass for this. Don't need my car to be like a christmas tree.

Cheers,

Front Grille Garnish

Whilst the LX MODE kit looks nice, the front grille garnish looks a bit 'weak'. Basically, it's just a chrome trim taped on the upper edge of the front bumper, creating an effect of an open 'mouth'. If the grill is also chrome, then it would have been more a more matching and complete look.Here's an alternative from LUXEST, a division of Active Motoring Style. This is the version for the new Face Lift. Whilst it not chrome, the angle and the shape is pronounced. JPY 34650. A tidy investment.

Actually, the pre face lift model version looks even better. But to be honest, this will look great if it's chrome.

Cheers,

LX Mode BodyKit

The more I look at this bodykit, the more I like it. Something simple. Now available for Toyota Wish new facelift model..

I think I can order it from Netz Japan, fully painted. LX Mode also have a nice alternative emblem that will fit the rear door.

Cheers,

Enhancing my brakes?

Recently a lot of the folks here have 'upgraded' their brake system. Most to 4 or 6 pots and upsized their rotors. I was considering the one from Endless and it looks great. However, is it really necessary? Does it make a difference? Well....

http://www.teamscr.com/grmbrakes.htm

This might give a different perspective instead of the usual clueless banter from the rice boys. Good thing I haven't sunk any resources into this project yet. But I'll still do up the brake hose anyway. Since I've already ordered it. Perhaps I might spray the caliper like the one below. Minus the Brembo sticker of course.

Cheers,

KenStyle emblems

Justin and Raymond are both driving Toyota Wish with Kenstyle bodykits.

Raymond is looking to replace the front logo and Justin mentioned that he wanted to swap out the Netz logo he put on the back.

This original Kenstyle Chrome emblem would actually fit the back portion of the car perfectly. It measures 108 X 70 mm. Only JPY3000. It will also fit the front bonnet garnish as there is already an oval frame. But of course, the black Netz background has to be removed. Otherwise, it will look odd. Personally, I will get the Original Toyota logo or just keep the Netz one. Getting too lazy to change unless it's really something special. Perhaps LX Mode.

Oh.. here's the smaller oval emblem. 80 X 50 mm. Only JPY2500.

Hmm.. I wonder if those not familar with Ken Style will mistake it for "Kiasu"? Most likely.

Cheers,

Protect your rear seats

I was having a conversation with John the other day. Seems like the fabric panels at the back of our 2nd and 3rd row seats can't really take frequent use. They fray. I know the Taiwan Wish has plastic panels instead of fabric for the 2nd row back seat. Still, the third row seats are fabric.

Here are some solutions from Toyota Japan..



This is the luggage soft tray. It only covers up to the 3rd row seats. Soft material and folds up when not in use. Cost JPY11550 (about S$170). Water resistant material. Only suitable for cars already fitted with boot cover. 1,080 (L) X 1,350 (L) X 22 (H) mm.

This is the long lugguage mat. It covers up to the 2nd row seat as well. From the picture, you can see that it also rolls up when you need the seats. Cost JPY15,750 (about S$240). Made of polyester and also water resistant. 1,900 (L) X 1,450 (W) mm.

Cheers,

Ash Grey Wood paneling completed

Finally got all the panels fixed up! It does not look as nice in the picture as the car panels seems light grey in the photo. Anyway, here's what the lacquered door control panel looks like.

And this is what the steering wheel and instrument panel looks like. Maybe I should get a daytime picture.

Fabulous Japan has add on ash grey wood panels for the passenger side air-con vent and upper glove compartment. They also have add on door panels trims and door handle trims. I suppose it's a more complete look, but I wonder if it's an overkill...

Aircon Panels going for JPY18,000 (about S$270)

Door panel trim going for JPY26,000 (about S$400)

Cheers,