Avensis Armrest & Sun Blind Search

[antrim avensis]

Hi,

I'm new to Toyota and just bought an '08 Avensis d4d colour collection hatchback. Low miles, reasonable price but lower spec means I have no armrest for my lazy left arm but the deal was good for me to grab a motor I've fancied for quite a while. There's a storage compartment with an ashtray for rear passengers but without a lid/cushion and I hoped that someone might let me know of any breakers in Northern Ireland that might specialise in Toyota parts or any in GB who mail order? Opinions or reviews on the after market armrests available on eBay and other sites would also be appreciated. I had visited a local breakers yard (in Co Antrim) where there was an Avensis for breaking but the proprietor's "straightforward" style of customer relations made me decide to keep my cash and leave before I inspected the car. He had quoted £50 for the armrest, I don't know if that's good or bad and I'm also not sure if it's an easy/hard/awkward job to do. I've probably cut off my nose to spite my face but I hate to give my money to people who are even grumpier then me! I imagine that I may be in competition for available armrests with taxi drivers who run a colour collection spec and who also want to "upgrade". Any info on genuineToyota or after market rear window blinds/sunshades would also be appreciated by our new baby who will spend quite a few hot sunny days in the back seat over the next few months.

I've asked a lot of questions there however as time passes and I become more familiar with Toyota I hope I'll be able to contribute to forums with my own experiences and knowledge. Thanks a lot for reading.

[Fluffmeister]

Not sure about the armrest, but the shades can be had from here

http://www.vanstyle.co.uk/shop/index.php/cPath/2729_3746_3763

They are the Palm automotive ones, I had them in 2 previous cars and they fit the window frame perfectly, ignore the pictures on the site, it's just a badly designed site, the shades however are excellent.

[antrim avensis]

Just been on the site and the product looks good. I ordered a set and look forward to getting them however, like everything else sold on line, the postage costs don't reflect the fact that Northern Ireland is 30 miles from GB. You would think it's a province in Australia or something!! The postage cost has me expecting that the delivery boy will arrive at the door dripping wet in swimming togs having swum over caring the shades on his back!! They seem easy enough to fit and our new baby won't care about my tight fisted ways in relation to postage costs.

Thanks a lot for the steer, word of mouth recommendation always helps me make a decision and the product itself seems a reasonably fair price for a bespoke item.

[Sam29]

Just been on the site and the product looks good. I ordered a set and look forward to getting them however, like everything else sold on line, the postage costs don't reflect the fact that Northern Ireland is 30 miles from GB. You would think it's a province in Australia or something!! The postage cost has me expecting that the delivery boy will arrive at the door dripping wet in swimming togs having swum over caring the shades on his back!! They seem easy enough to fit and our new baby won't care about my tight fisted ways in relation to postage costs.

Thanks a lot for the steer, word of mouth recommendation always helps me make a decision and the product itself seems a reasonably fair price for a bespoke item.

Can you let us know....how you find these?

I am also thinking of getting these...as new baby is on the way.

I cant understand that for saloon they are saying 6 pieces. Where will those 6 pieces go?

4 at the back doors and 2 at the back windscreen???

Cheers.

[Fluffmeister]

Just been on the site and the product looks good. I ordered a set and look forward to getting them however, like everything else sold on line, the postage costs don't reflect the fact that Northern Ireland is 30 miles from GB. You would think it's a province in Australia or something!! The postage cost has me expecting that the delivery boy will arrive at the door dripping wet in swimming togs having swum over caring the shades on his back!! They seem easy enough to fit and our new baby won't care about my tight fisted ways in relation to postage costs.

Thanks a lot for the steer, word of mouth recommendation always helps me make a decision and the product itself seems a reasonably fair price for a bespoke item.

Can you let us know....how you find these?

I am also thinking of getting these...as new baby is on the way.

I cant understand that for saloon they are saying 6 pieces. Where will those 6 pieces go?

4 at the back doors and 2 at the back windscreen???

Cheers.

Yes, that will be right, the rears are a 2 piece affair, I have had 3 sets in the past and the fit is great.

Here are some pics of the Palms aka Vanstyles fitted to a couple of my previous cars

[Sam29]

Thanks mate. Sounds good to me.

[antrim avensis]

Hi, sorry but I have no update/review on the shades. I ordered them as stated and understood that as they are a bespoke item it might take a wee while. The company told me they weren't in stock and I would be notified when they were available. A few days later they told me the shades would be with the later that day or the next and they would post them out straight away. 8 days later I enquired by phone to be told they still weren't available. Northern Ireland had a couple of sunny days and the baby needed some shades so I got some in Mothercare. They are far from ideal but I don't want our child getting a squint like Clint Eastwood in A Fistful of Dollars so I had to get something. I cancelled my order for the time being but will probably check in with them from time to time to see if they have any in stock and ready to post. On looking at the photos of the shades on your car I notice clips at the top, do they fit over the top of the window and if so is the window still secure? Really appreciated the heads up on the product. Thanks a lot

[Fluffmeister]

The clips slip inside the window sealing strip mate, so they are perfectly secure.

sorry to hear your having problems with the company, I never had any issues at all.

[MarkR]

I'm interested them also Antrim man. I'm a bit further south though. Can you tell me how much they were charging with shipping?

Thanks

[antrim avensis]

They were charging me £23.50 postage using a courier company. Several times in the past when purchasing non related items on line I have noticed that the postage charges are less from England to ROI than they are to NI. I hope that's the case for you should you order them.