2007 Toyota Aurion Prodigy GSV40R

2007 Toyota Aurion Prodigy GSV40R — "isn't that a Camry?" Why yes, yes it is

• 3.5L 2GR-FE N/A — peak torque of 336NM at 4700rpm and peak power of 268hp at 6200rpm (at the crank, its more around 213hp by the time it gets to the wheels)
• 6 speed U660E automatic (with "manual mode")
• FWD — open diff, axle tramping, understeering land barge
• 250,856km, getting close to 20,000km since the rebuild

Usual flashy late 2000s creature comforts (cruise control, auto climate dual zone AC, leather seats, auto headlights etc)

• Traction control without the button, requires extensive tap dancing lessons to turn TC off (Toyota's park brake foot brake pedal code)
• Foot parking brake
• Towball with a very optimistic 500kg unbraked rating
• Aftermarket 7" touchscreen head unit, excellent for maps and OBD2 temperatures

After 11 years in the family the pink milkshake nearly saw its fate, the rebuild:

• Second hand transmission with torque converter, new filter and input shaft seal
• Top end engine refresh (all gaskets and seals, valve lap, general cleanup of block and piston faces)
• New cooling system — water pump, radiator, hoses, overflow bottle, thermostat etc
• Second hand power steering pump
• Second hand alternator
• New brakes and rotors all round (standard Bendix)
• New struts, top bearings and coils all round (KYB and King springs)
• New outer tie rod ends
• New swaybar bushings
• New swaybar end links
• Rebuilt the old CV axles
• New idler and tensioner bearings
• New tyres (Wanli branded on the stock 16" rims, so far so good but I would like to get Presara 17" 9 spoke rims and better quality tyres in the future)
• Few other odds and ends (spark plugs, wipers, a tail light, interior bits etc)

The car that stole my heart and my wallet. I shed blood, sweat, tears and nearly every damn dollar 18-20 year old me could scratch up to get this hand me down family sedan going and I'm grateful for the experience and knowledge its given me. As much as I joke about it I genuinely love driving and working on my Aurion.