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Comments
Again, did not mean to yell.
mmg1
I bought from the Toyota dealer on Cherry Hill Rd in Silver Spring, MD. I checked their internet inventory list (along with 3 other area dealers first) and found they had 12-16 Avalons in stock (a fairly high number given the demand). The other dealers had 10 or less each and were unwilling to go more than a couple hundred below their posted internet prices which were $1k to $2k below MSRP (approx $2k to $3k above invoice) and were unwilling to bargain further. No thanks.
So, I called the Silver Spring dealership early on a Friday AM (before they get busy), bypassed salespeople and spoke directly with a manager, told him I was tired of negotiating with dealers who thought their Avalons could lay golden eggs or heal the sick, and that I wasn't interested in an Avalon anywhere near the posted internet prices. I asked what he could do if I bought today out of his stock on the lot. I explained I have a 4 week-old baby and would not come in to negotiate, so we came to an agreement over the phone in five minutes. I'd done my homework on invoice prices/dealer cost/etc.... It was a friendly, painless and non-stressful negotiation. I told him when I'd be in and he assigned my sale at the agreed upon price to a salesperson who processed the paperwork within 30 minutes of having selected the actual car.
Wife and I spent an hour deciding between three XLS's identically optioned for our agreed upon price, and found the Cassis w/Ivory & light colored wood the nicest, but its interior scuffed and showed dirt too easily (very scuffed and dirty for a car w/only 77 miles), so we went w/Phantom Gray, gray leather & dark wood.
Of course we had to deal with the "back end" of the dealership's profit maker - the finance guy. But we bought w/cash from our home equity line, and did not buy the extended warranty, So we were out of there in only 20 more minutes. The end.
Just an additional note, extra keys are $100 each from Toyota, so don't lose them once you buy. Anyone have any comments on the $100 keys???
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Deannie
I have not received my car yet so I don't know how it drives,other than the one test drive at the dealers. So I'm into colors and options and opinions . I know the toyota quality because my Dad had one of the first Cecilicas eons ago and we have had some kind of Toyota ever since. Now my granddaughter wants a Corolla for her first car. The beat goes on!!
mmg1
I would mention for those interested that worst come to worst and you can't live with the color of your choice Vinyl /wood interiors, I'm sure that there will be kits on the market very soon giving you your choice of color And MANY times They are REAL wood......... have not used one but they might be of interest for some of our Members. Whitney's catalogue usually shows several different kits.
Also the thought occurred to me that soon kits of the current choices from Toyota parts for use as replacement For Damaged autos (have to able to repair accidednts but it's quite possible that toyota will make only the whole door panel available) .......so be patient soon you will be able to change what you have if you have to.
Have fun driving this beautiful weekend
Check post #172 on the Prices Paid & Buying Experience thread for the price I paid/MSRP.
Regards,
Dean
P.S. The invoice price for my XLS included a $525 (approx) TDA advertising charge which is a legitimate charge in my area, and as such, my price was about $600-700 over invoice. Some have had success buying an Avalon for $500 over invoice, though it depends upon the dealer and their available stock, the manager's mood, etc...
RONN
Now for my likes.....
• I'm surprised to find that I'm much happier with the stereo than I thought I would be. I do however wish there was a "mute" button on the steering wheel for when the phone rings and you have to answer quickly.
Note that by holding the steering wheel mode button for 2 sec, the system shuts off. One press of the same button turns the system back on. I use this feature when the phone rings.
I'm not doing a stripe either. I think the car looks great with out one. The only thing I'm a little upset about is when they cleaned the car up at the dealership, they used something to cause lots of swirl marks on my black paint. You omly see them in the bright sun, but they know better than doing that. I should have gone back to them. Anyway, I love the car. It is awesome and gets looks all the time. I filled up today, 32.00!!!!!! Something has got to give with these gas prices..I got 22.9 for in town driving..I was so pleased. I don't know of too many that get this with this many horses...isn't it wonderful.!!!!
Have a great weekend....
RONN
The good news is that I have a loaded Limited and everything works, the exhaust tips are symetrical, the rear sunshade does not bind or squeak, tire pressure is correct, the leather seats do not hurt my back with wrinkles or seams, the brakes are strong and smooth, etc., etc., etc.
Rewop
You can also get into a mode that controls speed only, not distance. In that mode, called normal mode, each tap up of the control shaft increases your set speed by 1 mph. That's what I'm used to from my old 2000 Avalon, and what I prefer.
I have no idea why they designed the system to have 2 different speed increments, depending on what cruise mode you are using. The 5 mph increment is just too much - don't know what they were thinking. By the way, this is all spelled out in the owner's manual, so the system is doing what it's supposed to.
Aside from that weird feature, the laser-guided cruise control works great, allowing cruise control to be used in heavier traffic than I would normally. The control will apply brakes if necessary to slow you down if someone cuts in. Of course, at that point the traffic is really too heavy, and you should get out of cruise control.
Another complaint - the odometer, cruise control distance settings, and sequential shift gear number indicator are all very dimly lit compared to the speedometer, fuel gage, etc. When I'm wearing sunglasses, I can't read those faint items at all. I have the instrument light brightness switch all the way up.
Max
I noticed the same thing about the odometer, etc. It looks like the clock, for example, is LED based, so is generating its own light. No problem there and I can see it fine under all conditions. But the odometer and other items you mentioned are LCD based, so are using reflected light. Fine at night, but just not bright enough during the day if it is sunny out and one has sunglasses on. I think some other Toyota vehicles have the same issue. A poor choice, in my opinion. All the displays could easily have been LED's.
But ultimately a small flaw in an otherwise fine vehicle.
Just wanted to let you and the forum know that I did that concept of the Avalon.
I'm the designer of the car, and I took that photo at CAlty Design where the Avalon was designed( along wih the previous one). I basically wanted to show what the car should look like
( the tailamp was what I origionally wanted). Well, I just recievd my silver Touring Model and have already lowered it and put a nice set of 19's on it. I'll try to post a photo tommorrow.
Anyways, thanks for all the positive comments, and I hope you all enjoy your car, (I highly recommend 19 or 20" rims!!!)
DESIGN74
Well, it's our pleasure! Thank you for sharing your pioneering concept and for letting us in on your background. The picture you posted in January convinced me that the new Avalon was meant to attract a much younger crowd, I knew then that I would like it when it finally came out.
Looking forward to your next photo!
havalongavalon
GO TO BED! GET SOME REST FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.
Groza
You are great. Have a great weekend, and I look forward to your opinions.
RONN
I might add that sometimes when I touch the handle to unlock, it takes longer to do than others. I don't know if you have experienced that are not? I guess it's the way it is in your pocket perhaps. I don't know if others have found that to be true or not. It does work great, and I enjoy not having keys to take in and out of my pocket all the time.
RONN
That was really cool with the intials thing on your car...wish you could send a picture. have fun today...
RONN
I have noticed sometimes that the volume of voice nav drops so softly that it is hard to hear it and I can replicate the problem every time.
1- Either driving or stationary, make sure the voice command is working at the proper volume by saying "Go Home". If not, adjust it by using the command "Louder".
2- After it has calculated the route, issue the voice command "Voice Guidance Off". You should hear a confirmation that it has been turned off, but at the same volume as before.
3- Issue any other command (like "Delete all Destinations") and it will reply in a very soft voice - the volume has automagically dropped dramatically.
4- Now issue the command "Louder". It should return to the previous volume setting.
Can anyone replicate this problem?
ronn: Some theories follow. Turning off the AC a minute or so before stopping will dry up condensation on the evaporator and extend its life (condensation promotes corrosion). Turning off AC before stopping also can eliminate those annoying condensate pools that collect on the garage floor. If your garage is carpeted, this is major bummer.
Turning everything off before stopping and/or starting makes the starter's life easier for obvious reasons. Turning off everything also minimizes possible battery drain if there are shorts in the wiring.
I've heard all these things over the years, but how many of us have time to wait two minutes while the condensate drains? Think about this scenario, though - Open garage door, idle outside garage for two minutes, AC off, condensate dripping on driveway, listening to The Platters on the JBL Synthesis with bass at +3. Can you dig it?
Groza
OK, time for breakfast and my rainy morning's activities over here.
DESIGN74, I'll check again later on today for your new photo.
havalongavalon
Meaning, I'd leave everything on Auto unless the dealer service techs told me otherwise.
In fact, in deep summer down South I'd probably make the Temp super cold right before shutting it off so that when I hit the remote start- the vehicle would be nice and cool as soon as possible.
I tend to think that the Starter motor and alternator plus battery are all designed thinking people will keep things in Auto position most of the time.
Good question to ask the sevice techs though. I just watched the section on mynewavalon regarding the Temerature controls. They suggested leaving it in the auto mode. Then again...they don't care much about wear and tear. :-)
-Dean
nomar69
Our agreement is that I handle the exterior, she the interior.
So, ordered blizzard pearl with graphite (having never seen one).
Had charcoal been available for the Limited we probably would have gone that way.
The car arrived two days ago (nav, laser cruise, VSC, remote starter, XM). She has NO misgivings. I have NEVER seen her so excited about a new car, and we have had many, from Cadillacs to Jaguars to ....
The color combination is wonderful with the dark "wood."
35% window tint front/rear (Washington State requirement).
Dealer moved XM antenna from side of trunk lid to the center near the brake light as described in earlier posts in this forum. Would prefer it to be color-coordinated and perhaps roof mounted though.
Exhaust pipes proper.
Thanks to all in this Forum we have NEVER been as prepared when "shopping" for a new automobile.
Mr. Plano: Please do not confuse us with facts.
Groza
RONN
I am attaching links that I think you can see the shine. WARNING, this is an 04 Camry and not an Avalon. I still just dream about the Avalon. However, I think you can tell how well this worked, plus you can get an idea of what silver stripes look like on Phantom Gray, even if it is just a Camry :-(.
http://www.myimagestore.info/upload/images/b6685058.jpg
http://www.myimagestore.info/upload/images/XZm85280.jpg
http://www.myimagestore.info/upload/images/8cn85434.jpg
Tee
Hope you have enjoyed your Saturday and I'm sure you have been out in your car today. By the way, you need to name yours as well.
Do you turn everything off in your Avalon before you turn off engine? This is in response to an earlier post I did today.
Thanks again for the great wax info!!!
RONN