2005-2007 Toyota Avalon

mackabee · April 2005

Libertie, that post was totally in jest!

I don't foresee any changes for 2006 as they always keep the car the same the first two years after the redesign. I may be wrong as they did listen to customers when the new 4Runner came out in 2003 and had the ugly gray cladding. I will let you guys and gals know if any changes come down the pipe.

Mackabee

curry · April 2005

Update to the "Folio Saga"

Just got a voice mail from my salesman. He stated that he looked up my invoice, and that "it does not contain the folio in the invoice." WTF?? Is a folio an option??? Must be. You might think that when you buy a $32k car that they'd throw in the folio. Sheesh!! I haven't called him back to tell him that the sales manager (a) gave me a folio yesterday, and (b) apparently the sales manager does not know it is an option.

Makes ya wonder.

Ed

roski · April 2005

Say "P-O-I Off". It works for me. It will, however, turn off all POI's not just gas stations, you might try "Gas Stations - Off"

tinatina · April 2005

Gee, I wonder if they charge extra for air in the tires. You wonder if they just throw in the folio, especially if you paid MSRP or close to it. However, if its leather, I can see the extra charge.

In my area, the Avalons are starting to pile up on the lots. I have not even seen any on the road. I wonder if the dealers are not yet dealing on it.

Mac- Thanks for the comments awhile ago about the Blizzard Pearl paint. Its odd that the Toyota website did not include this add-on when I priced one on a "Build your Avalon".

Best quote for the Vehicle I'm interseted in was $25,400 plus tax, license, and CA Tire Fee (MSRP $27,727). Still seeking $3,000 off of the sticker!

just__me · April 2005

The Black Folio for the owners manual, it came with my car that I ordered in first week of Feb. for my XLS, and got the car around the 15 or 20th of Feb. and the cover was with the manual as in my earlier models. Maybe it has to do with the way a dealer handles his customers, all I know is that with me, Savannah Toyota has been excellent in every way, service included. When you go for an oil change if you ask they wash your car, but I don't let them do that anymore, I take care of that so only I am responsible for any fine scratches and swirl marks from washing, so I have me to blame and so far everything is fine with over 2,000 miles. I didn't wait for my paint to cure, I washed and waxed I believe after the first week I had the car and all is fine. I have the convex mirrors on my rear mirrors, and no problem.

curry · April 2005

Thanks for that info. I plan on picking up a convex mirror on the way home.

Ed

eljefe1 · April 2005

How do the mud flaps look...Do they match the color?

Thanks

eddieb1 · April 2005

I own a 2005 Avalon XLS. I love the car, but I absolutely agree with everything you mention. The Japanese ca r makers do everything in lock step. Look at EVERY Japanese sedan and what do you see? Painted silver consoles. The one thing that should have the greatest protection has the least! I take excellent care of the car, but no matter how hard you try, you scratch the silver console pieces. I hope some aftermarket company comes out with more durable console pieces. I'll be the first to buy it. Door for cassette player is dumb...

eddieb1 · April 2005

mudflaps look great. buy on line since dealer charges 80+ dollars!

eddieb1 · April 2005

Is it just me, or was it downright crazy to spec cheap, painted silver console pieces in a 30K+ sedan? Anyone know of a good aftermarket dash kit to replace the console pieces?

jordan7 · April 2005

are your mudflaps colored to somewhat match your paint. (I have a Titanium Ltd). where did you get them, what web site, did they fit well and install easily, and if you don't mind my asking, how much were they. any info would be appreciated.

prime time · April 2005

Just got my splash guards put on today. Bought mine from dealer. I think they were $67 for a set of 4. Mine are black. Color coded available only in some Toyota Regions. Some weird Toyota quirk, I guess. Anyway they look great and took about 10 minutes to put on. Didn't even have to pull the back wheels to install.

mackabee · April 2005

You'd be surprised how much sales managers don't know about the cars their dealership sells.

They don't hire them for their product knowledge. Yes the owner's portfolio is a factory option. Some dealers buy their own from local providers but if you want the fancy one with the Toyota logo made in China you got to pay for it. Nothing's free in this business/.

Mackabee

mackabee · April 2005

Tina, I don't think there's $3000.00 markup between invoice and MSRP on an XL. Good luck! The charge for the Pearl white paint shows up when you print the "sticker" on the Toyota.com build your own section. Every option code is listed in parenthesis. $25,400.00 is a heck of a deal. I'd jump on that before they change their minds! :shades:
Mack

gschultz3 · April 2005

The folio is not a very important thing but it really disappointed me when I found my owners manual in a blue plastic envelop. I have never purchased a car within the last 20 years that did not come with a leather or leather like folio. I am proud of my LTD but would never let anyone else see the envelop they gave me. I threw it out along with the salesmans card! Toyota needs to visit Lexus, Volvo, Audi, Infiniti, Acura, BMW, even Nissan or Buick to learn about the importance of first impressions! All of these auto companies sell cars priced the same as the Avalon.

I feel that their ads fall in the same category ........ they seemed to be directed towards the departed.

greenbelt · April 2005

I was pricing out a Touring edition 05 Avalon and was surprised to find that you can't normally get it with VSC or Navigation. Don't the Japanese product planners understand that Touring might just mean Driver engagement and enjoyment? If so, drivers are acutely aware of the value of VSC and are typically pretty engaged with a Nav system. This would be a wonderful high end option package for the Touring model. You'd get the good suspension, the 'wing' and a good VSC to help you out in the winter.

Plus they could throw in the heated seats too! Anybody listening in Toyoland?

Maybe its easier to buy an XLS and put on Tokico shocks and good sway bar bushings?

analyticangel · April 2005

Boatsman
Thanks for the post! Will see Joe and hopefully all will go well. Will check pipes
and hopefully they will be fine ll! Do you live North or South of there?
Am combining my trip with a campus visit to USF for my son who will soon need to make college decisions.........

At least we will have a great car for when we make the rest of the college rounds!!! Thanks for all your advice I am grateful to you and many others especially Just me , deanie, agent, mackabee, Ronn and others for their great posts and information . I have even come to appreciate Groza' sense of humor .

Will have a long trip home in a new car and will check back in when "she's home safe and sound"

curry · April 2005

Regarding the power issue, I have a second 12V plug in the large center console. It is located near the bottem, front near the driver.

Ed

analyticangel · April 2005

Leinad
If your out the door price on a fully loaded Limited is 34,714 ( You said the MSRP is 39,508) I would run and get it yesterday !! If you deduct the tax you are way under invoice and I dont see how any dealer woould sell that way YOu said you are only over 432 on edmunds invoice and that does not make sense .if tax is not reflected in price
More power to you if you can get it but you may want to double check
Good luck Let su sknow if that is a real offer

deanie · April 2005

Hi:
If you click on my name in the title of this reply, you can view my posts (the earlier ones are best) about Toyota's glaring omission of VSC from Touring models. I hesitantly bought an XLS b/c I have to have VSC, and there's no better car on the market for the money than Avalon. I now love my XLS, but I'd much rather have bought a Touring w/VSC. Better handling = better car.
Regards,
Deanie
P.S. You can buy an XLS and one day replace the stock shocks/springs/struts for those of the Touring and get the Touring's better handling, but I'd first consult Toyota about some steering/suspension probs some Tourings have had, and find out whether or not the switch would affect the ABS or VSC or Traction Control on the XLS (To all: I know I've mentioned the Touring/XLS shock swap too many times, but not everyone reads previous posts, so no verbal spankings please).

just__me · April 2005

THANK YOU, have a great trip and best wishes to your son..

ronharv · April 2005

$2,300 under MSRP for an XL? Unless a trade-in is involved (which means number juggling), I think that's a startling deal. I've arranged for $1,200 under MSRP for an XL which is supposed to arrive in a couple of weeks, and I'm suspicious about the dealer sticking to that price. My guess is that this early in the car-producing year dealers aren't inclined to give much money off a basic model which lacks the various high-profit features. Anyway, I'll report back how I actually do with a large-volume Calif. dealer when the car does arrive. So far all dealings have been by phone, including my credit-card deposit. Seems to me that not many XL's are being produced in the first place, so any kind of MSRP break might not be half bad, although I expect to be firm about my $1,200 off.

avalonfan · April 2005

I put over 100 miles test driving an RX330. It's a beautiful, feature rich vehicle and I liked the elevated seating. However, I felt there was more road and wind noise than I expected. Also, while SUV's are great for hauling larger items around, that is not a requirement of mine. I prefer a separate storage area for golf clubs, suitcases and taking home fast food (Fish & Chips) where the aroma lingers for days.

In my humble opinion, the Avalon has as good or better refinements than the RX. And, a silent cabin. As to resale value, I have only unofficial information, but my expectation would be to see a value of $16,000.00 or better in four years on my Blizzard Pearl, tan interior, fully loaded limited. With gas prices increasing with no end in sight, 31 MPG highway looks good. I have 800 miles on my car and am seeing an average of 21 around town.

mackabee · April 2005

gs, it's not Toyota. It's their dealer network. Some are better than others.
Mackabee

mackabee · April 2005

Tina, I was close on my guesstimate between invoice and MSRP. I have one coming in with pn, sr, ev, cf, dk, gn, wl. that stickers at $28,527.00 invoice is $2703 off of that. Remember the regional advertising fees vary by region so depending on where you are at it will vary by a few hundred. So if you are getting $3000.00 you got very lucky. Go get it before they change their mind, I'm serious. Here in my region we're selling Ltd and XL at MSRP.

Mackabee

jcu1963 · April 2005

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Living in Southern Illinois is beautiful most of the time. Unfortunately, trying to obtain a Limited '05 is next to impossible, and those that are available "on the lot," if any, are at MSRP. The other day I spoke with an Internet manager from a St. Louis dealer who indicated that the Limiteds were being sold with a premium added on to MSRP.

I continued to look around and found the following. I'd appreciate your thoughts on the pricing:

05 Limited
Navigation system
Preferred accessory package
Vehicle skid control
Satellite radio system

List price $38,278
My price $37,078 + $65 documentation fee

To quote the individual: "There are no other fees or hidden costs."

I would appreciate comments on the pricing please. Thanks,

Pete

sixtynine · April 2005

I'm not familiar with the preferred accessory package and don't know the invoice price on it. Leaving it out it looks like the invoice is $32,070.60. Accounting for the dealer holdback and allowing for a generous 11% profit a fair price looks to be around $35,363.00 + that package.

ltg

ccrider · April 2005

Hey mackabee! Do you have an idea if dealers would tend to deal more on one trim than the other. In general. Would the Limiteds and XL's be less inclined to negotiate compared to the Touring and the XLS, for example? Appreciate your help.

mackabee · April 2005

No different than any other car in high demand. Supply and demand determines the deals.
Mackabee

ccrider · April 2005

Have you noticed the supply and demand being any different in respect to the four Avalon trims?

3puttmax · April 2005

jcu1963 -

According to Edmunds.com pricing, I show MSRP = $37,542 for the car you described. If it also has Laser Cruise Control, which most Limiteds have, then Edmunds would show MSRP = $38,142, pretty close to your number.

As to what's a good price, some people are getting Limiteds for only $1000 or so above Invoice, while I just bought mine in Los Angeles for $2,300 above invoice. MSRP is around $4,600 - $4,800 over invoice, depending on option pkg.

Invoice on "your" car should be around $33,350, so adding $2,300 to that would be $35,650. I would consider that a reasonable price. In some regions, you would have to pay almost full MSRP. Sounds like you've been quoted around $3730 above invoice.

Only you can decide how much you're willing to pay. At the quoted price, you're paying more than I did, but then I paid more than some others. Good luck.

Max

bakeroid · April 2005

Finally got the word that my new Limited is appearing in the "A" Status on the build sheet. Included in the spec sheet were Interior Colors LB02 LB02 and Exterior Color 03Q7 Red. Can someone please decipher these codes for me please.

bakeroid · April 2005

My dealer tells me that Toyota doesn't have color keyed mudflaps. Seems to me that I have read other posts that discussed getting them from Toyota. Some enlightenment please.

havalongavalon · April 2005

My Titanium Avalon came with black mudflaps that perfectly match the black Michelin tires. They look great (are hardly noticeable). If you are getting black tires, I recommend black mudflaps.

Havalongavalon

angeleyes1 · April 2005

Try Mike, at Straatmann Toyota in Washington, Missouri. He should be able to save you $1,000 off the price you were quoted.

mackabee · April 2005

I guess it varies by region or area of the country you're in. The XLS is supposed to be the "volume" leader as we were told at its introduction that's why you're probably seeing less XL's and Touring trim levels. The Limited is just a monster of a success! At my store we have every single Limited pre-sold for the next two months. You will probably get better discounts or should I say more discount off an XLS than a Limited or XL. Just find a dealer that has plenty of them in stock. It's getting close to the end of the month and April is usually not as good a month (sales wise) as March or May through summer. I don't know why. Good luck and hope you find what you're looking for.

Mackabee

mackabee · April 2005

bakeroid, 03Q7 is the color code for Cassis red pearl, LB02 is the code for Ivory leather.
Mackabee

mackabee · April 2005

jcu, looks like you answered your own question. You stated that Ltds are hard to impossible to find and those that are on the lot are at MSRP. I guess a $1200.00 discount in your area is pretty good.

Mackabee

fin · April 2005

For anyone interested, here are the estimated (from rotation) numbers for the 2005 Avalon virtual straightaway top speed run:

Gear IV: Theoretical - 150 Real World - Low 140's
Gear V: Forget it........... no help.

Tip of the Hat: To * 3puttmax * who posted almost identical results earlier, probably using a different method of calculation. Outstanding !

From a local Dealer: "Given that V rated tires have a speed rating not above 149 mph, one would assume Toyota has allowed a small safety margin here, for liability purposes if nothing else. We are not aware of a built-in speed limiter such as on Honda's."

Looking at the size, build quality, power, comfort and price of the various models, the 2005 Avalon is amazing. Drive safely.....

azhuyck · April 2005

18 inch rims for the 2005 avalon are optional only in the southeast region. They are "18 inch Diamond cut alloy wheels. Tires size are MICHELIN Pilot HX MXM4 235/45/R18. Ordered rims from southeast dealer for $1200.00 including lug nuts and Caps. Ordered and mounted tires through Discount Tires $900.00. Bigger tires allow the car corner better without so much body roll. Also Steering is firmer. LIKE THE LOOK!!!

ccrider · April 2005

Thanks, mackabee. The two trims I'm considering are the Touring and the XLS. Can I get your opinion on the differences between the two and your personal pros and cons of each? I'm torn between the two - The Touring has a better interior color, the aluminum trim, the sportier ride and look, better handling. But it lacks the VSC and heated seats. The XLS, to my knowledge, has the darker wood trim. Better than the light wood trim, but not as good as the aluminum look. I believe it has the graphite interior which is fine.

From what I can gather, the differences between a $31,089 Touring and a $33,269 XLS is the XLS would have VSC, heated seats, auto-dimming mirror w/ compass and homelink, dual heated exterior mirrors, cargo net, and anti-theft system. The XLS would not have the spoiler. It comes down to whether the VSC is worth the $1,600 difference in invoice price (provided I can get the same figure over invoice for both trims). I'm leaning toward the answer being yes. I would lose alot of what I'm looking for in the Touring, but I'd have alot more safety features.

Thoughts anybody?

bakeroid · April 2005

Mackabee

Thank you very much for the color code info! Would you believe that these are actually the colors I ordered?
Please keep up the good work on this site. You and your peers have made the last two months of waiting worth while.
Regards,

Bakeroid

gschultz3 · April 2005

Mackabee

Sorry for repeating my frustration but it just seems Toyota shouldn't let their image suffer.

Jer[gschultz3]

gschultz3 · April 2005

Right on! I had an Infiniti G35 and the painted silver console scratched so I covered it with a wood dash kit. Hope the Avalon holds up better or somebody offers a better alternative.

mmg1 · April 2005

My titanium metallic xls was ordered with color keyed mudflaps and I believe they were put on at the dealers. Sure look great!! Match is perfect.
mmg1

mmg1 · April 2005

ccrider
You should be able to order whatever interior you want on the XLS. The light gray and the ivory automatically come with the lighter color "wood"trim. And the graphite leather comes with darker "wood". I personally preferred the darker wood so had to order the graphite and very glad I did. There is still a lot of aluminum look on the console so still looks a little sporty. Also I added a spoiler because I liked the outside look of the touring .
I feel like I got safety and sporty with my combo !
mmg1

rrogers2 · April 2005

Could you post a picture of your car that shows stripe? I just got a White XLS and think what you've done sounds great.

ange · April 2005

Your price quoted is a bit high. Here in the NorthEast the dealers are getting what the traffic can bear. Some add a 1000.00 to MSRP and others give some off.

I ordered my limited the sme as your list execpt I deleted the radio and included the radar speed control. My price, including delivery is 35,500.00. I got this thru the internet.

I am told Tolota missed judged the car market and expected to sell loads of XLS models and messed up. Limiteded models are in demand because they have a lot of features for the 2300.00 or so difference. My dealer has XL and XLS on their lot but have a waiting list of Limited buyers.

I felt I should have worked harder to get closer to the dealer invoice, but considering all the demands out there, I had a choice--take it or leave it.

Considering everything the Limited is a good deal.

Ange1

rewop · April 2005

bakeroid writes: "My dealer tells me that Toyota doesn't have color keyed mudflaps. Seems to me that I have read other posts that discussed getting them from Toyota. Some enlightenment please."

I purchased my Silver Avalon Limited with matching silver mudguards in central Florida. According to my dealer, they are a port installed option.

rewop

cafpaf · April 2005

I picked up my new Limited late yesterday afternoon and had to drive it home in the rain. Of course, once in the garage, I had to wipe it down. It was then that I noticed that both fog lamps seem to be loose in their mounts. I don't know how else to put it but they actually move and rattle a little when touching them. Also, I noticed that the door for the cassette player springs/jumps open very fast. It is nothing like the door for the radio which seem to be dampened some how. So without sounding like a fool my questions are these. Has anyone else noticed this same loose fit with the fog lamps and if so, what did you do about it if anything? Also, should the door for the cassette open in the same fashion as the radio, i.e. dampened, or is the quick spring opening standard for this door?

Haven't had much experience with the car other than driving home (15 miles) and wiping it down. As I get to use it a little more I will chime in with my observations. However, let me say this initially. It seems much quieter and has a better ride than my 02 Cadillac Deville DTS that I just turned in.

2005-2007 Toyota Avalon

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