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2005-2007 Toyota Avalon

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Comments

  • speedluxspeedlux Member Posts: 23
    Avalon seem to be better choice in every angle. Exterior is more upscale, and interior also have manual "reclining seatbacks" just like the Lexus LS430. Way better than Ford.
  • future1future1 Member Posts: 103
    Thanks for the correction, fsmmcsi -- apparently Edmunds reported wrong front shoulder room for Ford. Here is the update:

    Length: Ford is 3.5" longer (200.7 vs 197.2)
    Width: Ford is 0.8" wider (73.7 vs 72.9)
    Height: Ford is 2" higher (60.1 vs 58.1)
    Wheelbase: Ford is 1.9" longer (112.9 vs 111)
    Front Head Room: Ford is 0.7" more (39.4 vs 38.7)
    Front Shoulder Room: Avalon is 2.4" wider (59.4 vs 57.8)
    Front Leg Room: Avalon is 0.4" more (41.7* vs 41.3)
    Rear Head Room: Ford is 0.7" more (38.6 vs 37.9)
    Rear Leg Room: exactly the same (40.9)
    Interior Volume: Ford is 0.2 cubic feet larger (107.1 vs 106.9)

    *Front Leg Room was not specified for the new Avalon, so I assumed it to be the same as the 2004 model.
  • samnoesamnoe Member Posts: 731
    It's quite clear that the Avalon will be the winner in most respects over the 500, except for those people who need the largest trunk or AWD. But I think that since the 500 is even comparable to the superior Avalon, is a big step up for Ford. And Ford still has the above advantages, plus some more (6-speed or CVT vs. Avalons 5-speed, etc.)

    And as most of you know (Alpha sure knows - he is very active in the 500 board as well:-) Ford will have a new engine in the 500 in the 2007 refreshing cycle, and will hopefully update the interior with better materials (Nissan did it with the Altima for 2005) and perhaps optitron gauges, and copy the signal mirrors from their minivans, add navigation system, and it will be even more competitive.
  • nomad56nomad56 Member Posts: 134
    Alpha-I may have been too presumptuous, in my effort to be brief. I was not suggesting the GS for a Ford 500 shopper. As noted, it competes with the RL. By "patience", I meant it is showing up in Toyo sedans, perhaps the Avy will be considered.
  • rdeweyktrdeweykt Member Posts: 6
    Sorry everyone - AWD will not be offered on the new Avalon. Toyota would not likely risk lost sales on the Highlander or even Sienna. I can't believe anyone would compare a new Ford 500 to an Avalon period. At best a Camry which still offers a better value. As in my last post, the new Avalon is based off the new Sienna platform and will be the biggest sedan Lexus or Toyota offers.
  • ederzawiecederzawiec Member Posts: 61
    The initial basis of the comparison of the New Avalon and Five Hundred was size. As you can see, they are quite close. The Camry, is somewhat smaller, particularly for rear seat passengers.
  • coug2coug2 Member Posts: 34
    I'm comparing the 500 and Avalon - both big roomy soft cars (a ford buick versus a toyo buick). In addition, awd is a great feature if you live in a place that has both snow and hills - stop on a hill while the guy in front makes a left turn and then try to go again! In addition, the 500 has a lot of nice features at a reasonable price (e.g., duel climate controls, temp/audio in steering wheel) - likely 8-10k cheaper.

    I think the avalon will just be more luxurious - the worst thing about the 500 imo is the "look" of the interior - it has such a hard plastic look, you feel like you could hose out the inside. the second worst thing about the 500 is its a ford.

    The avalon will also have substantially more power. However, I think most buyers of both cars are not concerned too much with the sportiness of the cars. Clearly, toyo's redesign (IMO) caters to the typical avalon buyer - someone who cares about comfort over performance (i.e., old) - if you are looking for performance, you'd be better off with about a dozen other cars (acura tl, infiniti).
  • fsmmcsifsmmcsi Member Posts: 792
    It seems that the Avalon will target people what want comfort AND space. Some (even many or most) of those people will also want good power. Space (back seat and trunk) is what is missing from many of the other cars you could buy (e.g. Acura TL). The Ford Five Hunded and Mercury Montego offer lots of space in the back seat and trunk. The Chrysler 300 also offers a big back seat.

    coug2 - if you don't like the Five Hundred interior, you may be surprised at the Mercury Montego version of the car - for the same price as a comparably equipped Ford Five Hundred, it has a very nice two tone interior (the leather version is also perforated, not solid), LED tail lights, HID headlights, and dark fake wood which looks far nicer than the shelf paper-like material in the Ford.

    It seems that lack of AWD may be a mistake, but having owned a turbo-charged FWD car with lots of power and unequal length front drive shafts producing plenty of torque steer, I really think that a limited slip differential / traction control and stability control, along with the super sticky snow tires now available, will make AWD less of an advantage than Ford and Chrysler hope. Chrysler is saying that AWD on the 300 (and Magnum) gives them an advatage, but they also have videos out showing how well their cars do in snow and ice without it.
  • fsmmcsifsmmcsi Member Posts: 792
    I am not a retailer, but somehow the end of the year is very busy for us, so I will forget about cars for a while and check back in January after the auto show, so I wish an early Happy Holidays to everyone here.
  • future1future1 Member Posts: 103
    The comparison between the 500 and 05 Avalon is also valid if you assume that Toyota will look at the 500 as the closest contender to its new Avalon, when it sets the Avalon price.

    For $27,790 MSRP, the 500/Montego comes close in size and the target audience, and offers heated seats, dual-stage front airbags and side curtain airbags, HID headlights, leather seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, traction control, memory function for seats, mirrors and pedals, premium sound system, and in-dash CD changer. There is some talk in the 500 forum indicating that Ford may give a $2000 incentive, which will bring the MSRP down to $25,790 or so.

    From the Avalon specs, it looks like the similarly equipped Avalon trim will be XLS. Granted, the Avalon interior is much more impressive, the engine has more power, and Toyota has a superior reliability record. There are also optional features on Avalon that are just too futuristic for Ford. But for the sake of apples to apples comparisson, let's stay with the Avalon that is equipped similarly to 500/Montego. The question is then, how much more is the public willing to pay for the Avalon advatnages? Or, perhaps even more relevant, does Toyota want to sell its new flagship car in some significant volume, by perhaps matching the price to the competition and providing a greater car? I hope the answer is "yes", because in that case I would not to have to pay the Lexus price for the Toyota brand.

    If Toyota hired me as a "price setter" (is there such a position in Tokyo?), I would recommend this:

    XL: $27,000
    XLS: $30,000
    Touring: Not sure
    Limited, fully loaded, including NAV system: $36,000

    I know, I know, it might all be just wishful thinking, especially considering that the XLS price would be a decrease from the current XLS model. But if you believe that Toyota wants to accompany a great flagship with great sales and visibility, I may not be that far from the mark.
  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    I would tend to agree with your prices- if you look at Toyota's last few mainstream redesigns (the Corolla, the Solara, the Sienna) pricing has generally been held constant for similarly equiped models, despite the newer versions' obvious advantages. Often times, if there have been price increases, standard equipment levels have risen. In my opinion, this is the case for the signifcantly improved Corolla.

    Toyota seems to be introducing more, higher priced model extensions to counterbalance that... such as the XLE Limited AWD Sienna that, when fully loaded, can easily top $39,000. The last generation never got higher than $34,000, but thats without AWD and a whole slew of higher tech options that are now available. In any case, despite the price of the XLE AWD Limited, I've seen a good number on the road, and even now, Toyota is still commanding above invoice on the Sienna, with no substantial rebates offered.

    Bottom Line: Excellent products (which I think we all expect the new Avalon to be) will sell strongly, with the right marketing exposure. Good products (Five Hundred/Montego) will have a harder time, even with similar exposure. Trendy, different products will sell strong initially, but taper off (my feelings on the Chrysler 300... just like what happened with the PT Cruiser).

    ~alpha
  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    Every time I glance over the Avalon specs, I find more neat stuff.

    Did you folks know that the Avalons rear seat will be rake adjustable? 5 positions, over 10 degrees. And dual zone automatic climate control will be standard on all models, along with steering wheel HVAC/Radio, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, and a cassette player.

    ~alpha
  • pmcb48pmcb48 Member Posts: 192
    Alpha--yes I noticed the reclining rear seats. It seems virtually all of the Avalon features are "catch up" in nature; i.e., they have been introduced previously on other cars, either Toyota or rival models (e.g., the reclining rear seats previously seen in the Infiniti G35 for one). The Avalon has been lagging behind the industry standard in terms of available features (4 spd trans instead of 5, 210 hp instead of 250+, no telescoping steering wheel, etc.). All of the features new with this model were sorely needed if the Avalon is to remain a competitive model.
      I will be most interested in pricing points, and how dealers will be on negotiating before the market is established. Were they sticking to MSRP right out of the gate with the Sienna? I didn't get my Sienna until 1/04, so I don't know.
      My wife loves the HID headlights on her Sienna XLE limited. That was the only 2004 Sienna that had them. She feels truly safe now driving at night. Amongst 2005 Avalons, only the Touring and Limited lines will have them.
  • rdeweyktrdeweykt Member Posts: 6
    Don't expect any discounts in the Northeast. MSRP will be the rule with an expected wait ei. the 2004 Sienna. Limited quantities as usual for months to come - orders are already being taken! Priced similar to current with more $ for new options.
  • rcf8000rcf8000 Member Posts: 619
    A feature of the new Avalon that was previously unavailable in this class of vehicle is the length-adjustable driver's seat bottom cushion. Toyota has been listening to their customers and the critics.
  • rayainswrayainsw Member Posts: 3,191
    "length-adjustable driver's seat bottom cushion. "

    But only on the Limited.
    Odd.
    - Ray
    Thinking it would also be useful on the "Touring" model that would be my preference . . .
    2022 X3 M40i
  • i_luv_toyotai_luv_toyota Member Posts: 350
    The Touring model came between the XL and XLS.

    Is that the actual lineup order, future1?
  • buckwheatbuckwheat Member Posts: 396
    From the 23 page Avalon introduction, I would say you're right.

    E. Grade Structure

    1. XL – easy step-up from other Toyota model, or entry to Toyota brand

    2. Touring – new sporty model w/ more style

    3. XLS – core model

    4. Limited – new flagship ultra luxury model
  • maxamillion1maxamillion1 Member Posts: 1,467
    I am dying to test drive the new Avalon too...

    :)

    I really want to see just how unique the touring and Limited models will be.

    Seems like the XLS has been moved down a bit. Hopefully if I get to intern with Toyota, I'll get to drive them ALL the time!!!

    I can't wait!!!
  • i_luv_toyotai_luv_toyota Member Posts: 350
    Thanks for the confirmation on that. I thought that was what I heard!

    Maxamillion1, I concur with your emotions about the new Avalon. I don't think I have ever been more excited about a new car introduction in my life as I am of this new Avalon!
  • burlburl Member Posts: 40
    I sold cars for 30 years including Ford and Toyota

    The maddest I ever made a manager at me was when I bought the last car

    My new car Ford manager almost stroked out when I bought a 4 year old XLS for $4000 MORE with 50000 miles on it over 1 of our 10000 mile current year program Taurus

    Bought it from our Lexus dealership next door

    Kept saying "I just don't understand Why !
    I could have invited him to take a ride with me....And made him even madder Because He would only buy Ameracan and defended the Ford Product to the Death,But I hate to look for a new job "spent 22 years at one dealership".

    Finally the point being: I have driven the new Ford 500 and I would'n trade my 2000 Avalon for it.
    I seriously doubt that in the real world of driving both products side by side that the 500 will change my comparative impressions.

    Don't just look at the specs before the 2006 a rives.... I expect that DRIVING the products will make one of them seem like 1 of them will make it seem like the other is 1 generation behind
    Thank U FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION
  • motownusamotownusa Member Posts: 836
    There is a disguised picture of the new Avalon in the December issue of Popular Mechanics or was it Popular Science? The car looks big.
  • maxhonda99maxhonda99 Member Posts: 1,289
    It was Popular Mechanic.
  • future1future1 Member Posts: 103
    Good point, burl -- indeed, the driving impression is a big factor. There may be double counting here, however. For example, a more powerful engine, luxurious interior, acceleration, and braking contribute to the ride "feel", and these are already accounted for by the specs and the prices. The other factors are harder to quantify, though. Here are a few I can think of (applicable to the class of the cars under the discussion): noise level, body lean during cornering, driving position, visibility, and ability to take bumps smoothly, steering and handling.

    For these factors, the reviews rely more on metaphors and superlatives (such as "claustrophobic", "suicidal", "jiggly", "underwhelming", and "vague"), rather than quantitative terms. I wish all the reviewers agreed on how to map the "feel" parameters into hard numbers -- picking a car would be a simple math excersize: just weigh all the factors, sum them up, divide the car's price by the sum, and place the order for the car with the lowest ratio.
  • burlburl Member Posts: 40
    ASSUMING that the New Avalon is indeed sold as a 2006 and that it at least Does not Go down in It's Drivability or Quietness.
    Here is want you get sight unseen and yes I am holding my breath also and may even buy 1 wihout seeing it in order to beat the deluge of orders expected
    If it is called a 2006 insteasd of a 2005, this time a next year I will own a car that is on the market CURRENT YEAR CAR YES EVERYBODY KNOWS IT CAME OUT IN 2004-05 but 30 years of selling cars tells me that it won't make any depreciation difference. This actually wholes true through the interduction of the 2007's in September of 2006.

    So you get AT LEASE 1 3/4 years of having the pleasure of driving a "NEW" car and it being recognized as a new car "How do yoy like your New Avalon.....We all like that whether we admitt it or not.

    Looking at the"500" or any of the others that are in it's Class this is not true

    If the car is as nice as we "Hear and Hope it is"
    It will out shine anything you could compare it with except another "LEXUS"

    Oh yeah, If what happens with the resale at this point in time continues and there is no apparent reason FOR it not too: My/Your car will be worth 2 to 3
    times more than anything in its class and I/You and it will possibly be car of the year in its class.

    So all those that want to... Please go Buy your "Other" choice...... Oh by the way, when any of those people pull up beside me there will be no raceing.......just envey... becase they will know that I/ Will
    " Blow their doors off" if they really get Brave AND WHETHER OR NOT ANYBODY IN THIS ROOM ADMITS IT OR NOT THAT IS A REAL FACTOR IN BUYING ANY CAR TO ANYBODY THAT WOULD SPEND TIME IN THIS ROOM
    Thank you for your time and Interest
    [email protected]
  • burlburl Member Posts: 40
    Most have probably seen this already but just in case: Edmans.com is promiseimg a full review very soon
    Hope it is tommorow.... And I hope it is Good
    Burl
  • yankeryanker Member Posts: 156
    we have 2000 XLS It has a big advantage in its size. If the new is as big a tub as it sounds I'm not interested. Camry will do or a Honda Tl but no gigantic tub
  • johnclineiijohnclineii Member Posts: 2,287
    Why do you think the new one is a gigantic tub? Nothing I see or have heard indicates this is the case....
  • buffalonickelbuffalonickel Member Posts: 113
    I relish this forum as one of wonderment where a child looks at the gift wrapped car under the tree waiting for Christmas morning. I will say that the Avalon is due for a face lift and from the photo I have seen, it is more sporty and yet still seems to retain its prominence as Toyota's flagship line. I am anxious to test drive the car and whip those 270 bad ponies into a frenzy!
    So what about a turbo-charged Avalon?

    And fortunately where I buy my Toyotas the sales manager hands me the keys and says to take my time. If I like it enough, he may not see me for a few days!

    B
  • buckwheatbuckwheat Member Posts: 396
    "I am anxious to test drive the car and whip those 270 bad ponies into a frenzy".

    From page 5 letter "C" of the Toyota Avalon introduction;

    C. New Flagship for 2005

    1. all-new 280 Hp 3.5L V6
  • motownusamotownusa Member Posts: 836
    I wish they released the new Avy in December. Would have been a great Christmas present to give yourself. :)
  • yankeryanker Member Posts: 156
    I read that this was to be the biggest Toyota ever built. I like the Camry frame and size The 2000 is just right. Plenty of Toyotas in Japan I would love to know which one is the prototype for the new Avalon. I also like good gas mileage and don't give a hoot mega horsepower.
  • larryt22larryt22 Member Posts: 125
    Seems like a lot of people who post on this forum don't understand that the Avalon has always been a modified Camry platform, and never has been a vehicle that was derived from a Japanese model. The new Avalon will be the same way. It will continue to be a modified Camry platform with many of the parts taken right off of a Camry, Sienna, Highlander, Lexus RX330 or Lexus ES330 which are all based off the same basic platform. There is no comparable model sold in Japan.
  • coolguyky7coolguyky7 Member Posts: 932
    Just to note....I believe the Sienna is no on the Tundra platform.
  • maxamillion1maxamillion1 Member Posts: 1,467
    I mean, come on, the car is coming out in what, Jan?

    I can't wait...!?!?!?!?
  • tyresmokertyresmoker Member Posts: 266
    Tundra...rear or 4-wheel drive, V8 powered, full framed truck.
    Sienna..front wheel, unibody. Shares the same suspension (design), trans and engine with the others mentioned....Oh, and it is built in Georgetown as well....
    The only thing the Sienna shares with the Tundra is the sales floor.
  • yankeryanker Member Posts: 156
    I just returned from japan and there are dozens of kinds of Toyotas. Some rather large others that look like phone booths on wheels. The Crown majesta and the others look a lot bigger than Camrys. The Majesta is rear wheel drive I'm told by other posts here.
  • coolguyky7coolguyky7 Member Posts: 932
    The Sienna is built alongside the Tundra and Sequoia in Princton, Indiana. The size of the new van could not be accomodated in Georgetown, Kentucky.
  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    Coolguy is indeed correct. The Tundra and Sequoia are produced at the same mfg site as the current generation Sienna.

    Previously, the Solara was built in Canada. Since the Sienna's move, the Solara is built in Georgetown.

    The RX330 is now produced in Canada where the Solara production used to reside.

    In any case, the Sienna IS NOT on a truck platform, and the Avalon is on a modified Camry platform (NOT with the upcoming Lexus GS, which has also been posited).

    ~alpha
  • samnoesamnoe Member Posts: 731
    The following is from this months Motor Trend (Jan. '05) Page 24:

    Toyota's Avalon may go to a rear-drive platform for 2011. With design of the all-new 2006 Avalon that launches early this year wrapped up, Toyota is looking at a major change in the design of the next version, and a platform that could be shared with big Lexus sedans is one possibility. Another consideration reportedly has the Avalon becoming a sportwagon based on the Lexus HHV concept from last year's NY auto show..."
  • flyfish4lifeflyfish4life Member Posts: 103
    I guess the '06 will be based off the 2002 Camry platform? Interesting they would do that, when the Camry is nearing the end of its 5 year life cycle. Wonder if its an all new frame that the Camry will share in 2007.
  • i_luv_toyotai_luv_toyota Member Posts: 350
    Isn't the current Avalon based off the 4th generation (97-01) Camry platform?
  • coolguyky7coolguyky7 Member Posts: 932
    I believe the current Avalon is based on a revised 1992 Camry platform. The Camry got a new platform in 2002 and won't have another new one until 2012.
  • maxhonda99maxhonda99 Member Posts: 1,289
    Actually the 2002-current Camry's structure is based on the 1992-1996 structure.

    The 1997 Camry/ES used a modifed version of the 1992 Camry/ES platform, and the 2002 versions of the Camry/ES use a further modification of that platform.
  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    But my understanding is that the 2002 upgrade yielded such significant revisions in structure and rigidity, that its classified by Toyota as a new platform, while the 97-01 was not.

    ~alpha
  • i_luv_toyotai_luv_toyota Member Posts: 350
    the 92-01 Camry platform is basically the same, with some minor alterations for the new body style in 97?

    The 05 Avalon is based off the 2002 Camry platform then, right?
  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    You've got it.

    ~alpha
  • maxhonda99maxhonda99 Member Posts: 1,289
    I still see the current ES/Camry platform as a evolution of the 97-01 platform, which was a evolution of the 92-96 platform.

     

    Also, Clublexus has real pics of the next Toyota Avalon.

     

    Go to Clublexus.com and then go to forums, then to "car chat" and there is a message board on pics of the Avalon. There are clear pics of the side view and a 3/4 rear view. No front view.

     

    Personally, it looks pretty good. Doesn't look top heavy like the current Avalon.
  • future1future1 Member Posts: 103
    Thanks for the reference, maxhonda99. I reposted the pic here:

     

    image

     

    I must say that I am not impressed with that back window -- it looks pretty awkward. Same actually goes for the side windows. I liked the drawings better than the real thing.

     

    In other news, this month's "Consumer Reports" compared and rated 2004 Avalon with Buick Park Avenue, Nissan Maxima, Ford Five Hundred, Chrysler 300, Kia Amanti, Lincoln Town Car, Pontiac Bonneville, Buick LeSabre, and Mercury Grand Marquis. The Avalon came out on top.
  • wesgwesg Member Posts: 24
    When will dealers be ordering their new 2005 (6??) models for stock? I stopped by a Toyota dealer yesterday and they said they had no information on the new Avalon. If the car is to be introduced in January, it would seem to me that production for dealer inventory should be going on now. I'd just like to a dealer order in a Limited with the color/options that I would like.
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