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Has anyone found a reasonable price for an XM kit for the 05 Avalon? Right now, I have an XM Roady velcroed up under the clock and it works great. I cut the antenna and soldered it together like the instructions on xm411.com. I just want everything to look factory, if I can.
Not as nice as built in cubbies or a change holder, but at least it keeps the small stuff from getting swallowed up by the deep space.
Bill
http://www.tomtom.com/products/product.php?ID=77&Language=4#
or this
http://www.magellangps.com/en/products/product.asp?PRODID=1091
The article linked here was from the Detroit News, after all...
The system I am most familiar with is the Garmin GPS. I can hit "FIND", "FOOD & DRINK". and it shows everything within miles. I scroll down to the one I want and press enter and it takes me there. I think the Avalon has the same information, just longer to get there. Also the Garmin, I use as a telephone directory all the time. Avalon does the same, just longer and more complicated to find it. When the Lexus dealer, two days ago, showed me the one on the LS430, it was simular to the Avalon only touch screen. His worked almost exactly like the Garmin. And I am told by a Toyota rep. today that they use the system 4 instead of the 3 that the Avalon uses. Now that tells me why they made the upgrade. I think it is a software upgrade but don't know that much about computers but I would like to see it more user friendly. I have spent hours on the Avalon and still can't get it right, maybe mine has a problem. It seems it is never consistent with what I did before. I try to do the same thing over and it brings up another screen. But I will try the voice and see if that helps. Rod8
thanks
I’ll comment on our bizarre buying experiences and my opinions regarding various points of contention expressed here (build quality, seat comfort, glass distortion, haze, brake fade, documentation, etc.) in future posts, but for now, I want to acknowledge 2 contributors and try to “return the favor”.
We quickly realized that visibility when backing up is severely limited with this body style (is that where the name came from?), so my first project was to install the Awell reverse parking sensor system. We have the same Titanium color as havalongavalon and johni, and their informative posts and photos saved me a lot of guesswork. My installation differs from theirs in that I elected to mount the “beeper” closer to the driver, since neither I nor my wife have teen-ager’s hearing acuity any longer, and I like to “crank up” the JBL stereo.
I have documented my install, and posted it in pdf format for all at:
http://members.cox.net/n0v8or/avalon_awell_install.pdf
If the link doesn’t work directly and you have to cut & paste the URL into your browser, note there are underscores in between the words avalon, awell, and install.
I am now planning a frontal (hardware) attack on the dumb and annoying “I agree” navigator foible. I’ll let you know if I am successful.
Absolutely great "show and tell"; your pics will be very helpful.
As to your "frontal attack" on the "I agree" annoyance, there is a "fix" for the system Toyota puts in the Prius. I don't know if it is the same system as the Avalon, but this url might be a place to start: http://www.coastaletech.com/nav_kit.htm
Rod
I just recieved my weekly cars email from USA Today. My favorite reviewer Jim Healey, just posted his review of the 05 Avalon, which was done earlier. Jim tells it like is, so when he does a positive review, you can believe it.
http://www.dawn-ent.com/molding/pntmld.htm
Installation instructions:
http://www.dawn-ent.com/install/feavalonmld.pdf
Can't find the cost anywhere on the site.
My last two "American" cars were technically made in America, NORTH AMERICA. One was Canadian and one was Mexican made. So, my Toyota is more American than my Ford and Chevy.
Anyhow, got an 05 LTD (w NAV and VCS) two days ago to replace my 02 XLS and I like it. Have a few nits to pick and questions to ask but they are minor. Of course, I'm only up to page 47 in the FIRST manual (LOL)
#1 -- Is there an elapsed time clock in the LTD? I can't find it.
#2 -- If the smart key dies and you get in with the mechanical key, how do you start the car ??
#3 -- Also saw that there is no current answer to "I agree" and the dead on movement NAV stuff. We can only hope.
Nit pick # 1 -- I REALLY would like the option to zero out the MPG and other info when I want to instead of when Toyota thinks it should.
Nit pick # 2 -- The Auto Stick is really just a gear range limiter, although it seems to work OK. Mostly useful for locking out Overdrive.
Nit Pick # 3 -- The data entry in the NAV system isn't very good. My Honda touch screen was MUCH better. That said, the lady doing the guidance has a much sexier voice.
All in all I think I'm gonna like this car. Acceleration and brakes are solid for a big guy. If only they offered Touring suspension and steering on the limited.
2006 HP - The numbers may be lower but all else is the same according to Toyota. The "yardstick" from SAE has changed but your time and trap speed in the quarter mile will be the same. This is a very quick car to weigh in at 3600 pounds. Lose no sleep......
Tire Balance - Several prior posts on this subject but the bottom line is this: Good wheels and quality tires can be balanced with either inside/outside rim weights or the glue-on centerline weights. Most Toyota dealers have never heard of mating the tire and rim (this was in a prior post and it's true) as to highs and lows. They just put the tire on, then spin it on the tire balancer and add weight to get to 0/0 on the readout. This generally works, but it does not address all tire issues. Neither does spinning the tire on the car as some may claim. If the car is vibration free at 80 mph, it should be good to top speed. If not, fix the problem. The total amount of added weight is just as important as where the weights are attached.
Given that our '03 XL is holding up well, we are waiting 'till after the first of the year to look at the '06 models. This is not a perfect car...but the overall value for the money is unbelievable.
Paul
Fact is Toyota has been caught with grossly inflated HP numbers, more so than any other manufacturer it seems. Sort of funny how one manufacturer exploited the loopholes when most others did not.
"If my last Buick had a transmission hesitation problem, distorted rear window glass --- etc, "
Boy, I couldn't agree more!
I started lurking on this forum when the Avalon was on my list of cars to purchase for my mother. I am amazed at the myopic view many Avalon owners have of this car. Its like puppy-love. I thought the Avalon was a great car for the money when I test drove it back in April. Lots of toys. And some bling-bling. But what Toyota spent on toys, they apparently left off in quality. If this car were made by GM, this forum would bombard it with nasties.
Seems that as GM is focusing in on quality, Toyota has focused solely on marketing and cost savings. That has worked well for getting a younger crowd into the Avalon as the previous Avalons average owners age was 62. Unfortunately, this is a repeat of all the mistakes GM and Ford (and VW and Audi, ad nauseum) made in the 80's and 90's.
The Avalon's shortcomings may be acceptable to 30 year olds looking to impress their friends or for people who are so enamored as to believe they have a luxury car "on the cheap".
But a person looking for a high quality product with no hassles - like the previous generation of Avalons - should look less at the toys, less on the opinions of car testers that drive pampered cars for 2 hours or 2 days - and focus more on real world feed-back - available right here on this forum.
Jim in WI.
I owned an 85 Cressida, a 95 Avalon and currently own the 05 Avalon Limited and it is a much better car and has had fewer defects than my 2 previous Toyotas. Also, I am a few years past 30 and I know of no shortcomings (no hesitation, distorted glass, pull to left or right) with my Avalon.
You would be doing your mom a favor if you recommend she gets one.
"The Avalon is a great car, way better than any of GM's offering."
Why do you think it is only GM owners that feel this way. The first poster had a Buick. The other - me - didn't even list his car.
I was seriously considering the car.
It was the problems listed on this forum - plus poor JD Edwards rating regarding factory and dealer support - that made me go elsewhere.
My comments were about poor quality control. I'm sure many Avalons are problem free. Still, considering the total number of Avalon owners vs the minuscule number of Avalon owners on this forum (and that would be true of any brand). and considering the number of complaints on this forum, one can easily calculate that there is a too large chance that the Avalon I buy may have one of these problems.
Like the girl said: " I have the money but not the time."
Meaning I don't want to be going to the dealer for ANY reason for the first 7500 miles. Many forum members have been back within the first MONTH !
Just read the posts.
And then there is the issue of Toyota corporate integrity. Horsepower ratings anyone? How about mileage ratings - especially for City.
Now if you think the car is worth the chance and you are willing to overlook any of these issues, then, fair enough, the car is for you. But you are day dreaming if you think the 2006 Avalon is at the top in quality control. Remember all the discussions about the plant where they are built? That was Avalon owners complaining. Just look at MB sales this year - collapsing due to years of "resting on their laurels". Quality is more important than toys to many buyers.
And forget GM, just go to any other Edmunds car forum and try to find this many problems of this magnitude in a new model. Take a look at the 2006 Infiniti M45 forum. They complain about minor issues such as bluetooth connectivity - not the long list generated in the Avalon forum.
The original poster only made an observation of the collective comments in this forum. But one that really sticks out if you are objective. Toyota is sacrificing quality control for marketing. It can't be more obvious.
In the long run, a continuation of cars with Avalon's quality issues, Toyota's poor customer support, and arrogant dealers will only help Toyota's competitors - domestic and foreign.
> interfering with their radar detector.
From the point of view of the waves being emitted, this is physically impossible. The cruise control uses an infrared laser, while the radar detector works in the microwave portion of the spectrum. Dynamic cruise control is not a radar device, so it won't interfere with your radar detector any more than a TV remote would.
Now, if one could install a radar detector that slows down, or even brakes, like the laser cruise control, then we'd really be getting somewhere.
Isn't this mislabing horespower misleading the car buyers. I trust Toyota will do someting for the mis lead buyers. I would not have bought the 2005 avalon had it listed 268 HP. I had a Crown Victoria police car version and I really wanted a powerful car. ange1
I noticed that your Nav screen has only one panel set rather than two. Now, many people may prefer this, but others may not know that you can split the screen into two panels. Since I haven't seen any discussion of this feature yet on this forum, I thought I'd mention it.
On my left-hand panel, I have a fixed large-scale map; north always is at the top, and I keep the scale at 1 mile. This is like looking at a paper map of the area, and this view allows me to keep my bearings. On the right-hand panel, I have the rotating map (the road ahead is always at the top, so it rotates when I make a turn), and I keep the scale at 1/16 mile. This panel allows me to navigate the neighborhood as I approach my destination.
I find that, unless I'm really lost, using the dual-panel screen is often sufficient to get to where I want to go. I don't always need to enter a destination or listen to instructions. (For safety purposes, of course, you do have to make sure that you glance at the map only occasionally when moving. If you have to look at the screen all the time, then using the Nav System's destination entry and voice instructions feature may be necessary.)