Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
bet if you check your odometers you will find that they read 3-4% low - 100 actual miles driven is 96-97 miles on the odometers. If you add back for the odometer error, the computer mpg should be right on. I have checked this several times over long stints with highway mileage markers.The speedo and computer mpg are both very close, only the odos are off for some reason.
"Also--I have been reading reviews of the '05 Nav system in the Avalon called a JBL- owners love it and talk about, being able to set destinaations while driving."
I was wondering which forums you read which stated that you can set destinations while driving in the 05 Avalon? I have been working on getting the override code from my dealership, but it hasn't been easy. It would be nice if I could find people who have actually been able to do it. Thanks in advance!
Haven't seen too many 88's (or any GM products this side of a Vette/GTO) doing burnouts either - but at least I have a car that can do it!
Stand corrected, might have bet the farm on numbers over 10.
In "UI" mode, however, you still have control over the iPod menus, etc. I am still able to use the car controls to skip to the next song, skip through the song (FF) and of course volume. Unfortunately, on screen text does not work in this mode. I also have to manually turn the ipod on and off. The iPod does charge through the ice link.
My understanding is that full control mode does work on the Avalon without NAV(including on-screen text), with their latest release of firmware. The firmware can be updated through the ipod (I believe by simply playing a specially formatted mp3 file).
In any case, they are working on it and I've been assured that it will work in the Avalon with Nav with a future update. Currently, the CD player does not work at all with the ice link attached. Although, this may be fixed as well.
In general, I think the Dension product is very high quality and have confidence they will fix the bugs. Even with the current limitations, I still have full access to the iPod in my Avalon, it responds to steering wheel contols, and it sounds great with the JBL system.
Stay tuned for updates.
Am I just nitpicking or has anyone else had this problem. Once the A/C is turned off it is a nice quiet vehicle. But living in Florida make turning the A/C off not a solution. Any suggestions.....
05avforum -
Thanks so much for the detailed update on the IceLink. Great to hear from someone who actually has it working. Did you install it yourself? Can you describe how it connects to the radio - any special cables involved? Where did you put the iPod mount cradle? I assume you have to use playlists to access your music? I gather that just removing the iPod from the cradle does not restore CD changer functionality?
So many questions .... Thanks for any details.
Max
it's the value of the torque curves that matters. The 3800 puts out a relatively high torque compared to its peak of 220 at about 1500 or 1800 rpm. That gives it a good hard pull up through the normal useage range. It may not have the higher horsepower output at higher rpms but it's a "strong" engine for its size and its ability to get great gas mileage. It gives 32-33 at 70 cruising through KY and TN with 3 adults and trunk full of luggage. It gives 31 at 80 same place. It gives 38 to 41 on level country highway for 15 miles through 1 village and a stop sign to home if I stay at 55 and I'm gentle. Overall is 24 in suburban driving (my wife's average is 22).
I would guess the 0-60 at 8 or 8.5. It surprises me when I occasionally kick it at 15 or 20 to move out. I imagine a new Avalon would surprise me even more! This comment is only for the purpose of engine comparison and not negative toward the Toyota motor. I'm not surprised at the screen shots of great mileage if you gently drive the car especially with VVT if I recall to maximize the motor at each cruise speed.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Can you tell me how the unit connects to the JBL system? I pulled the head unit and I didn't see any available ports. I was hoping I could use the tape unit connection instead of the CD since I don't think I'll ever use a tape. Also, have you found a good place to mount the iPod? I have one in my Sequoia but there's all kind of places to mount it there. I haven't found a good location in my Avalon yet. Again, thanks for the information.
Anyway, the Avalon is a nice car. I like a big rocketship sedan. Just don't be too shocked when you see an Oldsmobile coming past you in the desert at 100+ mph!
Just have to say: I recommend you take one of those "old fashioned" 3.8s out for a test drive. I can still leave a good 15 feet of rubber with my tired Oldsmobile -- a fact that aggravates my wife to no end. And as far as burnouts: try a new Grand Prix or an Impala with the 5.3 V8. It'll smoke the front tires for a looooong way. Torque down low is the way launch off the line....
The jury is still out on this engine, of course, but if it may be what Nissan has had for years with its VG35 series V6s, the best V6 in the industry! Sounds like Splasterhound had some valve,head, or cylinder damage due to a broken timing belt on a Camry. Timing belts - not a good idea - anything that crtical that should be replaced on 50k mile intervals is a bad design. To my knowledge, all the mainstream manufacturers have experimented and/or are using them. Timing chains are common to the Av V6, the Nissan V6, as well as most those pushrod 'American' V6s and 8s- and certainly a better approach.
Point well taken on the character of the torque curve and how it effects drivability in 'normal' rpm ranges. The VVT engines will,however, provide a greater efficiency at all rpm because it does adjust valve opening durations around engine speed and load. That swift kick in the butt the Av engine produces at about 4000 rpm and the fact that it will willingly continues to pull like that past 6000 is amazing (and a lot of fun). In my mind, the American manufacturers are well behind the curve in engine technologies - having produced 'lazy' low rpm, relatively high torque, comparatively rough running, iron horse engines ever since I can remember. The newer Gm/Chrysler/Ford V6s in this size category are just beginning to 'experiment' with VVT even in the ones that still have pushrods - the 3.8 (as we now know it) will soon be history, competition will make sure of that.
I'd have a lot more respect for Detroit's usual answer (displacement) to hp issues if they had taken that 303 hp in the GP and the SS and routed it thru the correct set of wheels - would be willing to bet as FWD that they are a torque steering handfuls. Have the same issue with the Av, although the inevitable TS is so well contained that it is almost undetectable. But, I guess if they did that, I really would have a Lexus LS. The Avalon is that quiet and smooth with a fit/finsh that is pretty darn close!
">
I thinik he is implying that some of the earlier posted screen images were also altered in Photoshop.
The fact that the Toyota Rep quickly authorized a replacement suggests to me that he knows this is an unusual case. If he thouight there might be another 2000 windshields out there where owners would ask for replacement, he would have trried to avoid setting a precedent.
I came out of an 04 Acura TL to the Avy. I love this car!! Smooth quite and just as powerful as the TL.
Hope this helps.
Around town, in 100 % city driving, short trips to mall, grocery, etc., I get about 16.5 mpg. Toss in a little freeway driving, can get nearly 20 mpg overall. I initially used premium, now using regular. Can't really tell if there's a difference in mileage, but power still seems quite strong.
Just want to alert those who haven't bought the car yet that in full-on stop & go city driving, mileage will be well under 20 mpg. Still love the car though.
Max
Another little story about the laser cruise. The darn thing really, REALLY works good. Decided to test it just a bit - going down the interstate with the the laser cruise on, I headed for the exit with a much slower car in front of me. The system sensed the car and even put on the brakes. I read about this before trying it but I just had to see if it actually put on the brakes and it certainly did.
Lastly - a word on NAV. The salesman and dealership I purchased the car from couldn't have been more up-front on everything. What straight up people they've got. Anyway - Why buy NAV for $1600 with a $250 every year update when you can get GPS systems from $333 to $999 that you can update for free over the internet and move them from one car to another?
At any rate, took a few months to get the car I ordered. Even with the minor problems, I am simply overjoyed and probably a Toyota owner for life.
Now, if I could just find a repair manual that wasn't priced at an arm and a leg.....
I thank you in advance for your help with this concern.
Ed
Thanks!!
How's $10 sound? See message #8861 in this forum.
I do like the seats and the engine is a go-getter, styling is a winner. I complained before about my driver window rattling whenever the door was shut with it down an inch or so. Finally, today I stayed with the repairman and "we" found a bracket broken which rattled when the door was shut. Part was ordered.
tarhe54
If I remember correctly, the laser cruise control on the Avalon is exactly the same as the one on my Sienna. If that's the case, it is working as it should. When in STANDARD mode, it will bump or reduce the speed in 1 mph increments but when in LASER mode, it will always bump up or down to the next 5 mph increment (e.g. 62 bumps up to 65, 65 bumps up to 70, 62 bumps down to 60). Wish it were otherwise but that's how it's programmed. You may have been reading the wrong section (Standard vs. Laser operation) of the cruise control description. Weird that Toyota didn't catch it. Sounds like none of the staff bought the top level models..
Ed
G35 2,BMW530 3, M35 4, TL 5, GS 6, Touring 7.5, XLS.Ltd. 8.5, LS 9.5. Kind of unfair some of these cars will hit $60k pretty easily. Lexus/Toyota has always produced 'softer' vehicles more to what is generally agreed as American driving tastes, the LS will outhandle any Av and the luxury/quality is second to none, from the Lexus dealers perspective I think the Avs (in any trim) get uncomfortably close to the LS, the BMW/G35/M35 are wonderful driver's cars ,meaning that some ride and noise issues must be compromised, the TL is tougher to classify because it really tries to be what a G35 is but fails due to limitations of its front wheel drive. The Chrysler 300 is the only 'Detroit' model that I think will stand in this group also at about a 5, it is a big car that really feels good being big but I couldn't get around a harsh V6 and the interior quality- drove a Touring version. Would not have included the Av in this group prior to 2005 - not enough engine! All great cars, sport does not necessarily mean good, luxury bad or vice versa - kind of depends on what floats your boat!
It's nice to have found a support group.
My experience is virtually identical to 3puttmax after 2500 miles. My daily travel, which includes 60% freeway and 40% city traffic yields about 20 MPG. My best highway tank at 70-75 MPH w/AC has been alomost 29 MPG.
I was about to complain to my dealer about my "inadequacy", but now I'm just looking for others to tell me I'm OK.
Thanks.
http://members.cox.net/n0v8or/console_removal.pdf
Take you time and use minimal force until you have a feel for how much is necessary. Separate the pieces a little at a time to avoid breaking anything. You can shorten your plastic putty knife to make it stiffer.
Lowering the driver's seat and sliding the passenger seat all the way rearward will give you better access.
Wire colors for the accessory power connectors are green (+) and white/black (ground).
Final mileage: 37.09 mpg.
The fact is, big sedans can get great mileage if you drive 'em easy. GM sedans get some mighty sweet mpg -- and I've got 170,000 miles on the clock on mine. And mind you, I was driving with my foot eaaasy on the gas pedal. But...if you are disappointed in your avalon mileage, you could buy a used Olds (or Buick)
:mad:
Mackabee
I've now owned the 06Titanium XLS for about a month and 1K miles.
The BEST mileage (32mpg) was the very first day, after filling with Premium and driving 70 miles, highway, betwee 60 and 65 MPH; found the tires inflated to 40psi, the next day and reduced to 32psi!! Mileage has been high 20's highway with high octane.
I really have enjoyed the ride and drive (last 2 cars were Cad SLS) and am still amazed by the quiet and "smoothness" of the ride, the acceleration is amazing for a V6 and the 5 speed transmission is excellent. Very quiet with no noises, vibrations or squeeks and rattles.. Styling and interior is great and has elicited positive comments, by all who have ridden or driven!
I drove Oldsmobile 88's as company cars (3) 1986 to1998; they were IMO, very solid sedans, with plenty of power,,,,,,,,,,,I replaced one transmission, under warranty, no engine repairs; fairly quiet for it's time. It was a very nice "work' car. I believe that the XLS is much more powerful, more fun to drive, much more "elegant" and feels more stable and solid; much prefer the styling, too!!!
Very, very satisfied and look forward to driving, everyday! (1997 Cad SLS was fun to drive, and a good experience, too)
jeffb