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Anyone else missing extensions on their sun visors?
My 2000 Avalan had inserts in the visor that pulled out and made the visor wider - a true defintion of extended visors.
Oh well...at least I know it's not missing
Love my new 2011 Ltd Avalon, Black with Black Bordeaux interior. (My little Limo :-)
That new Nav/audio system is a tremendous improvement over my 2006. Ltd
The tires are Bridgestone Turanzas and somewhat noisy on cement roads.
I do miss the "Laser Cruise Control" was nice after you get used to its quirks.
Getting about 20 Mpg combo and 28 Highway
New 6 speed tranny seems to shift smoother 2006 was a 5 speed and a little rougher shifting.
Yes, they fixed the MPG indicator so you can zero it at any time.
Got the windows tinted after purchase with the ceramic style instead of metallic type, The ceramic type don't look blue when the sun shines on them when looking from outside. Also appear a little darker than the metallic even thought they do test at the state required refraction. SC is 29 but the darkness appears to the eye as 30.
Seats feel about same as those in 2006.
Sort-of, because I'm not sure I want to trade-in or sell my 2008 - only because I don't want to see something next year, that I REALLY want:)
Sort-of because I'm not sure if I want the new Avalon or a used LS 460 (if I can find one at a great price and low enough miles.
I've had the '08 for 15 months or and have 43,000 miles on it, so mileage wise it's getting to the point it may not have the value I'd like much longer.
Oh well, I'll do the test ride and then sort-of decide.
Skip
The Dealer says that it now comes with synthetic oil as a factory fill but I don't see anything in writing that says that...anyone know?
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
Backup camera is nice to have but cannot be used to judge close distance to a car behind you. You would need the backup sensors to do that. They give an audible alarm at about 3 ft and 1 ft distances.
I got the tint done after market for $270 vs dealer $399 price. Took about 2 hrs.
Sun shade operates a little different than the one on the 2006. The shade goes down when you go into reverse and only comes back up after you go forward at a speed of at least 7-10 mph.
2006 had engine noise like valves tapping at startup and a little quieter as time went on- 2011 is quiet at start.
Bluetooth phone system seems to work very well -connets without problems.
Love the USB audio input. I have an 8gb flash drive connected with mp3 and wma files and in different folders. All works - no problems. Ipod Touch also connects via blue tooth or usb or ear phone out put - again no problems
Be patient with nav voice input but it does work. Nav update is a little slower than the old one on the 2006.
Wish it had a 110 volt AC input but no it doesn't.
Thats it for now LOVE THE CAR - So far
Skip
to do much.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
That's an interesting question. I am assuming that the reason you are interested in such a document is that you are negotiating with an out-of-town dealer, because if it were a local dealer, then you must have some serious doubts about the dealer's trustworthiness and I'd say you'd be better off avoiding him altogether. Anyway, the closest I've come to that situation was in negotiating via email with a dealer in another city. Their internet sales guy sent me an "offering form" which cited the car's VIN number, all its options, and the sales price plus fees. As there were no signatures or security algorithms involved, I doubt that it would have held up in court if something went wrong. I ended up buying from a local dealer who did not have the exact car I wanted in inventory, so I agreed to his request for a $500 deposit. I thought that was reasonable, as he had to incur some costs in acquiring the car from a dealer in another city.
If you are working with a dealer in another state, I can understand your reluctance to pay significant money before actually seeing the car, but I wonder whether a formal sales/purchase agreement is economically practical. To be sure that the agreement was legally correct and enforceable in the dealer's state, you would need to have it reviewed by a qualified lawyer and that wouldn't be cheap (unless your brother-in-law is an attorney and owes you a favor).
Maybe you could describe your situation in more detail so that we could think about alternatives
.
Twinb,
That was such a curious question that it prompted me to go back and check the P&S on my last three automoblies purchases (different dealers and makes but all purchased in Massachusetts). The language on the motor vehicle purchase contract (P&S) is the same on all three. Therefore, it would make no sense to draw up a separate P&S that is different what state law allows.
Of interest to you is perhaps the clause that states that you must take delivery of the automobile (when made available to you) within 48 hours or the dealer, at his option, may retain your deposit in whole or in part to reimburse him for any loss caused by you.
And as bwia said, the P&S seems to have me covered. BTW, thanks for mentioning the 48 hour clause, bwia, good to know. Today I rec'd. an email with the car's features/options including the VIN number.
So here's a new question: I'm flying into Houston to pick up the car. If it arrives as expected on Wednesday, would it take more than half a day or so to prep it and have a service guy drive it around to make sure everything's working OK? I could arrive next Friday & start the 2-day drive back to Denver. I'll ask the sales manager that question when I talk to him tomorrow, he's the one I've been dealing with, but I'm wondering about all of your experiences. How long between arrival at the dealership and drive-off?
Thanks, Joe.
Airline ticket, 2 day trip back, fuel, time? I'm all for, and would purchase a car out of state - AFTER looking at the numbers and seeing just what I'd save.
My guess is, it wouldn't be enough to justify doing so. I could see a used car, where they are harder to find (when looking for a certain model), but new?
Now don't get me wrong, I love the adventure and driving part, hell I've been known to drive to NY to get lunch before (driving from Maine), but that was for lunch:)
I guess the real question is, just how far is worth it?
Skip
When I bought my 06 Avalon the "Blizzard Pearl/ dark grey leather XLS was a tough car to find. The dealer ended up getting one about 350 miles away at no extra charge. Fast forward to 09 and I wanted a burgundy/ivory Genesis with a specific option package (No 18" wheels) and again it was found for me about 300 miles away. With a good, persistant dealer it can be done.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
A one-way ticket costs $100-$150, gas/food/hotel room for one night stayover might be ~250. Total wouldn've been around $500, to be generous, so the savings alone would be around a thousand minimum, not considering the wait time to order a new one, etc. It's worth it to me. Thanks for your responses everyone.
I'm sure it has a lot to do with the persons size and such, but my 2008's seats seem a bit hard. Maybe nice for short (sportier) rides, but on the long haul, my small [non-permissible content removed] is glad when I get out of the car and stretch my legs a bit.
5' 7" 155lbs.
The local dealers all have 2011's with the same style seats I currently have, so I'm not sure it's worth taken one for a test drive.
My goal would be to get a new Avalon if it in fact is a smoother ride, a quieter ride. I have purchased a few seat cushions and they help, but I'd like to think, that buying seat cushions was part of buying a new car.
I just came back from a short sales trip and paid more attention to what is so uncomfortable with the seats, and I can now say, it's the seams. They are hard and in the wrong place for my [non-permissible content removed].
Oh, well. I could go on and on, but I do need to get the work:(
Skip
Thanks
It's a choice one has to make.
I purchased my Cypress Pearl to my specifications, memory etc, at an excellent price and didn't have to go out of state. My dealer always had the ability to get the Avalon I wanted with only a couple of miles on the odometer.
I certainly didn't want the navigation package. For many dollars less my Garmin takes me where I need to go, and comes with me when I rent a car, or join a friend in his car.
For 10 percent or less of what the nav cost built in, I can go cross country and reach my destination without a problem. I mount it on my windshield when needed, and find it so much easier to see without looking down towards the dashboard.
In the manual, it talks about the hierarchy is 6 levels. I take that to mean up to five subfolders. Was wondering if anyone has discovered a way to move from subfolder to subfolder, then to 3rd level and back, etc.
1) Is there much difference between the standard model and the Limited, that would make it smoother, or quieter?
2) Are the seats that are perforated more comfortable?
The dealership didn't have but the one unit so I coudn't drive both and make up my kine.
The one I drove, as nice as it was, was NOT enough quieter, or smoother to purchase over my 2008 Touring Edition. Yes it was a bit, but not enough. A big disappointment for me, as I have been looking forward to get a new Avalon for some time now.
Heck I might go as far as say it was a bit louder then mine.
I can say, I know why my seats suck! I mentioned it was the seams and after seating / driving the 2011 I can say, it is the seams in my car. The seats seem to be very much the same, except the seats in the 2011 seem sewn better then mine. The seams in my car, almost seem like the seam / bead is on the outside of the seat not the inside as is the case on the 2011. Basically, the seams on my car are much bigger and therefore - it's like seating on seams:(
I will, if I get a chance, try a Limited out, to see if there is any difference, and if not, start looking for a use LS 460 (good luck with this quest:)).
Skip
http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/lexus/category-home.aspx?ncid=12051
What a different mindset now in buying a Toy; in the past you'd shop for one and buy it because of the reliability reputation, now you check to see if a recall problem has been corrected.
Skip
I don't think there is any difference between the base and Limited in terms of smoothness or quiet. Same tires, same structure, same suspension and they appear to have gotten rid of the noise-reducing windshield. There aren't going to be many cars out there more quiet and refined than your '08.
1. On my previous 2009 Avalon, when you walked up to the car with the key, there were like soft lights that would come on before you entered the the car. I'm not sure the 2011 has the same feature although this a light under the side mirrors. I haven't been able to find the settings to turn on the lights if that is the case.
2. When operating the Nav System. The map shows the correct region, but when going to the Data Map page it shows locations in Washington state. Then when wanting to input my home address, the address button is greyed out and it is greyed out on any destination that I want to input an address in. I am unable to use the Nav because I can't input an address because the button is greyed out.
Anyone have any ideas? Thanks.
The CONS?
1. The wood grain appears to be cheap plastic, it takes away from the beauty of the car. I have a black Avalon with the black bordeaux leather. Beautiful! However, the plastic just takes away from the interior.
2. The GPS display is disposed. I liked the fact that in my 2009, I could cover the display. Now, you have it exposed and you can see every fingerprint, dust etc on that display. The touch screen is not that respondent, but adequate.
3. Don't like CD and NAV location. Behind a door with hinges? If you get the NAV you get 4 CDS instead of 6 without the NAV. Also, with the NAV comes a map DVD, like a Mapsco.
4. Manual is horrible for assisting on any problems or settings you may have with the car.
PROs
1. Have usb/aux port inside console.
2. Blue tooth is nice. Once connected you have the option of transferring all your contacts over to the car.
3. Nice exterior.
4. Great drive, very smooth and comfortable.
Thanks,
Chintan Talati
Edmunds.com
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You have to wait about 10+ years and it begins to show cracks.
Specifically the Average MPG and the Range (i.e miles to empty). Mine seems too low. In fact when I filled up the first time it said like 6 miles for Range, and I could only get 16 gallons in (meaning there was still 2.5 gallons left. I reset the Average MPG and now after a few weeks it reads 24.2 for about 360 miles, but the Range remaining is only 11 miles. If I have averaged 24.2 miles MPG, seems like I should be able to get to about 440 miles before the Range shows 11 miles.
Any thoughts?
Thanks
In most prior year Avalons, 2005 up, the odometer reads about 3% low. The speed is accurate, somehow, but the miles are off. To check yours: Get on the local interstate and check the miles traveled shown as you pass the mile markers on the highway. If the 2011 is like most others you will see a big difference within 5 miles. The mile markers will begin to pass before the odometer registers the miles. Mine is off and many other members here have found the same thing.
Hope this helps, enjoy the Avy, great cars. I am on my third one....
Most dealers use Amor-all or some other similar leather protectant which looks nice, until the sun glare gets you.
Skip
Mine don't..what am I doing incorrectly? Anyone else having this issue?
Thanks!