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Congratulations Skip on the purchase of your new Avalon. And unlike most, Christmas came early for you this year. Enjoy the ride.
Not to be too nosy (yes I do), how much did you pay? On CarsDirect they are asking full MSRP but, there is a significant spread between list price and invoice.
After you have had a little time to read the technology owners manual please give us a report on handling, road noise, music system, and day versus night driving.
Now if they drive it, they won't likely consider anything else!
For me the only issues at this time are:
- Cell phone doesn't work well
- Satellite Radio fades a lot more then other cars with Satellite radio
- Sports ride vs Luxury (cushy) ride? This one may take some time to decide.
- Remote Starter is NO WHERE near long enough range:(
Skip
First impressions on my 2013avalon:)
Ok, we'll I just got back from my first short trip with my new toy. Here are my thoughts.
First off let me me start with a BIG
Quiet, smooth, comfortable pleasant to drive.
Seats are much more comfortable then I expected on a longer drive.
The trip was about 200 miles round trip. Mostly back roads 45 - 55 mph, and light snow all day.
I didn't think about it until I tried to load CD's, as it appears it only holds 1. I'm sure this is because of entunes and the fact it can play a iPod.
I still find the switches / controls on the top right a bit to far, but not a big deal. The lights are very nice, both headlights for lighting the road as well as the interior lights.
Something odd, is that my cell phones turns on and off all by itself, which never happened with my old Avalon, and it is the car, because when the cell phone is on my desk at workor counter at home, it doesn't do it.
The front seat heater is very good and seems more powerful than my old Avalon.
The collision avoidance is real nice.
Right Now I don't like the new radio station presets, a bit more work then the old system, but I can see where it will be easier once I get use to it.
The 3 driving modes are interesting, but I didn't pay attention much attention to them yet, so I can't comment much. I can say you can see and feel the difference when you select each mode.
The electric steering is REAL nice.
I liked the 3 trays / pockets on the old Avalon better. Things seemed to fit better and easier to access.
I love the coin tray up front.
I like the digital speedometer which is handy when setting the cruise control at 9mph over the speed limit:)
I REALLY like the solid feel when opening and closing the doors
This car was Loaded up by the dealer - Tech Package, remote Starter, Floor Mats, Rear Bumper AppliquŽ, Trunk Net and more.
I paid just a Tad under sticker, but got Over Book for my trade-in:)
***DON'T get the remote. While it works Great, it has a VERY small / short range:( Something I
ll be dealing with somehow, as I can't park within 80' of my office often.
I'm sure there will be more as I get more time behind the wheel, but that's for now.
Skip
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
Trust me, the grill is a NON issue. I've had no less then 35+ people drive the car, check out the car, give their insight and thoughts, and NOT one person said anything about the front grill?
These pictures aren't great, but I think it gives a better pictures as to what the grill looks like with the front plate on it.
- http://www.flickr.com/photos/vonstringcaldinkal
Skip
My guess is, with the car being a bit smaller, it's hard to get a REAL cushy ride, and at the same time, any kind of sportiness to it. I for one would like to have seen settings to in fact get a cushy ride.
So far, on the highway this is a non-issue, as the ride on the highway, or roads that aren't nothing but potholes is very nice, just different.
Skip
The interior in the new Avalon certainly looks nice, but with the "grille", smaller size and firm ride Toyota is obviously heading a different direction with the Avalon than I care for.
The one thing I miss from my 06 is that sweet 2GR V6. What a smooth revving, refined engine.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
Again, with 35,000+ miles a year (and 25 - 30,000 of them highway) the ride should be just fine for me. It was on the first trip I took (about 200 miles round trip)
I will say, my 2011 Avalon was MUCH more comfortable then the LaCrosse I test drove.
Skip
I'm driving a 2004 Grand Marquis at the moment, and honestly I'm in heaven. Roomy and comfortable as it gets. I've had one before along with two Town Cars.
Once we get the SUV, I may sell my 99 S10 and pick up a 2011-2012 used Avalon and keep the Mercury (was my late Grandfathers) as a spare car. My 2006 Avalon XLS remains one of my favorite cars I've owned.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
Skip
Having driven the 2012 Camry Hybrid for a year now, it is a very well built hybrid. Real world mileage is 40 mpg. Being the same powertrain in the Avalon, it will perform very similar. We chose the V6 in the Avalon, as we preferred that powertrain. The 6 speed tranny is splendid.
Until the V6 is tested, the hybrid Avalon is the new King of Smooth! :shades:
Something tells me that's better than the 2012.
The LTD has Aluminum Scuff plates (At least mine does)
Was Fuel Tank 18.5 gals, now 17
Now are other people disappointed, likely, if they are looking for a Luxury car. This is a Sports / Luxury car, not a Luxury / Sports car.
Not totally sure I would have purchased it if not for a few reasons, we won't get into.
My 2011 Avalon was more comfortable - in a plush/floaty way (I believe).
My 2011 was bigger inside,
My 2011 had a Full Size Spare,
My 2011's trunk may have been smaller, but it WAS easier to get into, and fill with stuff.
My 2011 had reclining rear seats (which my passengers really liked)
With the filler neck likely holding .5 gals of fuel, the 2012 has a range of 60+- miles to a full tank of gas, more then the 2013:(
Now, while I'm saying nice things about the 2011 Avalon, I can say, each day I drive my 2013 I'm liking it more and more.
Skip
I did see one at the local Toyota dealer in a dark grey. That color makes the big mouth bass grille look a little tamed down.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
An Avalon was NEVER considered a sporty car, so why try to make it something it's not?
The car WILL sell well, but it will be curious to see if they push it towards a luxury car or sports car in future models.
It will be interesting to see what CNET (The Car Tech Guy?) has to say about the car - if he does a review on it. It will also be interesting to see what MotorWeek has to say about the car, if they do a video test drive of it.
Skip
Toyota is trying to bring in younger buyers. Period.
This car will DEFINITELY bring in a younger clientele. They don't want a storm of 65-year olds looking for a Japanese Buick. That's not a good long-term strategy. They need younger buyers long-term.
The old car was fine, but this is clearly a better car. Style, economy, interior, less weight, better tech. It's not even really close either.
It gives up some room, and some softer ride quality, but it more than makes up for it with a balance of virtues.
The 2012 Avalon is lame to the vast majority of the market. This car is desirable. A very new word to associate with the Avalon. There's a first time for everything.
And what are you bringing up Azera for? Azera came out 8-9 months ago? How did anybody copy that?
Toyota wants to sell 50-6k a month, which is much more than the 25k a year the current car sells, and they will get there. It is getting great press, and does many things better than the current class leaders, LaCrosse, Maxima, and 300
If they can do it, so can Avalon. It's a better car.
Thanks Skip for sharing that information. If you are happy with your trade and you are happy with your 2013 Avy Limited that's all that counts. Once again congrats on the purchase of your "sporty" new wheels.
On a related note, through the Consumer Reports buying program, a local dealer in Boston is offering $37,500 on a $42,200 MRSP. Not a bad price, but I just wanted to gauge the merit or value of CR's buying program. Has anyone used this program and did the dealer honored their commitment?
Skip
Don't mean to be disrespectful but these were your numbers quoted directly from your earlier post. Obviously, there was a miscommunication but I just wanted to make that clear. I hope no offense is taken because it was not intended.
Now back to the 2013 Toyota Avalon....feed the forum.
I drive a 2012 Camry Hybrid, and it is one of the nicest hybrid systems on the market.
We planned to get the Avalon Hybrid, but after my wife drove the V6, we decided to get the V6 Limited instead. Either car is a nice combination of style, class and performance.
Everyone has opinions and likes/dislikes of interiors, exterior style, etc.
We found that the interior layout, controls and overall quality of the new Avalon's interior to be quite nice. The front grill (especially on a Pearl White, as my wife is getting) will have to grow on us.
The outgoing Avalon is still a very nice car, and will serve it's owners well. But, Toyota needed a major redirection for that car, as the demographics were not working for it anymore, as sales had been slipping every year. I believe the new style will sell very well.
The sales were slipping because it was a stale model. It hadn't changed since 2005! Any model that goes that long without a major redo will have declining sales.
When the 05 came out it was a huge hit. I remember reading the forums here and people were having a tough time getting the one they wanted and dealers were not lowering prices.
If you look at the charts the 2000-2004 Avalon suffered the same sales loss as the model aged:
2000 104,078
2001 83,005
2002 69,029
2003 50,911
2004 36,460
2005 95,318
2006 88,938
2007 72,945
2008 42,790
2009 26,935
2010 28,390
2011 28,925
I'd wager that Toyota does not even come close to equaling the 2005 sales total.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
In any case, none take and I'll try to be more clear in future posts, so as not to mislead anyone:)
Skip
If you hate the Avalon so much, why are so on it's nards? :mad:
Thanks for the sales numbers, hope the new edition sells well...... I like everything except that grille...
Every vehicle gets a facelift during it's lifecycle. Toyota has said they will go to 6 years lifecycles for their vehicles, and every 3 years, they will do powertrain updates/changes.
So if Avalon can get direct injection in 3 years, that should boost power, efficiency, and give sales a shot in the arm when it needs it most.
The 2GR V6 has been unchanged in every Toyota vehicle since debuting in the 2005 Avalon
There is already a DI version of the 2GR, but it's reserved for the Lexus IS and IIRC the GS.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
If they haven't been updated since 2005, that means they're do.
Nothing lasts forever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrETtolrb9U
Enjoy!
If I get a 2013 Avalon it's going to be Champagne Mica with black interior.
The bottom line is, it's my butt in the drivers seat, and at the bank each week making the payments, so I'm the only one who has to like it.
They SOMETIMES offer small tidbits or point out things I might miss, so it's ok to get other points of views.
Skip
PS They are all saying the BIG grill is a turn-off, and I have YET to have anyone say anything about it? Maybe like I said some time back, once you stick the front license plate on it, the grill ISN'T an issue anymore, or at least, not as BIG an issue.
The Sandman :sick: :shades:
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2015 Golf TSI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
The bottom line is, it's my butt in the drivers seat, and at the bank each week making the payments, so I'm the only one who has to like it.
Agree completely... if I don't like the grille, I buy something else. Whoever makes the payments wins the right to enjoy the car, just that simple.
For now I keep the '07 Limited, if the '13 grille becomes a non-event in time, I buy. These are great cars, I've enjoyed each of the 3 generations... it would be hard to buy another make except Lexus, which I really can't see buying just for the "L" and warm cookies in the service waiting area. Then again, the cookies are... tempting....