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Comments
Has anyone seen pics of the '03 Avalon?
You are both right about the early 90's Camry's. Somehow I had gotten it in my head that the transition model year was 97 and it must have been 87. I went to the TMMK Georgetown site and they indicated they started manufacturing there in 1988.
My wife loves her 00 XLS - its Cognac Brown a very rare color. She only puts about 6500 miles a year on it and will keep it for a long, long time.
Otis continued good luck with your Subie. I am still gunshy about VW's given their treatment of an oil consumption problem and a lot of reports of really poor customer treatments. I do like the TDI diesels though. They are selling bio-diesel in Maine now and its MUCH cleaner than petro.
Sebring I haven't seen any 03 Avalon pix yet. It will be interesting to see if they put a NAV in. I don't expect much in the sheet metal area, maybe sleeker headlight like the Camry and ES300. Maybe they will figure out how to reduce the rattle level, dash reflections and other oddities that have cropped up on this board. They might want to join the 21st century from a color palette point of view and move beyond black, white, lunar mist, lunar mist and lunar mist.
A drawback is that complete navigation capability is only available in metropolitan areas, so you may want to check out the Navigation documentation to see if it is worth the cost to you.
I used my Nav system on a trip to LA (I live in the boonies of Ridgecrest, California) and it was great. It eliminated my need for a map. It does not work as well for me in Ridgecrest, but then it is harder to get lost here, too.
Dad's problem is apparently the same as what someone else reported on another board:
"I have a frustrating problem with the Climate Control System on my 98 Avalon XLS. The system fails occassionally and seems to self heal. When it fails, the Auto and A/C buttons do not light and there is no automatic climate control. The outside temperature indicator also goes out. The fans, however, seem to work. The frustrating part is that the system fixes itself, (most times), when the car is shut down and then restarted.Has anyone else had this problem?Fixes??"
If any of you Avalon folks can offer any perspective on this problem and the cost of repair, it is much appreciated. Pleasse post replies soon. Thank You.
Will it have a navigation option (like its twin sister does in Japan)? thanks laterldf
If that's correct, then the NAV is not on the U.S. Avalons by Toyota's choice.
Regards
If anyone out there has a 200K Avalon let me know how many problems if any you've had with the car, I believe that as long as the maintance is kept up that it should be relatively problem free. Also, Toyota has a bulletin issued on all Camrys and Avalons that will cover the motor against oil sludge for 8 years unlimited mileage from the original date of service. I change my oil every 5000 miles and it looks as good as new except a little dirtier.
Gadaoman, the air conditioning filter is $40 (part # 87139-32010. If you are mechanically inclined you can save yourself the $68 dealer labor charge which unfortunately I had to pay.
Does the AC filter make any difference? I didn't notice, but I suppose if you live in the hot climes like Hawaii and Florida it could be.
http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/125/auto/Solid_sedan_gets_job_done_quickly_quietly+.shtml
Enjoiy
I live in the Boston area and about eighteen months ago I had asked Royal Ford, the Globe's autowriter, why didn't he write a review on the Avalon. He said consumers were more interested in performance cars like the Acura TL and BMW and not the Avalon. So it is refreshing alas to see a Globe review. We should all thank Bill Griffith for that.
Satisfied Avalon owner in Boston
I sent a thank you note to Griffith shortly after reading the article this am.
Regards
Any truth to the dealership claims ?
Regards and good luck
Here is AutoPacifics 2002 Vehicle satisfaction Scores (need ACROBAT to read)Avalon tied with DeVille - read on... http://www.autopacific.com/pdf/2002_VSS_Booklet.pdf
Now how about a good word from AUTO.COM from 5/14/2002 - from Orlando Sentinel - "The modest Avalon still an engineering coup for Toyota" http://www.auto.com/reviews/aval14_20020514.htm
After a slow start this vehicle is finding much appeal. Not difficult to spot them on the road either. They are everywhere. Still see it as a wise buy. If the vehicle rates this high as years go by, the resale should hold up too.
p.s. - I was the guy that first posted the Toyota PRONARD photos of the Japanese model that is shipped from US. w/ the GPS and upscale gauges sheck it out - http://www.infolanka.com/org/ramadbk/BN2A.html
Let me know your thought of the ratings.
But, a 2000? with 10,000 miles would be a shame to give back to the dealer. Where does she live? I'll buy it! (I live in Westchester County = northern suburb of NYC.)
Ralph
The Avalon is a compromise of performance for space, comfort and fuel efficiency. The engine seems to run smoother now that I changed to synthetic, but it's probably my imagination. If your looking for a sportier version and don't mind the loss of interior room, check out the new Camry. If you're like us and need the interior room and reliability but can't justify the SUV prices, check out the Avalon.
Following the 15,000-mile service by the same dealer two weeks ago, the exhaust began to billow gray-white smoke when the engine is started from a cold start. (I live in Florida, so the engine is cole, not the weather.) The smoke disappears after a few minutes, but fumes are still noticeable. I returned the car to the dealer, who said the smoke was normal. After driving the car for more than 50 miles, however, I still have doubts -- especially since I never had a problem before the service. I will begin a cross-county vacation June 1, and right now I don't have much peace of mind about the health of the car.
I've driven only Toyota cars since 1976 and had great confidence before now, but this latest episode has me worried. Does anyone know whether the smoke and fumes are normal after a typical 15,000 service? And if so, how soon should they go away?
~alpha
once a year (2001 XL). As you said this is
a sealed system and unless have master cylinder
changed etc, I would not do it. I think my 94 Grand Am has the same fluid for the last 5 years.
Front and rear seal was one them not to mention power steering pump, rack and pinion ($2k), power window motor, 2 antennas, side mirror, boot, broken strut and on and on. My folks are in there late 60's and never beat the car. We have owned Toyota's since 1980 and this is the first piece of junk we have had. Grand total out of pocket has been $7,000. I attribute this to first year production and made outside of Japan.
I have a 2000 Nissan Maxima which has been perfect (62K miles). The next generation Maxima will be similar in size to the Avalon and will be built in U.S. for the first time. Here is a spy photo that will give you an idea of its size, the front and rear is covered up.
http://www.brianv.net/newmaxima/
I understand that brake fluid can absorb moisture and lose a bit of effective, but I think the problem here is that brake fluid is supposed to be a little corrosive. I think I'll have the brake fluid changed at 90K miles if I keep the car that long.