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Comments
On previous cars I have noticed tremendous differences in performance between tires. I've never had a problem with Michelins.
Mike.
after a great deal of comparing. I would like
to get the XL with the following options:
- Convenience Pkg
- JBL 3 in 1 Premium Combo
- Leather Pack 3 (leather trim, seat trim, shift,
wheel, power seats, keyless entry, and alum
alloy wheels)
- Carpet/Cargo mats
I have a couple questions:
1. I wanted the auto-dim mirror with compass,
is that what is in the convenience package
or is it without the compass?
2. Can you get heated leather seats in the XL
packages? It does not indicate it has heat.
3. Does the XL JBL option have a 250W stereo just
as the XLS?
Does anyone know the answers to the above? Any
help is greatly appreciated.
Also I have been putting together the pricing and
want to pay invoice+300 (or less). I am in the
Chicago area, does anyone know of a place that will do deals like this?
Thanks!
to XLS.
I purchased 2001 XL last December. I would recommend
Toyota Dealer on Odgen, in Naperville (right next
to Cadillac Delear). I paid 25.2 , probably around 500-800 over invoice. I went there over lunch
and they gave me a Avalon for the reminder of the
day to "drive around". I came back at 8 pm and within hour I was done. With slowing economy
you should be able to get 300 over invoice. But
who really know what the invoice is.
I would not recommend, Toyota dealer on Odgen
by 83 (I think it is Westmont or Hindsdalle). I did not like the way I was treated. They simply did not care about me as a customer.
I have seen the reflection but adjusted the seat and now it is fine....non existant. I still have the lights at full power.
Good luck...and I agree, great car!
As soon as I started out the dealership driveway I could tell how smooth this car rode, then I noticed how quiet it was. I enjoyed the ride, the power, the silence, the stereo for about two miles and then I realized how much pain I was in. I have never driven a car that hurt like that, especially so quickly. I had to stop to find the little lumbar support buttons to fully extend that forward.
There is a fixed horizontal bar in the middle of the seatback that sticks out forwards. If the lumbar support isn't also pushed out the lower back isn't supported and you rest against this fixed bar.
Once I deployed the lumbar support, the point of aggravation seemed to ease but I was still so sore I couldn't tell if the problem was solved.
Then, all the back to the dealership I kept noticing how far I was from the steering wheel and kept inching the seat up.
The two complaints I have read about the Avalon are about the seatback and the need for a telescoping steering column (or maybe adjustable pedals like Ford offers).
It should be a great car but definitely testdrive the one you'd buy to make sure you are comfortable.
After the Avalon I test drove the Chrysler 300M and LHS. If I hadn't experienced the quiet and ride of the Avalon I might have liked them more, so now I don't know what to buy.
I chose the XLS because I wanted comfort -- maybe even luxury -- and dependability.
My experience is that both the 1998 and the 2001 deliver great comfort to a tall driver. I give both cars an "A" on this topic.
Dependability is an "A+"! The 98 was NEVER in the shop for anything but routine scheduled maintenance. I would have bought it off the lease, but the residual value had been set too high. Great lease but a bad purchase option.
So -- Comfort: A, Dependability A+. With that report card, how could I buy anything else?
rzepa2, thanks for the input. Have you used the service Dept at the Naperville Dealer yet? How were you treated?
1. 2-3 days after taking delivery, I noticed
trans fluid stain underneath the car. I took it
right back (~1pm). They fixed while I waited,
~45 minutes. Some trans line was not tight enough.
Have not had problem ever since. I would recommend
bying car close where you live. Since I spoke
to service person the same day I bought the car,
she already knew me and took care of me on this
visit.
2. Came back another 2-3 days later as part
of the "purchase deal" was that I would get
auto-dimmin/compass mirror. I left the car
with them and took the shuttle to work. There
was also a woman who was their customer for a long
time (this is my first Toyota with them) and
she told me that she had no problems with them
at all. She mentioned something that she did not
like the one North Av (Lombard ?).
Thanks in Advance
Michael
I am not sold on the value of Japanese cars because my worst car ever was a 1986 Honda Accord DX (even worse than my Mustang 2) that I bought new and had serviced at Honda dealerships. The transmission was shot at 66,000 miles and the dealer I took it to after I moved said the last person who serviced the brakes (he didn't know it was another Honda dealer) did it wrong and they were shot. He said the car needed over $4.6K of work (and it worse $4K at the time.)
After I sold that car I met a used car dealer who told me that Honda's have weak transmissions and if you rock them 3 times back and forth in the snow the trans will be shot. A friend at work told me his Honda needed a new trans and I asked him if he rocked it in the snow that weekend 3 times and he said "yes, how did you know?"
My friend in the business said Toyotas and Nissans have much stronger transmissions. He said full size GM cars are good for about 200K miles; that Subaru's with sticks are good for about 225K but automatics about half that; and his favorites are Lincoln Town Cars. There is nothing fancy or sophisticated about their drivetrains and he used to get them with 300K miles, drive them and then sell them! (My wife says I am too young to own one.)
I traded the Honda in on '94 Pontiac Grand Am GT which has been great. They do go through front brakes because of the design and I replaced the driver's power window motor. It just rides rough, lacks a CD and I 'want' a new car, not need one.
I want to test drive another Avalon at a different dealer. I will probably drive an XL with cloth this time (my wife and kids hate the smell of leather) because that without a sunroof will be about $5K cheaper than the loaded XLS and this is only a commuter car for me. My wife wants me to get the Toyota Sequoia (because she thinks the Avalon is boring) but who needs that to go to work in.
I love the looks of 300M, especially in the Sapphire Blue with the Taupe interior and luxury package, but the quality concerns me. In the bulletin boards here and at Yahoo, it seems people only love or hate the car. I want this car to last for 10 years/150K miles.
I drive the LHS right after the 300M over the same roads and it seemed the 300M was rougher and louder. Unfortunately, neither compared to the Avalon and the 300M wasn't that much better than the Grand Am I am looking for an excuse to ditch. (Its only got 40K miles and I figure I need to either indulge myself or keep it.)
I want to look at the new Sebring LXi sedan to see if that is a smaller version of a Chrysler
or just a cheaper one. I also want to check out the Infiniti I30 because I read they are bringing out a new one and Infiniti discounts the hell out of stock right before new models come out. Camry is also due for replacement for 2002 so I will consider that if I don't buy something else by then. I drove the Buick LeSabre on a business trip and was impressed by the smooth quiet ride and power, but its such a yawner to look at. I definitely recommend you test drive one if you want to big sedan. (What are you driving now?) I still toy with that for me when I see one in a good color. I also drove the Ford Escape but can't get excited about living in an SUV. I loved the 2000 deVille I rented when we house hunted here but my wife just rolls her eyes at that one, plus its way too expensive for commuting.
You must live in the Midwest if you found used LHS's. I just moved to Ohio from NJ. There are no LHS's on the roads back there, but a fair number here and some interesting used ones. They also tempt me but then I look at new ones and ...
If I were logical about this, I'd keep the Grand Am three more years and then start test driving 2 year old Avalons and 300M's, but by then my wife will want a new van and I'll never get anything nice for myself.
Tomorrow is Sunday so I'll cruise the dealers again.
After much thought,(Lexus ES300, Infinity I30), I purchased the Avalon in 1998. Shortly after the purchase I began to feel that I had made a terrible mistake. I missed the little things that my 1995 had to offer such as the power antenna, the lighted power window controls, the seperate CD player with the pause control - great for driving through fast-food restaurants, o.k., maybe I'm a little spoiled. Toyota made 11 new changes for the 1998 model year, but they kept cost about the same so other little pleasures were taken away.
My 1998 Avalon is nearing its' lease end and I'm spending more time than I want looking for a new car. I'm trying really hard to not purchase another Avalon. The new model is a definite change in interior design. The longer door panels and other minor exterior changes make an attractive package overall. Saftey and reliability of course, is without question from Toyota, however, the Avalon is missing the Telescoping steering wheel, which even I at 5'2" would still appreciate. So again I am faced with the big question? - Lexus ES300, Infinity I30 or something else. I think the Avalon is a beautiful vehicle, stylish, reliable, with enough interior room for those long drives. A plus my fiance has enjoyed but would never admit to, afterall, he drives the Infinity Q45,(the big-boy car), but is always trying to get in my Lexall, (which is what he calls my Avalon to tease me) for the long trips we take that demand comfort as well as reliability.
If anyone is thinking about purchasing an Avalon, go ahead get it, you'll enjoy it, check out the Pearl Diamond White - this one is in a class all by itself.
Thanks,
Buddabub
was delivered without a coin holder and the GBS does not work. We have taken two trips of 5 & 10 hours each way and found the ride and handling exceptionally smooth. The Intrepid was better, but it had a longer wheel base and was wider. We have not experienced the problem of uncomfortable seats, although I am over six feet and weigh 185, because there are enough adjustments that you can eventually find one to your satisfaction. On long trips changing the seat settings periodically will also relieve that tired achy feeling. We gave up on Dodge because of poor service after the sale. The performance of our local dealer thus far has also left a lot to be desired and we hope we don't live to regret our purchase of the Avalon.
Thanks much.
Also, does anyone have any recommendations for dealers in the northeastern or central NC area?
I'm driving a 2k Avalon and I haven't looked to see if there is any rust discernable, but the car seems to run well.
95 and 97 Avalons. I liked the new one but the prices are now too high for what you get. Lexus country. Base stripped xl's are $28K and xls's are $34K. Experience was better with the 97 than the 95 in the reliability area (reason for change). I tried to buy a 2000 when first introduced but they wanted sticker and they said my old body style caused the trade-in value to drop dramatically. I tried again to replace with a 2001 this year but Toyota did nothing to retain my business. Dealers are very tough and hard to deal with. Bad experiences were had at several dealers.
I branched out and looked at all the usual supects. Maxima, Acura, Honda ex v-6, and I even toyed with the 300M. All were clones of the toyota except for the 300m. I was looking for something with more appeal. The toyota has very conservative styling and the new interior is inferior to the old IMO. I actually like the old body style better. The sides and door panels are too flat looking and plain IMO. I hate the 2 layer look of the dash, reminds me of an old Cadillac. Puts all the gauges too far away. Also evidenced by complaints from others about the dash panel reflection problem.
I looked at Edmunds and CU and they recommended the PASSAT. I drove this car and loved it. The drawbacks are not as quiet, smaller trunk, smaller backseat, and weak B2B Warranty I don't drive a lot of people around so a big backseat is not important to me.
The PASSAT's pros are:
Much better drivability: no wandering numbness.
Holds the road drives very precisely unlike the Avalon. Firmer ride but compliant.
Comfort:
Lumbar Supports on both seats are very comfortable. Seat cushions are not squishy but firmer.
Power memory seats are good for short and tall drivers combinations.
Tilt and Telescope adjustable wheel which adjusts very well for both tall and small drivers. Avalons wheel does not telescope a very useful feature.
High roof line accomodates tall drivers.
Five speed tiptronic transmission compared to 4 speed.
Real wood trim not plastic glued on stuff.
Leather is thicker and appears more durable IMO.
Safety features: Side air bag curtains N/A on Avalon.
Equal or better crash test results especially bumper tests. SEE NHSTA site.
Can get a fully loaded 4 wheel drive optioned car MSRP $31,560 - 4 wheel drive N/A on Avalon
Price is much lower. MSRP GLX 29,810 fully loaded model. Can get lower trim lines for much less.
Transmission does not require service for 100k. Tranny Fluid is sealed unlike Avalon which must be changed every 15K and flushed every 60K.
All maintenance services covered under warranty for 24K.
Can be had at price of moderately equipped XL.
German engineering vs. Japanese. Different philosophies.
The only downside to this car that I have found may be the reliability record compared to the Toyota. But I believe this is improving in the current years. Major components are well covered under the 10Yr/100K warranty.
Very powerful engine really pulls well. Feels much quicker stronger than the Avalon. Especially at accelerating.
Top notch materials in the interior and build quality. Definitely looks like BMW or Audi materials.
Longer power train warranty 10 years 100K.
Dealer Service:
They also treated me very well at the dealers. You could tell they wanted to convert me to a German car and they succeeded. Toyota sales people did not want to work for my business. I guess they took me for granted since I was on my third Toyota in a row. Toyota seems more interested in adding more and more SUV buyers and raising their prices while not adding content. Honda is adding more content and holding or lowering prices.
While this car may not appeal to all Avalon owners and buyers, I would recommend a test drive of the PASSAT you may like the differences. I did.
2001 Toyota (Avalon XLS)
and the Infinity I30T
PLEASE give me ANY and ALL Advise before I pull the trigger on the deal...
Thanks guys...... Animull (rpmk@yahoo.com)
Please email me a copy of your response to make sure I find your input .... Thanks.
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Thanks.
Pat
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And what about the '03 Avalon?
John
I don't know why posts 642 and 644 are there. I only posted the message once (post 639).
For future reference, you should see a delete button by all of your own posts, so that you can get rid of anything you have posted if you so desire.
Pat
Host
Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
John
John