Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
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
Catherine Heins is looking for people to interview who have switched from American to Japanese cars in the past few years-- especially folks who wouldn't have given a Toyota or Honda the time of day in the 1970s.
She's a business reporter at the Yomiuri Shimbun, which is the biggest daily paper in Japan with a circulation of 14 million. They are writing a feature story about Japanese automakers' continuing success in expanding production in the U.S. and snatching market share from the Big Three even on their former home turf of light trucks.
If you fit this description and are willing to be interviewed, please call her directly at 212-582-5827 or e-mail her at catheins@yahoo.com. As always, you can contact me at jfallon@edmunds.com if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Jeannine Fallon
PR Director
Edmunds.com
She calls me every time she has a problem with it. The first 50K was a breeze then things started to fail. Power steering pump, drivers window, three oil leaks from different places front seal and rear, two antenna's, new drivers mirror, front passenger side suspension work (not sure what they fixed), cup holders and some other small things.
This is on top of all the scheduled maintence, timing belt, brakes and tune-up.
I cant help but entertain the idea that Toyota's American built cars have slipped in quality a little. Maybe since production is higher some quality controls have be relaxed. Possibly to meet the higher demands and quotas Toyota has set out to achieve.
If you plan on keeping the car beyond 4 years you will benefit from the extra coverage.
Total out of pocket $2,500.00 excluding scheduled repairs.
Here are my tales of woe. On at least 4 occasions, recently, the A/C cuts off after a few minutes of use. To restart A/C I must pull over, turn of the engine, wait for a couple of minutes and restart engine. It usually keeps working after that. On one another occasion, the unlock switch would not work. And finally, at one time the up and down window switch didn't work.
For all of these occasions, the problem corrected itself only after the ignition was shut off. Any advise or solutions are welcome.
It very disturbing and Toyota cannot correct it. Has anyone else had this problem?
Even though this is a distraction to the car, I do enjoy driving it, and the gas mileage is excellent and I can run it on regular gas.
Did anyone mention The AVALON was the best 'PREMIUM MIDSIZE CAR' in both 2001 and 2000 in J.D. Powers and Associates Initial Quality Study, and was ranked #5 on the 10 Most Pleasing Vehicles of 2001 by AutoPacific Marketing of ALL vehicles surveyed(www.autopacific.com - check it out, and check the competition too).
This car has a lot of accolades for only 2 years of current generation. We all paid more than a Camry and got more size, power, and amenities than a Camry. I DO NOT wish I had a LEXUS because the Avalon is the car I want. When someone takes a ride in it, there are nothing but compliments, I was away at a lakefront community(Sherkston Shores in Southern Ontario) during the Memorial Day weekend, and got many compliments about the car, a couple of people wanted to see interior and they commented it was very luxurious. The interior is constantly compared to a Lexus by anyone who sees it. ( There were Lexus, BMW's, Mercedes Benz, Volvos, Saab and a couple Corvettes in attendance at Sherkston). The MB owner said the rear styling resembled the MB!
Take time to notice all that is right with the car and remember the higher resale value associated with this car versus the competition. Seems the Avalon has a lot going for it.
Thanks
I am planning to purchase an old Avalon as my first car. Can someone advice me as to which years had serious problems in Avalon , so that I should not look for these years, also what are the best deals for 1998/1997 that anyone got.
I am planning to buy used avalon , instead of camry , is this a good decision, and how do you compare these cars.
The Silverado is, by far, much more sensitive. I don't mind its locks activating so much as the "panic" alarm button--drives me up the wall whenever it goes off! And it only requires the slightest touch to do so. It's getting so bad that I'm seriously considering not using it at all!
Other than that, both vehicles are great. We really like the Avalon--and bought a Sienna recently for our daughter and son in law. They love it!
I currently lease a 2001 XL and have had it for about 7 months (5 year lease, Ouch). How is Toyota when it comes to terminating a lease early and leasing another Toyota (probably a Lexus IS 300)? Any advice? or am I stuck....
I never looked back, I love the Avalon so much!
Here is a hint. Never lease a car for 5 years. I lease a ton of cars, but almost never for terms beyond 36 months. Yes, the payments are less, but most people want out of it before the end of the term and they are all in a very bad position.
We currently own a 1998 Volvo V70 Cross Country and find the all wheel drive to be essential here in Minnesota.
For the most part we love the Volvo. Love the comfort and safety but we are tiring of the annoying problems and frequent recalls and repairs. Also,the factory warranty is almost up.
Avalon appears to have a comfortable and roomy interior (I am 6"4") and a good saftey rating. However, I think I have been spoiled by the Volvo's all wheel drive that comes in handy during winter here in Minnesota. I would appreciate any comments from Avalon owners concerning how well the Avalon does in winter driving.
We also considered the VW Passat 4Motion wagon. They appear to be in short supply, selling for a premium over MSRP and could be another reliability risk .
The Avalon is called the Toyota Pronard and is priced at 3,800,000 yen, compare this to the ES300 which is called the Toyota Windom which is priced at 3,700,000 yen. The Pronard(Avalon) is more expensive than the Windom(ES300). Source for this info is at http://www.webcars.net/newcars-[non-permissible content removed].htm.
Some pictures at different sites show a nice navigation system mounted in the center of dash. Not even offered in US, but if it was sales would definitely be increased! See this at http://www.infolanka.com/org/ramadbk/BN2A.html Wouldn't that be nice, especially with the upgraded gages in the photo! Its different seeing the steering wheel on right side of car too.
It seems to be obvious that Toyota would never risk making a Toyota with options to make it more desirable that a Lexus in North America!
Too bad for us Avalon owners that Toyota didn't take that risk.
http://www.sae.org/auto mag/global view_08-00/01.htm
Does anyone know if it be possible to order an Avalon with at least the DVD-based navigation system? Or could you buy the parts (HID lights, Navigation, etc.) and have them professionally installed? Toyota has gone the multiple brand route used successfully by Proctor and Gamble, and lately, less successfully by GM. Some experts believe that multiple-brand marketing in the auto industry has become passe. Any comments/suggestions Cliffy?
The Avalon XLS only makes sense for people who need the extra rear seat room.
I also asked service manager if they could make the horn chirp when the remote locks the doors, I was told "NO". They didn't seem to do any research to come up with that answer either. It wasn't too convincing.
Anyone know of a way to have horn chirp when locking? I can't always hear the 'beep'. Also anyone know of way to make lights stay on at night AFTER you lock doors with remote? The lights stay on if you press door lock switch in the car and then slam the door.
To S852 - I am 6'4" , my son isn't too far behind me, I really do need the room in back seat.
Would have gotten the Pronard if I only knew.
Also, am interested in why people may have chosen this car over the V6 Accord, or Maxima.
Thanks in advance.
I traded in a 97 Maxima for the Avalon and can tell you that the Avalon is a far superior product to the Maxima. The Maxima was a great car that I owned for four years. However, the Avalon is definitely a class up from the Maxima. The Maxima is faster and handles better, but the Avalon is more comfortable and will retain its value much better than the Maxima. It all depends on what you're looking for. I've never owned a Honda Accord, but would venture to say that the Avalon is a class up from the Accord as well. Good luck with your purchase.