2005-2007 Toyota Avalon

mikes.

"I had the dealer install the 24Kgold package on my 05 white limited. It consisted of replacing the chrome AVALON, LIMITED, TOYOTA on trunk + toyota emblems on trunk, grill and wheels. Cost= $595 inc installation. Be careful not to wax emblems because gold will come off. Also, had a detailer add gold colored pinstriping down both sides and it looks great. I installed black mud flaps ($80 for four mudflaps from dealer-comes in black only), gives it the cruiser looks. Thanks for info on filter element- will proceed to change. Manual calls for 5W-30 weight engine oil (I use Castrol brand engine oil) anybody try 10W-30? Don 't think it affects warranty... "

I hate to tell ya but you got TOOK on the gold package. Toyota isn't selling one yet and I've gotten 3 quotes for the same pieces you mention for 169 & 175 uninstalled or 225 installed from aftermarket vendors here in the Mid-Atlantic.

Why would you use other then the 5w-30 that Toyota recommends?

MikeS.

mikes.

"This is my first nav system so I am just learning. I live in the tidewater Virginia area and do not use it locally as I'm familiar with the area. I am planning a trip to Ashville, NC next week and had planned to use it there but the manual doesn't show that area as being served. I will try to use it when I get there"

Hutch34, the whole country is served BUT you might need to switch the region of the country being displayed. If you need help on how to do this look at www.mynewavalon.com or ask here and I'll be happy to look it up for ya.

MikeS.

sbell4

again......it is an option.

op·tion ( P ) Pronunciation Key (pshn)
n.
The act of choosing; choice. See Synonyms at choice.
The power or freedom to choose.

The exclusive right, usually obtained for a fee, to buy or sell something within a specified time at a set price.

If a dealer will not get you a car without this option I would find another dealer.

ron6

We ordered our 2005 Avalon XLS (Titanium Silver w/dark gray interior, JBL and VSC) on April 8 and picked it up on April 28. This is primarily my wife's car but we use it for road trips. For reference purposes we have driven Oldsmobiles for 40 years, but our Intrigue was the last of them. Just returned from a 2000 mile trip from SW Iowa to Chicago and NW Indiana, then to near Duluth and through Minneapolis back to Iowa. Averaged 30.9 MPG for the trip including city and freeway driving using 89 octane (10% ethanol) where I could get it and 87 octane otherwise. No problems yet of any kind. My exhaust pipes are level, the tranny shifts without hesitation, no rotten egg smells and it rides like a dream. My two sons both owned Avalons (2000 and 2002) and they convinced me the Avalon was the best choice. My son-in-law works for Ford so I could have had my choice of any FMC product, including Jaguar and Volvo, at a good discount but the report from the Chicago Auto Show...."best value of all cars at the show"..... helped nail down my decision as did the comments on this forum. This is by far the highest quality car I have ever owned and I expect to keep it until they come out with the Avalon hybrid, if ever.

As a side note, in 4000 miles of mostly freeway driving, the ONLY other 2005 Avalon I have seen was a black Limited yesterday on I-35 north of Ames, Iowa.

blakejo1

When I STARTED LOOKING AT THE LTD AVALON I COULD NOT GET NAV AND THE 6-CD CHANGER. I JUST WENT BACK TO TOYOTA PAGE AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE 6-CH CHANGER IS NOW STANDARD WITH NAV ON THE LTD. DOES ANYONE WITH NAV NOW HAVE THE 6-CD CHANGER AND NO CASSETTE PLAYER? MAYBE THE 2006 IS STARTING TO BE AVAILABLE TO BE ORDERED WITH CHANGES? I'M PLANING TO BUY IN NOVEMBER FOR MY RETIREMENT CAR, HAVE HAD GOOD LUCK WITH MY 2001 AVALON.

dmorcos

I have searched and found a dealer that was a pleasure to work with and with just the right prices. See my post in the Prices Paid & Buying Experience forum.
Landers Toyota in Fayattville Arkansas will get you any Avy for $500 over invoice. They will also deal with you and give you out the door price over the phone, I had to drive 4 hrs to the location, but no one came close to the deal they made me.
They also seem to have an unlimited number of the xls limited in stock or available within 2-3 days.
You can go to landers web site, select Toyota which will link you with the Fayettville dealership and build you car, at the end you will be shown all available with differences if any. Good Luck

wyn

My Avalon XLS Titanium w/light gray interior, JBL and VSC now has 2005 miles with similar results---Best vehicle ever so far. Once comment---I am pretty sure I remember reading a warning in the manual against using fuel containing ethanol. You might want to double check that. Good luck.

jayareyouing

I have an 05 Avalon Ltd with nav and the 6-cd changer. No cassette tape player. Bought it about a month ago.

tmeframe

I don't know what part of the country that you're in , but in the area distributed by Gulf States Toyota such as Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Gulf States as the distributor, sticks these options on automatically for additional dealer profit (and Gulf-State's increased profit as well).

However, when you're negotiating the price on your Avalon from the Invoice up, just ignore these high-priced options. At a $699 retail, I imagine the cost is $180 or thereabouts. I know for a fact that the invoice on one of these packages (and there are many of them) that retails @ $349 is $99.

Another way to tell on Gulf States Distributed Toyotas is to look at the three columns of prices on the window sticker. the left-most is from Toyota, the middle is REAL stuff that GS has added, and right-most column is where they stick most of these high-profit nothings.

Steve

ron6

Page 259 of my manual specifically states that Toyota RECOMMENDS fuel with ethanol. It is methanol that is not recommended.

dmorcos

I have 2 issues with mine and would like to know if this is how it is with all Avalons.
There is distortion in areas that when you look at the lines on the road behind it follows an up & down wave pattern.
The other is that the glass itself is not clear, it is almost like clear plastic with a slight milky look to it.
Is this how yours is? If not I will have it replaced as soon as I find out.

azhuyck

I can't find anything on "the gold man inc" . Do you have the telephone number or the actual URL address of web site. Would like to order Gold package

gbinplano

sbell4

I am that part of the country. I've worked with southeast Toyota for over 10 years. Any PIO (port installed option) is added by the distributor at the request from the dealer. The distributor can't make a dealer do anything they do not want to do. Toyoguard is just the same as floormats, an option. By the way, I am in favor of Toyoguard, I have it on mine and my wifes vehicles. I am also in favor of the "if you don't want it don't get" part.

azhuyck

Trying to find gold man inc website. Help. Do you have Phone number or actual URL web address. Like order
azhuyck

pat

Did you see the message at this link? canefire, "Toyota Avalon 2005+" #5839, 22 May 2005 12:13 am

Beyond that, we're getting dangerously close to using these Forums for selling something - I hope that post is helpful to you, but asking for a telephone number is too much.

gbinplano

The Indigo Ink and graphite Limited we ordered on March 14th greeted us at Toyota of Richardson on our return from a fortnight's holiday in Europe last Friday. It had everything I ordered - NAV, VSC, Laser and the ExtraMile Package, which consists of Toyota's Parking Pilot (a four sensor back-up assistance), remote start, Avalon mats, a silver and platinum pinstripe, various other minor niceties, and 6 year, 100K mile tire replacement. It did not have any of the unordered "options" some have described from other Gulf States Toyota dealers. I negotiated a 7 year 75k miles zero deductible extended warranty to the same price provided by Greenfield Toyota for the Platinum Toyota Warranty. I was given a lower finance rate than I had locked-in just prior to the previous Federal Reserve rate increase. All-in-all it was a most satisfying purchase experience.

Despite jet lag, on Saturday I clayed the paint and applied two coats of Zaino Z5, a coat of Z2 Pro, and as Sal Zaino recommended, a layer of Z6 detailer spray between each coat with a layer of Z8 as the finish coat. It was amazing to see the blue go from beautiful to outstanding in five hours.

Today I taped a 2 1/4" x 3 7/8" x 1/8" piece of clear polycarbonate to the back of the fascia in front of the laser lenses with weatherproof heat-shrink tape to protect the very expensive laser unit.

Even though I have only 28 miles on BlueStreak, it feels like I've driven her for years. Her ride is the envy of my Cadillac DTS and Lincoln Town Car neighbors. Like many I considered the RL, Audi A6, Lexus ES and LS, and the MB E and S class cars. The Germans were too unreliable considering their cost. The RL just seemed not right. The Lexus LS430 did not provide an amenity that I could justify for $30K over the Avalon. The Lexus ES is just outdated. This is my retirement family car and I wanted a comfortable blend of luxury and performance. There was quite a debate earlier in this forum as to what constituted a luxury automobile. Considering Webster's definition of luxury, "Anything conducive to physical comfort", how can the Avalon not be considered a luxury car?

My "go get'em" car is a 1997 Eclipse Spyder GST set up at stage 3 for both handling and performance. I appreciate that some folks want one car to do it all, to have a sumptuous interior, a quiet, glass-like ride and legendary fuel economy, while at the same time near unitary cornering force and blazing straight-line acceleration. Unfortunately, compromise is needed in each area to have it all in a single vehicle - or exorbitant cost. Having each car deliver what it does best is like having a hammer and a polisher. It is unreasonable to expect the hammer to provide a smooth polished surface or the polisher to drive a nail.

Thanks for the space. I have sent an email to Coastal Electronics asking when I should expect delivery of my Viewtech adapter to integrate a backup camera with the Avalon's information display. I will post again after I have it operational.

Greg Brown
Plano, Texas

vinster29

Dear gbinplano,

Congradulations on your purchase!! Would you mind posting some interior and exterior pictures of your New Avalon. I am considering purchasing an Avalon with the same color but I haven't been able to find any good pictures online. Also how do you like the wood trim in your Avalon? And what was the purchase price for your vehicle Thanks for your time.

dan41

"I have sent an email to Coastal Electronics asking when I should expect delivery of my Viewtech adapter to integrate a backup camera with the Avalon's information display. I will post again after I have it operational."

I would very much like to hear more of an integrated backup camera solution. Please let us know where to buy it and, most importantly, cost and how well it works. Based on information I received from this board, I have already purchased and installed a "reverse distance detector" from awell.com. Regards: dan

just__me

This is one wonderful post that your sharing with us, thank you. Good luck with your BlueStreak. I wish I had the energy you did with the Zaino products, and I'm sure the results are well worth it. How often do you have to do that, and have you done that with all of your cars? If not, then I know you love this one.

307web

It's odd that you had to resort to the kludgy, Mickey Mouse method to protect the super delicate laser lenses.
If that protection is really needed, it shows extremely poor design by Toyota.
I don't know that putting objects and obstacles in front of the lenses is condusive to the laser cruise control working properly either.

Usually claying isn't recommended for the paint of a brand new car, but you've already done it ...

hutch34

Mikes
Thanks for the info. The reason I said that Ashville, NC wasn't covered was because the manual for the nav system shows the covered areas for all the states. For NC there are no shaded areas in the extreme western part of the state. I'm sure that the system covers the main highways but I do not think that the info covers all of the local streets/roads. I will find out very soon as I'm leaving Friday morning!

rhack

At what distance do the sensors begin to detect, are they adjustable, does it depend on the type of object behind you?

garry4

dmorcos,

This is good information. I live in Batesville, Arkansas and the dealers in Searcy and Little Rock are asking $1,000 to 2,000 over invoice. In addition, the invoice price they provide is approximately $1,000 over the invoice price found on Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book. Was the invoice price at Landers the same as the one found on Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book?

Thanks,
garry4

pablo2

 "Despite jet lag, on Saturday I clayed the paint and applied two coats of Zaino Z5, a coat of Z2 Pro, and as Sal Zaino recommended, a layer of Z6 detailer spray between each coat with a layer of Z8 as the finish coat. It was amazing to see the blue go from beautiful to outstanding in five hours."

I am receiving my '05 Limited Avalon somewhere between June 7-13, What waxing, etc. do those of you who have new Avalon's recommend using to protect and bring out the beauty of the Blizzard Pearl color? The only things which I did not get on the Avalon, were the Laser Cruise, the NAV or the backup system. I asked the dealer regarding the use of mud flaps. His response, "Since they are black, I would not recommend them especially since the side painting is chip protected" Whether his statement is correct I do not know. My Limited cost was $31,556. plus $500 profit and processing fee of $56 for a total cost of $32,106. This included the freight of $540.
 

limiteddriver

According to BMW Detailing Forum you're wrong on your claying comment.

gbinplano

As soon as we get some sunlight here in north Texas, I'll take and post a few pix. I like the faux wood very well. The color complements the gray of the interior and the blue of the exterior. My wife really disliked the light wood on the ivory interior, so we have an almost as nice gray. I ordered in March and got $1500 off MSRP. Probably could have done more, but I had dealt with this dealership for 12 years and feel I was treated fairly. Sometimes leaving something on the table provides future dividends when a favor is needed.

Greg

mackabee

Your windshield or your rear?
Sorry you left yourself open for that one!
:shades:
Mackabee

gbinplano

Thanks for the flowers from a true Avalon devotee.

I have used Zaino for the past eight years on all of my vehicles. My previous family cruiser was a 1994 Camry XLE (sunfire mist pearl - one of the best reds ever produced, imho). Originally I used Maguires products religiously with very good results. I try to detail my cars fully every quarter. A friend of mine introduced me to Zaino. I was looking always for the better finish and was experimenting with Zymol, a very expensive car finish. Once I started using Zaino stuff, I couldn't believe how easy getting a glass-like durable finish could be. I've not strayed. Other than stone chips, my Camry's paint shone like new when I traded it in on Friday.

Greg

gbinplano

A few months back someone posted that he had a stone hit the lens of his laser on a Previa requiring the laser assembly to be replaced at his cost even though the Previa was but a few months old. This is a road hazard, much like a stones causing a paint chip on the hood. I can imagine that the stone could have considerable velocity, and with any mass at all, considerable force when hitting the rather robust plastic lens. Perhaps Toyota should put a secondary cover over the opening as I and others have done. I consider it a simple countermeasure to provide a cover even though damage is a probably a rare occurrence. The laser works as well with it as without.

Despite my experience with many new cars, I defer to experts when it comes to the best way to take care of the car's finish. Sal Zaino is an automobile finish expert and professional for many years. I asked him specifically about how long to wait before starting the complete paint protection treatment. He replied that modern paints are fully cured in 72 hours. Unprotected paint seems to be a magnet for things that go bump in the road, including almost microscopic pieces of metal and other debris. My clay picked very little from the paint and did no damage since I kept it lubricated. Three coats of polish have made the finish virtually impervious to these road nasties.

Thanks for your concern.

Greg

just__me

Thanks for responding my friend. I will give the Zaino a try. I have been using the Maguires Next Tech Generation wax and have been happy with it. Easy to apply and take off. I won't do the clay, but will attempt the rest according to your post above. Thanks again.

307web

If you have a brand new car you just picked up, there is no residue for the clay to pick up. There is risk with zero benefit gained for taking the risk.

johndjr

Jordan,
I looked today. My limited has no weights on the outside of the wheels. My bones are too old to have crawled under neath to see if any were on the inside!

lnt

My rear glass is like that too. I thought it was a poor tint job, but am beginning to think it is the glass. Maybe the reflection of the sunshade causes it?? Did you have your windows tinted?

gschultz3

I have had some problems with other Nav systems in the mountains.

retired7

I use "NU Finish" (orange colored container) brand polish on our blizzard white Limited. It shines it up nicely. Also, after washing car, I go over finish with a damp micro-fiber rag and the polished look seems to come back. Go for the black mud flaps-they look great (in my opinion) against the blizzard white finish. After driving through the cascade mountains a couple of times, I appreciate the added protection from road debris.

Godfather

retired7

Mine does the same thing in laser cruise. I played with the vehicle-to-vehicle distance settinIg and don't see much difference. Agree, think its a software issue. I still like the feature on long trips.

Godfather

retired7

Thanks for the comments. The Toyota dealer changed emblems in about two hours. I checked earlier changing chrome-gold price for LS430's and it varied from $425-600. It looks so nice the price seems worth it!
Sometimes, oil weight/brand affects mileage/performance Just looking for any data that might be out there that folks may have experienced with their 05's.

Godfather

retired7

Thanks- like the adjustable filter wrench idea. The filter element casing appears to be aluminum and steel channel locks may cause damage. Checked with Westbay Auto Parts and there they were.

Godfather

mmg1

Someone please explain "claying" to me. Have had my Avalon (titanium metallic) for a month now. Does that make any difference ?
Thanks,mmg1

pat

There is abrasive clay and non-abrasive clay. Many folks use a non-abrasive clay (with a lubricating spray) to remove particles that can get embedded in the surface during transport (rail dust).

There is lots of information on this over in the detailing discussions on the Maintenance & Repair board.

When you say claying is not recommended nor necessary for a new vehicle, that would be true of abrasive clay, but not true for the non-abrasive type. There is some risk involved in that if one is not careful one can get grit caught in the clay and cause scratches, but that same risk is present in washing and waxing also.

I've seen many posts from people who are quite pleased with their results when they include claying as a step in the care routine for their car finish.

pat

If you go to the Paint and Body Maintenance & Repair discussion and use the Search This Discussion feature for clay, you'll find lots of information. A couple of other discussions on the M&R board will also have a lot of conversation about claying and exterior car maintenance. Try Store Bought Waxes (other than Zaino) and Zaino Car Polishes/Products and there may be others also. Check the discussion list if that's not enough for you!

Have fun!

dmorcos

My windows are not tinted.

I would still like to know from others if the rear windshield is as clear as the rear windows when looking through the rear view mirror.

georgevette

Continuing with new car acceptance comments. Incredible car in every way...
However, as someone else noted previously, I do not have one line that matches up with another for the interior/dashboard... However, I do smile thinking of the 16 grand I saved vs. the Lexus "perfect instrument panel lines".... I will give up a few perfectly aligned panel lines, especially so when I see my average MPG at 31.6 on the freeway! :-)
George
Columbus, Ohio

rick8

I ORDERED A TOYOTA AVALON LIMITED IN BLIZZARD PEARL FROM A TOYOTA DEALER ON 5/11/05. THE DEALER JUST CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THAT TOYOTA DOES NOT MAKE AVALONS IN THE BLIZZARD PEARL COLOR ANYMORE. THE DEALER SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PICK A DIFFERENT COLOR.DOES ANY ONE KNOW IF THE DEALER IS TELLING ME THE TRUTH?

tinatina

That does not sound right. The Blizzard Pearl, which is an option, is still listed as a color choice at Toyota's website. I really like that color, but I decided to wait until the 2006 models come in, specifically I won't buy anything until December. I also wanted fold down rear seats and collapsable mirrors, so I hoping that they become features in 2006.

Mackabee would be the best source if they "stopped making it," but I tend to doubt that dealer's claim.

just__me

georgevette, if you lower you head a bit and take another look at your dash simulated wood trim, you will see that it does indeed line up with it's mate on the door panel. Because of the break and curve on the dash it creates the illusion that it isn't lined up even though it is. Just bend enough to the eye level and you will discover that. This has been discussed before. Enjoy.

rick8

Does any one know the telephone number for the Toyota Regional Office? I would like to call and verify if the dealer is telling me the truth that blizzard pearl is no longer available on the 2005 Toyota Limited.

avalonbob

if you lower you head a bit and take another look at your dash simulated wood trim, you will see that it does indeed line up with it's mate on the door panel. Because of the break and curve on the dash it creates the illusion that it isn't lined up even though it is. Just bend enough to the eye level and you will discover that.

Actually, the wood trim on the drivers side door on my Avalon does not line up with the dash no matter what angle I view it from. The trim on the passenger side lines up correctly. This has never really bothered me that much and wasn't that apparent to me until I read about it on this forum.

That being said...this is still the best car I have ever owned and this small "issue" doesn't change my opinion of the car.

sbell4

They are correct, Blizzard Pearl has been discontinued. Just kidding.....that is one of the craziest things I've read in months. I hope there is just a misunderstanding between the two parties. It is a tough color for some dealers to get but it will not be discontinued for awhile.