havalongavalon, by the way I usually don't alternate the MPH the way I did on this trip going to NJ and back to SC. I just did it this once to observe the blue screen and get a reading on the Avg MPG it displayed. I know the true test is in the math when I fill up and do the division. Thanks again.
They deleted my other message since it violated a rule, so I'll rephrase. In order to connect an auxillary input into the JBL after removing the cassette, a circuit will need to be designed to mimick the slave unit to the head unit. It isn't as simple as plugging a wire into the back of the head unit. I have the Avalon Electrical Wiring diagram and understand how to do it, but until I can get my hands on a cassette unit, I can't discover the signals it sends to create a circuit.
It really shouldn't be very difficult. Is there any chance I can "borrow" your cassette unit to test with? I would be happy to share my findings with you once I figure it out. What do you think?
just me, thank you for providing additional information on your times spent driving at various speeds. I hesitate to post another detailed explanation since pastHOST protested at the level of math required; but I will do some calculations tonight and maybe post any revealing findings. Anyways, I do believe you, for sure!
I would say that the time that the compressor is on depends on your cabin temp setting and how it differs from outside temp, so the lower the setting the more it will be on and load the engine.
The fan, on the other hand, runs off the battery so in priciple it should not have a direct effect on mpg. However, two points: the fan setting you choose has an effect on perceived comfort so if it is too low, it is not efficiently blowing cool air on you and some of the compressor effort is wasted. If the fan setting is too high, it could be that expensive cooled air is pushed through the cabin at too high a rate and this could cost mpg.
A final thought: in an ideally designed car the air intake and exhaust should resemble a jet engine when the fan is on. If so, with the fan at High it is contributing to reducing air resistance (helps the engine) and therefore should help IMPROVE the mpg! You are effectively converting your Avalon into a pseudo-hybrid car by having your electric fan assist your gas engine!
Actually it would have been simpler to explain this concept using special symbols such as for integration and differentiation that the text editor doesn't seem to have. Pat, how about upgrading it?
Okey-doke. Will do as soon as the mph times the readout plus the instantaneous difference integrates the differentiation between the contamination and the speed, assuming the read out is recorded before the last fill-up runs out, of course.
And by the way, just me, I think everyone here believes you on your mpg reports, on everything you post. (Remember that "don't feed the trolls" is a tried and true maxim well worth living by .)
It's called the Shift Lock override. On all modern cars, you cannot take the car out of park without the engine running and your foot on the brake. This allows you to do so in instances such as needing to be towed etc.
Please let me correct you statement, it should say "you can't take the car out of part without the footbrake being on and the ignition being on". The engine does not have to be running.
limiteddriver wrote: I've tried it and can't program it either. let us all know the solution. TIA
I reply: Good news/Bad news. Good news: Door lock and unlock now work as I want. Lock at 12 mph and unlock when ignition off and drivers door opened. Bad news: The technicion (a real gem), after trying every thing I had read on this thread in addition to following the manual to the letter gave up and went to the shop and got the "scanner" looks like a large hand held computer. connected it to something in the drivers cabin and bingo (after a while), problem solved. I ask him if I could now change the settings if I wanted to? He said "let's try it" I said no way, let's just let well enough alone.
Roski, you sound like one of the Avionics Techs who use to work for me when I was a former Chief of Maintenance in the Air Force. In any case if you check my earlie post you will see that we could not make the change from the cassette to the storage unit. So... I am sorry but I can not help you at the moment.
THANK YOU Pat and havalongavalon. The integration of a mixture of 93 Octane and 89 Octane vaporizes the prevailing fumes thereby creating a chemical synthesis and bonding of like molecules that crystallize and over arch on ignition eliminating the contamination consumed by the alignment of the inferno that combusts by the sparks within the housing of the Navigation System that compels the FOB to unlock the doors all repelled by a converter that lays the foul smelling egg that the leather of the animal is so infuriated it creates a creasy wrinkle that frustrates the driver who now believes he has assaulted the engine causing a hesitation in the transmission. Now Avalongavalon, what was that about me really getting almost 38 MPG? I guess I have the first Avalon Hybrid. Ha Ha Ha, LOL, laughing out loud. Now Pat, how is that, don't believe a thing I just said.
Many thanks to the regular contributors to this thread especially Just Me, Mac, Ronn, Mikes, Old Groza, Deanie, Havalongavalon and of course our host Pat. Your thoughts and advice led me to a test drive and eventual purchase of a Blizzard Pearl XL.
At least here in southern Louisiana, the model and color was hard to obtain at least WITHOUT extras like a moonroof, spoiler, leather seats, special protection package. But with a diligent saleswoman and a five week wait , we got exactly what we wanted.
The car itself is everything I had hoped for. A quiet cabin, smooth and powerful engine, nice ammenities. No flaws in workmanship or paint. (Good job Georgetown folks) It replaces a 2003 Accord. It would be unfair to compare the two. The Avy is in another league. Count me as another problem free owner. Glad I did not "wait for the 06."
fredv1, that's wonderful, enjoy your Avalon. Thanks for your comments. Join in with us now and then and keep reporting on the driving experience of your car. I agree, it's in another league when compared to the Accord even though that's a fine car. Mine like your is still trouble free.
just me, you have just outdone all previous posts! Your post #6673 should be required reading for all prospective Avalon owners, it summarizes it all so nicely. Well done!
PatI forgot, I guess you meant the internet troll? "don't cast your pearls of wisdom before the swine" I think it's from the bible, maybe Moses wrote it? Something my Dad always told me, so thank you, I guess it's similar. Okay back to the Avalon. havalongavalon, You got to be kidding your post 6676, Ha Ha LOL, but you got the drift. I'm proud of you. Thanks again my Canadian friend.
Just spent the day at my Toyota dealer having the XM radio installed and some re programing done to the door lock/unlock option. My Limited is now 99.99 % the most perfect car I have ever owned. (The .01% is the fact that the average mph and distance traveled on the Trip Info screen reset every time the ignition is shut off. Tech. is contacting Toyota tech support) I have driven 700+miles but cannot give any input to the mpg info. being reported since i've spent so much time sitting with the engine at idle working with the Nav. system, And, the tech who installed the XM today ran the engine the whole time (about 5 hours). I don't blame him since it got to high 90's here in central FL today. Some of the things that I find making driving this car a real pleasure are: 1) The Laser dynamic cruise control is almost flawless in helping you keep a safe distance between your car and a slower one ahead. As pointed out in the OM, it is not a substitute for safe driving. However, it is just awsome. 2) The automatic windshield wipers worked flawlessly last Sunday while we drove through weather ranging from very light sprinkles to a torrential downpour. 3) The power, when needed, is only a right foot tromp away. It's been 6 years since I drove my Caddie W/the Northstar engine, but I think my Limited would easily hold its own. 4) Ventilated seats W/AC here in Florida are a blessing. 5) I think anyone younger than I and not using duel hearing aids might be in a better position to evaluate the audio system. However, I drove home from the dealer today with XM ch 113 at higher than "easy listening volume" and got goose bumps. 6) The Navigation system although very user friendly is weak in guidance outside of metro areas. I have a Garmin Street Pilot that I used in my 2000XLS that provided guidance in any area shown on the map. The area I live in (population 45,00) has no local guidance, although all local streets are shown. No problem for me but a big problem for a stranger to the area.
We're going on an extended trip at the end of this month with every expection that this will be one of our best. One way or another I'll report back. I'm/We're
I am considering purchasing an Avalon Limited sometime in the next year. I would like to get the opinion of present owners as to how the Avalon Limited or the XLS model handles on curvy road taken at speed---ie: an exit or entrance ramp to the highway with a fairly tight turning radius taken at say 35 to 45 mph. How does it handle on twisty country roads at speed? Does the car feel stable?
That's my same complaint. I have gotten use to it, but my son can't drive my car without a cushion behind his back because he has a bad back. I asked my service advisor if they could add padding or something and he said no. I think it is because of the heated/cooled seats - it would interfere or something. That's my only complaint about this car. Just wish I could have had my 2000 seats put in it.
I am considering purchasing an Avalon Limited sometime in the next year. I would like to get the opinions of present owners as to how the Avalon Limited or the XLS model handles on curvy roads taken at speed---ie: an exit or entrance ramp to the highway with a fairly tight turning radius taken at say 35 to 45 mph. How does it handle on twisty country roads at speed? Does the car feel stable?
I am considering purchasing an Avalon Limited sometime in the next year. I would like to get the opinions of present owners as to how the Avalon Limited or the XLS model handles on curvy roads taken at speed---ie: an exit or entrance ramp to the highway with a fairly tight turning radius taken at say 35 to 45 mph. How does it handle on twisty country roads at speed? Does the car feel stable?
YES! If you don't believe me take a test drive at your local dealer.
This evening, while prepping my new (185 miles on the odometer) Limited for a trip from Phoenix to San Diego, I discovered that the fuel filler door will not open, whether I'm using the dashboard button, or the emergency release handle in the trunk. Thankfully, I've half a tank to get me around until I can get it back to the dealer, tomorrow!
Also, 'had the windows tinted today, and it looks awesome! The laminate paint protection will go on later this week.
Hi Easy: This one's right up my alley. I own an xls (handling identical to ltd's) and really care about handling. I have taken a BMW driving course (top in my small group) and have always owned sports cars and cars having at least sport-biased suspensions. This is the first car I've owned that does not quite fit in with the previous cars I've owned. I did not buy the Avalon because of its handling. I bought it because it does so many things well (space, 280 hp engine, fuel economy, quality, etc) while still being a decent handling car.
Sudden transitions in the Avalon cause a not insignificant amount of body roll, but it is not as floaty/bouncy as that found in traditional U.S. luxo barges, nor does it roll as bad as previous generation Avalons. Call it "controlled" or "optimized" body roll. Obviously euphemisms, but accurate descriptions nonetheless.
The car handles lower speed curves very well, and only when you take such curves at more than 50% of their posted limits do you have to be concerned about the car's handling limits, though if you get VSC, as all people should, the car would not let you do something stupid and get too far beyond that point.
But lets be honest here. No Avalon, Touring included, handles as well as any BMW or Infinity M35/G35, or Nissan Maxima or Acura TL for that matter. The 05 Avalon is a vastly better-handling car than the model it replaced, but it's no sport sedan - despite what anyone might have you believe.
Eventually the aftermarket (Tokico, bilstein, etc) will provide solutions to the roll/handling issues for those 2005+ owners who care enough (still a year or two away). Stiffer anti roll bars, bushings, and sportier shocks/struts and springs will eventually be available.
But why not take a test drive and see for yourself? My personal handling criteria may be different from yours. Go take at least a 30 minute test drive. It's free, and you can have more fun than reading anything I have to say. Regards, Deanie
Thanks for your thorough response. You say the new AV handles better than the earlier Avs? Have you ever driven earlier Avalons?
As far as test driving, I already did test drive one and this was my main concern. Mainly I found a bit of wallowing at moderate speeds on exit/entrance ramps. But it took the exits at a fairly good speed of about 40mph--more than adequate. I did like the hwy ride. It was so smooth I didnt realize I was doing 85 mph. The Av could easily travel for long stretches at 100mph (or at least till the trooper pulls you over.) And I liked the ample interior room and neat gadgets and general dash layout. I wish the buckets were a bit more body conforming and I wish they had used higher quality leather. I couldn't even smell that new leather scent you get in most cars with leather interiors.
The Av is on my serious consideration list. I won't be buying till sometime next year at the earliest. As you can tell from my name, I now drive a 2000 300M. That car has ample room and most electronic gadgetry. And it handles very very well on twisty roads. And it gets decent mileage though not quite up to Avs specs. In comparison, the Av seems a bit more luxurious and a bit plusher but the M more than fits my present needs. But with 92k on it now, although the car still runs like new, I know at some point I will need a new car. The Av is about the same size as my 300M and could be a good replacement. Trunk space is better (16.5 cu.ft) in my M but the Av's although a bit smaller than I would like, would be adequate for my needs. The Av is much quieter on the road than my 300M and that is a big plus. As far as exterior looks, I feel my 300M will turn more heads than the Avalon ever would. As far as cost, the Limited model (which I would buy), is more costly (I paid 28k fully loaded) than my M, but compared to what's out there now, the Av gives good bang for the buck. I will at least have time to see how the reliability of the Av fares in the next year.
the avalon's engine has at least a knocker sensor to detect pre-detonation and retards the engine timing...that's why the power output of the motor depends on the octane of the gas used. as far as mileage goes...i wouldn'trely on the computer's accuracy until you did some homework: reset the trip-o at a fill-up...drive so many miles...fill it up again and record the miles driven,...etc....do that at least 3-4 times and then see how the computer number compare to the actual numbers...then you can have a baseline on the accuracy of the computer in the car. jackg 90seville 97k
Everyone should take a look at the Car and Driver website which has a "30K family sedan comparo". Not surprisingly, the Avalon took first place. I'm surprised that the Avalon was used instead of the Camry for this comparison, considering that the competition (except the 300) are more "traditional" family cars. I always considered the Avalon more of top-of-the-line Toyota, whereas the Camry was their traditional family car. On the website, there's no information about the prices for each car in the comparison- my guess is that the Avalon would be the most expensive. Does anyone have the print article and do they include an as-tested price?
On another topic, there was talk on this board in the past about toyota supplying a kit to add Sirius satellite radio to the car. Any news? My dealership had no idea. The idea of having that XM antenna on my trunk (as well as not receiving the NFL channel) is keeping me away from the Avalon for now.
I am considering the purchase of an 05 Avalon XL. I am concerned about the gas octane needed for this car. I would like to use the 87octane primarily with an occasional fill-up with a mid grade octane. Some say this will fine, others tell me I will get pings. Has anyone tried this? I want an alarm system installed in this model. The saleman is trying to convince me to have the dealer install the unit. I have always been told it's better to have options installed at the factory.(I plan to ask about the warranty with a dealer installation) Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Has anyone had a similar experience with their dealer on getting an Avalon Limited delivered? It has been 12 weeks since I contracted for a Limited in Blizzard Pearl, VSC , and Carpet mats. The dealer keeps telling me that Toyota will not accept his request to change one of his 'alloted cars' to meet my requirements. The dealer has told me twice that he tried a dealer swap and that no dealer would swap. He also says that he tried to get the allocation change through another dealer in a different Toyota area and, that did not work either. Now he calls and says that a similar car has arrived but it has the NAV system in it. He wants me to accept this car. I have refused saying that we have a valid contract for delivery of a specific car. I get the feeling that he may not have my best interest in mind and may not be trying in earnist to get my vehicle. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt but, after 12 weeks of excuses, it is rather difficult to do. Any comments and suggested remedies appreciated. Charlesn1
There is no requirement to keep the XM antenna on the trunk: it can be moved to another position on the roof or even inside the car on the package deck or front dash - I just positioned mine on the front dash and XM works just fine. Suggest you use the search feature on this board, searching on XM and you'll see many posts regarding this issue.
I have an 05 Limited. I think this vehicle handles wonderfully on curves. I have one large curve on a duel lane hwy that I drive every morning (we call it Dead Man's) and she keeps to it nicely. Just this past weekend I noticed when I was on my return trip from Jersey how well the car took the exit ramps, especially one off I-895 out of the Harbor Tunnel in Baltimore entering onto the BW Parkway....this particualr ramp is quite steep and curvy....my Avy just glided around it. The same for the ramp off BWI onto I-495 in DC. Both of these ramps are tight and curved. She did good!
"I am considering the purchase of an 05 Avalon XL. I am concerned about the gas octane needed for this car. I would like to use the 87octane primarily with an occasional fill-up with a mid grade octane. Some say this will fine, others tell me I will get pings. Has anyone tried this? "
I've been running my LTD since 02/10 on mostly 87 octane and haven't heard a single ping. The engine has a knock sensor and will adjust the timing according to the fuel it is fed. Toyota says peak performance will happen with 91 octane. With a lower octane you will get slightly less performance. I don't find this to be an issue. Even with 87 this car has more flat out performance then I care to exercise. I've been to 105 a couple times and have chickened out. This car just wants to go!
"Has anyone had a similar experience with their dealer on getting an Avalon Limited delivered? It has been 12 weeks since I contracted for a Limited in Blizzard Pearl, VSC , and Carpet mats. The dealer keeps telling me that Toyota will not accept his request to change one of his 'alloted cars' to meet my requirements. The dealer has told me twice that he tried a dealer swap and that no dealer would swap. He also says that he tried to get the allocation change through another dealer in a different Toyota area and, that did not work either. Now he calls and says that a similar car has arrived but it has the NAV system in it. He wants me to accept this car. I have refused saying that we have a valid contract for delivery of a specific car. I get the feeling that he may not have my best interest in mind and may not be trying in earnist to get my vehicle. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt but, after 12 weeks of excuses, it is rather difficult to do. Any comments and suggested remedies appreciated. Charlesn1"
If you were to read back through this forum you would see where the LTD, especially in white, has been a VERY popular car. Much more so then Toyota anticipated. Most of the LTDs have been including the NAV & LC from the factory. Toyota and the dealers like the added profit. This car has been selling for a few thousand over sticker in Fla. and a couple other areas.
I believe your dealer is having problems getting you a white LTD w/o NAV. You might try internet shopping outside of your local area. A couple of people here have gone over a thousand miles to get what they wanted. At least one person has bought from several states away and had the dealer ship the car to him.
Car and Driver just posted a road test featuring $30,000 sedans, featuring the Ford Buick Lacrosse, Chrysler 300, Ford Five Hundred, Kia Amanti, Nissan Maxima and Toyota Avalon. The Avalon smoked everything else in the test. Toyota truly has a winner.
Hi Easy: I've driven various luxobarges (all were rented), but not the old Avalon. My opinion of its handling comes from the postings of some of the owners of those cars on this forum, and molre importantly, from the many auto magazine articles I've read over the years about the previous Avalon - most recently in a car mag (forgot which) earlier this year which compared an 04 Avalon with I think a 300 and one other car (Buick, I think). The 04 Avalon was rated very comfortable but had an overly soft suspension and handling was its weakest point.
As to your car having 92k and you feeling like you'll need to replace it soon, I felt the same about my 96 Maxima SE which turned 100K back in 2001. It proved so reliable that it wasn't until April of this year that I needed a new car. The Maxima is still running strong but my family outgrew its size and safety features. You'll find that cars today, even those with lower relaibility ratings as found in consumer reports, last a lot longer than we're used to, so if you are waiting for your car to consistently break down as an excuse for buying a new one, you might have to wait for a very long time - perhaps long enough to buy the next generation Avalon.
Wanting a new car next year, not needing one - now that's something else altogether. Regards, Deanie
I agree with you; I set cruise at 60 MPH and then I slowed to 25 MPH and hit resume and the car went back to 60 MPH. Didn't try stopping to see if it would resume.
AZhuyck did: I got them from a dealer in Georgia. They are called Diamond Cut alloy rims. They are 18" Dia. and 7.5" wide. They are a option in the South east region for Toyota. Just pick up the phone and order them.
Re: Delivery Problems [mikes.] by rlejr66 Jun 15, 2005 (12:54 pm) Mikes, I had a similar issue while involved in a purchase for my parents. The Limited we wanted with the exact equipment was not available (within a reasonable amount of time). The dealer tried several times to sell me a XLS with "similar"" equipment. Of course I refused this offer. I received the same story about the allotment. I also stated to the dealer that I had a contract and that Toyota needed to make things happen. After about a months time, the vehicle I ordered finally came in. I didn't ask any questions. Just took delivery and everyone is happy. The only option I didn't want that was on the car was that approx. $600 ToyoGaurd crap that Southeast dealers PUSH on buyers. Since I was pretty pleased with the deal, I didn't even fuss about it. It wasn't the Blizzard color, which appears to be in high demand. We ordered the Desert Sand. As mentioned earlier, you may have a hard time getting exactly what you want. I think they are building the cars based on previous sales and "ordered" vehicles are becoming rare. Plus they should be about to switch over to production of the 2006 models. Good luck!
"As far as cost, the Limited model (which I would buy), is more costly (I paid 28k fully loaded) than my M, but compared to what's out there now, the Av gives good bang for the buck. I will at least have time to see how the reliability of the Av fares in the next year. "
Don't forget to look at resale values. Both that and reliability should be superior. Post the numbers if you find them.
"The Av could easily travel for long stretches at 100mph"
We traveled for about 50 miles on the interstate coming back from AZ in our 03 at 90 - 100 MPH, running with a group and fully loaded. Very serene at that speed. We won't talk about emergency manuvers or the wisdom of it though. The car is quite happy there.
If you really want it, tell him to give you the NAV at his cost. Someone mentioned having a car shipped from another state. It depends what you feel you must have, but in your case, I would just put the cost of shipping towards the NAV. That plus NAV at cost would make lots of sense.
You might reconsider and take a car with the NAV system. I've enjoyed using the system on my Limited. And, as the car model years tick off, such systems are becoming more "Standard" on more makes and models. If nothing else, resale value of your Avalon would benefit from having the system. Either way your wait for your Avy will be worth it. They are a dream to drive.
I have been a reader of this forum for several weeks now. First I would like to echo several earlier comments about appreciating everyone's comments and thoughts. I do not have a new avalon as yet so no experience to volunteer.
Primarily because of this forum, I will purchase a new avalon in the future as opposed to now. Here is why. I am a researcher, I am also an ex QA manager (hi-tech). The avalon caught my attention from the first glimse on a tv commercial. I liked the nice clean lines and understated look. My first research of various reviews were all very favorable in all respects. Somewhere along the way I discovered this forum. After reading this forum for several weeks I began to feel that this car was a disaster of problems. The constant emersion in problem reports messes with your objectivity. (like watching negative news reports all of the time). I finally shook myself to my senses. Of course this car is not a disaster.
As a QA manager I do know how to objectively and rationally view this kind of information. Quality is typically measured by determing the rate of failures or defects as a function of some population according to some defined standard. However the individual consumer doesn't really care about this definition. They judge by the experience with the individual item they have. This is important to me because of my previous experiences with toyota automobiles. I had a 1974 Celica (9 years) and a 1978 corona wagon (8 years). These were both excellant cars. I did not spend one dime on the cars except for regular maintenace (gas, oil, tuneup, ect). I did not even have to replace brakes on the Celica over the 95K miles I drove it. So this is my expectation of a really good car.
I am now in the market for a replacement for a 1990 BMW, too many failures and to expensive to repair. Avalon is my choice. But will wait for some reporting on the 2006, and maybe the 2007 if it really will be availible in the spring of 2006.
The problems reported here are all start up, initial quality failures if you will. I have no doubt that Toyota will fix these issues relatively soon. I will purchase once most of these problems are in the past. This just maximizes the likely hood of a good experience. The real test of the car will be how it will do over the next 3 to 5 years. I am very optimistic.
Comments
They deleted my other message since it violated a rule, so I'll rephrase. In order to connect an auxillary input into the JBL after removing the cassette, a circuit will need to be designed to mimick the slave unit to the head unit. It isn't as simple as plugging a wire into the back of the head unit. I have the Avalon Electrical Wiring diagram and understand how to do it, but until I can get my hands on a cassette unit, I can't discover the signals it sends to create a circuit.
It really shouldn't be very difficult. Is there any chance I can "borrow" your cassette unit to test with? I would be happy to share my findings with you once I figure it out. What do you think?
Roski
The fan, on the other hand, runs off the battery so in priciple it should not have a direct effect on mpg. However, two points: the fan setting you choose has an effect on perceived comfort so if it is too low, it is not efficiently blowing cool air on you and some of the compressor effort is wasted. If the fan setting is too high, it could be that expensive cooled air is pushed through the cabin at too high a rate and this could cost mpg.
A final thought: in an ideally designed car the air intake and exhaust should resemble a jet engine when the fan is on. If so, with the fan at High it is contributing to reducing air resistance (helps the engine) and therefore should help IMPROVE the mpg! You are effectively converting your Avalon into a pseudo-hybrid car by having your electric fan assist your gas engine!
Okey-doke. Will do as soon as the mph times the readout plus the instantaneous difference integrates the differentiation between the contamination and the speed, assuming the read out is recorded before the last fill-up runs out, of course.
And by the way, just me, I think everyone here believes you on your mpg reports, on everything you post. (Remember that "don't feed the trolls" is a tried and true maxim well worth living by
Sure, that's what I do in my 2005 limited. And, it works.
Regardless, I'm with deanie; I'm using the a/c and staying cool no matter what the speed.
I've tried it and can't program it either. let us all know the solution. TIA
I reply:
Good news/Bad news.
Good news: Door lock and unlock now work as I want. Lock at 12 mph and unlock when ignition off and drivers door opened.
Bad news: The technicion (a real gem), after trying every thing I had read on this thread in addition to following the manual to the letter gave up and went to the shop and got the "scanner" looks like a large hand held computer. connected it to something in the drivers cabin and bingo (after a while), problem solved.
I ask him if I could now change the settings if I wanted to? He said "let's try it" I said no way, let's just let well enough alone.
At least here in southern Louisiana, the model and color was hard to obtain at least WITHOUT extras like a moonroof, spoiler, leather seats, special protection package. But with a diligent saleswoman and a five week wait , we got exactly what we wanted.
The car itself is everything I had hoped for. A quiet cabin, smooth and powerful engine, nice ammenities. No flaws in workmanship or paint. (Good job Georgetown folks) It replaces a 2003 Accord. It would be unfair to compare the two. The Avy is in another league. Count me as another problem free owner. Glad I did not "wait for the 06."
havalong
havalongavalon, You got to be kidding your post 6676, Ha Ha LOL, but you got the drift. I'm proud of you. Thanks again my Canadian friend.
My Limited is now 99.99 % the most perfect car I have ever owned. (The .01% is the fact that the average mph and distance traveled on the Trip Info screen reset every time the ignition is shut off. Tech. is contacting Toyota tech support)
I have driven 700+miles but cannot give any input to the mpg info. being reported since i've spent so much time sitting with the engine at idle working with the Nav. system, And, the tech who installed the XM today ran the engine the whole time (about 5 hours). I don't blame him since it got to high 90's here in central FL today.
Some of the things that I find making driving this car a real pleasure are:
1) The Laser dynamic cruise control is almost flawless in helping you keep a safe distance between your car and a slower one ahead. As pointed out in the OM, it is not a substitute for safe driving. However, it is just awsome.
2) The automatic windshield wipers worked flawlessly last Sunday while we drove through weather ranging from very light sprinkles to a torrential downpour.
3) The power, when needed, is only a right foot tromp away. It's been 6 years since I drove my Caddie W/the Northstar engine, but I think my Limited would easily hold its own.
4) Ventilated seats W/AC here in Florida are a blessing.
5) I think anyone younger than I and not using duel hearing aids might be in a better position to evaluate the audio system. However, I drove home from the dealer today with XM ch 113 at higher than "easy listening volume" and got goose bumps.
6) The Navigation system although very user friendly is weak in guidance outside of metro areas. I have a Garmin Street Pilot that I used in my 2000XLS that provided guidance in any area shown on the map. The area I live in (population 45,00) has no local guidance, although all local streets are shown. No problem for me but a big problem for a stranger to the area.
We're going on an extended trip at the end of this month with every expection that this will be one of our best. One way or another I'll report back.
I'm/We're
YES!
If you don't believe me take a test drive at your local dealer.
Also, 'had the windows tinted today, and it looks awesome! The laminate paint protection will go on later this week.
NWBLIZZARD
NWBLIZZARD
This one's right up my alley. I own an xls (handling identical to ltd's) and really care about handling. I have taken a BMW driving course (top in my small group) and have always owned sports cars and cars having at least sport-biased suspensions. This is the first car I've owned that does not quite fit in with the previous cars I've owned. I did not buy the Avalon because of its handling. I bought it because it does so many things well (space, 280 hp engine, fuel economy, quality, etc) while still being a decent handling car.
Sudden transitions in the Avalon cause a not insignificant amount of body roll, but it is not as floaty/bouncy as that found in traditional U.S. luxo barges, nor does it roll as bad as previous generation Avalons. Call it "controlled" or "optimized" body roll. Obviously euphemisms, but accurate descriptions nonetheless.
The car handles lower speed curves very well, and only when you take such curves at more than 50% of their posted limits do you have to be concerned about the car's handling limits, though if you get VSC, as all people should, the car would not let you do something stupid and get too far beyond that point.
But lets be honest here. No Avalon, Touring included, handles as well as any BMW or Infinity M35/G35, or Nissan Maxima or Acura TL for that matter. The 05 Avalon is a vastly better-handling car than the model it replaced, but it's no sport sedan - despite what anyone might have you believe.
Eventually the aftermarket (Tokico, bilstein, etc) will provide solutions to the roll/handling issues for those 2005+ owners who care enough (still a year or two away). Stiffer anti roll bars, bushings, and sportier shocks/struts and springs will eventually be available.
But why not take a test drive and see for yourself? My personal handling criteria may be different from yours. Go take at least a 30 minute test drive. It's free, and you can have more fun than reading anything I have to say.
Regards,
Deanie
As far as test driving, I already did test drive one and this was my main concern. Mainly I found a bit of wallowing at moderate speeds on exit/entrance ramps. But it took the exits at a fairly good speed of about 40mph--more than adequate. I did like the hwy ride. It was so smooth I didnt realize I was doing 85 mph. The Av could easily travel for long stretches at 100mph (or at least till the trooper pulls you over.) And I liked the ample interior room and neat gadgets and general dash layout. I wish the buckets were a bit more body conforming and I wish they had used higher quality leather. I couldn't even smell that new leather scent you get in most cars with leather interiors.
The Av is on my serious consideration list. I won't be buying till sometime next year at the earliest. As you can tell from my name, I now drive a 2000 300M. That car has ample room and most electronic gadgetry. And it handles very very well on twisty roads. And it gets decent mileage though not quite up to Avs specs. In comparison, the Av seems a bit more luxurious and a bit plusher but the M more than fits my present needs. But with 92k on it now, although the car still runs like new, I know at some point I will need a new car. The Av is about the same size as my 300M and could be a good replacement. Trunk space is better (16.5 cu.ft) in my M but the Av's although a bit smaller than I would like, would be adequate for my needs. The Av is much quieter on the road than my 300M and that is a big plus. As far as exterior looks, I feel my 300M will turn more heads than the Avalon ever would. As far as cost, the Limited model (which I would buy), is more costly (I paid 28k fully loaded) than my M, but compared to what's out there now, the Av gives good bang for the buck. I will at least have time to see how the reliability of the Av fares in the next year.
On another topic, there was talk on this board in the past about toyota supplying a kit to add Sirius satellite radio to the car. Any news? My dealership had no idea. The idea of having that XM antenna on my trunk (as well as not receiving the NFL channel) is keeping me away from the Avalon for now.
It appears to be the answer.
Anyone else attempt it?
I want an alarm system installed in this model. The saleman is trying to convince me to have the dealer install the unit. I have always been told it's better to have options installed at the factory.(I plan to ask about the warranty with a dealer installation) Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Denise
I've been running my LTD since 02/10 on mostly 87 octane and haven't heard a single ping. The engine has a knock sensor and will adjust the timing according to the fuel it is fed. Toyota says peak performance will happen with 91 octane. With a lower octane you will get slightly less performance. I don't find this to be an issue. Even with 87 this car has more flat out performance then I care to exercise. I've been to 105 a couple times and have chickened out. This car just wants to go!
MikeS.
If you were to read back through this forum you would see where the LTD, especially in white, has been a VERY popular car. Much more so then Toyota anticipated. Most of the LTDs have been including the NAV & LC from the factory. Toyota and the dealers like the added profit. This car has been selling for a few thousand over sticker in Fla. and a couple other areas.
I believe your dealer is having problems getting you a white LTD w/o NAV. You might try internet shopping outside of your local area. A couple of people here have gone over a thousand miles to get what they wanted. At least one person has bought from several states away and had the dealer ship the car to him.
MikeS.
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=15&article_id=9639
I've driven various luxobarges (all were rented), but not the old Avalon. My opinion of its handling comes from the postings of some of the owners of those cars on this forum, and molre importantly, from the many auto magazine articles I've read over the years about the previous Avalon - most recently in a car mag (forgot which) earlier this year which compared an 04 Avalon with I think a 300 and one other car (Buick, I think). The 04 Avalon was rated very comfortable but had an overly soft suspension and handling was its weakest point.
As to your car having 92k and you feeling like you'll need to replace it soon, I felt the same about my 96 Maxima SE which turned 100K back in 2001. It proved so reliable that it wasn't until April of this year that I needed a new car. The Maxima is still running strong but my family outgrew its size and safety features. You'll find that cars today, even those with lower relaibility ratings as found in consumer reports, last a lot longer than we're used to, so if you are waiting for your car to consistently break down as an excuse for buying a new one, you might have to wait for a very long time - perhaps long enough to buy the next generation Avalon.
Wanting a new car next year, not needing one - now that's something else altogether.
Regards,
Deanie
Mikes,
I had a similar issue while involved in a purchase for my parents. The Limited we wanted with the exact equipment was not available (within a reasonable amount of time). The dealer tried several times to sell me a XLS with "similar"" equipment. Of course I refused this offer. I received the same story about the allotment. I also stated to the dealer that I had a contract and that Toyota needed to make things happen. After about a months time, the vehicle I ordered finally came in. I didn't ask any questions. Just took delivery and everyone is happy. The only option I didn't want that was on the car was that approx. $600 ToyoGaurd crap that Southeast dealers PUSH on buyers. Since I was pretty pleased with the deal, I didn't even fuss about it. It wasn't the Blizzard color, which appears to be in high demand. We ordered the Desert Sand. As mentioned earlier, you may have a hard time getting exactly what you want. I think they are building the cars based on previous sales and "ordered" vehicles are becoming rare. Plus they should be about to switch over to production of the 2006 models. Good luck!
Don't forget to look at resale values. Both that and reliability should be superior. Post the numbers if you find them.
We traveled for about 50 miles on the interstate coming back from AZ in our 03 at 90 - 100 MPH, running with a group and fully loaded. Very serene at that speed. We won't talk about emergency manuvers or the wisdom of it though. The car is quite happy there.
How do they affect ride, handling, and road noise? What brand and series tire? Speed rating?
Primarily because of this forum, I will purchase a new avalon in the future as opposed to now. Here is why. I am a researcher, I am also an ex QA manager (hi-tech). The avalon caught my attention from the first glimse on a tv commercial. I liked the nice clean lines and understated look. My first research of various reviews were all very favorable in all respects. Somewhere along the way I discovered this forum. After reading this forum for several weeks I began to feel that this car was a disaster of problems. The constant emersion in problem reports messes with your objectivity. (like watching negative news reports all of the time). I finally shook myself to my senses. Of course this car is not a disaster.
As a QA manager I do know how to objectively and rationally view this kind of information. Quality is typically measured by determing the rate of failures or defects as a function of some population according to some defined standard. However the individual consumer doesn't really care about this definition. They judge by the experience with the individual item they have. This is important to me because of my previous experiences with toyota automobiles. I had a 1974 Celica (9 years) and a 1978 corona wagon (8 years). These were both excellant cars. I did not spend one dime on the cars except for regular maintenace (gas, oil, tuneup, ect). I did not even have to replace brakes on the Celica over the 95K miles I drove it. So this is my expectation of a really good car.
I am now in the market for a replacement for a 1990 BMW, too many failures and to expensive to repair. Avalon is my choice. But will wait for some reporting on the 2006, and maybe the 2007 if it really will be availible in the spring of 2006.
The problems reported here are all start up, initial quality failures if you will. I have no doubt that Toyota will fix these issues relatively soon. I will purchase once most of these problems are in the past. This just maximizes the likely hood of a good experience. The real test of the car will be how it will do over the next 3 to 5 years. I am very optimistic.
Thanks for indulging me.
Dean