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Last weeks, first impressions were a visual review of fit and finish. In advance and prior to pick up I had sent the dealer a list of possible concerns as discussed in this forum. No problems were evident when I picked up the car. So far there are no problems after a week +.
First driving impressions were formed today. The driving experience is different than my '00 Avalon XLS. I am keeping in mind the older car has 138,500 miles on it. The new car ride is firm and feels solid. Seats are also firm with less cushion than the '00. The seats are fine but different. The car is quiet, accelerates quickly and allows lane changes without pitch and roll. I do not hear rattles or related sounds others have expressed.
Style, fit, finish and ride is more 'Germanic' than past Toyota's I've owned. Honda's have this feel. I believe most folks will like the new Avalon and the driving experience. Those considering purchasing an Avalon should test drive the car and review the various features offered before signing the contract. This may not be the perfect car for everyone. This car is not a Buick, Mercury Grand Marquis (boats) or SUV. So far after one drive I am comfortable with my decision to buy the '06.
So, you just got a cassette adapter then.
Tirerack.com sells replacements, but their price is even higer then $54, so not a desirable alternative. I recommend you leave an OEM parts inquiry at the web site of one of the Toyota dealers who sell mail order at a discount. Try:
http://www.anythingtoyota.com/oem_parts_quote.html (Texas)
or
Toyotapartsworld.com (Massachusetts)
I have purchsed Toyota oil filters at the former, and others posting on this forum have reported satisfactory transactions with the latter.
I don't know why more manufacturers won't spend the extra few dollars or cents it would have cost to have a headphone jack sized AUX input compatible with any portable device installed on all the cars from the factory.
If you want to also control an iPod from your steering wheel controls, then they could charge extra for that option.
Check the Avalon vs TL forum I posted some thoughts on posting 55
Learn all you can about your cars and if possible plan on servicing your own car if you want to save big $$.
I am looking forward to checking out the soon to come Hyundai Azera as it looks like a direct competitor with the Av. I just wish they would offer the Nav sysem and bluetooth. for the Azera. Any near luxury car that doesn't offer those options are missing the boat in my opinion. The Av should offer bluetooth as well.
I'll be happy to post my thoughts on both once I have had the Avalon a little while. I hope this is a good tradeoff. I'm still not 100percent sure I'm making the right decision, but it's done now.
http://www.ipodcarkits.com/
I'm interested in bluetooth for my cell phone. Any descriptions of experiences would be helpful.
Thanks!
Good luck with your new ride!
the 06 Ltd - 33540 base + 1900.00 Nav + 600 VSC + 585 delivery = 37275.00
PLUS
Distributor options:
'DO' Extra Mileage package $1577 including remote start, floormats, pinstripe, and some warranty items on tires! and roadside service + 349.00 'P4' vehicle shield + 289.00 'RS' spoiler + 115.00 'MG' mudguards = $2330.00 for a grandtotal of $39605.00 and that's before the actual dealer adds anything to it.
The distributor in this case Gulf States Toyota (GST) which I'm told handles all the Toyotas destined for the south part of the country and a portion of the midwest and in this manner can maximize their profits by determining how they want to option out these cars. On all the vehicles mentioned in my previous post the GST portion of the window sticker was between 1700.00 (on the XL) to 2500.00. Doesn't seem controllable since it is distributor based and may be a good way to pump prices because there are no established prices for these largely unneeded distributor adds. Would be interested to know if the other distributors are doing this and if it is even possible to avoid the right side of the window sticker.
As far as prices hikes only happening when cars sell at list - nonsense - remind you that Toyota has been selling all the Avs they can make at some number much much closer to sticker relative to about everybody else in the business floating rebates, financing, 'employee discounts' etc. etc. to get inventory moved. When demand exceeds supply laws of economics (and good business) would 'justify' price increases.
What special tools to change the oil? Are you talking about the adaptor to drain the oil from the filter? I thought that was a good idea as the last two M-B I had, the oil filter was a canister with the filter in it, upside down on the top rear of the engine and resulted in oil all over the engine at ea oil change. I had thought that German engineering was better than that. One guy at the dealer told me it was that way on purpose--had the filter up there so that it couldn't get knocked off and the engine loose all of the oil. Yeah, ocean front property in Arizona! Wish it had had a drain capability. I would have gladly purchased an adaptor to drain it in a clean manner.
I do have the factory installation instructions and they are fairly involved (lots of trim pieces to remove). I am impressed that someone managed his installation without them.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d03_6/vc9950.htm
It looks like the California law has been in place since 1987.
it from? The crutchfield link did not work. I would like to make a
connection like the one you have for your car.
More information will be appreciated. Thanks!
They just came out with an adaptor that works with the 05 Avalon. It's not in stores yet, but if you call the number, they will sell you one in advance. Best Buy is supposed to start getting them in about a month.
This unit connects to the back of the factory radio and includes on-screen text (from iPod) and control from the steering wheel. It also provides power and charges the ipod. The cost is $199. Installation is supposed to be easy, but you need to remove the head unit. Anyone know how to do that? In any case, I'll report back after I receive the unit and install.
I once has the same experience with a domestic (GM) car, and they failed to strip the old paint from the hood before repainting. Most of the new paint crazed and/or flaked off within 6 months. Guess what? The dealer paint job only had a 3 month warranty, and GM considered the repaint to be equivalent to "collision damage", so the factory paint warranty was void. I ended up getting the hood stripped and repainted at a body shop before the "new" car was 9 months old.
This was my 3rd new, and last, GM car.
The official Toyota metal cap style oil filter wrench today cost me $39.95 (gulp!) plus tax. "Oil filter element kit" retailed at $7.08 each. However, if one were to buy 4 of those they would be at 20% off. So, I bought 4 filters at a discounted price of $5.66 each plus tax. Now if I can just figure out how to change this cannister filter without any problems I will be pleased. It appears to me that if I take the plug out of the bottom of the cannister to drain out the oil after inserting the plastic hose fitting, by the time I get the fitting inserted all the oil in the cannister likely would have already poured out all over my hands. Can't I just unscrew the cannister and dump out the oil like pouring from a cup? The directions seem to make the process needlessly complicated. Will raise the car tomorrow to check this out.
Jim in WI.
It seems to suggest Toyota was not adhering to this law in the past.
Let me start off by saying I am 29 yrs old with a wife and daughter and the car that I was trading in was an 03 TL. I really enjoyed that car and that is why it was such a hard decision whether to buy another. If space, luxury and refinement are what you are looking for the Avalon is for you. This is not to say that the TL is a bad car but just a different type. Smaller and sportier in terms of driving characteristics.
After living with the Avalon for a week, there are a few things that I wish the car had;
1. Some sort of backup sensor or camera - this is such a big car with so many toys that I can't understand why it was left out.
2. A passenger side view mirror that lowers itself when the car is in reverse. My TL had this and let me say I did not know how handy it was until it was gone.
3. MP3 capability, 12 speaker surround song and no MP3 capabilities! What a waste.
4. A change holder!
Sure I am being picky but these minor things in place of some of the really useless toys would have made me happy.
Well I still love my new Avalon and do not regret my decision one bit, but so far there is one thing I am going to miss, Acura service, so far I am far from impressed with Toyota sales and service department.
But hey the Avalon is a great car!
Thought this horsepower comment by James Healey of USA Today was interesting:
"There's another new SAE standard in effect this year that will result in some automakers publishing lower power figures for '06 even though the engines are identical to the '05s. The new regulation requires stricter accounting for power losses due to accessories that previously didn't have to be taken into account, such as power steering pumps, and require engines to be rated using the same fuel the automaker tells the consumer to use. No more tuning the engine for premium to get 10 more hp for the ad boys, then telling owners to use regular so they can keep their fuel bills low. If you tell the guy to use regular, you have to publish the power ratings generated using regular. One example: '06 Toyota Highlander and Sienna V-6, regular gas -- 215 hp, 222 lbs-ft. '05 Highlander/Sienna V-6, premium gas -- 230 hp, 242 lbs.-ft. Same engine, same performance. Owners still can get the higher numbers by using premium, as they've always been able to do. But unless and until Toyota 'requires' the use of premium, it can't advertise the premium-derived power numbers."
There you go - you can still boast 280hp if you use premium. :shades:
My sympathies (and I'm glad you're in the East). Haven't seen another Cassis Pearl like mine here on the west coast yet (L.A. area). Having something so unique, and so beautiful, is a real experience. It's a head turner.
http://www.x5portal.com/05_Avalon_Oil_Change.pdf
Note: Use Adobe to open file
everytime you stand in front of the question what to buy - a hard to find answer.
I consider the Audi A4 2T and Toyota Avalon Limited.
Well, 2 excellent cars and manufactures. However best results you hear from consumers they have experience with one or even both cars.
Any suggestions... any problems I should pay attention when purchasing one of these two cars? Tell me what it was like for you... Good experiences and bad..
From a dealership to the car itself....
Any comments appreatiated.
I read so many reviews now, but still want to know more... the more the better and the better I can feel when I go for the deal.
Thanks.
With the AUX input you can use a portable MP3 player that will have much more music available than any CD changer anyway.
It appears in the PDF that littlejohn referenced that there is a disc of some type that 'seals' the hole after the plug is removed and the disc is moved up when the drain tube device is installed. Don't know if I'm imagining things or not, but that is what it appears to be. Now, if that keeps the oil from getting all over your hands or not, experience will tell!!!
http://www.x5portal.com/05_Avalon_XM_Tuner_Installation.pdf .
On pages 6 & 7 you will find the info on removing the surrounding panels and the radio. The instructions say you should use a panel removal tool, but I found that the panels come out with only a slight tug using your fingers. Just gently pull the panels straight out. Shouldn't take more than five minutes.
My dealer's service manager tells me Toyota is having problems with the navagation and storage compartment doors. They replaced 6-8 of these doors and they have asked toyota for help.
Aside from the small detail stuff that can't be seen from 20 feet away and you don't look for anything, the Avalon is a great car. On a trip I got 31.1 mpg on the computer. The mileage and 268-280 HP are two strong points.
While I am not 100% a proud owner I can say it is, overall, a good car. Would I buy another loaded Avalon, well I would look hard at the Lexus, I believe it is a ES330, 2006. ange1