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Comments
Peace
Breakdown of prices:
* 24 inches up the hood, fender flare coverage, inside door handles and backs of mirrors - $250
* Grille, Bumpers, and Laser Lens coverage - $325
* Headlights and Driving Light lens covered - $75
Total complete with 5 year warranty $650, and I didn't have to leave home. They even clayed all the painted surfaces before applying the film to be sure it was clean.
i might use the headlight lens protector film but not on the body tho !
post pics plz
Mike
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Invisible Glass is the Stoner product.
http://www.invisibleglass.com/
I just did my windows with Stoners this morning. I picked up a can at Auto Zone for $4.99. It seems to work great.It has been really overcast here today so i can't see how good a job I did cleaning them.
The rake of the windshield does make it hard. I found the back wondow to be harder still.
Don
IslandAvy
1. Toyota TSB has issued a new door for the radio door cover. I have one on order and should be here on Monday. My dealer informed me that the latch is made different.
2. I will be getting the strut tower checked on next week due to rattle.
3. For those of you who like to keep a good wax, try Zymol. I have used Meg. next generation and Zymol really does a better job on the Blizzard Peal.
4. Dealer is giving me the option to install more cushion in my seat, but don't know how this will effect the vent. option. on the Ltd. Has anyone tried the comfort level in the lexus they have vent. seats as well.
2005 XLS avalon with just 8k
Loaded with 4 passengers and luggage. with the A/C running
Gas used 91 octane.
I have only use super unleaded since day one.
I did happen to take a picture of it the 34.4.
Email me and i will send you a pic or i will post it here soon.
keep up.
I imagine that the excess body lean will eventually be correctable with aftermarket suspension bits, but I doubt there will be an aftermarket fix for the steering. Anyone think Toyota will listen to these criticisms any time soon and fine-tune the Avalon's steering and suspension behavior?
The Avalon is a fine car on long highway cruises but a driver's car it's not. Buying an Avalon is like marrying a beautiful woman---you either accept the flaws in her personality or you can look forward to a divorce. Don't expect her to change!
ghoshee@yahoo.com
thanks
For our first 500 miles, much of it freeway at 72 mph, we averaged exactly 30 mpg. There was one brief and dramatic full throttle acceleration (see above).
I find none of the problems in the car that have been noted by some folks here, although there is a very slight deformation on the right door just below and forward of the handle. I hadn't seen it at the dealership, but thirty minutes later as I was driving the old car down I-15 and my wife passed me in the Avalon (it was her birthday) my heart sank when I looked down the side of the car and the light caught the slight dent.
I reported it to City Toyota in Great Falls immediately, so nobody would later claim it was parking rash (the car hadn't even been parked yet). They noted the problem and called the regional rep. We won't be back in Montana this year, so they suggested we contact the Arizona dealership about it and have them contact Montana for verification. They said they would do whatever it took to make it right.
One of the values of this board is to alert others to potential problems, but I couldn't be happier -- with the car, or with the terrific no-hassle dealership in Great Falls. We spoke with a lot of jerks elsewhere, but these guys are great and it was well worth the trip up there from Wyoming to deal with them.
My last four cars were new Lexus 400s (2 of them), a C-5 Corvette, and a GMC Denali. Except for the Corvette, I haven't been as excited about a car as I am about this Avalon.
1) A front wheel drive car regardless of available horsepower will never be a sports car - too much weight on the front wheels and always with attendant problems in dialing out torque steer. It is not designed to be one. The Maxima has been trying it for years, the TL is a little better - but none (including our beloved Avs) will ever be the same sort of car the 530 or the G/M35 is. Putting absurdly oversize tires hurts a lot more than it helps especially with braking and road noise all for the pleasure of having a set of expensive tires (and wheels) that may last 20k miles. The Av plows (understeers) heavily at anything approaching its cornering limit (you folks with VSC won't get there) as the car's suspension setup and weight distribution would dictate. Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled to death with my Touring and think that it offers the best combination of luxury, performance, economy and overall value - but I don't pretend to think that I am going to outrun the RWD 530 or a G35 once the road becomes a little curvy!
2) It's wonderful to have the kind of power the Av has - and yes if we abuse the car the CD did (braking the accerelator etc.) I guess it is possible to get 6 flat 0-60 and sub 15 quarters .In a straight line it will outrace a number of 'fast' cars - but a drag racer it is not. If I wanted a drag racer than I opt for a 300 hemi and then I can enjoy that famous Chrysler quality and maybe 15 mpg! I personally think that the tranmission 'hesitation' we all experience when floored from a stop is actually in there on purpose to protect the tranny from the ravages of all that horsepower. Witness the problems that Acura has had recently with TL transmissions.
So what is the Avalon - a large, powerful, quiet, comfortable, well made Toyota that also can manage high twenties in the mpg department. A luxury car - not a sports car or a drag racer - a luxury car that does happen to be reasonably competent on the road. And for those who think that it is simply an oversized Camry - guess you all will have to actually drive one!
The only thing that I would change on this car is the simple addition of a driveshaft - Toyota does do that quite well on cars with a different brand name.
You have good taste! I too, have the same color and almost same options. Did not order XM Radio or Rear Spoiler.
After waiting 23 days, It finally arrived on 9-22-05. I love it!
I'm having a hard time understanding the Nav. Do you have to be at your home to register home address? I tried to do so at my friends house and it kept registering one street over from hers. Tried three times. will call Dealer tomorrow for help.
My friend has touch screen Nav., which seems to be easier to operate.
Of course, my Salesman had a meeting to attend prior to my arrival, the Salesperson that he appointed to help me, knew less than I. He asked me if I had ordered the car, I said, "Yes". He replied, "First time I've seen this color, I love it, it's very, very classy." I agree.
Good luck with your car.
Bee-Bee
Neil
Thanks,
Roulson
If they don't cure the problem in 3 attempts, tell them you want a new car or your money back. It's the lemon law. Once you threaten them, you'll get the service you want.
Later that same day the car showed its first fault. I felt a very strong shudder/vibration in the whole car, when travelling slowly in top gear and accelerating very lightly. Slowly=less than 80kmph(50MPH). It felt like there were bumper strips on the road, the kind they use for warning you to slow down. But there were not any on the road...
The same fault happened several times over the next two days but when I took it to the dealer on Saturday, it did not do it anymore. The 1000kms service was done. Since that first happened there is a low frequency droning/vibration/noise (whatever you like call it) coming thru the whole car, starting at about 110kmph (70MPH) and loudest at about 130kmph (80MPH)... This is really annoying as I travel around that speed most of the time and it is quite intrusive when playing quite music..
the droning/vibration is 'in the car' regardless of the road surface, one technician said its possibly engine noise somehow creating a resonance in the cars cabin...
The car has been back to the dealer and their tyre specialist place 5 times over the first month since I took delivery... the dealer was convinced that the problem was with the rims/tyres. Two rims and all four were replaced eventually and a dynamic balancing was done... and I can notice a difference due to that work done, but my problem still exists.... since the initial 'bumper strips' thing happened the droning/vibration has been there... still is... 5500kms
On September 8, after doing a U-turn, the car gave a huge thud, which shook the whole car and bounced my foot up off the accelerator pedal. ???... of course when I took it to the dealer it would not do it again...
Also when driving slowly and with light acceleration, the gearbox sometimes seems to get confused and does not know which gear to choose, it jumps quickly and suddenly thru gears. Until it finds the 'right' one.
Also the car seems to Amplify the small imperfections in the road surface.
On September 17, I had the car checked by some Toyota representatives who were here for a customer reaction visit. I told them all about the faults with my particular car and they went for a ride in it... By the way these guys who tested my car were from the US manufacturing plant as well as Toyota in Japan.. it too place at the head office of the Toyota agent here in Dubai... the ONLY dealer in UAE...
The report from these guys is that all these problems/issues are NORMAL... ???
What has happened to TOYOTA's famous QC and build quality reputation.?
UNLESS YOU WANT TO TAKE THE RISK HAVING AN EXPERIENCE LIKE THIS - DO NOT BUY A 2005/2006 AVALON
You bet I'm Pi**ed off...
CD
You are not imagining the vibration. You described it perfectly. My '05 does the same thing, though not very often. It is extremely difficult to reproduce the vibration on demand. I have complained to Toyota. Their response was: I should resolve the problem with my Dealer, while the Dealer's response is that no problem exists, so I should write to Toyota.
I once drove a friend's Honda Odyssey that had a similar vibration. Honda ended up recalling those transmissions. I think if we are patient, and enough complaints are filed, Toyota will be compelled to do the same. I you prefer action sooner, give your dealer several opportunities to fix the problem, send letters to Toyota USA, then file for a replacement vehicle or buy-back under your State's Lemon Law.
I believe the source of the vibration lies in the design of the transmission. If you are familiar with automatic transmissions, I can explain it to you. It has to do with the synchronization of friction element application and release during certain gear changes.
Laura
I just wanted to know if there are ways to set up the system so when you start the car, it doesn't go to the "I agree" screen automatically.
I'm researching this car for my parents and I don't want them to have the annoyance of pressing buttons just to get to radio/climate if I reccoment a car with GPS.
I heard somewhere you can leave it on info setting and it'll start back up as info when you restart the car?? Can you do that with climate/audio? Also, if you can leave it on info setting all the time, and change to climate/radio, will it ask to agree before you can change it?
Thanks!
Which of my problems are you referring to?.... what I call the 'bumper strips' shudder which has not been repeatable or the droning/vibration at 130kmph.?
Unfortunately.. I am in UAE where there are no such "lemon" laws, so I may have to wait a very very long time for somethnig like a buy-back.
It would be good to hear from any other owners who have or had similar problems....
cheers
If only there was a way! I have a 2006 Avy with NAV system, and only have been driving it about two weeks. I love the car, don't get me wrong... but the irritation of having to deal with the dreaded "I Agree" screen is already taking its toll, I have to admit. Even if you switch it to the "Audio" or "Climate" screen and leave it there, the next time you start up you are right back at the hated legal screen. Maybe in the end the usefulness of the NAV system will make dealing with this bearable. I admit to not having a lot of time to learn the NAV, have been concentrating on learning the other many features of the vehicle. My gut feeling right now is that if I had it to do over again I would skip NAV completely. Ironically, I had ordered my car without NAV and XM radio, then changed my mind and added both options. I love XM already after a week, the NAV system is an irritant. I find that when in daily start/stop like running errands etc I just quickly hit the "Audio" mode button. You don't need a NAV system to run around your own neighborhood anyway.
If I could rant for just a moment, it is absolutely stupid to have to deal with this whole "I Agree" mess. Heck, I would be happy to sign one "I Agree" form and Toyota could it keep it on file in case I (or my estate...) tries to sue them because I was dumb enough to not realize the dangers of watching the moving map instead of driving the car! Or couldn't they just program it where once a month the screen appeared as a reminder not to be stupid?
Thanks, I feel better. Save the $1900.00 and buy an aftermarket system like Garmin for about half the price. Or try this route (pardon the pun): one of my buddies bought a small, low-end laptop and has Microsoft "Streets and Trips" loaded on it with a little GPS antenna attached via USB-port. Really slick, and the yearly update to "Streets and Trips" runs about thirty bucks with a rebate. Other posters on this Board advised me last week that the Toyota DVD map update runs about $350.00 each year! And it comes with the "I Agree" irritant every time you start the car... bummer man! :mad:
Mike
What about radio? Can you switch to your presets w/o hitting I agree?
And did you try leaving the nav on the "info" screen before turning the car off? I heard the next time you turn on, it goes back to info but I'm not sure....let me know thanks alot!
~Joe
First, let me apologize for not reading your original post more carefully. You did make it clear you were in the UAE. After I had posted my suggestion regarding Lemon Laws, I read your message again and felt really stupid!
I am referring to the "bumper strips" noise/vibration. Here in the USA, we sometimes call these "rumble strips" or "chatter strips". Their purpose is to provide a warning to drivers.
For several decades, the auto industry was satisfied with automatic transmisions with 3 forward speeds (or 3 speeds plus torque converter lock-up). The gear changes in an A/T are effected by means of two active friction devices: clutches and brakes (brakes are also known as "bands"). There are also friction devices known as "one-way clutches", but there are passive (self actuating), not active.
An important feature of 3 speed A/T designs is that all forward gear changes can be accomplished with application or release of just a single friction element. For example, the 1-2 shift is accomplished by the application of the intermediate brake. Release that brake and nothing spectacular happens; you are back in 1st gear again. It will not damage the transmission if a clutch or brake/band is applied early or late.
With some 4 and 5 forward speed A/T designs, manufacturers have sacrificed that simplicity and robustness. The Avalon transmission, for the 3-4, 4-3, 4-5, and 5-4 shifts, requires the synchronized operation of both a clutch and a brake. At light throttle, the transmission can become confused between an upshift and a downshift. If clutch and band are applied together, the transmission is trying to twist and hold the same shaft. The result is brake or clutch "chatter" similar to what you may have experienced in a manual transmission vehicle with high clutch loads (such as when towing a trailer).
I'ts been my company car for 2 years of trouble free cokfortable motoring, and I'm thinking of ordering a '06.
The major flaw with my XL was the underspec'd shocks/struts which turned to jello after 25k( I fixed w aftermarket gas shocks).
Did they fix this with the new model or do I need to go for the "touring" moldel.
I'm sure I'd enjoy it, but I have no use for leather or spoilers and would like to get the plain XL with the touring suspension ( don't think it's an option).
Please advise. thanks.
Mike,
There is a way. I have a 2005 Limited with NAV and this works for me.
Whenever the "CAUTION" screen appears, whether when first starting the engine or while the engine is already running, you can cause the "I AGREE" screen to disappear by:
Touching the “DISP” button, then moving the cursor to the “Screen Off” position and pressing “Enter.” (See page 115 in the Navigation Manual). The “CAUTION” screen will stay off, even after restarting the engine, as long as you only use the “AUDIO”, “INFO”, or “CLIMATE” buttons. (See page 115 in the Navigation Manual)
Note:
Touching the “MENU”, ‘MAP”, or “DEST” buttons will cause the “I AGREE” screen to appear when restarting the engine. (See page iii in the Navigation Manual)
Good Luck, Joe