I plan to take the car back and have it fixed. I wanted to see if anyone else had the same problem. I live 180 miles away from adealership and I do not want to drive back and forth without having some idea about the problem.
I am definitely buying a new Avalon, but am undecided on what exterior color to get. The only color my husband doesn't want is black. We want the graphite interior to have the darker wood trim. Any feelings of what exterior color makes the car look fabulous? I have seen the indigo blue pearl, which is nice and the silver. Any opinions?
I am definitely buying a new Avalon, but am undecided on what exterior color to get. The only color my husband doesn't want is black. We want the graphite interior to have the darker wood trim. Any feelings of what exterior color makes the car look fabulous? I have seen the indigo blue pearl, which is very nice and the silver. Any opinions?
Has your husband seen the black one? When I got mine, it was the first black Limited that the dealership had, and the only one. The salesman bragged about it really showing off the car.It really is a beauty, however I drove the dark gray, and its nice too. I have had more comments with this car than any other. I do think the black has something to do with it. Some friends of mine bought the sand color. It is sharp as well. I think they all look great!!!!
Dan ... I bought an 05 Avalon on February 18th from Bernardi in Framingham. It was on their list of cars coming in. They said it would be here between March 4th and 9th, but today is the 17th, and it's still not here. That's a month.
How long did it take for yours to come in?
Can anyone out there in the Northeast tell me how long it took for their car to come in?
I'd like to place a portable XM radio in the Avalon that I can also switch over to my Camry. Do you think I could plug this portable into the JBL sound system and have it play through it? Thanks for the info....Wes
I've seen the new Avalon in just about every color, and they all look great. It is amazing to me how some colors change the character of this car, although that is an admittedly subjective evaluation. Black looks sophisticated, but I personally am not up to keeping black as clean as it needs to be to look sharp. I saw a limited in the dark blue with a tan interior, and it looked very classy ... very Euro or Mercedes-like. I don't have my color chart with me, but my wife and I really like the new light green metallic. Maybe it's just because it's new, but the Avalon looks very Lexus-like with that color. I also like the pearly white, which is an extra cost color for $220, as I recall. I haven't seen one in the light silver yet. All the colors seem to work. I really like some of the sophisticated, harmonized two-tone paints that Lexus had until a couple of years ago, but I'm not sure how that would work with the new Avalon. Not an option, anyway. T Reynard
A strong recommendation---Blizzard Pearl. It is well worth the extra couple of hundred dollars. The color is very classy!
Based on personal experience, stay away from black unless you live in an area where you can wash it a couple of times a week. Black is gorgeous when clean, bit it is very hard to keep clean. Regards: Dan
I KNOW this forum is about Avalon. Some people have compared it to the 2005 ES Lexus. I'm just pointing out the redesigned Lexus will be every bit as well done as the redesigned Avalon, if not more so.
Yes.. Dan is right. I will have to say that I'm lucky to have a truck in bad weather, so the black Avalon can stay in the garage. I washed the Avalon in the 40 degree temp the other day...it does take some work..but I knew it would be that way as I have had black before.There was a Blizzard Pearl in the showroom that was gorgeous!!!!! Best of luck!!
Just got off the phone with parts manager at my local dealership. He indicated that a Toyota rep had stopped by a couple of days ago and confirmed that Sirius will be available for the 05 Avalon in 1-2 months. No pricing or part numbers at this time.
Yes you can. Get an FM modulator. If you find an appropriate place to mount the portable and the modulator, you can play it through the FM radio on an unused FM frequency. Most modulators offer a choice of three frequencies or so.
I already have the Delphi XM SkyFi in my current car, and would be generally interested in the same. I haven't spent enough time looking around the Avalon interior to locate correct spaces that have power handy etc.
My color is the Desert Sand Mica.. I would never have thought of buying the white and after I ordered mine I saw the Blizzard Pearl with the Taupe interior and it was beautiful. Not really white, something very special. Enjoy it Dan. Ronn, I once had Black and when it was clean and all waxed up it was elegant as they all are. I might have gotten it again but decided with the heat in SC I would rather have a color that reflects the heat rather than absorbs it. My Sand color gets just as dirty but it doesn't show the same way as on black. By the way in my area we have brushless and ragless car washes that work so well, so nothing touches my car but me. Back North my cars used to have these fine swirl marks from the brushes that showed in a certain light that no longer happens since I use these car washes here. I do the waxing. I don't want anyone touching my car but me. This car is my pride and joy and when the first ding comes whether from the road or a car door I will be an unhappy camper. I park far away from all the others, but still you never know. Black for some reason always stands out when detailed, it has that rich look. I saw the Black, Wow!
Good evening just me..thanks for that post. I only wash mine myself. I do not dare take my black through the car wash. It will show swirl marks easy. Yes, the first ding is hard. I do the same thing. My friends all laugh when I park so far away. I don't care though. I am lucky to have a spot at work where no one comes by it. I have only seen two Avalons on the road in my area. Desert Sand Mica, which my friends purchased, and a blue one..not sure what the color was called. The Desert Sand is very classy as well. I actually think they all look great, as it is such a great looking body style.
Thanks Ronn. Yes it is a great looking style. When I stand to the rear looking to the front of the car about a foot or two away from the car it has a nice look and you can see how a molding would break the line. When you go to the grocery store, you will always see some cars far away from the rest of the pack like us, concerned car buffs who love their car. It gets hot here during the summer, so like my 04 Ronn I will have the windows tinted, that's another reason I didn't need the shade in the rear like on the Limited. Ronn, I don't know about you, but certainly I know how much you love your Avalon, I suppose for me because it's the first car I really believe is what I would refer to as a luxury car. I didn't feel that way about the 04 or other Avalons I had. This one really is cool, style wise, the little doors concealing things, the way the imitation wood trim is displayed, the power, the sliding arm rest, the quietness, I know like you I'm gushing, I never felt that way before about a car, I think my wife is becoming jealous . I finally treated myself to something special. Ronn, don't let the negative remarks get to you, there will always be those that are constructive as well as those that enjoy criticizing and finding fault with everything. You can't please everyone, and it's okay. For the most part this is a great forum and most people share the facts. I can't wait to see how many Avalons are actually sold this year because I do believe it will be greater than Toyota estimated.
I think I will try to see a blizzard pearl avalon at a dealership near me and also look at the indigo blue again, which was very sophisticated. My husband was considering the silver, but our old avalon was silver and I think I want a change. Thanks for your opinion.
As you might already be aware all interior colors do not come with all exterior colors as has been posted here. The below link to the Avalons colors will give you a breakdown on match-ups.
Just thought I'd throw my two cents in here too. My personal preference was the blizzard pearl for the exterior and the light beige interior. My last avalon had a black leather interior and the summers where I live get extremely hot, and so does the interior of the car. The light colors should help keep the interior a little cooler. The light colored interior looked very rich with the wood grain trim. Of course the colors you choose is a personal choice you might want to consider how the summer heat will affect your choice. Still waiting for my new avalon xls to arrive. Should be here next week. Good luck with your choice.
If you look at this link, it shows Ivory interior with Desert Sand Mica. I got the taupe with the Sand, so this link isn't 100% correct. It's possible though that SouthEast Toyota was able to change it to the Taupe Interior?
I like the new styling, but my wife says I have to wait til I have grandkids and gray hair to buy an Avalon or a Buick! I know the Avalon has a reputation as a Grampa car, but the new style may change this perception. Then again, maybe not. What do you think? Regards - Bushka
My 05 Limited is perfect but for one thing. The passenger seat belt buckle thumps against the inside frame (when not in use of course). Never have had this problem with my 96 XL. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
This car has some real zip. One of the fastest cars I've ever driven, based on my short 3 mile test drive. I liked most everything about it, except for the silver colored plastic on the dash. It looks a little cheap, but not too bad. I'm just wondering if it might scratch easily or show wear quickly. I drove an XLS model. I'm wondering if the Limited is worth the extra dollars. By the way - the sales rep was very knowledgeable and pleasant, but he offered only a $500 discount. I told him "thank you" but I didn't just fall off a turnip truck. I'll check around or wait around until prices drop. He offered a $2400 discount on a Camry, and the Avalon should (and most likely will) have a similar discount down the road, before I can get serious about buying. Still - a great car! Regards - Bushka
As far as I'm concerned you're doing a great job of hosting. I liked the way you cleared up that little spat between a couple 3 of the regular posters.
No rattles, no sqeaks, no taking it back to the dealer to adjust anything. I've gotten almost 3k miles on it now and absolutely love it.
I didn't buy this car to have the newest and best thing around. I bought because I wanted something fun to drive again. The 03 Sienna just didn't fit that bill. I had gone away from a 96 Avalon and was sorry almost right away that I hadn't bought another one back then.
Very glad I waited though! The 05 is so much better!
Bushka; I'm 29 and I'm drooling over this car in my sleep! If I'm a Grampa at 29, shoot me where I stand. :-) This car is sweet IMHO. Great exterior styling, fantastic exterior styling, exciting transmission, wicked engine and priced way below the Grampa Lexus. Please take your wife on a test drive in this car and you may just be thanking me the next day. ;-)
I had the same issue. Found out that the seat belt gets lodged perpendicularly between the upper seat cushion and the interior plastic trim covering the side pillar. I simply twist the belt so it can hang in its normal position, parallel to the seat and pillar, and the noise goes away.
Hello to all... I'm new to the forums, but have been reading through all 151 pages of messages.
My wife and I have test driven 3 Avalon's and came very close to taking one home (dealer wouldn't back off MSRP) Tried Limited, Touring, and XLS. Our fav is the Blizzard Pearl XLS.
I like to hear the good & the bad re: the car, as I haven't bought one yet.
One of my questions is how satisfied everyone is with cargo space, in particular the trunk. I'm worried that two adults/child could quickly outgrow this car. Any thoughts?
" I got the taupe with the Sand, so this link isn't 100% correct."
This is semantics at best. Just Me, check the window sticker than came with your Avalon, and see what color it says the interior is. I would be very surprised if it says "taupe." Desert Sand Mica in the Avalon comes with an "ivory" interior. In the Camry, the same Desert Sand Mica comes with a "taupe" interior. It wouldn't surprise me to lay the Camry "taupe" and the Avalon "ivory" side by side and discover they were the same color.
At 14.4 cubic feet, the trunk is OK for most uses; OK, but not great. You and your wife and child wouldn't be able to take two golf bags and seven suitcases on vacation, for example, but if you don't play golf on trips it would likely be more than adequate to carry your luggage, and it is certainly fine for around town errands. You have to view the trunk size as just one characteristic in basing your purchase decision. If it's a major factor, you might lean toward the Ford 500/Mercury Montego. If you can accept a smaller trunk in return for better overall quality, then the Avalon comes out ahead.
PAC does not have 1 for the Avalon yet, Im going to be the first. As for the camera there are several options in the rear of the car. For those of you that haven't seen yet, if you take your rear license plate off there is a big empty cavity into the bumper, good for easy installation of rear parking sensors, kinda cheesy otherwise. Other thing, my 20" rims rub when i hit bumps, and the body of the Avalon is fiberglass/plastic.
This is a very large car. Within an inch of the length of the Lexus LS430. If you think you would out grow this vehicle then you need to look at an SUV.
Yes, my BP is very beautiful. They had the car in the show room. I actually wanted the burgandyish looking car, yeah right! too hard to find, and I let 2 black limited's slip away, and got lucky cause i called every dealer in LA area. I happen to go to Claremont Toyota and the it was, But this car has every upgrade, which is why it mostlikely was still there. I didnt even want the remote start/XM etc. But i couldnt take waiting any longer, so i jumped on it. COMPARED TO THE LEXUS ES, there is none!!! I have a GS 400 and a ES 330 with the NAV and the ES sucks compared to the Avalon. Lexus better do something with the 06 ES
I couldn't agree with you more, I have a GS 400 and a ES 330 for my wife. I was also waiting for the new GS and I feel the exact same way you do. My limited has every feature you can get from toyota and im just over 40gs. I dont even like the new GS it looks like a honda accord from the back and a maxima/everything else from the side.
Seat belt buckle rattles are also reduced by sliding up the adjustable shoulder anchor in the pillar. When the anchor is at the top of its range, the buckle hangs farthest away from the inside pillar and is least likely to touch it.
By the way, greetings from Western Canada to all in this list! This is my first post, although I am privileged to own the first 2005 Avalon in my area since March 1. To a large extent, I owe my confidence in having placed my order in January to the first 1500 or so comments contributed to this list and I continue to find the contributions very valuable.
I Installed alarms for a living for a while. Ive had remote start on my cars for over 15yrs now, so when the dumb salesman told me about it I told him to take it out. But the car came with it and I really didnot want to wait any longer for the limited, I bought the car with all the options, Dynamic laser cruse, VA DVD NAV, VSC, TRAC w BA, Mats, XM, Rear Spoiler, V.I.P Glass break sensor, Remote Engin start, Special Color which I didnt even know what that meant untill I started reading this web site. That laser cruse is VERY NICE.
You could put the DVD in the Glove or the center counsel, maybe under the seat, for sure in the trunk. But if you want to use the factory screen to see the DVD, you have to go custom cause they have to cut into the data cabel and get the RGB video wires. Also you can use any DVD player even a X box or ps 2.
Hi: I agree about needing vsc in all models - especially touring, the best-handling avalon available. Unfortunately, I called 1(800) go-toyota today and got word from a csr that there are no plans to put vsc into touring and xl models before a complete redesign is done. Pity. Even more frustrating is that vsc is available in the smaller less-expensive Camry-SE model. Go figure.
Comments
Thanks for the response. Anxiously waiting for you find out.
How long did it take for yours to come in?
Can anyone out there in the Northeast tell me how long it took for their car to come in?
Thanks.
Marcom
This is one great car and also a great color. You'll really enjoy this car! Regards: Dan
Based on personal experience, stay away from black unless you live in an area where you can wash it a couple of times a week. Black is gorgeous when clean, bit it is very hard to keep clean. Regards: Dan
Thanks...
I already have the Delphi XM SkyFi in my current car, and would be generally interested in the same. I haven't spent enough time looking around the Avalon interior to locate correct spaces that have power handy etc.
I have only seen two Avalons on the road in my area. Desert Sand Mica, which my friends purchased, and a blue one..not sure what the color was called. The Desert Sand is very classy as well. I actually think they all look great, as it is such a great looking body style.
Toyota does not have any announced plans to manufacture the Avalon engine in Kentucky.
Source: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/2005/avalon/color.html
I didn't buy this car to have the newest and best thing around. I bought because I wanted something fun to drive again. The 03 Sienna just didn't fit that bill. I had gone away from a 96 Avalon and was sorry almost right away that I hadn't bought another one back then.
Very glad I waited though! The 05 is so much better!
I'm 29 and I'm drooling over this car in my sleep! If I'm a Grampa at 29, shoot me where I stand. :-) This car is sweet IMHO. Great exterior styling, fantastic exterior styling, exciting transmission, wicked engine and priced way below the Grampa Lexus. Please take your wife on a test drive in this car and you may just be thanking me the next day. ;-)
My wife and I have test driven 3 Avalon's and came very close to taking one home (dealer wouldn't back off MSRP) Tried Limited, Touring, and XLS. Our fav is the Blizzard Pearl XLS.
I like to hear the good & the bad re: the car, as I haven't bought one yet.
One of my questions is how satisfied everyone is with cargo space, in particular the trunk. I'm worried that two adults/child could quickly outgrow this car. Any thoughts?
This is semantics at best. Just Me, check the window sticker than came with your Avalon, and see what color it says the interior is. I would be very surprised if it says "taupe." Desert Sand Mica in the Avalon comes with an "ivory" interior. In the Camry, the same Desert Sand Mica comes with a "taupe" interior. It wouldn't surprise me to lay the Camry "taupe" and the Avalon "ivory" side by side and discover they were the same color.
By the way, greetings from Western Canada to all in this list! This is my first post, although I am privileged to own the first 2005 Avalon in my area since March 1. To a large extent, I owe my confidence in having placed my order in January to the first 1500 or so comments contributed to this list and I continue to find the contributions very valuable.
I agree about needing vsc in all models - especially touring, the best-handling avalon available. Unfortunately, I called 1(800) go-toyota today and got word from a csr that there are no plans to put vsc into touring and xl models before a complete redesign is done. Pity. Even more frustrating is that vsc is available in the smaller less-expensive Camry-SE model. Go figure.