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Comments
Thanks, RONN
The rear seats are genuinely three-across, so two adults and one child are unlikely to outgrow the avalon, even if you have a second child. My wife and I just had our second child last week and that is precisely why we're looking at the avalon. Like you, I've read all 150+ pages here and am greatly surprised and amused that there are so many willing to pay one, two and three thousand dollars more than if they would just wait a few months. Remember, money doesn't grow on trees, and it is far easier to spend than to earn.
Furthermore, if you can wait till the fall, perhaps the 06 models will be out, exorcised of what bugs (admittedly few) the 05 models have. Let the overzealous and irrational buyers fill dealers' pockets so that the more prudent among us can pry the avalon from dealers later at near-invoice prices.
If you literally need another car now, then by all means buy the avalon - few cars, if any match it anywhere near the price. But, bear in mind the money that can be saved by being a little patient. Regards,
Deanie
I have not had any problems with the Limited, and it is a great car to drive.
Best of luck,
RONN
Thanks again. This will help me decide what to do. I had a Volvo V70T5 with a Kenwood .... DVD, Nav, TV, Sirius, CD .... and I miss it. It would be great if I could convert the Avalon LCD.
My wife would never let me play Halo 2 in the car!
I just signed a buyers order on an XLS and would not have done so if it was at MSRP I was able to get 3000 off MSRP (2300 if you deduct the Toyoguard plus I said I wont pay for that is on all southeast cars) and the only option is VSC and Mats
I guarantee that it is not at invoice and they are still making tons onthe car but it seemed fair to me
So.........I actually found this dealer thru reading the forum I am waiting to get the car and would not have bought the car without this forum's help! But price did matter to me
Hopefully, it is not too big a mistake buying now vs in the fall This will be the most I have ever spent on a car .
I ordered car in Titanium with Graphite interior and hope that color combo will look great It was between that interior vs light gray
I am excited about the car but I welcome reading the negative as well as the positive It helps to be educated Thanks
Do you know of any good systems/installer on the West Coast? Price?
It appears that option (Toyota) is available in some regions, but not out West.
If there are any 2005 Avalon owners who have the rear sensors, any comments?
Any issues with using 87 octane gas?
Any word on Toyota color integrating the XM antenna? Present antenna doesn't fit in with the quality of the rest of the car.
Does the Avalon use ceramic brake pads that help minimize brake dust
?
What's the impression of the "Dynamic Laser Cruise Control" over the standard cruise control?
Going to take over two sets of golf clubs to the dealer to make sure they fit okay in the trunk.
Thanks for any feedback. First time looking at Toyota.
Analyticangel;
What dealership??
What other sedans have you found that have a full-size spare with alloy rim? This is a desirable feature for safety, cost and convenience. It may also contribute several hundred $'s to the cost of building the car.
MikeS.
Thanks, RONN"
Ronn, I'm getting 29.5 avaerage on 98% hilly highway driving which I've done a lot of the last 2 weeks. This at sustained speed of 75mph. Daily driving which is about 60% highway I'm getting about 25.2 mpg.
Furthermore, if you can wait till the fall, perhaps the 06 models will be out, exorcised of what bugs (admittedly few) the 05 models have. Let the overzealous and irrational buyers fill dealers' pockets so that the more prudent among us can pry the avalon from dealers later at near-invoice prices."
I rather resent the last half of your paragraph. I'm neither overzealous or irrational. I made a well thought out decision based upon needs, size and reliability. I did many hours of research starting about 9 months ago. Thats when I found out that the all new 05 was coming. At that time several places talked about this being an 06 model, including Edmunds.co
I bought on 02/10/05 and was able to get 500 off of sticker on my LTD when most dealers in the greater DC area are still insisting on MSRP. I realized that my trade-in, an 03 Sienna LE was losing value every day.
Please don't think that those of us willing to pay at or near MSRP are either overzealous or irrational. We know a great car when we buy it.
MikeS.
It's hard to believe that this new machine is getting such great gas with 280horses!!!!
RONN
Response (Anissa) 03/16/2005 04:44 PM
Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.,Inc.
We appreciate the opportunity to address your inquiry.
The 2005 Avalon engine is manufactured in Japan.
Also, Toyota does not have any announced plans to
manufacture the Avalon engine in Kentucky.
Your email has been documented at our National
Headquarters under file #(deleted). If we can be of
further assistance, please feel free to contact us.
Toyota Customer Experience
Toyota just missed the boat on the trunk space specs for this vehicle, in my opinion. At 14.4 cubic feet, the Avalon is going to have limited appeal for families with a couple of kids who want to take a road trip vacation. That trunk space is significantly smaller than a lot of cars that are smaller and less expensive.
I call the trunk space the one major shortcoming in what is probably in all other respects a winner.
present an offer about a $1000 less than my best other prices. I will submit this to the sales manager only. What a run around. One excuse after another. My wife said it is incompetence and I say it is a sales gimmick. What are your thoughts?
As far a quality of service comparisons, I don't have experience with XM, so I can't say. I had no problems with Sirius reception other than the expected drop-offs in tunnels, underground parking structures and other very obstructed locations. Sound quality was excellent.
IMHO a decision as to which provider to select should be based upon finding the service who has the programming which best suits your desires. Sirius offers more of what I was looking for.
But I also love to crank up the volume, put on my shades, and show off the power as I use the throttle to be the first from a light, and to slide ahead in traffic when a lesser car could not accelerate well enough. And that's with an '02...so performance matters even for those who are more mature, so to speak.
BTW, I have been watching to find what caused the wheel noise when leaving the curb. In the old days a rock in the hub cap would create the exact symptom you describe, but kids are now denied that kind of fun.
Does the new one has overly expensive tires I do not know about??? Please elaborate. There are 16/17" wheels now, so replacement tires are going to be expensive. Usually Toyota places good, not great tires on the vehicle. Much of the technology is useless to me, especially for the price, but some really enjoy it....until the new technology comes along or until it breaks. But. the silver lining is that power windows, power steering, etc etc. would not have come along unless some of the manufacturers stepped out and tried it, so it has got to come out. Not all of us have to buy it though.
I did like the fact that with Honda, that more of the options and accessories where dealership installed and not packaged, so you could get more a la carte, unlike Toyota. That is the reason I passed up the XLS, with no regrets in 2002.
abfisch
The only thing "older" I would say is the color scheme of the XLS/Limited with the Silver, Light colored seats & the light wood accents, it did strike me as looking like "grandma" style. This is one reason I went with the Touring with all the upgrades available.
It is better for instance in freeway driving when it is crowded or someone cuts into your lane too fast??? That would be a good thing if it reacted slowly to this.
abfiscch
Tee
Nope, that's not it. Plenty of cars far sportier than any Avalon have VSC. It generally comes with a defeat switch so you can still spin your tires on takeoff if you're so inclined.
Not making VSC an option on XL and Touring was strictly a marketing price/feature mix decision, probably intended to help steer early buyers to the highest profit models. And regardless of what any CSR is telling people right now, I bet they will change this way before they redesign the car.
I have an XM Delphi unit with a VSM (Vehicle Specific Mount) for the Avalon 02. The unit can be takin out of my Avalon, hooked up to my home stereo, and also a portable Boombox. No reason why two VSM could not be hooked up by a competent automotive electrician for you to enjoy SAT radio.
good luck.
abfisch
abfisch
I went over to Nissan, sat in a Maxima XL, and believe I have 2" more legroom. Also could purchase without the sunroof so headroom is better. Although this is not the "sporty" model, it is a much more sporty feel than my XLS. Lots of power, some of the dash materials seem just a little too much plastic like. But the "burl" "plood"(plastic representation of wood") is actually quite nice. I got the car for $500 over invoice and $1000 Nissan rebate on top of that.
I hope when it is time to trade in my 2001 Toyota that they start to realize that the population actually continues to get taller not shorter. Also that if they extended the front seat rails another inch, they could accomodate the DRIVER and the rear seat passenger. As it is right now I can sit behind the driver seat set in my driving position and fit comfortably. I do not know why the front seat could not be more accomodating. I am disappointed about the Avalon. However, I am very happy with the Maxima. I think the new Avalon is great, and wish you all a lot of enjoyment with your new cars.
Steve