2005-2007 Toyota Avalon

leinad

that is fully loaded!

when i did the edmunds.com avalon pricing with all options available, total MSRP came to $39,508

Invoice came to $34,282, compared to the OUT THE DOOR PRICE they quoted me of $34,714 which is only $432 over the edmunds.com invoice price....

which sounds fair to me...

may i ask how much your XLS will be out the door?

since we are both in fl?

thanks

leinad

is the toyoguard worth the $$$, actually what does it consist of?

hamboner

My White Blizzard Pearl XLS w/nav, had a black binder for the manuals, I'm in Georgia.

curry

Thanks. As I expected I did not get a return call from my salesman or the sales manager today. I'll have to lean on them to get them to cough it up.

alphawolf

"I am in Florida and feel I got a fair deal
Am picking my car up Saturday an XLS with VSC, mats and Toyoguard Plus (FINALLY!!!) have been waiting since 3/14 "

Congrats!

Can you please post and/or e-mail me the dealer you used. I'm moving to Orlando Wednesday and will probably try Central Orlando Toyota 1st, unless you can give me a good recommendation.

Thanks VERY much in advance.

-Dean

just__me

how about, Silver Charmer or Silver Grace. "Grace...Seemingly effortless beauty or charm of movement, form, or proportion", "A characteristic or quality pleasing for its charm or refinement", "A sense of fitness or propriety", analyticangelGrace, it doesn't get any better then this-"The state of being protected or sanctified by the favor of God". Good Luck.

solara00

"Sea level standard air density"?
"Tire rolling friction coefficient"?

And I gave you a hard time about Podunk USA? Maybe my doube-wide really is in Podunk USA! Out here we just look where the little red needle winds up to figure top speed, but your method appears to be more in-depth!

You have my sincerest apologies! Good and interesting post. Thanks Max.

morganff

I EXTEND MY CONDOLENCES TO FOSSILIZED AND AGENT FOR THEIR LOSS OF STRAIGHT STEERING. CAN'T HELP BUT NOTICE THAT ALL THREE OF US BOUGHT THE TOURING EDITION, WHICH HAS THE DIFFERENT SUSPENSION. I TOO WENT THROUGH TWO DEALER ATTEMPTS TO REALIGN THE VEHICLE, ROTATING THE TIRES EVERY WHICH WAY IMAGINEABLE, INCLUDING SWAPPING OUT ALL 4 TIRES FOR 4 OTHERS, ALL TO NO AVAIL. ON MY THIRD TRIP TO THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD NOTHING WRONG WAS FOUND, NOR DID TOYOTA HAVE ANY REPORTS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS. (I WONDER IF TOYOTA CAN STILL SAY THAT?) SUBSEQUENTLY, A MICHELIN AUTHORIZED DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS PRESENT, WAS NOT DUE TO THEIR TIRES, AND RECOMMENDED LOOKING IN THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY FOR ANSWERS. IF YOUR STEERING PROBLEMS FOLLOW SUIT WITH MINE, YOU WILL NEXT NOTICE THE POWER STEERING BEGINNING TO FADE AS YOU DRIVE LONGER DISTANCES. AS THE STEERING EFFORT GETS STIFFER, THE STEERING PULL TO THE RIGHT GETS STRONGER.
AS FOR SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT TO DO NEXT: IF YOU FOLLOW MY LEAD, YOU ALLOW YOUR DEALER AT LEAST THREE OPPORTUNITIES TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. IF THEIR EFFORTS ARE UNSUCCESSFUL, AS IN MY CASE, YOU HIRE AN ATTORNEY. SHE HAS ADVISED ME NOT TO DISCUSS THIS CASE WITH ANYBODY. I WROTE THIS MESSAGE ANYWAYS WHEN I SAW OTHERS WITH WHAT LOOKS TO BE THE SAME DEFECT IN A BRAND NEW VEHICLE! PLEASE STAY POSTED, AND I PROMISE TO DO THE SAME.

agent

ooooooooooo this is sure to get interesting. I'll surely begin the process of bringing my Touring to the dealer ASAP. I had mentioned it during the test drive but as I said in an earlier post, I was on the highway going one direction on a windy day and on the return trip I was on city streets so the pull couldn't be noticed. Our first real drama with the Avalon and why does it have to be with the one that I bought???? lol yippy

mikes.

I have to remember to pull the fob out of my pocket and press the arming button. Not a big deal but since the fob just sits in my pants pocket all the time and I don't have it in my hand like with a regular key I forget to pull it out and use it.

I've gotten a bit better the last couple days because I really became aware of my inactions.

MikeS.

mikes.

Speeding depends, around me there is 2 deputies and 1 state trooper to patrol 25 miles of interstate, plus respond to other calls. On Monday between 0001 & 0600 there is none, nada, zip assigned to patrol the interstate. If there is a problem they have to pull a deputy in from the county roads to respond. So speeding here is kinda open ended.

MikeS.

mikes.

"When we purchased my wife's Matrix about 2 years ago, she received a very nice black folio to keep the owner's manual and other documents in. I did not get anything like that, just the bare manuals, when I bought my new Avalon 2 weeks ago. I am curious if other new owners of the Avalon received a folio, and maybe mine was taken during a test drive?"

This has been discussed before, Mackabee, a Toyota salesperson has answered that the folios are in tight supply right now but that more are coming. They cost the dealer all of 8 bucks.

I'd suggest you bug your dealer until you get one.

MikeS.

fdcapt2

I asked earlier if anyone might have some idea of changes to the '06 Limited. I realize the car is "new", but I'm interested in what the '06 might bring. Like I said in my earlier post, I would love to find power pedals, power tilt and scope wheel, cornering lights, brighter lights in all switches for windows, steering wheel controls, etc., and VSC as standard, and not an option. I drive a'03 Acura TL, and I am in love with the '05 TL, but the Avalon knocks me out as well. If there are going to be any of these changes on the '06 model, I might just wait for the '06 cars to be built.

Thanks

chipmunk47

I guess you are either lucky or foolish to go way beyond the speed limit. What's the point? If you are on a trip you'll only save a few minutes in time & gain lots of stress from going too fast (Above 80mph).

courtney11

I also live in Florida and have found that Toyota is sticking it to us. All the dealers I have gone to have marked up the sticker price from $3000 to $5000. Though they are willing to deal from here none are willing to go below actual sticker. I have personally never paid sticker. I have felt that $500 over invoice [dealer cost] is fair. You say that you got a fair deal, where did you go? May I ask what kind of price you received? I am looking into the Limited.
Thanks,

jordan7

UBS-United Buying Service. most credit unions and other organizations use them. they should be in your phonebook for the individual cities. it is of no cost to you. they get their fee from the dealer who is not allowed to charge any dealer prep or processing charge. they negotiate prices for all makes of cars and the dealer has the prices when you arrive. it is painless and my cost for my Ltd was $600 above invoice with no dealer charges.

loudspeaker76

Agent,

I do remember you mentioning this before. Very interesting. Of course this begs the question why it is only appearing on the Touring edition of the vehicle rather than on the other trim levels? Checking the steering itself, the rack and pinion setup, makes sense based on what has been done to try and correct the problem. This sounds like the specs for aligning the front end aren't right from the manufacturer. However, I'm just speculating.

I wouldn't worry about the issue too much. If it's happening on all of the Touring models you can be sure a fix will be given out voluntarily or through the courts.

-LoUdSpEaKeR
Whaaa? No emotor cons?

rodc2

...."and $499 dealer fees...i take this is the destination charge..."

I would certainly ask more questions of your dealer, as I believe they are two different things. I think you will find the "Destination Charge" to be $540 (not normally negotiable), but the "Dealer Fees" (in your case $499) are very negotiable.

roski

Why are we foolish? The vehicle is designed to go fast (certainly more than your 80mph). Some of us enjoy using the full capabilities of our vehicles, including the 280hp engine. I have personally gone 120 without any problems and am going to take it to a track to fully test the top speed. Please don't make personal attacks simply because you're more conservative in your driving. I don't go above the speed limit unless it is safe, both for others and myself. No good cop will pull you over for doing 84 in a 75 zone - at least I never did.

alphawolf

courtney,

Are you in S. Florida or Central?

-Dean

boatsman

ANALYTIICANGEL Congratulations on getting your car Saturday! Who did you end up working with in the internet dept? Scott isn't in there anymore. Be sure to check out that the tail pipes are level although they still haven't figured out how to fix mine. They say they are waiting for a service bulletin from Toyota. ENJOY

chipmunk47

At the track is a different story than on public highways. I drove on the Autobahn several times. There are NO speed limits there. You were a cop, I was a Driver Ed teacher.

leinad

yep, that's such a difference! a cop and a driver's ed teacher.....

leinad

I have not bought ANYTHING yet....It was deanie who bought a car somewhere in florida..

but anyways, so far my lowest quote for LIMITED is thru Deluca toyota in Ocala, FL over internet...

curry

Brought this to a conclusion today. Went to the dealer and since my salesman was not there, I requested to speak to the sales manager. He eventually came up to me with the black folio in his hand. Here was the conversation:

Sales Manager: "Did you look in the trunk?!"

Me: "Yes."

Sales Manager: "Did you look in the trunk?!!!"

Me: "Yes!!!"

Sales Manager: "Well, ok, here you go."

Me: "Thank you."

Sheesh, you'd have thought he was handing me his right arm. BTW, I have not pulled up the cover over the spare tire, are there incredible values like a black vinyl folio hiding under there?

Cheers,
Ed

curry

Anybody know if there is a problem attaching a small convex mirror to the side view mirror? I have never had heated mirrors before, and do not want to mess them up. Seems like there would not be a problem, has anyone attached one and any problems with it?

Ed

sward

RE: "I have to remember to pull the fob out of my pocket and press the arming button. Not a big deal but since the fob just sits in my pants pocket all the time and I don't have it in my hand like with a regular key I forget to pull it out and use it."

mikeS,

Assuming you are referring to the SmartKey system, you can lock and arm the car by just pressing the black button on the door handle, as long as the SmartKey is in your pocket. The arming button on the fob is an option, but the other method is easier. This is described in the owner's manual. I hope this is helpful.

sward

loudspeaker76

Ed,

Hahahah! Good one!

For those who haven't resolved such issues, I sincerely suggest answering with "Which one?" when someone from a car dealership asks you if you've looked in the trunk.

Unless of course the lot is empty.

-LoUdSpEaKeR
Apparenly we ran out of emotorcons... As long as we don't run out of Avalons I'll be fine.

loudspeaker76

Pat,

Any word on when we might see the "official" Edmunds review of the Avalon? I've seen the general overview, but nothing more detailed than that from Edmunds.

-LoUdSpEaKeR

mackabee

Owner's portofolio. If it's not listed on the window sticker as option DK then it did not come with the car. There was/is a shortage of this things right now so a lot of cars are showing up without them and not listed on the window sticker. This is also an item that has to be added by the dealer when preferencing their vehicles. If they don't put it on the option list it doesn't come with the car.
Mackabee :shades:

mackabee

Standard VSC, Navigation, Laser cruise, tire pressure sensors, parking assist sensors, and seat mounted DVD entertainment systems for the grandkids. Body side molding added to the side of the car (looks ugly!) and 19 inch alloy wheels with spinners. JK

Mackabee

chipmunk47

I put them on all of my cars. No problems, no blind spots anymore

libertie

Hmmmm......not valid reasons for ME to wait for the 2006 Limited. I'll bet those new standard items add about $5,000 to the MSPR. BTW, who would want 19-inch wheels with spinner hubcaps on their Avalon????? :confuse:

cafpaf

Got a call from my sales person earlier that my Limited is sitting at the dealership. I will be picking it up on Thursday around 4:00 pm. It is Blue Mirage Metallic with Ivory interiors and VSC, Wheel Locks, and the Preferred Accessory Package. The final number we arrived at is $1000 over invoice. With 7% tax and 133.50 for license and registration, the entire thing came to $34,295.25. Not as good as some of you but a fair price I believe and only $340 more than the best deal I could find on an Acura TL without Nav. I believe I got a lot more car for just a little more money. BTW, we put a deposit on a car on 3/31 and it arrived today.

cappy4103

That was good Curry! I liked the dialogue you had with the sales manager! By the way, I didn't receive a nice black "leatherette" folio with my new Avalon either...and I did look in the trunk, as well as pulled up the spare tire cover! While there was no manual folio in the trunk, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the spare tire was full-size (not a temporary donut spare), and it was mounted on an alloy rim! That was a nice perk and thought I'd enlighten those out there who may not have realized that this car (or at least mine did) comes with a full-size spare mounted on an alloy wheel.

gbinplano

A while back, there was a discussion concerning how long to wait to polish our new Avalons. One poster provided input from the Carwash Industry that suggested waiting 30-60 days for the paint to cure. I have always detailed my cars when I wash them weekly and polish them monthly with Zaino products. My 1994 Camry's paint is so slick a fly slid off the other day and broke a leg! Anyway, I contacted Sal Zaino, one of the Zaino brothers, about the matter. Here is his reply, and another point of view:

"Thank You for your interest in Zaino Bros' Show Car Polish Products.

I am a custom painter by trade for over thirty years.
I am very familiar with Dupont and PPG and all other paints.

Today's paint technology uses a chemical reaction caused by a catalyst
to cure the paint. Factory paint is fully cured in 36 to 48 hours.

Zaino contains no Wax, Harmful Silicones or Abrasives.

The funny thing is that this same dealer who tells you to wait 30 days
before waxing, usually puts a coat of wax on your car when he preps
it. Sounds a little contradicting. Don't you think???

Polish your car as soon as you get it. That factory paint is already
cured and needs protection against airborne contaminants and UV rays.

-Sal Zaino"

Greg

angeleyes1

Los Angeles Times reports that Toyota may raise prices to help Ford and GM. See attached link.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-toyota26apr26,1,4440351.story?coll=la-headlines-busi- ness

alan_s

Guys, we need to email Toyota and let them know what we think about this LA Times report regarding raising prices. The Toyota email url is http://toyota.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/toyota.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php
I emailed them and told them that if they significantly raise prices, I won't be buying another Avalon and Sienna this fall to replace our existing ones - I will switch to Honda not to GM, Ford or Chrysler :lemon: - been there, done that and I have the scars...
If they receive enough complaints from existing and future customers, it should bear some weight. :mad:

alan_s

...and another story to the contrary:
http://www.thecarconnection.com/Industry/Daily_Edition/Daily_Edition_Apr_27_2005.S173.A853- 0.html
:confuse:

jp48

Funny you should say that, since the idea had finally occurred to me by the end of the weekend, not because I'm that experienced in spotting photochops, but because it's one of the few plausible reasons why a man would post evidence showing a considerable improvement in his car and then be unwilling to provide the basic information as to what he did (e.g., rim size, tire size -- not specific brands, just measurements) and how it actually works. It's particularly odd given who this person ostensibly is. You'd think he'd be delighted to share that information with people who are on record as really liking his creation and who, like you, only want to add to its luster. As it is, you' re a better man than I am in identifying a photochopped picture. I've stared at length at design74's three pictures from April 19 in Autoweek's "Combustion Chamber ("Average Joes")", and the car looks authentic to me. But I guess it's not, since he just won't follow it up with any solid information. Pity. But thanks again to you for leading the way here in the "real world."

Regards,
JP

dan41

I purchased my Limited on March 3 for $1500 above invoice. Absolutely no regrets on either the price or the car. Regards: Dan

tkaz

I have the convex mirrors on my wife's Sienna's heated mirrors. No problems. She likes them.

chipmunk47

Up here in the Northeast I have seen only 4 Avalons (05's) on the road since I got mine. None of the Toyota dealer ads even mention an Avalon. Interesting!

groza

"Who would want 19-inch wheels with spinner hubcaps on their Avalon?"

Libertie: To each his own.
I think Mack be messin' wichew, bro'!

Groza

dan41

"Up here in the Northeast I have seen only 4 Avalons (05's) on the road since I got mine. None of the Toyota dealer ads even mention an Avalon. Interesting!"

I live just west of Boston and during my two months of ownership, I have seen only a couple of Avalons on the road and I have yet to see another one like mine......Blizzard Pearl Limited.

jordan7

I notice that there are no weights on the wheels. Sometimes weights can be glued to the back of the wheels for balancing. Does anyone know if the wheels were, in fact, balanced in this manner. My 98 Avalon XLS had weights on the outside of the wheels. Throughtout the years, weights on the outside have scratched the wheels and look poor. I balance my tires (and wheels) every 5000 miles so would like to know if the weights should be glued on the back of the wheel.

mmg1

Visited friends in Charlotte,N.C. and picked up my XLS in Gastonia. Titanium Metallic with graphite interior, (beautiful) VSC(for heated seats already used) ,spoiler (sporty) , mudguards ,sunroof/windguard .Tailpipes even. Drove around Charlotte for the weekend with friends who have a 05 Lexus 430 and they were amazed at the room in the back .And the smooth ride. Also on the drive back home (North Florida at the beach) I threw my pillow in the back because for the first time in years I didn"t need it to ride comfortably as a passenger.
AVERAGE GAS MILAGE 33.8 !!!!! Because we were breaking it in we did not do our usual 75-80. But very happy!
Now that we are home it is MY car and my husband might get to drive it every now and then. Can hardly wait to pick up college roommate in S.C. and visit my son in V.A. Girls week of wine & dine!!

Thanks to all on forum , I was very well informed and knew what to look for .Now I'm interested in all the wax,etc. Will continue to keep up with everyone.

pat

I don't know but you can ask Editor in Chief Karl Brauer in his "Daily Log Book" discussion here: elias, "Karl's Daily Log Book" #394, 27 Apr 2005 7:48 am.

Let us know if you get any scoop!

sixtynine

First though, for those mentioning Florida. I live in South Florida and bought a LTD with every option including the 18 inch wheels for 3K under sticker.

First problem. While driving the other day I put my rear sunshade up and noticed that there's a gap at the top when it's all the way up. I drove my Dad's LS430 and when his is up there's no gap. Is this true with all LTD's or does mine have a problem? Hopefully it's mine cause it's a very poor design if it's not. Also, how hard would it have been for them to have the sunshade go up after you take the car out of reverse?

Second, the only power port I have found up front is in the little compartment by the seat temp knobs. I take it that's it? If so the location is awful. Very difficult to plug and unplug things while driving. I also have a radar detector and it's one hell of a stretch on the cord besides the cord being in the way of everything.

Other than that I love the car. And for me the HID headlights would have been enough to push me towards the LTD vs the XLS. So much easier to see at night now. Just wish they had done projector instead of reflector.

njny

One of the many voice commands such as "Gas Station" will display many icons on the NAV screen of all Gas Stations in the area.
How do you get them to go away?
"Hide Gas Station" does not work.
Have been issuing Command "Skiing" Just to hide them, not many Skii resorts in the NY NJ Area.
Any help would be appreciated.