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Sylvia, "Forums Software! Your Questions Answered..." #1781, 11 Jan 2005 10:15 am
Inside Line Feedback and Questions
Many of the issues pertaining to site speed are being addressed, but as with all upgrades and changes there are always bumps along the way. Please post your comments/questions concerning Inside Line in the above topic.
Thanks for your patience!
I don't mean to badger you, but you said you paid $36,692. Is that with tax, title, license, etc.? The "out the door cost"?
The ebrochure shows the MSRP for the Limited at $33,540, and option B at $1,090... $34,630. Did you add on some extra goodies to reach $36+, or just the necessary evils?
Thanks. Please let us know how you like it. I'm looking forward to checking one out at the auto show next month.
They recite the normal list of what's new, along with prices and what not.
But I was disappointed to read two statements the article made.
The first one was "It's no BMW 5 series, but...", and it goes on to say that the Touring is sporty.
It's no BMW 5 Series huh? Well, how do you know?I do not think that Edmunds has had an opportunity to drive the new Avalon. In fact, hardly anyone has had a chance to drive it, because it was announced to the world not much more than a week ago. And I didn't see them doing test drives at the Detroit Auto Show.
Why is it assumed that because it's a BMW, it is the end all be all of automobiles?
Let's look at a few numbers. The BMW 525i, has an V6 with 225 HP, the Avalon has a V6 with 280 HP. Did I mention that the BMW very easily reaches 50 grand by adding just about any option?
I would like to see a comparison. The Avalon VS the BMW 5 Series. I can hear the laughs now, but wait, why are you laughing? And before everyone goes nuts with the 'BMWs handle so well', I will say that I have read more than one review, stating that the BMW 5 Series did not exactly handle super great. But of course, it's still the best sedan on the planet. Um Hmmmm.
My last point was about Edmunds stating that the Avalon was now 'approaching' the level of luxury that Lexus offers. What exactly does the car need to offer, so that it has 'arrived' at the same level of luxury as a Lexus? Gold plated stereo knobs? How is the Avalon any less luxurious than even the top Lexus?
Oh well, thanks for letting me vent my frustrations!
I am even more frustrated because I don't know which article you are talking about. Got a URL?
To add to your exasperation, the BMW 525i is actually powered by the 184 horse 2.5L engine, not the 225 hp 3.0L. I actually see a lot of 525i's, automatics no less. Can imagine that combo hits 60 in anything less than 9 flat.
~alpha
http://autoshow.edmunds.com/news/autoshow/articles/103626/page029- .html?tid=edmunds.e.autoshow..leftnav.30.*
Thanks!
http://www.nctd.com/review-intro.cfm?Vehicle=2005_Toyota_Avalon&a- mp;ReviewID=1718
: )
Mackabee
Unfortunately I bought a 2005 Camry LE v6 and have notice the "throttle delay".
Right, it's the same infamous transmission (or the software that controls it).
Mackabee: Are now at your local dealer. Colors and interior fabrics and leathers are shown.
My dealer gave me a call today notifying me that they received the brochures. I told him that I am interested in buying, but didn't want to pay MSRP. He told me that it doesn't look like Avalon will be a hit like Prius (for which people lined up 12 months in advance to buy). It looks like I am the only guy in my town (of 200,000 people) making inquiries about Avalon. Lucky me -- maybe I'll get my Limited at the invoice. :-)
Excited. My one salesman has 6 names on a list interested, none buying yet.
tasso
Does the graphite only come with a chrome trim or with darker wood ?
thanks in advance !
However, I bought a new 2005 Sienna just 4 months ago from this dealer. And I have bought 3 other GM cars from the same family of dealers in the last 3 years. So that helps.
I think the demand will be good. Ebay and cars is hard to gauge. These are not a limited early run such as G-wagons were, or even PT cruisers initially. These are planned to be massed produce. And anyone can buy one locally in 2-3 weeks. My dealer has 2 coming right up front. But in 3 months they will have 10, so it would not make sense to buy one off ebay, as your local dealer will have 2-3 in a couple weeks.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1- &item=7948370617&category=34233
If I were in charge of Toyota Marketing, I would hire a few guys to bid it up to $300 or so. :-)
Let's talk about demand after 6 months...
~alpha
Anyway, the price drop indicates that maybe Toyota is watching that pathetic Ebay auction and making some conclusions, as we are. :-) Or perhaps they are reading this board, in which case you the XL & Touring guys should generate some more noise about the fact that there is no VSC (standard or optional) on those trims. :-)
If anyone has any info I would love to be corrected as I would prefer the graphite leather in the Limited I am planning to purchase...
Charcoal Leather is on the Touring.
As far as I know the Charcoal is not available on the Limited. Is that correct? Can the charcoal be special ordered on the Limited or not offered at all?
2005 Toyota Avalon Screensaver:
http://www.filepc.com/forward/screensavers.htm?1,fd1000avalon
The screensaver will automatically connect to the internet and update with new Toyota Avalon pictures.
Also does the Limited or any of the Avalon offer any kind of hands free connect for cell phones at all? Is there a way to add it after market?
Lastly I read on one of the comments that remote start can be purchased at Best Buy for $129 which is much cheaper than the $500 Toyota charges. But is the factory unit linked to the smart key system? In other words if we add it after market do we have to carry a separate remote for it?
Any help will be appreciated.
No seat memory
No seat heater
No VSC
No traction control
No keyless entry
Etc...
What we really need is the ability to pick and choose here. I'd rather have a Limited with black leather and a sport suspension option.
I'm holding out for the 2006 Lexus ES 350, and perhaps you'll still get my money.
This is assuming, of course, that I can actually even get a "Limited" Avalon with VSC and without the Nav system. The dealer I am working with says all the early "Limited" production will have Nav. I also am trying to find out whether the XM radio option is going to be fully integrated or an "add on".
Anyway, the Avalon is obviously no longer the "bargain" it once was. Not because it is worse in any way, but because the competition has gotten better. For the life of me, I do not understand why Stability Control is not standard in the top-of-the line trim.
Maybe I'll have my socks knocked off when I finally get to see/drive one of these. Enough to wait until an appropriate build comes along. Maybe.
Any thoughts?
I'm looking for a very quiet and very comfortable ride. In fact, while I'm no doubt younger (43) than the ave Avalon buyer, I don't understand why people are so concerned with the car's (or any car's) handling ability. 99.9% of the time you are either in town, on a straight highway (i.e., most roads are straight), or bound by traffic (e.g., if the car ahead of you is going 40mph on a twisty road, you can't do much about it). Why sacrifice ride quality (i.e., sports-tuned suspension) for the 1% of the time that you may be on a twisty road without traffic? Related, I really don't understand why people are interested in the touring model (except, perhaps, it provides the leather color they want). Just my $0.02.
Oh..and one last thing - I do agree that toyo should offer VSC option on every avalon. Quite frustrating that they do not appear to be willing to do that....
Toyota will offer VSC on the XL and Touring...in a year or two when enough people complain. It would suck if we bought a 05 Avalon Touring and then Toyota makes VSC optional on the 06 Avalon Touring.
It looks like Toyota wants to "force" us into going all the way with the XLS/Limited.
It's a risk, however, as there are a lot of alternatives.
The TL does not have smart key, puddle lights, integrated turn signals, both mirror electrochromatic, extendable seat cushion, nor reclining rears seats, and has the hump in the back. I can not remember if it had rain sense wipers etc. Do not get me wrong, I liked it, but there are a lot of little differences still. Positive and negative for both cars.
VSC is a great option, and should be offered at ever trim level.
The XM is an add on, and I do not think it integrates that great.
I will know more in a couple of weeks, and my Avalon does not have nav, but it is a Limited.
The
Yes, agreed.
I am hoping that I like the 2005 Avalon enough that I will consider paying its (now) premium price.
So, you definitely know that there will be at least one non-Nav Limited made initially?
I bought a used LS400. It still has only 57k on it and my license plates are about $33 per year. I can own a like new $50k luxury car for peanuts as I drive my car very little and after recently selling three cars, we still have four left. I was going to upgrade, but it made no sense to let a new one sit and depreciate, so I bought my wife a new Avalon which both of us usually drive. Even though it is much newer with half the miles, an LS400 it ain't. Much lighter feel among other things. It really does have lots going for it though.