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2005-2007 Toyota Avalon

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Comments

  • lntlnt Member Posts: 192
    Hey, Mackabee, I've never liked the blond wood/plastic. I am wondering if it would be possible to order the darker wood kit and a new steering wheel(I have the limited)for my 05. I only have 18,000 miles on it and really can't justify trading it in on an 08. Oh, and also wonder if I could have a passenger's seat with the 8 way power installed?? If I could get those upgrades in my 05, I would be satisfied to keep it for a looooong time. Guess that is all wishful thinking, huh?
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    You could replace the wood trim and the steering wheel, and maybe the seat also. The seat would be harder to do since I believe it would require another or different wiring harness.
    :) Mackabee
  • lntlnt Member Posts: 192
    Thanks! I may look into that. I really would like to get the passenger seat replaced. My husband and I fight over who drives because we neither one like to sit in that seat for very long at a time! To me, it feels like it slopes towards the floor.
  • 91199119119911 Member Posts: 54
    You're right, the right seat does feel like you're going to slide forward out of the seat. Toyota would do well to join these forum's and they would know what the public think's although I don't think they really care...best seat's going in the Avalon price range (actually about $3,000 less) is the Buick Lacerne...try it you'll like it.

    Cj
  • jlsextonjlsexton Member Posts: 302
    The blonde trim is why I was unable to get the color I wanted. The darker trim was only with certain colors and since I sit inside and would have to look at that stuff I changed the color. Toyota does not give many options on colors and trim for their top of the line vehicle, the Camry gets more because they sell more, go figure. And yes they should listen to their customers as in put the side trim back and stop making customers pay extra to have it put on.
  • lntlnt Member Posts: 192
    I have tried to like the looks of the Lucerne, but I just don't. I think the Lacrosse is pretty, but too small on the inside. I am going to see if I can get an 08 seat put it. Probably can't. If not, my husband will just have to be the passenger.
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    They do monitor these forums and listen to what current owners say. The current Avalon was developed with input from the second generation Avalon. They do care.
    :)
    Mackabee
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    I personally like the car without the body side moldings. It seems to be the current styling for most makes. Look at the new 08 Highlander, no side moldings. There's an accessory brochure with a pic of the vehicle and side moldings and it looks horrible. Just my opinion.
    :)
    Mackabee
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,946
    I agree the cars (IMO) just look better without them. Also, on my '06 Av the little ding I did get from another car was in a spot that the moulding wouldn't have helped anyway. I try to park as far away as possible why can't people just be careful with their doors????

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,946
    "I am going to see if I can get an 08 seat put it"

    You wouldn't need the whole seat, just the tracks/motor assembly and the new switches on the side of the seat. The mounting points underneath would have to be the same. A whole new seat with the side air bag and all must be outrageously expensive. The tracks and motor alone with probably be close to $1000.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • pcc49pcc49 Member Posts: 25
    I have a '06 limited with 43K miles! Just love the car except for the build-in Navigator! It is dreadful to operate the toggle rocker switch control! I hope the 2008 model use a better unit! Does anyone know?
  • jlsextonjlsexton Member Posts: 302
    Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That huge door, in my opinion needs to have a different focus point so I installed a side moulding slightly off the car color so IT became the focus point. Personally I think they did it to lower costs, nothing else, as in CHEAPPPPPPP. I could not get a good rear view out of the Lucerne or Chrysler 300...
  • smith1smith1 Member Posts: 283
    best seat's going in the Avalon price range (actually about $3,000 less) is the Buick Lacerne..

    Yeah, Lucerne's seats are decent, but the driving position for many people is not...and there is no telescoping steering wheel to help. What's up with that in a "luxury" car?? As for being $3000 less, that applies only to the pushrod V6 engined models which are completely uncompetitive with Avalon in performance. To get Avalon-like performance in Lucerne you have to get one of the V8 trims, which are not cheaper than Avalon, have inferior fuel economy and require premium fuel.
  • 91199119119911 Member Posts: 54
    If thrat were true there would be no transmission hesitation problens in Avalon's 3 yrs running.

    cheers,

    Cj
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    You know, what I don't really understand is; I've sold plenty of the current generation Avalon. Yet, I haven't had a single customer complain about any transmission hesitation.
    :)
    Mackabee
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    Yes, and the Alaska Glaciers are not retreating....

    I don't know about anyone else but I can't imagine going to a salesperson, ANY salesperson, and expecting them to be knowledgeable in this area. Not exactly a "port" of first resort...
  • jlsextonjlsexton Member Posts: 302
    You're a salesman, I have NEVER had ANY salesman tell me anything but GOOD things about his product. I bought a Chevelle Super Sport in my younger days, I noticed the right front fender was out of alignment when it arrived and was told by the salesman it had to be like that for the door to clear at which point I promptly took him to the drivers side and told him to fix that fender as it was aligned with the door and was wrong, he fixed the right fender. My service department told me that almost EVERY customer complained about the useless remote start, yet the sales dept never told me it stunk, all they wanted to do was sell the car. Thats why car salesman top politicians as the worst and thats pretty bad, you may be the exception, I will give you the benefit but I've bought a lot of cars.
  • alan_salan_s Member Posts: 362
    You need to spend more time talking to your customers.
  • ctlctl Member Posts: 129
    So why are people hanging around a forum of the car they don't own, and try to trash whoever that likes the particular car/brand? I have notice that Toyota especially is under the attack these days. Same as why people in the world hates U.S. I guess, the inferior complex. Dislike the car all you want, just go to whatever car you like better. Most of all, attack someone just because they sell Toyota really shows their class.
  • alan_salan_s Member Posts: 362
    I had one of those Avalons with a defective transmission. Check the board.

    No, I don't own Toyotas or Lexus any more but I do find it interesting how many other people had the same problem I had, and how equally little or no help they received from their dealers or Toyota corporate.

    Toyota is "under attack" for valid reasons. Simply put, they have cheapened their cars and let quality slip to a point that the new Avalon and Camry are one of the most problematic cars on the market today. Most manufacturers are not having the major transmission failures (Camry/ES350), DBW/tranny/induction problems (Avalon), engine problems (Tundra) etc that Toyota seems to be suffering of late.
    Any car can have a problem, but it is critically important for the dealers and manufacturers to stand behind their warranties and make a concerted effort to resolve the problem. Quite clearly, Toyota has not been doing this so if you are unlucky enough to get one of the apparently many "bad ones", then you are stuck with it.

    Why did it take over 2 years for Toyota to develop a TSB for the Avalon hesitation?

    Why are 6-speed Camry's still having flare issues even after they have been fixed?

    The stats are only just beginning to indicate a decline in customer satisfaction.

    This is NOT how Toyotas used to be.
  • bobwileybobwiley Member Posts: 241
    Sold my 06 Avlon Ltd with only 8,400 miles--tired of the "quirky tranny" problem. I know how a transmission should shift. I could over ride the problem by "manually" shifting to 1st and then once moving--slide it back into auto mode--worked everytime. If I didn't do this--it would rev to 3,000 + RPM's and then lurch forward. Loved the car except for the tranny problem. Had my next door neighbor drive the car and didn't say anything about the tranny problem. Of course it happened to him and he was amazed. He drives a 1998 Camry with near 200,000 miles--NEVER a problem. Too many people experiencing Avalon tranny problems for it to be an isolated case or two. I guess the TSB is helping--just too late for me. Toyota is having problems and people now realizing as a company they're reputation is being put to the test.
    Bob
  • ctlctl Member Posts: 129
    It is a well documented scenario that the recent Toyota DBW software would intentionally delay the engagement of tranny - to avoid excessive wear on drive shaft as reported on early Lexus RX. Technically, it is unlike, e.g., the recent MBZ 7-gear tranny issue or 1999-2004 Honda tranny where the tranny hardware actually failed. To the average consumers, that shows up as "problematic" and "quirky". All is true. Maybe Toyota should have said "the hell with the excessive wear, let them have the power and burn their own drive shaft". perhaps Toyota should upgrade their hardware enough so they don't need this DRW babysitting? Bad reps they got, but I don't know the best solution there. How did their recent TSB fix the problem? I don't want to know. I would just drive gently at low speed :)

    Hope Toyota learned the lesson, a reputation shall (hopefully) worth more than profit in some case. That most consumers are just plain dumb dudes who wants everything and pays nothing, that plenty of people are hating them for becoming big, and just waiting to bite on anything.

    I don't work for toyota, don't hate GM or in love with MBZ. At the end, hopefully companies that builds good honest car should succeed, as other things in life.
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Well, I'm not your typical salesman. I am quite knowledgeabe about the products I sell. I hang around these forums to educate and not to solicit business as others that have come and gone done.
    :)
    Mackabee
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    I bought a lot of cars too and read my owner's manuals from cover to cover. Again, the remote start is easy to use if you know how to use it. I have never lied to a customer to sell a car. I don't put the competition down, I tell the customer why my product is better. I'm sorry you have not run into a real salesperson when you bought your cars.
    :)
    Mackabee
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    I spend plenty of time talking with my customers. I call them three days after the sale, a week after the sale, three months after, six months after, years after, call them on their birthdays, etc. I have a loyal following because I'm a straight shooter. How many cars have you bought from one particular salesperson?
    :)
    Mackabee
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    I am not denying that some customers complained about the "hesitation" transmission. Just not the ones that I sold. I had a customer with the problematic transmission on the 07 Camry V6, went to arbitration. Toyota bought the car back and we got her the identical car. She had another Camry provided by our dealership to drive while hers came in.
    Yes, I'm passionate about the cars I sell because I also own them. Nine Toyotas have been in my household since 1981. Five are still with us. Do I think Toyota can't do no wrong? No. I have been one of their loudest critics. All you have to do is search my posts. When this generation Avalon came out I was the first to point out the inferior materials in comparison to the previous generation. The 4 way passenger seat, the single stiched leather, the plastic wood, etc. Same thing with the Camry 07. Cheap plastic, no full size spare, tiny power lock switches, you name it I said it. Ditto the 08 Highlander. Should I go on? So before you start the personal attacks do some research on this website to find out where I'm coming from. The hosts will vouch for me. Some of them even personally.
    :)
    Mackabee
  • alan_salan_s Member Posts: 362
    Mackabee, it was not my intention to personally attack you and if it was taken as such, then I apologize. It was a facetious, rather dry-humored retort considering that the hesitation issue seems to be very well known.

    I think it was a Benny Hill episode where a character exclaimed "I've never been insulted like this in all my life!" to which Benny instantly replied "You need to get around more!"
  • finfin Member Posts: 594
    One of the problems here is that Toyota has been so good for so long that any problem, however small, takes on major dimensions. We are all happy with Toyota's success and love the cars. And we are all very sad when Toyota makes a transmission that has problems, puts in cheaper interiors, omits things others given away by others in lesser priced models, etc. We are all seeking near Lexus quality and in some cases paying near Lexus prices.

    Always remember that Toyota is not alone in the mistakes game. Honda, Ford, you name it... they all have had problems with various models. Check the Edmunds.com boards. And yes, they repaired them, just as Toyota is finally attempting a fix on the few cars with shifting defects. The disappointment is that so many people at Toyota said, "It's normal." Just like "Sir, that's gravity pulling your car to the right in a parking lot." Nonsense.

    Since 1995 we have had four V6 Honda's and three Avalons in the extended family. All have been near perfect. If Toyota is to keep the lead they have they must not get cheap or sloppy. Admit mistakes, change designs, fix the problems and move on selling good cars. Earn our business, essentially. The competition is out there.....

    Enjoy your Avalons, all. My '07 Limited is at 10.5k, has had nothing but oil changes, gets 31+ mpg on the road and is perfect so far.
  • lntlnt Member Posts: 192
    To Tjc78: Thanks for the info.regarding installing new seat. Yeah, probably would be expensive. The track & motor went out on my 2000 avalon and it was $1300!! Under warranty, thankfully.
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Apology accepted! :)
    Mack
  • johncdnrockiesjohncdnrockies Member Posts: 33
    I think the vast majority of us appreciate your input Mackabee. Your point about having repeat customers resonates with me. That only happened once in my case (we have bought >20 new vehicles) and that particular sales person knew his cars and was a straight shooter as well. I for one definitely appreciate your comments. btw, that transmission fix for our '06 Avalon has it running like a new rig.

    John
  • jlsextonjlsexton Member Posts: 302
    I have run into many honest people in my life, I am not knocking car salesman just giving my experience, dealing with people is not a job I would want or take I prefer machines as in computer systems. I really do not believe the salesman lied, I believe he did not KNOW HIS product, he was a nice guy but a rely bad salesman, my daughter met him and dumped him immediately, I of the old school felt an obligation to him because of time spent with me. I ended up dealing with the sales manager because he simply forgot the basic rule of The Customer Comes First & also pays your salary & commission. As said before I bring up the RemStart to warn potential buyers away from what I deem to be an expensive useless accessory. As far as knowing how to operate it well, I could analyze, test and fix $15,000,000 systems BUT to operate this remote one first better have strong nails, tiny hands and perseverance. The buttons are SO small I need to use my thumbnail to push them, it took the service dept 3 tries to get it to perform as expected and directed and then only operates at about 30 feet, so one starts it and by the time it starts you are standing next to it, touch the door and it IMMEDIATELY SHUTS OFF THE ENGINE,so whats the point. My Camry operated at 300 feet and the car was toasty warm or nice and cool when you opened the door and drove off and yes I expected the Avalon as their top model to perform similarly, which it does not, did you tell ALL your customers of the inane actions of this accessory and if so how many purchased it.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    To all:

    The confrontational tone some of you are taking is not necessary. Mackabee has been a great help in these Forums for something in the neighborhood of 8 or 9 years. There is no reason to assume he's being less than straightforward about anything.

    And before someone points out that the date he joined is April 13, 2001 which is not 8 or 9 years ago, please notice that's the date I "joined" as well. That is the date that the Forums moved from a different platform to this one. Everyone who has that date moved with us and has been around a very long time.
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    I can understand your frustration with the remote start. You push three times and hold. The reason the car shuts off when you open the door is for safety and security of the owner. Imagine this scenario if this were not the case: You start the car after exiting your favorite restaurant or theater. As you approach the car the door can now be opened and without warning a car jacker jumps in the car and drives away.
    Mackabee
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    Did not get a chance to drive our first 08 Limited. It was sold before it was PDI'd. It was the Cassis red pearl with the ivory interior. The dark plastic wood looks like a walnut veneer. It looks better than the blond wood but I prefer the dark wood from the previous years to this one. The front bumper has cues from the Lexus ES 350. The round fog lights and the laser cruise window look out of place on such a nice car. The door handles are now all chrome along with the front grille. I guess Toyota figures we Americans are suckers for chrome.. ;)
    Mackabee
  • yotaowneryotaowner Member Posts: 14
    Where there's smoke, there's usually fire. Having worked in the quality field for a number of years, there's usually complexity around cause(s)/effect(s)..it's rarely straightforward. In the case of Yota tanny problems, it's probably some combination of design, supply and/or build quality that contributes to the problem. Whatever the problem is/was, it prompted management to take action and eat their phrase "after evaluation of the probnlem it has been determined that the car performs normally".
  • jlsextonjlsexton Member Posts: 302
    I got the same exact scenario from Toyotas tech dept, without being confrontational (as warned) is this something Toyota distributes to its dealers. This was their response when I asked them to re-program the prom chip. I'm not a huge guy but as stated I must use my thumbnail to press the buttons, this alone is stupid. The Camry had ONE button to start and ONE button to lock or unlock and all people size. As far as carjackers, do you really believe the vehicle shutting down is going to stop a determined thief when all he has to do is grab the unit out of your hand or off your still body and to be honest I always used and understood the Castle Law as applied in many states, the carjacker would have as much to worry about as I would, perhaps more, depending on his status. Did Toyota suddenly discover carjacking in 2005, as stated my Camry kept running after being RS at 300 feet, it merely locked all the doors. Since I cannot be confrontational I will not tell you my reply to that response when the tech dept used it. This is so simple the service guy took several tries. Enough of this, you must be a good salesman, first they kept you and second you have repeat customers as you said. My Avalon has had no problems except for the fuel door sticking and that was caused by that tether they used, not flexible enough and it got twisted.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    Get REAL...

    The fortitude it takes to accost someone physically is one helluva lot different that just walking up, opening the door, and getting in and driving off.
  • angeange Member Posts: 158
    Your comments about the laser lens being out of place agree with my perception. I referred to laser on the right side as"the one eyed monster". I thought Toyota could have placed a similiar moulded housing to balance off the front appearence as soon as it was possible. One reason people buy cars is "they look nice".

    I complained about the loose parking light housings. I never washed or polished a car before that wobbled when you dried it or polished it.

    I had the TSB done on my 2005 and it is worse now than before they worked on it. My dealer has tried to make it right and will try again for the 3rd time.

    I spoke to Toyota corporate re the two years of waiting before admitting there is a transmission issue. I was told Toyota was collecting data all this time and recently came up with a fix. I told them their explaination was a real weak one and it dosen't take a transimmision design engineer to hear of complaints months after months before recognizing and admitting something needs to done.

    My toyota service manager was surprised to see the 2005 TSB and said " what am I going to tell all my customers that I had told "all are that way."
    ange3
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    " what am I going to tell all my customers that I had told "all are that way."

    Unfortunately there's lots of service managers and writers that say that. These are dinosaurs of our industry and it's a slow process but I hope they will eventually leave or retire.
    Mack
  • pulonepulone Member Posts: 11
    THE clamp on my 06 Avalon came loose about once a week, and the steering wheel went down/inwards while driving, usually on the fwy! It is finally being replaced by Toyota, as I write this. Very dangerous, which as a lawyer, I let them know about potential liability. Too bad, it is probably happening to more people, but with negative results.

    bob
  • azhuyckazhuyck Member Posts: 25
    I have the same problem after having the TSB for tranny fix on 05 avalon. The post 7359 and 7360 will no longer work. As to why I want it off, it is my wife who is sooo slow in puting her seat belt on. The noise drives me nuts. May be need to replace wife. The question is has any one found another procdure for turning CHIME OFF.
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    They probably trust you as much as they trust the sales staff.
    ;)
    Mack
  • retired7retired7 Member Posts: 133
    I had the same problem. Be sure the ODO is set to the Odometer total mileage setting before starting the process. Then, I pressed start button two times and immediately pressed and held the reset button and counted to ten seconds then while still holding the reset button, I buckled the seat belt. That did it.

    NWBLIZZARD
  • ejmannejmann Member Posts: 12
    I have a 2005 Avalon, the second one
    delivered by our local dealership. Ordered the remote start and regret wasting the money. Dealer didn't know how it worked when the car arrived. Both salesman and I thought it would work at a greater distance than the 50-60 ft it covers. Never did meet my need as it won't start the car in the outside lot like the aftermarket brand does on my wife's Highlander. Plus, it shuts the car off when you unlock the doors. Absolutely DUMB engineering versus competition. Tried to get dealer to rebate cost of useless feature. Lots of apologies but no refunds. Also, local aftermarket dealer for remotes won't install Viper system due to wiring complications with factory system being installed. Love the car but have decided that Toyota probably won't be the source for my next few vehicle purchases. Factory rep has yet to respond thru the dealer on how I can get a remote installed that will work like the ones on our other vehicles. Service manager knows what I am going to talk about as I enter dealership for each service visit. Says that Toyota messed up on this feature, but "it works like it's designed to work". I disagree and should have refused delivery of the car since I can't get a better remote start installed.
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,946
    "Toyota probably won't be the source for my next few vehicle purchases"

    OK, let me get this straight. You are comdemning Toyota because of a frivolous (useless IMO) option that is working as designed. Remote start does nothing but waste gas, and cause unneccesary wear on the drivetrain. Idling a car for extended periods of time isn't good. Anyway, I think you are being a bit harsh on Toyota. If you are having multiple problems other than the remote start I could understand, but I just don't get it otherwise.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • jlsextonjlsexton Member Posts: 302
    As previously stated Toyota CAN reprogram the prom chips but refuses to do so, as in liability. I am a careful shopper, I hate getting burnt and we were. I understand your frustration, I am bewildered by the comments some people make, as if getting burnt for $400 is nothing. Further neither I nor you needs to be lectured as the response did. I will waste gas all I wish if I want to, I am not a GREEN and until the powers to be decide to get us all off these fossil fuels I will use them. Also it is our vehicle to treat is as we wish also. If it burns out I will buy another, perhaps a Lexus or Benz. I don't pay for these cars out of pocket, my investments and business's do.
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,946
    Your right you can waste gas if you want... I can too by being heavy on the pedal which I tend to be. I am no enviornmentalist either. I just pointed out a (IMO) wasteful item. How long does the car take to warm up or cool down? We even have heated seats to warm you up before the more than adequate heater starts blowing air. $400 is 1% of the total purchase price of an Avalon. Yes, it is certainly insignificant in my book. If you didn't test it before you bought oh well, your fault. When I bought my Avalon I could have gotten the remote start (at no additional charge) but I opted for the model that had the graphite interior instead of beige which didn't have it. The dealer gave me the choice becuase of past relations.

    "I am bewildered by the comments some people make"

    You could have replied directly to me. I have no problem taking heat for the comments I make.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • gwsgws Member Posts: 67
    "I will waste gas all I wish if I want to..."

    Perhaps an Avalon isn't helpful in this regard; a large-displacement SUV would be better.
  • angeange Member Posts: 158
    Avalon gas cap sticking stuck has happened to me and it was my fault. If you put the cap back on with the plastic string-rope thing on the top it can get stuck in the door. Placing the plastic thing below the cap allows it to lay inside and and not jam the door.

    There are a number of items toyota did not do as well as thay could of. The gas milage devive used on the Limited really needs more options. You have to wait to refill to start over to see miles per gallon. They could have exposed it so it shows up if you so choose.

    My big beef is using French as alternate language on the navigation device. Why in the world would we in the USA want French? Why even offer another language? The navigation controls need improvements too.

    Even with the TSB fix for the front parking lights, they are loose when you dry the car after washing. Checked out the parking lights on a new 2007 and they got it right this time--perfect.
    ange3
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