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Comments
I must say, given my time in the Avalon today, Im very surprised by some of the comments on this board. I feel this design in almost every way surpasses past Avalons, and I felt the materials to be excellent. I definitely agree with the criticism behind the shirnking trunk and the lack of side moldings, but other than that... this is a very well made vehilce. Even the more basic XL with its cloth impressed me. Though I am not a fan of the coloring of the wood on the XLS and Limited, it is very well integrated into the overall design of the interior, and I very much like the clean look of the access-panel covered radio/climate controls.
The rear seat continues to be positively ginormous, and the reclining feature on the Limited was really sweet. None of the models had the batteries on, but Id imagine the Optitron instrumentation is beautiful, and I'd rather have that than sunvisor extensions, personally.
FWIW and IMHO (I was trying to use as many acros as possible), some of the critique here is really nit-picky; someone made a comment that the car looks as though it wont be as quiet as the previous generation? Um, what?
Finally, someone made a comment about Sienna supply exceeding demand based on the number on the lot- thats a very innacurate way to judge demand. You might use available incentives as a good measure- and in all regions of the country- the Sienna has none. Interestingly as well, I just received an email auto news update, and one of the vehicles with largest oversupply is the Nissan 350Z, and they only have a few at my local dealership... long story short (too late)... it depends on days of supply, which has very little to do with the number of vehicles on dealer lots.
(EX- a dealer with 100 Camrys on hand and 30 Celicas on hand would have a HUGE DoS of Celicas, but an average one of Camrys, depending on the population.)
My .02, cant wait to drive one, but SERIOUSLY, Toyota needs to offer NAV and VSC on the TOURING!!
~alpha
I understand the cost cutting features. But if you want ever gizmo, but cheap plastic look towards GM and the cars I used to drive. I tell my wife the Japanese manufacturers (toyota and honda) build better quality cars, but they remove "little" features that are standard on GM much cheaper cars. Example, Honda Ody no auto on and off headlights without the expensive touring vehicles. My Sienna, at $37000 no battery auto shut off. My wifes Honda CRV, lesser models without an armrest on the inside of the passenger seat (don't they have left arms in Japan? . ).
It is going to be hard to go from the BMW to the Avalon. But I cannot wait. Black with a spoiler and remote start.
I am hoping that when I actually see one, a 6 footer can fit in a 2005 Avalon without hitting their head on the roof.
I've been a dyed in wool GM buyer for years although I did slip in a Honda and Benz along the way. What I can't figure out is why they (GM) can't improve their reliability ratings and on par with or above the Japanese cars? Plus they need some models that have more sex appeal. Some may like the retro look as in the SSR, but it looks to be a very limited market (and don't see much appeal). And the Olds had more appeal than the Buick IMHO. Most important they need to develop an image of QUALITY above everything else.
But I'm off topic as this is a Toyota board.
GM is way behind the times. Their problem is they are only focused in short term gain as opposed to the Japanese manufacturers which look at the long term picture. Don't get me wrong, I'm a dyed in the wool American and would prefer to buy American but the quality and reliability is not there.
: )
Mackabee
Go to toyota.com today for the new Avalons. The tech is so great on the web site that you can open doors, open the trunk and hood. In fact you can turn the car upside down. what a great way to help a possible customer. I have really enjoyed reading this discussion group. Thanks to everyone. I will be ordering my sixth Avalon next month.
MikeS.
The Toyota website, is now fully up to date. Which means you can now officially price and build a new 2005 Avalon.
The site DID allow me to choose an Avalon Limited, and gave me the option of Graphite Leather.
HOWEVER, I don't know if I trust the website at this point.
The reason is, the website does NOT offer the metallic red color for the Limited.
Now I absolutely know that the metallic red is available, because there is a metallic red 2005 Toyota Avalon Limited with pictures, listed on Ebay.
So, does anyone have any idea?
Thanks!
When choosing the interior color, are both wood colors available for each interior color?
Or is the blonde wood only available with the tan interior, and the dard wood only available with the grey/graphic leather?
(There is no option on the Toyota website, when building one)
Can you please comment, since you are in a good position, as to the difference in ride quality, handling, stability, in the Touring versus the other models when you have the opportunity. Also, could you please compare the difference in the HID versus Halogen lights both on low and high beams.
Thank for your real world comments, both good and bad. Some of us appreciate both, and try to distance ourselves for the emotional upheavel of the the new model year.
abfisch
thanks
I once upon a time did a special order, on a 02 Avalon. I swore to myself, I would never do that again. Not sure if I could keep that promise, but I can recommend to you, that if you at all can, either wait, shop around further, and buy one that you can drive and see that is on the lot. It wasn't worth the wait and the tumult again. If they don't have it, you either don't need it or go somewhere else.
abfisch
The $33630 includes everything but tax and license (so includes the delivery charge). MSRP for the vehicle was $35529. The only options I wanted (and ordered) were VSC, Laser Cruise Control, and floor mats. No port or dealer installed add ons. Car is scheduled to be built on Feb 28.
I have been thinking about this since Saturday
Keeps coming up the same ananswer........Wifend I went to drive it and Buy it, thats when the problem started.
Sitting in it showed us it was a nice, but not paparticullayxexeraltingice car, but at least it looked better to us at least in our choice of color cocombationsPearl white/ Tan interior
Drove the car by ourselves were back in 5 minutes
Both drove it and agreed our impressions of it were Same reactions: It was a nice car
It was wonderfully quick, ran like a rocket. I still love that. I really do
The 12 speaker radio was one of the best that we have ever heard ,super sound .
Handled very well for a family car
Now comes the not so perfect part:
It was not any ququiterhan our present Avalon at idle or on the road. It sounded wonderful at full ththrotleut We were not impressed other wise
There was as has brought up in this room a Hitch in the ththrotlehen you asked it to go fast, not
terrible but not right either.
The trans was not as smooth as expected and tended to hunt a ltlttleit for which Gear to use. I will grant that the car had only 50 miles on it and I would hope that would at least improve as the trans did it's Learning thing.
It just did not feel like a momodletep up in Value ??????????
The interior did not have a "Boy Oh Boy this is really nice impression", but it was not teterribeleither.
To make the story shorter.We had come to perchase.
Did not even talk seriously about the price With
the salesman.
We are now thinking about an 2004 avalon with low miles or more likely a used Lexis RX330
I was really Suprised.
Just our homble impressons. Thanks for your time and interest.
: )
Mackabee
: )
Mackabee
They sock it to ya, for all the electronic gizmos.
abfisch
I hope that you are very rich, or someone else is footing the bill, if this is your sixth Avalon. For a car which has excellent reliability and fair resale value, six private sales for those who pay cash, is cost prohibitive.
abfisch
The poster "lup" wrote message # 1399, which dealt (in part) with my talking about there being no key access to the trunk. He then mentioned the website and buying multiple Avalons over the years.
I'm probably one of the youngest on this board (31) and not rich... otherwise I'd be eyeing up an LS430 instead of a Limited Avalon. Hopefully the Toyota can make me feel like a million bucks, or at least $55,675 (MSRP).
THANKS.
abfisch
i.e. 95-99 = MCX10
00-04 = MCX20
05 = ?
As for actually buying, when I got my Highlander 3 years ago, the "prices paid" board was VERY useful. Could those of you who are taking the plunge please take a moment to visit the supplemental board up to the left.
I think this will lead there as well:
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ef17774
In Milwaukee, we're known to be a little frugal, so I will most certainly be doing a little checking around before dropping $30k+. And the more research available, the better.
Thanks everyone, for making this board a valuable resource.
Great thigh support front and rear seats. The seat extender is way nicer than the 745s. It unfolds rather than sliding a separate section out. No crumbs in the groove nor catching your thigh when you adjust it. Unfortunately just for the driver. Plenty of leg room, esp in the rear.
Rear seats amazing comfort and leg room, equal to BMW, but not heated.
Power sunshade operates without grinding, none on this BMW.
Quiet up front, equal to the 745. Undercarriage a little bit more noise, but still super quiet.
Stereo to Limited Avalon wow.
Finish, well the Avalon is 89% the quality of the 745, but there is a difference. However, they are not intended as competition.
Smooth shifts, little hesitation on hard acceleration. No guessing on gears.
Lots of great storage in center console.
Overall, very very happy. It is 89% of the 745i 2002 they loaned me, PLUS SMART key - love it already.
BLows away my 2001 Aurora, the Lacrosse I looked at. I do not like 300Ms so it is no contest,and I have rented them several times. I prefer more window space.
Acura TL is an entirely different feel. This feels big, it does not. Way quieter than the TL. You will not scratch the fake wood in the Avalon trying to connect your seat belt, as is a frequent complaint on the TL.
The door comparments DO pop out. Glove box is good sized. Trunk is nice, not huge, but nice enough for 95% of daily activites.
Very Happy I bought it. A previous GM lover. I get the lip spoiler next week, and they are including the winter mats.
~alpha
First I too hope you a speedy and full recovery. You are a great help to this board. To everyone, this board has been absolutely priceless in preparing me to purchase this car. I have learned way more than otherwise possible and was reasonable knowledgeable when shopping and negotiating a deal. Thanks to all.
Secondly I agree...I am not sure what this car can do to impress everyone or what people really expect from this car. It is a major improvement over the 2004- which I did not even consider due to the exterior style, and interior recessed dash. At 43 yrs old, I was just not ready to go that route.
But IMHO no single vehicle can be all things for the price the Limited goes for. For everything you get in the way of techhnology and electronics one would have to go up to the RL or one of the other imports and spend appr. 10k more comparing apples to apples.
I would like your opinion (and any others with experience) on this. How important do you feel it is to get dark (graphite) interior in order to not show staining, especially since I am leasing and may be responsible.
I made a deal in theory for a Titanium with light gray interior, but am considering going with the Phantom in order to get the graphite interior. In my area - Northern CA - most interiors are light.Any thoughts out there are appreciated.
What was my impression? I liked it! My only nit pik was I wish the steering wheel telescoped a little more, despite that, I was able to find a good seating position.
I intend to take a more indepth test drive in the near future, but here are a few thoughts.
I noticed that I started to like the car more, after driving it for just 10 minutes or so. I am a firm believer in taking a LONG test drive. The reason is simple. You are not use to this car. Driving a new car is like trying on a pair of new shoes, which pair feels better? The new ones, or your old ones? Well, we all know our old shoes feel better, but we know the new shoes are a better shoe. The same can apply to new cars.
I remember a few years ago test driving a fully loaded Cadillac STS, and came away thinking, OK, nice car. Then I took another test drive a few months later, a longer test drive. I really relaxed and just drove the car instinctively. I came away wowwed!
Even though my test drive tonight was fairly short, I could feel the car starting to win me over. The laser cruise control is so sweet, just love it, and could see using it all the time.
So my closing point, and advice to all, is take the car for a nice, long test drive. Not a around the block type thing. Relax, enjoy the car, then make your decision.
Thanks!
MikeS.
I've had problems before hitting, actually rubbing, my head on the head liner with other Toyota's that have a moonroof. Not on this puppy! I had plenty of room in both the front and back, including head and leg room.
Before tonight I had pretty much sold myself on an XLS but after using the DLC and the NAV system and after talking with the wife we've pretty much decided on a LTD. Whats another 3K anyways?
As soon as I get off of here I'm gonna go check FitzMall and see what they have in a LTD, then I'll recheck Koon's. Both of these dealers are in the DC area and I bought my '03 Sienna at Koon's 2 years ago this month.
Younger Toyota in Hagerstown told me tonight that they'd come down a little from MSRP but the GSM told me the line about being an all new hot car with limited availability that it wouldn't be too much off. I've got enough Scots in me to be a hard barginer.
MikeS.