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Comments
I went to my local dealer but they didnt have any 05 with them.
Yes, you can get a touring model without a sunroof. As a matter of fact, I have actually seen one in my region already.
I would expect the touring model without the sunroof to be a rare bird though. Right now, I don't think many Avalons are even touring models, and the number without sunroofs would probably be that much smaller, but they exist.
I know exactly what you mean about height. My younger brother (who is ONLY 16) is 6 feet 4 and still growing and he can BARELY fit inside the driver's seat of my Altima. He is gonna need a car bigger than MINE! Mind you, I am only 5 feet 9, and I plenty of space, but when he drives, I like to sit on the passenger's side of the back seat
Good luck finding the car of your choice. If I didn't have my Altima, I'd be seriously looking into a XLS or Touring model Avalon.
Maxamillion1
Most of these "As Seen on TV" products are cheap knock-offs that won't live up to what they claim it to be!
First of all, dealers cannot just order any number of cars in any configurtion they like. The manufacturer assigns each dealer a number of cars each month, usually in the most common combinations. This assignments depends on many factors including the dealer's sales volume.
Let's say you go to dealer X and ask for an Avalon Limited in Black. He is not getting one in his next assignment, but he knows that dealer Y is getting a car similar to what you want. Dealer X contacts dealer Y and make an agreement with him that dealer Y would send the Black Avalon Limited to dealer X, and dealer X would send dealer Y another comparable Avalon. Dealer X and dealer Y usually split the profit as if they (together) sold you the car.
Usually you can get a better deal when the car is at the dealer's lot, rather than through a dealer's trade.
: )
Mackabee
: )
Mackabee
Due to this, I've ruled out the Camry for now. Have any new Avalon owners experienced any of this hesitation issue? Thanks.
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04343/423383.stm
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04345/424551.stm
I don't want to start a lengthy comparison of features, quality, etc, but if you're interested in a roomy sedan for both driver and passengers, you ought to look at the Ford 500/Mercury Montego.
~alpha
How much below MSRP did you pay for your Avalon Limited? What color exterior/interior and options did you get for your new Avalon? Thanks
When you initially pressed the pedal, was there a very short moment where nothing happens but then the gear engages and off you go? I categorize it hesitation. I can even make my Sienna hesitate by really gunning it.
Please tell me you didn't feel what I just described to you.
The sportier the car, the quicker the response to you pressing the gas peddle.
You step on it in a Porche, and in .1 seconds you feel the push of the car taking off.
You step on it in an Avalon, or any other more normal type car, and you will experience maybe a .5 seconds wait before you hear the engine roar.
I don't really think this is what you folks are talking about, but if it is, I think it is normal.
Not to mention it seems that this subject has been TALKED TO DEATH.
After all, if so many people are trying to figure out if there is hesitation, or there isn't, do you really think it would be an issue that would actually stop you from buying the car?
I've driven mine for 2 weeks now and have tried several times to induce hesitation. I've felt none what so ever. You hit the gas and this car GOES! Very mild acceleration, no problems, moderate accel, no problems, hard accel, again no problems.
The spacing and the amount of power ports could be a problem. There is none in the back seats and none on the dash. There are 2, both in the center console. Not very friendly for the radar detector or the kid's dvd player.
MikeS.
2nd thing is a DVD player, I've seen some systems that are made to replace the factory headrest with a custom unit that has an LCD screen and a player either integrated or attached. None for either the 04 or the 05 Avalons though.
Have any of you added something like this in other cars? How has it worked out?
Any idea if a headrest from a Camry would fit the Avalon?
Any suggestions here folks?
Thanks,
MikeS.
mikes,
The XM Radio can be installed by the dealer and hooked into the existing JBL Synthesis Audio System already on your Limited. The receiver unit is placed in the trunk behind the lining on the passenger side, so there is nothing that is visible, except for a small black antenna, which goes on the outside of the trunk. If you buy it from the dealer the cost would be $449. I did not explore getting an aftermarket installation done, but you could probably get it done by one of your local stereo installers at a lower cost.
The JBL Synthesis system is designed to accept a seamless XM Radio add-on from the factory or from your local dealer. There are no additional controls that have to be added inside the car for the XM to work. Just push the AM/SAT button on the audio controls, or the mode button on your steering wheel controls to cycle to the XM. Similar to there being an FM1 and FM2 for presets, there is SAT1, SAT2, AND SAT3, so you can store a total 18 preset favorite XM stations.
When the dealer initially did the install, before I took delivery, they placed the small black antenna on the passenger side of the trunk. They said that was the recommended placement by Toyota. I hated the non-symmetrical look and had them move it to the center rear of the trunk. Here are the before and after pictures:
Initial XM Antenna Dealer Install Location:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/dshim/2.jpg
XM Antenna Location after Relocation:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/dshim/6.jpg
I love the XM Radio and have it on almost all the time that I am in the car. The relocated antenna works just fine. So if you get it done by your dealer, or an aftermarket installer, make sure they place the antenna in the center of your trunk to provide symmetry to the look.
I don't have any experience with DVD. Hopefully, someone else can provide some info on that.
: )
Mackabee
Does the back of the console still have the 115V outlet? Also did Toyota ever bother to night light all the armrest switches? My 2001 XLS only one switch lights at all so I always fumble around. I had a low model end '97 Taurus that had everything lit, very unobtrusive, but very useful. Thanks
Are there any cautions regarding running your new Avalon with the truck-mounted "XM" antenna through an automatic car wash (if you dare)? Will the antenna survive the "trip"?
wuzfuz,
I haven't run my new Avalon through the automatic car wash yet. I use a local outfit that has the long noodles that hang down and rub the car. I don't think they will move the antenna in any way, as it is attached with a very strong magnet and double sided tape. I have tried to pick it up from the trunk and was not able to do so. I will let everyone know once I run it through for the first time.
I will discuss the negotiating process once we "get down to it" My dealer has been really good (SE Georgia) in the past, around 200 over invoice. Will be curious to see if that will hold on this new redesigned model.
Keep up the great posts. For those of you that are special ordering what kind of time frame are you getting from your dealer? Don’t want it to be late for the big day.
Absolutely. That's the reason I didn't buy the 05 Avalon. If I drive the car that is called a "high-performance sedan", I expect that when I step on gas and release it 1 second later, it would accelerate and then coast. The Avalon does the opposite -- it coasts and then accelerates. Very unintuitive, to say the least. Exactly same issue as it is with Camry V6, Sienna, as well as certain Lexus models. All seem to be related to transmission designated as U251. It is especially noticible if you drove Nissan or Honda before.
It is downright insane for Toyota to offer XL and TOURING without stability control as an option.
The stability control systems are getting better by the day. The new 2006 BMW 3-series (rear whel driven)is expected to do much better in snow with the new generation stability/traction control systems.