Why is this vehicle not being marketed as a 2006? I remember the RX330 was introduced in March 2003 and was sold as a 2004 model. Would really help on depreciation in the short run.
How? I dont think it really matters. In one case, you'd have an older model year with fewer miles, in the other, a newer model year with greater miles.
Not sure I follow. My point is you don't have to worry about the production of a new model year in September 2005 (i.e., 2006 model) if they go ahead and market as a 2006 now.
This is smart for Toyota. If the 2005 has anything that needs upgrading or changing, for example the possible problem with hesitation noted with the Lexus transmission, then it can be done--and the 2006 models will be out with problems corrected. A number of buyers choose not to purchase the first year of a redesign. So make it a short year! As I said, smart for Toyota.
The Avalon limited is better than the ES in term of content. It is a new platform, a large engine and a lot more refinement than the current Avalon. However, it might not be cheaper in price than the ES330.
ES and Camry will have the same platform and engine by early 2006. and soon followed are the RX, highlander, Sienna, etc.
The 2005 Avalon's platform is the 2002 Camry's platform. Nothing surrounding that is going to change when the Camry/ES get their major overhaul for 2006.
The current Avalon rides the 1992-2001 Camry platform.
I believe there is a law that states a new vehicle cannot be classified as next year's model unless it goes on sale March 1 or later. In other words, a car on sale March 1, 2005 can be called a 2006, but a car on sale as late as February 28 (or 29 in a leap year), 2005 must be called a 2005. Obviously Toyota does not want to wait and release the new Avalon a few months later.
Actually, I do not think there is an official law.
Coolguy, you make a great point about the Corolla- though that model actually hit full force in showrooms only by late February of 2002. The first allocations occured in early February, as indicated in the original press release:
I have a copy of model changes from the dealer ( I had to link them to this thread so they could have the pictures ). One thing I didn't see on TundraSolutions.com was interior/exterior colors for 05'. I am very pleased to see the Touring model will have Black leather, it will also have a "rear lip spoiler". I also see graphite finished alloy wheels described, I'm not sure what that would look like. Another pleasant surprise is a telescoping steering wheel.
Grade codes:
3534 - XL
3538 - Touring
3544 - XLS
3552 - Limited
Discontinued colors for 05':
051 Diamond white pearl
1C8 Lunar mist met.
6M3 Silver spruce met.
6S7 Aspen green pearl
8Q0 Stratosphere mica
New colors for 05':
070 Blizzard pearl
1D4 Titanium met.
6U0 Pistachio met.
8P4 Indigo ink pearl
8R5 Blue mirage met.
Wood grain interior trim for grades 3544 and 3552
Ivory trim - w/ light wood grain
Light gray trim - w/ light wood grain
Graphite trim - w/ darker wood grain
Also noted is an "anti-theft alarm w/ (Immobi+alarm) (3534, 3538), code PN.
I seriously doubt Toyota releases a car with that kind of thinking - "oh, its just a pilot, we'll fix it next year." Rarely are there many material tweaks to Toyota vehicles in the following year mainly because of their initial quality and second, there is simply not enough time to accumulate any meaningful data, especially since this vehicle will be released in February-March. If Toyota was concerned that the ES 330 throttle was an issue of any substance (apparently a 2-3 year old issue), they wouldn't release the Avalon until it was resolved. Changing paint colors, tail lights, etc. do not classify as a material tweaks. JMO.
I stopped by my dealership today and talked to the inventory manager. He told me that it was indicated to him during the teleconference calls with Toyota that the prices for XL and XLS will be about the same as the '04 model, plus or minus a few hundred dollars.
So, that would mean:
05 XL: around $27K MSRP
05 XLS: around $30.5K MSRP
I consider that to be very good news.
He also said that the fully loaded Limited would be around $37K MSRP.
Do you know the other colors that are being offered for 05? It probably keeps somebody employed thinking up the names for paint colors, but I have to smile anyway. So instead of saying "we're discontinuing 'Silver', and adding Different Silver", they say, "we're dropping 'Lunar mist metallic' and adding 'Titanium metallic'". I'm wondering/hoping if they're adding any totally new colors, like a light blue-silvery metallic, or a light brown-grey metallic not as similar to everybody else's "gold" as is 'Desert Sand Mica'.
It somewhat depends on the content level of these trim lines, though. I hope Toyota kicks in a few extra standard items at the same price point, as they did with the Solara redesign.
Good point, alpha. The inventory manager did say that although the XL and XLS prices will be the same as '04 model, there will be more standard features on the '05.
Regarding the other colors, one can only assume that the remaining colors from 04' (Phantom Grey, Cassis, Black and Desert Sand) will carry over. I agree that it's silly to drop a silver and pick up a silver, come one guys, silver is pretty much the same......
Blue Mirage is the same blue as used on the Sienna, Indigo Ink is also on other Toyota models as well as Lexus. Titanium is used on the RAV4 and 4Runner. Blizzard Pearl is also used on another model.
Previous posts said that Premium gas would be recommended, but the computer engine controls would adjust for regular. You might not achieve the same horsepower or mileage though.
My Passat turbo also recommends Premium (91 octane), but I normally put in 89 octane with no measurable difference in power or mileage.
I'm sure there will be posts on this topic after introduction with actual results on this engine.
I'm sure there is a reason why the same colors can't be available on all models company-wide, but it's not immediately apparent to me. A visit to a paint store will tell you how many versions of "white" there are (hundreds), and without seeing them side by side I can't tell the Avalon's/Sienna's Desert Sand Mica from the Highlander's Sonora Gold Pearl. I think it would simplify things, but that's just me. Best just to concentrate on the choices for the model you're interested in. It does make me wonder if I ordered an Avalon, and liked a Highlander color better, would they take a can of paint from the Highlander line and spray it on my Avalon? Probably not. :-)
Yea it's not gonna happen, for the same reason I might want a black interior in an exterior color that doesn't come with a black interior. Everything is either light tan or light grey these days, and that just won't do, it shows all the dirt.
What I'd like is a nice taupe metallic with black leather, not gold, not tan, taupe. Very elegant I think. Too bad we won't see it.
I can certainly vouch for the value of a remote start in a New Jersey winter. To start the car from my office window, and to get into a warm, de-iced car, was just wonderful. I never thought about summer use - silly me.
Interesting comment. In my cars, when I use a lower octane I can't tell much of difference in feel, but in all three mpg drops and so does performance (measured with a stop watch). One is a turbo, one says to use premium and the other, my Avalon, just says unleaded (but the owner's manual says the car will perform better using premium - it does). In all three of my cars the lower mpg isn't much, about 8% between regular and premium. The difference between midgrade and premium is about half that. At today's gasoline prices (SoCal) it actually costs me more to use the lower cost regular. A year ago this was not true.
With a stop watch I can measure a drop in performance between premium and regular. Again, not a big difference at just 3 to 4 tenths of a second for 0-60. Not enough to feel while driving. The only difference I 'feel' is the cars seem less responsive to non-full throttle acceleration, but that is subjective and may not be the case.
I wonder why people willing to spend so much for a car, especially one that is not an economy champ (even if an Avalon, like mine, does very well in the mpg department) would be so concerned about premium vs. regular. Even over the life of the car, taking into account the very slightly reduced performance and mpg from using regular, the cost is nearly the same, no matter which grade is used.
I've had cars designed to run on regular that showed no improvement in mpg or performance when run on premium.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. built its first 2005 Toyota Avalon on Monday, Dec. 20, in Georgetown, Ky. The final 2004 Avalon was produced on Dec. 17.
One of the local dealers says they're first Avalon is pre-sold, and they don't even have pricing yet! So somebody put down a deposit with even asking about the price or negotiating. Yikes!
Thats actually not that uncommon, especially with models that appear to be home runs. Happened with the redesigned Sienna, the upcoming RX and Highlander hybrids, the Prius, the new Odyssey, the new Mustang, the new Corvette, etc.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. built its first 2005 Toyota Avalon on Monday, Dec. 20, in Georgetown, Ky. The final 2004 Avalon was produced on Dec. 17."
Ready or not, here it comes!
I, for one, am very excited. Bye bye 2004 Avalon, hello 2005 Avalon!
I can't wait to see this "Touring" model, sounds very nice.
The interior choices are unclear on the Touring, the only one listed on the sheet I have is black leather, which may be just one of the interior options for the Touring. The BIG question I have is which exterior colors will they offer with the black leather???
You'll have to assume the Touring is in a class of it's own when they mention special finish on the wheels and black leather. I'd like to know how many options you can load on, such as the VSC & seat heater.
Judging from the photos and the Spyshots we've all seen, the "revealed" Avalon has to be the Limited model, and the "disguised" shots have to be an XL or XLS. I base this assumption on the type of wheels shown.
I wonder if the nav system and smart start/stop system will be available on the touring model (as options). I have a feeling that the nav system will be optional but the smart start/stop system will only be available on the limited.
Comments
~alpha
There are those who won't disagree with you on the looks and content of the new Avalon -vs- the Lexus.
b. newest all-solid state Electronically-Controlled Throttle System w/ intelligence (ETCS-i)
"Newest all-solid state ... throttle " -- sounds like written to reassure us, the "throttle hesitation" grievers.
ES and Camry will have the same platform and engine by early 2006. and soon followed are the RX, highlander, Sienna, etc.
The current Avalon rides the 1992-2001 Camry platform.
~alpha
Coolguy, you make a great point about the Corolla- though that model actually hit full force in showrooms only by late February of 2002. The first allocations occured in early February, as indicated in the original press release:
http://pressroom.toyota.com/photo_library/display_release.html?id- =20020107b
If you're refering to a law, then Im not sure how Toyota introduced a 2003 Corolla in February of 2002, as the Press Release states.
~alpha
Hey guys, first post here.
I have a copy of model changes from the dealer ( I had to link them to this thread so they could have the pictures ). One thing I didn't see on TundraSolutions.com was interior/exterior colors for 05'. I am very pleased to see the Touring model will have Black leather, it will also have a "rear lip spoiler". I also see graphite finished alloy wheels described, I'm not sure what that would look like. Another pleasant surprise is a telescoping steering wheel.
Grade codes:
3534 - XL
3538 - Touring
3544 - XLS
3552 - Limited
Discontinued colors for 05':
051 Diamond white pearl
1C8 Lunar mist met.
6M3 Silver spruce met.
6S7 Aspen green pearl
8Q0 Stratosphere mica
New colors for 05':
070 Blizzard pearl
1D4 Titanium met.
6U0 Pistachio met.
8P4 Indigo ink pearl
8R5 Blue mirage met.
Wood grain interior trim for grades 3544 and 3552
Ivory trim - w/ light wood grain
Light gray trim - w/ light wood grain
Graphite trim - w/ darker wood grain
Also noted is an "anti-theft alarm w/ (Immobi+alarm) (3534, 3538), code PN.
Bluesman3
So, that would mean:
05 XL: around $27K MSRP
05 XLS: around $30.5K MSRP
I consider that to be very good news.
He also said that the fully loaded Limited would be around $37K MSRP.
~alpha
And talking of colors, how about:
Crystal Candy Apple Red
(Something like Chrysler)
That would certainly take the Avalon out of the 'old folks car' image.
Blue Mirage is the same blue as used on the Sienna, Indigo Ink is also on other Toyota models as well as Lexus. Titanium is used on the RAV4 and 4Runner. Blizzard Pearl is also used on another model.
My Passat turbo also recommends Premium (91 octane), but I normally put in 89 octane with no measurable difference in power or mileage.
I'm sure there will be posts on this topic after introduction with actual results on this engine.
What I'd like is a nice taupe metallic with black leather, not gold, not tan, taupe. Very elegant I think. Too bad we won't see it.
With a stop watch I can measure a drop in performance between premium and regular. Again, not a big difference at just 3 to 4 tenths of a second for 0-60. Not enough to feel while driving. The only difference I 'feel' is the cars seem less responsive to non-full throttle acceleration, but that is subjective and may not be the case.
I wonder why people willing to spend so much for a car, especially one that is not an economy champ (even if an Avalon, like mine, does very well in the mpg department) would be so concerned about premium vs. regular. Even over the life of the car, taking into account the very slightly reduced performance and mpg from using regular, the cost is nearly the same, no matter which grade is used.
I've had cars designed to run on regular that showed no improvement in mpg or performance when run on premium.
Very detailed information on the car found in:
http://www.tundrasolutions.com/dealers/vehicles/2005-Avalon/index.htm.
Including the note on the telescope steering above that I copied from the post.
Additional content changes
New options:
CL - adaptive cruise control (3552)
EJ- JBL AM/FM 6 cd changer 12 spk. + cass. audio (3544)
EV - AM/FM 6 cd changer 9 spk. + cass. audio (3534, 3538)
PN - anti-theft alarm w/(immobi+alarm) (3534,3538)
VD - VSC & seat heater package (3544 w/seat heater, 3552 std.)
TV - Touring package (3538 touring model)
New:
3534 New standard equipment for XL Grade
Power drivers seat w/ power lumbar
Manual tilt/telescoping steering wheel
Side curtain airbags
Drivers knee airbag
Reclining rear seats
Dual exhaust
Keyless entry
Optitron meters
16" alloy wheels
Auto A/C
Touring Grade
3538 Features (plus XL standard equipment)
17" alloy wheels w/ graphite finish
Tires - P215/55R17 93V all season
Sport tuned suspension
Rear lip spoiler
HID headlamps
Black leather interior
Fog lights
3544 New standard equipment for XLS grade
(in addition or replaces XL std. equipment)
Power moonroof
Leather interior
Power passenger seat
6-disc changer
17" alloy wheels
Standard equipment for Limited grade
3552 (in addition or replaces XLS std. equipment)
17" alloy wheels - unique
JBL premium audio (360 watts/12 speakers)
Smart key system
HID headlights
Driver seat w/ power variable cushion length
Power rear sunshade
Seat heater and ventilation system
Wood grain interior trim for 3544 and 3552
Ivory trim - w/light wood grain
Light gray trim - w/light wood grain
Graphite trim - w/darker wood grain
Discontinued colors:
051 Diamond white
1C8 Lunar mist
6M3 Silver spruce
6S7 Aspen green
8Q0 Stratosphere mica
New colors:
070 Blizzard pearl
1D4 Titanium met.
6U0 Pistachio met.
8P4 Indigo Ink
8R5 Blue mirage met.
7. memory call function
c. memory call function sets positions for driver’s seat seat, steering position and outer mirrors
I assume that steering position refers to the steering wheel.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. built its first 2005 Toyota Avalon on Monday, Dec. 20, in Georgetown, Ky. The final 2004 Avalon was produced on Dec. 17.
~alpha
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. built its first 2005 Toyota Avalon on Monday, Dec. 20, in Georgetown, Ky. The final 2004 Avalon was produced on Dec. 17."
Ready or not, here it comes!
I, for one, am very excited. Bye bye 2004 Avalon, hello 2005 Avalon!
I can't wait to see this "Touring" model, sounds very nice.
Looking forward to Jan. 10th!
OK, new car buying 101 folks:
Unless you have more money than you can count, never ever give the dealer a blank check.......... That's asking for the shaft!
Blues
I'll wait until I see it in person but so far I like the pictures. A big improvement over the current model (especially with the new features)
I agree with bluesman3, wait until you see & drive the vehicle.
B. Sound-dampening windshield
1. Limited only
2. low-durometer membrane layer absorbs more road noise
You'll have to assume the Touring is in a class of it's own when they mention special finish on the wheels and black leather. I'd like to know how many options you can load on, such as the VSC & seat heater.
Judging from the photos and the Spyshots we've all seen, the "revealed" Avalon has to be the Limited model, and the "disguised" shots have to be an XL or XLS. I base this assumption on the type of wheels shown.
Blues