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2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
No problems with my 2009 -- and cannot see what they changed to the 2010. Can some enlighten me what they did for an upgrade on the 2010.
I gotta start using the manual shift --- smooth running car so far with fantastic gas mileage. just had my first oil change.
Adversely affects FE so that would probably be a violation of EPA regulations.
- http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=257913
Then there is this piece which say's "It's Coming", but the link doesn't work?
- http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2994688&posted=1#post2994688
Skip
With my honest 30 MPG on the road at 75 MPH, I don't think the BMW mileage is "significantly better", and the 335d price seems to be at least $10K higher.
There are a couple of engineering issues, but if you get the proper VVTi oil line, and learn how to drive the electronic tranny, it's a very nice car for the price.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
I liked the car enough to purchase it, but I have to say that I am disappointed! I cannot get used to the transmission. I find that the acceleration is also not as good as my former car, a 2004 Corolla. I understand the Avalon is a bigger, heavier car. What I don't understand is why the car hesitates and almost pulls back, when I remove my foot from the accelerator.
Also, I have noticed the car makes strange noises while turned on. There is a slight friction noise while turning the steering wheel. I took it back to the dealer 3 days after I drove it home. They said that the steering column was a bit dry and that it needed some lubrication, so they greased it. This does not sound right for a new, $35,000 car. The same exact sound still appears, so it obviously didn't need grease! Other noises also continue to appear in the cabin of the car--not rattles, more of a buzzing sound. These sounds are faint, but definitely can be heard without the radio or any heating/AC turned on. Overall, I am a bit disappointed and plan to take it back to the dealership to be looked at tomorrow. Is anyone else experiencing such issues with their new Avalon?
As for the noises on startup. One is usually the ABS pump doing a "self-test" completely normal. The other "buzzes" and so forth are the various actuators/blend doors etc for the HVAC. They seem to do things even when the system is off. My '06 did the same things. The car is so quiet you hear everything.
As for the steering wheel, not sure what that could be. My '06 had the steering column replaced for a mild clunk that was a pretty much known issue. Your problem sounds different. It could just be an ill fitting trim piece around the wheel rubbing.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
Thats interesting as far as your car "hesitating",
I got a 2007 XLS so it has the 5 speed tranny and not the new 6 speed.
I've only noticed a little hesitation when the car is stone cold (well not hesitation but it wont rev past 3500 until warm, which is a good thing of course....).
My 2007 XLS has always had a ton of pickup and when I've let off the gas I have never noticed any form of "pull back".
I had a 2006 Corolla S before this Avalon which I loved, the tranny on my current Avalon is awesome! in comparison.
If I was forced to complain on one thing it would be the short first gear, when you sometimes need that get up and go and the car has shifted in second, the rev range is to high to get back to 1st for any real power, yet far to low in second for anything usable.
Other than that the car always knows what to do all by itself to get me what I need whether I am doing 40mph or 80mph.
I have never had a car of this type and have heard some conflicting stories of the new 6 speed generation, I cant speak from that stand point but so far (37000 miles) my Avalon has never made one disturbing sound and has never given one problem.
I can only pray it remains to serve
Here is my baby:
Cheers
Sheldon
The Avalon is so quiet, that you can hear the slightest sounds! At least I know the car is mechanically fine and that the sounds I'm hearing are normal. Thank you very much for your help!
No, the "trans" will actually downshift, sequentually, again and again as roadspeed declines, but not to such a level as to make it a safety issue due to engine braking on teh front wheels. The intent is to enhance FE via extending the "fuel cut" coastdown period/time but without stalling the engine.
The new (07..??) ECU control firmware "watches" the rate at which you release pressure on the gas pedal and if you release gas pedal pressure significant quicker than your average the transaxle is more likely to remain in the lower gear you were just using for acceleration. Presumption being that you wish to now coast down to a lower speed.
This technique is used to (hopefully) avoid some of the inadvertent upshifts that often proceed a need to downshift. In the past the transaxle would ALWAYS upshift as you released pressure on the gas pedal on the presumption that you wished to enter cruise mode.
OK, because from what I remember of my '06 (5 speed in that year) was that on a level grade at low speeds the RPMs would drop (upon lifting up on the pedal) to me indicating an upshift. It shifts so smooth sometimes you can't tell. This is where alot of the infamous hesistation problems people complain about arose. Let off the gas, then in a few seconds put your foot back down and there was (still is?) a second delay while the tranny makes up its mind to downshift (probably doesn't have enough pump pressure at low RPM??).
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
:confuse:
But you are otherwise correct, probably correct on two counts. First, I don't think your '06 had the firmware version that tried to avoid upshifting. And second, the fuel cut downshifting for FE wasn't as predominant.
"..in a few seconds.."
No, I think in order to encounter the extended, most noticeable, downshift delay/hesitation you must get back on the gas almost immediately after the transaxle begins the upshift, or during the upshift sequence. Wait a few seconds and the ATF pump will have time to "rebuild" the pressure.
Thanks for the good advice. Today I test drove a 2010 Nissan Maxima, a fully loaded Camry, a fully loaded Venza and a fully loaded Avalon. By far the Avalon had the best ride! If we settled for anything else we would feel we had stepped down.
I am concerned that Toyota will discontinue the Avalon. We went to a very large Toyota dealership in the DFW area and they only had 4 Avalons on the lot. Right now it looks like we will be driving another Avalon - just hope they continue to carry the line.
A 2011 Avalon--fully redesigned-- is currently being tooled up for an expected debut in Feb or March 2010. The only thing I could get from my dealer is that it is more "Lexus like" and will have a better nav system.
http://www.newcar.com/15/04/2010/toyota/avalon/recalls/38997.html
Does anyone else know of any official recalls for the 2010 model year? I am a bit confused regarding the recall with the floor mat and the accelerator. My neighbor, an older woman, also purchased a new 2010 Avalon. She claims that she's received several recalls for this new car within a month. One being a hose associated with the motor oil, and another that she described as the car (possibly)accelerating rapidly on its own (not as a result of the floor mat getting stuck with the gas pedal). This is another entirely different issue. Can someone please clarify?
I've only had my car for nearly 3 weeks and have not yet received an official recall notices from Toyota.
Personally when you pay 35000 for a vehicle, I somehow don't think the majority of us go for grey import mats of lesser quality, I for one went for the Toyota mats designed for the vehicle and hence have never and will never have this problem.
There may have been other recalls before my vehicle though, so far I've had no issues *knock wood*
Cheers
Sheldon
I have never received anything in writing from Toyota about the very real VVTi oil line issue (supposedly fixed at the factory in mid 2008), or the mysterious, really unverified, vehicle acceleration seemingly caused by electronic glitches. I would not expect late model (2009-2010) owners to ever see anything from Toyota on either of these issues.
Thank you both for your replies to my post on the recall--I appreciate your help! This is why I enjoy participating in these discussions, as current owners (people that have owned the same car for a few years) know most about these cars!
I am new to this forum and have enjoyed the knowledge I have received so far. Thanks for all the good advice; I look forward to learning more.
VAT
Interior protection package I've got leather and don't think this would be of much help for what they'll likely charge for it.
Undercoating, I haven't seen this sold in New England in a few years?
Extended warranty, I'd waiting until mine was up or close to it, to decide.
So far anything I've needed was under warranty so I'm not sure about paying extra for something that is currently free.
Not much help, but it is what it is.
Skip
I personally think all of the extra packages, warranties, etc. offered by dealers are a complete waste of money! Save the money and do not get sucked into these offerings! Please keep us posted on how you like your new vehicle! Good luck!
Toyoguard basic has been on all my 3 Avalons. The wax is great and the finish on the cars has always been first class. I like it, glad I paid for it, but others may feel differently. Extra paint sealant, undercoating and leather protector are not necessary on an Avalon. Good luck, hope this helps....
Buick's design criterion seems to be closer to Japanese standards, but not quite there yet.
As an after thought, I wouldn't spend the difference to go from an Avalon to a ES350, either!
Roland
Let me explain a bit.
I had 3 Buick Park Avenues before getting my Avalon (and 4 Toyotas and still have the 03 Camry), One of the Park Avenues had 337,000 miles on it and I LOVED it, but time was starting to wear on the car, and it wasn't worth fixing anymore:(
My second Park Avenue, was a very nce car, but while driving one day, I saw a Beautiful Park Avaneu Ultra for sale, and bought it right then and there! Well it was just beautiful, smooth, quite, comfortable, but some 15,000 miles later, the Super Charger blow, and well, that's when I purchased the Avalon (because they no longer make Park Avenues).
I look at a Lucerne, but wasn't real impressed (it was a base model).
I will say, the new ones look very nice, and I'll likely take one for a drive some time.
What I'm really waiting for, like everyone else, is solid information on the next NEW Avalon.
Skip
PS But I've got my eyes open for a nice LS 460 L:)
2010 Lacrosse CXL //2010 Avalon Limited
MSRP: $29,645 //$35,285
Invoice: $28,459 //$31,401
MPG: city - highway 17- 26 //19-28
Cargo volume: 13.3cu. ft...//14.4 cu. ft.
Exterior length: 196.9" //197.2”
Exterior Width: 73.1 " //72.8 "
Exterior Height : 59.2 " //58.5 "
Front Legroom: 41.7 " //41.3 "
Rear Legroom: 40.5 " //40.9 "
Front Headroom: 38.0 " //38.9 "
Rear Headroom: 37.3 " //37.5 "
Front Hiproom: 55.2 " //55.8 "
Rear Hiproom: 53.9 " //56.2 "
Front Shoulder Room: 57.4 " //59.4 "
Passenger Volume: 102 cu.ft .//107 cu.ft.
Although the exterior dimensions of the cars are similar, that is not true for hip and shoulder room. Nonetheless, the Lacrosse has more interior room than the 00 - 04 Avalon. Still, the Lacrosse is one beautiful car that makes the Avalon look downright dated and dowdy.
I am definitely leaning toward the Lacrosse and I will probably make a decision during the President Day sales in February when better deals will be available.
So severely derated/detuned for safety in the lower gear ratios as to be outperformed by most any V6.
The Lacrosse is a nice car, but it's not quite the roomy, comfortable, honest 29-30 MPG at 75 MPH, Avalon that I own.
Spring is fast approaching, so we'll just have to wait for the details!
It wouldn't make much sense to me, for folks to buy a 2010 in the spring, if Toyota is talking about the 2011, again unless the 2011 doesn't become available until late 2011, and or, unless the price difference is worth it, or they don't have any 2010 left.
I don't see Toyota making a 2010 Avalon because of all the cost associated with it, and then coming out with the 2011 Avalon just a few months later.
Skip
Skip
I t still looks like new and runs fine. My wife says she notices it is not quite as tight as it used to be and compared with my 09 camry. It could run forever