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I guess you could say that I want them all, as I don't think there are any deletion options. I have always wanted a Limited because of the classier interior and ventilated seats, but have never been able convince my wife that it was worth the extra $50 per month in the lease payment. Truthfully, some of the options don't mean much to me. I've had power rear sunshades on other cars and they were pretty useless. I like Xenon headlights, but I have read on this forum that they often burn out. The driver's seat extension might be nice, but I've never tried it and I don't have a problem with the regular seats. Rain-sensing wipers? I don't have any trouble telling when it's raining and the day when I get too lazy to flick the wiper lever down is the day somebody should shoot me.
Thanks, Joe
I live in Central Ohio, the heart of Buckeye Nation. Regarding the rear sunshade, I also thought that it might keep the car (Infiniti) cooler, but that was not the case. Given the Avalon's roof line, the only time the shade would protect the rear passengers would be later in the afternoon when you are headed East and even then they could get almost as much shade from raising the headrests.
Don't forget the "wood" trimmed shift knob on the LTD. I thought about buying one for my last XLS, but the dealer's parts department wanted some outrageous price for it. Any LTD owners out there want to swap their shifter for an almost new light grey leather one? I think I heard on the news tonight that the wood grain ones cause erectile dysfunction, but I'm old enough not to care.
I apologize for picking on one of your favorite accessories. I wasn't aware that the auto-sense wipers picked the appropriate intermittent speed for you. That could be handy.
So will you guys who bought the new Avys be telling us what your out-the-door price was, less TTL? The Denver dealers act like there've been no recall headaches nor recession woes.
I wish I didn't love the auto-sense wipers so much. It really was the decider for me in the Avalon vs. Limited debate when I bought my new '11. When I bought my '04 XLS, it was one of the last ones with the old body style and I got a good deal on a new one with the auto-sense. I didn't care too much either way until, after 6 years of having them, I realize that I can barely function in a car without them. I find it a terrible imposition on my time to have to turn the wipers on and adjust the intermittent. I know, crazy, right?
Rain sensors are almost a need. What's great is they adjust to the speed of car in addition to the rain. The days when you have an intermittent mist and you couldn't find the right intermittent setting on the wipers are gone. When you stop for a light under a bridge and you don't need the wipers going, they'll stop for you. Partly what it does is reduce the wear on the blades and reduces how much smear on the windshield you get.
Sun Shade, cooling the car while parked? Not really, but I like it for the times when an idiot is behind me with the brights on or the few times the sun is low behind me and blinding my mirrors. It's also nice for when passengers are in back and the sun is coming in on them.
Vented seats. I sit a lot at work and having a cool rear is more refreshing than you'd think. (Laughing is allowed). Again though, until you've had the option of warming yourself on a cold morn or cooling off after a round of golf, you don't know how nice it is.
Push button start, again almost a need. Never having to fish out your keys from your pocket is WONDERFUL. Getting into my '00 Sienna van and having to use a key seems almost primitive. Being able to just walk up to your locked car, grab the handle, open it, sit down, and push a button to go is just short of having a driver waiting to whisk you away.
A couple of things I do wish for are a mute button for the radio and dials for the climate controls. I hate having to take my eyes off the road to see what setting I'm punching to with the buttons.
If you can spare the extra $$, I think you'll be surprised how much those "bells and whistles" are appreciated.
hnelsen
I compared it to the Ford Taurus, and the new Buick LaCross. Both are nice cars. Also the Maxima. However in comparing all the spec's, fuel miles, rear seat room, etc., etc. I still believe the Avalon (or the Limited for those that want it) for me anyway was the best buy in many ways. The Buick weighs to much and loses it on MPG.
The first time I've used Blue Tooth, ( dial by number) is fantastic. Satellite radio which I never wanted I believe has me hooked . The new color Cypress Pearl is very nice. Already my neighbors asked me about the color. I ordered it without even seeing a paint chip, just from the Avalon brochure and couldn't be happier. This by far is the best car we have ever owned. The back up camera is a dream. As far as navigation, I didn't want it, I use the Garmin which is so easy and mount it when I need to. So for me having the navigation installed is a waste of money. I take my Garmin when I rent a car with me.
This car has it all safety wise, VSC, Brake Assist, Traction control etc. Folding outside mirrors, back up camera, Blue Tooth, all standard, things guests on this board asked for when I was posting, and Toyota made them standard. I'm not one that shows off, so lables like Lexus, Infiniti, Mercedes are not for me. If you look at the report on Mercedes for what it cost, the quality just isn't there. Read about it in Consumers. My dealer has been just wonderful over the years. With all the Avalons I've owned I think this is the 5th one, I've never had a problem. It's one very comfortable car for me.
Good Luck to every one, whatever you decide on.
The first reviewer says the mats in all the new Avalons are black. For those of you who've bought the car, is this true?
Mine are black and provide a nice contrast to the light gray interior. FWIW, my salesman told me the black mats come in all new Avalons. He also pointed out that the black ones would show less dirt, which is true. I tried everything to clean the gray mats in my '07, but could never get all of the winter grime out of them.
Is the car better, smoother, quieter then your 2007?
So far, what is your over-all thoughts on your new car?
Skip
See my post #199. It is better, smoother, quieter and I like it a lot. The only thing I don't like about it is the same thing I disliked on the '07: the determination of Toyota engineers to put the recirculate button on the HVAC system under the control of the car's computer. It is a pet peeve of mine because I think I am a better judge than the computer regarding when the inside air should be recirculated.
I have ranted about this before, but for the benefit of those who have never had the blessing of my wisdom, here is the most aggravating situation: The car has been sitting for a few hours on a bright, sunny Spring day. Outside air temp 70 degrees with low humidity. Interior air temp 90 degrees. Start the car and the recirculate button lights up. If in Auto mode, the a/c fires up too, trying hard to cool down the 90 degree air, instead of simply grabbing some already 70 degree air from outside. I am fairly certain that it does the same thing when not in Auto mode, only without the benefit of the a/c, it just recirculates the hot interior air. Crazy.
Re: the recirculate on the A/C, you can take it off Max/Recirculate by going into Manual mode. I guess the logic is that the most efficient method is going to be to cool the air that is there and when the majority of times that is true but, such as in this instance, it might not be. I've found the HVAC so effortless that I don't change or notice any of that usually.
FWIW, my 09 Genesis's auto A/C works very similar to my 06 Avalon.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
Add an air EXTRACTION blower at the exhauster port in each rear quarter panel. Have the blower turn on automatically when the car is started with the interior atmosphere above ~75F. Run it on a timer so the interior surfaces get cooled down also.
The same extraction blowers could be used in deforst/defog/demist mode, anytime the rear window defog/demist is active, and to dry the A/C evaporator once the car has been shut down for ~60 minutes.
Some of you might not be bothered and that's fine but really, Toyota would be better off letting us make that determination instead of a forced default.
By the way, I just had Goodyear Comfort Tread Touring (new V rated) tires put on and they are great. I know the wet/snow traction will be better than the OEM Michelins. I've read where others have complained about how the GY Comforts would vibrate but the sidewall ratings were H so it was the sidewall strength not matching with the suspension requirements.
You would be WRONG on that.
If the interior atmosphere, and let's not forget interior surfaces, is/are significantly above the outside temperature (happens often in the South and mid-south) then it is patently FOOLISH to begin using the HOT, even Super Heated, interior atmosphere as airflow entry to the A/C cooling evaporator.
The BEST procedure would be initially use FRESH, relative "cool", intake airflow at a moderately high blower speed to PURGE the over-heated cabin atmosphere via the provided exhauster ports. Given the miniaturization of modern day airflow EXHAUSTER ports it has now become a virtual requirement to lower the rear windows temporarily, even if ever so slightly.
Only once the cabin atmosphere has been thoroughly purged and the cabin (black..?) surfaces cooled to a more reasonable level should the recirculate mode be used in order to lighten the load on the A/C condensor, engine, and engine cooling system.
I even go so far as to block the heater core coolant flow during the cooling months in order to bypass the IDIOT reheat/remix aspect of these newer systems.
Like I mentioned above, the best way I have found to cool a hot car is to 1;) lower all windows, 2:) set A/c to "Max" or "recirc" and then shut the windows after a minute of driving. This does the trick for me.
FWIW, my cars have light interiors and NJ isn't nearly as hot as some other places.
Having said all that, the A/C systems in today's cars are not nearly as good as years prior. My 79 Continental and 89 Town Car were much better than any of my Toyotas and my current Genesis.
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
Skip
But unless you lower those rear windows slightly you are most probably correct. Most modern day cars are so well sealed again noise, double and triple door and window seals, that the only viable, easy, cabin atmosphere outflow path is the exhauster port(s) in the bottom of the rear quarter panel(s).
As I said previously, in the interest of FE (***) those exhaust ports have now been minaturized almost to the point of being non-functional. In addition the airflow path to get to the exhauster ports is often itself highly restrictive. Much of the time that path is a narrow opening at the base, lower edge, of the rear window and from there it is "channeled" into the rear quarter panel area.
*** If the cabin atmosphere previously cooled by the A/C must remain in the cabin longer then the A/C compressor duty cycle will be lower.
Toyota and Lexus both have 2 C-best options that will allow you to disable the A/C from operating automatically, even in defrost/defog/demist mode, indefinitely.
Manually switch the A/C off, once, and it stays off indefinitely until YOU manually turn it back on. Plus it will NEVER again operate automatically in defrost/defog/demist mode absent manual intervention.
I never thought I would opt for Blue Tooth, but I'm hooked and for the Sirus as well. They gained a customer in me.
You'll now be returned to the stimulating discussion on how and when to use the air conditioner. ncee, copy that?
Skip
2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve
I've never been impressed with the few Michelins I've had (including on my Av Ltd.)
Good the first year, 15k mi. but after that the snow traction sucked.
The Comf.'s are as quiet and soft riding as the Michelins so nothing given up there.
I expect the tread life to be better and overall traction to be superior. My Sienna has
had the Comf. since 2007 and they're holding up great.
Yes my Avalon does have NAV but I have seen others on the lot without it. However, I think you are correct in that most of the limiteds have NAV and the sedans do not (for the most part). I live on the east coast (near New Jersey) and I got the NAV, carpeted floor mats, and the glass brakage sensor for $34,100 (not including taxes or tags). Thanks.
- Berlin City Group - $37,414
- Ira Toyota - $38,644.00
- Prime Auto - $38,951.00
- ***The bargain of the group - Lee Auto - $35,622.00 (No Nav?)
- Irwin Toyota - $37.685.00
- Hurlbert Toyota - Call for pricing?
- Rockingham Toyota - $36,501.00, $37,951.00 & $38,171.00
And most aren't willing to talk turkey. The price is the price:(
Skip
I experienced the same thing about the price until I decided to look at dealerships in nearby states. That is when I found better deals further away and the local dealers started lowering their "best price". Many of the dealers wanted you to put down a deposit to show that you were serious about buying their car before they gave you the lower price. That did not bother me because it was fully refundable if I changed my mind. I was also an "easy" customer because I did not have a trade-in and I had my own financing at a much lower rate than what they were offerring. In the end, I found a dealer that offered the car that I wanted at the price I was willing to pay. It was a 3+ hour drive from my house but the family made a day out of it and we saved quite a bit.
The dealer has no Avalons on the lot and hasn't for 2 weeks. He has plenty of all other models. Had 7 new Siennas and countless new Camrys. I will continue to be patient for a while....but....