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Comments
Chris
- Manual/Automatic rear sunshade
- Head curtain-shield airbags
- Breakaway side mirrors
- Lighted power door and window switches
- Telescope-adjustable steering wheel
- Improve multi-information display so that average fuel isn't reset after each trip
My main to things I was looking for in a car was, 1. a history of above average reliability and 2. can I fit.
We also looked at Nissan's - too small, Audi's - too small, BMWs - costly, Subarus - too small, Honda Accord - similar opinion as the Camry, Infinitis - costly, Acuras - similar opinion as the Lexus, and I didn't bother with any American cars. I didn't find any information about a relatively long standing history of reliability in for mid to large American sedans.
Just my opinion, hope it helps.
Just a comment. Thanks.
We don't have a Lexus dealer within 90 minutes of home, so we haven't evaluated the ES300. The longer warranty would be nice, but otherwise I doubt it is too much different from the Avalon.
I guess something happened to it - I'll report it. Thanks!
Pat
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Sedans Message Board
A telescoping steering wheel would be very nice. I have long legs and have to move the seat back which makes it more difficult to reach the steering wheel. Toyota should also improve the instrument cluster so the steering wheel does not obstruct it as much. However, I like the general layout of the dash and the fact that it is pushed way back towards the windshield. This creates a feeling of openess and spaciousness for front passengers.
I rear sunshade would be very nice, especially for those of us with kids. If not standard, provide this as an option.
Break-away side mirrors would be an improvement but I hope they do not come at the expense of smaller mirrors. I love the fact that they are oversized.
Other improvments I would like to see:
- Navigation system
- Quieter CD changer
- Improved trunk opener so it is not necessary to hold the trunk button for 2 seconds to open the trunk. A simple press should open the trunk.
- Trunk pass-thru should have a bag to hold skis
- Xenon headlights
- Variable automatic transmission
- Real wood trim instead of plastic trim
- Higher quality (softer) leather for seats
- DVD entertainment option (like the one offered in the Saturn)
- Performance/Sport mode (like the one already offered in the Japanese model of this car - Pronard)
Xenon Lights
Wider Tires 225 >
Dual Mufflers (like the Acura TLs)
Lexus Like - Illuminated Dash - I think the Japanese Pronard has this feature)
Has anyone replaced their tires with a wider ones?
Has anyone replaced their headlight bulbs with Xenon-like halogen bulbs? Or, has anyone installed the Xenon light kits on their Avalon?
Otherwise, the Avalon is a great car and I get lots of compliments from coworkers and middle-aged friends. Life is good. Enjoy the ride!
L. Thomas
I did locate 2 drain outlets -- the radiator and the radiator-side block.
According to Haynes book there is another block drain on the other side.
Can anybody help me locate that "far side" drain?
If I drain only the radiator and "near side" block, would that pose a problem? Would too much antifreeze remain in the block?
Also, it's recommended to flush the cooling sys, and to accomplish that I need to remove the thermostat. Where is it located?
TIA for any help,
Jay
If you still happen to have the old Generals, I would suggest you take them to an authorized General Tire store to voice a complaint.
If you haven't purchased you Avalon yet, and still want some input on the dealers in Southern California, please post again.
finny2
1. Drain Engine Coolant.
(a) Remove radiator cap.
(b) Loosen radiator drain plug and engine drain plugs and drain the coolant.
(A picture in the manual indicates the usual drain plug in the bottom of the radiator; a drain plug on the right side of the engine towards the top; and a drain plug in the front of the engine just below the exhaust manifold to the right of the oil filter.)
(c) Close drain plugs.
Torque: RH engine drain plug on cylinder block side cover: 61 in-lbf. LH engine drain plug on union: 9 ft-lbf.
2. Fill Engine Coolant w/ Toyota Long Life Coolant or equivalent and mix with water, preferably demineralized water. Install radiator cap. Start engine and bleed the cooling system. Fill reservoir up to the FULL line.
Hope this helps.
1) I check the gas mileage with every fillup. For around town, my average comes to 23.90mpg. I live in Florida where there is warmer weather, so the engine can run with a leaner mixture in the mornings, unlike northern areas. Last summer, I made a 5,000 mile trip from Fla. to VA. and then to the Chicago area and back to Fla. The average mileage for the whole trip (which included going through a lot of towns and cities) came to 29.27mpg. This is only 1.5 mpg better than my Chevy Venture minivan. That’s because the Avalon has only a 4 speed auto transmission, while GM’s have a 5 speed automatic. Toyota needs to put in a 5 speed automatic like they did with the new Lexus ES300. But overall, I have no complaints about the gas mileage. I burn premium gas in my car because, unlike the rest of you, I COULD tell the difference in power between regular and premium.
2) The engine is very smooth and quiet, which I like. What’s NOT smooth and quiet is the exhaust system which emits a certain vibration and noise when taking off. Most Toyota owners would think nothing of this. I just bring it up because on my Chevy minivan, the exhaust was completely silent and vibration-free.
3) The engine, while quick from 0 to 60, lacks sufficient low-end torque at low rpm’s. Toyota knows the problem. That’s why they purposely put in more low-end torque in their Lexus LS430 V-8 engine.
4) My biggest problem with the car is excessive road noise over very coarse roads. Unfortunately, here in Florida, most of our roads are very coarse. The radio in my car sounds too loud when stopped, and at speeds over 30, I can scarcely hear it and have to turn up the volume. Why don’t their radios have automatic volume controls like my Chevy had? I thought the wimpy General tires on the car were no good, so I switched to the superior Michelin XOne tires. Result? –No difference at all.
5) On windy days on the Interstates, the car seems unstable to me and requires a lot of steering corrections. Coming up behind trucks, the car tends to shimmy and rapidly dart from side to side. I must say though, my Chevy Venture handled exactly the same. XL’s have the narrower 65 series tires as opposed to the wider 60 series tires used in the XLS models. The XLS also comes with 16" wheels instead of 15's. So the XLS models might handle and steer better.
6) The engine races in the morning (1400 rpm in Park) when first starting out, much like cars of yesteryear before fuel injection. I wasn’t used to this, as Ford and GM cars seems to idle normally when cold, but I’m used to it now.
7) There’s a slight “extra noise” heard in the front end when going over bumps at slow speeds. My Chevy did the same thing. I guess it’s normal for front wheel drive, but rear wheel drive does not make this noise.
8) Starting out cold in the mornings, the transmission refuses to shift from 2nd to 3rd gear unless the engine is going at least 2600 rpm., even during very light acceleration. After 3 minutes, when the engine reaches a certain temp., the transmission shifts normally again. A friend of mine drives a 2001 Sienna, and he reports the exact same thing.
9) The car seems to grunt a little when first taking off from a stop. The transmission seems a little too tight to me. That could be the cause of the exhaust vibration when starting out. Also, it seems reluctant to downshift at mid speeds around 30 or so. I’ll take a GM transmission any day.
10) Every once in a blue moon, the volume on the radio will change on its own, but it’s so infrequent, that’s not been a problem with me.
11) There are occasional slight rattles in the dash and in the seatbelt anchor in the pillar between the driver and rear passenger side windows.
12) I went back to the dealer complaining about #2, #6, #7, and #8 above. They dismissed all 4 of my complaints.
13) Recently, I got to drive a friend’s 2000 Avalon XLS over the same roads I drive on. The exhaust noise was significantly less than my car. It has the wider 60 series tires, and I expected it would have even more road noise than my car, but to my surprise, there was noticeably LESS road noise than my car. But her car was also far from perfect. It had a very loud rattle in the right-hand side of the dashboard. Also, I noticed it had significantly less power than my car. She burns regular gas, but the main reason is that for the 2001 models, Toyota upped the horsepower to 210.
14) While the car has been reliable mechanically, my overall satisfaction with the car is lower than other cars I’ve owned. My overall highest satisfaction was with my antiquated, 1995 Chevy Astro van which I purchased new. It had some rattle problems, but was very good in all other respects.
15) Would I buy another Avalon? It’s doubtful, but it’s too early to say. The XLS model seemed to be quieter overall than my XL and that would be my choice of Avalon today. But I wonder if I’d be better off buying a 3 year old, used Lexus LS430 or a 2 year old, used Lexus ES300 instead of a brand new Avalon? Would the Lexus be worth the extra money, since they’re built in Japan instead of the Americanized Avalon built in the U.S.? I have my doubts. I think Toyota did too good a job copying the big 3. In 1993, I first drove a Toyota Corolla, and I really liked it. I can’t say that about my Americanized 2001 Avalon.
My mom has a 2000 Avalon XLS with 44,000 miles on it, and the only problem we've had is that the right map light button has lost its spring. We'll have it taken care of the next time we have the car serviced. We love our Avalon, and my dad has said that he won't buy anything else other than a Toyota. We haven't really had problems with rattles. Occasionally I'll hear something around the dash area, and then I'll realize it's some of my mom's stuff that is rattling against the dash.
I hope all of you have a great day!
Last week I was traveling on a road that was "scraped" for resurfacing and it felt like the car was falling apart. On smooth surfaces the car is whisper quiet and handles reasonably well but pulls slightly to the left requiring more steering effort than is necessary.
Would I buy another Avalon? Hmmm! I will have to think about that. But seriously, if Toyota modifies the exterior styling (not by much) and bring the styling up to the 21st. century and at least offer these options: integrated phone, HID, NAV and a sunshade, I would strongly consider buying another Avalon.
However, I realize that if I want the above enumerated features I will have to move up to the Lexus brand name and pay a premium price. But what else is out there that is comparable to the Avalon? A domestic model maybe? (I know the Avalon is American made but carries a foreign moniker).
Any '03 Avalon pics??
Your 92 Camry was made in Japan. I would venture that the 92 - 96 Camry is probably the best overall quality Toyota branded car line ever sold in the U.S. A 95 or 96 Camry with under 100K is a great buy for anyone that can find one.
In 1997 Toyota shifted to Camry production in Georgetown (even though there are apparently some 97 Japan-sourced Camry's around).
From my experience with our 2000 Avalon XLS, I think the bumps are a design decision that Toyota made given the suspension they chose. I think the rattles are a by product of designing and sourcing the Avalon from U.S. suppliers. Toyota is unlikely to ever get the same level of quality from their US supply chain as they did in Japan due to differences in work styles, competitive sourcing and our tolerance for crap. It will still be better than the US branded companies, but not what we are used to.
If you want an equivalent to the 92 Camry buy a Lexus - even a good used one, not a new US made Toyota.
Since it works correctly in the '02 Camry, there's a good chance this will be fixed in '03 Avalon. Got my fingers crossed.
Avalon has much more upscale interior and dashboard.
Avalon has more rear seat legroom.
Camry is better looking.
Camry is a newer design.
Camry is cheaper.
Camry has a very cheap looking interior and dashboard.
Other differences between the Camry and Avalon:
Camry has available Side Curtain Airbags
Camry has available Navagation System
With the Camry SE, you have the option of purchasing a reasonably sporty family/near lux sedan... something the Avalon doesn't pretend to offer.
I think the Avalon is a great car, but not so much with the new Camry introduced as its stablemate. I'd wait for a 2003 revision (NOT a redesign, remember, but a freshening). The 18hp boost, IMO doesnt justify a 2 grand price premium over a fully loaded XLE V6 Camry, which has more features and is a newer design. (Comparison btwn fully loaded XLS at about $33,500 MSRP and fully loaded Camry XLE V6 at about $31,500)
~alpha
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
We bought a 2001 LLBean Outback 6 cyl. to replace it - no problems so far at 21K...
I think I'm about to scratch the 2003 Avalon off my short list, and take the blunge back to VW w/ a Passat...