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Anyway, there's a special "reservation number" on the certificate you print out, and it's only good for the immediate family at same address thing. It says to negotiate your best deal and then have the dealer validate the certificate, and it can be used as a "rebate" or as a down payment for purchase or lease. It's good from July 1 to August 31.
This is the first I've seen of any kinda rebate on the Avalon, and I thought I'd pass it along.
Cliffy or someone else might advise better, but I'd suggest going to toyota.com and requesting both a hard-copy brochure (they have my address on the certificate, they must've gotten it from my hard-copy request) and an e-brochure as well.
By the way, it says this offer can be used in conjunction with other cash certificates, but only one Avalon $500 Cash Back Offer Certificate can be used per Purchaser/Lessee.
Hope this helps!
We are up to 537 miles in the 2 weeks we have had this car, it is outstanding. And the auto climate control unit is flawless. The Philadelphia area has had temps in the upper 90's with high humidity this week, I set my side on 72, she sets her on 77 and it is great. This is a powerful A/C system! Tomorrow morning we are off to Cape May, NJ for the day, looking forward to a pleasant trip. I am yet to find a person that has had a problem with their Avalon, some have come down from Lexus and see little difference. Many have come from the domestics and see many differences, mainly QUALITY. I am now considering another new Toyota, that will be 3 within the year. Like to tell Ford what they have lost, just don't think they care?
Please advise how well you like your new Avalon. Good Luck!!
9.4 Overall Rating
9.0 Styling
8.5 Performance
10 Interior
10 Quality
10 Recommendation
PROS:
I like several things about the Avalon XLS: the quiet and plush ride; the JBL sound system with 6-disk CD changer; large comfortable leather seats; elegant center console; air conditioning filter; and large digital information display.
CONS:
Annoying rattle in the glove compartment area which mysteriously goes away when there are other passengers in the car. The car tends to move to the left requiring extra effort to keep it straight. Lacks an integrated cell phone.
OVERALL REVIEW:
An excellent automobile in all respects. It is spacious, luxurious and substantial. I am even embarrassed to take it to work fearing that co-workers might think that I make too much. Lexus quality with a Toyota emblem and moniker.
Then, I looked back farther than I thought the source of the noise was. I noticed the passenger seat belt was twisted and the buckle was vibrating against the window pillar. I untwisted it and the noise was gone.
Don't ask me why the noise seemed to be coming from the glove box. I think it just has something to do with acoustics and the shape of the interior.
The customer was amazed. It seems his wife wasn't careful about where her seatbelt ended up when she exited the car. Whenever she was riding along, she wore it and hence, no noise.
This may not be your issue, but you might want to take a look at it.
Highlander7: We have the ivory leather interior and our two year old manages to keep us on our toes with his juice spills, etc. I use Lexol leather cleaner and the separate leather conditioner. The leather still looks like the day we first bought the Avalon. Plus it keeps your car smelling brand new.
I also use Lexol Vinylex (sp?) for the dash and gauges with excellent results. My local distributor mentioned that the Lexus dealer uses Lexol products on their cars. Good enough for Lexus, good enough for my Avalon!
Here's the rest of the equipment list:
Premium luxury package - (code: GV)
Navigation system - (code: NV)
Power moon roof - (code: SR)
Vehicle skid control - (code: VD)
Glass break sensor, first aid kit, floor mats -(code: Z1)
The price excluding TTL is $32647. Basically, $700 over invoice prices for car and optional equipment plus local advertising fee.
Anyone know where/how I can get one of those $500 rebates? Every bit of savings certainly helps.
When it arrives, I will tint the windows and install the mudguards.
Speaking of mudguards, Highlander7, did you receive yours yet and does the color match 100%? How do they look on the car? Have any pics?
I ordered my mudguards from Romania Toyota, (toyotaguys.com). They only come in black, installation is easy. They look fine on my wifes Diamond Pearl. Some people may not care for them but they will save the sides of the car from mud splashing and occasional stones flying off the wheels. If I can figure out how to do pics on this site, I will try to do so this week.
I found body-match painted ones at www.toyotaparts4u.com. I've not bought from them before but I think I'll give them a try.
Thanks!
The CT store has three identical 02 XL models, with floor mats as the only option, and window stickers of $26509. Salesman said they really want to move 'em. I'm wondering if there might be some dealer cash available, and if an offer around invoice or slightly lower would buy one. This would put the car in the Camry price range, where we should really be, budgetwise. I realize you can't speak for all dealers, but you seem to have a good handle on pricing. Thanks for all the wisdom you've shared on this board.
One internet site that I watch for good deals is a few hours south of where you've been looking.
Turnersville Auto Complex in Turnersville, NJ off exit 3 of the NJ Turnpike is on the net at www.turnersvilleauto.com/specials.htm
They currently show 2002 Avalons at $300 over invoice + special financing. Based on Edmund's pricing pages that would mean a price of about $23,750. But remember that's an 'asking price' not a final deal. The new model year cars are in and the 2002 ones should present you with a good shopping selection and great pricing.a
You might just give them a call at 1 (888) 252-7742. If nothing else, an aggressive quote from the Turnersville Complex, could help you with the other dealerships.
I feel that the dealerships in Connecticut find the 'base' Avalons much harder to move than newer ones with options. We only paid $800 over invoice for an Avalon XLS mid-ways through the 2000 model year when we bought ours.
The instant you take delivery on a 2002 with 2003's already on the lot, you will absorb a full year's depreciation. You can always start much, much lower on your offers and work up. I like to always deal from a perspective of 'out the door' pricing which would include state taxes, title and license fees.
Otherwise the dealerships will try to nick you for window VIN etching, document fees, etc.
If the dealership doesn't give you a great deal on a 2002, go find a dealership that will give you a good one on a 2003. If you are near Boston try Boch, Ira or Toyota of Watertown.
Good luck
http://newcar.nadaguides.com/rebates/rebates_makemodel.cfm?brand_nmb=560
Apparently Toyota is indeed offering a $500 rebate for both 2002 and 2003 Avalons. It says consumers must choose between factory rebates and special financing unless noted otherwise.
Certificate for rebate must be obtained from www.avalonoffer.com
Navigation System: Like anything new, learning to use this system may seem complicated at first. With a little practice, I'm sure it will become easier to use. Toyota usually does it right the first time and if there is a problem, they will fix it. My wifes most positive comment is about the effectiveness of the climate control system, it works very extremely well. And the more I look at the front grill, the more I like it. Hard to believe we purchased this car 3 weeks ago today, she does not miss her Acura Legend. We made as you have done, a great choice.
The dealer experience was terrific. Our main salesperson was Billy Ray Baker, who is now one of their managers.
Dealing with them was very smooth.
We had the car back a few times in the first several months to chase some to the minor rattles that Avalons sometimes seem to get. Boch was very good and on one of them Toyota zone folks came up from Mansfield, MA to take care of a problem. They even replaced the front struts because they squeaked every now and then.
Boch also has a good web site and responsive web folks. The only caution here is that the web site doesn't always correctly portray inventory. Sometimes what you see is what you can get, other times its only 'representative'. I think that Boch is like a lot of large dealerships ( the sell 7,000 Toyota's per year) in that the volume is too overwhelming to keep the database up to date in real time.
I don't care for the Avalon bench seat look very much either. The Avalon' s bucket seats don't have the firmly bolstered feel of a German car, so the bench probably doesn't feel much different than bucket.
I don't think that I would pay over invoice for ANY new 2002 at this point in time. The depreciation when you drive off the lot will make the car worth a great deal less than you pay.
If you want to establish value of a 'brand new' 2002, call a dealership and tell them you are executor of an Uncle's estate. Tell them the Uncle just passed away and had bought a new Avalon 3 months ago. It has very low miles, about 800. Ask what it is worth if you sell it to them and ask what you think you could get if you sold it on your own.
This would give you a calibration on what to pay for a 'year-old' new car.
sharkmama49 and husband have had their 03 with nav for a few days and are just getting familiar with it. I'm sure they will give us an update if asked. Look at earlier posts by her #1586 & #1590, they love their new Avalon.
Need a little more time to get to know it. will keep you updated.Haven't had it a week yet.
IRA Toyota is offering 2002 Avalons with the $26,509 sticker you mentioned in an earlier email here in the Boston Globe for $22885. That would be about $600 under invoice.
Call before you go over. An Avalon at $21K is a couple of K under invoice, might be a demo or exec car.
Good luck. in your shopping.
Can you imagine anyone paying $31K for a Camry? Every now and then you see them for 16 to 17K in Boch ads. How much more Camry do you get for another 14K....
2003 XLS New Features
Multi-Stage Front Air Bags
Lexus Like Alloy Wheels
Wood Grain Trim Steering Wheel
Rain Sensitive Windshield Wipers
Electrochromic Driver Side View Mirror
Re-Designed Front Grill and Rear Tail Lights
Can anyone confirm this?
Thanks
I had a 200 Chrysler Concorde which also had an auto temp control and it worked fine. No matter what temp you set it to, when it reach that temp, the a/c cycled off and then back on when the temp got warmer again. Even in the winter when I set the heat on auto, it maintained the right cabin temp. This Avalon just keeps going and going and going and there is no way to have an auto temp control either in the a/c mode or the heat mode. Anyone else have this problem? Why would they tell you its automatic and not have it work that way? Very dissapointed in this car. Over rated and over priced and lacks a lot of small refinements that you get on American brand cars. Don't look for window switches in the dark because you have to feel for them. They are illuminated like in the Concorde.
Overall great car, but minor annoyances. We just returned from a 3000 mile road trip. Had the above annoyances, still have the glare problem, and the car bottoms out more often with a car load of people and a trunk full of luggage. Overall though, not a single engine problem, cruise worked perfectly, didn't burn a drop off oil, and we couldn't believe how much stuff we could put in the trunk: baby stroller, golf clubs, large luggage bag, two medium sized luggage bags, cooler, several misc bags, and a camera bag.
Just passed the 15,000 mile 'seasoned' point and plan to change the oil to Mobil 1.