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Comments
They all do that, you know."
I agree with the others, there is no reason for any employee to be driving a client's vehicle at that time of the evening. It should not be difficult to prove that they are responsible for the ticket. They have already admitted that one was forthcoming. The employee may have been less than truthful with the employer (the Toyota dealership) when explaining his side of the story. He should be reprimanded (unless it was approved by the service manager or owner). You should also be compensated for the stress and inconvenience incurred.
Also, I would suggest that you pay the fine yourself (assuming they will give you the amount required) to insure that it is paid. Or, demand proof that they have paid the fine within the alloted time. Good luck.
I plan to call the dealership tomorrow to let them know that I have received a ticket and to discuss the matter with them. I feel that I should receive some sort of compensation for what was done. And I'll make darned sure the fine is paid on time -- by February 25th -- either by Toyota or by me.
I asked her if it wasn't unusual for employees to be driving customers' cars after hours and she replied that, actually, it was not all that unusual. She said that whenever she leaves for home in the early evening some of the guys are still working -- which presumably means they might be out "testing" automobiles.
I then asked her if 11:02 P.M. wasn't a bit late for their guy to be out in my car, and she said yes, 11 o'clock at night was quite late. She then told me that she was certainly going to "ask some questions" and that she would talk to her boss about the situation. (Perhaps that means her boss doesn't already know about it.) I guess she'll let me know how this matter will be dealt with.
I told her that if I ever bring my car in again for service/repair I definitely do not want employees driving it after working hours. Her reply was that she understood how I felt.
She asked me to forward the ticket to the dealership where it would be taken care of promptly and I would be provided proof of payment. But in case Toyota doesn't get back to me I'll call the police department in a few days to find out if payment has been received.
Also, some part of my stereo system cuts out briefly from time to time. I can't tell where its coming from but its almost as if the stereo sound disappears. It might be that I'm losing a speaker, but I just can't tell the source. The sound goes from being robust and full stereo sound to quieter mono sounding. Again, any ideas here? Thanks in advance for any assistance.
STEREO-I need more info. Are speakers cutting out(turning off), or do they just sound that way?-muted/muddy. Is it possible that at the occurance of the problem the only thing you are hearing is the sub-woofer??? -nomad56-
This doesn't take into account the high depreciation on Korean cars. One car that costs "$2,000 less than a Camry" depreciates $2,700 more in three years.
Other problems include expensive costs to run - one SUV manages 15 mpg city, 20 mpg highway, whereas the Highlander uses 18/24.
Although there are longer warranties on the Korean cars, the Tier One makes have a record for reliability. A typical difference is 5 years/60,000 miles against 3 years/36,000 miles. The 10 years/100,000 miles powertrain warranty are often not transferable to subsequent owners.
So the conclusion is that buying a Tier One car may be cheaper than a Korean car (and that extra on the purchase price you only pay once) - and you get the pleasure of driving one of the better cars in its class.
Don't get me wrong - I think that Korean cars against American cars shows that Korean cars are the better bet. But they're not a real competitor for the Tier One cars.
As for the stereo, I'm having trouble determining if a speaker is actually cutting out or if the problem is something else as it is random and only happens occasionally. It does kind of have a mono, muted, muddy type sound but then quickly returns to normal? Are you suggesting that the subwoofer is cutting out or is something else cutting out leaving me only with the subwoofer? Is any of this a common problem? Is there an easy fix? Thanks again.
Turn on your ignition, but don't start the engine. Then press the button that controls whether the air is recirculated or comes from outside. You should hear the kind of noises that caused you concern.
Congratulations on getting that much mileage out a car. Obviously you drive in a reasonable manner and perform all required items in the logbook when it says to perform them. Several others who post here will probably agree that this high mileage is possible, but very rare. The average driver cannot come close to the miles you mention without a failure of something, however small, under the hood.
My only comment would be this: It's *your* money, buy what you and your family can use and enjoy. There is no loser in the cars that you named as a possible purchase. All have great records. Find one at the price you like and buy it.
For me, I'm on my second Avalon. The first was perfect and new-car smooth at 92k when traded. Perhaps others here will offer more thoughts... Enjoy your purchase.
Interesting post. Got rid of a 90 Civic about 1.5 years ago with 236K, sold to a soldier here on base, ran perfectly, all my own miles, then bought an Avalon. Long trips made my back hurt or would have kept the car. Actually better build quality in that than my 02 Avalon, with many less samples defects. That being said, if you old Avalon with 250K still works great, and it does NOT hurt your back, and can support your family, I don't think anything in NEW cars have chanded that drasitcally to warrant another used car purchase. You have a used car that works well. Why mess???
I thought about getting a used Lexus 400 instead of a NEW Avalon but I choose the later for the follwging reasons.
1. I hate those old telescoping antennas, especially in the NOrtheast where you are from. They ALWAYS jam, with salt and roadgrime and were a poor design in my mind for day one. The newer antennas whether rubber roof mounted or window incorporated are just more durable.
2. The used Lexus would be RWD, (in snow country), eats more gas, tires aizes are larger as well as cost to operate. True dual exhaust is definetly an expense when you are to replace it. No bench seat offered in the Lexus.
3. Lexus is no more, no less Reliable than a Toyota. The fit and finish may be better, but statistically from CR, it goes Acura, Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Mazda, Subaru, etc.
The Acura RL is a nice car but not as much interior room as I had hoped for, and Acura dealership are not abundant as Toyota dealerships are when in the rare instances I must use them.
Again, not the gospel. Just my take on why I decided on the Avalon new. If I was in your shoes, I would put the cash into a CD or ST Bond Fund, use the old Avalon, replace the parts with superior ones when replacement time came or OEM parts depending on the cirumstance, and wait them out until your old car did not perform its \function.
abfisch
Anybody out there with more than 300,000 miles on an early model Avalon???
I recall at one point in the early nineties Toyota had an ad which featured owners and their trucks that exceeded 250,000 miles. If I recall correctly the highest mileage was 420,000. Given better rustproofing and the easier life of sedans 300,000 miles is doable.
It sure looks like there is an interesting conversation to be had ... let's just have it in the right place!
Maybe at some later date I'll talk to the service department employee who had warned me that I might be receiving the ticket. Maybe she'll tell me if any action has been taken regarding the employee who ran the red light.
I recommend trying to do without the cassette. ...even books on TAPE are on CD! That will open up your options. There are several AM/FM/XM/CD SINGLE DIN units to choose from...then you would have the pocket below the radio.
If you HAVE to have the cassette, you can get the above combo with cassette instead of CD, but it will usually have CD changer controls.
Of course, a factory unit will not have XM, but you can get AM/FM/CD or AM/FM/CD/cassette that will plug right in. Be sure to get the correct harness type, there will be one of two different plugs behind your stereo, which leads us to...
***An important issue to address is whether or not your car has an AMPLIFIED head unit, or an EXTERNAL amplifier. This will affect the ease of installation.
I have done a lot of audio work on Avy's. Let me know if you have any Q's. -nomad-
Thanks for your nice words above. Your new $450 steering pump etc. bill, should not disuade you from keeping your fine car. Although nomad56 has given excellent info. on aftermarket radio replacements, I cannot tell you how much I enjoy the Delphi XM radio with installed last year in this Avalon. This is the unit that you can take out of the cradle in the car and put in the cradle in your home to enjoy it as well. The install was a little above my head so I used a well qualified, meticulous automotive electrician. This install is not for the weekend golfer!!! However, it is so enjoyable I cannot say enough about it and the install with something called a VSM(Vehicle Specific Mount), made especially for that particular vehicle and coupled with an FM modulator,so absolutely NO wiring shows make it very attractive. No commecials as of March 03. The antenna install is roof mounted, magnetic base, and we ran the wire on the right side of the back window rain gutter, under the rubber trunk seal (black siliconing along the way) and then through the trunk along the car up to the front, taking off interior panels very very carefully when warm. Never work with plastic when it is frozen or you will be snappin and a poppin stuff. Anyway, worth it in my opinion, more than a new radio. Especially in colder climates, the cassete and CD mechanism seize, even the best of them. This has no of the trouble of those mechanisms, and the selection is outstanding. You can put it in your next car as well. Not sure if the 05 (which I would NOT buy until the 06 model/Never BUY a NEW model no matter how improved!!!!Ressist at all temptation!!) is going to have a SAT (satellite ready radio) but since Lexus has it now, my bet is the new radios in the Avy's will be SAT ready (XM is what Toyota/Lexus uses not Sirius). One caveat is that it is polished metal trim and would look better in the trim of the original car but I am more into function than trim(I cannot take wood applique and then to pay for it-disgusting!!) Just my taste, not the gospel. Different strokes for different people. Same with the wing on the back of the trunk and gold lettering ain't my bag either. Many people like that though.
I don't think your auto tranny in your Avalon has a 5 speed but I could be wrong. I am sure for the new 2005 models will with the new 3.3L engine as the Camry and Lexus 330 have now.
Ask your mechanic to replace your power steering fluid reguarly, approx. every 3 years with your tranny fluid since it Toyota uses ATF in the power steering also, at least in my 02 model. Double check to make sure, but you will not be going through pumps, lines or tramsmissions. It is easy to do yourself too, just pump the stuff out of the reservoir, get out the air and replace with new high quality ATF (mine is Dexron III).
We took a trip to Canada and I could not believe how many different cars had stone/bug detectors on the front hoods!!!! Do anyone know, since Radar detectors are illegal in Canada, if they have to be taken out of the car, or can they still be keeped in the car, just turned off.
Love this form. Lots always learned. Let the form know how many miles you get out of that baby.
"Feed the forum"
abfisch
Here are my opinions:
1. The Delphi XM radio I was referring to, can be taken out of its cradle, stored or used on your home stereo or boom box. It can also be used in another car that is set up appropriately.
2. Mufflers and assoc. tailpipes, believe it or NOT, are the only thing that I like to have a Toyota Dealer replace with factory parts, not aftermarket. Why...Becasue if you buy a replacement from them and they put it on, it is guaranteed for the life YOU own the car, replacement free, time and labor. Honda, had to do it on my Civic, as I went through three in 236K. I think their part, at least for the 00-04 model years, are tops in quality. I do NOT however, think their OEM rotors, pads, nor struts are premium in any way, especially considering the prices they charge. So...replace the exhaust pieces, with theirs and let them do it.
abfisch
To me, the Accord's exterior styling is much more aesthetically pleasing than the Avalon, its handling is crisper, and it has a more powerful V6 engine and is at least $4,000 cheaper than the XLS.
Both cars are well made, and based on past experience, should provide years of trouble-free driving. Would any of you Avalon owners be kind enough to persuade me to buy an Avalon? I am in my mid-fifties and drive approximately 8,500 miles per year.
Have an Avalon and am very impressed with the quiet and comfort. I like the extra rear seat leg room. A/C has been outstanding and mpg better than expected. Performance has been fine. It is no race car, but it accelerates well from a stop and passing on two lane roads easy.
Also have a Honda vehicle (MDX) with Honda's Alpine nav system. Drove several new cars a few weeks ago and the voice activated nav system in the Acura TL (similar to the Accord's) was the best. I found the voice activated nav in the Toyota Prius was not as intuititive, but still okay. Have not seen one in an Avalon.
Ride, quiet isolation, and room - Avalon
Nav, feel, and zoom - Accord
The older I get the more important ride, quiet, and room become and the less important feel and zoom become. A good nav system is addicting and I now want one in each car.
Thank you tmp89169
Maintain your Avalon by the book and you will likely not have a sludge issue, especially in the newer models. Enjoy your Avalons...
Problem is that, despite Toyota's literature saying that cloth seats are available on both the XL and the XLS, and saying that the stability control is available is available on both the XL and the XLS, I am told that, in my region (New Jersey area), i) stability control is not available on the XL, and ii) stability control is available on the XLS only with leather seats.
Does anyone know whether there are other regions where cloth seats and stability control are available on the same car, and, if so, what are my options for buying from a dealer in those regions and getting the car somehow sent to NJ?
Thanks.
1) My Avalon fairly regularly has the airbag light go on when on trips that are over an hour or so. It's not every time, but more like every other or third time.
2) Every once in a while playing the radio or a cd the volume will dip and then come back up a few seconds later. It's not huge, but it is noticeable.
3) Ever since I've had it it cranks a little long in my opinion when starting.
4) Whenever the sun is pretty much overhead there is a bright reflection of it off the plastic where the black part in front of the clear display part meets and then off the windshield right in your line of sight.
5) The other day I went to start it after work and it just wouldn't stay started. It wouldn't idle. It was like there was no gas getting to the engine and the engine sounded a little scrapey like something was holding it from going. I stepped on the gas and started it repeatedly jerking it out of the parking space and around the lot for a few minutes and then it started driving ok again.
I took it to the dealer for items 1 - 3 while it was under warranty, but they said they couldn't find anything wrong. I'm thinking of taking a picture of the airbag lights being on and bringing that to them, but I don't know what to do about the other stuff.
-Lido
Welcome to the Avalon forums. I can only give you my opinion and not the gospel. Toyota often advertises things only to find out that you cannot get it in your region. They, a caring dealership, can preference order the car for you although you might have to wait awhile (3months). My brother had to do this to get a Matrix XR with air bags and ABS. Call the corp. to find out about preference ordering and a dealership that will not blow you off.
Second, do you mean Skid control or stability control. I believe they are two different electronic mechanisms, for stabilizes the vehicles via brakes and reducing wheel spin. Which one are you referring to or both??
Third, I have an 02 XL. I bought the XL to save the 4K difference, and added things I wanted, among them TokicoHP stuts and a set of 4 Michelin Artic Alpin snows mounted on additional wheels. I no longer have any problems with the car leaning or diving when braking nor do I have a problem with snowy conditions, all without electronic devices which can brake and have sometimes marginal capability. Try to get what you want first, but there are other ways to make it happen, that might also save you some money.
Hope that opinion helps a little.
Good luck.
"Feed the forum"
abfisch
As long as Toyota is selling every car they build and demand stays high, there is little incentive for Toyota to change.
Good post. Nothing wrong with switching to the Civic, IMO, a better car than the Corolla. My brother had the same problem. Very frustrating, however, finally fought a dealership that would do it, and has placed an order in for a Matrix XR with SES and ABS. I will rewrite the forum to see when and if he gets it.
abfisch