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I am located in Ohio (not Cincinnati). I live in another major city in OH but ended up purchasing my 2001 XL from a dealer in Cincinnati. Price was $400 over invoice - which was MUCH better than any pricing I could get from my local OH dealers. The pricing lined up with Edmunds pricing info. Best of all, it was a straight forward deal....very efficient and allowed me to get exactly what I wanted on the car. They even delivered the car right to my driveway. Was a great car buying experience......dealt with the Internet Manager.
I am also trying to decide between the XL and XLS. Unlike you, my wife does not like the plastic wood on the XLS. Have seen some after market real wood dashes for the Avalon. Am a little hesitant to glue something on the plastic dash, but they look very good on the manufacturer's website and the price is reasonable. In fact, price is so reasonable (around $200) that you can buy two kits in case you ever have to replace a piece. I believe the manufacturers websites are over in the after market forum.
Now I know better. The next time I will do it myself. A new filter does make a difference, no more fogging on misty or cloudy days.
Thanks!
I cannot demonstrate on demand, but it does happen. It seems like a radio replacement will be required to fix it. Since I cannot demonstrate the problem to the dealership, they haven't been too helpful in correcting the problem.
It may require an aftermarket radio replacement.
If you find a solution, I'd love to hear about it.
Regards
rgist
But note the price...@ $100 markup if installed. Hope you're bargaining that sticker price down.
I made my bid over the internet and was quoted $800 over invoice. One call and I had negotiated $500 over invoice. I then went to the dealership and picked the car I wanted from over 30 models.
I found this a better way to buy a car. negotiate the "profit" first then pick the car. That way there was no pressure to decide on a specific vehicle. I could pick anything I wanted not just what I was shown.
My wife commented that the passenger side was uncomfortable. She wanted the seat to tilt up in the front. The driver side does this fine but the passenger just tilts up from the back.
How many movement controls does the passenger side have? I have the following: seat forward, seat back. Seat back recline/upright, seat tilts at rear but not the front. Seat does not rise up/down nor is there lumbar control.
My driver side has all these controls (with memory of course). Is this correct? Is there any way to raise/ lower passemger seat? Adjust tilt?I bought the car anyway but would love to know if this is the way it was shipped? It's a shame the Toyota folks didn't add the features. The Lexus ES300 and every other sedan in that class has them why not the Avalon?
There are plenty of pictures.
I have new wheels and tires, plus a few other add-ons, I would appreciate peoples feedback.
Please visit my 2001 Toyota Avalon page at
http://www.forwarddesign.com/avalon
Thanks!!!
I am curious as to the exact size of those tires and rims you had installed.As I look at the clearance to the strut,especially in the rear wheelwells,it appears there isn't much clearance for anything wider than 205mm on my 2k Avalon.
Which Navigation system is displayed in interior pics 1 and 2? Is it the pricy $3,600 one or the slow $1,000 unit.
The two GPS systems that I really like are the ones in the Acura MDX and the Volvo V70 or S80.
I was wondering if you could simply order these through Volvo or Acura and have them professionally installed.
Again, a great website.
Also, I am rather amazed to see that the speedometer and tach lights reflect on the windshield at night. I am tall, but it is right in my line of sight, though only noticeable on dark streets. But on a dark street the reflection from the dash is noticeable and distracting. This seems to be a rather poor design flaw for an other wise very nice car.
Just being overly cautious.
Tim
thanks!!
In the owner's manual it also shows a coin holder in the center console, but my dealer told me none of the avalon has one. It this ture?
Thanks in advance for replying!
As for the coin holder, that is an odd one. Last year, all the Avalons came with it. This year, there is still a slot for it but they don't come with the actual piece that holds the coins. You have to buy it in the parts department. I don't know what they cost but I imagine less than $10.
Very honest and great to deal with compared to the others.
Karen
the power doors-windows/keyless entry package +
mats and net. I figured I paid around 1K over invoice but so beat it. I had a car for ~4hours
before buying and simply fell in love. I test drove few other ones (see comments below) and Avalon was simply the best for the money. Few question:
- dealer is trying to sell me additional coverage
to extend bumper to bumper to 6 years. They want
~ $800. Is it worth it ? I plan on holding on
to the car for at least that long.
- my previous cars when new, called for 500 miles
first oil change. From what I read, Avalon calls for the first one at 5K/7.5K miles. Amazing. Has technology improved that much ?
- also my other cars (when new) were recommended o
be driven under 55mph during the first 500 miles.
Don't see this in Avlon manual.
Now this is what I test drove before buying avalon.
I wished someone would post something similar when
I was looking for a car. But again, maybe I would not listen. take it for what it is worth:
- acura 3.2 TL 1997 (or was it 1998?). I simply don't like the new 1999+ TLs. Started looking more
and more like accords. Not sure what Honda is thinking. I like the way 1997(8) looked and it would be my 2nd choice. Then again $22K for 1998
car with 40K miles did not seem right. OK I could
have gotten it maybe for $20K but I don't think
it was worth it. Also, the car is little too small. RL was out of question as I was not going to pay that much for a used car. Not in this lifetime. Also, seems as V6 on this car is not
adequate. Can't remember where I read this.
- 2001 Buick Lesaber. Based on some reviews +
the fact that my last car was a GM (I got 150K on it) I decided to test drive it. Now, I am in low
30s so once I entered the dealership I suprised
some people. The car drove OK, engine somewhat
loud, the dealer did not want to give me the car
for a day. In essence I liked the comfort but the
car does not seem to have a descent, sturdy
outside appeal to me when new. I think I would
hate this car 2 years from now.
I started talking price. I would take this car
only (custom base with SD1 package) for 20-21K + tax but dealer did not seem exited about my offer.
But than again I was not serious either as I
would take that car only if I would get a VERY good deal. Also, seems as this car has
some issues with wind noise + few other minor ones. Funny thing is that the wind noise shows
up at 65+ mph speed only and some dealers will not
fix it as they cannot re-produce it because by
law they can't drive more than 65mph. See LaSaber board on this info. I could not get on hwy to verify it myself.
- buick regal, well I did not test drove it,
but came back the next day (Sunday) just to
look at it. I am not sure what GM is thinking.
Both LaSeber and Regal have the same engines
and go for around the same price )on the average). It somewhat confusing but if GM sees a market so beat it.
- 2001 Bonneville, dealer gave me base model (SE?)
for a half a day. Brand new, under 20 miles. When
in reverse transmission made hauling noise. Dealer
gave me another one. Noise no more. In summary,
if you want Grand Am (wife has one) on stereoids
(spelling ?), Bonneveille is your car. Since the car seemed OK and if I would get a VERY good deal, I would take the car. Sticker was little over 26K.
I told them 23.5 out the door. Seems as they felt insulted. Beat it.
- 1999 avalon. Different dealer than I bought the
2001 from. Dealer guy was a dick. Seemed as we asked for a huge favor when asking to test drive
that car. Basically, he made me go around the block and back to the place. The car had 40K miles
on it and he wanted 22K. Even for 18K I would not
take it from that guy/delearship.
- 1998 S70 volvo. Eventough seems as this car
is not very reliable I decided to test drive
- GLT Turbo. Seats and brakes are better than
avalon but it seems small. Also, all those buttons
everywhere .... winter driving button,economy
driving button etc .. asking 24.5 for a car (in color which I did not like) with 33K miles. No way. I could get it down for around $20-21K but did not feel as the value was there. Also, checked out their service lot and mechanics seemed to be busy.
In summary I am pretty happy with XL avalon. But
than again, it is day #2.
immediately noticed an annoying rattle from
passenger side front dash. Any suggestions before I
call dealer?
Avalon based off the lexus LS400? or vice versa?
both cars have similar front fascia and body size
aand styling.
thanks
I paid a little over 26,000 including tax and everything. I noticed I have the General brand tires which I recall reading about here that they werent very good. Also I believe one of the doors doesnt shut perfectly with as much ease as the other doors. I am going back tomorrow for my sticker, should I mention the tires?, do you think they can adjust the door?
Anyone else have thoughts on those tires?
Was surprised there was no pocket on the back of the front seats and the floor hump in the rear seating seems cardboardy, not smooth under the carpet.
Karen
I am also a founding member of a Camry Club here in So.Cal called TeamSC³
www.geocities.com/teamSC3
Auto Pacific has numbers on the median age of various cars. I believe the median age for the Avalon was somewhere in the 50's. Somehow the Avalon got the reputation as a retirees car, maybe because it competes in the full size segment against traditional American cars. I told our 23 year old son that I planned to buy one in the spring and he immediately said I was too young for an Avalon (I'm 49). Of course, I'll ignore him and buy one anyway. I think of the Avalon as a bigger, more luxurious Camry and a great product.
The other big group is the 30 something crowd. The motivation here seems to be as much luxury as they can afford. This is a young professional and tends to be married with at least one child. This buyer doesn't want a minivan.
We still have the retirees, the real estate agents, the occasional "youngster", and a few others but those two groups account for the majority of my personal Avalon sales.