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Toyota Avalon 2004 and earlier

3522 messages,  Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 7:29 AM

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#3517 of 3522 Re: 2000 XLS - Unable to hold RPM at start [njavalonguy] by njavalonguy Jul 26, 2009 (6:11 pm)
Replying to: njavalonguy (Jul 25, 2009 7:28 pm) Would like to slightly rephrase the issue which I stated above :   5-10% of the time I restart the engine when it's warm, the car will idle at 100-200rpm. If I hit the gas pedal, it revs fine but drops back down to the low idle as soon as I let off. It will stall when I put it in drive unless I rev the engine, throw it in gear, and immediately start moving. If I have to reverse out of a parking spot, it becomes quite an ordeal. If I can manage to get onto an actual road and accelerate hard, the idle returns to normal at the next red light and no more problems. It's never happened on a cold start.   Could it still need an IAC and throttle body cleaning ?   ~A Replies to this message: mcclearyfl (Jul 27, 2009 4:40 am)
#3518 of 3522 Re: 2000 XLS - Unable to hold RPM at start [njavalonguy] by mcclearyfl Jul 27, 2009 (4:40 am)
Replying to: njavalonguy (Jul 26, 2009 6:11 pm) A faulty IAC will usually cause idle problems at a cold start, and not normally thereafter.   The throttle cable and the idle cable are easily adjustable. Before looking at more esoteric issues such as a vacuum leak, make sure that all the slack is taken up. Those cables will have stretched considerably over 100K miles. They can be easily accessed under the hood, and the adjustment is similar to a brake cable adjustment on a bicycle - you loosen a nut with a wrench and twist the adjuster screw with a pair of pliers, finally retightening the nut.
#3519 of 3522 I think it's time for a replacement by bwia Nov 28, 2009 (12:50 pm)
My 2000 Avalon XLS has only 72,000 miles but I think it might be time to replace it with a 2010 Buick Lacrosse CXL.   I am a bit hesitant because in the last few months I have spent so much money on maintenance including: ---Brakes and rotors on all four wheels ---Set of brand new tires ---Replaced stabilizer bar bushings ---Re-sealed leaking oil pan and did a ---4-wheel alignment   I would consider a new Avalon but the current version is beginning to look dated and their is no word on a 2011 version. The new Buick Lacrosse looks great inside and out but it looks a little snug and I'm not sure if the handling is as crisp as my Avy.   Any advice on whether I should wait for the new generation Avalon or bite the bullet and go for the buick or stay put with current Avalon that is in great mechanical condition? Replies to this message: 55396 (Nov 28, 2009 2:08 pm) 55396 (Nov 28, 2009 6:02 pm) bwia (Dec 01, 2009 7:29 am)
#3520 of 3522 Re: I think it's time for a replacement [bwia] by 55396 Nov 28, 2009 (2:08 pm)
Replying to: bwia (Nov 28, 2009 12:50 pm) Well, every car goes through periods where things like this must be done. You have already done some expensive items. 72k on this car is nothing. We have an 03 that just turned 81k and have done the same things including KYB GR2 struts. I had intended to upgrade before 70k for maximum value, but time and miles slip by. I was waiting for the 07 ES 350's to come off lease. I don't like to take the hit on a new vehicle. But, it seems that the used car market is slim. No trade ins maybe?   So, 2 ways to look at it. It may be a good time to sell or trade your used car for top dollar. On the other hand, I just commented to my wife that I really like the AV with the suspension upgrades we have done. It still runs and drives like new and is certainly more fun to drive than a CTS or STS whose steering feels wooden to me. Not sure about the new Lacrosse, but it is a handsome looking car. Do we trade while ours still has good value or shoot for 150-200k where there is little value left? I would guess that's about 8 grand less than current value on ours. But how quickly a new one loses that much. Then to, there are the license, insurance, depreciation issues etc. as opposed to possible repairs on the older vehicle. But, the savings from these 3 items alone would more than pay for possible upcoming repairs.   One method would be to make payments into an auto savings account that would go towards these costs if a new car were purchased. You wouldn't have a car payment either. When you are ready to trade, whatever wasn't spent could be applied to the down payment on a new vehicle, easing the pain considerably. Depends where we are in life also. If young with lots of other debt, I would use the latter method. You may be surprised at how quickly you can pay cash for the next one.   On the other hand, if you are retired and can afford it, maybe you deserve that new toy.
#3521 of 3522 Re: I think it's time for a replacement [bwia] by 55396 Nov 28, 2009 (6:02 pm)
Replying to: bwia (Nov 28, 2009 12:50 pm) BTW, have you driven the 2010 Lacrosse? If or when you do, how about a comparison to the AV?   "make payments into an auto savings account that would go towards these costs if a new car were purchased."   This is a good method or alternative to expensive extended warranties too. Where that premium money is just plain gone, whether you use it or not, this money is there if you need it, but if you don't, it's yours. Apply it to your next purchase. Replies to this message: bwia (Dec 01, 2009 7:29 am)
#3522 of 3522 Re: I think it's time for a replacement [55396] by bwia Dec 01, 2009 (7:29 am)
Replying to: 55396 (Nov 28, 2009 6:02 pm) 55396, thanks for your very thoughtful response.   In my above post I failed to mention that I had also replaced the timing belt and water pump on my 2000 Avalon.   So here I am, with a car that looks impeccable inside and outside, with no scuff marks, dents or scratches but with a trade-in value of $7,500. To me my car is easily worth $12,000 so it is because of that hit I am hesitant to trade it in on the Lacrosse.   Moreover, I read on another thread that the 2011 Avalon might be unveiled in the spring so maybe I should wait a little longer. Besides, the Lacrosse is in short supply so dealers are getting full MSRP and one local dealer even has the gall to ask for $2,000 over MSRP. I don't really blame them since the car is hot and in short supply.

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