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Toyota Avalon Prices Paid and Buying Experience

1539 messages,  Last post on May 08, 2013 at 6:01 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Avalon, Sedan

Messages Page 154 of 154

#1530 of 1539 Was pre paid maintenance a mistake by adler223

Apr 29, 2013 (2:59 pm)

Just bought an avalon limited hybrid. Ended up buying the prepaid maintenance plan and now I am concerned I made a mistake. Are they worth it or should I cancel. First 2 years are already free so I got years 3-5 for about 1500.
Thanks.

#1531 of 1539 Re: Was pre paid maintenance a mistake [adler223] by sandman_6472

Apr 29, 2013 (7:18 pm)

Replying to: adler223 (Apr 29, 2013 2:59 pm)
What does it include? We bought our 1st one with our 2005 Mazda3s and it cost about $420. But it included 15 oil changes, 7 rotations, 2 radiator antifreeze changes and 1 tranny service by 45k. On paper, it seemed worth it and I truly think it has helped the vehicle last so long...it's now at 119k and the a/c is acting up again. Don't think I'd do it again but we'll see when she purchases her 2014. I am pretty anal about the maintenance though on all 4 vehicles since we tend to keep our vehicles longer now.
I think most folks do not buy these things though.
 
The Sandman

#1532 of 1539 Re: 2013 XLE Premium cost [cricfan777] by capaccione

Apr 30, 2013 (3:33 pm)

Replying to: cricfan777 (Feb 21, 2013 10:06 pm)
Hi
I purchased a 2013 avalon base for 200 over invoice. Use True car and you should be OK. You will need to remain solid as there are not many avalons available

#1533 of 1539 Hard to Find by robsis

Apr 30, 2013 (4:30 pm)

We just got a '13 Hybrid Touring in Cypress Pearl this last weekend. The Limited's out there all had the tech package and the only things we really wanted in the Limited were the ventilated seats and the fancier head unit with the larger screen and it wasn't worth the extra thousands that they were asking for the tech packaged Limiteds. The ride and quiet were identical between the Limited hybrid and the Touring hybrid. My wife even decided she preferred the non-ventilated seats on the Touring "in case the grandkids spill"...hahaha!
 
We got just a few hundred below KBB on our trade (an '11 Avalon with 42K that needed new tires and a 4 wheel alignment, BTW) and they then knocked 3293 off MSRP, then threw in tinting, edge guards, and 'paint protection' (which probably cost them next to nothing....). We bought from the Fleet manager, who we've known for several years, so his pricing was pretty much "here it is, take it or leave it". A fair deal and the GSM stopped by and told us that, since the Avy hybrid was in such demand (their average time on the lot for Avy Hybrids is 12 days), he was reluctant to sell it to us for that price; however, he needed the sale more than the profit this time. Our friend later told us that it also actually meant an additional $1k to him as he'd passed a milestone number for the month, too.
 
Could we have done better? Maybe, but it was a totally seamless/non-stressful process and even the 'Finance Manager' just had us sign papers quickly saying that since we were friends of the fleet guy, he wasn't going to even ask us about extended warranties, theft etching, etc. He commented that he'd "make it up on the next couple of customers".....and then told us that if we wanted to consider an extended warranty, to just call him before the car was out of factory warranty and he'd give us a good price.
 
Overall an excellent experience and, so far, we love the car and the mileage we are getting. The vehicle is quieter than our '11 and handles better, not to mention the high 30's we are getting on MPG. Oh, and the annual insurance premium stayed the same, so we're happy about that, too.

#1534 of 1539 Re: Was pre paid maintenance a mistake [sandman_6472] by jwillin

Apr 30, 2013 (5:24 pm)

Replying to: sandman_6472 (Apr 29, 2013 7:18 pm)
I bought one for my 2011 Avalon. I think at the time ofpurchase I begin to get buyer's remorse, but once I begin using it, I really like it. My only problem is whether the current cost of services actually are enough to where it pays for the maintenance plan. I get about 3 oil changes a year and 2 tire rotations, plus the maintenance every 5k miles. For the most part in my estimation, it doesn't pay for itself during the year, but will over the long term.

#1535 of 1539 Re: Hard to Find [robsis] by jwillin

Apr 30, 2013 (5:27 pm)

Replying to: robsis (Apr 30, 2013 4:30 pm)
You guys seem to have had the red carpet treatment. How do you like the fact that the car is smaller than previous models? Does it really ride like a sports car, i.e. rough riding? I don't like the fact it has less space. The dealership in my town has been sending me mailouts to bring in my 2011 in exchange for a 2013. I've heard they are smaller and don't ride as well. So, I've resisted going in and test driving one.
 
Enjoy your Avalon. I'm sure it's beautiful.

#1536 of 1539 Re: Hard to Find [jwillin] by adler223

May 01, 2013 (5:59 pm)

Replying to: jwillin (Apr 30, 2013 5:27 pm)
It is a great car!

#1537 of 1539 Re: 2013 XLE Premium cost [gouda272] by cob2

May 03, 2013 (9:31 am)

Replying to: gouda272 (Apr 04, 2013 7:36 pm)
Thanks for your post. I'm looking for a 2011-12 Limited as well. Wish the reg version had a key/fob, I love this feature. I have an 06 Limited, hate the navigation, hate it. Having trouble finding one in N CA. May have to travel to get one. Also, I've found about 40% of the dealers list Avalon's as Limited versions when they are not. Typically all you have to do is look at the alloy wheels to see if its a limited. What games/crooks. I asked one dealer if the Limited listed is keyless, explained it should have a key fob and they replied, "I can absolutely assure you that it has keyless entry, come on in". That's not the question! I hate these games...its like their politicians in training. May have to look again at the Accord V6 EXL (26.5K)...unless there are some fantastic deals on a 2013 Avalon - come on guys!

#1538 of 1539 Re: Hard to Find [jwillin] by robsis

May 03, 2013 (3:15 pm)

Replying to: jwillin (Apr 30, 2013 5:27 pm)
Well, first tank was 38.8MPG, so that is a win. As to your comment about the ride and interior size, we just took a 360 mile trip. Very comfortable. Slightly smaller in the driver's area; however, comfortable nonetheless. The suspension is much tighter and handling is tons better than the '11 we traded in. You can feel a few more of the bumps; however, not enough to annoy at all and instead of wallowing through them (and the curves on the road), the steering feels much more secure and the car feels safer (not that we EVER felt unsafe in the '11 at all...). Also, even though we thought the '11 was quiet, the '13 is noticeably more quiet than the '11 (at least the Hybrid is), so we absolutely love that! The back seat is a little smaller according to the specs; however, neither I nor my wife could really tell the difference.
 
I'd encourage you to drive one and see for yourself, especially since my dealer was thrilled to get an '11 in trade (and I believe has already 'certified' it and sold it). We were concerned about the same things you were, and also about a lack of power in the hybrid. Not any more. At this point we are absolutely thrilled about the purchase.
 
I will report more as I get the opportunity....

#1539 of 1539 Re: 2013 XLE Premium cost [capaccione] by 2013avalom

May 08, 2013 (6:01 pm)

Replying to: capaccione (Apr 30, 2013 3:33 pm)
Just got one in Nashville for 500.00 under on Monday
150 mi. Home and got 41.3 at 75 mph

Messages Page 154 of 154

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