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Sedans Toyota Avalon 2010 Toyota Avalon
163 messages, Last post on Nov 26, 2009 at 8:17 AM
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I might not be happy with the snow tires I've purchased, but I too, would not agree with RWD being better then FWD. But I would also add, that I am fine with either, and in all cases, I have just made sure to have snow tires that I liked, and that woreked for me on each car. I have owned several front wheel drive (the last 10 cars) and MANY more RWD cars. My favorite car so far, was my 1972 Cutless Supreme, with 4 studded snow tires! That car would and did go anywhere, and I felt very comfortable driving it at all times. Now I should point out, I was a bunch younger, and likely to be a bunch crazier, and shiit bothered me a whole hell of a lot less then it does now. I will say, all of the Pontiac Catalina's were great in the snow, but again, I likely had studded tires on them, and I was younger. Those cars were nice and heavy, which I'm sure had a lot to do with how well they went in the snow (if I remember correctly:) ) Skip
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Does anyone have any advice for me. I'm going to buy my 2nd Avalon next week. I purchased a 2001 Avalon, traded it for a 2006 Camry and have always wanted my Avalon back. Next week I am going to get a 2009 Avalon. Any advice from someone who has a 2009 as to what amenities I need to look for. The only two must haves for me are leather seats and 6 cyl engine.
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If your only must haves are truly leather and a V-6, you can get an XL Avalon with leather interior (heated seats) for around $30K. A dealer may tell you that leather is not available in the XL, but it is out there as a "Distributor Installed Option". My dealer got one with my color choice in two days. The XL has enough bells and whistles to make a very nice car with the addition of leather. I am very pleased with mine, and the price was right.
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Replying to: nimimi (Dec 27, 2008 5:01 pm) A bit of a BROAD BRUSH, that. What I believe is that ANY vehicle that has the PRIMARY drive on the same wheels as those providing "stearage", directional control, is PATENTLY UNSAFE on adverse, slippery, low traction, roadbed conditions. That MIGHT include AWD vehicles if they would more properly be referred to as F/AWD, as many vhicles with "sideways" front mounted engines should be. The sole exception being the SH-AWD system. 4WD....If that means having a LOCKED center diff'l as it offen does then yes, those can also turn quickly hazardous, unsafe, on an adverse roadbed. You may note that most modern day 4WD & 4X4 vehicles automatically DISABLE all ABS/VSC/TC/EBD/BA functionality when the center diff' is locked. These features have functionality and capabilities FAR beyond those of us mere mortals and therefore there can be NO human substitute insofar as safety is concerned.. When the rotation rate of the front and rear wheels are locked together in this manner those features cannot be made functional and might even operate to your detriment if enabled. And ANY 4WD or 4X4 owner/driver that doesn't know/understand that the center diff'l shouldn't be left locked once "underway" simply has (unknowingly..??) a death wish. |
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Replying to: popsavalon (Dec 28, 2008 8:11 am) Step up to the XLS. Factory leather is standard and you will have all the whistles & bells you need for very little additional money. Another thought. 09 is aparently the last year for this body style, and info on the 2010 Avalons should be appearing shortly. Might be smart to wait a couple of months & see what's new. |
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Replying to: ncee (Dec 28, 2008 6:05 am) FWD vehicles handled better in crosswinds. The RWD seems to be more subject to being buffeted around more. Maybe FWD has more weight over the front steering tires and that helps. Just my own personal experience after going from an Acura RL to a Lexus LS.
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Replying to: houdini1 (Dec 28, 2008 7:29 pm)
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Replying to: nimimi (Dec 27, 2008 5:01 pm) The point concerning the drive wheels also doing the steering - and the problems that creates such with Torque steer (especially with these newer high HP engines) , engine braking, and the natural weight imbalance that usually comes with FWD vehicles are., however, valid points. BUT, the primary advantage that he seemingly wants to dismiss, is exactly what you mention - traction on those slippery nasty roads. Many years ago, some of the better cars that would successfully allow you to navigate on really bad roads were the VW bug and some Saabs - RWD and rear engined cars - WHY - better traction from the weight over the drive wheels. You could get places that the front engined RWD cars at the time couldn't dream of, which then begs the real issue - what is safer, that RWD sedan you mention that gets you stuck (or even worse refuses to move (because of the traction/stability control systems )), or that FWD sedan that at least gets you where you want to go? Given the relative abilities of today's driver (a real problem) - and their lack of experience with any kind of RWD cars, it is clear that FWD cars are definitely the better choice, especially in parts of the country that do see snow covered/icy roads frequently. Unless, of course, we all want to start putting sandbags in our trunks again  For my part, I 'd be willing to bet - that any driver in an Avalon, will be able to get to more places more safely than he/she could in, let's say, a Chrysler 300
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Replying to: captain2 (Dec 29, 2008 8:40 am) Speaking of those early VW's that were a favorite of my USAF buddies in the late fifties in NH, look how long it has taken Porsche to "tame" their rear engine rear wheel drive 911's. Good aspect: rear engine RWD. Bad, BAD aspect: rear engine RWD....!! Once the rear of that VW started to inadvertently (intentional being quite another matter) "come about" there was NO recovery possible, as was the case for the 911. Yes, the automotive industry would like nothing more than for the public to continue drinking their Cool Aid, FWD Cool Aid. Oh, modern day TC, Traction Control, implementations on a RWD or R/AWD vehicle is a LOT more beniegn, less driver intrusive, than ANY modern day FWD or F/AWD implementation. Wheelspin/slip due to too much engine torque at the rear driven wheels is a lot less life threatening than the "same" event on the front "driven" wheels. But NO driver with a decent level of experience or training would/should have need, continuous need, of ANY TC system other than as an early warning of adverse roadbed conditions. |
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Replying to: captain2 (Dec 29, 2008 8:40 am) My concern of/about FWD & F/AWD is primarily about the greater potential for loss of directional control due to engine torque, leading or lagging. |
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