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2011 Toyota Avalon

1645 messages,  Last post on Apr 28, 2013 at 10:49 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Avalon

Messages Page 160 of 166

#1582 of 1645 Re: 12 [rotterdam6] Updates: [ncee] [_bill_wa] by gringoviejo

Jan 09, 2013 (9:40 am)

Replying to: _bill_wa (Dec 20, 2012 9:13 pm)
Bill, I could tell stories about my 2000 XLS (upgrading tires, struts, and brakes made significant improvements), which I sold last year at around 140,000 miles, and the nearly-new 2004 ES330 I'm driving now (great car at ~40,000 miles but I'm 6'2" and not getting younger, and the interior is much less roomy), but I want to ask about *your* Avalon, since I'm in the market for one like it: 2011 or 2012 Limited, white, not too many miles, owned by someone who can spot a lemon.
 
I live in the SF Bay Area, in case you're anywhere close by.
 
BTW, I sat in a new (2013) Limited at the dealer the other day. Nice looking car, but they've changed the whole concept, going after a younger demographic, which probably makes sense from a marketing POV but doesn't do me any good when what I want is the big driver's seat. Also, it seems quite a bit lower than the older models.
 
If anybody reading this has a really low mileage 2003 or 2004 XLS, I could get interested in that as an alternative.
 
PS: My experience with Toyota service departments has run the gamut from pathetic, insulting, and incompetent (usually) to minimally sufficient (at best). At the Lexus dealer, even with an 8-year old used car, I was always treated *very* well, offered free services -- loaners, wash and wax -- and, surprisingly, not overcharged. (They did try to talk me into replacing the timing belt at 34,000 miles when I first bought the car last year [because it was 8 years old] but I can't see why it should be changed before 90,000 miles unless the water pump leaks.)
 
Of course, your mileage may vary.

#1583 of 1645 Re: 12 [rotterdam6] Updates: [ncee] [_bill_wa] [gringoviejo] by fin

Jan 09, 2013 (12:24 pm)

Replying to: gringoviejo (Jan 09, 2013 9:40 am)
The reason is.... time. The belt is made of fiberglass, it does not stretch. Either it works as designed or snaps with a potential catastrophic result, there is nothing in between. That said, they seldom fail at low mileage even after 10 years but if they do...wow.. Some engines self destruct, others do not, someone else can answer that one but you are stuck wherever you are when it goes out. My wife had one go 11 years, no problem when we traded, the car was fine... Good luck with yours hope it does the same....

#1584 of 1645 Re: 12 [rotterdam6] Updates: [ncee] [_bill_wa] [gringoviejo] by nan48

Jan 09, 2013 (3:37 pm)

Replying to: gringoviejo (Jan 09, 2013 9:40 am)
My 2011 Avalon is silver, with Grey interior, it's a Limited, with 22 thousand miles. Garage kept, (all the time, no exceptions) I don't have ANY door dings, scratches, etc. plus I bought an 8 year 100 thousand mile extended warranty. This is a transferable warranty and it's from Toyota. Naturally I have all receipts INCLUDING all gas receipts since new. I actually keep a log of everything I ever done to the car, including washing and waxing. I have the orginal sticker, Oh yea, I have a light tint added to the windows, plus a nice pin stripe (Check picture below) etc.
 
I'm sorry but it's not white. I was offered a white one but that was a demo with miles for the same money. I choose the one with no miles. I posted a picture on the blog some time back you might want to check or I can do it again.
 
I bought my Avalon because my wife was receiving treatments in Birmingham AL and it's about a 5 or 6 hour drive one way. So most the miles are road miles but all is documented in our book.
 
The 2012 is the same car, so I would look for a new 2012. If I was you.
 
Hope this helps, Bill
Photobucket

#1585 of 1645 Re: 12 [rotterdam6] Updates: [ncee] [_bill_wa] [gringoviejo] by brian125

Jan 13, 2013 (3:33 pm)

Replying to: gringoviejo (Jan 09, 2013 9:40 am)
Have you checked out the new redesigned Accord its bigger inside than the Avalon and has some really nice tech features in it. i am in agreement with you on interior size. i'm also big at 6'1 240. seat size and hip space is important.

#1586 of 1645 Re: 12 [rotterdam6] Updates: [ncee] [_bill_wa] [gringoviejo] [brian125] by rotterdam6

Jan 13, 2013 (3:47 pm)

Replying to: brian125 (Jan 13, 2013 3:33 pm)
I am not considering anything right now....Avalon nor Honda.....especially Honda. I owned several and always had A/C issues with each. Even when working correctly, the Honda A/C never seemed to cool as well as Avalon or Camry. Also had suspension noises when guests were in the back seat, plus road noise which I understand Honda has worked on for the latest Accord. I'll stick with my 2012 Avalon.

#1587 of 1645 Re: 12 [rotterdam6] Updates: [ncee] [_bill_wa] [gringoviejo] [brian125] [rotterdam6] by brian125

Jan 13, 2013 (4:53 pm)

Replying to: rotterdam6 (Jan 13, 2013 3:47 pm)
I have owned 3 honda's outside of road noise, and i replaced my trany in a 2003 pilot at 105k i have nothing bad to say. There were trany problems with earlier accord models that i think were addressed.. I am considering to buy the new Accord but cant find any reason not to... Compared to the competition in the mid size field. Looks like a great bang for the buck with improved motor size, mpg, interior size and the reviews have been saying road noise is better in this model, with some really nice tech features and a standard back up camera in all models. not that a back up camera is a buying point for me. I was considering the 13 Genesis but a redesign is due out in the fall with upgrades that are needed to that model along with tech features and awd will be offered. I bought a 2012 Bmw X5 last year Dec 2011 or i would go for the Audi A6 or s6. I think thats the best bang for the buck at 54 to 60k Ride, performance, features and quality.
 
Any thoughs
 
Brian

#1588 of 1645 2013 Avalon by clemsonlori98

Jan 13, 2013 (5:14 pm)

My husband and I own a 2011 Avalon. We love it. Smooth ride and lots of room. My husband is around 6'3" and 240 lbs. He fits well in this car, front and back seat.
We had the Motortrend car show in Greenville, SC that we go to every year. It is just a fun thing to do. I was really anticipating seeing and sitting in the new 2013 Avalon. To be honest, I just wasn't impressed so much. It is now a mid size Sedan. No longer is there room for 3 adults in back seat. And to top it off my husbands head goes out the sunroof. Very disappointing.
We came across the 2013 Honda Accord V6 Touring at the show. Very impressed. Lots of cool new features and gadgets. My husband had plenty of headroom too.
We love our Avalon but they obviously made some changes for the worse in the new one. Too bad. The Avalon just lost a future customer.

#1589 of 1645 Re: 12 [rotterdam6] Updates: [ncee] [_bill_wa] [gringoviejo] [brian125] [rotterdam6] [brian125] by nan48

Jan 13, 2013 (5:23 pm)

Replying to: brian125 (Jan 13, 2013 4:53 pm)
When I wholesaled cars, I always loved the Honda's. They sold so good, in fact they sold as good as the Toyota's. As time went on, Honda's still sold good but I noticed the road noise. I mean it was bad. A lot worse than Toyota's.
 
I sold my business and have not wholesaled cars for over 15 years now maybe longer. I have no access to good car auctions. I did test drive a new accord and again my biggest complaint was the road noise.
 
Personally for me, road noise is a big issue. I like quite cars. I like cars that have good resell value. I would stick to Honda's, or Toyota's for the BEST resell value. Unless times have changed these cars always had the best resell value.
 
In my opinion, Toyota made a big mistake making the inside smaller. I would think the biggest buyer of the Avalon's would be the older generation. I guess they are trying to appeal to the younger crowd.
 
I miss whole selling cars. I said then I WOULD NEVER EVER pay retail for a car. I guess I should have not used the word NEVER. As of today I have paid retail for 2 cars, and one truck, lol, It's hard knowing the value goes down as soon as you drive them off the lot.
 
For those who don't know whole selling is not like a car salesman by any means. I SOLD cars/trucks to the dealers. I bought my cars from big auctions all over the east. If you're not good at what you do, you'll go broke, fast.
 
My 2011 Avalon is here to stay, unless someone wants to purchase my car for about 32 thousand. I don't suspect I have any takers but that's my price. I guess my price is so high because I really like this car that much.

#1590 of 1645 Re: 12 [rotterdam6] Updates: [ncee] [geo123] [ncee] by nan48

Jan 13, 2013 (5:33 pm)

Replying to: ncee (Dec 21, 2012 5:30 am)
Double click the picture you want to shop then copy the files and past that. Then everyone won't have access to ALL YOUR pictures. Go the HTML code and copy that. What you post will be the picture, NOT all the pictures. but it now allow everyone to access your site.
 
Photobucket
 
Here is a illustration of showing a small picture. I like this joke. After 29 years of marriage, well you can relate. Hope this helps, Now Flicka might be different from photobucket, so this isn't written in stone.

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