Ask the Car People.SM


2011 Toyota Avalon

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

You are in the Toyota Avalon Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Avalon

Messages Page 21 of 165

#199 of 1645 2011 vs. 2007 by iamknott

May 06, 2010 (8:20 am)

Last week, I took delivery of an ’11 Base Avalon with Synthesis radio and heated seats. As such, it is equipped much the same as my previous ’07 XLS. So far, I love it. The ride is even better than the XLS and that one was very good. The ’11 is also quieter. I noticed that Toyota has dampened the sound of the turn signal indicator to the point that, if the radio is playing softly, I can’t hear the turn signal at all. I will have to guard against being the old coot who drives for miles with his turn signal on.
 
The exterior is silver metallic and the interior is light grey – same as the ‘07. However, the ’11 has a dark charcoal dash top which extends across the top of the doors at window level and the “wood” trim is darker. Coupled with black floor mats on the grey carpet, it is a classier look. The six-speed trans is silky smooth and the shift points in the higher gears are practically undetectable under easy acceleration. The projector headlights are better and the backup camera may be useful.
 
The only shortcoming, in my opinion, regards the instrumentation. My ’07 had a bright blue display area (where the nav would have gone) which showed outside temp, ave. mpg, range, plus some other info. To find that info on the ’11, one must scroll (via a button on the steering wheel) through the readings which appear in a small window below the tach. The radio and HVAC info are behind smoked plastic in the center stack. It is very difficult to read when sunlight comes through the open moonroof. The turn signal, gear indicators, and certain warning lights are at the bottom of a 5-inch deep slot between the speedo and tach clusters. Visibility should not be too great a problem, unless you are a leaner. All in all, these are small detractions from an otherwise great car.

#200 of 1645 Re: 2011 vs. 2007 [iamknott] by twinb

May 06, 2010 (10:49 am)

Replying to: iamknott (May 06, 2010 8:20 am)
Thanks for your comments on the new Avy. Just wondering if there are any features on the LTD. you wish you had on the base model.

#201 of 1645 Re: 2011 vs. 2007 [iamknott] by rotterdam6

May 06, 2010 (11:28 am)

Thanks for all the info on your new Avalon. I have ordered a LTD, 2011, without Navigation. I am also getting silver with the light gray interior. I will post my impressions after I've had it for a while.

#202 of 1645 Re: 2011 vs. 2007 [twinb] by iamknott

May 06, 2010 (11:52 am)

Replying to: twinb (May 06, 2010 10:49 am)
twinb,
 
I guess you could say that I want them all, as I don't think there are any deletion options. I have always wanted a Limited because of the classier interior and ventilated seats, but have never been able convince my wife that it was worth the extra $50 per month in the lease payment. Truthfully, some of the options don't mean much to me. I've had power rear sunshades on other cars and they were pretty useless. I like Xenon headlights, but I have read on this forum that they often burn out. The driver's seat extension might be nice, but I've never tried it and I don't have a problem with the regular seats. Rain-sensing wipers? I don't have any trouble telling when it's raining and the day when I get too lazy to flick the wiper lever down is the day somebody should shoot me.

#203 of 1645 Re: 2011 vs. 2007 [iamknott] by twinb

May 07, 2010 (1:25 pm)

Replying to: iamknott (May 06, 2010 11:52 am)
hahahahahaha, good one Knott. I read the same thing about the Xenon, but I liked the idea of a rear shade, thinking it would keep the car cooler when parked in the sun but that's not your experience, eh? There've also been mixed reviews on the ventilated seats. I guess the wood trim steering wheel might give it a 'classier' look, but I like the leather better. The Ltd. push button start does nothing for me, seems like a gimmick. All of those things are not worth an extra three grand to me. Sounds like I'm talking myself into the base (XLS) doesn't it? I'd ordered one last year but cancelled it when the recalls began; might be time now to start contacting dealers for prices. Where do you live if you don't mind me asking? Rotterdam, where do you call home?
 
Thanks, Joe

#204 of 1645 Re: 2011 vs. 2007 [iamknott] by bergamini

May 07, 2010 (1:33 pm)

Replying to: iamknott (May 06, 2010 11:52 am)
Don't knock the auto-sense wipers until you've had them. When it is raining heavily and you are on the interstate, it is nice to be able to count on your wipers to wipe when needed so you can focus on keeping your car on the road. When it is sprinkling out it is so convenient not to have to try and pick the right intermittent level while driving and keep adjusting it because with the auto-sense that is all done for you. It is an amazing option and I was glad that they dropped laser cruise and not the auto-sense wipers. I can't imagine living without them and when I rent cars without them, I find it a complete hassle. Of course I COULD do it but having the car take care of that makes me feel safer and less hassled, which is the way it should be with the payments I make every month.

#205 of 1645 Re: 2011 vs. 2007 [iamknott] by rotterdam6

May 07, 2010 (1:45 pm)

Joe.....haven't gotten my LTD yet, as I just ordered it. It seems it's quicker if you want Nav.......I don't. I am from PA, but spend much of the winter in FL. Thanks for asking.

#206 of 1645 Re: 2011 vs. 2007 [twinb] by fin

May 07, 2010 (3:29 pm)

Replying to: twinb (May 07, 2010 1:25 pm)
Ventilated seats and leather.... Having had three Avalons and dozens of other cars in over 50 years of legal driving, the perf/vent seats are wonderful if you drive in the heat, my opinion. We drive GA, FL and TN interstates all year (retired) and the perf/vent seats really are a lot more comfortable than flat leather. Now, if you have lots of kids (dirt) or pets (punctures) in the car there can be be problems with perf, yes. We don't so it's OK. Will concede that slick leather probably looks better than perf to most people.... get what you like and enjoy it.

#207 of 1645 Re: 2011 vs. 2007 [twinb] by iamknott

May 07, 2010 (5:40 pm)

Replying to: twinb (May 07, 2010 1:25 pm)
twinb,
 
I live in Central Ohio, the heart of Buckeye Nation. Regarding the rear sunshade, I also thought that it might keep the car (Infiniti) cooler, but that was not the case. Given the Avalon's roof line, the only time the shade would protect the rear passengers would be later in the afternoon when you are headed East and even then they could get almost as much shade from raising the headrests.
 
Don't forget the "wood" trimmed shift knob on the LTD. I thought about buying one for my last XLS, but the dealer's parts department wanted some outrageous price for it. Any LTD owners out there want to swap their shifter for an almost new light grey leather one? I think I heard on the news tonight that the wood grain ones cause erectile dysfunction, but I'm old enough not to care.

#208 of 1645 Re: 2011 vs. 2007 [bergamini] by iamknott

May 07, 2010 (5:45 pm)

Replying to: bergamini (May 07, 2010 1:33 pm)
bergamini,
 
I apologize for picking on one of your favorite accessories. I wasn't aware that the auto-sense wipers picked the appropriate intermittent speed for you. That could be handy.

Messages Page 21 of 165

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement