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2012 - 2013 Toyota Avalon

494 messages,  Last post on May 22, 2013 at 2:34 PM

You are in the Toyota Avalon Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Avalon, Toyota, Sedan

    

Messages Page 50 of 50

#485 of 494 Re: StartupImage [pip7] by epoche1

May 15, 2013 (10:34 am)

Replying to: pip7 (Jan 04, 2013 5:02 am)
Cannot use Mac for StartUp image. Must use Windows OS.

#486 of 494 re: prepaid maintenance [douglas1] by robsis

May 16, 2013 (9:03 pm)

Replying to: douglas1 (Apr 29, 2013 6:33 pm)
Just a note to any new Avalon buyers that Jerry Johnson at Midwest Superstore is the real deal. Great pricing and excellent service. Highly recommend that you check him out if you are looking for an extended warranty at a fair price. Super friendly, too.....but isn't that what you'd expect from someone from Kansas!!!

#487 of 494 Avalon Hybrid Verses Camry Hybrid by havec

May 17, 2013 (9:57 am)

I filled out the JD Powers questionnaire:
 
My final comment was: The 2013 Avalon Hybrid Limited is a nice vehicle that probably isn't worth the extra cost over a fully loaded Camry Hybrid.
 
I made the statement more on what I've read post purchase than actual test drives. I drove the Camry Hybrid a few months before the Avalon. I wasn't impressed enough at the time to buy the Camry but the Avalon roped me in after driving it. If I had it to do over again I would have driven the 2 cars back to back on the same day.
 
Anybody here drive both cars on the same day before buying their Avalon?

#488 of 494 Re: Avalon Hybrid Verses Camry Hybrid [havec] by robsis

May 18, 2013 (9:11 am)

Replying to: havec (May 17, 2013 9:57 am)
havec,
 
We did. Actually drove a Prius V, then a Prius Model Five, then on to the Camry Hybrid and the Avalon Hybrid. Camry XLE loaded was nice; however, IMHO, did not come close to the Avalon Hybrid. Avalon just seemed much nicer, more room, and rode better and quieter.
 
We, however, decided not to go with the Limited, as we felt that the Touring gave us everything we needed, saved us thousands over the Limited (most of which had the tech packages, which we felt was unnecessary for us), and was not truly that much more than the XLE Camry Hybrid while EPA mileage was essentially the same while providing (again, IMHO) more luxury and room. My wife felt that the Camry, even in loaded XLE form, was not as upscale at all in terms of the leather, finish etc. versus the TAH in touring form (and of course, the TAH in Limited form, too). The bells and whistles added onto the Limited for the extra thousands were not worth it for us (again, especially those loaded with the tech package). For me, the only things I would have liked to have from the Limited were the ventilated seats, outside photo-chromatic mirrors, and the nicer NAV unit with the larger screen. Again, at least for us, not worth the extra thousands, but that is personal preference. We certainly could have afforded the Limited, just chose not to go in that direction.
 
I think, overall, you will be pleased long-term that you went with the TAH versus the TCH. Your mileage should be equivalent, power was pretty much identical (Tech at dealership said they tweaked the TAH system more than the TCH) and you will be more comfortable while doing it.
 
HTH...JMHO

#489 of 494 Re: Avalon Hybrid Verses Camry Hybrid [robsis] by havec

May 18, 2013 (3:39 pm)

Replying to: robsis (May 18, 2013 9:11 am)
So score one for the Avalon Hybrid having a better ride than the Camry Hybrid.
 
For what it's worth, CR rated the regular Prius's ride the same as the Avalon's and rated the Prius V and the Camry as having a better ride than the Avalon.
 
I'm beginning to think that there could be some issues with CR's ride rating system.

#490 of 494 Re: Avalon Hybrid Verses Camry Hybrid [havec] by robsis

May 18, 2013 (5:26 pm)

Replying to: havec (May 18, 2013 3:39 pm)
havec,
 
I'm not extremely picky; however, my wife can be. We both drove all of the cars mentioned, and not just around the block (we are lucky to know the Fleet Manager and he lets us take the vehicles out for extended periods on long loops...). Driving the cars back to back on the same long loop, there is no way that the Prius V and Camry had a better ride than the Avalon. Not only that, but the standard Prius was much more jumpy and skitterier (???) than all of them; however we would rate them Prius last, Prius V next, Camry, then Avalon. Our friend told us to drive the TAH after the Prii; however, it was due to CR's recommendation of the TCH that we had to try that car out ('cause if it was THAT good, why not). Again, in both of our opinions, driving back to back on the exact same route, we both figured that CR had just missed the bullseye on this one. I know its a personal thing; however, I have to agree with you that there might be an issue with CR and their ride rating system....maybe they pay too much attention to comparing the previous model to the current model rather than objectively test it outright? I can say that having owned a previous model of the Avalon, it was a nice car but way too cushy and floaty.
Also, I have read that the 18s on the gas Limited run a little rough; however, all of the hybrids run on the 17s...maybe they just transferred their opinion in this case, as we did drive the gas Avalon and liked the Hybrid better....
 
We traded that '11 Avalon Limited in for this TAH Touring and we just feel much safer and secure in the '13 than we ever did in the '11 (not that we ever felt unsafe in the '11). We've made two long trips so far in the TAH, trips that we've made several times over the last few years. Even from the passenger seat, my wife comments on how much nicer she feels the ride is during portions of the rides that might be considered 'memorable' for their uniqueness and challenges.
 
We are certainly enjoying our car (except for the challenges posed by the iPhone 5 and entune!), and hope you enjoy yours.
 
Cheers,
 
Robert

#491 of 494 Re: Avalon Hybrid Verses Camry Hybrid [robsis] by havec

May 18, 2013 (6:18 pm)

Replying to: robsis (May 18, 2013 5:26 pm)
Your reply makes me feel better about my decision. You and CR are on the same page about feeling safer in the 2013 TAH than in the 2011 TA. CR rated the 2011's emergency handling has being 1/2 black circle poor. So Toyota fixes the handling problem and gets attacked on the ride. I think CR's statement "that most $25K sedans ride better" is a little too damming. The overall rating of 86 is still high compared to most of the vehicles that they test.
 
I got an iphone 5 to try entune which turned out to be pretty worthless. The window 7 phone that it replaced would read out text messages something the iphone won't do.
 
There aren't to many cars out there as future proof in terms of gas mileage and as comfortable as the TAH.
 
Hope you enjoy yours too.
 
Best
 
Chris

#492 of 494 Re: Harsh Ride - 18" Bridgestone Tires [tjc78] by havec

May 22, 2013 (1:07 pm)

Replying to: tjc78 (Apr 23, 2013 10:42 am)

#493 of 494 Same Tire Problem With Camry Hybrid by havec

May 22, 2013 (1:42 pm)

I just read an owners review on CR's website where a Camry Hybrid owner said that his car rode like sh*t with the factory installed Bridgestone Turanza EL400, size P215/55R17 tires. He put on top of the line Michelin's after 500 miles and reported "HUGE improvement"
 
In the 19th (most by far of any 2013 Toyota) CR owner's Avalon review an owner said he had the 18 inch wheels switched out by Toyota to 17 inch with little or no improvement.
 
I wonder if the 17's had the Bridgestones. Why would Toyota be so stupid to run these tires? Usually they run soft riding tires that don't last out of the factory. Maybe they are more concerened about fuel economy than ride.

#494 of 494 Re: 2013 avalon ride has changed... [acco20] by poorthingflint

May 22, 2013 (2:34 pm)

Replying to: acco20 (Apr 11, 2013 9:54 am)
Sold my loaded 2009 Camry Hybrid and bought a 2013 Avalon Touring sedan. Ride softness,the Camry has the edge(both cars riding on Michelin's). Seats softer on the Camry personal taste some people like a soft bed some like firm. Avalon quiter and better fit and finish. Avalon has more room especialy in back seat. Over all handling is noticeably better on the Avalon. Would I make the same buying decision again? Yep.

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