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2012 - 2013 Toyota Avalon

572 messages,  Last post on Jun 19, 2013 at 3:23 PM

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

    

Messages Page 21 of 58

#193 of 572 Re: Seattle Auto Show [ncee] by ncee

Nov 27, 2012 (12:50 pm)

Replying to: ncee (Nov 16, 2012 6:51 pm)
Well first my quick first impressions. (about 30 minute drive, 18-22 miles +-)
 
The good:
 
- The fit and finish is very good
- The doors feel real good and solid opening & closing
- The interior, (seats, floors, Center Console, Dash) is very nice
- The Nav is much nicer in appearance
- The GRILL is fine with the nice larger plastic plate frame that comes with the car
- Back Seat Heated and spacious
 
The NOT so Good
- The sunroof cover is WAY to thin, and cheap:( (weight savings)
- The seat belt straps are thinner and feel cheap:( Although they pull nice, firm and smooth. (weight savings)
- The steering wheel will take some getting use to (it's slippery so you have to hold on tightly (maybe making you tired))
- Back seat should have a fan control along with the temp control
- Rear seats took a long time to heat up
- An awful lot of plastic (and thin too) (weight savings)
- Super Saver Spare Tire (weight savings)
 
The Not sure yet:
 
- The seats are nice and firm (Long rides?)
- Controls on the dash are a bit of a reach for me
- Not any quieter then my 2011
- Different ride then my 2011
 
These are just a few of the things I got out of my first test drive.
 
Skip

#194 of 572 Re: Seattle Auto Show [ncee] by bwia

Nov 27, 2012 (1:36 pm)

Replying to: ncee (Nov 27, 2012 12:50 pm)
Hey Skip,
 
You lucky dog. So you got to drive the new Avy (at an auto show?) How did you pull that off. From your early impressions it seems like a mixed bag. You did not mention visibility--a sour point in my 2011 Buick LaCrosse, so I have to assume it is good. Otherwise you would have noticed.
 
By the way, is the sunroof optional in the higher trim levels? I don't care for sunroof as use it sparingly. But it is not a deal breaker.

#195 of 572 Re: Seattle Auto Show [bwia] by ncee

Nov 27, 2012 (2:12 pm)

Replying to: bwia (Nov 27, 2012 1:36 pm)
Good question on visibility? Nothing that I didn't notice.
 
I drove it around my home town:)
 
Emerson Toyota got it in today.
 
Cypress / Almond and FULLY loaded, everything, hell it even has the remote start on this one:)
 
They just called with the numbers, and well, they aren't giving me enough for my car to trade it in. I'll see about selling it myself.
 
They offered $22,000.00 trade towards $42,000.00.
 
2011 LTD Avalon with 39,000 miles on it, and a 8-9+ on a 10 scale
 
The sunroof is an option, but it's an option you have to get on the LITD models:(
 
Skip

#196 of 572 Re: Seattle Auto Show 92011 AVALON TRADE IN by mls4deals2

Dec 01, 2012 (12:15 pm)

Replying to: ncee (Nov 27, 2012 2:12 pm)
Hi...i bought a new Avalon in 05 (06 model) which i traded for a 2011 Avalon Limited when they told me it was just redesigned and wouldnt change for 5 years typically I soon found out it would change for late 2012 and did some research to discover i would lose about 10k in value if i kept it thru the change.
After 2 Avalon limiteds I drove the new redesigned 2012 Camry Hybrid XLE and decided to downsize for the mileage and savings in insurance etc. The 2012 Camry Hybrid limited is loaded and has exceeded my expectations. It is nimble and way more quiet than my 2011 Avalon was. I love the new sound system (equal to the Avalon) and I am averaging about 39mpg even after leaving bmws at the light with my 200 HP and my childish foot taking over once in a while. It is ully redesigned and Comfortable (Im 6'2") where the 2011 Camry was uncomfortable for me. I love the BLIND SPOT MONITOR (which all cars should have to prevent accidents) and the power lumbar heated seats and its appearance and fun to drive feel while getting about twice the mileage of the 2011 Avalon!
I would only complain about the fact you cant get the dark grey or black leather interior (they only offer a light grey suede leather (which i dont like). I also think any vehicle in this price range should offer standard the turn signal on the outside of the mirrors like the avalon and even the new Prius C??
 
I would recommend you try out the Camry Hybrid before you spend the extra money for the avalon hybrid as they are the exact same drive train and approximate weight. Its great fun to drive and the features of the XLE Camry are excellent if loaded. The Avalon will offer you more features and cost more....then it is subjective which you like better. Just a tip for any Toyota Hybrid driver ...you can maximize your mileage by making sure you average 40 ponds of air in your tires!
Good luck

#197 of 572 2012 CAMRY XLE HYBRID vs 2013 AVALON HYBRID? by mls4deals2

Dec 01, 2012 (12:19 pm)

I bought a new Avalon limited in 05 (06 model) which i traded for a 2011 Avalon Limited when they told me it was just redesigned and wouldnt change for 5 years typically I soon found out it would change for late 2012 and did some research to discover i would lose about 10k in value if i kept it thru the change.
After 2 Avalon limiteds I drove the new redesigned 2012 Camry Hybrid XLE and decided to downsize for the mileage and savings in insurance (saved 50% premium), fuel saved 50%! etc. The 2012 Camry Hybrid limited is loaded and has exceeded my expectations. It is nimble, handles fantastic and IS way more quiet than my 2011 Avalon Limited was. I love the new 7" GPS sound system (equal to the Avalon) and I am averaging about 39 MPG even after leaving bmws at the light with my 200 HP power and my childish foot taking over once in a while. It is fully redesigned and Comfortable (Im 6'2") where the 2011 Camry WAS uncomfortable for me. I love the BLIND SPOT MONITOR (which all cars should have to prevent accidents) and the power lumbar heated seats and its appearance and fun to drive feel while getting about twice the mileage of the 2011 Avalon!
I would only complain about the fact you cant get the dark grey or black leather interior (they only offer a light grey suede leather (which i dont like). I also think any vehicle in this price range should offer standard the turn signal on the outside of the mirrors like the avalon and even the new Prius C??
 
I would recommend you try out the Camry Hybrid before you spend the extra money for the 2013 Avalon hybrid as they are the exact same drive train and approximate weight. Its great fun to drive and the features of the XLE Camry are excellent if loaded. The Avalon will offer you more features and cost more....then it is subjective which you like better. Just a tip for any Toyota Hybrid driver ...you can maximize your mileage by making sure you average 40 ponds of air in your tires!
Good luck

#198 of 572 Edmunds/Inside Line is mighty impressed with the all-new Avalon! by empoweredbc

Dec 05, 2012 (11:09 pm)

http://www.insideline.com/toyota/avalon-hybrid/2013/2013-toyota-avalon-hybrid-fu- ll-test.html
 
A new hybrid that actually gets the mileage promised too. Fancy that.
 
Good looking, elegant, quiet, dignified, admirable, athletic enough, and won't be a constant drain on the wallet. A true flagship has arrived.

#199 of 572 Re: Edmunds/Inside Line is mighty impressed with the all-new Avalon! [empoweredbc] by ncee

Dec 06, 2012 (6:13 am)

Replying to: empoweredbc (Dec 05, 2012 11:09 pm)
Boy, not sure I want to drive a Hybrid. I might kick myself in the ass for getting a gas model:)
 
Skip

#200 of 572 Re: Edmunds/Inside Line is mighty impressed with the all-new Avalon! [ncee] by luckyme1

Dec 06, 2012 (6:36 am)

Replying to: ncee (Dec 06, 2012 6:13 am)
I have owned my 2012 Camry Hybrid for almost a year now. My wife has been waiting for the 2013 Avalon, and we drove them yesterday. The dealer is trying to locate the Avalon LTD. V6 in the color she wants for us now. The Avalon Hybrid is a fine car indeed, and fuel economy/performance will equal the Camry's outstanding results, but she likes the extra smoothness and power of the V6, over the Hybrid, as she is accustomed to that from an Infinity G35, and a previous 2006 Avalon. I don't believe you can go wrong with either power train, as the new Avalon in general is exceptional, and the Toyota Hybrid system being used in the Camry, Avalon, and Lexus' is one of the best there is. Smooth for a hybrid, reliable, and at real world 40 MPG, with really good performance is truly a winner.
The 2013 Avalon is certainly a stunning Toyota design, albeit that grill will need to grow on us. The build quality, design style, interior fit, finish and materials are really stunning, and rival the Lexus. The roominess, quiet ride, and a more spirited performance is going to make this flagship of Toyota a winner.

#201 of 572 Re: Edmunds/Inside Line is mighty impressed with the all-new Avalon! [luckyme1] by ncee

Dec 06, 2012 (6:42 am)

Replying to: luckyme1 (Dec 06, 2012 6:36 am)
As the proud owner of the 2013 Gas model, I can say first off
 
As for the grill, it turns out to be a non-issue! Not ONE person has said anything about the grill?
 
A few (not so good pictures here)
 
- http://www.flickr.com/photos/vonstringcaldinkal
 
I'll be working on getting some better pictures soon, but once you get the front plate on, the grill just isn't that "Big" a deal (sorry, had to do it:).
 
Skip

#202 of 572 Re: Edmunds/Inside Line is mighty impressed with the all-new Avalon! [luckyme1] by bwia

Dec 06, 2012 (7:06 am)

Replying to: luckyme1 (Dec 06, 2012 6:36 am)
The Avalon Hybrid is a fine car indeed, and fuel economy/performance will equal the Camry's outstanding results, but she likes the extra smoothness and power of the V6, over the Hybrid,
 
What I find amazing is how Toyota was able to keep the non-hybrid Avalon under 3,500 pounds curb weight. Yet, the car is quiet at speed with the lowest decibel level of modern sedans (according to Inside Line) on the road today.
 
By comparison, my 2011 Buick LaCrosse CXS is over 4,000 pounds. GM claimed that the extra insulation and quiet glass added to the weight quotient. But, Toyota was able to silence the Avalon by using the same quiet glass technology with amazing results in mileage and hushed interior.
 
It took Toyota eight years between model changes but it appears the long wait has leapfrogged the Avalon over rivals, especially the LaCrosse. I am not yet in the market for a new car but when I do I will be looking closely at the new Avalon.

Messages Page 21 of 58

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