My 2003 Camry has just shy of 100,000 miles on it. I was thinking of getting a 2008 Avalon. How do you folks like them. I'd like to hear the good and the bad...
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07 Tundra DCSB, 5.7, Blue Streak Metallic, 4X4, SR5, TRD, BU, CK, DZ, FE, HM, MG, OF, Brushed Stainless steps, sill protectors, USMC lighted hitch plug and assorted stickers and license plate brackets, rollup bed cover, Rhino Liner, Mesh Grill backing, Black Wheelskin steering wheel cover, Wade in channel vent visors, under rear seat storage, PRG mini spring pack, Proforce rear exit cat-back exhaust, aFe CAI, TRD rear sway bar, A.R.E. MX series Cap.
Good:
1) quiet on the road
2) significantly bigger inside than Camry, especially in the back seat
3) nice interior style and amenities - some upgrded materials
4) 2008 has Bluetooth option, iPod jack, and 6-speed trans standard
5) great mileage (29-30 hwy) considering the hp & torque ratings
6) uses regular gas
7) full-size spare on matching alloy wheel is a nice touch
8) Touring option handling - probably equivalent to Camry SE
9) price with incentives usually under $30k
10) auto down AND up power windows
Bad:
1) trunk seems no bigger than Camry - space is not as useful
2) driver seat position not good for tall drivers
3) some cheap interior plastics - storage bin contents rattle around
4) head restraints adjust only for height, not angle
5) upgraded JBL stereo doesn't compare to better luxury car audio
6) strange layout of climate-control buttons - not intuitive
7) slightly busy exterior styling - one too many bodyside cutlines
Goofy:
1) side-view mirror housings do not fold
2) speedo & tach pointer tails cover script on the gauges
3) mpg readout on trip computer resets with every engine stop
4) XM radio displays only 10 characters of title or artist - no scrolling
5) separate levers for steering wheel tilt and telescope
6) on nav-equipped cars - joystick control only, no touch screen
7) reclining rear seat (this could be in the good column, but it's really a gimmick that eats trunk space and prevents having a truly useful fold-down rear seat.)
Guntech, I have an 05' Avalon Touring and we really like it. The ride, power, looks, and handling are flawless. It is almost 3 years old with 26,000 miles and has never been in for anything other than regular service.
My advice is look at the packages:
LX-nothing special No HID
Touring-suspension, HID's, unique
XLS-leather, wood trim No HID
Limited-everything including the kitchen sink
We bought the Touring because of the leather interior, no wood grain trim, HID lights, unique rims, tighter suspension, and I figured there would not be too many on the road. The 3.5 V6 is very powerful. You can pass most anything with it. We average 28-30 mpg on the hwy and 22-24 city. My wife had a 2000 Camry we sold after we bought this car. She will never go back to a smaller car again.
The vehicle requires 93 octane fuel so consider this before you make up your mind.
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Ride hard, die young and leave a good looking corpse. Now that I'm older...
07' DC 4x2 SR5, TRD CAI, TRD Dual Exhaust, TRD Sway Bar, Line-X
The 2008 Avalon has significantly lower profile wheels and tires than your 2003 Camry (if your Camry is a stock CE or LE model) so the ride of the Avalon XL & XLS isn't quite as soft and absorbent, but it's close if you keep the tire pressures down to 29 PSI. The Avalon Touring suspension ride is ever harsher so keep that in mind if you desire a pillowy smooth Buick kinda of ride.
Now if your 2003 Camry is the SE model then the Avalon Touring model ride will feel about the same and the Avalon XL & XLS modesl will feel smoother.
If you don't need the extra back seat room, a Camry XLE will feel just about as plush as an Avalon XLS and will drive more nimbly because it's shorter. I consider the ride of the 2008 Camry SE too stiff and abrupt, but if you want sporty handling then it's the model to get.
You will notice the interiors of both the 2008 Avalon and Camry feels cheaper in certain respects than your 2003 Camry. For example, they both have paper thin headliners with no cotton shoddy insulation underneath the headliner. So in the summer you really feel the heat from the sun coming through and in the winter you feel the coldness radiating through.
The Avalon is decent I traded mine(07 limited) on a 2008 Highlander Hybrid limited.There are a few thing's I hate on the Avalon number one the Navigation for all model's (limited and Xls )Sucks No touch screen and the navigation is pointless in this class not to mention no bluetooth was offered for the 2007 model year limited (08 has that now) .Beyond that I also think the steel metel is thin and does dent very easy. The avalon is not perfect but there is a huge redesign model coming for it's replaced due in a year or two I would wait for that since this car is getting rather old (05 based) 08 refreshing.
Good luck
Erik
Last edited by Tundrav8yamaha; 12-25-2007 at 03:13 PM.
The vehicle requires 93 octane fuel so consider this before you make up your mind.
I have owned 3 Avalons, currently have the 2008, and I can assure you that 93 octane is not required or for that matter, recommended by Toyota. Some believe higher octane gasoline increases gas milage, it does not. Put in what you want, however don't expect anything back from using more expensive gas other than a lighter wallet. Stick with 87 octane and enjoy the extra cash in your pocket.
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'07 Limited DC 2x2, 5.7, Debadged, ReadyLift Leveling Kit, G2 BakFlip Tonneau Cover, Black Carriage Works Grille Kit, Black Westin Platinum Series Nerf Bars, Black TRD Anti-Sway Bar
I have owned 3 Avalons, currently have the 2008, and I can assure you that 93 octane is not required or for that matter, recommended by Toyota. Some believe higher octane gasoline increases gas milage, it does not. Put in what you want, however don't expect anything back from using more expensive gas other than a lighter wallet. Stick with 87 octane and enjoy the extra cash in your pocket.
I have owned 3 Avalons, currently have the 2008, and I can assure you that 93 octane is not required or for that matter, recommended by Toyota. Some believe higher octane gasoline increases gas milage, it does not. Put in what you want, however don't expect anything back from using more expensive gas other than a lighter wallet. Stick with 87 octane and enjoy the extra cash in your pocket.
Most Toyota's actually say in the manual for optimal performance use an octance higher than 87. I am not sure about the Avalon but a family member has a 2007 model so I would have to check the manual but being that is the 3.5 v6 I would think that it would say it in the manual.
The owners manuals of the 2006 -2008 3.5 V6 say to use "87 OR HIGHER" but do not claim that performance will be improved if higher octanes are used.
The owners manuals of the earlier model years with the 3.3 V6 say to use 87 OR HIGHER and claim that the higher octances will provide better performance.
My 2003 Camry has just shy of 100,000 miles on it. I was thinking of getting a 2008 Avalon. How do you folks like them. I'd like to hear the good and the bad...
Overall the Avalon is a pretty good car. My dad bought an Avalon in 2006 (2007MY) and couldn't be happier. I went with him looking at an Avalon and ES350 and an outgoing ES330 (last one that was new) and by far we thought the Avalon was the way to go.
IMO the pros are.
1. OUTSTANDING performance from the 3.5 v6. I believe this is the best performing application of the 3.5 outside of the Rav v6.
2. Very quiet.
3. Lots of features for the money.
4. Pretty decent built quality and materials for the money.
5. Different dashboard (not everyone will like the dash)
6. Very good fuel economy.
7. Reclining rear seat with tons of leg room
8. Very low maintenence
9. Sold in many parts of the world (not just North America)
Some cons.
1. some cheap materials but for the price it does not bother me.
2. Very low insurance cost (I mean for my 65 year old dad) the cost difference between the ES and Avalon was almost $800 and he a clean record
3. Outside mirrors don't fold
4. Ok for tall drivers.
5. Dashboard (you either like it or you don't_
6. Light wood trim is not as nice as the dark.
7. A bit of float in the ride
Overall a pretty decent car that does what is suppose to do. Get you around without trying to be to trendy.
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2003 Salsa Red Pearl
Last edited by pagemaster; 12-27-2007 at 09:30 PM.
We bought a 2008 Limited in September, and also own a 2002 XLS Avalon. We like the larger size compared to the 2002 and it handles on the road like a dream. Is a very quiet, smooth ride and handling is positive.
Laser cruise control is nice and the control on the steering wheel make it easy to operate the sound, environment, Blue Tooth and cruise control systems. The Limited has both heated & cooled seats & I like this (more than my wife). Nothing is perfect, however, but any negatives in my opion are minor ones.
I do not think Avalon and Camry compare very well as each car is after a diffeent market. An upscaled Camry does not come close to an upscaled Avalon (unless you're looking at $$$ only), nor would the basic versions compare. If you took an upscaled Camry and compared it to basic Avalon... that may be a trade off. Would end up being an evaluation of how many options one got on the Camry for the cost of a basic Avalon.
We love both our Avalons and until Toyota messes something up, I doubt if we'd look at anything else in terms of sedans.
I have an 08 Limited and really like the car, except FOR THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND ITS VOICE RECOGNITION SYSTEM. Both SUCK !
The ride is smooth, mileage good for a large car, and I really like the adaptive cruise.
I find it hard to believe that Toyota would put such a poor navigation system in its flagship.
I have an 08 Limited and really like the car, except FOR THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND ITS VOICE RECOGNITION SYSTEM. Both SUCK !
The ride is smooth, mileage good for a large car, and I really like the adaptive cruise.
I find it hard to believe that Toyota would put such a poor navigation system in its flagship.
You and me both i dumped it (07 limited non bluetooth) on a Highlander limited HV even the Highlander and Camry have a nicer touch screen system vs this crap on the avalon its Joy stick is a Joke
Im sorry but I expected More from Toyota on the New Avalon it's Not refined enought in my opinion.My dad's 2006 2 door Accord Navi is like 10 year's ahead of Toyota when it comes to build quality on Navigation and radio design with Toyota it's like going back 5 year's behind on this certain sedan.
Toyota is going to replace the Avalon soon I can't wait till the larger Updated Car improves on the current Camry yet provide more room and offer The quality Toyota is knowen for. My mom's 99 Avalon is still running strong and she got that car brand new..
Last edited by Tundrav8yamaha; 01-12-2008 at 09:57 PM.
2008 Avalon opinion
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