Hello, I've been reading a lot of info on the BB just joined so I could ask a few questions.

I have a 2001 Camery LE and I'm looking for a used Avalon 07 or 08 which aren't plentiful (I hope means they are being kept by their owners).

I am looking for n '07 or '08 Touring and wonder if either has any issues I should be aware of.

For that matter, it doesn't have to be a touring but I'm looking for heated leather seats.

Any suggestions or advice will be appreciated.

-S

I purchased an '07 Limited in October and love the car. We just got back from a 2300 mile trip to Florida and the car was awesome. The only complaint I have is the FM radio's poor reception. We averaged 23 MPG which is fine as I drove around 80 MPH most of the trip. The navigation system was great and we even liked the Laser Track cruise control (I like gadgets). I used the link below when looking at this vehicle. My previous car was a '98 Avalon.
Check out this link at Edmon's: 2007 Toyota Avalon Consumer Review (http://www.edmunds.com/toyota/avalon/2007/consumerreview.1...html)

My dad has a Toyota Avalon XLE.

He was looking at a Lexus but I convinced him to stay away from the first model year ES at the time. He has a 2007 model. It is a very nice car. I have driven it a number of times. The power is excellent, good MPG and decent luxury and features.

Also, he does not may much for insurance and maintenace compared to the ES>

You can get aftermarket seat heaters, so don't let that be a limiting option

The Avalon is a great luxury car! I worked at both a Lexus and Toyota dealership and found that the Avalon is similar to a Lexus without the mark up. Not all of the features/creature comforts are up to the same standards (who would buy a Lexus if they could have an identical Avalon for less?). But the front and back seats seem spacious enough. And as far as people holding onto their cars. I think a lot of people are. I just know that (at my dealerships anyways) we get good deals from rental car companies that purchase units (i.e. Avalon Touring) and sell them within 3 - 12 months to local dealerships...So finding the cars is easy because (at least locally) some fleets use them...

Avalon vs what model lexus?? I drove a new Avalon, and an ES350,, close, but not the same. Bought a LS430 '06, and a big difference. Have a 2000 Avalon with 167k miles, and rides better to me than a new Honda Accord. The new Avalon was a better ride than the Honda. This is all to my way of thinking. Drove a stripped down 2008 Camry, with a 4 cyl engine. Nope, not my kind of ride. No Power, but looked nice.

We have the 05' Touring with about 40K on it. It goes between Houston and San Antonio pretty often and averages 30 mpg going 71 mph. Not a creak or squeak inside the car. Leather seats still look new. It gets parked in a garage and exterior maint. includes Klasse AIO so it still looks great. It is the wifes car and she moved up from a 2000 Camry 4cyl LE to the Avalon. She bought the platinum 7 yr/100K warranty at 33K so we plan to keep it for a long while.

The Touring package's last year was 08'. Grab one while you can...

the Avalon is a great car value. As I posted previously, my 06 got exceptional mpg's on a 4K mile roundtrip from NH to FL and back (averaged 31mpg hwy). this was in july/august - winter mileage is less (28MPG Av hwy) as cold temps and E-10 have an overall affect on mpg performance. This is my 3rd Avalon and the one I've liked the best.I would expect the 07 or 08 is similar.