2005 Toyota Avalon

Hi..

Does any one know how the new 2005 Toyota Avalon will look like... have searched the net quite a lot...got a lot of information that they r giving the car a complete new look ... but didn't find any pictures of it.. !!

Does any one know where i can find the new 2005 toyota avalon Pics..!!???

2004 2005 Toyota Avalon

Don't like Japanese cars myself - too tinny as in driving in a tin can.
My requirements are a deep resounding thud when shutting doors and bumping into things.

Thanxs for the link ... but this is not the 2005 new avalon ... I read some on avalon articles that they r coming up with altogether a new shape for the car... The one in the link provided up is 2004 avalon... not the 2005 avalon...!!!

Even i don't like the basic models of toyota..like corolla and echo...but i like avalon quite a lot...!!! it's really big and spacious..!!!Its the best car i have ever driven..!!!

If it's a hybrid vehicle apparently it looks a lot like the Lexus RX400h

Lexus RX400h

[ June 29, 2004: Message edited by: Helen Thomas ]

What did u mean by 'hybrid vehicle'...all i know is that toyota avalon is a luxury saloon car..!!!

Originally posted by Helen Thomas:
2004 2005 Toyota Avalon

Don't like Japanese cars myself - too tinny as in driving in a tin can.
My requirements are a deep resounding thud when shutting doors and bumping into things.

It is true that Japanese cars tend to be lighter and are susceptible to strong winds, but they also have superior engines. At least compared to American and Korean cars. Some European cars have some sweet engines though, but I do not know if they have as much lasting power as a Japanese engine.

There is a long wait for hybrid around 6 to one year. Avalon didnt succeed much in market and you cant say its luxury or can say camrys luxury model. I like new model of corolla and camry. In fact my car is corolla le 2001 model and it didnt create any problems for the last three years. Go for RAV4!!!, if you can afford gas price.

Originally posted by Rekha Pande:
What did u mean by 'hybrid vehicle'...all i know is that toyota avalon is a luxury saloon car..!!!

Originally posted by Rekha Pande:
What did u mean by 'hybrid vehicle'...all i know is that toyota avalon is a luxury saloon car..!!!

A hybrid vehicle runs on both gas and electricity, presumably not at the same time. I think gas powers it up and electricity then keeps it ticking over nicely.

Here is an early peek at 2005 Avalon. Toyota is extremely secretive about it, so the photo looks like a stolen photocopy. Interesting to compare it to another vehicle which I also posted below -- a 2004 Maybach 57. The price difference: about $270,000.




Spy photo of 05 Avalon:

[ October 14, 2004: Message edited by: John Smith ]

The Avalon looks boring.

Helen, I don't think I'd describe a Lexus as "tinny".

I took an oath that I wouldn't buy another Toyota again.

- m

Originally posted by Madhav Lakkapragada:
I took an oath that I wouldn't buy another Toyota again.

- m

Why?

Originally posted by Madhav Lakkapragada:
I took an oath that I wouldn't buy another Toyota again.

- m

really surprises me. I feel yours is a out of norm decision than a generalization, since most of the toyota owners(including me) like it for the pure reason of bang for the buck and reliability.

Originally posted by Helen Thomas:
2004 2005 Toyota Avalon

Don't like Japanese cars myself - too tinny as in driving in a tin can.
My requirements are a deep resounding thud when shutting doors and bumping into things.

ha!!!
that reminds me of a Chrysler Quality team member's comments(in a personal party) "We try to meet the minimal of quality standards and go for other amenities" ---> That made me decide to never buy a Chrysler for atleast next 10 years. Now the same quality issues are rubbing on Mercedes(it is now almost ranked 10 th in quality compared to 3rd couple of years ago),Hyundai is doing better than Mercedes qualitiwise now-a-days.

I hope people won't prefer amenities at the expense of reliability.

You really want to hear?
Well, that's an eight page document written to the National Highway Safety Organization. And it ain't no 'out of the norm....generalization'. Its TOYOTA and their dealers.

I am not sure I can post it here publicly since I have all the names of the (service) people who did repairs and stuff like that.

Now, if someone (other than me) from Javaranch gives me permission then I am willing to post the letter. Its a letter I wrote, recently, to National Highway Safety Organization, Washington DC, so I think I can post it here, but I will wait for the blessing from Javaranch before I do so.

- m

"We try to meet the minimal of quality standards and go for other amenities"

Absolutely, meet the required standards. You want more quality, here's our luxury brand which far exceeds the requirements. That's the business principle. What's wrong with that?

---> That made me decide to never buy a Chrysler for atleast next 10 years.

Now, that is a generalization.

Now the same quality issues are rubbing on Mercedes(it is now almost ranked 10 th in quality compared to 3rd couple of years ago),Hyundai is doing better than Mercedes qualitiwise now-a-days.

Oh, please! You think all those people paying $$$ for Mercedes are paying for nothing! How could you compare Hyundai to Mercedes ?
Sure, some vehicles may have their problems, but this comparision goes too far, IMHO.

- m

More 2005 Toyota Avalon information. The are some cool things in there:

-- 280hp 3.5L V6
-- 260 ft/lbs @ 4,700 rpm
-- Smart Entry/Start: you don't need a key to open doors or to start/stop the engine
-- Trasmission "learns" your driving habits
-- Adaptive cruise control: the laser beam is continuously measuring the distance between you and the car upfront and adjusts speed to maintain the preset distance
-- 12-speaker, 7.1 channel, 360 watts sound system
-- heated and ventilated seats
-- reclining back seats
-- Navigation system recognizes 200 voice commands: e.g. saying �I�m Hungry� causes restaurant pois to appear on map

Originally posted by Madhav Lakkapragada:
[qb]"We try to meet the minimal of quality standards and go for other amenities"

Absolutely, meet the required standards. You want more quality, here's our luxury brand which far exceeds the requirements. That's the business principle. What's wrong with that?

---> That made me decide to never buy a Chrysler for atleast next 10 years.

Now, that is a generalization.



Now the same quality issues are rubbing on Mercedes(it is now almost ranked 10 th in quality compared to 3rd couple of years ago),Hyundai is doing better than Mercedes qualitiwise now-a-days.

Oh, please! You think all those people paying $$$ for Mercedes are paying for nothing! How could you compare Hyundai to Mercedes ?
Sure, some vehicles may have their problems, but this comparision goes too far, IMHO.

- m[/QB]

Thanks for ur response.

How about those Mercedes brought in India, getting rusted underneath the engines. Mercedes quality used to be good. But not any more. They already lost the quality battle to Lexus in the luxury sector.

If I were them I would use my $$$ to buy a Lexus compared to a Mercedes.

My comparision of Hyundai to Mercedes is with respect to quality rankings rather than $$/price of the vehicles. Why would that be going too far in comparisions.

Irrespective of ur 8 page statement about Toyota to whoever(i am least bothered to read that), I will stick with my statement that Toyota produces one of the best quality and reliable cars in the pack. I am sure your letter will be ignored
[ November 25, 2004: Message edited by: Kishore Dandu ]

Originally posted by Madhav Lakkapragada:
[qb]"We try to meet the minimal of quality standards and go for other amenities"

Absolutely, meet the required standards. You want more quality, here's our luxury brand which far exceeds the requirements. That's the business principle. What's wrong with that?

---> That made me decide to never buy a Chrysler for atleast next 10 years.

Now, that is a generalization.

- m[/QB]

Don't give ur freewheeling statements about Chrysler.

That is only one reason for my above decision not to buy Chrysler/dodge for some time to come.

I had a collegue who bought a Sebring(in 2000), he had to go fix it up 3 times in the first 10K miles. He sold it in less than 1 and half years. That is horrible. I heard similar stories from other friends and looking at the quality measures that come out every year, there is no way I can buy a Chrysler.

If you have the guts and confidence go buy a Chrysler. I will bet you will regret that in couple of years.

Don't give ur freewheeling statements about Chrysler.

WOW wow, Kishore! No need to get so excited. I wasn't supporting Chrysler nor was I suggesting that you should buy one.

I was commenting on a business practice, which applies to anything and everything. It has nothing to do with Chrysler nor with Toyota. Just a business thing as they say "You get what you pay for".

I am also not quesioning the reliability of Toyota. I have my own opinion and I stated that, it has nothing to do with you having a Toyota or your friend having a bad experience with Chrysler or whatever.

I don't want to hijack the thread, lets just leave it at that.


I am sure your letter will be ignored

In my experience, when a customer writes a letter to a reputed organization/company, it will have its impact and my letter had its impact. FYI...it wasn't ignored. I got the responses I was looking for from Toyota and from Washington, DC. Ya, there probably are companies that ignore customer feedback (like my builder for example), sure.

- m
[ November 25, 2004: Message edited by: Madhav Lakkapragada ]

Originally posted by Madhav Lakkapragada:
Don't give ur freewheeling statements about Chrysler.

WOW wow, Kishore! No need to get so excited. I wasn't supporting Chrysler nor was I suggesting that you should buy one.

I was commenting on a business practice, which applies to anything and everything. It has nothing to do with Chrysler nor with Toyota. Just a business thing as they say "You get what you pay for".

I am also not quesioning the reliability of Toyota. I have my own opinion and I stated that, it has nothing to do with you having a Toyota or your friend having a bad experience with Chrysler or whatever.

I don't want to hijack the thread, lets just leave it at that.


I am sure your letter will be ignored

In my experience, when a customer writes a letter to a reputed organization/company, it will have its impact and my letter had its impact. FYI...it wasn't ignored. I got the responses I was looking for from Toyota and from Washington, DC. Ya, there probably are companies that ignore customer feedback (like my builder for example), sure.

- m

[ November 25, 2004: Message edited by: Madhav Lakkapragada ]

I don't think Toyota would ever say 'We meet the minimum of qaulity standards'. If so their Lexus & Toyota will not be no1 &4 in quality.

With respect to Chrysler(and also GM, Ford) they were scording less than average scores in quality for years. How about that?

Toyota going a lemon is rarity, Chrysler thorwingup early in its life is quite common(may be that happens only in texas where I live)

Latest pics (the car is not yet on the dealer lots):

Does any know ... how much would the new avalon be costing ...??? I'm really interested to purchase the latest one ... currently driving 2004 Avalon.. but would love to buy the new one..!

The new Avalon will have 4 trims: XL, XLS, Touring, and Limited. The prices for the XL and XLS trims are expected to be about the same as those for the 2004 model -- around $27K and $30K, respectively. The fully loaded Limited will be around $36K.

Here is the new Toyota Avalon. It just went on sale.

http://www.toyota.com/avalon/index.html

$27K!!! Sounds good value for money! You wouldn't get even a mid-sized family car for that sort of money here in the UK or Ireland. A 1.6ltr Toyota Avensis costs more than $30K!!!

Originally posted by Ashok Mash:
$27K!!! Sounds good value for money! You wouldn't get even a mid-sized family car for that sort of money here in the UK or Ireland. A 1.6ltr Toyota Avensis costs more than $30K!!!

I visited www.toyota.co.uk and noticed that the Toyota Camry isn't listed. Is the Avensis the European Camry? Is the Avensis a good car?

Thanks,

Ashok Mash:

$27K!!! Sounds good value for money! You wouldn't get even a mid-sized family car for that sort of money here in the UK or Ireland. A 1.6ltr Toyota Avensis costs more than $30K!!!

Maybe cars just cost more there (VAT?). In the U.S., I'd expect a mid sized family car to go for around $20k.

Originally posted by Warren Dew:
...
Maybe cars just cost more there (VAT?). In the U.S., I'd expect a mid sized family car to go for around $20k.

In my experience new cars in UK are very expensive compared with the same car here in Australia - however, there are caveats to that statement:

1) European cars are RIDICULOUSLY overpriced in Australia (Peugeout, Renault are regarded as "premium" brands - and you pay for it...
2) Ford + GM cars are cheap anywhere...
3) Toyota are a far more common (and therefore less pricey) in Australia than UK

FYI: Price of a new Camry on road here in Australia < AU$30K (GBP12K, US$25K). Same price gets a very small, mid-spec Peugeot 206...

However, in the UK the second hand car market is a great deal more attractive! GBP500 (AU$1300, $US1000) gets you something that will still drive for a few months whereas an Australian vehicle costing less than AU$3000 (GBP1200) is unlikely to get you more than a few hundred metres down the road before it packs up! The main reason for this is the UKs annual roadworthiness certificate which means old cars need to pass rigorous tests annually and so become economically unviable. Australian cars continue to be legal to drive even when they clearly shouldnt be - so the deprecisation curve is a LOT longer....