2005 Toyota Avalon - XLS

Submitted on 7/26/2005 6:28:15 PM

Pros: My favorite feature is the appearance(looks like lexus from the rear)

Cons: Transmission shift pattern

Advice: Test drive other cars in the Avalons' class and compare before you buy anything else

I recently purchased a 2005 XL with leather seats,alarm system and 6 disc CD changer for less than $28,000 out the door. I previously owned cadillac devilles for the past ten years. The Avalon is a lot of car for the money. I have two things I dislike. The zig zag shifter pattern is confusing. You have to look at the shift indicator on the dash to really tell what gear you are in. The timing between the computer and the transmission should be more closely synchronized. The car hesitates for few seconds when accelerating. The sequential shifting is not responsive.

2005 Toyota Avalon - Limited

Submitted on 7/20/2005 4:21:38 PM

Pros: Smart Start

Cons: Stitch seam in seat can be uncomfortable.

Advice: Lexus LS430! Excellent, but save your money. You can have 2 Avalons and double your pleasure!

Very quiet, great fuel econmy. A bit floaty at highway speeds when loaded. Options work great with exception of knowing if moonroof is fully closed from pop up. Toyota needs to include power tilt/telescope wheel as in Lexus models.

2005 Toyota Avalon - Limited

Submitted on 7/7/2005 9:34:44 PM

Pros: So many to name, Smart Key, air and heated seats, spacious back seat, rear window sunshade.

Cons: No complaints

Advice: ENJOY!!!

I have had mine 1 month and love it more everyday. I drove a barely used Lexus of a friend to possibly buy, and forget it, the Avalon if far superior in drivability and comfort. Someone with a new Mercedes CLS 500 saw my car and wishes he had bought one instead of his Mercedes. I have had two Camrys and a Cressida, and would not drive any car but a Toyota. The overall look is so superior to other luxury cars. Toyota has really hit the Jackpot this time. We were looking at Camry's last Fall and our salesperson asked us to wait to see the Avalon. This is the nicest thing she could have ever done. Love it and will never let it go. And our 5 yr old granddaughter thinks it's 'cool'.

2005 Toyota Avalon - XLS

Submitted on 6/25/2005 8:16:02 AM

Pros: Value for a very luxurious car.

Cons: Headlights don't illuminate far enough

Advice: If you want a deal

I bought my Avalon Limited 3 weeks ago and I love it. It is comfortable, roomy and luxurious. Getting it with all the bells and whistles was unnecessary, but fun. I must have gotten my timing right on this, because I paid $500 under invoice. They only had one Limited model, in black, and maybe it wasn't moving as fast as others. Like all cars, it has a couple of irritating features. For one, I can't tell when the tilt/slide moon roof is really all the way closed. And the headlights don't go out far enough on dark roads. The highbeams are great.

2005 Toyota Avalon - XLS

Submitted on 6/5/2005 6:02:49 AM

Pros: Comfort and Manual-on-a-CDDisc

Cons: The CD loading mechanism which forces you to cough up the first CD before loading the second one.

Advice: Think of the 05AV as a luxury edition of the Camry. Its looks will grow on you.

The test drive convinced me to buy my 05Av and I am still convinced of its value after owning it. It is ultra comfortable and the horsepower is there when needed. After 2 weeks of driving, i have not experienced the 22/31 mpg city/highway numbers yet, even after going from 87 to 89 octane fuel. This is said to improve after an initial 'break-in' period though. The Chrysler 300 was my car of second choice due to its stylish looks, but being 500 pounds heavier and promising onlg 14 mpg, I happily went with the Avalon.

2005 Toyota Avalon - XLS

Submitted on 4/21/2005 7:59:48 PM

Pros: Comfortable ride

Cons: Small trunk

Advice: This is a good car for grandparents to take the grandkids to the beach for the day

This is a nice car overall. It has a good feel to it, it has lots of power once the car makes up its mind to engage 1st gear. (there is a dead spot on start up). Steering is similar to a Ford Crown Victoria. Visibility is good. Ride is comfortable as this is no sports car. The trunk is small for a car of its size. The side mirrors are fixed to the car, so I suppose Toyota figures to sell a lot of them from grandmas backing out of a tight garage.

2005 Toyota Avalon - Touring

Submitted on 4/19/2005 8:33:07 AM

Pros: the way it drives

Cons: the way it looks

Advice: be happy don't worry its great

I bought the car and love it had been in Towncars for 15 years but the boys at Ford have lost a customer. this is a fine auto