Buying an Avalon

[Raza]

A friend of mine (a very gorgeous older friend whom I'd like to woo away from her husband) is looking to replace her Lexus RX after someone hit her and she came to me for advice on the Avalon.  She had 12 grand from the insurance, and since the car wasn't totalled, she sold it at auction for parts for another 12 grand.  Currently, she's looking at the Avalon.  I told her from what I'd heard it's a good car, a little boring to drive, but overall a quality and hassle-free ride.  I also told her I'd do some more research on it, and suggest some alternatives.

As you can imagine, when a new Toyota comes out, I don't pay immense amounts of attention, so a few salient details about the Avalon had slipped past me without my notice.  Are there any good comparisons out there with the Avalon being featured?  Also, what would you consider its competitors?

She said something about midsizers, but I was under the impression that the Avalon was a large car, along the lines of the 300 or 500.  I suggested looking at the Maxima (the dealership she is going to has BMW/Lexus/Toyota/Nissan) while she's out, but what else is out there that's a good alternative to the Toyota?  It seems every time someone comes to me for advice, I put them behind the wheel of a new Toyota.  

[mazda6er]

The Avalon is a great large car. It is large enough to compete with the likes of the Maxima, 300 and less so (in my mind) the 500.  I believe it has a shatload (yes, I said shatload) of standard features and is a pretty good value for a Toyota. I believe if you want to throw in about 35K you can get every electronic gadget known to man on it.  I should also mention that it's fairly fast, not 300C fast, but it will make a 500 cry, and might even hang in there with a Max, I don't know.

If she wants a large, quasi-luxury sedan, maybe you should also consider a used  RL.  

[Raza]

She drove the RL, and couldn't justify 45 grand on it.  Her husband, coincidentally, has a TL.  

I'd like to see her in a Maxima, but for her needs, I might recommend the Avalon.  It just might be a better fit.  I was just reading the C&D comparo, which had the Avalon, the 300 Touring, and the Maxima 3.5SE in the 1, 2, and 3 spots, respectively.  Which, honestly, was predictable from C&D, but it does at least say something.  

I don't know whether she'd want RWD though, if I recommended the 300.  The Touring V6 comes in AWD as well, doesn't it?

[Raza]

Oh, right...I forgot.  The car MUST be available with nav.  She has a woman's sense of direction.

[mazda6er]

I don't know whether she'd want RWD though, if I recommended the 300.  The Touring V6 comes in AWD as well, doesn't it?

Off the top of my head, I'd say that sounds right. You can check the Chrysler website for that (I'd do it for you but I'm also doing homework right now.)  Does the 500 come with Nav? I don't think it does.

[Raza]

I had suggested the Legacy, but as I recall, there is no navigation system available with that car.

[mazda6er]

Just checked, the 500 does not have NAV. How much does she want to spend?

[Raza]

I just built an Avalon Limited vs. a 300C AWD, and it was $36,905 vs. $38,270.  At that small a price difference, I'd get the 300C anyday.  Better pickup, better styling, AWD over FWD.

[mazda6er]

I had suggested the Legacy, but as I recall, there is no navigation system available with that car.

The Legacy is a lot smaller than the other cars we've been talking about anyway. It's even visibly smaller than my 6. Does she want the cars optioned out, or do you?  :P  What does she really need?

[Raza]

I had suggested the Legacy, but as I recall, there is no navigation system available with that car.

The Legacy is a lot smaller than the other cars we've been talking about anyway. It's even visibly smaller than my 6. Does she want the cars optioned out, or do you?  :P  What does she really need?

I'd imagine leather is a must, but overall, I just did what are "luxury necessities".  Sound, leather, sun, and nav, since she wants it.  I threw in AWD on the 300C just to see if it would make a large difference.  

I moved down to RWD (with a Mercedes ESP, winter won't be a problem, and since she likes to go fast, maybe she'll appreciate it), and the price difference dropped to $40 in favor of the Avalon.

[mazda6er]

Well, suggest the Chrysler then I guess. See what she thinks.

[Raza]

The Legacy's only .2 of an inch shorter than the Mazda6, and has more headroom despite being shorter.  But that's neither here nor there.
:D  

[mazda6er]

The Legacy's only .2 of an inch shorter than the Mazda6, and has more headroom despite being shorter.? But that's neither here nor there.
:D

It doesn't look like that when they're parked next to each other. Must be the height difference.  You can't always trust manufacturer dimensioning anyway. They'd have you believe the backseat of a Mustang's like a stretch limo if you go by specs.

[Raza]

The Legacy's only .2 of an inch shorter than the Mazda6, and has more headroom despite being shorter.  But that's neither here nor there.
:D

It doesn't look like that when they're parked next to each other. Must be the height difference.  You can't always trust manufacturer dimensioning anyway. They'd have you believe the backseat of a Mustang sounds like a stretch limo if you go by specs.

It's a third party comparison through AIC.

And yes, for things like legroom and headroom, they tend to use maximum dimensions, but what else would they do?

[mazda6er]

Yeah, I believe you, but I just remember thinking "Damn that looks small".  Maybe it's the LSD talking. (not really though, I'm "straight edge")

[Raza]

Yeah, I believe you, but I just remember thinking "Damn that looks small".  Maybe it's the LSD talking. (not really though, I'm "straight edge")

There are ways that designers use to make cars look bigger or smaller.  At first, when the new 7er came out, I made a remark that it seemed shorter than the old, but in fact it was a few inches longer.  Proportion will do it, and if I recall, the Legacy has a higher hood and a shorter deck, so that will make it seem smaller.

[ifcar]

The Avalon is a great large car, at a price. If neither that nor sporty handling are issues, go for it. Two large-sedan comparos that come to mind are Edmunds' and Car and Driver's.

I'd also recommend a look at the Maxima SL and the Five Hundred/Montego (which now have a nav option for the 06 model year).

[ifcar]

Looking at other comments in this thread, I wouldn't recommend some of the choices that are being thrown out there. The Legacy is small even for a midsize, much less up against an Avalon. And the Chrysler 300 is as expensive as the Toyota with much less substance.

[thewizard16]

Looking at other comments in this thread, I wouldn't recommend some of the choices that are being thrown out there. The Legacy is small even for a midsize, much less up against an Avalon. And the Chrysler 300 is as expensive as the Toyota with much less substance.

Agreed. I know the Avalon may not look as exciting, or handle as sporty, as a 300C, but it's a much nicer car in general. The power is far from bad, and any car that big that does a 6.9 0-60 is nothing to scoff at, and I don't know that the extra acceleration with the 300C would matter much. At any rate, if she had an RX and she's wanting something nice, the Avalon is going to fit her bill far better than the 300 ever would.  

[SJ_GTI]

When it was being introduced everyone was comparing the new Buick Lucerne to the Avalon. Is it out yet? Looks alot classier IMHO and with the magnetic ride control it should be a decent driver without sacrificing comfort.

Maxima would probably be my choice, since its got a 6MT. I am not really into large cars though.

Does she want to keep the priuce around 35k? I know you mentioned the RL is why I asked. Was it she just didn't like the RL or did she just not want to spend that much money?

If she can spend 45k i woudl suggest the A6 3.2, M35, And 525i for test drives. If she wants to keep it around 35k the G35 is a great car for the money, and is reasonably large. Lexus ES330 is nice too, but probably not as nice as the Avalon.

My mom isn't a car enthusiast but when she drove a 325i she immediately wanted one to replace her Corolla (she ended up getting a TSX instead though). Sometimes people drive cars like Buicks and Toyota simply because they don't know better.

[MX793]

The Legacy's only .2 of an inch shorter than the Mazda6, and has more headroom despite being shorter.  But that's neither here nor there.
:D

It doesn't look like that when they're parked next to each other. Must be the height difference.  You can't always trust manufacturer dimensioning anyway. They'd have you believe the backseat of a Mustang's like a stretch limo if you go by specs.

The Legacy is within a half inch of the Mazda6 in every exterior dimension besides width, where the Subie is 2 inches narrower.  If it looks significantly smaller, you either have a fantastic eye for dimensions or it's the proportions of the car that make it look smaller by tricking the eye.

[Raza]

When it was being introduced everyone was comparing the new Buick Lucerne to the Avalon. Is it out yet? Looks alot classier IMHO and with the magnetic ride control it should be a decent driver without sacrificing comfort.

Maxima would probably be my choice, since its got a 6MT. I am not really into large cars though.

Does she want to keep the priuce around 35k? I know you mentioned the RL is why I asked. Was it she just didn't like the RL or did she just not want to spend that much money?

If she can spend 45k i woudl suggest the A6 3.2, M35, And 525i for test drives. If she wants to keep it around 35k the G35 is a great car for the money, and is reasonably large. Lexus ES330 is nice too, but probably not as nice as the Avalon.

My mom isn't a car enthusiast but when she drove a 325i she immediately wanted one to replace her Corolla (she ended up getting a TSX instead though). Sometimes people drive cars like Buicks and Toyota simply because they don't know better.

I don't think she'd take something as small as a 3 series.  Though, when I mentioned the Legacy 2.5GT Limited for 30 grand, she said she didn't want something that cheap.  I think she could push to 40s if she wanted, but she seems kind of set on the Avalon.  I thought I'd stick around that price.  

She said she didn't really like the RL--and 45 grand for that car was a ripoff.  

I couldn't see myself recommending the ES330--I'd rather she bought an Avalon.  

I'm going to call her today, and recommend she drive the Maxima and my personal pick, the 300C.  What else should I throw her way.

[ifcar]

Toss in a good word for the Five Hundred/Montego, the value alternative in that class.  

[Raza]

Toss in a good word for the Five Hundred/Montego, the value alternative in that class.

Certainly, though she doesn't seem the type to be too keen on Ford (they had a Lexus, and still have an Acura...seem like Japanese car types to me).  

[ifcar]

You're recommending the 300C, that seems even more un-Japanese. <_<

[Submariner]

Well, If I were buying, I'd go with the Chrysler.  The watered down styling and driving experence the Avalon is good for some, but not for me.  But of course I'm not buying, so it depends on if she's into something that stands out and is fairly fun to drive, or something that blends in and offers no driving excitement.

So Raza...You into older women too?    

[Raza]

Well, If I were buying, I'd go with the Chrysler.  The watered down styling and driving experence the Avalon is good for some, but not for me.  But of course I'm not buying, so it depends on if she's into something that stands out and is fairly fun to drive, or something that blends in and offers no driving excitement.

So Raza...You into older women too?  

Dude...I'm the archetype of liking older women.  I've been raving about my hot neighbor for years now.

This woman is ten times hotter.  And smarter, too.

[Raza]

You're recommending the 300C, that seems even more un-Japanese. <_<

True.

<_<

Though what I was trying to say is that they come off a bit as brand snobs, however not in so many words.

[Tom]

Well, If I were buying, I'd go with the Chrysler.  The watered down styling and driving experence the Avalon is good for some, but not for me.  But of course I'm not buying, so it depends on if she's into something that stands out and is fairly fun to drive, or something that blends in and offers no driving excitement.

So Raza...You into older women too? 

I've been raving about my hot neighbor for years now.

I've been doing that too, ever since she moved in.  She is 40ish, but looks great :ph34r:  

[Champ]

infiniti I30/35?  I believe you can get the heated steering wheel also!