This is not a car I would normally stop for, although it is some twenty years old now. But since I saw a For Sale sign in the window, I figured it was worth breaking my stride to see what something like this goes for.
I really don’t follow used car prices, but it seems to me that if someone wanted a nice plush sedan that was likely to provide quite a bit more service with low risk of required repairs, this would seem like a very good way to go. And I don’t doubt for a second that it’s in great condition, given that every Avalon buyer I’ve ever seen looked like someone who treated it well. This is the Buick of the aughts.
The styling on these was a bit of a surprise when I first saw one, given that there was a conscious effort to make the windows more vertical than typical, making it look oddly flat-sided. It was done to increase the impression of interior space, and it’s right up my alley, but it was a bit curious at the time.
Its interior looks suitably comfortable and made with quality materials. The wear on the driver’s seat looks negligible, given the 172k miles. Very Lexus-like.
The back seat area appears to be very commodious. Undoubtedly the additional 4″ of wheelbase these got over the platform-donor Camry all went here, with what appears to be very generous leg room.
I did not know that these US-made Avalons were exported to Japan, and sold as the Toyota Pronard. Sales were not good, though, and that was dropped after this generation. It’s not like Toyota didn’t already have a wide range of large sedans on tap domestically.
Someone’s likely to end up with a reliable and comfortable car.
Domestic minivans and the avalon are my first recommendations for someone looking for a used car. Domestic minivans depreciate like rocks and are generally owned by the kind of middle aged cardigan wearing people who believe “if you want something to last, take care of it” and are meticulous about maintenance. Nobody knows what an avalon is in atlanta so they get ignored in online searches and end up less expensive than an equivalent camry. They drive MUCH better than a Camry with less of that floppy toyota feel and the limited versions are more loaded than a lexus es. The limited has wood (fake?) Trim buick can only dream of, heated and cooled ventilated seats, adaptive cruise, and lots of fun other toys.
I donno about that domestic minivan comment. Where I am domestic minivans (all minivans for that matter) get abused like the family transporting appliances they are. After 5 years their interiors are trashed by kids and the parents trade them in. Or they’re fleet owned by rental car companies. People you describe usually hold on to them forever to the point where buying them used is when the problems come up. Yes a used grand caravan is dirt dirt cheap but you will have expensive problems to deal with, hence the dirt cheap price. Maybe you’ll get lucky but with chrysler quality chances are not on your side. The GM and Ford minivans have been out of production so long whatever ones are still running are scrap value and not worth a new set of tires.
When it comes to used cars in general its cheap or reliable hardly ever both. Only exception to that rule I can think of is a used 3800 powered GM car, Ford Crown Vic/Grand marquis/town car, or like you said used Avalon.
The difference in quality between this and a GM equivalent is far more stark now than when the cars were new. It shows you how much better Toyotas really are.
I’ll still take the 3800 over the toyota 3.0 v6 though.
I agree. I currently have a ’91 Park Avenue in the fleet that I rescued from a slow death of neglect for $400, and have previously owned a higher mileage (209k when sold) ’96 ES300, the generations of these cars overlap almost perfectly (91-96 vs 92-96). I love the Buick for how un-Japanese it is in its interior design, the serious dual-tone horn, the classic GM belt buckles, etc. I also like the torquey 3800 and how stupid easy it is to work on. But that ES may as well have been from another planet. It still felt plenty modern to drive, and even at 209k miles in many ways was smoother and better NVH control (aside from the old frameless window seals) than my wife’s 2012 Camry. The Buick feels like an anachronism to drive, and at 122k miles has needed its second set of shocks and struts, a number of oil leaks addressed, a bunch of little things broken on the interior, sagging headliner, etc. The drivetrain is fundamentally sound but a lot of little stuff needed fixing, the consolation is that parts cost pennies. New struts? How does $10 a piece on rock auto for Gabriel Guardians sound? The Lexus when I sold it definitely was going to need new struts and probably strut mounts, it was going to be close to $700 just for the parts to do it myself. I was able to put in new rear air shocks, new struts, and new front springs on my Buick for a total outlay of $130. Crazy.
My 04 LeSabre now needs new struts up front based on some excessive bounce but even if I do it myself I don’t see how struts and springs would be $100 just doing the front only. Even the lowest, Gabriel, is $79.79 on Rock Auto with AC Delco at $143.79. I’ll need to research as I want a slightly firmer front for this freeway cruiser.
I didn’t buy the pre-assembled strut assemblies, I bought actual separate struts on wholesaler discount ($10 a piece plus shipping), then bought a pair of AC Delco springs on amazon for $20, and reused the strut mount/bellow/bumper/isolator, since they were still relatively fresh (car had monroe replacement strut assys up front). I will say in hindsight I would have spent like $30 more and gotten Monroe OE Spectrum or something a bit higher end instead of those Chinese made Gabriel Guardians. They’re fine, but the car could be even smoother.
For the that amount of money, I’d think it make a very nice 2nd car. It looks well cared for, it has been detailed quite nicely. Pending a good under side inspection, and the test drive of 30 or 40 miles. I’d say it’s a good buy.
It’s a nice enough looking car, 172,000 on that vehicle is not that scary.
Some of us here would balk at that milage and others would be comfortable with it. To me, it depends on how well taken care of the car is and what documentation comes with it. Even though I feel like I can give a used car a decent inspection by myself, I’d feel a lot better at that milage with the history in hand.
The car is in good condition for its age, but a little over priced. Kbb says the private party value in very good condition is $2586 and in excellent condition $2864. I personally would rate the car as very good due to minor cosmetic defects such as some small scuffs on the front bumper and a little cracking in the drivers seat.
On a car that age I would want to check the condition of rubber parts like bushings and CV boots. Also I would check for any leaks and worn suspension parts.
I thought it was probably a little overpriced, too, but if I was the seller, I’d probably start with 3k and let a buyer chip me down.
Based on the pics, the car is reasonably priced, IMO.
What do you get for $3000 today?
KBB is a business. Their usefulness is inversely proportional to the age of the car. The older the car (and I don’t mean a ‘classic’ or ‘collector’, like a manual trans Blazer or a Prelude), the condition of said car and the perception concerning how it will hold up trump any ‘reference guide’.
Look at that driver’s seat. This is a motivated, but intelligent seller, Well-priced.
KBB has been a completely useless “tool” for older vehicle values since, oh, Cash for Clunkers in 2009.
Add in the over-financialization(?) of the auto market with 72 and 96 month loans and the explosion of bad-credit financing, supply constraints from Covid, and inflation in general.
If someone tries to bring up KBB values to me when I’m selling a car I simply ignore them or tell them to go ahead and find and buy one of what I’m selling for this mythical KBB value. Yeah they might find one, with a rebuilt/washed title on some sketchy used car lot.
NADA is a guide used by many used car dealers, but it usually has about the same values listed as KBB. The pricing guides are a good starting point for establishing a cars value. However at the end of the day, the car is worth what the buyer is willing to pay.
I do think this car is priced at the high end of the market. I know some say they would pay this much for a nearly 20 year old car with no information about the cars mechanical condition, but then there are lots of people on the internet who say they would pay for a wagon with a manual transmission and very few who actually do so.
Most reputable banks would not finance a 20 year old high mileage car of any make, nor would most reputable dealers put such a old car on their lot. If it was a trade in it would go straight to auction.
If this has had all the services done at the dealer and no real accidents, the price is not too far off. Great car for a teenager.
Great cars. These Avalons are basically the last of the really overbuilt ones before the cost-cutting started to hit with the new 05+ bodystyle. My brother has a customer with a pair of these, one sitting at around 400k miles, the other somewhere near 250k. Original drivetrains and just basic maintenance and wear items. Do a spill-and-fill on the 4spd aisin once every 100k or so, do normal oil changes, do the timing belt, and you’re golden.
I learned to drive on a ’96 Avalon, which was a really easy driving car. It was basically a Lexus in everything but name. The featured one is probably much the same, except that the styling got a lot more uglified. The Gen 1 Avalon looked a lot like a Toyota Crown: It had a much simpler and more elegant design and integration. That rear end is especially ugly to me; it looks like someone tried to fix an Avalon with accident damage with a trunk from a Camry or something.
We sold my wife’s ’01 Honda Accord about five years ago. It had about the same milage on it and was in good cosmetic shape. Sold it for $2200 or thereabouts IIRC. Maybe the price on this Avalon is a little on the higher side, but it will probably find a taker at that price.
Too bad it’s not near me. A zero dollar upgrade for me as I could easily sell my Accord for that amount with similar mileage. My FIL had a 2006 that he took to 275k with ease.
You’re probably better off hanging onto your Accord. It’s likely just as good of a car, and you know its history.
A few years ago, I sold my trusty ’02 Outback with 140k after buying an ’05 with 100k. I thought I was upgrading and shaving off 40k. The ’05, though, had been maintained poorly. It needed shocks and struts, new tires, and new cats, which is a really expensive job that I obviously couldn’t do myself. I cut bait after less than a year. As for my ’02, I sold it to a college student who took it up to Montana, where, according to Carfax, it’s still ticking with nearly 200k miles. Learned my lesson.
IMO that 99-04 gen was the peak for Subaru in terms of overall quality, yes even with their endemic headgasket issues on the EJ25 and cooking the CV boots to a crisp. There was some definite cost cutting on the 05-09 cars, all of a sudden wheel bearings are a common problem, the headgasket issues continued, a bunch of little things got worse, cheaper interiors.
Totally. They were nice looking cars, but they had a lot more warts.
That 183 cubic inch 1MZ-FE will go 300K miles easy if the oil and timing belt are changed at regular intervals.
300k is just getting warmed up for them!
What a terrific used car this would be. I wish it were nearer, I might buy it just because.
These are really great cars, from the end period of Peak Toyota. Not long after that, Toyota tried to be GM (or MB or BMW) and make vehicles for every possible customer, and quality has suffered. Really I would say that cost-cutting is more evident. For example, I have a 2005 Highlander with 225K and a 2006 Solara convertible with 215K.
Both have been excellent cars. The Solara has been a Michigan car its entire life and has no rust on it. We purchased it with nearly 190K and it was only about 5 years old then. Clearly someone drove it all year to get those miles. The Solara idles so quietly I have to check the tach to see if it is running. It did need a CVT replaced for a torn seal. The Highlander AWD has been solid, though the rear calipers need to be greased to prevent sticking. It’s a good idea in a salty winter environment. Both radiators developed very tiny leaks, $100 or so from RockAuto. I wouldn’t hesitate to take either on a trip tomorrow. No oil or other fluid leaks, apart from the aforementioned Denso radiators.
Final story. Growing up the neighbor across the street was in insurance. Being in metro Detroit, he always had American cars, which he traded often. I later found out he was a WW2 veteran, on a DE in the Pacific. He had been under kamikaze attack several times and saw his share of casualties. Luckily he survived unscathed. He said he would never get a Japanese car.
Years later he retired to FL and we visited him. He had an Avalon just like this one. He said – this is the best car I have ever had. He really loved that car.
Well, the Avalon is built in Kentucky, so you could technically say it’s an American car.
Sounds like a good deal. The car looks excellent and the price is right. Should do another 100K miles easy. Pretty good for $3,000.
The Avalon always puzzled me as it’s so similar to a Lexus ES and appeals to the same demographic. I would think Toyota would want to push customers into the pricier Lexus than offer them a cheaper alternative. Anyway, the Avalon just seems to roll on year after year, with little advertising support, selling in small, but decent volumes.
I Toyota knew their demographic for this car. My in-laws were in their 70s when they bought their ’06 Avalon. It provided all the power and likely the comfort of a Lexus, but without the “image,” which they care zero about. Value, power, and comfort. The Avalon ticked all the boxes.
Were these the 1st gen cars? In 1999 I got to ride in a brand new Avalon belonging to one of my professors who sponsored a college club I was in. There were only a few of us in the group so he decided to ferry us a few blocks from the campus to the local Big Boy for ice cream. Being a Midwestern kid going to college in a town with a GM foundry and having grown up about 45 min from Ford’s Lima Engine Plant I had been surrounded by American cars my whole life.
It sounds cliche but my impression was: “So Toyota decided to build a Lesabre?”
Second generation.
“So Toyota decided to build a Lesabre?”
They decided to build a BETTER Lesabre, yes. And I think it’s paid off handsomely. Granted, sedans seem to be going by the wayside in general, fullsizers especially, but I think the Avalon did exactly what it was supposed to do: pull away a good chunk of older buyers from their usual domestic choices.
Checking against its competitors on the Eugene Craigslist, today’s car looks very competitive at this price. Seller might well be able to hold firm and get it–I’d be curious to know:
https://eugene.craigslist.org/search/cta?purveyor-input=all&auto_make_model=toyota+avalon
Interesting tip from savageatl that there are Camry-seekers who won’t think to search these out…
It does look like it is in good shape and has been cared for well.
This generation just doesn’t look right to me. The little dip in the headlights, the way the tail light and back up light are done all just look off, then there is the more upright windows Paul mentioned that just make it look odd overall. However compared to a lot of the current Toyota line up it looks pretty good.
I’ve been tempted by these a few times, there’s a ton of value for the money although I prefer the minorly updated 2003-2004 version with the more powerful engine. My daughter used to catch a ride to school from the neighbor girl behind us who had one, I asked my daughter if it had been her Grandma’s old car, her eyes got all big and she said “How did you know that?” How indeed.
Common in junkyards (almost always due to accidents, not apparent failure.). These were the first cars where a distinct lack of tumblehome made itself clearly apparent to me, however that also translates into a lot of lateral headroom. The Tesla Model 3 is similar in that regard.
For someone that wants a no fuss, quiet riding sedan with likely low cost of operation and price, this or one like it would be hard to beat, the Cressida in all but name. The key is to catch it after the first owner, not the first owner’s grandson…
This shape would have translated very well to a wagon I think, sort of the Toyota version of the Volvo V70/V90.
The Mark II Blit was as close as Toyota came to a Volvo-esque wagon, with similar style:
Let me chime in with a long-time owner report ….
Bang-on most reliable car our extended family has ever owned, and i’m heading toward 60.
Mom’s had an ’01 since ’04 … it has 99K miles and still acting like a new car.
She’s at the age where she still drives great, but has completely abandoned any servicing on her vehicle whatsoever – not even adding oil or checking tire pressure … this Avalon is the only vehicle we ever had that can take it and still drive like new.
When COVID came I moved her 2,000 miles across country to be near family … then, last June, I flew back and drove her ’01 the southern route …. at one point the outside air thermometer hit 113 degrees and stayed above 108 for 3 straight hours, including uphill through Arizona. Rocked the A/C – temp gauge never flinched ….. The V-6 model is just a gem – gobs of power when you need it.
Here are the downsides, followed by the maintenance we had to do:
1. The car rides like a brick (terrible front-seat padding). Mom has the luxury XLS model. I actually changed Mom’s chrome XLS 17″ rims out for the alloy XL 16″ [or it was 18″ to 17″ – I forget] because the car has given me sciatica forever within 15 minutes. The taller tires helped a little on the softness, at the cost of more body lean, less-crisp handling. But the main reason I ditched the larger chrome rims is because they flake and rust, and then leak at the bead. Mom had them reconditioned once but the problem returned. She had a rear-tire blowout on the same road where Tiger Woods crashed, on a month-old set of tires, because she refuses to check her tire pressure, and the chrome rims leaked. The America’s Tire manager and I sussed it out, then Rock Auto set me up with the alloys.
2 .The stock Toyota struts are garbage and the front end dives badly while braking. Coming out of driveways, we always hit the spoiler. I talked to my ex-coworkers at a shop, who said this was a known problem with this gen Avalon. Replaced them all 5 years ago with KYBs – now it’s nose-diving again. I think they must be under-designed for the weight of the V-6.
3. This engine had the sludging problem. Regular oil changes are key. 10w40 is the worst offender, from what I learned, due to the long polymer chains & thermal breakdown. We’ve had no problem.
4. The V-6 does have the dreaded valve-cover oil leaks. The front one (transverse-mounted engine) began leaking at 70K. I replaced it at 95K and the oil was caked thick down the front of the block. Replacing the rear one, and the rear spark plugs, is a job for a shop. I haven’t done it yet. However, the front cover apparently had the worst leak as the stench has almost disappeared.
5. Anti-lock braking system lines began leaking at the box at 65K miles, I think due to vibration. Dealer tried to sell Mom an entire new ABS box and lines for $2,500, though I had brought it in for them to clean it off and find the leak only. They told me on the phone that “ALL the lines (were) ‘bad'” and so was the box.
Once I arrived at the Torrance, Ca. dealer I saw they hadn’t even cleaned the greasy top of the ABS to check for the leak before trying to soak Mom for $2,500, so I refused. Then they refused to give back the car until I paid a $110 fee for the inspection. I went ballistic (worked in many shops) – got the general manager – he cleaned the box, tightened the lines with a brake-line wrench, and they never leaked again. I heard later that a manager and a mechanic were fired over this, and then their buddies targeted the GM and then HE got fired for tightening the lines without a work order(!!!!).
6. A left/right pair of engine bank (exhaust?) sensors failed at about 70K miles, within 1K miles of one another..
7. Plastic radiator top tank cracked at 88K miles (18 years old).
8. Cabin air filter needs regular changing or the A/C system gets moldy-smelling.
9. Driver’s-side wiper arm pivot points got rusty (lack of oiling) and jammed (the pivot rivet that lets you lift the arm off the windshield). Replaced it with a junkyard part.
And that’s IT!!!!
Great, reliable, workhorse of a car. Highly recommended.
The front shocks really are garbage. My ’04 with 116k, has front shocks that whine when I get in/out of the car and over any bumps. It’s gotten frankly embarrasing. Im planning on replacing them next month….
Thinking back on it though, I have always had to replace shocks just like a timing belt on all of my Toyota’s. I don’t think they use the best shocks personally. My Mom’s 2004 Taurus feels more sure footed frankly than my Camry’s or Avalon as nice as it is. Just my opinion…..
Quite rare here, Avalons that is, not Toyotas @ around 400,000kms, its probably got years left in it I was instructed by my superior to drive a 400,000km Toyota last week a loan car from a servicing facilty no brand was mentioned just take coutesy vehicle to said facility uplift fleet no 141 and another driver and go to X with both, all good Im the everything driver the courtesy vehicle turned out to be a battle scarred Toyota Yaris, obviously nobody cares about it inside was dirty but completely intact and it ran like a swiss watch cold AC, stereo worked it shifted fine went ok in traffic and even steered well the ride was awfull and it was noisy from tyre noise and rear axle sounds but this was a bottom of the range puddle jumper it probably wasnt much different new,
so Id expect that Avalon to be roughly the same as when the factory shoved it out the door everything working and driving ok 2 1/2 weeks pay for a tidy car is all good I reckon
A wealthy attorney friend has a Lexus LS430 of the same vintage that is approaching 300K miles. It was recently in a minor accident. I said, Sooo are we now going to get a new car? His response? No way, I plan on running it up to 400K or more before it goes. He and his wife still love the car; it remains reliable, quiet and comfortable, and performs well. He and the wife, also a professional, are just retired, have more money than they could possibly spend, but could care less about status or image.
My late cousin bought one of these Avalons (top model with every option) used with low mileage when he went into a far more meager retirement. He never had a single thing go wrong, loved all the luxury and comfort (his health was poor and the car made his travel easier), and it served him well up until his last day of driving.
I think this car is probably worth the full amount asked. Seems to be a very nice example.
I like it, but I want one with bench seats and a column shifter! Last import-brand car to offer them, in 2004. Really wasn’t well suited for a center passenger, as the car wasn’t that wide and the dashboard protruded too much in the center, and there was some plastic stuff down by where your feet wanted to be. But it was useful for sliding over to the other side when changing drivers, or when you were parked too close to another car or a wall. Also, the fold-down center armrest moved with the driver’s seat and was thus effectively longer and more comfortable. The console on bucket-seat models really wasted most of the space it used rather than adding storage. And column shifts (for automatics) will always be more convenient than floor shifts. One oddity though was that split-bench Avalons lacked the adjustable lumbar support fitted to the driver’s bucket seat. This was not because the fold-down center armrest got in the way of the control, because it was a power control positioned on the left side of the seat with the other seat adjustments.
This car was often described as Toyota’s interpretation of a Buick, but having driven the real thing (95 Park Avenue) as well as a 2000 Avalon both for several years, can state that the Buick had a much softer and compliant ride (at the cost of floaty handling), along with softer, wider seats. Really a very different feel than the Avalon which was more Camry-plus (or Lexus-adjacent). Also, the Avalon totally stole the 4th generation Honda Prelude’s dashboard.
That’s a drab, poverty pack interior. The Avalon was one of Toyota’s rare (alas) failures in Australia. A
This is hands down one of the best cars Toyota ever built. It’s worth the asking price.
I bought one from the original owners back when I was still commuting 120 miles a day, and I needed a car that I might literally have to drive into the ground…I did put about 110K on it in 3 years before I landed a remote employee position in 2012, and sold it to my BIL.
I also had before then, a 2001 Buick Lesabre.
There is absolutely no comparison. By 2007 The Lesabre went through 7 window regulators, 2 oxygen sensors, the dash pad started shrinking and pulling up about an inch at the base of the windshield, the headliner started falling, there was a rattle in the dash I could never eliminate, it never felt connected to the road, and the seats were beyond awful. 6 way power adjust with lumbar adjustment, and no matter what the setting was, my back and right leg were on fire after 1/2 hour of driving. I couldn’t get rid of that trashbox soon enough, and when I did I took a bath on resale.
The Avalon went thru only 1 sensor, and I did replace the timing belt & water pump as a maintenance step, and I did replace all 4 struts. Ride height improved, ride quality improved, and despite the stories about that 3 liter V6 being a sludge monster, when I resealed the valve covers at 236K the cams and valve gear were pristine. I only used 10-30 dino juice, since I was changing the oil every 8 weeks.
And FWIW I also currently own a Lexus LS430. I intend on keeping it for many more years (it’s only at 114K and I’m retired now) , but If it got totaled tomorrow, I would go looking for another Gen2 Avalon.
That’s how good these cars are. The gen 3 Avalons had cheaper switchgear whose labels rubbed off with use, the Gen2 buttons were double shot molded so they always looked new. Handling with the Gen3 was mushy. and visibility felt like you were sitting in a pillbox. The Gen2 window bottoms are nice and low (as in the LS 430) making for much better visibility looking out.
This was Toyota’s golden age. In 1999-2001 I had the privilege of working with some ex-Toyota manufacturing engineers who came out to California from their Kentucky stomping grounds, and they carried with them some crazy good processes and procedures that benefited our engineering group to a great degree. No wonder the cars turned out as well as they did!
My 1MZ in a ’96 ES300 with 209k miles likewise looked just fine looking through the oil cap. There’s way too many of these things still on the road for the “sludge” issue to really be THAT prevalent. But I do think it happened: on short-city-trip driven cars, grandma’s sunday driver, I can totally see it happening.
Well this is right up my alley as I have had a 2003 Avalon XLS for a few years now.
I am still occasionally surprised by something that just seems to work a little better than it needs to, or is original and still working like new.
Anyone who has ridden in the back of mine says its the most comfortable car they’ve been in.
That is a great car for the price, but keep in mind the timing belt interval might be coming up soon.
These drive with a lot more personality than you’d think if you’re comparing them to Camrys of that era. The steering in particular is sublime.
Higher octane really wakes this engine up, too. I only tried it because the manual said to use it for “more performance”. Hard to choose “less performance” after that.
Very well made cars, these.
Certainly looks good for 172,000 miles.
The gear shifter looks to be unmoved from the Japanese RHD position
These were designed and built almost exclusively for the US; only a few were exported to Japan. What makes the shifter in Japanese RHD position? Because it’s slightly offset?
It’s the same position millions of Toyotas built in the US are. I don’t think anyone has ever noticed that before.
I have a 2004 XLS. It has the bench seat and all the bells and whistles. It had very low miles when I got it. It’s a pleasure to drive. It isn’t everyone’s taste due to it’s size and old person image, but it really has been one of the most rewarding cars I have owned. Very solid and very smooth. With proper care I know it will last me for a long time.
Sometimes I like to go on websites like copart and just put in a model and sort them from highest odometer reading down. I have seen many of these that have hit well over 350k. 172k, still has a lot of life left in it. 2000-2004 Avalon is a good buy if it’s in reasonable condition. Would be a nice bargain for the right buyer.
Currently I have a little over 116k on mine….
That car is an absolute bargain for $3000. Built like a tank, and rides like a Cadillac. An Avalon with 172k miles is like a same era Impala with 50k. (And I loved my 2008 Impala.) You would be very hard pressed to find that much car for twice that price.
My ‘04 XLS with 135k looks just like Evan’s.
Suspension, especially front needs a refresh.
Door locks are all fouled up, but livable.
Squeaking rattle from the belt area of the engine prompted the dealership to do timing belt & water pump rplc.
Six months later same noise, they replaced the water pump again (on warranty) and replaced one of the idler pulleys.
Two months later same noise, they say “the other pulley” needs replacement along with the alternator. Close to $2k for this latest (g)estimate.
It’s been hit and I am the fifth(!) owner.
And yet,
Every time I get in the driver seat, I’m in love. Light beige leather interior is so up-lifting. I love the steering. I love the power (considering it’s age.) I love the quiet, compliant ride. The mushy shocks challenge me to compensate by driving more smoothly.
The paint and clear coat are in great shape, as is the headliner. Headlights replacements do NOT require removing the bumper, though mine don’t need it yet.
We also have a’04 Camry and a 2017 Camry (both LE trim) but my’04 Avalon is the one I want to drive.
I know soon I need to get the Timing/Water pump done. Life happens and I wanted to have it done already. Next month or so though, need to get done. I think I might have that squeaking rattle on mine.
Agreed though about being in love. Just love the interior so much. Love the airy feeling of the interior and the seats. All my power accessories work. And it still looks good. I get an occasional compliment on it here and there and the leather, paint and headliner are still great as well.
I have loved all my ‘Yota’s but this Avalon has probably been my favorite. Just a dream to drive.