I know that this is not an Avalon forum but--

[chetJ]

I test drove a 2013 Toyota Avalon Limited yesterday and was blown away by it. The car was powerful and fun to drive (it has three modes, Eco, Normal and Sport) and the interior is just BEAUTIFUL with excellent craftsmanship. It felt like I was in a Lexus. The tech package was also very good. I highly encourage anyone who is into cars to go test drive it- worth it IMO.

 

[kenski]

I don't think I want to go in for a test drive. My daily is a '97 Avalon with 210k miles. Test driving a new Avalon may induce irrational behaviors in me.

 

[dwc]

I test drove a 2013 Toyota Avalon Limited yesterday and was blown away by it. The car was powerful and fun to drive (it has three modes, Eco, Normal and Sport) and the interior is just BEAUTIFUL with excellent craftsmanship. It felt like I was in a Lexus. The tech package was also very good. I highly encourage anyone who is into cars to go test drive it- worth it IMO.

Too funny. I drove an Avalon Hybrid when my 4Runner was in for service. VERY nice ride, indeed. I still prefer my 2009 BMW, but I too was impressed with the quality of the interior and the tech.

 

[chetJ]

Definitely Hear You!

I don't think I want to go in for a test drive. My daily is a '97 Avalon with 210k miles. Test driving a new Avalon may induce irrational behaviors in me.

Kenski- Definitely hear you on the irrational behavior part- found myself looking up Avalon prices for no reason today!

 

[Lolrax]

Avalons are awesome! My brother had a 2001 which rocked, then my mother had an 06 which was crazy powerful and super luxurious swathed in wood and leather, but I heard this newest one took it to another level entirely.

 

[southman_70]

I just bought one myself 2013 Limited and love it. Traded a 2012 optima sxl for it. Never buying another Korean vehicle again resale sucked. However Consumer Report rates the Cadenza as a better buy but they never mention the resale value.

 

[buchaja]

Every now and then I wonder what it would be like to trade in my 2003 Avalon on a new one. And then I wake up and slap that silly notion outta my head; absolutely love mine, but also won't tempt myself with a test drive.

Didn't they jump up about 10 grand in price from '12 to '13 too?

 

[NoDak]

i would love to get back into the replacement cressida

had a 84, 87, 91x2 (light blue and a white one for the wife). then i got hooked on 4runners.

on a super hot day, i could actually get my 91 auto to chirp the tires going into 2nd, weirdest thing (91's was the last year they made RWD versions i think).

then the FWD avalons came out and i stopped buying them. now i could never get into an avalon due to the location i live and the preference for awd/4wd.

 

[chetJ]

NoDak - What is a Cressida?
I completely agree with what all of you are saying. I plan on indulging my irrational behavior some more and test driving the Hybrid Limited Avalon today or tomorrow!

 

[NoDak]

cressida is the USA name for the line that started in the late 70's. the name was retired in 1992 and the revamp/restart of the line was in 95 and was named the avalon.

also the cressida was supposedly played a much removed part in the eventual lexus startup.

 

[NoDak]

my dad got me started on the cressida line with his 2nd gen and 3rd gen.

i eventually got a used 3rd gen (1984 build year/1985 model year) an new 3rd gen (87) and then a new 4th gen (91) and then stopped after they went to the FWD avalons.

84 & 87 was burgundy
91 was light blue (used 91 white for the wife)

 

[kenski]

cressida is the USA name for the line that started in the late 70's. the name was retired in 1992 and the revamp/restart of the line was in 95 and was named the avalon.

also the cressida was supposedly played a much removed part in the eventual lexus startup.

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the Avalon is still called Cressida in Japan. Or actually.. I should say, the Cressida is called Avalon in the US since the name never changed there.

 

[adam2562]

I don't think I want to go in for a test drive. My daily is a '97 Avalon with 210k miles. Test driving a new Avalon may induce irrational behaviors in me.

i love my 97 avalon.. mine only has 165,xxx but its running like a champ.. but i did sit in a new one when i was buying my 4runner and they are p-r-e-t-t-y sweet

 

[NoDak]

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the Avalon is still called Cressida in Japan. Or actually.. I should say, the Cressida is called Avalon in the US since the name never changed there.

taken from wiki :

In Japan, the Mark II, Chaser and Cresta continued beyond 1992, but the Cressida name was retired. The X chassis code for Cressidas remained under the Mark II, Chaser, and Cresta names for several years. The Chaser and Cresta went on for two more generations until 2000, when they were replaced by the short lived Toyota Verossa. The Mark II was succeeded by the Mark X in 2004, although the Mark II Blit, a wagon variant, was sold until 2007.

 

[chmura]

I rather spend alittle more and get a Lexus. I do not understand the market for the Avalon at all. I have only seen 1 Avalon on the road and I live in new car central. Seems they are not selling well.

Buy a Lexus ES or IS instead.

I would not say a FWD car is fun to drive.

 

[jspagna1]

My brother-in-law had a 2000 Avalon and drove that car up to 2011 and sold it with 250,000 miles. Not a great looking car but very roomy and comfortable and dependable. It is getting better looking.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Ah yes... the "Baby Lexus," they are pretty cool toys. I like look of the new Avalon and they are might nice inside. They Avalon is sort of the "upper end" Toyota, ideally for those who aren't ready to move to a Lexus, but honestly the price gap is much smaller now than it used to be. Its sort of the only "full sized" sedan we offer, since I believe the Camry is still considered "mid-sized."

I don't know if I'd buy an Avalon as I'm not a slush boat driver (no offense intended, just the Camrys, Avalons, Lexus have almost always rode on the slushy side) but I'd recommend it to a family member wanting a nice, big, sedan. They are very nice cars, particularly the 2014 models.

 

[adam2562]

I rather spend alittle more and get a Lexus. I do not understand the market for the Avalon at all. I have only seen 1 Avalon on the road and I live in new car central. Seems they are not selling well.

Buy a Lexus ES or IS instead.

I would not say a FWD car is fun to drive.

there's quite a few on the roads here in the DC area.. that's JUST your area.. Avalon will always sell well due to its low price for lexus quality...

both ES and IS are much smaller than the avalon.. and i'm almost 100% sure that the GS is smaller too and rides more sporty than an avalon.. next step up is a 70+k car the LS460.. so the avalon is quite perfectly in its place

 

[philsey]

I rather spend alittle more and get a Lexus. I do not understand the market for the Avalon at all....

Curious - which Lexus offers the room (size) and features for "a little more"?

The market is bang for the buck, and rock-solid reliability. Lexus, IMO, is as much about image as it is quality and reliability.

Me? I don't understand the market for Lexus.

 

[NoDak]

I rather spend alittle more and get a Lexus. I do not understand the market for the Avalon at all. I have only seen 1 Avalon on the road and I live in new car central. Seems they are not selling well.

Buy a Lexus ES or IS instead.

I would not say a FWD car is fun to drive.

you do know that the lexus es is a camry body with lexus innards

edit (i was somewhat wrong) : all previous versions were based on the camry. 6th gen 2012-current are based on the avalon.