Toyota Avalon

[IHateMyJob2004]

I look at cars once in a while. Mostly because I want the wife to get a bigger(and quieter!) car. Currently has the Pontiac Vibe (POS IMHO).

I was surprised to see that the Avalon has the best fuel economy in it's class on the highway. Is there a Lexus version of the Avalon? Better yet, any otehr similar cars out there with simlar fuel economy?

EDIT: To eliminate some confusion. We have a 2003 Pontiac Vibe. Got it in 2003.

 

[NutBucket]

Your wife drives a Toyota, you call it POS and then inquire about a different one?

 

[ElFenix]

the lexus version goes by 'es330'
the other toyota version goes by 'camry'
other models built off that same basic platform include the rx330, highlander, and sienna

the chevy impala gets like 32 on the highway. and it's actually a gm, unlike the thing you call a POS

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
the lexus version goes by 'es330'
the other toyota version goes by 'camry'
other models built off that same basic platform include the rx330, highlander, and sienna

It's probably better to say derived from the global camry platform.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: NutBucket
Your wife drives a Toyota, you call it POS and then inquire about a different one?

Oh brother ... The Vibe is, small, loud and IMHO a POS. SORRY

EDIT: For hte cost of it, yes ... A POS!

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
the lexus version goes by 'es330'
the other toyota version goes by 'camry'
other models built off that same basic platform include the rx330, highlander, and sienna

the chevy impala gets like 32 on the highway. and it's actually a gm, unlike the thing you call a POS

Saw the Impala. That was a pleasent surprise. Thanks for hte list of other cars (Lexus, Camry, etc)

 

[Aftermath]

For the cost of the Vibe?

Just this past week I saw a series of loaded '03 Toyota Matrix models for around $13k. Edit: In the front lot of a Toyota dealership.
I'm sure you could get the Pontiac Vibe for less since it's branded as a GM.
That's talking of a ballpark of what.. $9,000 to $11,000 for a loaded '03 sport wagon with Toyota build quality? Probably less if you know what you're doing.

 

[Keyvan]

the avalon is in a completely different class than the vibe, it's better in pretty much every aspect i can think of..

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: Aftermath
For the cost of the Vibe?

Just this past week I saw a series of loaded '03 Toyota Matrix models for around $13k. Edit: In the front lot of a Toyota dealership.
I'm sure you could get the Pontiac Vibe for less since it's branded as a GM.
That's talking of a ballpark of what.. $9,000 to $11,000 for a loaded '03 sport wagon with Toyota build quality? Probably less if you know what you're doing.

Already have the 2003 Vibe. The wife has had it since 2003. Knowing it fetches $13K motiviates me even more to get rid of it.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: Keyvan
the avalon is in a completely different class than the vibe, it's better in pretty much every aspect i can think of..

Road noise?

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004

Originally posted by: Keyvan
the avalon is in a completely different class than the vibe, it's better in pretty much every aspect i can think of..

Road noise?

road noise is largely a function of the tires on the car. i'd imagine the avalon has some cushy, low noise, high fuel economy, poor traction tires on it

 

[OS]

decent car but a little expensive for most trims. Handling not so great even in touring package, but probably because it's a big FWD car more than anything else. Despite the good magazine times and 280 HP, the low/mid range power not particularly good.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004

Originally posted by: Keyvan
the avalon is in a completely different class than the vibe, it's better in pretty much every aspect i can think of..

Road noise?

road noise is largely a function of the tires on the car. i'd imagine the avalon has some cushy, low noise, high fuel economy, poor traction tires on it

Cars and undercoating I've read being the two big factors. Vibe is just a POS. The engine noise is as bad as the road noise.

EDIT: Poor traction ... NNooooooooooooooooo

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: OS
decent car but a little expensive for most trims. Handling not so great even in touring package, but probably because it's a big FWD car more than anything else. Despite the good magazine times and 280 HP, the low/mid range power not particularly good.

Not going to race it, and I woulod never pay for "touring packaes", etc. All I care about really is fuel economy and road noise. Of course, comfort, etc all matter. Jsut to a lesser degree.

 

[Aftermath]

Ok, on topic, I owned a 2003 Toyota Matrix for a while myself. I got ripped off on it, (it was my first non high milage "beater" purchase,) I paid over $15k for it, stripped to the bone except A/C, CD, and cruise control. But I know what you mean by noise. The suspension is stiff and you feel a lot of bumps. Acceleration is loud because it usually kicks down to second (5000+ RPM's, easy) to put that peaky engine to good use. I got rid of it for 13k because it was too small, loud, and jarring to ride in after my daughter was born. (Driving a '96 Accord Wagon now.)

But anyway, I heard that the stock tires on those cars ARE crap. If you replace them with pretty much anything better than some generic tires, especially ones designed to reduce road noise, the car is significantly quieter on the road. I don't know if that's really any good use to you or not, but I thought I would throw it out there.

We also had a 1996 Toyota Avalon for a couple of years. It was pretty torn up, had 163,000 miles on it when we got rid of it with absolutely zero problems besides a flakey starter that took a couple of tries to get the engine to turn over. It got 31 to 33mpg on the highway, 26 to 27mpg in town. Definately great gas mileage for the size of it. The interior felt as big to me as something like a Grand Marquis or Crown Victoria, with (IMO) even better leg room in the back seats.

 

[OffTopic1]

Might want to take the Chrysler 300 (slighly less hp & burn a bit more fuel) for a test drive to compare to the Avalon.

 

[thechinesehero]

chrysler 300 is like driving a train... its style is nice because it looks like a fake a$s bentley thats the only reason why its so hot..

 

[NutBucket]

Eh, whatever. I was just giving the OP a hard time

 

[freebee]

New avalon is out this year. Much bigger, faster and quieter than previous versions. In fact, its a superior car to the lexus es330...though not much cheaper.

You need not consider the impala, 300c or crown vic/grandma keys except for price. They are all horrid cars compare to the new avalon.