2005 Avalon or 2010 Camry?

[Polly_3SFE]

BITOG,

I have the opportunity to buy a vehicle at a discount off of an aunt and uncle who are looking to downsize to one car. They are willing to part with either car. One is a 2005 Toyota Avalon and the other is a 2010 Toyota Camry, both have around 53,000 miles on the odometer. I don't know trim levels yet, but which would you choose? I know the Camry is newer, but the Avalon is a nice car as well and that generation of Avalon is supposed to be very reliable. I would guess I could get the Avalon for $2500-$3000 less than the Camry. Any big reasons to pick either car?

Thanks!

 

[Virtus_Probi]

What engine does the Camry have?

 

[Polly_3SFE]

Not sure yet, but I hope to find out soon. I guess we can assume they both have a 3.5 V6, but there is a chance the Camry has the 2.5

 

[raytseng]

i vote camry.

the 2005 was the first year of production of the big shift in design from japan to us, and also the first year of US manufacturing of the avalon. So there are quirks.

some are recalls that fix safety or reliability issues and in general the car works fine as an appliance.

but there are driving and quality issues that have since then have been improved. For example and the most noticeable, there is a systemic problem of transmission hunting or being unresponsive. jab at the throttle and there is a delay before the car responds. waggle the steering wheel and the car will not respond, much like a worn 1980s land yacht with loose steering.

 

[HerrStig]

I just bought a 2012 Camry SE with about 50 K. A very nice, solid car. Came with a bunch of gizmos which I don't need. It has the I4 engine but there is good power and good fuel consumption figures.

 

[dparm]

That 2010 Camry is probably about the same size as the Avalon, and it's 5 years newer. I'd take the Camry.

 

[The_Jeff]

Avalons are Camrys with a longer floor pan and standard V6. The backseat of my 02 camry (same body from 02-11) sits adults just fine as it is. I'd get the camry just because it's newer.

 

[PandaBear]

Camry because you are in IL if no price is factored in the decision. If Avalon is a lot cheaper I'd pick the Avalon however.

 

[Polly_3SFE]

Thanks guys, age doesn't matter a whole lot to me, I actually daily drive a 91 right now, so both cars would be a big jump for me haha. The Camry is probably the better option, but we'll see what they want. If the Avalon is dramatically lower I would be happy enough with it and am sure it would last for some time.

 

[simple_gifts]

It appears the 2010 2.5 is not subject to the oil consumption issues like the previous years; so you should be g2g should it have the 2.5

It might pay to do a bit more googling unless someone else more knowledgeable wants to chime in.

 

[WillsYoda]

2010 camry for sure. In 2010 VSC (electronic vehicle stability control) became standard on all toyotas. Consumer Reports called VCS "the new seat belt." It is important to have that feature. Also, the crumple and crash tech is much better in 2010 than 2005. The 2.5 liter engine was used in 2010, and has no oil consumption issue like the earlier 2.4.

 

[JHZR2]

A 2005 car does not worry me due to age, and its larger and so possibly more useful. Id want to get all the facts on interior and trunk volume, MPGs, and how each vehicle is actually set up with what amenities. Youre buying a maytag or a whirlpool. Not a big difference in appliances.

 

[Rock_Hudstone]

2010 Camry.

I like the Avalon but as mentioned 2005 was the first year of the redesigned Avalon and they had know transmission issues than weren't resolved until the 2008 model year.