Anybody test drive the new Avalon??

andrews · Mar 7, 2005

I'm considering buying a new vehicle within a year or so. I like larger cars but not SUV's. Unless the gas prices stay permanently over $2.00 a gallon, I'll still get a full size sedan. I love the tried and true Ford Crown Victoria. V-8 (about 225hp), roomy as a small apartment, and rides like an old style luxury car. They have a great reliability record too. The mpg is about 25 on highway. I recently have heard some good things about the new 2005 Toyota Avalon. It has a powerful v-6 (280hp!!), pretty roomy, nice ride, and modern styling. Has anybody driven one of these yet? Is the engine as powerful as it looks on paper? I've seen that it gets 31mpg, even with all that horsepower. The prices of both these cars is around the same for what I want. And yes, I know the Ford will have a lower resale...but I really like the crown vic anyway.
Any opinions???

kenw · Mar 7, 2005

Have driven recent (altho not newest) models of both, they handle a LOT differently. If you like the "feel" of the Ford, it will be hard to get used to the Toyota's feel, altho I much prefer the tighter feel of the Avalon having driven Toyotas myself for years.

The crown vic felt like a boat, much looser.

andrews · Mar 7, 2005

Yeah, the Crown vic does "float" a bit but in the last couple of years they improved the stearing linkage. I kind of like that feeling though. It's more isolated than feeling every bump in the pavement. I'm sure the Toyota handles better. I'm just curious about the powerful engine and the ride. I don't think it's as quite as the interior of the Crown Vic...is it?

Palut · Mar 7, 2005

I generally like Toyotas, and haven't driven either car, but remember this:

If you drive a Crown Vic, you'll look like a cop. On city roads that will suck, as people will probably slow down in front of you. On the highway that will be great, because people will yield the fast lane more often!

My friend had a '90 Taurus that was originally a police car. It still had the spotlight on the A-pillar. Even though the spotlight was disabled, when people saw it, they thought we were cops. We drove 700 miles or so from Rexburg, ID to Yakima, WA without getting stuck behind ONE left lane hog!!

andrews · Mar 7, 2005

Now that's a great benefit!!

Al · Mar 7, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by andrews:
Unless the gas prices stay permanently over $2.00 a gallon,

That's a given..it ain't comin' down. China is building highways like crazy.

andrews · Mar 7, 2005

Maybe so. If it would be AT $2.00, I could live with it. But my concern is $2.25 to $2.75 as a "normal" price. If that's the case I'll be looking for a puny Corolla or Scion Xa!! Still good cars, but not my idea of real comfort.

robbobster · Mar 7, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by andrews:
I don't think it's as quite as the interior of the Crown Vic...is it?

I think the Avalon would be a lot quieter. The previous-generation cars are near-silent.

The Avalon is much closer to a Lexus ES than it is to a Toyota Camry, IMHO.

The CV's Panther platform has been around since the paleolithic era. Sure, it has lots of sound deadening, but I personally don't think it's in the same league as the Avalon.

Completely different driving experience, that's for sure. If you're accustomed to American iron, you may find the CV more familiar to what you're after.

I'd love to take a CV and put a big blower on it, maybe a turbo or an SVT Cobra engine. Make it the ultimate sleeper, like a low-key Mercury Marauder.

andrews · Mar 7, 2005

Rob,
On some of the crown Vic boards I've read where guys have done a lot of power add-ons to the car. Some are getting about 300hp out of them. It's a heavy car, but it can still haul butt like a sports car.
The Avalon really interests me. I'll have to go test drive one soon to see how it's comfort compares to the Vic. I'm not an eighty mile per hour corner taker, so pinpoint handling is not that big a deal to me. Besides, the cops seem to do very well while in pursuit. I've never seen even the most nimble of sports cars out turn the Vic. I guess it comes down to training.

srivett · Mar 7, 2005

I'm sure the Toyota is very quiet. I was in my friends 2002 Camry and he started freaking out when he heard a noise coming from it (I was totally oblivious to the sound). We pulled over and found something rolling around on the floor. That's how quiet that car was.

Steve

robbobster · Mar 8, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by andrews:
Rob,
On some of the crown Vic boards I've read where guys have done a lot of power add-ons to the car. Some are getting about 300hp out of them. It's a heavy car, but it can still haul butt like a sports car.
The Avalon really interests me. I'll have to go test drive one soon to see how it's comfort compares to the Vic. I'm not an eighty mile per hour corner taker, so pinpoint handling is not that big a deal to me. Besides, the cops seem to do very well while in pursuit. I've never seen even the most nimble of sports cars out turn the Vic. I guess it comes down to training.

I like powerful American iron. I've got a supercharged Expedition, pretty fast in a straight line, especially for a 3 ton vehicle... corners are another matter entirely

JohnBrowning · Mar 9, 2005

Have not driven the new Avalon yet! I did read an article on it though. It does 0-60MPH in 5.6 or 5.2 seconds! That is not bad for a sedan! It is supposedly not as isolated as before and will actualy give you some feedback from the road. Mind you it is not going to give you Porsche like feedback! The last genration was kind of like rideing on a cloud. You would have to hit a pot hole large enough to swallow the car to know it was their! They new Avolon is supposed to be a bit tighter on handleing and is even more vault like interms of noise and vibration isolation! The engine, transmission and dash arangement are being praised heavily!!! The only negative conment about the interior was that the bench seat is no longer available up front. Toyota claimed their just was not enough demand for it!

Remember that the Avolon is FWD while the Crown Vic is rear wheel drive for the time being!

416Rigby · Mar 9, 2005

The rear seats in the new Avalons have an amazing amount of legroom. With the front seat all the way back, even a tall person (6'2") still has clearance! Finally, a Japanese sedan you really can use the backseat in.

andrews · Mar 9, 2005

All good post folks, thanks. I can't wait to test drive one.

rjundi · Mar 11, 2005

If you have an interest in the Crown Vic, remember they have poor resale, an asset if you buy a newer but used one. You will save big $$$ and no worries on price of fuel given the cash you save.

andrews · Mar 12, 2005

Good advice. I just worry about used vehicles. You never know if a few years down the road the car has problems from early abuse. I'm rather picky about that.

Steve S · Mar 13, 2005

I like Toyotas and not taking the better quality and reliability in consideration, I may be wrong but Toyota has a timing belt and valve lash that needs to be checked, will add quite alot of expense . The Crown Vic can be purchased with a handling suspension and is rear wheel drive which is way better . Don't think the Ford engines need the expensive servicing . Front wheel drive is good for econo cars. Gas mileage is always worth considering .

robbobster · Mar 13, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by Steve S:
I may be wrong but Toyota has a timing belt and valve lash that needs to be checked, will add quite alot of expense . The Crown Vic can be purchased with a handling suspension and is rear wheel drive which is way better .

Some older Hondas has solid lifters that required adjusting, but new cars including the Avalon have hydraulic lifters so they're self-adjusting. MFRs learned that JDPower surveys go down when you have to adjust valves/tune-up the engine every 15K, so they've moved away from it.

Timing belt should be good for 90K miles, give or take, but it is an expense. Shouldn't be too bad, though.

While the CV is rear drive, IMHO there is no way that car can be considered a "good handler" compared to just about any modern car that has been designed withing the last decade or at least.

Even when they added the Watts linkage to the CV's rear, it's still a barge. The Panther platform debuted in 1979, which means it was desigend in the mid-70's.

While I consider myself cutting edge (I was born in 1971), I don't think the panther platform can be similarly considered.

Don't get me wrong, I'm actually a Ford fan. We have a lot of Fords in my family, and I own a blown Expedition that I love. I'd love to have a CV and trick it out to make it a sleeper rocket. But I don't think it compares to the Avalon very well at all. It's too ancient.

That being said, there is a familiarity to the CV. If you are used to driving big american iron (I am) than there is a certain appeal to it.

andrews · Mar 13, 2005

Good points once again. I'm certain the crown vic can't hold a candle to the avalon in terms of being a "modern" platform. But honestly, most police do very well in pursuit of the bad guy with this older design. The comfort, power, reliability, and price of the Vic, is definately going to keep it on my list. Do any of you know if the avalon requires premium fuel? I've had a hard time getting any info on that. One site I had visited showed the octane rating at 91 for this car. If this is the case, and with a hefty 28k price tag (for what I want), I may just skip it. I would rather just go for a Mustang GT coupe (300hp and regular fuel) and deal with a two door. Not my ideal car but for less money you get a whole lot of ponies and some fun to boot!

robbobster · Mar 14, 2005

See if you can access this link to Toyota/Lexus' PR website:

Sorry, can't risk getting that server overloaded.

At any rate, Toyota does indicate that the Avalon requires 91 octane.

Anybody test drive the new Avalon??

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