I found this really clean '95 Avalon for sale at a used car lot here in Ca. The car is a '95 avalon with cloth seats, black paint, alloys, power windows, no sun-roof. The car has 123,000 miles, with 4,000 of these miles put on by the dealer himself. The dealer told me that he only had to replace one drive axle on the car, but other then that he has not done much except for oil changes and replacing the spark plugs. The guy wants $4,500 out the door.
He told me that he even drove the car out to Laughlin and down to San Diego, and that the car purrs like a cat with no problems. He went on to say that the car's temperature is constant, does not fluctuate, nor does it overheat.
He doesn't know if the timing belt has been replaced. The car started with a simple turn of the key, and he openned the hood so that I could see the engine running. It didn't have any sort of audible problems, but the engine compartment was dirty, there was some from what I could see, oil comming from the valve cover, but other then that no other visible issues.
The dealer said that he did not have this engine detailed and really doesn't like to have his engines detailed cause it can cause havoc on the sensors and electrical connectors, at least this is what he claims.
On the bright side, he stated that the car is a one owner car and it looks like the car was well maintained.
If I buy the car, I would use it as a daily drive, putting on at minimum 400 miles a week, so I want a car that is dependable, and easy to maintain. If I buy the car at minimum I will have the timing belt replaced, replace the spark plugs, and give it an oil change to start.
What do you guys think ??
I figure, that if the dealer is using the car as his own, the car is solid.
Check for sludge in the engine. The Avalon engines of that era are prone to sudge build-up. Also, you'll want to have the oil leak fixed. It will only get worse if you don't. It will be a little expensive, because the intake plenum and throttle body have to be removed to get at the rear (right) camshaft cover.
$4500 seems a little high. I'd try to get the dealer to fix the problems for that price.
It must be a Avalon XL b/c I have a 95 XL with everything you described. The 95 - 96 Avalons have strong engines in them if you do the repairs and maintenance on the car.
Things to look out for out of experience is:
Valve covers & gaskets
Rack & Pinion
Power Steering Pump
Timing belt & Water pump (since its over 100k miles and the dealer doesn't know if it was done).
I would also get him to drop the price, doesn't hurt to try. Give him a straight price and (assuming your paying by cash) if he doesn't accept, walk out......he'll bring you back in.
I never trust used car dealers b/c they aren't certified and they don't run there business like a dealership. The guy is probably using the car for personal use b/c its probably the best car that he has in the lot. Just be careful, if you can bring a mech. with you to have the car looked at and or get a carfax report with the VIN numbers of the car.
I've got 216,000 on my '96 Avalon XLS (bought new). The only issues I've had were some noted above; leaking valve covers (replaced front, tightened rear vc nuts), replaced the rack & pinion, and replaced the 'o' rings on the injectors. Definitely get the timing belt changed if there is no record of it having been done. Overall this is the best car I have owned (other than my Land Cruiser). I had company cars from 1982-1995, all Ford or GM, I got a new company car every 18 months. None of these even came close to the Avalon in reliability or dependability. An Avalon with 123k is just broken in if it was taken care of.
Yeah rack and pinion is major. But i am looking to sell my avalon 96 xls with 62k miles in san diego. I haven't decided on price and i am about to have the rack and pinion replaced. and it recently got new brake pads. But yeah avalons are reliable and get pretty good gas milage but they are not very sporty. If you are interested in mine am me at muchachomalo87 or pm me on the board. BUt that definately sounds like a good avalon and I am in san diego.
reezytercel: what would muchalo's offer? dude thats a sweet deal, low miles on a 96 compared to the other one, 123k. And your both close to each other, at least in the same state.
What is it with every1 replacing the rack & pinions on the car? Is this something I need to look out for?
Leaking of the rack and pinion system is listed as a common trouble spot on auto.comsumerguide.com From what my dad said it shouldnt take more than replacing the boots that cover the joints on the transaxle if it isnt let go too long. My mom's 95 Avalon needed the boots replaced at 160,000, which he did himself, but the rest of the system was fine. If you can do the work yourself, it should only be the cost of the rubber boots, some grease, and 2 seals for where the axle goes into the transmisson.
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Toyotas in the family/next of kin:
1982 Corolla Wagon, 1989 Corolla DX, 1991 Previa LE, 1993 Previa LE,
1993 Pickup, 1994 Corolla DX, 1995 Avalon XL, 1996 Camry XLE, 1998 Avalon XL,
1998 Sienna CE, 1999 Camry XL, 2000 Camry XLE, 2002 Tundra, 2003 Tundra,
2003 ES 300, 2004 Camry XLE, 2005 Tacoma
wow ok i'll check that out. I was having an issue a couple months ago where my power steering would make an awful sound... turned out that there was very little power steering fluid. The mechanic i took it to couldn't find any leaks tho, but it's something i'm keeping my eyes on.
correction i looked at the odometer when i was in the car and it said 60343 so i take back the previous miles but yeah my litttle brother talked me into keeping it and going halfsies on a nissan s12. But if the price is right i would be willing to let it go. I am not saying mine is perfect tho.
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but yeah my litttle brother talked me into keeping it and going halfsies on a nissan s12. But if the price is right i would be willing to let it go. I am not saying mine is perfect tho.
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