Options vs. option packages

[jag_man653]

Thinking about buying an '06 Avalon XLS. The Toyota web site list options such as the JBL sound system separately. However, all the ones I see at the dealers around here have the JBL and they say the car cannot be obtained without it. This seems to be borne out by the "Build your Toyota" configurator at the Toyota Web site where the Options section lists Option Packages instead of individual options. So, what's going on here? Is it really not possible to get the car w/o this $650 "option?"

I read a thread on this forum that the average age of Avalon owners is in the mid 60s. It is well known that people in this age group have significant hearing loss, particularly in the higher frequencies. So Toyota and its dealers seem to be forcing an expensive option onto their buyers.

Ed

[retired00]

Toyota still operates in most if not all of the country through Distributors who, in turn, provide the cars to the selling dealers. In some cases, they may well decide that "all stock XLS models in this region will have the JBL", or even decide that their region's build your own will offer packages instead of individual options. However, audio sells now and it's a lot easier to move a car off the lot with a better system than it is to try to satisfy someone with just the base system when they wanted more--it's more profit, too. Look at an XL and you'll see base systems because the whole car is more likely to be sold on price, and it is a lot of car for $30K sticker--but here in the SE most have distributor-installed leather seating. If your region offers it, then you may well be able to special order a car and wait for delivery, but by defining a limited range of available options within each series, the dealer and Toyota can move cars more quickly by finding one near your specs and upsell the options to get you in quickly. I don't think age has much to do with it, or they'd include headsets for the older folks to sell the JBL.

[TRIGGA]

What i would love to ask the toyota gods is why would they make the xls which is a step up from the touring without hid headlamps and and heated outside mirrors as an option? Maybe its me. And then you can't get the touring with nav? Why would it be called "touring" then? foolishness

[dubbedavalon]

I 2nd that. I would have loved to get HIDs on my xls as Standard opt.

[TRIGGA]

I only had my car for a week before i put my hid's in, i couldn't take driving without them. Now i'm good to go. And the avy drivers are like what the hell??