Advice on the Purchase of a 1999 Toyota Avalon XLS

[Altec103]

Before I get to the main question, I just thought I'd say hello to everyone as this is my first time posting on this forum. If I purchase this car, I most likely will frequent this site much more, but hopefully not with mechanical issues.

My question is in regards to a 1999 Toyota Avalon XLS. It is currently being sold with 106k miles for $5,800 which is a fair price from what I have researched. My main concern is reliability.

The information on the car listing is here.

http://www.salfrascoauto.com/1999_To..._145280357.veh

My main issues are sludging of the engine which is consistent with this car. This is my first used car purchase and I have looked at a Pontiac Bonneville which is also being sold at this dealer and an Infiniti G20 being sold at another dealer. From what I know, the G20 is the most reliable, but the other two cars have features I want and also more room as I like to play golf with buddies and need large amounts of trunk space.

So do you think the Avalon XLS is a good purchase? I am less concerned with price as my price range is 6k and below, but I want this car to last with any major problems.

Thanks for the help everyone, it is much appreciated.

[artbuc]

Originally Posted by Altec103

Before I get to the main question, I just thought I'd say hello to everyone as this is my first time posting on this forum. If I purchase this car, I most likely will frequent this site much more, but hopefully not with mechanical issues.

My question is in regards to a 1999 Toyota Avalon XLS. It is currently being sold with 106k miles for $5,800 which is a fair price from what I have researched. My main concern is reliability.

The information on the car listing is here.

http://www.salfrascoauto.com/1999_To..._145280357.veh

My main issues are sludging of the engine which is consistent with this car. This is my first used car purchase and I have looked at a Pontiac Bonneville which is also being sold at this dealer and an Infiniti G20 being sold at another dealer. From what I know, the G20 is the most reliable, but the other two cars have features I want and also more room as I like to play golf with buddies and need large amounts of trunk space.

So do you think the Avalon XLS is a good purchase? I am less concerned with price as my price range is 6k and below, but I want this car to last with any major problems.

Thanks for the help everyone, it is much appreciated.

Welcome! I have a 99 XLS Platinum Edition with 110k miles. Do you know anything about the service history of this car, ie what does "well serviced" mean? Does it still have the original struts/strut mounts and upstream O2 (or A/F for a CA emission car) sensors? If it does, they will need to be replaced soon - pretty big bucks if you are not able to do it yourself. Re sludge, take this car to a 3rd party mechanic and have them remove the front (Bank 1) valve cover. It is the only way to inspect the engine for sludge. I have never heard of a well maintained engine that sludged although Toyota did admit to a design flaw (undersized oil returns). Also pull your own report to see if she has ever been in an accident or flood. Good luck.

PS No smoking in the car is a huge plus.

[Altec103]

According to the CarFax is a one-owner vehicle with no accidents and it recently had the timing belt replaced. I assume that is a good thing?

I posted below a link to the CarFax because I am not the best at reading these reports.

EDIT: Also, at 89,000 the rotors were resurfaced and the brake pads replaced. Is this good?

http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory...bf18b9xu324405

01/25/1999 NICB Vehicle manufactured
and shipped to original dealer
02/15/1999 New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Huntington Station, NY Registered as
personal vehicle
03/29/1999 6 New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Huntington Station, NY Title issued or updated
First owner reported
03/10/2000 7,743 New York
New York City Area
Inspection Station Exempt from emission inspection
Passed safety inspection
View what was inspected
01/10/2001 New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Huntington Station, NY Title issued or updated
03/12/2001 17,211 New York
New York City Area
Inspection Station Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection
View what was inspected
03/21/2002 24,210 New York
New York City Area
Inspection Station Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection
View what was inspected
01/17/2003 New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Huntington Station, NY Registration issued or renewed
Registered as
personal vehicle
Passed safety inspection
04/01/2003 31,755 New York
Inspection Station Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection
View what was inspected
04/07/2004 42,044 New York
Inspection Station Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection
View what was inspected
12/29/2004 New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Huntington Station, NY Registration issued or renewed
Registered as
personal vehicle
Passed safety inspection
04/05/2005 48,280 New York
Inspection Station Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection
View what was inspected
04/18/2006 56,076 New York
Inspection Station Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection
View what was inspected
12/28/2006 New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Huntington Station, NY Registration issued or renewed
Registered as
personal vehicle
Passed safety inspection
04/27/2007 64,107 New York
Inspection Station Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection
View what was inspected
05/03/2008 71,536 New York
Inspection Station Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection
View what was inspected
12/30/2008 New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Huntington Station, NY Registration issued or renewed
Registered as
personal vehicle
Passed safety inspection
05/21/2009 80,535 New York
Inspection Station Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection
View what was inspected
09/08/2009 84,423 Huntington Toyota
Huntington Station, NY Rear brake pads replaced and rotors resurfaced
Brakes replaced
Maintenance inspection completed
Brakes checked
06/01/2010 91,974 New York
Inspection Station Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection
View what was inspected
12/30/2010 New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Huntington Station, NY Registration issued or renewed
Registered as
personal vehicle
Passed safety inspection
07/25/2011 103,708 New York
Inspection Station Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection
View what was inspected
12/08/2011 106,023 Huntington Toyota
Huntington Station, NY
631-423-6644
stevenstoyota.com Vehicle offered for sale
12/19/2011 106,085 Auto Auction
Eastern Region Listed as a dealer vehicle
Sold at auction

[fourwheeler]

Seems like a nice car and a fair price. I would as Artbuc suggested, take it to a mechanic to have him look things over. The struts will probably need replacing, have the mechanic check the suspension over well and the brakes. Resurfacing the brakes and replacing the pads is fine, just have him make sure there are not other issues needing attention. Also, the rack and pinion has a design flaw and start leaking. And, as Artbuc suggested, check under the front valve cover and check for sludging. If you buy the car, I would switch to either a semi synthetic, or full synthetic oil and change every 3K for a couple of oil changes to clean out any gunk in the crankcase.

Good luck!

[zythr]

Originally Posted by fourwheeler

Seems like a nice car and a fair price. I would as Artbuc suggested, take it to a mechanic to have him look things over. The struts will probably need replacing, have the mechanic check the suspension over well and the brakes. Resurfacing the brakes and replacing the pads is fine, just have him make sure there are not other issues needing attention. Also, the rack and pinion has a design flaw and start leaking. And, as Artbuc suggested, check under the front valve cover and check for sludging. If you buy the car, I would switch to either a semi synthetic, or full synthetic oil and change every 3K for a couple of oil changes to clean out any gunk in the crankcase.

Good luck!

..Sounds like you're subtly telling him to Pass on this one.

[artbuc]

Originally Posted by zythr

..Sounds like you're subtly telling him to Pass on this one.

I can't speak for 4wheeler but I believe this vintage Avalon/Camry is extraordinarily reliable. If the engine is not sludged (and the odds are extremely good that it isn't) I would not pass. What car with 100k doesn't need new struts or oxygen sensors? Maybe this car has had more than its share of rack failures but mine has been perfect and I personally know of 5 other 98-2000 high mileage Avalons/Camrys without any rack failures. Search this forum and you will see many stories of these cars going 250k+ with fairly minimal maintenance/repair.

[pet sounds]

Hey man, I made a topic just below yours about almost the same exact thing. I too am looking at a 99 Avalon XLS and was worried about sludge. I asked many of the questions you did too. So it might help you out. People here have been really helpful.

Would you buy this car?

[denverdog]

yo! zythr!

i don't think fourwheeler is subtly trying to tell anyone not to get the car. "nice car" and :"fair price" don't sound bad to me.

and in the thread just above this one, i wasn't trying to subtly tell the person not to buy that car. just get it checked out.

you can go too far with the idea that everyone is "subtly" agreeing with you. i wasn't. and from his post, i don't think fourwheeler was either. but i don't speak for him. his advice, as i read it, was similar to mine: get the big stuff checked out, then make a decision.

not too many people put new brakes, tires, struts, O2 sensors, timing belts, etc. on a car they are selling. you have to expect something isn't perfect, or relaced in the immediate past. if that were the standard for buyng a used car, none of them would sell.

[Altec103]

Originally Posted by denverdog

yo! zythr!

i don't think fourwheeler is subtly trying to tell anyone not to get the car. "nice car" and :"fair price" don't sound bad to me.

and in the thread just above this one, i wasn't trying to subtly tell the person not to buy that car. just get it checked out.

you can go too far with the idea that everyone is "subtly" agreeing with you. i wasn't. and from his post, i don't think fourwheeler was either. but i don't speak for him. his advice, as i read it, was similar to mine: get the big stuff checked out, then make a decision.

not too many people put new brakes, tires, struts, O2 sensors, timing belts, etc. on a car they are selling. you have to expect something isn't perfect, or relaced in the immediate past. if that were the standard for buyng a used car, none of them would sell.

I called the dealer and I am scheduling a test drive and I am going to have a mechanic check out the car, I think it is worth the investment. Also, the dealer told me the timing belt has been replaced so that is one major thing that does not need replacing. I am mainly interested in common issues with this year model of Avalon and if anyone personally owns one. My brother has a 1999 Buick Regal and it is known for a lot of problems, but he has had his from 105k to 145k with no major problems. I am hoping for a similar outcome.

And for used car buying in general, what is the deal with those warranties? Is it worth paying something like $600 for a lifetime warranty on a used car through a third party?

[zythr]

Originally Posted by denverdog

yo! zythr!

i don't think fourwheeler is subtly trying to tell anyone not to get the car. "nice car" and :"fair price" don't sound bad to me.

and in the thread just above this one, i wasn't trying to subtly tell the person not to buy that car. just get it checked out.

you can go too far with the idea that everyone is "subtly" agreeing with you. i wasn't. and from his post, i don't think fourwheeler was either. but i don't speak for him. his advice, as i read it, was similar to mine: get the big stuff checked out, then make a decision.

not too many people put new brakes, tires, struts, O2 sensors, timing belts, etc. on a car they are selling. you have to expect something isn't perfect, or relaced in the immediate past. if that were the standard for buyng a used car, none of them would sell.

My bad. I thought it came across as look elsewhere, but in a nice way as so not to have hurt feelings.

[CTB727]

This car seems to be in pretty good condition. You can always negotiate the price, so I recommend you to do that. Also, I don't know if it's just me, but the TOYOTA badge on the left side of the trunk seems a little crooked. Could possibly mean the badge was replaced, due to a repair. (Again, I'm nitpicking and probably exaggerating possibilities.)

I see you stated that you like to play golf. As do I I've stuffed 4 sets of clubs in the trunk, and they all fit. However, due to the car's rather soft suspension, if you have 4 or 5 people in the car along with a loaded trunk, the rear end tends to sag.

Again, the most important thing to make sure is that the engine isn't sludged. Have an independent, reputable mechanic to take a look under the valve cover to see if it is sludged or not. Should you choose to buy the car, it will serve you very well

[fourwheeler]

Just to clear up any confusion, I was not saying to pass on the car.

The first gen Avalons are great running cars which generally need very little maintenance. I have a 98 and love mine. Yes all cars need maintenance and there is no such thing as a perfect car which never needs maintenance. I was just giving the O/P some of the weaknesses in the Avalon based on MY personal experience and what the mechanic should pay special attention to.

I found by replacing the struts and springs (at 185,000 miles) I can reliably put 4 adults in the car and 4 bags of clubs in the trunk and it runs smoothly down the road.

Altec103, please post back with the results of the inspection with the mechanic. I would like to know what you decided to do.

Also, I'd pass on the warranty program. Generally they only partially cover non-maintenance items.

[zythr]

Originally Posted by fourwheeler

Just to clear up any confusion, I was not saying to pass on the car.

The first gen Avalons are great running cars which generally need very little maintenance. I have a 98 and love mine. Yes all cars need maintenance and there is no such thing as a perfect car which never needs maintenance. I was just giving the O/P some of the weaknesses in the Avalon based on MY personal experience and what the mechanic should pay special attention to.

I found by replacing the struts and springs (at 185,000 miles) I can reliably put 4 adults in the car and 4 bags of clubs in the trunk and it runs smoothly down the road.

Altec103, please post back with the results of the inspection with the mechanic. I would like to know what you decided to do.

Also, I'd pass on the warranty program. Generally they only partially cover non-maintenance items.

Even though you maintain your car, does not mean the guy seling this one has done the same, but hey, that is my opinion

[fourwheeler]

Isn't that the reason for why myself and several others have suggested he take the car to a mechanic for an inspection before deciding on whether to purchase the vehicle or not?

[denverdog]

warranty programs are a profit item for the dealer. don't get it unless the thought of something going wrong really, really gives you nightmares (like my son). once the car is checked out, put that money into a safe investment, then use it for unusual maitenance items. if none comes up, you keep your money plus the dealer's profit. only takes a little discipline not to blow it on brake pads, tires or other normal maitenance things.

and go with full synthetic. i have mine changed every 5k in both my avalon and my ls400. if oil comes out really dirty, you can shorten that interval up for a couple of changes.

keep the tranny fluid fresh, and use the proper fluid. beware of "equivalents".

maybe do a good flush of the coolant system. use the correct stuff, not the cheapest.

there is no such thing as knowing for sure a car will last, but the avalon is a great bet. if the big stuff checks out, that's about aoll you can ask. and ask for all maintenance records. then actually read them. sometimes you get warnings for things that weren't actually fixed.