Thinking about an Avalon... can they be modded?

[thaddeus]

Hi,

I am new to the board and need some help.

I am in the last stages of selecting a car and the Avalon looks pretty good. I have 3 kids and need to be able to haul 5 people. It's practical.

However, I would like a car that is at least minimally bad looking and fun. Avalons look kind of weak, especially with the 15 inch wheels. I have some questions:

(1) Is there any way to elicit more HP from the 6 cylinder engine? ECU upgrades available?

(2) What is the largest wheel/tire combination that will fit on the '04 Avalon without rubbing?

(3) Are there body kits available (not radical, but purposeful) that will make the car look a little edgier?

Thanks in advance.

Thaddeus

[02RSX90camry]

i think all body kits must be custom made.

well toyota themselves offer 16 and maybe 17. also, if u're getting it as a family car, u probably don't want too small a tire for a bigger wheel because it will be worse ride quality.



lots of mods for the 1MZ. or does the 04 use the 3MZ (3.3L)?

[Deuce]

it still uses the 1mz. Don't think any upgrades are gonna happen until the new Avalon (mark II maybe???) shows up.

If you want more power out the engine, you can do the cold air intake (will more than likely be a DIY), or, downgrade/upgrade (depends on how you look at it) to a Camry SE V6 (225 bhp) or wait til the next Avalon shows up.

[dejacky]

I think swapping the transmission to manual will do a lot as well as adding a 1mzfe camry supercharger...that spells "fun family sedan" in my opinion...adding suspension upgrades spells "addictive family sedan."

[Gen3cruiser]

Dude, Avalons suck in my opinion. My grandfather was looking at getting one a few years ago, but for the price it's not worth it. He got a Lexus ES 300 for the same price, and it's alot more car, and not no mention not butt ugly. This year he bought a new ES 330 and it is sweet. Fully loaded for 34K. Look at lexus before a avalon, they are UGGGLY!

[02RSX90camry]

ok dude, ES330 is waaay uglier than an avalon. an avalon looks a lot more luxurious than an ES330, and has a much better interior. Also, it's a bit cheaper than an ES330.

[Gen3cruiser]

OK

[jhbhatia]

I guess you can look at this one:

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/227169

[dejacky]

Avalons use a proprietary transmission so I don't know if you could switch a v6 1mzfe 97-99 camry Manual transmission into the avalon. I'd pjrefer to have a supercharged avalon instead of nos though.

[EKam]

1. Cold-air intake, and headers (to y-pipe, catback)

2. 19" would probably fit fine.

3. Nope, even if they have it would look ugly.

[Daffunda]

Just wait until the next generation avalon comes out in 2006. This one will have lots more goodies with a 3.5L.

And Avalon is totally designed by Toyota in the US. It will be those cars that will never be in Japan. (my educated guess)

[02RSX90camry]

just wondering where u heard this 3.5L information, cuz i read taht teh next avalon will have a V8 i tink producing 275 hp.

i was thinking this morning though, what if they put the 1JZ-GTE in it! tehy're still producing that engine in japan, and that puts out something like 280 hp. that'd be soooooo sweet! too bad it's just a dream, and they'll never bring that engine to the US

[S-FL camry]

u can buy it in japan and send it over.... my friend just got one and she is putting it in her older supra, and her two spares turbos are being handed down to ME!!!!! hehhe

[Deuce]

Originally posted by Daffunda
And Avalon is totally designed by Toyota in the US. It will be those cars that will never be in Japan. (my educated guess)

Avalon was sold in Japan as Pronard (not sold in this model year). The next Avalon, if its made on a stretched Camry platform like it is now, will be sold in Japan.

[Roossinck]

In response to Gen3Cruiser...

An Avalon is a good choice for a practical family car. Yes, the styling is a little bland and leaves something to be desired, but the simple fact of the matter dictates that what Thaddeus is trying to do is haul his wife and three children. Good luck doing that in an ES330. The car is just too small to do that comfortably.

As for modifications, I'm interested in anything that's possible too. I just bought my 2000 XLS and a little more punch is always enjoyed.