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[BiXLL]

The wife asked me when I might think of getting into something newer then my 2002 Avalon. She drives a 2011 Hyundai Sonata which she picked out and I hate and was curious as to when I might get something newer. It got me thinking and looking around. I found that I really like my 2nd gen Avalon, better then 3rd gen or even the new ones. I guess I will just keep her until she dies, but I don't see that happening anytime soon. I guess I have gotten used to it, but I really like this car!

[buchaja]

I feel the same about mine. The more I drive it, the more I think it might just be with me until the bitter end, and I'm 51.

I have a truck I just cannot like. I don't hate it, but it just doesn't thrill me or instill the long-term confidence in me like my Avalon does. I really think these cars are some of the best Toyota has ever made.

Now, if they would get it together and fix some of the junk they put in the Tundra...

[pmesfun]

I'm driving my Avalon till it dies.
The 99 btw, I could care less about our 07.

[KoG506]

Originally Posted by pmesfun

I'm driving my Avalon till it dies.
The 99 btw, I could care less about our 07.

Same here! but mine is '00 with little bit over 130K miles but it will be a looooooong time till it dies. Engine still strong! But quick question, my muffler is clean theres no black stuff(carbon?) when I wipe my finger it, there is nothing on my finger. But i usually see cars with a lot of the black stuff in the muffler. What does this mean?

[pmesfun]

My guess would be carbon, my old van did this.

[KoG506]

Originally Posted by pmesfun

My guess would be carbon, my old van did this.

Is it a sign that my engine is still good or excellent/condition since there are no carbon? or is it bad?

[Goofaroo]

It is a sign of good health. Generally the black soot is caused by running too rich or using premium fuel in a car that doesn't require it. Always run the cheap stuff in your Avalon and will burn it more cleanly. You will also have cleaner emissions.

[KoG506]

Good to hear that my Avy is in good health

What do you mean always run cheap?

And I only own this Avy for about 2 years and have been running premium gas aince purchase. Not sure what previous owner poured.

[BiXLL]

Our cars do not require Premium nor does running premium do anything to help our car. It is a myth that premium gas helps normal compression engines, read up on what octane is and does if you doubt what I say. I am sure there are people using butt dynos that will say there car runs better or whatever, but it is all in their head that because they are paying more, there gas is better, not the fact at all. 87 octane gas actually ignites easier then 91 octane.

[Goofaroo]

Octane is simply an additive that makes the fuel less volatile so that it doesn't preignite in high compression engines with aggressively advanced timing. In your Avalon, it will just simply not burn as completely and cause deposits in your combustion chamber and more pollution. It will also suck more money out of your wallet.

[bobflood]

Originally Posted by Goofaroo

Octane is simply an additive that makes the fuel less volatile so that it doesn't preignite in high compression engines with aggressively advanced timing. In your Avalon, it will just simply not burn as completely and cause deposits in your combustion chamber and more pollution. It will also suck more money out of your wallet.

+++This!!! Running premium gas in most vehicles is a waste of money. Even many that recommend premium run fine on 87 octane; modern computers adjust for it fine. I would not use premium in any vehicle unless it was the ONLY way to stop actual knocking.