On the Hunt for a 3G Avalon and dump my Scion Xb.

[inquiring]

Owned 2 Camry's. Liked my 03 until I totaled it. Drove a 2009 Avalon Touring for one week as a rental and liked the interior space, 6-speed tranny, and overall MPG (city/highway), 24.5 MPG, solid ride and the Toyota marque. Can’t afford to buy a new Avalon and know that CarFax doesn’t show complete histories. So, what source is best to locate a post 2005 Avalon that hasn’t been wrecked, burned, or glued back together?
I'm 6’4” and 225 lbs and feel shoehorned into the new Camry which is narrower than my 2003 Camry. Like the lower RPM at speed Avalon feature too. Bought a 2009 Scion Xb and it turns too many RPMs at speed so am willing to sell the Xb (w/15K miles) and trade up to a used Avalon. Thanks Pros.

[KoG506]

Look at the gaps... for example, gap between hood and fender, if its not even with other sides then it most likely have been in accident/s. gap between fenders and door... and door to doors... and trunk.

[Tom in Tacoma]

I would do two things:
- find a body shop that offers "Wreck Check" service. They can determine if a car was damaged and if it was repaired correctly or merely cosmetically.
- take the car to a garage and have them perform a maintenance assessment. It will probably cost you some but it's money well spent. I know that Firestone shops used to offer that service a few years back. Might want to give them a call.

[grandpapa]

The best place to get a good used Avalon is go to Lexus or Toyota. Most Avalon owners "trade up" to Lexus or newer Avalon. In my case, we got our 06 at the local Lexus dealship. The price is right since Lexus really don't want to give an image to become an used car lot. They like to unload their non Lexus brand cars asap.

Also many Toyota dealers carry a few used Avalon. I personally don't like craiglist, buying from people you don't know, too many scammer.

[hghflyrjd1]

I bought my 2009 Slightly used from a Toyota Dealer

[boosted-fc3s]

Mine came from a cadillac dealer in Texas. Had it shipped up to IL.

[inquiring]

Originally Posted by boosted-fc3s

Mine came from a cadillac dealer in Texas. Had it shipped up to IL.

Thanks for all the sensible ideas...what was the first year that the Avalon came with a 6-speed transmission and electronic shifting?

[boosted-fc3s]

They were always electronically controlled. 2008 changed to 6speed.

[Riick]

Any decent garage mechanic over 35 will be able to examine car and tell you if it was hit,
and where. As far as I'm concerned, I want my cars "straight" - as in never hit at all, or,
if hit, merely cosmetic, As In: NO frame damage.

Too many credulous people around, who believe body shops do a good job,
so $$$ premium for straight car is not very high at all.

Toyota "certified" cars will necessarily be straight, $$$$ premium is anywhere
from about $600 to as much as the SOBs can get... as in $1,000-$2,000.
CERTIFIED is actually just an insurance policy, but the insurance Co.
--an arm of Toyota- insists that car was never in an accident where it got any
frame damage, or BIG $$$ penalty to selling Dealer.

Craigslist is a good place to buy and sell, just 2010 version of advertising in newspaper.
You can Trust the Sellers... just don't believe a word they say until you verify it yourself.
Which is the way anyone bright enough to tie their shoes should conduct all business transactions (( IMHO ))

I'd sell you my 2005 Touring, Double Black, Certified, with 12,xxx miles... but you're too far away to make it a possibility.

Good Luck!
(( Remember... trust, but verify ))

[zythr]

Autotrader

[AMSoil]

Don't know where you are located but, I have an 06 Limited. Bought it new, laser cruise, nav, wider tires, flaps, all the usual LTD upgrades like; vented seats, HID, sunroof, power everything, leather, run on synthetic oil since new. Can send you a copy of the window sticker if you wish.
Has 70,000 miles, some minor body dings and a full service history from Alexandria Toyota in Alexandria, VA.

Just made the decision to sell it and buy a new car so, I haven't even advertised it yet.

Just noticed you are in Cali - Roadtrip?