2006 Limited-Good Deal?

[adguy]

Found a 2006 Avalon Limited with 31K miles on it for $18,900.

I was looking for an XL or XLS, but this came up.

I wanted a car with under 20K miles and found good deals, but this Limited has keyless start, etc.
Really more stuff than I need.

I'd also like to know if those keyless starters last for years.
I've also read the fans that cool the seats are not comfortable. Anyone know about that?

It seems a bit rougher than the XL I drove.

Thanks so much for your opinion.

[Tom in Tacoma]

Hey there...

On the surface, from what you're describing, it sounds like a good deal. On the Kelly Blue Book site, an '06 Limited with 31k miles on it, standard options in excellent condition is listed as being worth $22,500 (in my zip code).

But it's kind of hard to provide a value for something over the net when pictures (and lots of them!) aren't provided. However, based on what you said you were originally looking for - this sounds interesting if it's in your budget.

I've got 92,000 miles on my keyless starter - works like a charm. I've had to replace the battery in the transducer but that's all.

I'm one of the guys that removed the fan in the drivers seat because of it pressing up into my butt. I'm thinking about reinstalling it but not the way it came from the factory. I'm going to suspend it below the seat springs using wire ties leaving an inch of so of room. That way I can get the benefit of the ventilation without it hurting my butt.

I believe the Limited springs are the same as the XL and the XLT. The Touring editions were a bit stiffer. Could be the XL you drove had worn out shocks/struts?

[adguy]

Thanks so much, Tom.
We drove this today.
This thing is pristine. It belonged to a woman in her 70's.

I'm one of those guys who sees all those extras as more stuff to break. Although, I have to say it's cool to push a button and start it.

I thought the seats were firm, but it was a brief test drive.
Then I read about the fan and thought about an 8 hour drive. Would that hurt?

How hard was it to remove the fan? Was it something you were able to do or was it a shop job?

[saabdriver59]

I just bought a 2007 XLS for about the same price and mileage. The Limited markets a little higher - so I'd say it sounds pretty fair.
You have to consider the Limited package as an investment, and whether you will get your money back out - since you don't care about the bells/whistles for your own personal use.
As for me, I think the directional indicators on the mirrors of the Limited are a really nice option. Not enough for me to pony up the extra cash over the XLS.

[givemeabreak01]

I have a 2006 Limited that I bought new in November of '05. I've got 80K on mine now and have absolutely loved it. Great mileage (about 26 town and 30-31 Fwy @ 72-73 mph). The Fwy mileage has dropped a little, to about 28-29 and I believe it might need new plugs, air filter, possibly fuel filter, etc. It's time for some maintenance. The absolute thing I don't like about it is the NAV system. Not user friendly and the toggle is a pain in the butt. My old Garmin has better maps and a lot easier to use. Toyota bombed on this option. Put brakes on mine at 60K and probably could have gone to 70K, but better safe than new rotors. I don't know what the difference in ride between a Limited and XL or XLS should be - none I would think. Other thing I don't use is the Dynamic Cruise Control. Good idea, but I just feel I'm more "in control" by using the Normal Cruise. Some of my rear seat "passengers" have indicated they like the reclining seat feature a lot. I've used the "cooling" feature of my seats a lot this summer and I personally like it. I'd like to have the Lexus feature of the "following" headlights, whereby they follow you through a curve. The bright lights on my Avalon are not nearly as bright as my wife's Solara (2008 Convertible). Overall, I love it and will certainly consider another one at about 120K miles. However, I'll also look at the Buick LaCrosse, Infiniti G series, Audi A4 and even the Chevy Impala. I definitely think I'll consider buying late model "pre-owned" next time. I gave $34,750 for mine, fresh off the show room floor. A buddy of mine bought one ('06 Limited - 8K miles) about 1 year later (Dec '06), comparably equipped for $28.5K. My math says he got a better buy. Your price sounds like it may be a couple thousand high, but I'm sure you're paying for the low mileage (and it is low mileage). The original 3/36 warranty has expired and you might want to consider the 7/100K extended warranty. I bought one and "shopped" several dealers for it. Prices, through Toyota dealers, ranged from about $1300 to as low as $925(what I paid for mine). Don't let them fool you, they will negotiate on this item. Good luck, if you decide to buy it. It is a GREAT set of wheels.

[Tom in Tacoma]

Originally Posted by adguy

Thanks so much, Tom.
We drove this today.
This thing is pristine. It belonged to a woman in her 70's.

I'm one of those guys who sees all those extras as more stuff to break. Although, I have to say it's cool to push a button and start it.

I thought the seats were firm, but it was a brief test drive.
Then I read about the fan and thought about an 8 hour drive. Would that hurt?

How hard was it to remove the fan? Was it something you were able to do or was it a shop job?

Pristine? Little ol' lady? BUY IT!

For the record, nothing has broken on mine and it's fully equipped. Sure, it's been recalled a few times but with regular service it still runs great and is without rattles. Not bad for 92K miles.

Regarding your question about the 8-hour drive on the fan-equipped seat - that depends. Mine didn't start to get uncomfortable until after 50K miles. I'm also about 220-pounds.

Removing the fan involved raising the seat all the way up and all the way forward. Then you can get under it from the left rear footwell. There's not a whole lot of room under there but you ought to be able to do it. Do a search on this topic here in the Avalon forum and you'll find a "How-To" that details the steps and the tools needed.

[adguy]

Tom, I like the idea of fooling with the fan.
My wife & I simply thought the seats were firm. I drive a lot for work, out of state.
I can see where this might be uncomfortable. I like the idea of lowering the fan.

This is one of the cleanest cars I've seen. The owner's husband died and she wanted something else.
It looks as if no one ever rode in the back seat.

I got a call from another dealer. He has a 2006 Avalon XL with 17K miles coming in. It too belonged to an older person and he says it looks like there was never a passenger. They are looking at $16,000 for that one.

17K miles is very low mileage.

I'm trying to figure the real value of lower mileage vs some amazing features.

[hghflyrjd1]

Originally Posted by adguy

Tom, I like the idea of fooling with the fan.
My wife & I simply thought the seats were firm. I drive a lot for work, out of state.
I can see where this might be uncomfortable. I like the idea of lowering the fan.

This is one of the cleanest cars I've seen. The owner's husband died and she wanted something else.
It looks as if no one ever rode in the back seat.

I got a call from another dealer. He has a 2006 Avalon XL with 17K miles coming in. It too belonged to an older person and he says it looks like there was never a passenger. They are looking at $16,000 for that one.

17K miles is very low mileage.

I'm trying to figure the real value of lower mileage vs some amazing features.

I would go with lower miles IF its alot lower..I might pass on all the limited package features but the leather is something i gotta have

[Tom in Tacoma]

Originally Posted by adguy

Tom, I like the idea of fooling with the fan.
My wife & I simply thought the seats were firm. I drive a lot for work, out of state.
I can see where this might be uncomfortable. I like the idea of lowering the fan.

This is one of the cleanest cars I've seen. The owner's husband died and she wanted something else.
It looks as if no one ever rode in the back seat.

I got a call from another dealer. He has a 2006 Avalon XL with 17K miles coming in. It too belonged to an older person and he says it looks like there was never a passenger. They are looking at $16,000 for that one.

17K miles is very low mileage.

I'm trying to figure the real value of lower mileage vs some amazing features.

I bought my Avalon because I was driving a lot for business (that's how I got 92k miles on it in 3-years). The way I see it, if you're going to be in a car that much, I'd prefer it have all the creature comforts available.

Let's face it, these cars are well built and will run for years upon years. The difference between 17k and 31k miles really isn't much. With that in mind there are two other deciding factors; your budgetary considerations and your preferences. My decision would be, and my advice to you is, consider going with the Limited model. I think you'll be happier in the long run.

[hghflyrjd1]

Originally Posted by Tom in Tacoma

I bought my Avalon because I was driving a lot for business (that's how I got 92k miles on it in 3-years). The way I see it, if you're going to be in a car that much, I'd prefer it have all the creature comforts available.

Let's face it, these cars are well built and will run for years upon years. The difference between 17k and 31k miles really isn't much. With that in mind there are two other deciding factors; your budgetary considerations and your preferences. My decision would be, and my advice to you is, consider going with the Limited model. I think you'll be happier in the long run.

I agree Limited gives you everything.If you dont get it later you will wish u had.

[adguy]

Update:
I drove the 2006 XL with 17K miles. They are asking $15,500.
This is what car dealers call a cherry. It was perfect except no Satellite Radio. They cannot swtich out the radios due to wiring issues, so I'd have to go aftermarket which never looks good.

Honestly, the 2006 Limited is also a pristine.

Interestingly both were driven by older people, so they did not carry passengers on a regular basis and the interiors are immaculate.

I'm off to look at the limited one more time.

[Tom in Tacoma]

At the risk of sounding like an old poop - don't pay any mind to what the dealers are telling you. They are out to sell a car and turn a profit - it's that plain and simple.

[adguy]

Thanks to everyone for the input.

I bought the car.
They gave me a good price for my old Avalon with 133K on it.

The 2006 is pristine. As I mentioned, it still had the little label on the CD player.

Now, I just have to figure out how everything works.

I inadvertently discovered there is a shade in the back window that comes down. It is strange.

Does anyone with one of these know if one can get an additional entry remote/key device for a reasonable price?

Again, a big thanks for the comments. They were quite helpful.

[Zembonez]

Congrats. For half price (or less) you got a practically new car. Ebay is a great source for keyless remotes.

[AML]

Originally Posted by Zembonez

Congrats. For half price (or less) you got a practically new car. Ebay is a great source for keyless remotes.

I'd be very wary of eBay key/remotes. Based on the fact that he mentioned the rear sunshade, I'm going assume he bought the Limited which has the SmartKey. You'll have a very hard time finding a legit key off of eBay and be able to get the dealer to program it. I already tried a few months ago with my Camry Hybrid, but the eBay seller was kind enough to accept a refund for the key. Most vendors will not, and will leave you hanging with a useless key and out over $100.

Even though I worked at a Toyota dealer at the time, I still tried to cheap out with the eBay keys, but eventually caved in and ordered one from the dealer. Mine was about $280 since I was able to pay list price and I paid one of the tech's $10 to program it during his lunch break. Expect it to be at or around that price.

Anyway, congratulations on the new Avalon. Some of these features and options might scare you at first and you might think you'll never use them. After time though, who knows, you might find yourself not being able to live without them!

The button to operate the rear sunshade is on the left lower side of the steering wheel, near the fuel filler button.