New to the Forum and I have a question before I pull the trigger

[AVA1]

Hello from sunny and hot Florida

I've been the the market for a Touring Avalon for about two months now, I have found the color combo that I like (Black on Black) and at a good price. My only problem here is that the car is about 1300 miles from me. It is Toyota Certified it has 66K the JBL radio, Sunroof, and Xenon Headlights, my two concerns are that the car is from the sun belt, and since its so far way I can test drive the car in person.

I wanted to ask the other forum members what experience they have in purchasing a car over the net, and second what to expect in regards to rust since its coming from the snow belt.

[arabianobsession]

2008 Avalon Touring, Black on Black, 53k, $16,895 in Jacksonville FL

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national

I can't really give you advice about how to buy a car over the net and without test driving it......
I bought a car in Milwaukee, WI last year (an hour east of me), and it was a horrendous experience. I drove it, it was fine, but doing business over the internet/phone was a nightmare.

As for rust, cars nowadays are rustproofed much better than they used to be. I have a 2000 Maxima with 128k and it has very very little rust. Same for my 1995 Mustang with 148k.

[Tom in Tacoma]

As much as I like the Avalon's and have faith in them being good cars, there's no way that I would purchase a car without driving it and, in most cases, having a mechanic inspect it (certified or not).

Perhaps you might want to also consider other models other than the Touring. The differences in ride is not that much different in the XLS and the Limited versions. Plus, if you were to consider a Limited you might also enjoy all those extras you listed - and a whole lot more.

But either way, the decision is yours. I don't think I'd pursue a used car that far away from me.

[AVA1]

Originally Posted by Tom in Tacoma

As much as I like the Avalon's and have faith in them being good cars, there's no way that I would purchase a car without driving it and, in most cases, having a mechanic inspect it (certified or not).

Perhaps you might want to also consider other models other than the Touring. The differences in ride is not that much different in the XLS and the Limited versions. Plus, if you were to consider a Limited you might also enjoy all those extras you listed - and a whole lot more.

But either way, the decision is yours. I don't think I'd pursue a used car that far away from me.

Tom

I have looked into the Limited, its just they are a bit out of my price range. I would love the nav, and all the other options.

I do have the option of having the car professionally inspected, to get that done its only $125. In regards to the rust, I had them put the car up on a lift and that pictures, from the pictures it doesn't look bad. My old man is a Honda tech with 28 years with Honda, and his reaction to the pictures was that the underside looks fine, he's seen some badly rusted cars from the north.

So my biggest problem is do I trust the images, the toyota certification, and the sales guy that is a good buy, or do I stick to past experiences of personally seeing, driving, touching the car.

[arabianobsession]

Toyota certification doesn't mean much these days. Mind you, I work at a Toyota dealership, and have seen some things done to make a car squeak through Certified Used that I haven't agreed with. And without driving it, how do you know if everything works? How do you know something hasn't been temporarily fixed only to fail in a month or two? Ask to see maintenance receipts.

[AVA1]

Originally Posted by arabianobsession

2008 Avalon Touring, Black on Black, 53k, $16,895 in Jacksonville FL

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national

I can't really give you advice about how to buy a car over the net and without test driving it......
I bought a car in Milwaukee, WI last year (an hour east of me), and it was a horrendous experience. I drove it, it was fine, but doing business over the internet/phone was a nightmare.

As for rust, cars nowadays are rustproofed much better than they used to be. I have a 2000 Maxima with 128k and it has very very little rust. Same for my 1995 Mustang with 148k.

arabianobsession

I looked at that one also, I just wish it had OEM Xenon's. I gave them a call and they are set on the price. So I'll keep looking.

[arabianobsession]

Just an idea....1300 miles is a LONG way to go for a car. I know the feeling.....when you want a very specific car for a specific price, it's hard to find, lol. It took me 5 months to buy my first ever car because I knew exactly what I wanted and I wasn't going to settle for anything different.

[grandpapa]

if you "just" call, almost always, the price are 'set'. They are not going to waste time over the phone to give you a good deal. I can understand that.

You may just have to wait until the right car to come by. Often time right after you get your car, you will see more on the market. Just be patient and I am sure you will find what you want.

[grandpapa]

Originally Posted by AVA1

arabianobsession

I looked at that one also, I just wish it had OEM Xenon's. I gave them a call and they are set on the price. So I'll keep looking.

Touring does come with standard HID I believe

[AVA1]

Originally Posted by grandpapa

Touring does come with standard HID I believe

grandpapa

Good to know, thanks. I have a question in regards to the JBL radio are they XM ready, and are they all 12 speaker including a sub?

[Tom in Tacoma]

Originally Posted by AVA1

grandpapa

Good to know, thanks. I have a question in regards to the JBL radio are they XM ready, and are they all 12 speaker including a sub?

They are all JBL. One is the JBL Synthesis system that's standard on the Limited. With that you get 12 speakers and 7.1 surround sound. It is satellite ready (at least my '07 is). The lesser stereo is also JBL - not sure of the specs but it's not the 12-speaker surround sound version.

[AVA1]

Originally Posted by Tom in Tacoma

They are all JBL. One is the JBL Synthesis system that's standard on the Limited. With that you get 12 speakers and 7.1 surround sound. It is satellite ready (at least my '07 is). The lesser stereo is also JBL - not sure of the specs but it's not the 12-speaker surround sound version.

Tom in Tacoma

Thanks, that helps me out. As I'm looking for a car, I've seen listing that have the JBL Synthesis in pictures but then the listing describes only 9 speakers. Is the JBL Synthesis that much better the the non-JBL Synthesis systems?

Now I have another question, I've seen that you can add Sat Radio to the JBL Synthesis radio, and I have also seen that you can add HD+iPod/iPhone connections. Can you have both Sat Radio & HD Radio from the JBL Synthesis system?

[Tom in Tacoma]

Originally Posted by AVA1

Tom in Tacoma

Thanks, that helps me out. As I'm looking for a car, I've seen listing that have the JBL Synthesis in pictures but then the listing describes only 9 speakers. Is the JBL Synthesis that much better the the non-JBL Synthesis systems?

Now I have another question, I've seen that you can add Sat Radio to the JBL Synthesis radio, and I have also seen that you can add HD+iPod/iPhone connections. Can you have both Sat Radio & HD Radio from the JBL Synthesis system?

To me the JBL Synthesis is better. I've really come to enjoy the surround sound effect provided. But - 90% of my listening is through an iPod. If your sound source is digital I would recommend the higher-end sound system.

I've added an iPod adapter (can't remember the make/model) that plugs into the back of the head unit. I'm inclined to say that yes, you can add both Sat, HD and iPod. I say that because, from the head unit there's a button labeled 'AM/Sat'. As you cycle through that button you'll see 'Sat1', 'Sat2', 'Sat3' and AM. While I don't know now you'd actually connect everything - it seems like one could. Maybe someone smarter than me can help out here.