2008+ Avalon buyer's guide?

[nyc951]

Hi,

I just joined this great forum after reading the informative threads. I am thinking about buying a used 2008 Avalon for my folks, but want to make sure I understand the issues before doing so. After all, all cars have issues. I can fix most things on a car and want to do so, before handing the keys over to my parents.

So far, the most serious issue I've read about is:

- Headlight flickering and shutdown requiring replacement of the complete housings for $2k+. Did this affect all 2008 Avalons, or just the ones with HID headlights? Since it seems the low voltage of DRL is causing the issue, will turning on the headlamps (which deactivates the DRL, I believe) everytime the motor is on resolve the issue? How can I tell if a car has the bad batch of lights?

Any other insights or things to watch out for would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[GSMetal]

We just bought our 08 Avalon Touring (aka Starship Enterprise) and we're just blown away but how smooth this car is.

Can't really tell you about the headlight issue since I'm a newbie but the car is nothing short of spectacular.

Ours is a CPO so we have a year bumper to bumper I would recommend you look for a CPO if possible.

[Minus (-)]

Def go for a cpo....I bought one(08 xls nav) in april...highbeams shattered in one week....of course It was fixed...they gave me brand new housings n bulbs....calipers and Rotors were making the car
shake....that was TSB and they changed calipers free....after ruffling a few feathers....but other than that GREAT Car....When It Starts Acting Up U Get Brand New Parts...So IMO I Would Always Like To To Own An Avalon

[Paul3637]

If the "build date" was prior to 04/08, make sure the vvt-i oil line recall was performed correctly to avoid this mess:

https://sites.google.com/site/toyotav6oillinescandal/

[GSMetal]

Originally Posted by Paul3637

If the "build date" was prior to 04/08, make sure the vvt-i oil line recall was performed correctly to avoid this mess:

https://sites.google.com/site/toyotav6oillinescandal/

How can you find out about the build date....where does one find that info?

[Seneca]

Originally Posted by GSMetal

How can you find out about the build date....where does one find that info?

Driver's door frame information plate.

[lexsc4]

Bought an 08 Touring CPO in Sep 2009 with 42K miles on it. Aside from the recalls(pedal, VVTI hose, reflash), not a single issue and I have 64K mile on it now. The flickering is mainly the Philips D4R bulb problem. You do not need to replace the whole headlight assembly despite what the dealer tells you. My driver side started to flicker in April of this year and I replaced both sides in May. Now is Oct and has not flickered since. Easily $100 fix ($50 each from Amazon.com).

Aside from a viper remote start/Alarm, windows tint and 5K miles change interval with Mobil 1 5-30W, nothing else has been done to the car. BTW, replaced those crappy Yokohama Avid V4S two months ago with Michelin Primacy MXV4 and couldn't be happier.

Jack
San Franciso bay area