I'm looking at a 2005 XLS with sunroof, heated seats, nav and JBL from the original owner with 65k miles on it. Service records from Toyota. Askin $13,500 which is not bad for here in Canada, they are rarely for sale by an individual around here as they mostly get traded to the dealer.
I've been reading reviews and I can't figure out why some people hate the trans, others have no problems.
Is the trans a real issue in this car? Do they fail or just act weird?
Any reason to stay away from this car?
I want quiet and relatively trouble-free operation (other than regular wear and tear of course).
I would test drive it. The only issue that I have with mine is going down hills and such. It seems to get confused and sounds funny while trying to "figure out" which gear it needs to be in. Overall, 1 owner, 65k mi, and Avalon, sounds good to me! Don't forget the car fax though!
You know what a good price for this car is; just because being sold by owner does not make it good, or worth more ((though I suspect asking price is closer to wholesale than dealer "retail"))....
Often --if you are fully willing to walk away from the deal if dealer will not meet *your* price-- dealer can beat owner's price. Yhat's can, not *will*, you have to pound on their heads! How can they beat owners price? - They usually steal the cars at wholesale and below.
You need to (a) convince them they have a guaranteed sale at your price,
and (b) remind them that they can easily replace this car and 20 more at the next auction sale. Dear $tealer, turning two cars at $1,000 net profit each is better than none at a $3,000 profit.
Transmission just takes getting used to, and get it to learn *your* habits.
Notable is that trans does want to upshift too early,
and downshifts from hitting gas pedal moderately sound like transmission is slipping.
It's not.
Twice have experienced trans not wanting to upshift after *very hard* acceleration entrance onto freeway. But this is no longer repeatable; it knows what I (will) want to do once I'm on the Interstate.
Have a good mechanic check it, and be sure both oil line & brake master cylinder recalls have been done; then, if it's a straight car, go for it and enjoy the ride!
/
__________________
One Tequila, Two Tequila,Three Tequila...Floor
.Gen 3 - 2005 Touring Black on Black
.2nd Toy: BMW 328ic Convertible
I think I remember that the 05 has had a steering problem and also be sure the VVT (??) oil supply line has been replaced. I replaced mine with a solid line.
I think I remember that the 05 has had a steering problem and also be sure the VVT (??) oil supply line has been replaced. I replaced mine with a solid line.
Good memory!, I'd forgotten.
You would hear little clicky noises from front end on small bumps and irregularities.
Fix was a $2 package of "special" grease injected (via syringe) to given part of steering column under dash.
__________________
One Tequila, Two Tequila,Three Tequila...Floor
.Gen 3 - 2005 Touring Black on Black
.2nd Toy: BMW 328ic Convertible
You know what a good price for this car is; just because being sold by owner does not make it good, or worth more ((though I suspect asking price is closer to wholesale than dealer "retail"))....
Often --if you are fully willing to walk away from the deal if dealer will not meet *your* price-- dealer can beat owner's price. Yhat's can, not *will*, you have to pound on their heads! How can they beat owners price? - They usually steal the cars at wholesale and below.
You need to (a) convince them they have a guaranteed sale at your price,
and (b) remind them that they can easily replace this car and 20 more at the next auction sale. Dear $tealer, turning two cars at $1,000 net profit each is better than none at a $3,000 profit.
Transmission just takes getting used to, and get it to learn *your* habits.
Notable is that trans does want to upshift too early,
and downshifts from hitting gas pedal moderately sound like transmission is slipping.
It's not.
Twice have experienced trans not wanting to upshift after *very hard* acceleration entrance onto freeway. But this is no longer repeatable; it knows what I (will) want to do once I'm on the Interstate.
Have a good mechanic check it, and be sure both oil line & brake master cylinder recalls have been done; then, if it's a straight car, go for it and enjoy the ride!
/
I have found that running the trans in manual mode on my '05 once in a while seems to help with the shifting quirks. As you noted, it tends to be in too tall of a gear under certain low RPM/coast conditions causing a "slipping" feeling.
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