Which better choice-Avalon (used) or Lexus ES300.

Looking for luxury Toyota, maybe 5 or 6 years old. Is the Lexus ES300
a better deal than the Avalon? They seem the same price range in my
area but I just need some input on the differences in terms of
quality, reliablility, and cost of ownership perhaps. Thanks to any
experts out there!

Richard D

"boxingnut" <boxerfan@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:213ua1liu5pgsmn4gr9g4jpohjvnpjacj7@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> Looking for luxury Toyota, maybe 5 or 6 years old. Is the Lexus ES300
> a better deal than the Avalon? They seem the same price range in my
> area but I just need some input on the differences in terms of
> quality, reliablility, and cost of ownership perhaps. Thanks to any
> experts out there!
>
> Richard D[/color]

The Lexus will have a better paint job(two extra coats usually)... better
suspension, and maybe better interior quality... everything else is really
of the same quality and reliability...

In article <11au4gqgm35av1f@news.supernews.com>,
"Dan J.S." <me@hyperx.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
> "boxingnut" <boxerfan@rogers.com> wrote in message
> news:213ua1liu5pgsmn4gr9g4jpohjvnpjacj7@4ax.com...[color=green]
> > Looking for luxury Toyota, maybe 5 or 6 years old. Is the Lexus ES300
> > a better deal than the Avalon? They seem the same price range in my
> > area but I just need some input on the differences in terms of
> > quality, reliablility, and cost of ownership perhaps. Thanks to any
> > experts out there!
> >
> > Richard D[/color]
>
> The Lexus will have a better paint job(two extra coats usually)... better
> suspension, and maybe better interior quality... everything else is really
> of the same quality and reliability...[/color]

Except isn't the Lexus ES300 more an upgraded Camry than an Avalon (post
year 2000, that is), and therefore smaller?

Merritt

"Merritt Mullen" <mmullen8014@mchsi.com> wrote in message
news:mmullen8014-955417.10335714062005@netnews.asp.att.net...[color=blue]
> In article <11au4gqgm35av1f@news.supernews.com>,
> "Dan J.S." <me@hyperx.com> wrote:
>[color=green]
>> "boxingnut" <boxerfan@rogers.com> wrote in message
>> news:213ua1liu5pgsmn4gr9g4jpohjvnpjacj7@4ax.com...[color=darkred]
>> > Looking for luxury Toyota, maybe 5 or 6 years old. Is the Lexus ES300
>> > a better deal than the Avalon? They seem the same price range in my
>> > area but I just need some input on the differences in terms of
>> > quality, reliablility, and cost of ownership perhaps. Thanks to any
>> > experts out there!
>> >
>> > Richard D[/color]
>>
>> The Lexus will have a better paint job(two extra coats usually)... better
>> suspension, and maybe better interior quality... everything else is
>> really
>> of the same quality and reliability...[/color]
>
> Except isn't the Lexus ES300 more an upgraded Camry than an Avalon (post
> year 2000, that is), and therefore smaller?
>
> Merritt[/color]

Right, the Avalon is larger and it doesnt share a platform with anything
else Toyota sells in the U.S. market.

On Tue, 14 Jun 2005 12:39:12 -0500, "Dan J.S." <me@hyperx.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>Right, the Avalon is larger and it doesnt share a platform with anything
>else Toyota sells in the U.S. market.[/color]

Pre-2000, Avalons used an older Camry chassis. But they are still
bigger than Camrys of the same model years.

How could anyone in a NG know the difference between two used
vehicle that happen to be in your area? How can anybody know
anything about any particular used vehicle? When one buys used
they can never know for sure how it was used or abused or if it
was serviced properly or not.

Do yourself a favor and go price a new car that suits your
budget.. When you buy new you can often get a car for around
the same monthly payment as a used car. New cars can be finance
for much longer period and at a much lower interest rate.


mike hunt



boxingnut wrote:[color=blue]
>
> Looking for luxury Toyota, maybe 5 or 6 years old. Is the Lexus ES300
> a better deal than the Avalon? They seem the same price range in my
> area but I just need some input on the differences in terms of
> quality, reliablility, and cost of ownership perhaps. Thanks to any
> experts out there!
>
> Richard D[/color]

Three weeks ago I looked at several used Avalons, mostly 1998 for around
$7500 and all had around 100,000 miles but well maintained and looked very
nice, drove nicely, blah blah blah. (then I looked at several 2003 & 2004
Camrys with around 30,000 miles priced around $15,000). However, on the
Avalon to get another 100,000 miles in about 7 years I figured it would
cost me between $500 and $1000 per year for repairs. Lets say a total of
$5000 for 7 years. That means my ownership cost would be $7500 + $5000 -
$2500 (used sale est)= $10,000 or 10 cents per mile. If I'm lucky it'll be
less and could be higher but I will always be anticipating something going
wrong.
So after that I drove about 20 different brand new cars and settled on a
Camary LE 4 cyl. 5spd AT with power windows, mirrors, locks, and drivers
seat along with cruise control. I bought it over the Internet which was a
totally different expereince from being hassled by idiot salesmen and their
managers. I got the car for $18165 out the door with a 3 year 36000 mile
warranty. If I drive this car for 2 years and put on 30,000 miles and sell
if for $15,000 my ownership cost will be $18165 - $15,000 = $3165, or
$3165/30,000 = 10.6 cents per mile. I didn't put sales tax in because
Toyota gives you a $500.00 coupon for your next new car. With this car I
don't have to wait for something to break and if it does it's on Toyota.
Going from Tulsa to Dallas I got 28.8 mpg because I got caught in a traffic
jam but the return was good and I got 40.8 mpg at 75 to 80 mph with the AC
on.
The only complaints I have after about 1300 miles is the outside temp gauge
reads a bout 3 degrees too high and the odometer reads nearly 3% high.
BTW my wife likes the dressed down new Camry much better than a 98 Avalon
XLS with all its bells and whistles.

--

73
Hank WD5JFR
<DustyRhoades@mailcity.com> wrote in message
news:42AF3347.3CF94B1E@mailcity.com...[color=blue]
> How could anyone in a NG know the difference between two used
> vehicle that happen to be in your area? How can anybody know
> anything about any particular used vehicle? When one buys used
> they can never know for sure how it was used or abused or if it
> was serviced properly or not.
>
> Do yourself a favor and go price a new car that suits your
> budget.. When you buy new you can often get a car for around
> the same monthly payment as a used car. New cars can be finance
> for much longer period and at a much lower interest rate.
>
>
> mike hunt
>
>
>
> boxingnut wrote:[color=green]
>>
>> Looking for luxury Toyota, maybe 5 or 6 years old. Is the Lexus ES300
>> a better deal than the Avalon? They seem the same price range in my
>> area but I just need some input on the differences in terms of
>> quality, reliablility, and cost of ownership perhaps. Thanks to any
>> experts out there!
>>
>> Richard D[/color][/color]

On Tue, 14 Jun 2005 12:59:43 -0400, boxingnut wrote:
[color=blue]
> Looking for luxury Toyota, maybe 5 or 6 years old. Is the Lexus ES300
> a better deal than the Avalon? They seem the same price range in my
> area but I just need some input on the differences in terms of
> quality, reliablility, and cost of ownership perhaps. Thanks to any
> experts out there!
>
> Richard D[/color]


My quick answer: the Avalon is made in America only, the ES300 is made in
Japan only (and sold there as a Corona EXIV or MkII. Remember that?)

You may draw your own conclusion from that...

Hachiroku wrote:[color=blue]
> On Tue, 14 Jun 2005 12:59:43 -0400, boxingnut wrote:
>[color=green]
> > Looking for luxury Toyota, maybe 5 or 6 years old. Is the Lexus ES300
> > a better deal than the Avalon? They seem the same price range in my
> > area but I just need some input on the differences in terms of
> > quality, reliablility, and cost of ownership perhaps. Thanks to any
> > experts out there!
> >
> > Richard D[/color]
>
>
> My quick answer: the Avalon is made in America only, the ES300 is made in
> Japan only (and sold there as a Corona EXIV or MkII. Remember that?)
>[/color]

Holy mackerel. They still market the Toyota Corona?! Wouldn't it be
cool to have one of those.

On Tue, 14 Jun 2005 16:06:37 -0700, Learning Richard wrote:
[color=blue]
>
>
> Hachiroku wrote:[color=green]
>> On Tue, 14 Jun 2005 12:59:43 -0400, boxingnut wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>> > Looking for luxury Toyota, maybe 5 or 6 years old. Is the Lexus ES300
>> > a better deal than the Avalon? They seem the same price range in my
>> > area but I just need some input on the differences in terms of
>> > quality, reliablility, and cost of ownership perhaps. Thanks to any
>> > experts out there!
>> >
>> > Richard D[/color]
>>
>>
>> My quick answer: the Avalon is made in America only, the ES300 is made in
>> Japan only (and sold there as a Corona EXIV or MkII. Remember that?)
>>[/color]
>
> Holy mackerel. They still market the Toyota Corona?! Wouldn't it be
> cool to have one of those.[/color]


Lexus ES300=Toyota EXIV or MarkII.
Dust off your copy of Grand Turismo 2 for the Japanese names of the
imports!

Henry Kolesnik wrote:[color=blue]
> Three weeks ago I looked at several used Avalons, mostly 1998 for around
> $7500 and all had around 100,000 miles but well maintained and looked very
> nice, drove nicely, blah blah blah. (then I looked at several 2003 & 2004
> Camrys with around 30,000 miles priced around $15,000). However, on the
> Avalon to get another 100,000 miles in about 7 years I figured it would
> cost me between $500 and $1000 per year for repairs. Lets say a total of
> $5000 for 7 years. That means my ownership cost would be $7500 + $5000 -
> $2500 (used sale est)= $10,000 or 10 cents per mile. If I'm lucky it'll be
> less and could be higher but I will always be anticipating something going
> wrong.
> So after that I drove about 20 different brand new cars and settled on a
> Camary LE 4 cyl. 5spd AT with power windows, mirrors, locks, and drivers
> seat along with cruise control. I bought it over the Internet which was a
> totally different expereince from being hassled by idiot salesmen and their
> managers. I got the car for $18165 out the door with a 3 year 36000 mile
> warranty. If I drive this car for 2 years and put on 30,000 miles and sell
> if for $15,000 my ownership cost will be $18165 - $15,000 = $3165, or
> $3165/30,000 = 10.6 cents per mile. I didn't put sales tax in because
> Toyota gives you a $500.00 coupon for your next new car. With this car I
> don't have to wait for something to break and if it does it's on Toyota.
> Going from Tulsa to Dallas I got 28.8 mpg because I got caught in a traffic
> jam but the return was good and I got 40.8 mpg at 75 to 80 mph with the AC
> on.
> The only complaints I have after about 1300 miles is the outside temp gauge
> reads a bout 3 degrees too high and the odometer reads nearly 3% high.
> BTW my wife likes the dressed down new Camry much better than a 98 Avalon
> XLS with all its bells and whistles.
>[/color]
If your new Camry seats are ANYWHERE near as comfortable as an Avalon's
seat (try a trip for over an hour in both), I'll eat a steering wheel. I
know - I've got both a 2004 Camry LE (leather) and a 2002 Avalon LXS
(leather). The Camry seats feel lumpy in the wrong places when compared
to the Avalon. And, what do you do most in a car? (Hint: it has to do
with the seat of your pants.) Don't get me wrong - I'd love the Camry if
I could just put Avalon seats in it.

My drivers seat is power and powered lumbar. Since I drive quite a few 850
mile trips in one day the first thing I test is leg roo, I'm 6' 4" and seat
comfort. While my LE isn't the most comfortable I'm hoping it'll be OK as
I'll be going 850 miles July 11. On a 280 mile trip it was no problem, but
I'll agree that Avalon seats are better, they should be, the car nearly
costs twice as much.
Hank
"Steve Henderson" <shenderson_2@charter.net> wrote in message
news:_4Mre.654$mD6.540@fe07.lga...[color=blue]
> Henry Kolesnik wrote:[color=green]
>> Three weeks ago I looked at several used Avalons, mostly 1998 for around
>> $7500 and all had around 100,000 miles but well maintained and looked
>> very nice, drove nicely, blah blah blah. (then I looked at several 2003 &
>> 2004 Camrys with around 30,000 miles priced around $15,000). However, on
>> the Avalon to get another 100,000 miles in about 7 years I figured it
>> would cost me between $500 and $1000 per year for repairs. Lets say a
>> total of $5000 for 7 years. That means my ownership cost would be $7500
>> + $5000 - $2500 (used sale est)= $10,000 or 10 cents per mile. If I'm
>> lucky it'll be less and could be higher but I will always be anticipating
>> something going wrong.
>> So after that I drove about 20 different brand new cars and settled on a
>> Camary LE 4 cyl. 5spd AT with power windows, mirrors, locks, and drivers
>> seat along with cruise control. I bought it over the Internet which was
>> a totally different expereince from being hassled by idiot salesmen and
>> their managers. I got the car for $18165 out the door with a 3 year
>> 36000 mile warranty. If I drive this car for 2 years and put on 30,000
>> miles and sell if for $15,000 my ownership cost will be $18165 - $15,000
>> = $3165, or $3165/30,000 = 10.6 cents per mile. I didn't put sales tax
>> in because Toyota gives you a $500.00 coupon for your next new car. With
>> this car I don't have to wait for something to break and if it does it's
>> on Toyota. Going from Tulsa to Dallas I got 28.8 mpg because I got caught
>> in a traffic jam but the return was good and I got 40.8 mpg at 75 to 80
>> mph with the AC on.
>> The only complaints I have after about 1300 miles is the outside temp
>> gauge reads a bout 3 degrees too high and the odometer reads nearly 3%
>> high.
>> BTW my wife likes the dressed down new Camry much better than a 98 Avalon
>> XLS with all its bells and whistles.
>>[/color]
> If your new Camry seats are ANYWHERE near as comfortable as an Avalon's
> seat (try a trip for over an hour in both), I'll eat a steering wheel. I
> know - I've got both a 2004 Camry LE (leather) and a 2002 Avalon LXS
> (leather). The Camry seats feel lumpy in the wrong places when compared to
> the Avalon. And, what do you do most in a car? (Hint: it has to do with
> the seat of your pants.) Don't get me wrong - I'd love the Camry if I
> could just put Avalon seats in it.[/color]