New 2007 Avalon Owner

4092 Views 25 Replies 13 Participants Last post by hsakuragi, Apr 11, 2007

dgallucci

Discussion Starter · Jan 1, 2007

Got my new 2007 Avalon XLS just yesterday. Love it!!

On December 19th, I was in a multi-car accident accident on the Merrit Parkway in Connecticut. My 13 month old Honda Civic was totalled. Thank God I was able to walk away with only bumps and bruises. Crumple zones, airbags, seatbealts all worked as designed. My sternum is still so sore that it is very painful to cough. (X-Rays were ok) I also decided I wanted a bigger car.

So, I began comparing many cars. On my short list was the Audi A4 Quattro, BMW 328xi, Acura TL, Avalon, Lexus ES350. I spent a LOT of time on IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), Consumer Reports, Edmunds, and Car & Driver web sites. Short version - all things considered, I thought the Avalon was the way to go. So I drove one. 12 hours later - I owned one. I was that impressed.

It is so smooth, very powerful, ( the best 0-60 among all of them, except for the Acura - which tied at 6.7 seconds ). Great stereo, environmental controls, and good fit and finish. Most of all - a solid safe car. (See IIHS - http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=238 ) The one thing I wish it had was an iPod interface. I can add an aftermarket one but I just wish it was standard.

Another practical feature, at least for me --> I live in a woodsy area with a lot of winding roads, so we use highbeams all the time. If someone is behind me with their highbeams on, the rear view mirror and the driver's side mirror automatically darken to reduce glare. Very cool.

I enjoy driving this car, and being so new, I shudder to think of what the coming cold - muddy - salty - dirty - slushy - Connecticut winter is going to do to my brand new Titanium Metallic XLS Avalon. It might get a spot on it! Arrrrgh!

Cheers,
Dave G.

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pcohenchicago

· #2 · Jan 1, 2007

Congratulations on your new car! I love mine as well. The 2007 model has had a lot of the kinks worked out that plagued this car over the past two years. You won't be dissapointed.

I actually owned an Acura RL (2006) with the tech package and couldn't stand it after only 3 months. While the RL beats the Avalon in overall features, the engine and roominess of the Avalon won me over. That and the fact that most people thought my 50k RL was just a fancy Accord!

Enjoy your new baby!

jsseibel

· #3 · Jan 2, 2007

Me too

Congrats--I did most of the research you did too! My car short list was also similar to yours. In short, I was in the market for an 07 Limited, but ran across an 06 XLS on the lot for which I couldn't pass up.

I purchased mine on December 18th.

CAPTMARK

· #4 · Jan 2, 2007

CONGRATS, I have my '06 for 14 months now, I still enjoy it every time I get behind the wheel. NO REGRETS HERE.

Tom in Tacoma

· #5 · Jan 5, 2007

Ain't they great?! I've had mine for about 5-weeks now and have over 3000 miles on it already!

I did the same research you did. It was an easy decision for me!

dgallucci

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 6, 2007

The First Week

Well I've had my Avalon for about one week now and am loving it. It is a smooth ride and has a lot of power. The highway entrance where I get on is at the base of a long (about 1/2 mile) steep hill. There is no acceleration lane so when you get on, you are starting from a dead stop. The Avi reaches cruising speed in just a few seconds - seamlessly! Much different than my 4 cylinder Civic. (may it rest in peace :sosad: ) Between the great JBL stereo and the quietness of the car, it makes rush hour much nicer. I do question how they arrive at a 360 watt rating for the stereo though. It is plenty loud enough, but I think the marketeers got a little boastful about the wattage.

One question - did anyone get the garage door opener on the mirror to work? I tried both the standard and rolling code methods, but to no avail. It would be nice to have - then I could give my remote to my son for his car.

Also - gotta love that remote starter. Get right into a 68 degree warm car after work. (or cool car in the summer)

At work I often drive at lunchtime - there are usually 4 or 5 of us. The crew is loving the comfort and spaciousness of the car - and of the back seat in particular. They say it's like being chauffeured around. I'm afraid no one is going to driving except me.

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Tom in Tacoma

· #7 · Jan 6, 2007

dgallucci said:
One question - did anyone get the garage door opener on the mirror to work? I tried both the standard and rolling code methods, but to no avail. It would be nice to have - then I could give my remote to my son for his car.

Yes - and - No. I have two garage door openers, both the same make and model. I've gotten one to program in but no luck on the second one. I probably ought to try that again. I stopped trying because the one I really wanted programmed was the one I park in! For what it's worth - I used the procedure outlined for the rolling code.

retired00

· #8 · Jan 6, 2007

One question - did anyone get the garage door opener on the mirror to work?

The manual describes what you need to do in the car very well, but you'll also need to look at your garage door opener manual and see the specific learning process you need to complete there. Mine works fine, but I did have to push the mirror button two or three times after I set the learn button on the opener. Basically the car learns from the remote opener control that came with the garage door, then the door opening mechanism has to learn the code from the car transmitter. I've had success with multiple Toyota products and multiple opener manufacturers.

CygnusX1

· #9 · Jan 7, 2007

I just bought an 07' XL.
I drove both the 4 cyl Camry LE and Accord LX, then I almost leased a V6 Accord with leather, but I just had to go back to the Toyota dealer and try a V6 Camry first.
After looking at the V6 Camry prices, I realized that I could get an Avalon XL for about the same price. After driving it, there was no contest.
The Avalon is so roomy and smooth and quiet, even compared to a V6 Camry. The ride is so much better than an Accord, which has kind of a stiff ride. Plus this thing is quick.
I'm really going to enjoy driving this car.

DougP

· #10 · Jan 10, 2007

I just bought a 2007 XLS for my wife as a Christmas gift, you know the big bow on top (provided by the dealer) like you see in the commercials and all. So far we are enjoying the car and are very satisfied with it but that would be expected from just about any new product. We'll see how that opinion holds up in the long run. Just a couple of comments for what it's worth. 1. Why is it that there is no night lighting of some of the controls ie; buttons on the rear view mirror, side view mirror adjuster controls, instrument panel lighting dimmer, window control switches and door lock switches, cruise controls? 2. Power goes off to the 12V outlets when you turn the key off. This is a nice thing to have if you are trying to charge the battery in your cell phone which we were used to doing in our last car. 3. Some of the fitment of interior panels could have been better.
One last note......this is our first foreign car. All previous cars and trucks have been of the GM variety but after years of putting up with the disappointment of GM products my brother talked me into trying the Toyota brand, he swears by their dependability and quality.

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retired00

· #11 · Jan 11, 2007

I'd have to double check, but I'll let you look at yours. My window switches do have small green locator lights, and I believe the power outlet inside the console is powered all the time, where the cell holder is located. Some of the other switches are not lighted, but I don't see that as too unusual having come from prior cars, MB and Lexus included, with most going to more flood and ambient lighting of controls from above. Hold you hand under the center overhead console and you'll see one. As far as reliability, I've had an 06 for 17 months now and not a single issue for return except the free oil change at the dealer at 5k.

DougP

· #12 · Jan 11, 2007

You are correct, there are small locator lights in the switches. Thanks for your reply. I guess what I would have preferred would have been to have the text backlighted on all of the controls kinda like the last car we had. The Avalon that we have has two power outlets in the console and both of them are powered only with the start switch in the accessory or on/run position.

ChiTDI

· #13 · Jan 12, 2007

All you guys buying new Avalons. No wonder Toyota is overtaking Ford and GM.
I'm stuck with an 'O2 with 82k running as good as the day I bought it. Hope yours do the same!

Tom in Tacoma

· #14 · Jan 12, 2007

I'm one of those guys that's causing Ford's demise. Owned a Ford non-stop since the mid 80's. Traded an F-150 Supercrew in for the Avalon. Haven't looked back since. Now the wife's thinking about trading the Mustang GT in on something different (read: Toyota).

retired00

· #15 · Jan 12, 2007

The Avalon that we have has two power outlets in the console and both of them are powered only with the start switch in the accessory or on/run position.

You are right, I just found it in the '06 manual. Must be on ACC or ON.

dgallucci

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jan 12, 2007

Spoiler

Two days ago I had the dealer put on a spoiler. It is not the lip spoiler as seen on the toyota.com web site. It is a small wing type - just enough to keep the lines intact while adding a touch of youthfulness. The demographic on the Avi is 55 and over, maybe even 60. I still have about 10 years to go, hence the spolier.

I'll try to post a picture tonight. I think it looks very nice, but your opinion may differ....

DG

retired00

· #17 · Jan 13, 2007

It is a small wing type - just enough to keep the lines intact while adding a touch of youthfulness. The demographic on the Avi is 55 and over, maybe even 60. I still have about 10 years to go, hence the spolier.

'sounds like the same rationale for a toupee'

dgallucci

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jan 13, 2007

Spoiler Picture

Here's the picture as promised:

http://www.ibusinesssystems.com/avalon/pic4.jpg

As far as the toupee thing, that may be true. After all, I'm in my late 40's and may be going through some mid-life crisis. I don't know. I will defer to the more experienced [read: more elder] participants in the group.

Regards,

DG

Tom in Tacoma

· #19 · Jan 13, 2007

Nice! I like that.

dschutz

· #20 · Jan 15, 2007

Picked up an 07 touring 3 weeks ago for the wife, what a change from the voyager. I love the way it handels, it's like my miata but on steriods.

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