[Tideland Prius]

Toyota launched its high-end Lexus line in 1991 in order to break into the luxury market. At that time, many buyers associated Japanese companies like Toyota with economical cars, making a "high-end" Toyota a tough sell.

Perhaps because it was pleased with how Lexus' first few models had been received, Toyota felt that 1995 was the right time to introduce the Avalon, its luxury sedan. Following in the footsteps of the Cressida, the Avalon used a more modern front-drive platform based on that of the Camry (the Cressida was an older, rear-drive design).

Full Article

 

[CACressida]

Although they are wrong about the launch of the LS400. The LS400 was introduced in 89 as a 90 model.

 

[Dana_15]

Sweet, TN got some props near the end of the article.



Online resources ToyotaNation.com is my favourite Toyota web portal; it has a decently busy Avalon discussion section. Like the other car forums at truck-friendly TundraSolutions.com, the Avalon section is quiet; and apparently, there aren't many Avalon fans at ToyotaFans.net.

 

[PhatRoyale]

Those first-gen Avalon's were gems.

 

[Tideland Prius]

Those first-gen Avalon's were gems.

and hard to find too apparently. A quick look at Craigslist (Canada), revealed very little.

 

[Jegan_V]

and hard to find too apparently. A quick look at Craigslist (Canada), revealed very little.

Wouldn't quite say that, more likely just many of the owners not selling them because they still keep going. I know my dad racked up a lot of mileage on a 96 Avalon over 4 years and it had zero problems. He did trade it though for a 2000 Avalon because he didn't like the brakes.

 

[CorollaDX-R]

my friend still got his first gen avalon in his garage and still running strong...

 

[Tideland Prius]

Wouldn't quite say that, more likely just many of the owners not selling them because they still keep going. I know my dad racked up a lot of mileage on a 96 Avalon over 4 years and it had zero problems. He did trade it though for a 2000 Avalon because he didn't like the brakes.

Yep. The same goes for Previas and Priuses.

 

[Camread]

I like the pre-facelifted ones more - looks like a scaled down LS400