2001 Toyota Avalon XLS 3.0 from North America

Summary:

The best Buick ever built

Faults:

I had to replace the transmission fluid surprisingly (I thought) early at 25K, when shifting became a bit abrupt. That $120 job solved the problem.

Besides that, the car has been flawless.

I have read about the potential "gelling" of engine oil in Avalons, which leads to engine failure. I am careful to stick to the required maintenance schedule. When I stumbled across this on the web about 2 years ago, I saw from Toyota's site that it had accepted responsibility and would replace an engine that failed from this problem up to 100K miles - with records of regular service. Save those Jiffy Lube invoices.

General Comments:

Riding in this car is like cruising a bank vault, and I mean that in a good way. The ride is smooth. The interior is quiet. The cabin is roomy. The rear seat is limo-like. My friends love riding in this car. I can drive all day in this car and not get tired.

Mechanically, the car has been exceptional. I have had no repair problems at all. Maintenance costs are exceptionally low. The car gets some hard use because 80-90% of my driving is stop and go city.

The power train is smooth, although a car this nice should have more than 3 gears (plus overdrive). Gas mileage is unusually high for a car with this power, size, and weight - 20 in stop-and-go, 31-33 at 60-65 MPH, and about 26 at the 75-85 range.

I think handling is good - really much better than the quiet ride would suggest. We also have a 2000 Passat, which should be more fun to drive, but isn't because we always seem to be heading to the shop.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th August, 2006

2001 Toyota Avalon XL 3.0 V6 from North America

Summary:

American made Japanese car

Faults:

Nothing "yet"

General Comments:

I'm a Toyota freak! I had my 1994 Tercel for eight years with 150k on the odometer. Until someone hit me in the back i had to sell it. I also have a 1990 Lexus LS400 with 200,000 miles. I was very dissapointed after i got the car. The workmanship on this car is so poor; air would leak in from the doors causing the whole car to fog up in the rain and noisey cabin on the highway. One time my Toyota wouldn't crank, i kept trying until it started, the engine was knocking like crazy continousuly for 2 minutes. I've been a mechanic for 18 years and not one of my previous cars ever knocked. This car dents to easily. The same engine is used in Camary, Solora, Sienna, and ES300. I do not recommend this car to anyone. You would be better off with a Camary v6, just as smooth and quiet. If your looking for luxury get the ES300 (they both are about the same price when equipped). Avalon is not worth its sticker price, its highly overrated by Toyota. My 200,000 mile Lexus handles way better then this Avalon. My explanation for the slipping of realiablity in some Toyotas is because they are being designed and assembled in the U.S. (no offense to my country, they just can't make good cars). Yet i am still a Toyota lover and will purchase another Toyota....Made in Japan.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th May, 2004

8th Jun 2005, 09:52

This guys is really helping out his country. :rolleyes:

11th Jan 2006, 00:36

Good luck purchasing a Toyota made in Japan! I like American-made Japanese cars. They're inexpensive, stylish, powerful, economical, smooth ride, and big.

11th Jan 2006, 10:26

He's right tho, Mercedes build their M-class in the states and transported them to Europe. The car was a laughing stock over there due to its poor build which really had a bad affect on the brand. Mercedes then decided to make the car in Europe and it's selling better now. The European's and the Japanise have more pride in their work.

22nd Nov 2006, 22:56

I have driven American made AMERICAN cars for 30 years. I have never had one single problem with any of them, including 1 Dodge that went 240,000 miles with nothing but 2 timing belts and 2 brake jobs, and a Ford that went 325,000 miles with only a muffler, catalytic converter, starter and radiator hoses, as well as 3 brake jobs. We've put over 100,000 miles on many of our other cars with no problems of any kind. It has always fascinated me that such a strong urban myth as the "Americans can't build cars" came about. It is obviously fueled by ad hype and magazines that are owned by Japanese companies. In a moment of insanity a few years back we did buy one Japanese car (that WAS made in Japan). I have never seen a more unreliable or poorly built excuse for an automobile. After only one year I sold it (at a HUGE LOSS, so much for "better resale!!) and bought another American made AMERICAN car.

In reply to 22nd Nov 2006, 22:56

15th Oct 2018, 02:59

I can attest American quality is poor and across-the-board bad. The Europeans and the Japanese seem to make better quality cars for sure... people in the States are in a rush, rush, quantity, with more management issues. I'm sure of that...