Pre-loved: Toyota Avalon 2000-2006

by Ewan Kennedy  Preparing for launch   Toyota Avalon was a failed attempt by Toyota to get into the big six-cylinder family car market t...

by Ewan Kennedy 

Preparing for launch

 

Toyota Avalon was a failed attempt by Toyota to get into the big six-cylinder family car market that in July, 2000 was totally dominating sales in Australia.

To keep costs down Avalon was based on an early-1990s design for an American Toyota so it was already dated before it was even launched here.

Not only did Avalon fail to gather sales, Toyota Australia found it necessary to close down Corolla production in Melbourne to make room for the Avalon.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, because Australians lost interest in big cars a few years into the 2000s and the Corolla went on to become Toyota's biggest-selling car downunder.

These days it is the RAV4 and Hilux that dominate sales.

Avalon’s interior isn’t quite as dated as the exterior, having some reasonably modern touches, but still doesn’t exactly sparkle in the styling stakes.

Avalon quality from the Altona factory in Melbourne was high, almost to the standards of Japanese factories.

All are four-door sedans, there’s no station wagon option.

To try and make up lost ground, Toyota gave the Avalon a big facelift in October, 2003.

It didn’t work, either visually or in the market place. So the big Toyota was quietly withdrawn from the new-car market in 2006 and replaced by a more modern car in the form of the Aurion.

Forget the negatives, Toyota Avalon is an excellent machine in just about every department.

There’s good interior room and thanks to the space efficiency of front-wheel drive, there’s room for three average adults in the back seat.

Three kids will have room to stretch out.

Boot space is good too, because there isn’t a differential sitting under it as there would be if it was a rear-drive car like the Falcon or Commodore.

All Toyota Avalons have a 3.0-litre V6 and four-speed automatic transmission.

The Avalon V6 engine was based on that of the Camry V6 of the time but was re-tuned to push the torque figures further down the rev scale to give the much-loved lowdown grunt that Aussies hanker after in this segment.

Thanks to local Australian engineering changes to suit this country ride comfort is good, yet the Avalon has the sort of handling that drivers enjoy.

There’s plenty of input through the steering, turn-in is fast and precise and the Avalon grips the road at levels far above those ever likely to be attempted by the great majority of owners.

Even the most basic model, called the Avalon Conquest until the 2003 model change, then Avalon GXi, has enough equipment for many buyers.

Top of the Avalon line is the Grande and it’s positively loaded with luxury gear, including leather trim and full climate control.

There were several Avalon special editions over the years in an attempt to drum up interest, but none really did anything for the car.

Production came to an end in June, 2005.

Though Avalon is relatively simple in its makeup it’s probably best to leave all repairs to the experts.

A good home 'handyperson' will be able to do basic maintenance.

As always, we recommend having a workshop manual standing by before lifting that bonnet.

Spare parts prices and dealer servicing are about average in cost and the Toyota dealer network is huge.

Not all of the smaller dealers in the outback will have a comprehensive collection of spare parts, but can generally have them freighted in within a working day or two.

Insurance costs are usually down towards the low end of the scale, reflecting that fact that this is a car that appeals to the conservative buyer and that its Australian build means body parts are well-priced.

If you can live with the somewhat drab looks, Toyota’s Avalon provides a lot of motoring pleasure and comfort.

Toyota Avalon launch, 2000

 

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Avalon is normally trouble free, but have a look over the car carefully in case it has been owned by a careless person.

The engine should start virtually instantly and idle smoothly from the moment it kicks over.

Automatic transmission changes should be all but impossible to hear or feel at low to moderate throttle openings.

Check the condition of the body panels for signs of previous crash repairs.

Examples include paint that doesn’t quite match from one panel to another, slight ripples in the surfaces, tiny drops of paint overspray on non-painted surfaces such as the windows and trim items.

Some Avalons are used as taxis, particularly in northern areas of Australia.

These don’t always run on LPG so a quick glance into the boot doesn’t always tell you a car may once have done taxi duty.

Check for more than a normal amount of wear and tear in the back seats and boot.

2000 Toyota Avalon VXi

 

HOW MUCH?

Fancy collecting one of these classic sixes? At these prices you may as well target the top of the line Grande. As with any pre-loved vehicle, the fewer kilometres it has travelled and the better condition it is in, the higher the price is going to be. the Budget on paying from $500 - $6250 for a 2005 Grande; $500 - $5600 for a 2005 VXi; $500 - $4450 for a 2005 GXi; $500 - $6000 for a 2004 Grande; $500 - $4600 for a 2003 Grande; $500 - $5000 for a 2002 Grande; $500 - $4000 for a 2001 Grande; or $500 - $4000 for a 2000 Grande.

2001 Toyota Avalon Sorrento limited edition

 

CAR BUYING TIPS

Take a friend with you when shopping for a used car.

That way they can keep the chattering sales person at bay while you check out the car without interruptions.

Used car prices have generally increased during the period of new car stock shortages.

Start looking at adverts for used vehicles several months before you intend buying.

That way you can get a feel for the price being asked and whether they are rising and falling, as dealers need to clear stock due to overcrowding.

Keep an eye on adverts for new cars that say there are specials on particular models.

This can lead to a lot of traded-ins taking up too much space in yards and they will be discounted to get rid of them.

Keep an eye open for ads of unpopular cars, as there can vary greatly in price.

Owners struggling to find a buyers may be forced to grit their teeth and drop their asking price.

If checking a used car at a dealership look at other cars on the lot. 

This can provide an insight into the quality of the vehicles in which the dealer specialises.

If buying privately ask for proof of ownership and make sure the insurance covers you for taking a test drive.

Take a slow walk around any car you're considering, looking for obvious defects.

It amuses us how many people dive into tiny details, only to discover later a major ding somewhere on the other side of the car.

Ideally any road test of a car you're getting serious about should be done with the engine stone cold. Early morning is best.

If you're serious about buying a vehicle, tell the seller you would like to take it for a good long test drive.

If they insist on coming that's understandable, but try to avoid them "selling” the car to you.

Put bluntly, ask them to shut up,

In their later years, cars with a reputation for being long lived and trouble free sometimes attract buyers who have no intention of ever servicing them.

The next owner may suffer as a result.

2003 Toyota Avalon Grande interior

 

RECALLS

To browse recalls on all vehicles go to the ACCC at: www.productsafety.gov.au/products/transport/cars/

 

BE SURE TO CHECKOUT OUR OTHER USED CAR REPORTS