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My dad has a Toyota Avalon and a Porsche 911 Turbo. Toyota Avalon is actually a great everyday car that is reliable and comfortable. People say it's an old man car but so is the Mercedes S class. Toyota Avalon is actually more reliable than most German luxury cars.
So then, an Avalon is yesterday's Oldsmobile or Buick - for people who can afford a Cadillac but find it a bit too ostentatious, perhaps?
That's a good question - does that segment of consumers exist today? Or that bling-bling is more acceptable today?
I think that segment still exists, although it may be more of a niche market than in the past. I actually fit into this group of consumers. I'd rather have a Toyota Avalon over a Lexus ES 350 and I'd pick a Honda Accord Touring over an Acura TLX without a second thought! IMO, the Avalon and Accord are better cars (and better values) than their premium-branded siblings (or cousins, perhaps).
I may not be the norm for a single 41-year-old guy, but I wouldn't drive the entry-level model for any premium/luxury automaker. When I see a BMW 320i or Lexus IS 250, I can't help but think that the driver bought (or leased) the cheapest model (often with no options) just to get the luxury nameplate. I can't fathom buying/leasing a car (like the 320i) with a sticker price in the mid $30s, but it doesn't even have power seats, leather or heated front seats. Once you add those 'extras', the price is closer to $40k. But it has the BMW emblem.....
Trouble with a Benz is that they are riding on past glory of reliability and current 'status', often by the noveau riche.
I wouldn't have a Benz except to flip on resale if it was given to me. There is no way I would want to afford the maintenance. And I have owned numerous Benz in the past, but those days are gone and over.
Oh tell me about it. The best MB's were the W123, W124 and W126. I'm not at all impressed with the current offerings.
My dad has a Toyota Avalon and a Porsche 911 Turbo. Toyota Avalon is actually a great everyday car that is reliable and comfortable. People say it's an old man car but so is the Mercedes S class. Toyota Avalon is actually more reliable than most German luxury cars.
Agreed. I used to have an Audi A6 and it was really costly to service and maintain.
Concierge service levels that come with a Lexus are worth a lot to many. Avalon/Toyota dealers can not match that.
We just got rid of a Lexus for a Toyota. With a Lexus you get a loaner and leave the dealer within 5 minutes. With Toyota you check in and get seated in a packed waiting room. Last time I was at the Toyota dealer for service a woman let her tiny little dog run around the waiting room. It barked constantly.
Location: In a little house on the prairie - literally
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Originally Posted by robrobrob
We just got rid of a Lexus for a Toyota. With a Lexus you get a loaner and leave the dealer within 5 minutes. With Toyota you check in and get seated in a packed waiting room. Last time I was at the Toyota dealer for service a woman let her tiny little dog run around the waiting room. It barked constantly.
Agreed! I drove my mother-in-laws Camry for almost a year at one point (unique circumstances), and quite honestly loved the car and it performed flawlessly. While it was a 4 door, and I'm a 2 door guy and have never personally owned a 4 door, it was a pretty decent looking car in my opinion. I was never ashamed to get into it in a parking lot....lol.
Looking at the Avalon, it just screams "fuddy-duddy" car to me. I don't think I've ever seen anyone under 60 years old driving one, whereas the Camry's you see anyone and everyone driving those. I take that back, now that I think about it, one of our neighbors has an Avalon and he's in his early 50's....but trust me, he fits the persona of "fuddy-duddy" perfectly :-)
The Avalon Hybrid is the exact same car as the Lexus 300h. The 300h doesn't come with standard leather interior and the Avalon does. Why spend more and get less? I remember those hot vinyl seats of yesteryear.
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