Man ... I just got done reading a review for the restyled '05 Toyota Avalon in the new Auto Week.

Man, they seemed to have done a GREAT job. The cabin is simply gorgeous. Has anyone else seen it?? -- Elements of brushed silver and wood. Voice reconition nav; heat and cooling seats; 12 speaker sound system; rain sensing wipers; SMART key ignition; 0-60 in 6.6 seconds and 280 ponies. And a not bad price of $26,300 starting.

Any thoughts? Am I the only one thinking it could be a hot car??

 

If your 66.

 

Did you see it? Be honest ...

If not... go to the web page ... look at the interior which, dare I say, rivals ours, and then say "if you're 66..."

 

It was the main article in the Boston Sunday Globe's Automotive section a couple Sundays ago and it does have a lot of goodies tacked on, but it still has a bland exterior and the interior is nothing extraordinary. I'll take a look at the web page though, but the car really didn't do anything for me designwise.

 

Its definently a nice car although I think the exterior is awful. But its still not a car I'd think about buying until I was 50+

I'm sure it flaots over the road and handles like an ocean barge. Not something I'm interested in. And the interior is nice but I'm not crazy about the gauge layout.

But hey, whatever floats your boat

 

Honestly ... I love my TSX, I really really do ... but to me, the interior is where it's at since that's where I am ... I'm going on record as saying that the TSX styling is revolutionary or ground-breaking. Merely hip ... It looks zippy and fun.

The new Avalon has sorta similar lines. They're not polar opposites design wise per se. And yes, the cabin is just about as cool as ours.

It's quicker as well ... A lot quicker.

 

It's a GINORMOUS improvement over the prior Avalon.

Now THAT was an old man's car ... And also, there's something to be said for a car that drives like a Buick. I take long drives down to Atlantic CIty every month and sometimes the floatiness is a HUGE advantage.

 

Honestly, I think you will be 1 of 6 people in all of North America that will cross shop the two. And even 6 may be stretching things.

But, I definently wouldn't blame someone for buying one, I'm sure it will be a great relaible car.

 

I know exactly what a floaty Buick feels like And yes, it is a sometimes nice change from the much harsher TSX ride.

 

 

Avalon...

Drive it before you decide to dump the TSX. The Avalon drives like an ocean liner. Turn the wheel and pull out a book while you wait for the damn thing to turn.

 

Oh no way am I giving up the TSX ... just got it. I'm just saying how great the interior looked. Lexus-like ... '

 

I think Toyota shot themselves in the foot with the Avalon - they'll steal away sales from its own Lexus ES330 on which they have a greater profit margin.

 

Let me splain sumpin to ya. Once an enthusiast, always an enthusiast. You don't automatically start liking "ocean barges" once you turn 50. If anything, you look for more opportunities to "go for it".