Leighcm

Congratulations on your gorgeous new car...the new Avalons are a fantastic vehicle, and a great buy for the money. Drive safely, and enjoy! We'd love to hear more from you as time goes on. Let us know as you discover new things on your Avalon!

What kind of road noise, specifically? Tire noise, wind noise, engine noise? What kind of tires (make, model name/number, size)?

So they're both used vehicles? Some thoughts: There's only 7 months difference in warranty time. You'd probably want to get the extended warranty for either vehicle. That being said, it takes the difference back to $2800. Do you have the VIN on both vehicles? If so, let me know what they are, and I can tell you if they both have or don't have x-reas suspension. If not, the Sport package is definitely the nicer vehicle for the money. They're similar mechanically, but the cosmetic differences on the Sport vs SR5 are expensive differences, and I believe the Sport will hold it's value slightly better in the long run.

Perfect advice, humanoid!! Don't waste your money on mid-grade or premium.

Very simply put, it gives you a little extra power. Here's a good article that explains in-depth what it does: http://www.vararam.com/ramairinaroadcar.html

Did you buy it from a dealer or a private owner? Either may have some records, so you should check with them. Also, if you open the hood, technicians usually put a sticker with date and mileage for timing belts, sometimes for other major services.

Make sure the timing belt has been changed, change all fluids & filters, and spark plugs (unless you can find recent proof this stuff has been done).

Yeah..."Toyota" and "blew a rod" are usually contradictions in terms...

While we're on the subject, did you have any luck with the Toyota rep? Did you get the engine repaired yet?

Have you considered ordering a key from another dealer and billing them for it? Also, if the second dealer tells you the same thing (that it takes a long time to get parts for your 2007), then you'll know it's for real.

I think it's something that can be reprogrammed with the car itself, not the keyless remote. A lot of the Toyotas can change settings like that...you can change it so that the doors lock/unlock when started, or when shifted into gear, etc.

Ouch...sorry to hear about your luck. Unless you get lucky enough to find them used, those will be expensive seats. Here's a few ideas: 1.) Check eBay for used seats. 2.) Check eBay, AutoTrader, Cars.com for a 1993-era Landcruiser in bad shape. It won't be too much more than new seats would be, and it's not like it would have to be in running condition. Also check junkyards. Then you'd have a parts car. 3.) See if there's a Classic Softtrim in your area. It looks like they make leather seats for a 1993 Landcruiser still. It should be under $1k easily for new leather. http://www.classicsofttrim.com/find.jsp

Call 800-331-4331 and open a case with Toyota about the key. Alternatively, send mail to: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. 19001 South Western Ave. Dept. WC11 Torrance, CA 90501 I'd recommend the first option. Specifically say you want to open a case. It shouldn't take that long to order a key.

Try www.parts.com.

I don't remember exactly what year the bodystyle changed on the Corollas, but I do know the ones in 1995-1996 range had both a 1.6 liter and a 1.8 liter engine available. I imagine it won't be much of a stretch to swap the two motors. It may just bolt right in if you're lucky!

Sounds like a short in (possibly) the door switch... that's a bit of a stretch, but it's all I can think of for your situation.

If it's a head gasket, it'll be a bit more than the thermostat gasket. It's the big gasket that goes on the actual motor head...it involves some motor disassembly, but it's a fairly simple job. Figure about $100 for the part, maybe less. Labor is where it'll get expensive. There is a big upside to an old car. In my Lexus or my Porsche, I park way out in the parking lot, and as far as possible from any car that could possibly give me a door ding (and as far as possible from grocery carts!). I steer very carefully away from curbs, potholes, etc. so I don't damage the wheels, and I don't take them through carwashes that have tracks or brushes. I try not to put a lot of miles on them so they don't depreciate as rapidly, and I'd just about be in tears if I ever got a stone chip, small scratch, or a windshield chip. In my old Camry, it didn't matter...I'd park in a dirt parking lot, or very close to beat-up old cars if the parking spot happened to be convenient, drive 200 miles on a whim, speed bumps and potholes were irrelevant, and I'd wash it only occasionally at the cheap car wash. If I got another paint chip, I didn't care...maybe I'd touch it up if I got bored one day. It was great!!

Sorry to hear about your troubles with the Camry. Have you considered the head gasket?

I don't know the answer for sure, but my inclination would be to say no...the Celica motor was built in partnership with Yamaha, and I believe a lot of the internals are quite different.

It's not just the Celica, or just Toyota. Pretty much every vehicle that uses hydraulic supports for the hatch or hood eventually have the same issue. It's almost a maintenance item, unfortunately.

Pretty. Is it legal to tint the windows in your state? It would look nice all blacked out...

It seems to me that there was a toggle switch on some of those mirrors between Fahrenheit & Celcius...is there a button on the bottom of the mirror?

It may work...I'd call Eibach and ask before I ordered if I were you.

They don't do too much with Camrys here...maybe some rims, window tint, or a spoiler. The cars that get accessorized more frequently are the Corollas, MR-2s, Supras, Celicas, and the trucks.

Check to see if Eibach has a suspension kit available. Brembo & Hawk brakes are great (don't know if they make anything for Avalon, maybe you can retrofit somehow).