Will you soon want to buy a Toyota?

That's a pretty ignorant statement. I've extensively driven a fully loaded Avalon, as well as an LS460 AWD.

There is absolutely no comparison. I personally like the LS460 better than the Mercedes S550, the BMW 750i, and the Audi A8. It's classy and luxurious without being pretentious. Yeah, it's probably overpriced, but when put in a lineup with its competitors, it's the bargain of the bunch.

The Avalon is nothing but an inflated Camry.

Now, if you want to talk about the Hyundai Genesis Sedan... you may be on to something there.

 

I worked at a Toyota dealership when the Avalon first cameout and it may share the same platform as the Camry but it was head and shoulders about any Camry imo and fast as hell.

My neighbor has one and I love those cars. I'm not sure what a loaded Avalon runs these days but I would think it is close to the Genesis which I believe is around $45K.

 

I had a MR2 Spydie back in 2000. Really fun. Too bad they don't put that engine in a car the same size but better suspenders...oh wait....

 

I feel the same way when driving my sisters lexus es 335 or something. Sure it's got better wheels, leather, wood etc. but five minutes into a drive I do a double take at the wood dash as i forget I'm driving a lexus and feel like I'm driving my Camry. The Lexus is a great car but for my purposes the camry is too at half the price.

 

I loved my Toyota cars.. 1976 Celica, 1978 Celica, 1986 Celica GT-S, 1991 Mister two. I gotta say that what i loved about them most though was their reliability. The steering never felt communicative like a old BMW, VW or even my Opel station wagon. The brakes never had that powerful feel of a 911 where you didn't just feel the car slowing down but felt the mechanics as the car stopped aggressively. They never had the character of an exotic or of any European car but i still loved them as they were the cars i could rely on in my youth.

What i'd like to see is Toyota engineer into their new sports cars the visceral, fun and communicative feeling you got from 1980's German cars. Seems all manufacturers lately are in an engineering pissing contest one trying to out-do the other. Look at our traction control..it takes you the driver out of the process of controlling your car. I want the car to talk to me and ask me for my next response and in turn communicate back the results of my previous inputs. Man and machine not man riding as a passive bystander in a rolling techno gizmo on wheels.

Until Japan designs fun into the car I'll still want something more than i can get with their cars. I'm very excited to see them getting back into the sports car game though.

 

Me too as a former owner of an '85 Corolla GTS,'85 MR2,'87 MR2,'88 MR2 and '92 MR2T!!! The initial impressions of the new car are very good and chances are very good that a turbo model will soon follow.

 

I own a GS400, lots of fun, but dated now. If I spring for a sedan, the Genesis is tops on my list.

 

No.

 

The Avalon uses the same 3.5L engine as the V6 Camry. It's the same engine, but heavier, and has the older 5-speed gearbox instead of the Camry's 6-speed. You do the math.

The Camry V6 does 0-60 in 5.7 seconds.

Oh I completely agree.

The ES350 is exactly a Camry. It's the Camry platform, Camry engine, and Camry interior. Everything is the exact same.

The LS460 is nothing like the ES though. It's the only Lexus I'd consider buying.

 

I like it. I'd like to drive one, but I'm not sure if I'd buy one. I'm looking forward to seeing how the aftermarket support develops for these new platforms.

 

Luv it!!!!

Without having to locate the article and since it is a Scubby motor I think engine wise the aftermarket support already exist for certain parts but the engine sits so low some existing parts may need tweaking.

I'm gonna utilize my Toyota contacts and arrange a test drive asap for the Scion version.

 

Greddy and HKS have already begun to modify these vehicles, but they're mostly producing BPUs (basic performance upgrades). I'm looking forward to the turbo upgrades and potential engine swaps for this platform

 

I'm looking forward to this new platform for all the same reasons.

 

You're right. I'm a dumb ass. Glickenhaus has already said I'm stupid. So join the crowd.

Dale

 

I saw a video of the Scion FR-S that was tuned/customized by Greddy, I really liked their mods and it looked pretty good with the wheels and exhaust and the other mods they had done to it.

I took a friend to the Scion dealer and it was one of the worst sales experiences ever, my friend was very pressured by the salesman and he used a dreaded line that he has a family to feed. That won't help you sell a car that is an investment to people.

 

Why, are you going to ban me?

Dale

 

No, they are not out yet. I'm not even sure when they are supposed to be out.

GReddy and Scion are 'partners' and they usually tune the cars, they had a tC and xB at SEMA. Some car companies give their cars to tuning companies as it allows the buyers to see all the various modifications that can be done to the car.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2011/12/greddy-scion-fr-s-makes-appearance-at-irvine-cars-and-coffee.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=QhVPdJUtrLI

The interior looks cheap though. The Subaru will probably have the best interior of all 3.

 

Its a cool little ride that's really well balanced. Had the pleasure of the debut last month in Hollywood. 22 years with Toyota I am a bit partial but shes a nice little toy with lots of "room" built in for upgrades. Reminds me of the RX7 when she came out back in late 78. Poo I really am old
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Your not old your wise! Love the pics and it is good to see Greddy get onboard, my MR2T was a virtual catalog of Greddy parts lol. I especially like the first pic with the original AE86 in the background, god I miss the own I had.

 

Ive had several MR2's, 85-89, and the 91-95 body style. neat cars, good to see something cool come out again.

 

Actually, you make a good point. For some reason, I have never fit as well in a Camry as an Avalon. I just saw the Avalon on the floor with a sticker of $36K and thought it compared well with a LS with a $75k sticker.

That said, it looks like I'm gonna pick up a 2006 SC as a DD. The "L" really does stand for Luxury!

Dale