I bought a 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid in 2016 to replace the Hyundai Elantra. It was luxury wrapped around a mid performance drivetrain (0 to 60 in 8.5 seconds). It had many features that I enjoyed. But I didn't know that Consumer Reports said it had a harsher ride than earlier versions and more road noise, though less than the Elantra.
What I liked about my Toyota Avalon Hybrid:
proximity sensor for key fob
- lights turned on at night on approaching door
- The doors would unlock once I slipped a finger over the handle of one of the front doors.
- and I could open the trunk if I had the key on me.
dual climate control zones (left and right)
moisture sensing windshield wipers--they mostly worked.
maps and navigation
trunk, not hatchback
heated seats, front and back
electric seat adjustment
blind side monitoring
Good fuel economy for a large heavy car.
Yakima made clips to fit a roof rack for taking my canoe to the river.
What I didn't like about my Toyota Avalon Hybrid:
the rear seats didn't fold down
I couldn't dim rear view mirror more
It didn't have: Lane centering, adaptive cruise
the seat fans didn't really cool
rear window screen--and it rattled
cold steering wheel in winter
more road noise than it should have had, per consumer reports
too much reflection from dashboard: too much chrome in all the right places that a bright sunny day would tell you about.
no front, side cameras
I was always loathe to push the accelerator for fear of penalizing the fuel economy.
The Yakima clip system wanted to slip off. I had to make a rack from wood, but still want to make a steel rack.
I sold the Toyota yesterday for many reasons.
For one, I was always uncomfortable buying a car made in Japan, no matter how well it was made, in view of my mom's bias against almost all things Japanese, which came about from their rapacious treatment of the Chinese in World War II. It was 74 years ago, true, but she was there! She has forgiven, but not forgotten. And she won't reward any company from that island if she can help it. The prime minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, is a descendant of a a WW II general (and likely war criminal). Abe has not made a sincere apology for atrocities and has further honored Japaneses perpetrators of war crimes.
For another, Toyota has sided with GM and Fiat Chrysler in their acquiescence of the federal government's recent relaxation of fuel economy standards. Despite Toyota's #1 sales of hybrid vehicles, their overall fuel economy isn't that great as they continue to produce thirsty vehicles like their trucks and SUV's. As of November 2019, California's government announced it would halt all purchases of new vehicles from General Motors, Toyota, Fiat Chrysler and other automakers that backed the White House's decision to strip the state of its power to regulate tailpipe emissions.
Bye, bye Toyota.
Hello Tesla.
The back story. My Tesla-itis has been begging a scratch for years. I admired the design and the brash attitude of its CEO, Elon Musk. No tailpipe emissions. Supercharging all over the USA. Supercharging right here in town. I have bought and sold and bought back Tesla stock--I still hold shares. I've been trying to talk my mom into getting one for her next lease instead of a gas gulping Mercedes Benz. She countered, telling me I should buy one for myself--forget the cost, I deserved one, she said, in almost those words. Four days ago, I saw that Tesla's online Seattle/Portland inventory included a red 2019 Model S. Smitten, I opened an account, completed the online forms and paid the deposit. I just needed to unload my Toyota.
Sell or donate the Toyota? The recent tax law changes raised the standard deduction so I wouldn't get much for donating it: sell!
Dealer or private? Dealer: they'll pay less, but I don't need to screen them and they won't drive the car off to a chop shop. Yesterday, I sold the car and deposited the check (December 18).
After six hours on two buses, a train and two more buses, I walked into the Tesla store in Bellevue at 2 pm today. At 4 pm, I drove away in that red Tesla.
The Model S is an amazing car. It is a vast upgrade from the Toyota Avalon. It likely doesn't have many safety and convenience features that an internal combustion engine car costing thousands less doesn't have. The look exudes a stately air of simple, luxurious elegance. The key fobs have no visible buttons. You can squeeze it, though--a single squeeze locks the car and a double squeeze unlocks the car. The car's proximity sensor unlocks doors and the hatchback as I approach with the key fob. The door handles slide out of their aerodynamically flush home position. At the same time the side view mirrors fold out from their sleep positions.
Next: driving it home.
