Overview & Reviews

More power, more torque and added standard features make the Avalon one of the most appealing full-size sedans

• Toyota reliability, powerful V-6 engine, fit and finish

• Snoozeville, but still more enticing than, say, a Buick LeSabre

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 50.00

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  97 Avalon - 1997 Toyota Avalon
  By jish - December 28 - 2:23 am

  I bought the car used for $3500 in 2006 with 207k miles, and it now has 243k miles. The car has been very reliable for me overall. I have done some preventive maintenance, such as change the original timing belt and water pump at about 220k miles (recommended to be done at 100k miles). The car did develop some squeaky noises in the front suspension, but this was fixed by replacing the strut mounts for about $250 including labor. Also, the front drivers window stopped rolling up and down for about 6 months (luckily it was stuck in the "up" position), but then magically starting working again. Overall, the car has been excellent. I look forward to driving it at least another 100k miles.

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  great car - 1997 Toyota Avalon
  By pphill - September 23 - 10:00 am

  Great vehicle for comfort, power and economy. Performs well in mountains without downshifting on upgrades. Drives like a sportscar with flat, sure tracking and cornering. Maintenance is negligible and at 132,000 it still does not use any oil but has a very, very minor oil drip (probably from a valve cover gasket).

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  Original Owner - 1997 Toyota Avalon
  By carfooey - March 20 - 7:16 am

  Few mechanical problems until recently. Within last year replaced rear wheel bearings, engine gasket, & alternator. Marginal paint job as it started peeling from around rear view mirrors at <80K miles. Strut noise has been there from day 1 off the lot (dealer made excuses too). Doors sagged quite early on, but work okay. Door remotes still work (!) although the buttons are about shot.

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  After two years with Avalon - 1997 Toyota Avalon
  By Edward - March 4 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 97 Avalon XL (bench front seat) two years ago and I really enjoying this car. Previously I owned Nissan Maxima, Lincoln Mark VII, BMW 528 and Lincoln Towncar but none of these cars made to 80000 miles without ANY problems. What I like the most about Avalon its RELAIBLE, its big, quiet and comfortable. The only thing I don’t like in this car is design of radio and CD changer (Not dashboard). I would recommend this car to anybody who is looking for passenger car.

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  Best full-size - 1997 Toyota Avalon
  By Clay - October 20 - 12:33 am

  This model is known to have power steering and front end rattle problems, but if you can get past that, its a great car to own. Rear seat is quite roomy for adults. This car gets you full-sized car features with the quality of a Japanese made car. The 200 HP 3.3l engine has plenty of power. The rear suspension is a bit flat with a full load, though.

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  Dependable with great value - 1997 Toyota Avalon
  By CISinger88 - October 5 - 10:00 am

  My mother bought hers used at 34,000 miles. Now has 167,000, and have had very few problems. Car handles reasonably well for a large car. Toyota 12 disc CD Changer in trunk stopped working at 45,000 after living on a gravel road, laser was scratched. Dealer warrenty was expired on electronics. I used the car for several road trips and was always comfortable - the climate control is great. Keyless entry stopped working at 99,000 - dealer had to recode the system for new remotes.

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  Not Satisfied - 1997 Toyota Avalon
  By tagll - August 26 - 2:00 am

  1996 & 1997 only us aftermarket wheels that cannot be balanced correctly even by Toyota . The Toyota dealer where I purchased the car new told me the wheels were discontinued because of complaints. I agree! I will not return to Toyota for my next vehicle because they did not take care of this problem on my present one.

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  avalon97 - 1997 Toyota Avalon
  By hewitt - July 17 - 10:00 am

  have driven it to tah and back arizona and return nova scotia and back a delight to drive absolutely no problems

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  Wish I wasnt getting rid of mine - 1997 Toyota Avalon
  By calimama - March 30 - 3:13 pm

  I bought this car with 92,000 miles on it several years ago, using it for commercial (livery) use and then driving from Massachusetts to California in it. I now have over 152,000 miles on it. I had to replace brakes/rotors as well as the shocks (which I didnt bother fixing for 4 years, actually), but absolutely trusted this car all the way (no major repairs, just routine stuff). Unfortunately, my husband crashed it recently, and would rather spend $7k on a Honda rather than $3k to fix the Avalon. Im heartbroken, but well still hold on to it in our garage and perhaps fix it later.

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  This is the Flagship vehicle? - 1997 Toyota Avalon
  By amazingarthur - February 1 - 10:00 am

  I am somewhat dissapointed with the quality of this car. The interior edges that meet the door when closed have frayed terribly. There is a rattle from the ignition that the dealership can do nothing about. A few electrical gremlins have set off the rear tailight dummy light on the dash. Cant figure out why. The trunk release mechanism doesnt always work. Ah, the myth of Toyota quality.