Used 1998 Toyota Avalon Consumer Reviews
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Seriously this car is almost as old as me
carenthusiast7, 04/05/2011
1998 Toyota Avalon XL 4dr Sedan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I'm 18 and a serious car enthusiast and this was my first car when my dad handed it down to me when i got my license @ 15 and a half(had 150k miles on it). Of course it isn't exactly my choice of a car and I made a bet with my father that if the car died we would get a replacement car of my choice(reasonably priced of course). And I'm still losng that bet, that car has not died at all or shown signs of even slowing down. Sum of it all, you can't go wrong with this car if you need a used cheap low maintainence car for just point A to point B.
Outstanding
Tom Knud, 11/09/2020
updated 11/13/2023
1998 Toyota Avalon XL 4dr Sedan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I purchased at 100k and drove to 240k. I did very little maintenance but wear items. I did finally put struts on @ 190k. I've used it as a heavyweight tow vehicle for 1000's of miles but I change transmission fluid afterwards! When I finally broke down and undertook the TB kit, I only found out that I shouldn't have! It was all like new including seals. The windshield took 10 or so, what seemed like gunshot, hits before finally incurring any wounds. Unfortunately, the plastic door handles and bezels break religiously. But, it still runs like new to this day. Update : Bezels, Handles, and left front actuator still hobgoblins. But, now at 260k and several X Country towings of vehicles, it is still ridiculously strong. Literally runs like new. Update : I've driven the car to 265k and it still runs like a top. However, I have since retired it. One thing to note is that front developed a camber problem that is hard to fix on these. I think it could be but it would be a bit of frame straighening. Other than that, it still works almost as new.
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Great car though had some repairs
V. Ott, 03/23/2017
updated 09/27/2017
1998 Toyota Avalon XLS 4dr Sedan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Update: I love this car. It is so comfortable, easy to drive & the leather is far better than in newer cars. I have tried to buy a new car though the comfort & ride of this car surpasses in my humble opinion than newer ones. Then this one keeps going so why invest in a new one.:) Bought in 2002 with 51,000miles, now has 183,000miles, paid $20,000 for it put in about $7,000 in repairs since purchase besides oil changes, 60k, 120k & 180k mile services. Been very dependable though had to replace struts, radiator, both front & rear brakes twice, rack & pinion, idle stabilizer valve, thermostat housing, water pump twice, R-side engine mount, front & rear engine mount, two lower control arm bushing, had oil leak twice, rebuild pump & few other items. Timing belt twice once at 90K & another at 183K as recommended by my repair guy.
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Auto climate control /Beware
nov1853, 09/23/2004
1998 Toyota Avalon XLS 4dr Sedan
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
I have been quite happy with my XLS after having purchased used with 70k miles. However I was very disappointed with Toyota design with Auto Climate Control. Servo motor on blower system went out due to design flaw admitted to by Toyota in a technical service bulletin which directed dealers to replace entire workings of Auto Climate control system when $35.00 servo motor failed. (Cost me $1000.00)I was forced to replace entire system. Toyota incidentally redesigned entire system for 1999 model years but would not back up 1998 defective system. Shame on you for sticking it to us 1998 owners.
Im Impressed
iggy7, 04/15/2011
1998 Toyota Avalon XL 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This is my first Toyota, and i bought this a few weeks ago. It has 230k miles on it and it drives great! It making a Toyota guy out of me.