MM Test-Drive....2019 Toyota Avalon.
12-05-18, 05:51 PM
#31
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
BTW, that was one of my (very few) complaints with the Verano. It rode the way I liked only in the summer, when its 45-series tires and shock-fluid were warm and soft. In cold weather, it was stiffer than I would have liked. But it was still an excellent small car....the best-driving car of that size I've ever owned.
This discussion is such an over blown worry.
The Lacrosse for example has four different tires, and it includes ride control.
I'd really like to see what a Lacrosse would be like with the Avalon's 17" 55-series tires I sampled yesterday...they seemed to ride more or less the same, but I think that was because of the Avalon's slightly firmer suspension.
The XT5 has 65 series tires.
Does anyone care?
Ride quality and seating comfort, though not the only issues, are two of the top issues now when I personally go vehicle-shopping......and, if they don't deliver, I'm not interested. I put up with small, firm-riding vehicles in the past....but those days are gone.Last edited by mmarshall; 12-05-18 at 06:03 PM.
12-06-18, 01:30 PM
#34
I've had my 2010 RX for two years now. It sat on the lot with 19" wheels, and I seriously considered asking the dealer to find some 18" wheels to swap out. Why? Because not only did I think the "big wheel" thing was a styling gimmick, but I also assumed that tires for 19" or 20" wheels would be a lot more expensive than for the 18" size.
Is this in fact correct? Yes, I know the larger wheels would also slightly improve handling, but this RX is a 5,000 lb car. I did plenty of at-the-margin cornering on my motorcycle decades ago; not so keen to drive the RX that way.
Is this in fact correct? Yes, I know the larger wheels would also slightly improve handling, but this RX is a 5,000 lb car. I did plenty of at-the-margin cornering on my motorcycle decades ago; not so keen to drive the RX that way.
12-06-18, 02:08 PM
#35
Lexus Test Driver
One area where I do agree with Mike is that more sidewall is *generally* better. My truck has 17's instead of the super popular 20 or 22 inch rims that most people put on trucks these days. I much prefer it that way.
12-06-18, 03:14 PM
#37
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
There's no doubt that more sidewall is more comfortable all else being equal.
12-06-18, 04:09 PM
#39
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Agreed.....you hit it.
The only exception I've found so far (and I drive a lot of vehicles) was the 2Gen Hyundai Genesis...which, somehow, managed to float along really nice on 45s.
12-07-18, 12:06 AM
#40
Lexus Test Driver
Three pages of tire/wheels size talk. What about people's opinion on the interesting Avalon?
It is nice to see a base model get some attention. I don't think I've ever seen an XLE on the road, but those are some nicely styled rims on it (oops, back to the wheels again!). And you can't go wrong with Toyota's tried and true 3.5 V6 and overall reliabilty.
My main thought is still the same since we found out TheCross was being discontinued and you want to ditch GM.... "A lot can happen in three years in the car industry." I think it's much too premature to be looking or thinking what is next. There will be more discontinued cars, more new releases, facelifts, changes in models and options, and changes in economics, pricing, and marketing. What we see and know about today will not be the same in three years. Enjoy the Buick and not worry about it.
It is nice to see a base model get some attention. I don't think I've ever seen an XLE on the road, but those are some nicely styled rims on it (oops, back to the wheels again!). And you can't go wrong with Toyota's tried and true 3.5 V6 and overall reliabilty.
My main thought is still the same since we found out TheCross was being discontinued and you want to ditch GM.... "A lot can happen in three years in the car industry." I think it's much too premature to be looking or thinking what is next. There will be more discontinued cars, more new releases, facelifts, changes in models and options, and changes in economics, pricing, and marketing. What we see and know about today will not be the same in three years. Enjoy the Buick and not worry about it.
12-07-18, 06:15 AM
#41
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
It is nice to see a base model get some attention. I don't think I've ever seen an XLE on the road, but those are some nicely styled rims on it (oops, back to the wheels again!). And you can't go wrong with Toyota's tried and true 3.5 V6 and overall reliabilty.
My main thought is still the same since we found out TheCross was being discontinued and you want to ditch GM.... "A lot can happen in three years in the car industry." I think it's much too premature to be looking or thinking what is next. There will be more discontinued cars, more new releases, facelifts, changes in models and options, and changes in economics, pricing, and marketing. What we see and know about today will not be the same in three years. Enjoy the Buick and not worry about it.
I definitely enjoy that car, every time I drive it....especially now that the heat/defrost problem is fixed LOL. 
GM and Ford are giving the impression, though, that they are giving up on big cushy sedans. The original flagship Roadmaster was replaced by the Electra (I owned an Electra), then the Park Avenue, then the Roadmaster again, then the Park Avenue again, then the Lucerne, then the Lacrosse. But with the demise of the Lacrosse, it is a totally different age now, and the future of bigs sedans, period, unlike the past, is in extreme doubt. I wish it wasn't so, but big market forces are at work here, even if they turn out to be wrong or unnecessary..
12-07-18, 06:45 AM
#44
Lexus Fanatic
The old one had a big grill too, and the "ski jump" dash at least is a unique approach.
12-07-18, 06:52 AM
#45
Lexus Fanatic
As opposed to being cancelled like GM has done to their LaCrosse and Impala? Your constant hate and repetitive bash for the Avalon is bizzare, it really is the car you should of bought, I think most people on here would agree.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 12-07-18 at 06:57 AM.