Faults:

Nothing at all; I've put 5000 on it already and have not so much used a drop of motor oil. This by far has been the best vehicle that I've ever owned. Only one problem is the clear coat (like all from that era) is flaking.

General Comments:

Best, most comfortable and reliable vehicle I've ever owned.

Faults:

Parking brake doesn't work.

Brake lines were replaced.

General Comments:

Fantastic ride.

Smooth transmission.

Nice engine sound.

Lots of room.

Good steering weight (light but not vague).

Good power.

High quality interior.

Comfortable seats.

Good enough power in regular conditions, nothing special.

Very quiet cabin.

Body rolls around corners.

Generally a very relaxed car.

Great highway cruiser.

Faults:

I purchased this car from my friend's father who had was not maintaining the car as he should. When I bought it, the timing belt was past due, the power steering pump was going bad, the rack and pinion was leaking, the rear struts were rattling and the check engine light was on for a transmission sensor. It had 183,000 miles on it and I paid $500 for it.

General Comments:

After purchasing the car, I replaced the power steering pump, timing belt and rear struts. I bought a new rack and pinion, but have yet to install it as the leak is very minimal. After two years, the car now has 215,000 miles. The only thing that has gone wrong since I purchased it was the catalytic converter. It cost around $200 on eBay and I replaced it myself.

It is comfortable and roomy inside - I can't believe how much leg room there is in the back seat! The car is very solidly built. I don't particularly like leather seats, but I'm impressed with how well Toyota's seats have fared in comparison to those in my 2001 Volvo V70.

From North Carolina, we've driven to Nebraska, West Virginia and multiple times to Georgia. I average about 28 MPG on the highway, which is better than my Volvo V70 and Ford Contour, both of which get about 24 MPG on the highway.

I wouldn't hesitate to get in and drive to New York or California tonight!

I wish all my cars were as reliable and dependable as my Avalon, but unfortunately it's the only Toyota I own at the moment.

I'm not sure why this is, but I've only seen one other 1997 Avalon besides mine that has the split bench seat in front. Nearly all other Avalons have the gearshift on the floor between the seats. My car has the gearshift on the steering column, so I can fit three people in the front if need be.

Faults:

Right front CV axle.

Exhaust flex pipe.

Torque converter doesn't always lock up.

Valve covers leak some, but does not use oil between changes.

Typical suspension strut rattle.

General Comments:

Got this car cheap for a work car and it has exceeded expectations. It does have the strut rattle almost everyone else talks about, but it doesn't affect how it drives. One of the smoothest, nicest driving cars I have ever owned.

I do maintain it, and expect to get many more miles out of it. Have ended up driving this car on some long road trips, and it has been very reliable.

Faults:

Front end suspension rattle at slow speeds, that is accentuated when cold.

General Comments:

The info from this forum has greatly helped me understand the probable cause (s) of the front end suspension related rattle. The dealership said it was an improperly positioned spring when the car was almost new. They did something that solved the problem temporarily, but it came back and is now so loud I hate to drive it. Will probably drive it until it dies, without trying to repair it, based on the previous forum inputs.

The bucket seats are very uncomfortable, however thick foam seat pads alleviate the problem.