Faults:

Mass airflow sensor at about 32,000 miles - Mea Culpa - used a cheap ill-fitting replacement air filter that let some gunk in ($150 part).

IAC (idle air controller) needed replacement at about 98,000 miles ($180 part).

Rear woofer needed to be re-foamed (DIY $20).

That's IT, everything else has been maintenance - tires, brakes, rotors.

General Comments:

This car has two of the most luxurious features available anywhere.

(a) Reliability.

(b) Cheap to keep.

The good ride, good fuel economy, great interior space, nice sound system, etc., etc.

Faults:

The audio system's CD changer jammed and needed replacing, not necessarily common to the model.

General Comments:

The V6 engine was smooth and did whatever I needed it to; even at 85K I got punch when I needed it.

Despite the Avalon stigma of less-than-snappy handling, I found that the car handled well and responsibly. With a good set of tires, it kept the road nicely. I experienced understeer only a few times, even on wet roads, and never in an avoidance maneuver.

The suspension on the trim is a little softer than I'd prefer, and the car tended to bottom out on wavy roadways.

The interior is quiet and extremely roomy; rear-seat passengers appreciated the interior. The trunk is huge.

Mileage averaged to 20 in mixed driving, but reached 30+ in highway cruising.

The car was totaled in a near head-on collision, but did its job safety-wise: the front crumpled and destroyed everything up to the engine, but the cabin was undamaged and all the occupants were uninjured.

Faults:

Front brake rotors were turned with the pads replaced at 60K.

Battery went dead at 30K

The O.E. Dunlap tires were pieces of junk, they started riding bad at 10K, and wore out at 25K.

Other than the tires, this car has been rock solid reliable.

General Comments:

This car is the $25,000 Lexus. It has more space and a bigger trunk than the ES 300. Mine didn't come any options (no leather, woodgrain, sunroof, etc.) but it rides nicely and the lack of road noise is simply amazing. Just like a Lexus. The back seat and trunk in this car are vast, great for trips. All of the parts of the interior are top notch, and are holding up well.

The styling is very nice, with the jewel headlights and the wedge shape. It looks like a Mercedes or Lexus from certain angles.

Performance is the biggest letdown. The handling is competent, but acceleration is pathetic. The engine has Variable Valve Timing, dual camshafts, and all that other great techno stuff, but the old push rod V-6 in my 91 Regal was a lot faster.

At least all that techno stuff helps with gas mileage, 23 city/28 Highway.

Faults:

There was an air bag rattle which was repaired and then re-occured.

There is rattles and squeaks which are all through the dash section.

The windshield wiper blades clink after about 10 minutes of use and the dealer has yet to repair.

There has been numerous paint spots where the paint pops or bubbles up or flakes. The front has been repainted twice.

The driver outside mirror had to be replaced because it vibrated so badly.

General Comments:

I would expect a car which costs so much, and advertised to be of such good quality, at least not to rattle when you drive down the road.

The paint is disappointing and the thickness of the panels make for sure fire door dings with minimum effort.

Car does perform well and the gas mileage is very good. The sound system is excellent and the comfort is very good. Absolutely the best back seat anywhere.