I feel ya. Trendy was the black murdered out look for awhile and you’re right about the new trend. This color is more off white, like a chalk stick than gray. It depends on the light. Color preference aside, there is one big advantage. It doesn’t show dirt and dust near as bad as darker colors.
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17" rims aren’t low profile? Back in my day 16" rims were low profile haha.
My Mazda originally came with 18" rims from the factory. One of the previous owners changed them to 17". If Maine roads are anything like MN, I wouldn’t want any bigger than 17s. One of the previous owners put some shitty coil overs into it. I changed it back to stock because it felt like I was going to rack up some dental bills every time I hit a small bump. I would bounce out of my seat when I hit a MN pot hole. I’ve kept / returned my speed 3 stock. It is an old girl (2008), and I just want reliability out of her. 263 hp is enough for a small hatchback.
If you do ever want to take on a project, I guess the toyota v6 engine fits pretty well into the SW20 MR2. As far as swaps go, it isn’t the easiest, but it is far from a difficult swap. They make full kits to do it. I’d think it would be fairly reliable as far as engine and drive train as long as you didn’t turbo it (which would be unnecessary in that light of a car. It is IMO, one of the best looking cars of all time.
I bet if you found a NA model with a good body, you could buy the car and do the swap for under $20K? I bet with the mid engine and light weight that with a 3.5L v6, it would be a rocket even if you kept the engine completely stock.
I love a hatchback / wagon. So much more practical than a sedan. I love VW / Audi products on their performance and style. I don’t have much love for the maintenance costs though. They are basically the last company making cool wagons / hatches.
Both cars are awesome. I am assuming the R8 had the Lambo motor, right? Those were awesome. It is probably the only Audi I’d buy. In that class of cars it is actually pretty reliable, since it isn’t compared to things like Lexus / Acura (unless we count the LFA, which I’ll never own haha unless I win the lottery), but is more against Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini…
What Porsche model is that? Is that one of the crazy hybrid ones? I’d love a 959, but again, I’d have to win the lottery.
That engine must have had some beef to it to be able to bore and stroke it by over 1.3L. How much power does it make after the modification? I agree with @blshaw that GM really did a disservice to the prowler with the engine they chose. Should have come with an LS engine.
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Yes indeed and AWD.
It’s a Targa 4GTS, super rare. Top spec for the Targa models. I like that it better than a convertible as it looks like a coupe with the top up and the center section is fully automatic removable. Back deck pops up and center roof folds back. Hands down my favorite exotic so far.
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It has a 4.0" bore and a 3.92" stroke. Nearly a square motor.
I never had it dyno’d. The builder said that the horsepower would under test what a person would expect. It uses Viper fuel injectors. It has Belanger headers, with a velocity cone. The builder says that the increased torque is what is most noticeable. It is too much power due to the overdrive of the transaxle. You don’t want to have it WOT when it shifts into overdrive. I also put shorter gears in the transaxle.
It is a Chrysler product. There weren’t any really good Mopar V8’s being made when the Prowler was released. There have been a few who have upgraded to a Hemi (mostly 5.7L but a couple 6.1L.) Both way too much power for the stock transaxle.
BTW, the Prowler is less than 3,000lbs with its aluminum frame helping with the lighter weight. Staying with the stock motor block keeps the weight lighter and a better weight distribution.
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Haha, my bad on the make of the car. Brain fart I guess.
The service intervals are pretty good and a basic service isn’t that bad. Major components are definitely expensive but no different to BMW or Mercedes. When you consider the performance of these little hatchbacks is better than sports cars from 10-20 years ago. They are worth a few more $
I’m not sure where the cutoff is to be considered “low profile”, but the fatter tires are both less expensive and help smooth out our often-times decrepit, pock-marked roads. The handling on the Avalon is a great balance of comfort and control.
Lol that V6 is staying in the Avalon. If someday my Tundra frame rots out after so many winters, well, that 381 HP V-8 might still be useful for something. I know quite a few guys with 300,000+ on theirs. Tundras are popular in Maine for a reason.
That is a ridiculous car, indeed. Have you ever gotten it out on a race track?
With a nice boat, a nice truck and a nice daily driver checked off the list, a sports car is still on my list of stuff I’d like to buy, but not before I get a truck bed camper to transform my Tundra and Lund fishing boat into a more complete North Woods adventure rig. For a sports car I’d want something totally impractical and dangerous, probably right around the time I turn 50.
The Tundra, BTW, is going strong with 125,000 flawless miles, keeping up on all recommended mechanical maintenance. I’ve never waxed this truck. I wash it a few times each winter to clean the salt off, one good spring wash after the melt and that’s about it. Everything but the rims (some rust due to neglect) are holding up great, including the frame.
I did my 10,000 mile service this morning on the Avalon and new Tundras are over $60,000. I bought mine brand new for $31,500 in 2014, only 1k more than what I paid for my Avalon in 2023. What does doubling the price and going from one of the best V-8’s ever to a new twin-turbo, hybrid V-6 get you? A 5mpg increase, going from 17 to 22. No thanks, I’m keeping my V-8 until it or I die.
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Nope! I actually just picked it up Thursday. It was a long hunt for the right color combo and options I wanted. Plus they go way over MSRP so negotiations are varying between dealer. Right now I’m just enjoying it with the rainy season mostly out of the way. I used to drag race at the local Motorsport complex when I was a bit younger. All my friends that were into that have moved and grown apart.
I’m currently scheduling to expand my driveway to a 4 lane so I can get a small truck for bad weather days, fishing, home depot runs, etc etc. I’m also working on selling my boat as I e discovered I’m just not a boating guy.
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I’d like to offer an update on my 2022 Avalon XLE to affirm its new identity as the best vehicle I’ve ever owned. I’ve put 5,000 miles on this vehicle in the last 6 weeks or so.
It is a real pleasure to drive and eats highway miles like nothing. It is every bit as comfortable as a Lexus ES350 to me, but I’m sure some sophisticated instrumentation could measure the difference in perceived shock and vibration to demonstrate the superior ride of the Lexus. The Lexus version of this engine also has 302 HP compared to the Avalon’s 301 HP, which I find hilarious.
The Avalon is also faster, more efficient and better-handling than a Lexus ES 350, while still capable of gently gliding about effortlessly and smoothly. My statistics for a recent Saturday are as follows:
1,047 miles
16 hours and 15 minutes travel time
32.71 MPG (measured at the pump and odometer)
This is, in my opinion, the best 4 door sedan ever made by Toyota. It may be the best sedan ever made by any car company when you consider the price, performance, comfort and cost of operation. I’ve driven the Nissan Maxima on 1,000 + mile trips. I’ve also driven the next step up from the Avalon, which is the Lexus ES350 on multi-hour trips. I’ve driven the Cadillac CTS and CTS-V on 1,000 Mile+ trips as well. To find a sedan superior to the Avalon you will need to spend a whole lot more money than what I spent to get the final production year’s model used with just under 10,000 miles on it.
The Maxima is inferior in every way IMO and the Chrysler 300 is as well, but it is not a direct competitor. The Chrysler 300 with a Hemi sets itself apart because it is a rear-wheel drive V8, not a front wheel drive V6. I don’t think that makes it a better sedan, but I can see why that appeals to people in ways that an Avalon does not. Those are being discontinued as well.
The 4 cylinder naturally-aspirated Toyota Camry is also a great sedan in it’s own right, and I’ve also driven that long distances. It’s just that you get a LOT more car by going up to the Avalon, at the expense of a few thousand dollars and 6 or 7 mpg of efficiency. The driving experience of the Avalon is simply in a different galaxy compared to a 4 cylinder Camry.
Maybe I’m just a geezer and upcoming hybrids and EV’s will prove me a fool for going with a naturally-aspirated V6 with an 8 speed ECT transmission instead of the new CVT’s, turbo’s and electric motors, but I doubt it. I’ll believe that when I see those vehicles and experience regret about going with the 301 HP 2022 Avalon XLE.
If you’re thinking about buying a front-wheel drive sedan, this is the last era of production for the 3.5L V-6 and 8-speed automatic. You can find them on high-end Camry trims, all front-wheel drive Avalon trims and the Lexus ES350. In my opinion, the 2022 Avalon XLE with the moonroof option like I have is the sweet spot in that entire mix, and I’m really glad to have found one and scooped it up. There are no major gimmicks, just really good car design. Just like my '14 Toyota Tundra with 4WD and the outstanding 5.7L V-8 and six-speed automatic transmission.
They ain’t making any more of these things, so get one soon if you want one. I would love to hear some other car reviews, especially from @ins and that new Corolla. I am a Toyota guy, after all.
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I havent driven many cars, so I have not much to compare with.
The new Corolla is your poor man Prius. Almost the same efficiency. The main reason to buy a Corolla hybrid would be if you drive mostly alone and you are a slow driver and you have at least 20-50 km commute.
Its a small Sedan with enough space in front, but can be a bit small for the back seats. The storage is okay for 1 child, maybe 2. The interior could be better. The exterior design is pretty good and I have no complaints.
I am with the new 1.8 hybrid which is a 5th generation system. The car is extremelly efficient in cross country driving. If I pulse and glide and drive slowly 80-95 km/hour (around 50-60 m/h) I get 3.2 l/100km average or around 60 mpg, which makes it the perfect car for a commute. If I push its limits I have gotten down to 2.3 liters per 100 km which is around 70 mpg.
The negatives are that the car is slow and not very comfortable. If you drive over 100 km hour and the road is not perfect you definitely realise you are driving a small cheap sedan. It has aroumd 130 hp which makes passing not so hard due to both engines working when you push the gas.
In general I like driving CVT and Hybrid systems, but I passed from an old 4 gear automatic transmission to the new set up. I like how the car feels gearless and I like the smoothness.
Tl dr version. The perfect commute car. You cant get anything better for the price. But its just that.
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All of the reasons you list are reasons why I would be better off with a Corolla, hybrid or otherwise, than I would be with an Avalon. I think Corollas are really great cars. They zip around well, run forever and have plenty of comfort. If I were a more sensible and frugal man, I would be driving a Corolla or a Camry instead of my Avalon.
I’m still a frugal man, but not at the expense of certain things that I want.
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First: Volkswagen Golf year model 1975.
Best: Subaru Outback year model 2016.
The Outback was/is the only car that never developed any problems (so far) - which makes it unique. Also, if I was a car, I would be an Outback!
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I drive a 2015 Outback. Only issues I’ve ever had were due to an accident, not the car itself. Pretty pleased with it.
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My parents both drive Subarus. They love the brand and have mostly positive experiences with them. My Dad has one of the semi older Forester XTs with the 2.4T in it. He loves that zippy thing. I’m trying to talk him into getting the new Outback Wilderness. The only thing I don’t like about them is the CVT trans.
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This thread is a great distraction this morning.
My first car was a 1990 Lincoln Continental. It was a fun ride for half a year or so before it shit the bed completely. Thing was a boat, bench front seat and a broken tape deck that was only source of music. I’d have to repeatedly press the power button to get the tape to eject/start playing, and it was completely random. Bounced back and fourth between a Skynard and RHCP tape before I got a new car with a CD player haha.
Best car is a tie between my 2005 Hyundai Elantra and my current 2019 Honda Civic. Honestly they’re basically the same vehicle, aside from the Civic have 14 years worth of base package technology advancements. It’s objectively nicer, but that Hyundai was a tank. It took all the abuse I could throw at it and just never gave up on me. I put about 250,000 miles on it in the tame I had it, harsh winters, multiple cross country trips, as little maintenance as required. My brother took it an put another 100k+ on it before it finally was no longer road worthy. The body just rotted around the frame to the point it could no longer pass inspection. It sat for nearly a year before he finally decided to take it in for scrap, and he decided to turn the key just to see and it fired right up without question. Amazing vehicle.
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My second car was a 96 Subaru coupe. Little 1.8l 5 speed, AWD terror machine. I loved that car.
Had a WRX for a few years and my god what a piece of shit that thing was. Turned me off from the brand forever.
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I had one almost 20 years ago with the manual trans of course. I liked it for what it was and it gave my no issues. I like Subaru but they simply don’t have anything that offers enough power for my tastes along with the fact that the CVT is the most used transmission. I’m a ‘gotta have it’ power type guy, but I rarely use it (ie. drive like an asshole). Subaru style and reliability appear to be decent in the recent years.
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I hear ya. My Civic is painfully slow. I have a bike for my need for speed, but living in Maine that only gets used sparingly.
Next vehicle purchase is going to be some kind of truck or SUV though. I play tetris with my and my wifes car constantly for weekend trips and what not and I’m pretty over that game.
Maybe whatever we get will have some get up and go too haha.
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