I'll be lurking here from time to time as I'm curious what folks have to say about this car. I just purchased a 2003 XLS Avalon and am looking forward to my extensive travels with it. I travel for a living from Ohio to the West Coast so will put plenty of mileage on it for sure. I love the ride and frankly think it handles quite well. The shear luxury for the dollar is wonderful. Of course it's not possible to say how the long term reliability of it is, but it certainly get's it's share of recommendations by automotive folks. Wish me luck........

Get ready for a long happy relationship with ur new girlfriend. I say this because I have a 95 avalon (save the old car jokes) with 83,000 miles on it and I have nothing bad to say about this car. I got it used a while back and it has been nothing but problem free driving. The only thing I have to replace was the starter which I got on ebay for really cheap and my front rotors. All I have to say is, enjoy the ride.

Thanks for the confidence builder. The other day I was getting it all prepared for a 2 month storage as I haven't yet driven it except to bring it from another dealer to my dealer 30 miles. I did a real detailing number on it (DriWash and Guard, Meguire's leather treatment, treated all the rubber with preservative, cleaned all the vinyl materials) and put a nice new car cover on it in my dealers indoor storage area. Now I can only look at pictures until I get back from my major business trip the 24th of April. I haven't yet gotten it ClearBra treated so I dare not take it in the horrible winter weather across Wyoming and Colorado. I'll save it for the nice May weather and my next road trip in May. Sure am looking forward to the first long drive.......:D