2000 Toyota Avalon Purchase suggestions

[lucerne06]

I am looking to buy a 2000 Avalon with 151,000 miles. I drove the car shifts smooth and drives well. The coolant was slightly low and the tranny fluid was pinkish gray, but did not smell burnt. Price is 3700.00 Some suggestions about what I need to be aware of or problems and costs associated with this car. The person selling said the check engine light came up and a p0420 code came up, but then it went out and has not been up again for a few months. THANKS in advance to your help and suggestions. carfax is clean , two owners. Need to replace a 97 prizm in perfect condition that was just totaled ot by the insurance company after someone ran into the rear end...That jerked my chain, but no one hurt. The car will be for my daughter who travels back and forth to school everyday.

 

[silverrat]

Not a suggestion but it's nice she's getting such a big upgrade

 

[Bandito440]

I don't know of any specific issues relating to that vehicle. Some Toyota experts here will hopefully chime in. Check the brakes. If you get it, replace the regular tune-up items if there aren't records showing them done recently:

PCV
Plugs and wires
Fuel and engine/cabin air filters
Coolant, transmission, and brake fluid flush

P0420 shows catalytic converter inefficiency. It could be a fluke, but if it goes, you'll need at least part 17410-0A220 for the front cat. It's $600 plus whatever labor costs if you don't want to do it yourself.

 

[Cardenio327]

P0420 is a red flag $$$ as posted above. When you test drive it swing by an Autozone and scan it. On the scanner screen there should be some icons called "monitors". If some of them are flashing it means the seller is erasing the codes daily and after each test drive just like your friendly used car salesman does.

 

[Cardenio327]

P0420 could mean it burns oil or that the catalytic converter is worn out. Sometimes a tank of rotten gasoline will set it.

 

[simple_gifts]

Quote:

P0420 could mean it burns oil


Or the O2 sensors are bad.

 

[artificialist]

Do you have smog tests where you live? If you don't, I would suggest replacing the O2 sensors and leaving the rest alone.

Some V6 Toyotas of that time would get sludge, and you wouldn't be able to see it from the oil fill hole. Right under the fill hole is a black filter element.

I am sure the PCV valve is stuck. It isn't always easy to replace on these cars because when the pcv valve gets old, you will almost always end up breaking it in half, and the grommet will make the situation even worse.

Do you know if that engine has VVt-I? Those engines are interference engines, but non-VVt-i engines are non interference. If you have a VVt-I engine, you must know when the timing belt, water pump, and pulleys were replaced. My father has a friend who didn't understand that, and they are paying over $2000 in repairs.

Even though this car has modern ABS brakes, you still need to unfold a paper clip and jump the correct terminals to retrive an error code. If you ever have to replace the struts or anything like that, the ABS sensors and cables will break almost all the time, so be ready for it.

This engine may have several vacuum hoses. Some are probably leaking. What sucks about this is that nearly every plastic part will crack when you remove those hoses, even of you cut them in half with a knife first.

Yes, the car will have needs, but a well-maintained Toyota Avalon will last a long time.

 

[hypervish]

The P0420 would be my biggest concern. Many times it's the post- CAT 02 sensor. But, it's possible it's the CAT itself.

Does your state do emissions testing?

 

[Nick1994]

That's way too much money, even for one in PERFECT condition. Yes my car has more miles and is a little older but with new struts, power steering pump and hoses I got it for $1,700.

 

[KitaCam]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
D
Do you know if that engine has VVt-I? Those engines are interference engines, but non-VVt-i engines are non interference. If you have a VVt-I engine, you must know when the timing belt, water pump, and pulleys were replaced. My father has a friend who didn't understand that, and they are paying over $2000 in repairs.



These generally cost $900-1200 at the dealer and that would include the tensioner and related fluids...for $2k OP would be able to have all the other fluids drained and replaced, as well as new plugs and related gaskets...

 

[tswm]

Thanks to BITOGers alerting you, now you may be able to lower the price to below $3000.