Husband is looking for a spacious comfortable sedan. 2-3 years used, something new, or something in either category coming off a lease. He has a 2017 Toyota Avalon now that he may or may not trade in.
He’s looking at the new Toyota Crown Platinum that he says is replacing the Avalon that Toyota is discontinuing. I think he’s crazy to look at a car for that kind of money. I’m trying to get him to look at least at used cars that are spacious and comfortable with good gas mileage. He’s agreed to look at 2-3 yr used ones.
Any recommendations for a car that he should/could look at?
Sure, my advice is for him to do nothing, keep driving the Avalon which he already owns, and save his money. And of course, keep up on the maintenance, so it lasts longer. To this day, I cannot understand why otherwise intelligent people will spend tens of thousands of dollars, and incur debt to replace a perfectly good, functional vehicle, with a new(er) similar model.
I could understand if one needs a different type of vehicle, for example, if one owns a coupe, but now they have kids and need a van. But spending all this money to buy a different vehicle which does the same exact thing??? Think twice.
If he wants a new car, the Toyota Crown seems like a pretty good choice. I wouldn’t advise trading-in the Avalon to buy a used car. Just keep with the Avalon in that case.
Why does he want to replace the 2017 Avalon? It’s OK to do that “just because” as long as you two can afford it. The Avalon was produced through the 2022 model year. If he likes the 2017 I’m sure he’ll like the 2022 and it will cost a lot less than the Crown.
Well, couple reasons for another car - one of our kids’ died and the thought was he’d give them his Avalon and get himself another car. The other is I think he’s of the mindset that he just wants a newer car. Maybe he thinks he deserves one. I don’t know. It’ll most likely be the last car he’ll ever get. Personally I think there’s others out there much less expensive similar to if not the same as the Avalon. And he does like the Avalon. I just think it’s ridiculous to pay the ridiculous amount of $$ new cars go for now. But he wants what he wants.
And I agree with bcohen2010’s statement “I cannot understand why otherwise intelligent people will spend tens of thousands of dollars, and incur debt to replace a perfectly good, functional vehicle, with a new(er) similar model.” Which is why I had my Mazda for over 20 yrs. But now it’s trying to help one of our kids.
But I will suggest the other Avalon years and the Camry and lightly-used ES350h (is that a Camry?) that both jtsanders and texases mentioned. He likes them to be roomy and he’s into all the tech stuff (which I can live without), so if those cars are all that, he may like them.
Stop already. Any car can have a problem, brand new or used. The only real problem I see with mine is this crack going on, which is actually scary to me. The others were the headlights, which it turns out EVERY car on the road has the same “problem” and the road noise. And not one of any of the cars you’ve had have ever had a problem, right??
Well, just FYI, he bought the Crown Platinum, I think it is. Couldn’t talk him out of it. He says it’s the last car he’s ever going to get, figures he’ll die before it does, and he wants for once in his life to get a new car with all the bells and whistles that he likes. Although he bought the Avalon new, so that doesn’t hold water with me, but what can I do?
This is someone who won’t tell me he’s made a drs appointment and when I happen to find out won’t let me go with him because he feels like a little kid with his mom taking him to the dr. Never felt that way before. Getting weirder the older he gets.
I’m glad he bought the car he wants with no compromises.
Maybe he doesn’t want to share his medical issues with you. If he has any significant issues, not uncommon in older folks, he might see your interest in his condition as fussing over him. It depends how you handle that stuff.
I too bought a (almost) new vehicle recently just because I wanted it and not because I needed it, for probably the 1st time in my life, and it will probably out live me being able to still drive… So good for him…
As far as the Dr thing, well, , , , , Men, you can’t live with us and you can’t legally shoot us…
I was seriously looking at getting a Crown in the two tone paint scheme. Just saw one yesterday in exactly the paint color I was considering- root beer, because that’s what it looks like to me Coincidentally, it was a Platinum trim as well. I just couldn’t see paying the premium price they are asking for it. Not too long ago, I rode with a coworker in his hybrid Avalon which is what got me looking at the Crown… I guess I’m still too frugal at heart. Congrats to your husband on his recent acquisition. You’ll get no sympathy from me j/k
A friend of mine has 2 newer cars and he said he pays $2k month in car payments. He’s retired. Works part time to keep busy. They are both Toyotas. He said they should last awhile.
With the price of cars now a days, $1000 a month for a payment would be easy to hit, paying it is a different story… What do you think a $80,000 vehicle cost a month with only a $5,000 down payment???
I did a quick car guru thing check and est on a $77500 truck with $5000 down and good credit with an APR of 8.59% is $1389 a month for 72 months, 60 months is $1601 a month (8.54% APR)… Crazy, my 1st house in 2000 was less a month than that… lol
Sometimes it is NOT about status symbols, sometimes you did without to make sure your kids did not, and now that you are older and worked you ass off since 15yo and now you just want to spoil yourself a little… I don’t give a rats a$$ what people think about me, heck I don’t even like people in general, more of a Pitbull person myself, and you can’t see most of my vehicles from behind closed doors, but I sure am loving my truck, and I kinda think after killing my back literally for 35 years, I deserve it…
The irony with the comment you are responding to is that the author always generates likes from the community for such silly comments , whereas good and constructive replies barely ever do.
I’ve bought all my vehicles used, except the rav4, and only the Nissan maxima gave me problems.
Coincidentally, it was a Platinum trim as well. I just couldn’t see paying the premium price they are asking for it. Not too long ago, I rode with a coworker in his hybrid Avalon which is what got me looking at the Crown… I guess I’m still too frugal at heart. Congrats to your husband on his recent acquisition. You’ll get no sympathy from me 
j/k