I have a 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid in fairly decent cosmetic condition. Until a month and a half ago, the car has been nothing but dependable. Never any major issues since purchase in 2018. I have 331550 on the odometer. After the first overheat, my trusted garage replaced the water pump and temp sensor, which had gone bad, as well as the thermostat. My shop also did a pressure test after said repair and said everything passed. Fast forward a week and a half later, and my car overheats again. Shop said head gasket is bad. I did not want to believe them at first, since there were no traditional or obvious signs of it being bad (coolant in oil or smoke in tailpipe). However, I now know it is for sure bad, after much research and informative as well as interesting videos, on top of obvious signs as of startup yesterday morning. In your honest opinion, is this car worth fixing? I have dumped $1500 so far I to repairs. My garage doesn't believe it is, and as much as I want to save her, I don't believe she is quite worth it either, as I have no clue what will go bad next in regards to costly items. My trust has been shattered in my car, but I know she doesn't owe me anything at this point. Thank you for your help!
+1 for buying another vehicle.
Even if the head gasket was fixed correctly, being an old high mileage hybrid, the next thing that might need replacing is the costly hybrid battery.
With all that said, see how much it would cost to install another engine in the vehicle so that it runs and drives, and if you can sell it closer to market value.
@itwt
I concur that going with a used engine could make sense. My 2013 was the first year of the new Avalon generation. It had a timing cover leak at 40K that was covered by Extra Care Toyota warranty. I had the surprise of my life when I went to the repair bay and saw they had removed the engine to replace the timing cover. The tech said that they often remove the engine for larger repairs. So it may be likely that replacing the head gasket would require removing the engine and considering that 330K is probably an outlier for the lifespan of this engine, it would make some sense to just install a new one. I loved that car and sadly it was totalled in a rather minor collision during Covid. The insurance company said that electronic parts were impossible to get so they just cashed us out.
As a fellow Avalon owner myself (I have a 2016), I can say that I absolutely love mine and can understand your dilemma. Avalons/Lexus ES350s can generally last several hundred thousand miles, as you are now one of those who can testify to this as well. I did a quick KBB value search on your car, and for a 2013 Avalon with 331550 in relatively good condition, you can expect to try and sell it for $6,000-$7,000 private party. How much does the shop want to replace the head gasket? This combined with the $1,500 in repairs you've already spent should be taken into consideration when determining if it is worth fixing or ditching. For some people, emotions override financial smarts because they are emotionally attached to the car. Hopefully the head gasket replacement would extend the life of the car a great deal more, but then you also need to determine if things like the hybrid battery started to go out if you'd think fixing that would be worth it as well. Hybrids come with additional costs to maintain overtime along with all of the standard maintenance. You may in the end determine that it would be better just to go find another used Avalon with lower mileage if you love the car like I do.
I'm no professional but as someone who can imagine how you're feeling, I hope I've been able to help.
@elvisal99 Thank you for your input! I have loved this car, and at first it was a struggle to ignore my attachment to her, but I know it is time to move on. Shop wants around $2500 to repair, but even they said it is not worth repair at this mileage and age. Still though, wanted to get more opinions before kicking the car to the curb so to speak. I would get another Avalon in a heartbeat, but I'm itching for something a bit bigger. Thank you again for your input!
@FR8mstr Yeah, $2,500 + $1,500 = $4,000 and that's 2/3 of what the car is currently worth without anything wrong with it. Plus, the KBB value will only drop from here. Unfortunately, getting something else looks to be the wisest decision. If the shop guided you correctly the first time and just replaced the head gasket, that would've been worth the $2,500 if that was all that you had to do. At this point, you're wise to move on. Highlanders/RAV4s are good reliable choices if you want something a little larger. Glad I could help you out a little! Best of luck to you!
After the first overheat, my trusted garage replaced the water pump and temp sensor, which had gone bad, as well as the thermostat. My shop also did a pressure test after said repair and said everything passed. Fast forward a week and a half later, and my car overheats again. Shop said head gasket is bad.
Some shop!
My trust has been shattered in my car, but I know she doesn't owe me anything at this point.
Your car is 11 years old with high mileage, it's a hybrid plus it needs a head gasket. It overheated twice in three week period. It's possible coolant and oil mixed, so no, I would not sink any more money in it. (BTW, many of us drive older cars)
@hixster Thank you for confirming what my gut is telling me with this car. I'd get another Toyota or a Honda in a heartbeat, and same here, I much prefer saving my money, and finding the quality older used car over buying new. I would consider American too, but I cannot ignore the insanely good reliability I had with my Toyota. Thank you!
@FR8mstr You're welcome. One's on instincts should never be discounted. Following your gut and ending up wrong isn't as tough as following someone else's advice and then that turning out wrong. If your Avalon (same miles) had a new battery pack and was in great shape.. the car could bring up to $8K -- but with a blown head gasket @330K, no, not me.
Maybe other members will share their view regarding your situation.