One of the pillars of Toyota's success has been to respond to the needs of the market. When Toyota fans and owners make suggestions in the surveys, Toyota engineers listen and take their advice into the drawing board. Based on the 2004 Toyota Avalon, one could say that one of the company's flagship cars needed some redesigning touches. That's what you are going to find in the 2005 Toyota Avalon.

2005 Toyota Avalon is a great car to drive

I spent about 3 hours with a Toyota Avalon, the Touring model a few days. The following review is the fruit of my observation. What I found out was a four-door sedan that will turn heads on the freeway. Here's a list of things you should remember when you venture out into this car lot to take a spin:

1. The 2005 Toyota Avalon is very powerful: Toyota has greatly improved the sedan's engine. Instead of equipping it with a Camry engine, the new Avalon spots a brand new 3.5-liter V-6 engine which is actually used in the latest Toyota 4Runner SUV, Tacoma and Tundra pickups. On the highway, I had a quick response. It sounded like a car that young car enthusiasts (guys who like to tweak their car) would want to drive and cruise in. There's no doubt that it will appeal greatly to the leading young professionals and even the younger crowd.

2. The 2005 Avalon is sportier: It has the first dual-exhaust system on any U.S. Toyota sedan. Well, let's just clarify for our readers that there's one pipe that runs back most of the way. Then, it splits into two pipes close to the rear of the car, giving you the impression that it is a dual pipe. Gee, how many people will take the time to look under the car? Toyota will get away with this with many consumers. No wonder that the car comes in four models. It has the Touring model, XL, XLS and Limited. The Touring model is step up the base model. That's why we said earlier that most young guys and gals will be attracted to the sportier models.

The Touring model has fake aluminum instead of fake wood trim inside. It has fake texture too. If you want to spend on a model with lots of bells and whistles, you may want to consider the Limited. It's very elegant and fancy. It is a luxury car with perforated leather upholstery and seat-ventilation fans. It comes with a smart key that lets you unlock and start the car if you are carrying the key fob. In terms of security, you will be able to rest in peace. Considering that thieves usually target Toyotas, this one will be a definite no-touch car. The thieves will have to pass on this one.

2005 Avalon: Bigger, bolder and longer There's no doubt that you will first notice the length of the Avalon. The 2005 sedan is 5 inches longer than the 2004 it replaces. Some industry insiders and car fans are taking to calling the ordinary person's limo. It offers 41 inches of rear legroom. That's enough legroom to accommodate any 6 or 7 footer. If you take into account what most mid-size sedans are giving out, 36 to 38 inches, you'll soon realize that the 2005 Avalon is in a league of its own. Small cars like the Civic offer 32 inches. Talking about space, you can slide the front seats of the Avalon all the way back. You won't have to feel sorry for the passengers sitting right behind you. Toyota has done a good job of starting with larger foundation on which to put the latest Avalon. It offers lots of interior space.

Other details to keep in mind:

The Touring model starts at $29,140. The Limited starts at $34,080. In terms of safety, it has bags and bets, front-seat, side-impact bags; side-curtain air bags for front and back seats; driver's knee air bag; anti-lock brakes with brake-force distribution. This Avalon was manufactured at Georgetown, Ky.

Sources:

Here are two sources that are worth mentioning below:

To get more info, visit www.toyota.com. You don't have to take my words for it. Toyota is the source and ultimate authority in terms of information on all its vehicles.

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 10:54 PM PST

Updated: Tuesday, 28 March 2006 10:56 PM PST

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If you are looking for a convenient location to vacation with your family in San Diego, CA, Catamaran Resort Hotel may be the place for you. The following review consists of my observations of the amenities I like during my recent spring break.

For less than $1000, you can spend up to three days in San Diego, visit major tourist centers, parks, and stroll on the beach and bay. That's what I found out when I decided to take my wife and kids to the Catamaran Resort Hotel. After checking out its amenities on the web (www.catamaranresort.com), we decided to reserve a non-smoking suite. We took that route because we did not want to compete with the large crowds of spring breakers and international tourists who descend on the premises of this hotel almost every year. Thanks to its many years in the hotel business, this resort is known and popular with people from almost all over the world.

We were not disappointed too much when we got to the hotel. The first thing you will notice at the entrance of the hotel is the natural ecology. The hotel's landscaping is inviting and made more attractive with the variety of mature palm trees that dot every corner. Among some of the major plants, my wife and kids were attracted to the varieties of birds of paradise. Right at the entrance, you will find all these miniature palms that you would wish to have at your own house. In fact, this trip was also part of our research because we were going to have that tropical theme in the landscaping of our house. Then, you will notice the huge fountain that is right by the front desk area. If you park in the front, the hotel's concierges will want to park it for you for some fees. If you don't want, they may ask you to park in a farther area and return to the front desk area. Open your eyes, stand up and tell them you don't want to budge. You can tell them that you are parking there for a few seconds to take care of some matters with the front desk.

If your kids like birds, they will find some parrots right outside the front desk area. Then, they will find lots of ducks that make the shady grounds of the hotel their home. Most kids will feel tempted to go to them and chase them. Tell them not to do so. If the hotel employees see them, they'll ask them to stop and give them some lessons on animal habitat. "Please stop chasing the ducks. This is their home. How would you like to be chased out of your home?" they'll say to the kids.

Once you have taken care of your hotel issues, gotten the key and signed some paperwork, you are on your way to your hotel room. It could be located in these one-story or two-story buildings located close to the skycraper. We were on the 6th floor. We had the view of the bay. The ocean is at walking distance from the hotel. Parking is hard to find at the beach. So it's better for you to park at the hotel and just walk to the beach. Parking is great. The hotel has a three-story parking building which can fit most vehicles. Be careful when you exit the hotel. Oncoming vehicles come very fast. Bushes and trees may prevent you from seeing each one of them.

Since we were hungry when we got to the hotel, we decided to have our lunch be home-delivered from the Atoll which is located right at the hotel. Just tell them to add it to your card if you don't want to bother. Depending on what you order, you should get your foods within 1 hour or so. The wheat bread burger that I received was the best burger I had ever eaten. My wife and kids concurred. We all stepped outside to eat while facing the bay. We were already looking at our schedule. That night, we were going to go on a cruise to another hotel by taking the Bahia Belle.

The first afternoon, we decided to take the kids to Balboa and Belmont Parks. Which kids don't like rides? They got to ride the Big Dipper at Belmont Park. It was a crowded area when we got there by 3 PM. All the bikers and spring breakers were showing their stuff on the beach. It was truly a rite of passage for many young men and women. They were free to do as they saw fit. Nobody to worry about. Mom and pop were not there to tell them anything. Balboa park has all these museums and huge buildings with a pristine landscape. On the premises of this park, you'll find a fountain which the kids will love. There's also a tropical nursery which attracts many tourists.

As in our case, we decided to go to Sea World the second day of our trip. (More reviews will come on this one.) The third day, we decided to go to Wild Animal Park which is located at about 45-50 minutes away from the park. Don't worry. The hotel will give you directions to most attraction sites.

During our stay, we witnessed two weddings. While we were eating dinner outside at the Atoll by the bay, we saw the weddings being performed. The hotel can accommodate such events right on the wide open space near the sandy beach.

We had a blast. We would like to go back to the hotel next time. Maybe we will choose a different location to vacation.

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 10:50 PM PST

Updated: Tuesday, 28 March 2006 10:57 PM PST

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Mood:  chatty

Amazon.com was found to have breached a contract with Toys R Us In. So the judge hearing the case took the opportunity to lash out at Jeff Bezos and his cohorts. Jeff received a public castigation. She called them "obstinate, arrogant and childish." The judge was fed up with the company's top execs' behaviors. The judge did not mince her words. She used harsh words. Well, Superior Court Judge Margaret Mary McVeigh found that Amazon breached its contract with Toys R US which was supposed to be the exclusive supplier of toy products on the hot Amazon.com site.

The judge accused Amazon.com's executives of messing with the meaning of words. She accoused them of tweaking words such as exclusivity to suit their company's needs. She criticized Jeff Bezos's recollection of events. He had displayed selective memories. The judge was in control of her court room. She gave those virtual guys a dose of reality!

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 10:38 PM PST

Updated: Tuesday, 28 March 2006 10:43 PM PST

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Dan Brown's novel can now be found in paperback. It is sold at all local bookstores. The skinny copies can be bought for $10.00 while the more voluminous ones can be bought for $14.00. This book sold more than 43 million hardback copies. On May 9, 2006, the movie that is adapted from it will be released. This book has come with lots of controversy. So will the movie too! Read more about the court battles, catholic and christian groups battleground on the eve of the movie release.

Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 10:03 PM PST

Updated: Tuesday, 28 March 2006 10:11 PM PST

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Mood:  celebratory

A new voice is created. Blacklabelreview will bring you the best book, music, movie and technology reviews to help inform, educate and make money-saving decisions. Knowledge is power. By reading Blacklabelreview, you will be able to know the latest deals and bargains on various products such as books, clothing, prom and Quincenera fashion and other sales promotions.

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Posted by Fashionista Shopping Analyst at 9:24 PM PST

Updated: Tuesday, 28 March 2006 10:28 PM PST

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