Toyota Avensis - opinions?
Posted by: DIL on 14 December 2008
Looking to update on the car front. A 3-4 yo Toyota Avensis is currently top of my list. Any comments, experiences, other suggestions?
Thanks.
/david
Thanks.
/david
Posted on: 14 December 2008 by Julian H
quote:Toyota Avensis - opinions?
It's a car.
A Mondeo is a (much, much) better car.
Posted on: 14 December 2008 by u5227470736789439
A retired friend of mine runs one, as he used to work for a Toyota dealership. It is an excelent and rather dull car. It is 100% reliable [so far] and is comfortable to ride in.
I like boring things where they function as utility machines. I have a very boring car myself: Volvo 240 DL, twenty years old, and ten of those with me ...
I am not sure the Toyota would like a Swedish winter as well as a Volvo though ...
ATB from George
I like boring things where they function as utility machines. I have a very boring car myself: Volvo 240 DL, twenty years old, and ten of those with me ...
I am not sure the Toyota would like a Swedish winter as well as a Volvo though ...
ATB from George
Posted on: 14 December 2008 by Staedtler
I have to acho George on this one, a work colleague has one and it's dull, dull, dull though totally dependable.
Good ride, soft handling and a very plasticy interior.
Mundano is a better motor to drive and has more room in it.
Good ride, soft handling and a very plasticy interior.
Mundano is a better motor to drive and has more room in it.
Posted on: 14 December 2008 by northpole
David
What else do you have on the list?
Peter
What else do you have on the list?
Peter
Posted on: 14 December 2008 by DIL
Well, the Toyota obviously. Suggested by the independent mechanic I use. Supposedly v. reliable. (Avoid Avensis pre 2003?)
Passat, seems OK, but a bit boring. (Maybe like the Avensis.) Couple of friends have them.
Audi A4 / A6. Last 3 cars have been Audi's (80's, so I'm long overdue for an upgrade.) My brother currently runs an A6 diesel. Nice, but seem expensive for what you get.
Volvo V70. NO. Too small. I'm 1.95 and they lack those couple of cm of leg room. Small in the back too.
SAAB. No. No good reason.
French cars. Non. Dislike originates from early mechanicing on Renault. Why do they build the entire car starting with the bit you want to get at?
Ford. Don't know why, but never liked them. Maybe I should test drive a Mondeo. Any particular engine / year(s) to avoid?
BMW, Merc...
You get the picture.
/dl
Passat, seems OK, but a bit boring. (Maybe like the Avensis.) Couple of friends have them.
Audi A4 / A6. Last 3 cars have been Audi's (80's, so I'm long overdue for an upgrade.) My brother currently runs an A6 diesel. Nice, but seem expensive for what you get.
Volvo V70. NO. Too small. I'm 1.95 and they lack those couple of cm of leg room. Small in the back too.
SAAB. No. No good reason.
French cars. Non. Dislike originates from early mechanicing on Renault. Why do they build the entire car starting with the bit you want to get at?
Ford. Don't know why, but never liked them. Maybe I should test drive a Mondeo. Any particular engine / year(s) to avoid?
BMW, Merc...
You get the picture.
/dl
Posted on: 14 December 2008 by u5227470736789439
quote:... the Toyota obviously. Suggested by the independent mechanic I use. Supposedly v. reliable...
The best of all reason to go with it, unless image is more important than function ...
George
Posted on: 14 December 2008 by bwolke
quote:Originally posted by David Legge:
French cars. Non. Dislike originates from early mechanicing on Renault. Why do they build the entire car starting with the bit you want to get at?
true, my dad has a Renault Mégane Scenic and it's a pain to work on but what you get in return is a lot of space in the interior. The suspension is too soft for my liking and you get a fair amount of under steer when you speed through corners. quote:Originally posted by David Legge:
Ford. Don't know why, but never liked them. Maybe I should test drive a Mondeo. Any particular engine / year(s) to avoid?
I also never liked them until I rented a Ford C-Max 1.8 to drive to Paris and back last summer. I thought it was an excellent car and this experience changed my brand perception of Ford.
quote:Originally posted by David Legge:
BMW, Merc...
My favorite car is a BMW 116i I rented one to drive from Paris to Amsterdam and back. I think it's an ugly car but I just love the rear wheel drive and you don't see how ugly it is when you are inside anyway but considering you live in Sweden rear wheel drive is a pain when the road is frozen, especially with a 116i which is not very heavy at the front.
Posted on: 14 December 2008 by dsteady
quote:Originally posted by David Legge:
Well, the Toyota obviously. Suggested by the independent mechanic I use. Supposedly v. reliable. (Avoid Avensis pre 2003?)
Passat, seems OK, but a bit boring. (Maybe like the Avensis.) Couple of friends have them.
Audi A4 / A6. Last 3 cars have been Audi's (80's, so I'm long overdue for an upgrade.) My brother currently runs an A6 diesel. Nice, but seem expensive for what you get.
Volvo V70. NO. Too small. I'm 1.95 and they lack those couple of cm of leg room. Small in the back too.
SAAB. No. No good reason.
French cars. Non. Dislike originates from early mechanicing on Renault. Why do they build the entire car starting with the bit you want to get at?
Ford. Don't know why, but never liked them. Maybe I should test drive a Mondeo. Any particular engine / year(s) to avoid?
BMW, Merc...
You get the picture.
/dl
Audi has come a long way since the 80's. I love my '03 A4, and am waiting, perhaps in vain, for a diesel version of the new A4 to come to the US.
dn'l
Posted on: 14 December 2008 by full ahead
Mazda 6,there you go,looks well ,goes well,reliable and cheap (compared to some}to service.
George
George
Posted on: 15 December 2008 by DAVOhorn
Dear David,
A toyota is a car and a car only.
it starts it stops s bit like fridge or a white good.
If that is all you want from a car then you will not be disappointed by a Toyota.
When i got here i wanted and HSV Holden or a FPV Ford but ins co's are still laughing.
So i bought a fridge , sorry Camry Sportivo. It is reliable quiet comfy etc etc but handling is mmmmmm well comfortable.
It will do for now or at least until i get residency then the ins co will be more forgiving and i can get something a bit more interesting. If i dont get residency then it is back to blighty.
regards David
A toyota is a car and a car only.
it starts it stops s bit like fridge or a white good.
If that is all you want from a car then you will not be disappointed by a Toyota.
When i got here i wanted and HSV Holden or a FPV Ford but ins co's are still laughing.
So i bought a fridge , sorry Camry Sportivo. It is reliable quiet comfy etc etc but handling is mmmmmm well comfortable.
It will do for now or at least until i get residency then the ins co will be more forgiving and i can get something a bit more interesting. If i dont get residency then it is back to blighty.
regards David
Posted on: 15 December 2008 by Staedtler
Try a Skoda Octavia, huge boot, good economy, comfortable and reliable, though it is a size down from what you were looking at, it's still quite spacious.
Or, for something truly spacious a Superb.
Or, for something truly spacious a Superb.
Posted on: 15 December 2008 by Willy
I get to drive a wide range of rental cars through work and one brand that impressed me but is missing from your list is Skoda. Can't remember which model. Second place would go to the Merc (C180K I think was the model).
Would agree with your thoughts on French cars. Worst one I had was a C4 and it felt so flimsy I expected it to break down at any moment.
Had several Fords and a good one is good but there seemed to be a lot of variability between them.
Avis don't seem to do much in the way of Japanese cars so can't offer any opinion on the Avensis.
Willy.
Would agree with your thoughts on French cars. Worst one I had was a C4 and it felt so flimsy I expected it to break down at any moment.
Had several Fords and a good one is good but there seemed to be a lot of variability between them.
Avis don't seem to do much in the way of Japanese cars so can't offer any opinion on the Avensis.
Willy.
Posted on: 15 December 2008 by Richard S
We bought an Avensis estate earlier this year. 2.2 Turbodiesel on a 55 plate with all the top of the range toys on it.
Toyota may not have an especially glamorous image but they do know how to build a car that works and is reliable. Look at previous JD Power surveys for the evidence. I'm delighted with it. It's the first Japanese car I've owned and it won't be the last.
Cruising on the motorway is where it's really at home. Long journeys to Fife and Berkshire seemed effortless.
For the money; they represent excellent value.
Toyota may not have an especially glamorous image but they do know how to build a car that works and is reliable. Look at previous JD Power surveys for the evidence. I'm delighted with it. It's the first Japanese car I've owned and it won't be the last.
Cruising on the motorway is where it's really at home. Long journeys to Fife and Berkshire seemed effortless.
For the money; they represent excellent value.
Posted on: 15 December 2008 by Steve G
quote:Originally posted by Julian H:quote:Toyota Avensis - opinions?
It's a car.
A Mondeo is a (much, much) better car.
The Mondeo is definitely a better car to drive however it's not necessarily better to own long term and the dealers are generally crap. My wife had a Mondeo V6 and while it was great to drive the build quality wasn't too good (we're used to Hondas) and it had to visit the garage more often than we'd have liked.
The Avensis will most likely be boring but reliable and the dealers are usually ok. It might also be worth considering the Honda Accord as that's a better car than the Avensis but with excellent reliability and dealers. The diesel version is very good.
I noticed someone mentioning Volvo as an option - those seem decent enough but a couple of colleagues got rid of theirs due to reliabilty issues.
I've also had an A4 - nice car, crap dealer. Your dealer might be better so worth considering as a long term purchase.
Passats seem decent enough if a bit boring. The Skoda or Seat equivalents and perhaps better built, cheaper and often with better dealers.
Renault - no, no, no - everyone I know who's owned one has had reliability problems.
I must be getting old because my main requirement for a car is that it starts first turn of the key every single time, no matter the weather, and that it's quiet, comfortable and confidence inspiring on long journeys.
Posted on: 15 December 2008 by Major-Tom
quote:Originally posted by full ahead:
Mazda 6,there you go,looks well ,goes well,reliable and cheap (compared to some}to service.
Another vote for the Mazda here. Having had a Merc. & BMW in the past, I got sick of losing huge amounts in depreciation. The 6 is great to drive, roomy & totally reliable. ( Looks good too) Try one before you decide.
Regards
MT
George
Posted on: 15 December 2008 by Guido Fawkes
quote:It might also be worth considering the Honda Accord as that's a better car than the Avensis but with excellent reliability and dealers. The diesel version is very good.
I have a Honda Accord diesel guzzler and this is what I found - please click here.
Buy an Avensis .... or a Prius .... or a Subaru Impreza (had one of those it was very reliable).
ATB Rotf
Posted on: 15 December 2008 by Willy
Must also admit that I'm a Honda owner and I'll never buy another.
Of all the cars I can report on long term the least troublesome would be a toss up between a Mazda 323 nad my old TR7 ragtop (based on the assumption that the Triumph was meant to leak - couldn't have leaked that much unless they'd designed it to do so..could it?).
Most troublesome, Sierra XR4X4 once it got past 150k. Closely followed by Porsche 968.
When I replace Mrs Willy's car next year it'll probably be a Mazda 5.
Willy.
Of all the cars I can report on long term the least troublesome would be a toss up between a Mazda 323 nad my old TR7 ragtop (based on the assumption that the Triumph was meant to leak - couldn't have leaked that much unless they'd designed it to do so..could it?).
Most troublesome, Sierra XR4X4 once it got past 150k. Closely followed by Porsche 968.
When I replace Mrs Willy's car next year it'll probably be a Mazda 5.
Willy.
Posted on: 15 December 2008 by Martin M
Think Subaru Legacy. Good to drive, grippy, safe, comfortable and reliable. Great soundtrack of flat-four burble. Lanky-compatible (I'm tall also and fit well). Can lug a ton of stuff too.
Else just buy something Japanese.
Else just buy something Japanese.
Posted on: 19 December 2008 by JohanR
quote:It's a car.
A Mondeo is a (much, much) better car.
As someone who has both a Ford (company car) ans a Toyota (sports car) I would say that it's not that simple. But one thing is certain, if you want a reliable car, buy the Toyota. Or any other Jap car.
quote:I am not sure the Toyota would like a Swedish winter as well as a Volvo though ...
Funny you should mention it, George. When Japanes cars started to sell in any numbers in Sweden in the 1970's they rusted like hell in the salt infested winters. There is a story that the Swedish importer of one of the brands contacted the Japanese manufacturer and told them just that. They simply didn't understand what he was on about. Finally he had to send a whole car back to Japan to make them understand.
Nowadays japanes cars doesn't rust more than any others.
quote:Volvo V70. NO. Too small. I'm 1.95 and they lack those couple of cm of leg room. Small in the back too.
This is strange. We Swedes are supposed to be vey tall Vikings, I'm 188 myself (not that tall) and simply doesn't fit into any Swedish car, supposedly made by said Vikings...
JohanR
Posted on: 19 December 2008 by u5227470736789439
Dear Johan [R],
Concerning rusting Jap cars in Scandinavia [Norway in fact], and your point about the 1970s, my aunt bopught a Datsun 100 and my grandfather a Datsun 260 [station wagon] and both were wrecked in three years with corrosion in 1974! [My grandfathers car before was a Rambler Classic Station Wagon, and my aunt's, a Beetle].
Quite possible that this has improved!
I still have my now twenty year old Volvo 240, and have decided to run it on until I die as that seems to be likely to happen before the car does. I am only 1.68 metres, and have still managed the trick of bashing my head getting in!
ATB from George
Concerning rusting Jap cars in Scandinavia [Norway in fact], and your point about the 1970s, my aunt bopught a Datsun 100 and my grandfather a Datsun 260 [station wagon] and both were wrecked in three years with corrosion in 1974! [My grandfathers car before was a Rambler Classic Station Wagon, and my aunt's, a Beetle].
Quite possible that this has improved!
I still have my now twenty year old Volvo 240, and have decided to run it on until I die as that seems to be likely to happen before the car does. I am only 1.68 metres, and have still managed the trick of bashing my head getting in!
ATB from George
Posted on: 22 December 2008 by Svetty
Our Avensis is excellent - first Toyota we've had. It's simply extremely competent. Not exciting, not thrilling but reasuringly competent. I'd get another without any hesitation. Much better than our merc...
Posted on: 22 December 2008 by BigH47
merc taxicab.
Avensis minicab.
Avensis minicab.
Posted on: 23 December 2008 by Mike Hughes
Bear in mind that I'm not a driver... we have an Avensis. Purchased just over a year ago after the sort of extensive research that led me to Naim! The Mondeo drives well but doesn't have the space it appears to have. It is also poorly built and has second rate customer service. The Octavia is good but has a plasticky feel. I also know people who have had software issues with them. The Avensis is very big in the boot, smooth to drive, well featured and reliable. Customer service is also excellent. Haven't needed it yet but my Dad bought nothing but for 30 years.
So, choose your car as you would your hi fi! Which sounds closest to Naim?
So, choose your car as you would your hi fi! Which sounds closest to Naim?
Posted on: 25 December 2008 by Kim71
If the Avensis was a stereo it would be a Panasonic music centre. It does the job reliably with no finesse and tediously dull.
Posted on: 25 December 2008 by u5227470736789439
Finesse is certainly an approach to reliability. Toyota has finesse in spades ...
So does Volvo, but with more idiosyncracy ...
ATB from George
PS: I would suggest Naim does reliability as Volvo does, .... with idiosyncrasy ....
So does Volvo, but with more idiosyncracy ...
ATB from George
PS: I would suggest Naim does reliability as Volvo does, .... with idiosyncrasy ....