New Avensis Wagon: Easiness Of Parking

[mandracchio]

Hello everyone! I've just ordered an Avensis Wagon 1.8 automatic here in Italy, but the car will be delivered only at the end of March or April. :( As always, in Italy you've got to be prepared to a long wait when you choose the automatic transmission...

Anyway, I was wondering about the usefulness of installing an aftermarket electronic rear parking system (radar sensors) on the rear bumper. Could any actual owner of the wagon model be so kind to tell me how easy is to assess the distances when parking in rear drive?

TIA,

Mauro

[jamesholden]

You could have ordered it with the car probably as it is an option. If you have only just ordered it you might still be able to add it.

As a rule, large estates are easier to reverse than their equivalent hatch or saloon as the back window is almost straight with the back of the car.

[mandracchio]

Unfortunately in Italy we have a very limited range of options for the Avensis, and the parking system is not available. The only options available are automatic transmission (on 1.8), metallic paint and satellite navigation system (small- or full-screen). Leather interior only for the diesel engine. No moonroof. :(

No choice for interior trim: black is the only option available. No choice for wood on the dashboard too: you've got to be happy with the aluminium "carbon look".

Mauro

[jamesholden]

Unfortunately in Italy we have a very limited range of options for the Avensis, and the parking system is not available. The only options available are automatic transmission (on 1.8), metallic paint and satellite navigation system (small- or full-screen). Leather interior only for the diesel engine. No moonroof. :(

No choice for interior trim: black is the only option available. No choice for wood on the dashboard too: you've got to be happy with the aluminium "carbon look".

Mauro

Other than parking sensors everything seems the same as here then.

Your not missing much by not having the sunroof, your much better just using your air-con.

[yannick]

Unfortunately in Italy we have a very limited range of options for the Avensis, and the parking system is not available. The only options available are automatic transmission (on 1.8), metallic paint and satellite navigation system (small- or full-screen). Leather interior only for the diesel engine. No moonroof. :(

No choice for interior trim: black is the only option available. No choice for wood on the dashboard too: you've got to be happy with the aluminium "carbon look".

Mauro

I bought my Avensis saloon in San Remo. I had the following options offerred:

Metallic paint

Sat-nav (small or full)

Reversing radar

CD changer

4-speed tiptronic auto

Alarm

I took the paint and the alarm. I should have taken the radar.

You should also remember that many things included as standard in Italy are options in other countries.

P.S. Personally I find the black interior OK.

P.P.S. I had the car 3 days after ordering :D

[strouf]

Hello all ... Speaking of options , does anybody know why the Diesel engine - automatic transmition combo is not available ? I drive taxi in Athens Greece and automatic would be a saver !! Wasn't available though...

[tcooper318d]

I've had a new Avensis tourer (wagon) since Mar 03. I've had no problem parking it, indeed I find it far easier than my previous VW Passat Saloon which was a right pain. As I think was previously pointed out, the fact that the back is fairly square makes parking easier in my opinion. having said that parking sensors will pickup things below your line of sight, so may be worth the investment! I did toy with the idea myself, but the ones offered had 4 sensors for the saloon & hatch but only 2 for the tourer!

[adi]

Hello everyone! I've just ordered an Avensis Wagon 1.8 automatic here in Italy, but the car will be delivered only at the end of March or April. :( As always, in Italy you've got to be prepared to a long wait when you choose the automatic transmission...

Anyway, I was wondering about the usefulness of installing an aftermarket electronic rear parking system (radar sensors) on the rear bumper. Could any actual owner of the wagon model be so kind to tell me how easy is to assess the distances when parking in rear drive?

TIA,

Mauro

the rear view on the old avensis is awful, meaking it impossible to reverse park.. if the new one is anything like the old one then i suggest getting them fitted.

[dazwan]

I'll second that!

Is the hatchback as bad as the saloon? (daft question I know seeing as few will regularly drive both versions). I think the Avensis is generally a poor car in terms of all round visibility. I have to rely on my mirrors on the motorway as I just can't see anything once it's in my blindspot, even if I turn around and look out of the window.

The most helpful thing I have is the spoiler. Without that I would have no idea where the rear of the car was. I've never touch parked, but have occasionally nudged bollards as they are just that bit too low to see when reversing.

[avensis135]

Hello!

I recently got my Avensis D-4-D StationWagon.

In Portugal we have two equipmente levels. The one I got has almost all the gadgets included (GPS, Leather interior, Wood apllications, electric and heated seats, parking sensors in the rear bumper, ...).

I find the parking sensors very usefull since it is a long car. It realy works.

The version I bought comes with a PowerKit tha delivers 135 Hp (320Nm torque). I belive it only exists here in portugal. Is it true?

Bye

[jamesholden]

Is the hatchback as bad as the saloon? (daft question I know seeing as few will regularly drive both versions). I think the Avensis is generally a poor car in terms of all round visibility. I have to rely on my mirrors on the motorway as I just can't see anything once it's in my blindspot, even if I turn around and look out of the window.

The hatchback is even worse IMO as the back window is that sloped you can hardly see anything out of it.

The visibility was far better on my old Primera, and to be honest quite a few other things were aswell apart from the engine and gearbox.

I think I might be changing the Avensis for something different shortly.

[Avensis116]

Hello everyone.

I have a Avensis D4D wagon with 116 hp, has my fellow coutry man (Portugal) said here there are 2 version my is the less equiped, but it has almost everything.

16 "alloys

parking sensor

dual air con

Mettalic paint

etc etc

and it comes with the base car not has extras, and i can say the parking sensors are essencial for the wagon to park correctely, if you can put them in your car do it you wil find it very usefull.

[yannick]

I can't speak for the old Avensis, but the new one in saloon form is a little limited in rear view vision. The high bootline makes it impossible to see the car behind you clearly when reverse parking, but I find the view out of the sides acceptable. I would take the parking sensors if I bought another one, but I've got used to it now.

There is another blind spot forwards blocked by the A-pillar, but I have the same problem on all modern cars with steeply raked windscreens.