Thinking Of Getting An Avensis

[Jamesbelfast]

Hi,

I am a new member and thinking of going for an Avensis. In all honesty I have no experience of Japanese marques.

I do relatively few miles (around 2,000 per year) as I am now semi-retired. I don't mind going for an older car as long as the mileage is fairly low and it has been well cared for. I intend to look at a 2003 Avensis 1.8 Vermont with 54K on the clock. I assume it would have the VVTi engine. Are there any known problems to be on the lookout for. Also does the Vermont range have a higher spec and if so what bells and whistles can I expect.

Any useful comments and advice would greatly be appreciated.

Many thanks in anticipation.

James:)

[jamesholden]

The 1.8 VVTi isn't one of Toyota's better engines, quite a few burn oil, there not as smooth or quiet as earlier non-VVTi either.

One point to think about though, since you do few miles, you'll probably find age will kill the car before mileage, so you would be better buying young with high mileage than old with low mileage, saves on all the town-potter wear before you get it. A good sized car will have less wear doing 100,000 motorway miles than doing 20,000 stop-start, speed bump type miles.

[Jamesbelfast]

The 1.8 VVTi isn't one of Toyota's better engines, quite a few burn oil, there not as smooth or quiet as earlier non-VVTi either.

One point to think about though, since you do few miles, you'll probably find age will kill the car before mileage, so you would be better buying young with high mileage than old with low mileage, saves on all the town-potter wear before you get it. A good sized car will have less wear doing 100,000 motorway miles than doing 20,000 stop-start, speed bump type miles.

If the 1.8 VVTi engine is prone to burn oil would an engine with 100K not be liable to be worse than say on of lower mileage? When it comes to high milage cars I am always wary. Whilst many modern engines can easily take that sort of punishment the vehicles running gear also isn't always up to similar abuse. What also peeves me that car salesmen always tend to state the cars mileage as motorway only miles as if it were the holy grail. Living over here in Northern Ireland cars don't get to experience motorway miles as we only have about 50 miles of motorway in total.

But I'll bear your comments in mind should I come across something which may suit.:)

[ch_shabs]

hi

i have a 2001 avensis 1.8 vvti

You cant really say that just because it has high miles it is going to be worse

Mine has 170,000 miles on the clock now and still runs really sweet

there is the matter of the car burnin more oil than say the non-vvti engines

i have probably done 5x the amount of miles you intend to do in a year

and top it up on good oil probably once a month

if you look after it it will be fine

and if you are going to be doing 2k a year it wont burn so much anyway

Hope to have helped

Thanks

[blue verso 56]

The 1.8 VVTi isn't one of Toyota's better engines, quite a few burn oil, there not as smooth or quiet as earlier non-VVTi either.

One point to think about though, since you do few miles, you'll probably find age will kill the car before mileage, so you would be better buying young with high mileage than old with low mileage, saves on all the town-potter wear before you get it. A good sized car will have less wear doing 100,000 motorway miles than doing 20,000 stop-start, speed bump type miles.

If the 1.8 VVTi engine is prone to burn oil would an engine with 100K not be liable to be worse than say on of lower mileage? When it comes to high milage cars I am always wary. Whilst many modern engines can easily take that sort of punishment the vehicles running gear also isn't always up to similar abuse. What also peeves me that car salesmen always tend to state the cars mileage as motorway only miles as if it were the holy grail. Living over here in Northern Ireland cars don't get to experience motorway miles as we only have about 50 miles of motorway in total.

But I'll bear your comments in mind should I come across something which may suit.:)

There was an oil burning issue that starts to occur around 40,000 miles !!some Avensis had there engines rebuilt under warranty !!

I believe the 2-0 lt engines were not effected !! another problem was steering racks and headlights holders melting all should have been sorted under warranty but you need to check this out on each car

[Jamesbelfast]

The 1.8 VVTi isn't one of Toyota's better engines, quite a few burn oil, there not as smooth or quiet as earlier non-VVTi either.

One point to think about though, since you do few miles, you'll probably find age will kill the car before mileage, so you would be better buying young with high mileage than old with low mileage, saves on all the town-potter wear before you get it. A good sized car will have less wear doing 100,000 motorway miles than doing 20,000 stop-start, speed bump type miles.

If the 1.8 VVTi engine is prone to burn oil would an engine with 100K not be liable to be worse than say on of lower mileage? When it comes to high milage cars I am always wary. Whilst many modern engines can easily take that sort of punishment the vehicles running gear also isn't always up to similar abuse. What also peeves me that car salesmen always tend to state the cars mileage as motorway only miles as if it were the holy grail. Living over here in Northern Ireland cars don't get to experience motorway miles as we only have about 50 miles of motorway in total.

But I'll bear your comments in mind should I come across something which may suit.:)

There was an oil burning issue that starts to occur around 40,000 miles !!some Avensis had there engines rebuilt under warranty !!

I believe the 2-0 lt engines were not effected !! another problem was steering racks and headlights holders melting all should have been sorted under warranty but you need to check this out on each car

The headlight isue wouldn't worry me unduly as it would be relatively easy to spot and fix as long as it didn't cause a fire. What problems did the steering racks suffer and what tell-tale signs should I be looking for.:)

[Pat2u]

The 1.8 VVTi isn't one of Toyota's better engines, quite a few burn oil, there not as smooth or quiet as earlier non-VVTi either.

One point to think about though, since you do few miles, you'll probably find age will kill the car before mileage, so you would be better buying young with high mileage than old with low mileage, saves on all the town-potter wear before you get it. A good sized car will have less wear doing 100,000 motorway miles than doing 20,000 stop-start, speed bump type miles.

If the 1.8 VVTi engine is prone to burn oil would an engine with 100K not be liable to be worse than say on of lower mileage? When it comes to high milage cars I am always wary. Whilst many modern engines can easily take that sort of punishment the vehicles running gear also isn't always up to similar abuse. What also peeves me that car salesmen always tend to state the cars mileage as motorway only miles as if it were the holy grail. Living over here in Northern Ireland cars don't get to experience motorway miles as we only have about 50 miles of motorway in total.

But I'll bear your comments in mind should I come across something which may suit. :)

There was an oil burning issue that starts to occur around 40,000 miles !!some Avensis had there engines rebuilt under warranty !!

I believe the 2-0 lt engines were not effected !! another problem was steering racks and headlights holders melting all should have been sorted under warranty but you need to check this out on each car

The headlight isue wouldn't worry me unduly as it would be relatively easy to spot and fix as long as it didn't cause a fire. What problems did the steering racks suffer and what tell-tale signs should I be looking for. :)

I read somewhere that getting to the headlights was a nightmare to do, i am sure the front bumper had to be removed, maybe someone with more info than i have will enlighten you.

[blue verso 56]

The 1.8 VVTi isn't one of Toyota's better engines, quite a few burn oil, there not as smooth or quiet as earlier non-VVTi either.

One point to think about though, since you do few miles, you'll probably find age will kill the car before mileage, so you would be better buying young with high mileage than old with low mileage, saves on all the town-potter wear before you get it. A good sized car will have less wear doing 100,000 motorway miles than doing 20,000 stop-start, speed bump type miles.

If the 1.8 VVTi engine is prone to burn oil would an engine with 100K not be liable to be worse than say on of lower mileage? When it comes to high milage cars I am always wary. Whilst many modern engines can easily take that sort of punishment the vehicles running gear also isn't always up to similar abuse. What also peeves me that car salesmen always tend to state the cars mileage as motorway only miles as if it were the holy grail. Living over here in Northern Ireland cars don't get to experience motorway miles as we only have about 50 miles of motorway in total.

But I'll bear your comments in mind should I come across something which may suit.:)

There was an oil burning issue that starts to occur around 40,000 miles !!some Avensis had there engines rebuilt under warranty !!

I believe the 2-0 lt engines were not effected !! another problem was steering racks and headlights holders melting all should have been sorted under warranty but you need to check this out on each car

The headlight isue wouldn't worry me unduly as it would be relatively easy to spot and fix as long as it didn't cause a fire. What problems did the steering racks suffer and what tell-tale signs should I be looking for.:)

With the steering racks it was a case of low speed noise on on a tight turning circle !!

http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/searches/search.asp

[patthecelt]

Hi,

I am a new member and thinking of going for an Avensis. In all honesty I have no experience of Japanese marques.

I do relatively few miles (around 2,000 per year) as I am now semi-retired. I don't mind going for an older car as long as the mileage is fairly low and it has been well cared for. I intend to look at a 2003 Avensis 1.8 Vermont with 54K on the clock. I assume it would have the VVTi engine. Are there any known problems to be on the lookout for. Also does the Vermont range have a higher spec and if so what bells and whistles can I expect.

Any useful comments and advice would greatly be appreciated.

Many thanks in anticipation.

James:)

Hi James, i tell you what,forget about the new Avensis, i have a 1998 2.0 gs td, i bought it 5yrs ago this month with 100.000 miles on it, it now has 240.000 miles on the clock, and apart from the usual mot costs(£50 a year) all i have spent in those 5 yrs is £120 on a radiator which cracked due to a stonechip, the engine on my car looks just like it did when it left the factory, it starts 1st time everytime, is reasonable on fuel (40 mpg) and will coast along at 100 mph no problem . In my opinion one of the best and most underrated cars ever built. On the new avensis, well i hired a new one on holiday 3 yrs ago from Barcelona airport for a 120 mile trip to Tarragonna and ***** what a let down? poor fuel consumption,poor acceleration(1.8 petrol) poor in general. I was actually thinking of changing my old one for the new type but im now glad i didnt, she is sitting at the door now just through another mot and runs like a watch. If you can be bothered look for a car similar to mine with about 90 to 100.000 miles, believe me you wont be dissapointed, but beware avoid the 1999 to 2003 d4d,too many problems and a bankbusting clutch replacement (never changed mine by the way) good luck

[Phoenix999]

Hi,

I am a new member and thinking of going for an Avensis. In all honesty I have no experience of Japanese marques.

I do relatively few miles (around 2,000 per year) as I am now semi-retired. I don't mind going for an older car as long as the mileage is fairly low and it has been well cared for. I intend to look at a 2003 Avensis 1.8 Vermont with 54K on the clock. I assume it would have the VVTi engine. Are there any known problems to be on the lookout for. Also does the Vermont range have a higher spec and if so what bells and whistles can I expect.

Any useful comments and advice would greatly be appreciated.

Many thanks in anticipation.

James:)

Hi James, i tell you what,forget about the new Avensis, i have a 1998 2.0 gs td, i bought it 5yrs ago this month with 100.000 miles on it, it now has 240.000 miles on the clock, and apart from the usual mot costs(£50 a year) all i have spent in those 5 yrs is £120 on a radiator which cracked due to a stonechip, the engine on my car looks just like it did when it left the factory, it starts 1st time everytime, is reasonable on fuel (40 mpg) and will coast along at 100 mph no problem . In my opinion one of the best and most underrated cars ever built. On the new avensis, well i hired a new one on holiday 3 yrs ago from Barcelona airport for a 120 mile trip to Tarragonna and ***** what a let down? poor fuel consumption,poor acceleration(1.8 petrol) poor in general. I was actually thinking of changing my old one for the new type but im now glad i didnt, she is sitting at the door now just through another mot and runs like a watch. If you can be bothered look for a car similar to mine with about 90 to 100.000 miles, believe me you wont be dissapointed, but beware avoid the 1999 to 2003 d4d,too many problems and a bankbusting clutch replacement (never changed mine by the way) good luck

James.... you buy the model you want mate I am sorry to say that 'patthecelt' is incorrect when mentioning a 'new' Avensis. He mentioned hiring one 3 years ago.... the 'new' Avensis was not in production 3 years ago

Always buy a car that is suited to 'your' style of driving. If you are not bothered about speed but want reliability and comfort then buy an Avensis regardless of year of manufacture, obviously your choice is driven by budget so buy the best you can and you will be very happy

Good luck

[patthecelt]

Hi,

I am a new member and thinking of going for an Avensis. In all honesty I have no experience of Japanese marques.

I do relatively few miles (around 2,000 per year) as I am now semi-retired. I don't mind going for an older car as long as the mileage is fairly low and it has been well cared for. I intend to look at a 2003 Avensis 1.8 Vermont with 54K on the clock. I assume it would have the VVTi engine. Are there any known problems to be on the lookout for. Also does the Vermont range have a higher spec and if so what bells and whistles can I expect.

Any useful comments and advice would greatly be appreciated.

Many thanks in anticipation.

James:)

Hi James, i tell you what,forget about the new Avensis, i have a 1998 2.0 gs td, i bought it 5yrs ago this month with 100.000 miles on it, it now has 240.000 miles on the clock, and apart from the usual mot costs(£50 a year) all i have spent in those 5 yrs is £120 on a radiator which cracked due to a stonechip, the engine on my car looks just like it did when it left the factory, it starts 1st time everytime, is reasonable on fuel (40 mpg) and will coast along at 100 mph no problem . In my opinion one of the best and most underrated cars ever built. On the new avensis, well i hired a new one on holiday 3 yrs ago from Barcelona airport for a 120 mile trip to Tarragonna and ***** what a let down? poor fuel consumption,poor acceleration(1.8 petrol) poor in general. I was actually thinking of changing my old one for the new type but im now glad i didnt, she is sitting at the door now just through another mot and runs like a watch. If you can be bothered look for a car similar to mine with about 90 to 100.000 miles, believe me you wont be dissapointed, but beware avoid the 1999 to 2003 d4d,too many problems and a bankbusting clutch replacement (never changed mine by the way) good luck

James.... you buy the model you want mate I am sorry to say that 'patthecelt' is incorrect when mentioning a 'new' Avensis. He mentioned hiring one 3 years ago.... the 'new' Avensis was not in production 3 years ago

Always buy a car that is suited to 'your' style of driving. If you are not bothered about speed but want reliability and comfort then buy an Avensis regardless of year of manufacture, obviously your choice is driven by budget so buy the best you can and you will be very happy

Good luck

Hmmm im not sure what this guy is talking about" the new avensis was not in production 3 yrs ago" What was i driving then a mirage? For your information steve i hired a 2006 1.8 vvt-i 5dr si, it was brand new at the time,with 4000 kms on the clock, and as i said it was 2006 and was the latest version for that time,so what is your point?

[Phoenix999]

Hmmm im not sure what this guy is talking about" the new avensis was not in production 3 yrs ago" What was i driving then a mirage? For your information steve i hired a 2006 1.8 vvt-i 5dr si, it was brand new at the time,with 4000 kms on the clock, and as i said it was 2006 and was the latest version for that time,so what is your point?

Mmmmm.... the new Avensis came onto the market in early 2009. What you happened to be driving was an Avensis that happened to be new at the time.

As for my point.... clearly it was lost ;)

[patthecelt]

Hmmm im not sure what this guy is talking about" the new avensis was not in production 3 yrs ago" What was i driving then a mirage? For your information steve i hired a 2006 1.8 vvt-i 5dr si, it was brand new at the time,with 4000 kms on the clock, and as i said it was 2006 and was the latest version for that time,so what is your point?

Mmmmm.... the new Avensis came onto the market in early 2009. What you happened to be driving was an Avensis that happened to be new at the time.

As for my point.... clearly it was lost ;)

Well ive seen some pretty facile comments in my time but hey you know the old saying"live long enough and you will see everything" Steve just think about what you are saying"The new avensis came onto the market in early 2009" yep just as when the avensis i own now came on the market in 1998 was a NEW avensis, it may be 11 yrs old now but at the time it was a new avensis, so again i ask what is the point you are trying to make? I mean are you serious?

[Phoenix999]

Hmmm im not sure what this guy is talking about" the new avensis was not in production 3 yrs ago" What was i driving then a mirage? For your information steve i hired a 2006 1.8 vvt-i 5dr si, it was brand new at the time,with 4000 kms on the clock, and as i said it was 2006 and was the latest version for that time,so what is your point?

Mmmmm.... the new Avensis came onto the market in early 2009. What you happened to be driving was an Avensis that happened to be new at the time.

As for my point.... clearly it was lost ;)

Well ive seen some pretty facile comments in my time but hey you know the old saying"live long enough and you will see everything" Steve just think about what you are saying"The new avensis came onto the market in early 2009" yep just as when the avensis i own now came on the market in 1998 was a NEW avensis, it may be 11 yrs old now but at the time it was a new avensis, so again i ask what is the point you are trying to make? I mean are you serious?

Read it as you wish.... lighten up and you may read it correctly

The point is lost End of

[Thermal]

Let me, as a foreigner, lighten up... B)

Today, we live in 2009, hence when we speak about the "new" Avensis, the model T27 is meant.

Back in 2006, the "new" Avensis was the model T25, which is an entirely different car both model- and quality wise.

So, when you recommended to forget about buying the "new" Avenesis because of your experiences with a new Avensis in 2006, you're recommending against the wrong car.

That was the point Phoenix999 was trying to make. ;)

Not bad for a foreigner, huh?

[patthecelt]

Hmmm im not sure what this guy is talking about" the new avensis was not in production 3 yrs ago" What was i driving then a mirage? For your information steve i hired a 2006 1.8 vvt-i 5dr si, it was brand new at the time,with 4000 kms on the clock, and as i said it was 2006 and was the latest version for that time,so what is your point?

Mmmmm.... the new Avensis came onto the market in early 2009. What you happened to be driving was an Avensis that happened to be new at the time.

As for my point.... clearly it was lost ;)

Well ive seen some pretty facile comments in my time but hey you know the old saying"live long enough and you will see everything" Steve just think about what you are saying"The new avensis came onto the market in early 2009" yep just as when the avensis i own now came on the market in 1998 was a NEW avensis, it may be 11 yrs old now but at the time it was a new avensis, so again i ask what is the point you are trying to make? I mean are you serious?

Read it as you wish.... lighten up and you may read it correctly

The point is lost End of

I think you need to get out more.

[Phoenix999]

I think you need to get out more.

:lol2: No more than you need to discover a sense of reasoning and humour ;) Now this really is the end of my input on this stupid situation

Regards

[Beagh1958]

To JamesBelfast.

Go to www.honestjohn.co.uk site. Pick whichever model your interested in & all your questions should be answered.

Regards, Beagh.