Advice On Avensis 1.8 Gs

[johnmac]

Hi to all who read this topic.

I've just purchsed an Toyota Avensis 1.8 GS, and pick it up in 3 weeks time, it's only done 6000 miles and is two years old, 52 plate. This is the first time I've bought Toyota so I don't know of any common faults it's got Sat Nav and all the usual GS model fittings. Can anyone tell what I should check and what faults I might/likely find to have before the warranty runs out? My mate bought a Corolla and has had trouble with pinking a Toyota technician told him to change to a diiferent garage and to use Shell Optimix, I thought Optimix was just for the Jags and high powered cars, what's your opinion on using Optimix. Should I use it all the time or should I mix i.e. every forth refuel use Optimix?

Any advice is much appriciated

[SMW]

Main problems with the Mk2 Avensis is interior rattles.

Engines are fine but build quality is a bit iffy - have heard of leaking hatches , roofs etc.

Did you buy from main T - if so you could have haggled an update CD for the Sat Nav - they cost 'bout £130 GBP each.

I'm sure it's a good thing but how come the miles so low ?

As for Optimax - there are a lot of posts on here - just do a search. IMO it doesn't do much but others would strongly disagree.

[johnmac]

Thanks SMW, I've bought it from a Toyota main Dealer, after checking it over I phoned the salessman back and asked him to check the sat Nav CD for me, make sure it was the original CD and not a Re-Writable one he said he will make sure there's some instructions for it, never thought to try and get an upgrade, what is the latest CD now it's a 52 plate do you think it will have an older version? As for the low mileage the prevous owner bought it from the main T dealer and traded it in for another one, listening to the radio channels they were tuned into Rado 4,2,and 3 guess he was of the older generation.

[jamesholden]

The Avensis is well engineered but for a Toyota and compared to other Japanese cars i've owned and driven (both Jap and UK built) is IMO of very poor build quality and has the odd electrical gremlin too like sunroofs not closing and central locking issues - if you do have any troubles please don't assume thats how all Toyotas are as anything they make in Japan is almost flawless.

I am considering a Camry next but only because it's made in Japan and the one my dad had was great, but my Avensis has been a bit of a dissapointment really.

[sjrainsford]

I've just sold my GS and I have to say it was the best car i've had in a long time, was sorry to see it go.

I can guarantee you won't regret buying it, they are stupidly reliable. As mentioned before they do tend to rattle quite a bit inside. This most of these can be sorted with a bit of time. One main area is the parcel shelf on the hatch back models and the dashboard.

Highlighted problems so far have been Central locking for some, noise from the windscreen and the rear wiper not working. I had my windscreen replaced and the wiper is an easy fix. Either way, the faults are the type that don't stop the car going, so shouldn't let you down.

Happy motoring!!

[johnmac]

I've just sold my GS and I have to say it was the best car i've had in a long time, was sorry to see it go.

I can guarantee you won't regret buying it, they are stupidly reliable. As mentioned before they do tend to rattle quite a bit inside. This most of these can be sorted with a bit of time. One main area is the parcel shelf on the hatch back models and the dashboard.

Highlighted problems so far have been Central locking for some, noise from the windscreen and the rear wiper not working. I had my windscreen replaced and the wiper is an easy fix. Either way, the faults are the type that don't stop the car going, so shouldn't let you down.

Happy motoring!!

Thanks for the advice, it will be under warranty so I hope Toyota will sort any rattles out