New Avensis Owner

[stan]

I am in the process of buying my first Toyota, which is a 2001 1.8 Avensis GS Hatchback with 24,000 miles on the clock.

Would appreciate Avensis owners views, on reports of Clutch and Gearbox problems,and also poor visibility when parking this model.

[SMW]

Don't know of clutch / gearbox issues. Agree rear visisbility is not great but is OK.

Only moans I've heard are about interior rattles and general build quality not up to Toyota usual high standards.

Why not buy mine ? Click link below

[nezerr]

dont buy a 2000-2003 avensis very poor cars imo but hey maybe i just got two bad ones in a row?

[jamesholden]

dont buy a 2000-2003 avensis very poor cars imo but hey maybe i just got two bad ones in a row?

I think it runs across most of them because my 98 model is absolute too - stick to either Japanese built cars or if you must buy something made in Britain then get a pre 2000 Nissan.

If you like the Avensis - see if you can get a Camry, they are far superior for build and quality and don't cost anymore really on the used market, especially considering the extra luxury.

I think Toyota's downfall in this sector started with the CarinaE then got worse with the first gen Avensis - as said above they are not to Toyota's usual standard and I have first hand experience to prove this as we have personal experience of many other Toyotas and all the Japanese stuff has proved flawless.

[yannick]

Just to come in and defend Toyota & the Avensis...

the new generation Avensis (T25, 2003 onwards) is superbly built, and is made in the UK. I know that it's not everybody's cup of tea, and that there aren't that many on the second hand market yet, but I feel that you should all be aware that UK built Toyotas can be OK

[jamesholden]

I'm sure the new Avensis is better built, they have passed the first tests of not having many early life problems but time will tell if they get worse with age.

Burnaston is capable of making reasonable cars because the old Corolla (british made ones obviously) were not bad and certainly better, it's more to do with because there is a smaller profit margin on large family cars as half of them will goto fleets so they have to be able to be sold cheaply and the old Avensis unfortunately was cut a little too far in quality of materials and probably testing due to the electrical gremlins - the pre facelift engines though were a treat as they were a tried and tested design. I'm not a huge fan of the VVT-i ones as they don't seem to be as smooth or quiet, even my dads LS400 which has a VVT-i engine does not sound as smooth from the outside as the previous generations - it must be a characteristic of the VVT-i units.

Anyway back to the point, the new Avensis is the best built family car that Toytota have made in the UK in terms of quality, then I would say the CarinaE then the early Avensis with probably the facelift ones being the worst, you only have push the centre of the dashboard and hear them move and creek to find out (a test I performed last week on one - ones that dont move or creak from a good push with the leg means that they are solid).

[Starensis]

I have a 2001 VVT-I Avensis & agree about the rattles etc! Most of mine have now been resolved, however, working in the industry I must comment on build quality of cars.

Having worked for Toyota, I believe their Quality control is second to none & all other Manufacturers strive to follow their Manufacturing systems. As for rattles, most ( if not all ) Manufacturers do not test all cars for these issues! Most only audit 4/5 cars per day & some do NOT test for rattles at all!

People must remember the Avensis is a Volume car & unfortunately suffer the same problems as everyone else..........human error!

I have worked for & owned numerous Manufacturers cars & can say that my Avensis IS the best car I've owned!! I previously owned Rovers & Fords, but none of them have even come close to my Toyota.

As for the VVT-I engine, just look at all the other Manufacturers now following suit!

I do not really care that the engine is louder than previous engines, all I want is economy & reliability. My Avensis has given me both of these so far.

Stan, All I will say is if you are looking for both of these factors & not looking to spend excessive amounts...........go for the Avensis!

[stan]

Thanks to you all for the advice you have given me on buying a 2001 Toyota Avensis 1.8 Hatchback.

Rightly or wrongly I have decided to buy,and pick it up tomorrow.So only time will tell.

Hopefully, it will be a good buy,and give us miles of trouble free motoring.

[nezerr]

Good luck Stan hope you have miles of trouble free motoring!

After all thats been said about the Avensis they are by far the best quality car on the market for the money, and even a few squeaks and rattles dont put me off. only real problem ive had is a noise from the steering but the car drives and performs like no other ive owned. You could have done far worse than an Avensis so dont be put off

[jamesholden]

they are by far the best quality car on the market for the money

Not quite. The Accord is a better built and just as refined family car, the Primera I had was much better in terms of built, it's not just rattles, but it's also flimsiness.

I would say as a used buy, the Camry is better because they don't really cost anymore and are a world apart.

Don't be put off by the Avensis as they are on the better half of whats on the market, but there is better if have experienced it already.

[nezerr]

Its true there are better cars out there but not for the money.

I owned a 99 primera and had loads of trouble with it. First the gearbox went, then ECU problems and the car wasnt as nice to drive as an Avensis, also the Accord is more expensive to buy used and more for parts ie headlamps are £34+vat on the Avensis but £85+vat for the Accord. i paid £7000 for my 02 plate SR witch i think is a far better car on looks performance and running costs than any of its competitors. I agree the Accord is better built but not that good to drive not as many toys to play with and doesnt look as good parked next to mine

at the end of the day its each to their own but i wouldnt buy anything other than an Avensis, and as a taxi driver doing 50 thousand miles a year and have leased or owned most family hatch type cars on the market i would say the Avensis is the best for the money to buy and run.

cars ive used as a taxi (not in any order)

vectra 96 owned & leased a 2002 the 96 5/10 the 2002 7/10

xantia 97..leased 4/10

mondeo 98 & 2001 leased the 98 6/10 the 2002 8/10

pug 406 99..leased 7/10

primera 99 owned 7/10

avensis 99 owned 10/10 *

avensis 2002 vermount leased 8/10

avensis 2002 sr own 9/10

[garethed]

I've got a '98 Avensis 1.6S bottom of the range job but the build quality is great, the dashboard seems solidly built and doesn't creak at all however the window seals are a bit dodgy on the doors and the seal on the rear window looks like it is coming off, hmmm. I might not be the best judge though as my previous car was an '89 peugeot 205 gti which is built by drunk french people using special creaky plastic.

[John]

Stan, Good choice I've just bought Avensis 2002 1.8 GS. Good on mph

Guess I'm one of the lucky ones no rattles and so far can't fault it.

My wife had a Nissan had continuose rattles took it back to main dealer under warranty and I've never had such poor customer care service, I will never have Nissan again

[jamesholden]

I will never have Nissan again

Neither will I because everything made within the last few years is Renault molested and cost-cutted.

[bfckarlos]

All I can say is that I love my '99 pre VVTi. Absolutely LOVE it.

The only problem I've had besides steering rack needing grease (see thread on steering rack), is the plastic door trims (the ends on the rear door ones turn up and get caught in the front ones and break off - also see thread on door trims) but stuck them back on with no nails and seems to have done the trick. Can't fault engine at all and the only real rattle I get is from the parcel shelf.

will definitely look at them again when considering next car.

[dazwan]

I can't say I've had any real issues with my '98 Avensis 1.8 GS Saloon. I think because I have a saloon I have a lot less rattles (I understand the parcel shelf is a good source of noise). Occasionally the dashboard rattles, but more often than not it's my tin of mints or a drinks can in the cup holder making the noises.

One thing that has always impressed me is that when driving, to me the car feels much smaller than it actually is. It's only when parking or doing tight bends I realise I'm in an Avensis and not a Fiesta.

The only real let down for me is the relatively poor performance of the pre VVT-i engine. It was a big step up from the 55bhp Punto, but I have very quickly outgrown it and am looking forward to getting something with more power low down in the rev range.

All in all a good car IMO but next time I may go for a Camry or a Corolla depending on what we'll need.

[stublee]

The only real let down for me is the relatively poor performance of the pre VVT-i engine. It was a big step up from the 55bhp Punto, but I have very quickly outgrown it and am looking forward to getting something with more power low down in the rev range.

So far I'm very pleased wth my VVTI 1.8 engine ..... On average it does 38 or so mpg just running around + the acceleration speed is enough for me. Its so quiet that often when the radio is on and at a standstill I think its stalled !

[Acki]

I have owned my Avensis GS estate for one year now and love it. The only problems were the interior light packed up and a tiny bit of rust was seen on the roof rails. All this was sorted (including 2 new free roof rails) under the warranty. Now the car is 3 years old I purchased an extended warranty from Toyota. Not cheap but it gives full RAC cover including Europe and peace of mind for me. I have no rattles, no squeks. I love it! Buy one, but shop arround... some main dealers overprice by almost £1000 :)

[spwolf]

Just to come in and defend Toyota & the Avensis...

the new generation Avensis (T25, 2003 onwards) is superbly built, and is made in the UK. I know that it's not everybody's cup of tea, and that there aren't that many on the second hand market yet, but I feel that you should all be aware that UK built Toyotas can be OK

hear, hear... honestly, I personally think that Burnaston built Corolla is much better built than Japanese one... we keep getting Japanese ones lately (Burnaston cant produce enough cars) and UK build is better...

New Avensis is just loads ahead of any other small Toyota in build and material quality so thumbs up for UK

[oas]

Just to come in and defend Toyota & the Avensis...

the new generation Avensis (T25, 2003 onwards) is superbly built, and is made in the UK. I know that it's not everybody's cup of tea, and that there aren't that many on the second hand market yet, but I feel that you should all be aware that UK built Toyotas can be OK

i dosent matter if its build in UK i dosent have any fhing with UK to do.

its the same factory taht they have in japan just its placed in UK

[Parva]

Bought my 2001 Avensis 2.0 GLS VVT-i about two months ago and so far I'm very impressed. My previous car was a 2.0 Primera of 1997 vintage and I'd say that they are very similar in both acceleration and fuel consumption. What I do like about the Avensis is the fact that it's very quiet unless revved hard. I also prefer the styling of it over the Primera and it looks like it means business in the black colour I have with front foglights and alloy wheels. Unfortunately black also shows up every single minor scratch too though I've managed to polish the majority of these out.

All in all I'm very happy with my purchase.