Avensis Mk1 2.0 Vvti Year 2000

[rockerbox]

Hello everyone -

I have just joined and hope to pick your brains a little.

A few days ago I bought a year 2000 (October) Avensis 2.0 GSI petrol hatchback (43K miles) to supplement and eventually replace my ageing but superbly faithful Carina e GLi 2ltr (110K miles).

The issue I have is that the Carina easily out accelerates the Avensis - don't get me wrong here I'm no boy racer but I have grown to appreciate

the Carinas turn of speed when it's needed now and then. The Avensis is 1290KG - 20KG heavier than the Carina but at 149BHP to the Carinas 133BHP should - I would have thought

- go better than it does.

Road test figures show the two cars neck and neck 8.7 to 60 carina and 9.1 for the avensis and top speeds 127 and 130 respectively - a very marginal difference.

The road wheels are 15" on the Avensis and 14" on the Carina - my initial thoughts were that maybe they shared the same final drive and this longer gearing effect was the

reason for the difference I experience.

Switching the VSC off makes no performance difference that I can tell. There appears to be nothing obviously wrong with the newer car - it's been regularly serviced

and another similar spec car I drove was even more sluggish - put me off buying it. The brakes are not binding - and overall the car appears to be in excellent condition -

however I've not yet checked the air filter - it may have been overlooked in the servicing.

The carinas response is immediate - no lag - the avensis is lazier - more casual and unrushed - but revs freely off load.

Can anyone shed some light on this? Appreciate any comments/suggestions.

Many thanks,