Looking To Buy An Avensis

[Simon Dean]

Hi Guys,

I've been a Nissan fan up until this point, first car Datsun Cherry, followed by Rover 216 (don't get there), Nissan Primera P10, and Nissan Primera P11-144 (1.8 Petrol).

Nissan never really made a replacement for the P11, the Qashcai is too expensive and the P12 looks a bit uneconomical compared to the 57 Plate Toyota Avensis T4 I got my eye on, £6k, 62k on the clock.

Im in two minds and looking for someone to sway my opinion.

I definitely think this is my next car. The question is when.

My current motor is a bit tatty now, doesn't give the right image, I spend around £160 on Petrol a month, this month alone though it's more like £250. I get 28 MPG so it's hugely uneconomical. The ABS ring is split causing a brake judder under 10 MPH, the boot doesn't fit, tracking needs doing, the exhaust is really noisy, and Nissan parts are ridiculously expensive.

However the car still works, the engine is sound, and with some TLC, should last many more years.

But Im still drawn to the Avensis, because if the MPG figures are right, which, according to reviews from actual users, it appears they are, I could be saving £500 to £800+ a year on fuel. The Avensis is in a lower insurance group, cheaper to tax.

Is there any other additional reasons I should go with an Avensis now? Perhaps you can assure me as to the quality and reliability, that the thing won't start squealing and vibrating a couple of years into ownership and need water pumps and exhausts and radiators changing? What's the quality like with Air Con radiators? Both Primeras have ended up getting rusted through and needing replacement. How does the Avensis fare?

I really really want one so I can stop paying £250 to Shell a month, but the pragmatist says I have a working car!

I guess one other thing I will ask before I make a final decision - iPod connectivity on the 2007 T4... Does it have a capability? I understand "Touch&Go" is only on the newer models? If so, and given how some people have a hatred of the SatNav is it possible to fit an aftermarket radio in addition to the SatNav or in replacement?

Thanks

Simon

[Heidfirst]

Hi Simon & welcome, :)

What engine are you looking at & how many miles per year do you do?

[Simon Dean]

Im looking at the 07 2.2 Litre Diesel.

Primarily because I know that THAT model has a Cam Chain.

I think I do around 10,000 miles a year.

[Heidfirst]

tbh at 10,000 miles per year I would recommend petrol.

Yes, you will pay more in road tax & for fuel but the car should be cheaper to buy & you won't have to concern yourself with all the gubbins of modern turbodiesels (DMF, EGR, injectors, turbos, DPF etc.) that can be expensive for maintenance.

Also, on the 2.0 & 2.2 D4Ds of that age there is the potential for a headgasket problem albeit Toyota have put an extended warranty in place for it should it occur.

[Speccy]

Hi Simon

I'm in more or less the same situation. I'm still running a P11 Primera but am close to plumping for the Avensis as its replacement. The Avensis looks to me like the best match for the old Primera. I find that the more you read online about any second hand car, the more you start to be put off by scare stories.

As far as I know, all of the 2003 on Avensis have timing chains, including the 1.8 petrol. If you're looking at a post 2006 model I think you have little to worry about in terms of ongoing reliability. Toyota seem to have resolved a couple of engine issues by then.

I'd just suggest that you really want to find one that has the sort of spec you like and most importantly has a complete Toyota Service History. Good luck

[Mistermena]

Scott is correct here! The amount of miles that you do a petrol engined ride would be better. So many more things can go wrong with modern oil burners now. But if your heart is set on one then I'd be doing a lot of home work so you dont end up with a friday night lemon!...

[Simon Dean]

Well I just test drove the Avensis and Im in love. What a fabulous car. I was taken around for a test drive, got about 33mpg in the Avensis diesel, and 25mpg in my Primera. If I was hitting 35 mpg, then the Diesel would be a fabulous shout, so I may just continue in vein with Petrol for now.

One problem though, I find the pedals are too close together. I've got a size 11 foot and extra wide Clarks shoe fitting, and I find that the plastic trim in the drivers foot well and the brake pedal keep fouling my action of the accelerator. It's not that bad compared to say a Citroen Saxo I've driven, but it is a problem.

As Im sold on the Avensis and really want an Avensis, is there anything I can do to make better accomodation for my big feet? if not I won't be buyinng an Avensis, and I really will be gutted. :-(

Thanks

Simon

[alan333]

The footrest simply pulls off, and can be clipped back on again in seconds.

[Simon Dean]

Before I forget, the Avensis I took a nosey at, if I can find someway regarding the pedal closeness, I noted that at low revs (eg 5th gear doing 30mph), the motor didn't like being pushed by the accelerator. Kick it up a gear to 4th or 3rd and the power was more willing.

Is that normal?

Coupled with a relatively mediocre MPG of 32mpg urban, I've heard elsewhere that the EGR can require cleaning? Also it idled at 1100RPM. Is that normal?

They had EGR's on Petrol engines from 94. I take it diesels still haven't worked out how to solve that problem?

[Heidfirst]

5th gear @30mph is way too low , Simon. I would suggest 3rd gear ( imo as a guide you get best economy ~2000rpm +- 10%) & the turbo doesn't really start to come in until ~1800rpm).

So yes, that was normal.

The idling at 1100rpm is also normal until it warms up (& these diesels are slower to warm up - 1 reason that a petrol can be better for short journeys particularly in winter).

Also, extra load (air conditioning, heating etc.) can have the same effect.

If it was still idling at 1100rpm on your test drive then you wouldn't have been getting the best mpg on your test.

As an idea over the year (mpg drops noticeably in winter) & mixed motoring I get ~45mpg & I'm not a conservative driver.

[Duffryn]

With regard to the foot/pedal problem - you and I appear to have the same size feet Simon. I also thought it was going to be a problem for me, but I soon adapted to the pedal position and don't notice it at all now, except for a short while when wearing new shoes.

Best advice for starters would be to try and wear the same shoes when driving until you get used to the pedal positions. Don't worry - it'll soon feel comfy.

And my 1.8 petrol has averaged 43mpg over the past 4years, driving sensibly and soberly!

Good luck with the car.

[Simon Dean]

I noted the 1100 RPM right from Engine switch on after it had been driven round from the back of the lot. After driving for 15 minutes and parking back up outside the dealer, I still noted 1100RPM idling.

Good to know about the higher revs/lower gear required. My Primera is engineered to deliver more power at lower revs so I can do 25mph quite happily in 5th and still accelerate.

So by doing 30mpg in 5th in the Avensis diesel, I didn't help the MPG, but from the description of things, it sounds like the high RPM indicates another fault - maybe EGR? I remember test driving a petrol Primera a while back and not getting poer until I changed up a gear, eg from 4th to 3rd and problems on hills. I suspected a clogged CAT, and may suspect some fuel burning issues here.

I'll take a look at another Avensis. Thanks for the information Heidfurst and Duffryn.

Averaging 43mpg in a petrol is incredible. On my Primera, 43mpg is the best I can aim for, never mind average. Average is probably 32mpg, but it's quite often between 25mpg for City driving to 43mpg for Motorway.

Fingers crossed for the pedals.

Cya

Simon