Auris - Better Than You Think?

[FROSTYBALLS]

Warranty Direct has published what they say is the top 10 'Most reliable older family cars' after analysing their warranty claim records for 2001-07. Seven of the top ten are Japanese brands.

The No 1 is the Corolla. No 5 is the Auris.

In the 2012 JD Power Survey, The Auris came 2nd in it's class - 21st overall.

[Parts-King]

As I always say, forums are to bring owners together to discuss their cars and problems, sadly, everyone puts too much focus on the problem, what we don't see on here are the tens of thousands of very happy owners to bring a bit of balance to the party

Kingo

[Bemused2]

Well said.

[AURISTR01]

Agree, reliable and a decent hatchback

Since passing my driving test 7 years ago I have changed my car every year, owned this now for nearly two years and im not considering anything else simply because its hard to think of anything that will do better in terms of running costs, insurance, practicality, reliability, and comfort beetween the range of £3-£5k yes there are faster cars but in the real world you hardly ever get to use the "power"

[Speed_Chaser]

Toyota forum is actually quite boring, because people don't have anything special to report. If someone doesn't believe me, I recommend to go and see ;)

[Uncle Buck]

I don't like saying this, but the other forum I frequent is much more involving than this one. It seems that members just have more to say & are much more enthusiatic about cars in general. I'm on my 2nd Toyota now (last car a Nissan), but I believe the key is in actually meeting people in real life meetings & making proper friends. When any cameraderie is limited to cyberspace, it's just not the same thing.

[acetip]

As I always say, forums are to bring owners together to discuss their cars and problems, sadly, everyone puts too much focus on the problem, what we don't see on here are the tens of thousands of very happy owners to bring a bit of balance to the party

Kingo

You could also say there are thousands of unhappy owners who dont use these forums.

one of thee complaints of the Auris on the warranty direct survey was suspension problems. Cant say that i seen many,

if any complaints on the Auris forum.

I always take these surveys with a pinch of salt.

Several years ago a motoring magazine hired a locksmith to see how long it took him to gain entry to locked cars of various makes.

The VW passat saloon was one of the longest for him to get into and was placed as very good in the list. The estate version of the passat fitted with the same locks was placed a lot further down the list as he was able to get into the car far quicker.

Has anyone here ever been asked to fill in a questionair about a car they have owned.

[FROSTYBALLS]

Yes. As a member of the Consumers Association, I complete their annual survey on cars. I usually complete the JD Power survey as well - right from the days when Top Gear Magazine introduced it to the UK.

At one time Toyota used to send out a questionnaire to owners after the purchase of a new car, and subsequently after each service by a Toyota dealership. Going back to when we bought a new 1996 Corolla Sportif and, as a second car, a new 1998 Corolla GS, Toyota dealerships were very keen to avoid getting any adverse comments on these questionnaires. By the time we purchased our next new Corolla (2006 Colour Collection), Toyota had changed the system and sent out questionnaires to a percentage sample.

Honda and Mazda used to do the same - when we bought two new Mazdas on the same day back in 2003 (a 323 and a Premacy), we had questionnaires after the purchase and after each service for both vehicles. Mazda continued with this until about 2010. Similarly with the 1994 Honda Concerto and the 2000 Honda Civic we had

With our 2007 Mazda 2, we had a problem after 8 months, when the coil pack and HT lead needed replacing. The coil pack was replaced without issue. Mazda kept us waiting for over 10 weeks for a new HT lead, and the situation was only resolved after I insisted Mazda fit the equivalent Ford HT lead (the first generation Mazda 2 was the sister car to the Fiesta and Fusion, and was built by Ford in Valencia). When we had first service, I completed the Mazda questionnaire, and mentioned the problem with the HT lead. As a direct result of completing the questionnaire, I had a phone call from a senior manager at Mazda UK, who got the incident manager to write to me apologising, and Mazda UK paid for the 2nd years service (saving us £300).

I also remember the situation with the Passat, and although the locks were the same on the saloon and the estate, there were differences in the lock shielding, and the estate was less secure than the saloon (pretty sure it was the rear doors or the tailgate that were at fault).

[acetip]

A i said on the survet that the few complaints it seems i think on heating and suspension,but not many mentioned about these on the forum.

though many post about engine being replaced.and several steering columns needing attention. why was this not picked up.

[Uncle Buck]

I guess the accuracy of their reports depend on the feedback given by owners. It's a pity they weren't given the full picture ie. of all the other commonly known faults.

[AURISTR01]

Reliability comes with maintenance..

Many owners may assume its a "Toyota" so they have the mentality of it being maintenance free by giving it daily abuse without any maintenace, if its well looked after it will serve you well.

From experience I can say mine has been good "so far" + its 5 years old, only items to replace have been wear items brakes, tyres, wipers, and I always give it a full service oil and filters.

You only need to listen to certain car owners not just Toyota owners who dont understand the importance of maintenance to realise why there cars give them trouble.

In comparison to your average similar kind of car Astra, Golf, Civic, who have a better reputation etc its not a bad car when you think of the survey results.

[4raver]

My last six cars have been toyotas...a Rav 4 2.0, Avensis 2.2 D4D T3X, Yaris Blue 1.0, Yaris 1.3TR, Yaris 1.4D4D new shape and now my Auris 1.4D4D TR....everyone a peach with its own quirks but each a very sweet car...each a pleasure to own.

[don21]

We bought an Auris new 57 plate 2.0d4d and initially I was not happy with the cheap plastics rattles and a few issues with my local dealer.

It has now covered 68000 trouble free miles and all I have had to do is routine servicing..

I truly believe Toyotas are not as good as they used to be but they are still a lot better than most of the others out there.

My wife drives the Auris and I now have a used Prius with 72000 on the clock also faultless.

Delighted with it as she still is with her Auris

Toyota still build a very good car compared to a lot of so called premium brands.

[FROSTYBALLS]

My last two cars have been Toyotas - bought from new. My 2006 Corolla had one warranty repair - the tailgate struts were replaced due to corrosion in June 2009. The Auris I bought in October 2009 has had one warranty repair - the passenger side cupholder broke last September. No rattles so far either.