Cvt Auto?

[rogersp]

Hi

After much deliberation I'm just about to push the go button and go with either the 1.8 VVT Auto Avensis Tourer or the Verso Auto. My days of diesel cars are now about to end.

The Verso is on available in auto, as are most of the current low mileage, pre registered Avensis Tourers. My only reservation now is the performance and durability of the CVT Auto Transmission after reading some of the horror stories, on this site, concerning the MMT Auto Transmission. Has anyone out there had any experience of the CVT Auto, both positive and negative experiences would be really welcome before I commit a significant amount of cash.

I also see that Mr T has re branded the model ranges from T2, T3, TR etc to Active, Icon, EXcel. Looking at the cars it appears to me they are mainly cosmetic changes? Again if anyone can highlight significant variances it would be appreciated.

Thank you

[Red Yaris 54]

The modern CVT auto fitted by Toyota is a very good system and a great improvement over the MMT and the early DAF and Volvo systems.

I have run a CVT Verso S for the last 2 years and have just changed to a CVT Yaris

[Whitewagon]

Having been an auto user for decades, due mainly to wife's preference of such devices, I feel I can speak with a little knowledge. Between us we have had numerous different autos from the little Daf in the early eighties, old Mini, Escort, Cortina, Granada, Sierra, Mondeo, Cougar, Nissan Sx, VAG's, various Hondas and on it goes. Just over a year ago I decided it was time to replace my Honda Accord auto so started to research what was available. I am not a diesel fan so it had to be petrol engined. I was looking for something no more than two years old and either a mid sized hatch or estate. I found that to get a conventional torque convertor auto in this size of car meant BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar or similar marques or a newer Accord. I found the new Accord estate very cramped in the back and the wife wasn't too keen on the comfort in the passenger seat. I didn't want to pay the premium marque prices either and neither did I want anything French. So to cut a long story short decided to research the various other types of auto boxes i.e. VAG's DSG box, Ford/Volvo Powershift etc. So read dozens of reviews and spoke to contacts in the motor trade and found lots of horrendous stories on the VAG autos and though supposedly better but still a similar design also discounted the Powershift boxes. This only left the CVT box. Try as I might I could not find any reports suggesting the later Toyota CVT's were troublesome, in fact reports were good. Test drove two Avensis estates with the CVT box and was very impressed. Now coming up to 18 months of ownership am still impressed, this my first modern CVT and first Toyota. The drive is superb with 4 options. You can just put in auto mode and it behaves like an ordinary auto box, you can use the stick to drive like a Tipronic box, use the Paddles for another means of changing gear and there is also a sport mode for, well, sporty driving. I find the car very comfortable and quiet, even at speed. I get a constant 37 to 38 mpg no matter how I drive it. I have the TR spec and find it has all the toys I need to make driving enjoyable. So overall I would definitely recommend it and coupled with the keen pricing and Toyota dealer service find it very good value for money. I have just one gripe, the electronic parking brake, but I would still buy another despite this. Hope this helps.

[rogersp]

Thanks Whitewagon, test driven today, very smooth and all bells and whistles.

Last of the TR specs so picked up a black one at a good price so am more than happy.

Thanks for taking the trouble to respond.

[Whitewagon]

No problem, hope you enjoy it as much as I have.