Zimbabwe Spec Avensis

[zim_avensis]

Greetings from Zimbabwe!

Just taken delivery of my new 'New Avensis' after a seven month delay. It is a beaut, but, although a UK built export model, differs somewhat from yours:

2 litre 1AZ motor has no vvt-i and a slightly lower compression ratio to run on our leaded fuel. Obviously, no cat or O2 sensors either. Power is down to 103kw, but torque much the same. Autobox is the same as yours. Ours has a 'harsh road package' which amounts to a 20mm higher ride height and stiffer springs. We lose the curtain airbags, but retain the remaining 5. No transponder immobilser, no keyless entry. No steering wheel controls for (good) audio system. We get colour-coded side moulding strips (looks so much better than yours without!!) and fake wood dash trim. 15" alloys with 195-65 tyres with a full-size (steel) spare.

It drives really well, and the transmission shifts almost imperceptably. (It feels a whole lot more lazy than my Mazda 626, though!) Lights are excellent, paint finish (mine is 'silver steel') is superb. Steering is fairly heavy, with plenty of feedback from the road. But..... SRS light has been on since delivery, lidded box adjacent to handbrake won't stay closed, sharp 'crack' from front rh wheel/strut on hitting a minor pothole, hose between radiator and expansion bottle was loose. Hopefully our dealer will attend to these isses at 1600km service.

Otherwise, a great car, it seems.

Dave

[AvensisTR]

Greetings from Zimbabwe!

Just taken delivery of my new 'New Avensis' after a seven month delay. It is a beaut, but, although a UK built export model, differs somewhat from yours:

2 litre 1AZ motor has no vvt-i and a slightly lower compression ratio to run on our leaded fuel. Obviously, no cat or O2 sensors either. Power is down to 103kw, but torque much the same. Autobox is the same as yours. Ours has a 'harsh road package' which amounts to a 20mm higher ride height and stiffer springs. We lose the curtain airbags, but retain the remaining 5. No transponder immobilser, no keyless entry. No steering wheel controls for (good) audio system. We get colour-coded side moulding strips (looks so much better than yours without!!) and fake wood dash trim. 15" alloys with 195-65 tyres with a full-size (steel) spare.

It drives really well, and the transmission shifts almost imperceptably. (It feels a whole lot more lazy than my Mazda 626, though!) Lights are excellent, paint finish (mine is 'silver steel') is superb. Steering is fairly heavy, with plenty of feedback from the road. But..... SRS light has been on since delivery, lidded box adjacent to handbrake won't stay closed, sharp 'crack' from front rh wheel/strut on hitting a minor pothole, hose between radiator and expansion bottle was loose. Hopefully our dealer will attend to these isses at 1600km service.

Otherwise, a great car, it seems.

Dave

Ours has a 'harsh road package' which amounts to a 20mm higher ride height and stiffer springs. We lose the curtain airbags, but retain the remaining 5

We also have a Rough Road Pack and still have 9 airbags...