Avensis 2007 - Replace Or Keep

[gliese581]

Just joined, first post. I have a 2007 Avensis petrol 1.8 vvti. Had it since 2008, and best car ever had. Now 7 years old and done 87K. My question is this, what tends to go wrong with this engine as time goes on. Is there potentially any expensive issues these engines are prone to? Need to make decision to buy another car, or keep running this one? At the moment nothing wrong with it, had 6 years trouble free motoring. Would be sad to see it go, but as it's now not worth much, don't really want to spend a lot on repairs which could be invested in another car. Appreciate any thoughts, Cheers

[frankie406]

If it was me I'd keep if it's not broke don't fix comes to mind.if my 2003 T25 avensis wasn't using oil I'd still have it and it had 135k mikes on her.great great cars!

[avensisd4d786]

keep it!

good spacious and solid cars as you already know.

just keep oil changes and filters regular and see how long it can last. earlier models had oil burning issues as mentioned.

maybe look about changing gearbox oil if your looking to keep it. (try and use genuine oil or a good quality make)

[Konrad C]

Keep it!

'I' is spot on about the regular oil changes and the gearbox.

I am drive a 16 year old car and enjoying it.

If and when I change my car, I have already listed a couple of brands and they are Toyota the other Honda.

Your car is the last of the MK2 with every fault ironed out. What spec is the car and is it a hatchback?

[avensisd4d786]

with your knowledge Konrad I think you will go for a mk2 facelift, unless your downsizing or up-sizing. I have never had a Honda so cannot comment on them

[gliese581]

It's a T3X estate.

[Exvec]

I would keep it if it was me,your next car could be a bag a nails.with yours you know its history run it till its dead...

[alan333]

It'll probably be a good car for years to come, but it will start to need some general maintenance as time goes on. However that maintenance will be far cheaper than the thousands you could spend on a newer car, but that newer car could have bills too. Therefore I see your dilemma.

If it was me, I'd look at it a bit like this...

6 or 7 years ago I could afford, and bought, a fairly new car. That car was the current shape so it looked pretty modern. It's been comfy and reliable for all the time I've had it, and I liked it then, and I still like it. It did everything I wanted from it. But it's not looking as fresh and modern as it did when I bought it. And maybe things will start to go wrong with it. Maybe I'd like the modern shaped one again but it might not be as good.

If my requirements for the car, and my circumstances hadn't change... I'd look to repeat what I'd pulled off with that car.

If on the other hand I didn't particularly want a more modern looking car, or I wasn't doing so many miles now, or wasn't travelling so many long distances, or didn't want to spend thousands on a newer car...then I'd keep it. But I'd start listening for knocks now and then, and I'd dip the oil a bit more often, and I'd worry a bit more at MOT time etc.

I owned two T25's over about 4 or 5 years, then changed to a T27, and the difference in driving the T27 is immense. It still "feels" the same Toyota Avensis-ish...it's difficult to explain - it's like a more modern version of the exact same car...but it's so much more tighter, punchier, sharper, more modern feeling, yet it retains the soft comfy feel of the T25. All the controls and the seating position etc feel the same, they just feel more up to date. That T27 was a diesel manaul and I missed my auto, so I changed and upgraded again to my current T27, and haven't regretted it one bit. Every day I drive it I do so with a smile on my face, as does my other half.

If you did decide to update to something a year or two old, then remember it would have the 5 year warranty, so you wouldn't get any hefty bills for the next while anyway (obviously you could need tyres/brakes etc, but you get my drift).

[Druid Boy]

If it ain't broke don't fix it.

Better the devil you know and all that.

[Konrad C]

with your knowledge Konrad I think you will go for a mk2 facelift, unless your downsizing or up-sizing. I have never had a Honda so cannot comment on them

You are right I. Or I would also go for a mk3 with the handbrake fix, preferably the Tourer. Engine 1.8 Valvematic

Now the shock. I would choose a Honda Civic 1.8 FK2 over the Auris of the same age! More space flexibility with the Honda and the Honda 1.8 petrol has good economy compared to Toyota's 1.6 (especially the early short geared five speed Auris). The Auris Tourer is a possibility.

[gliese581]

Thanks Alan333. Bit dim, but what is a T27? Is it the new Avensis?

[alan333]

but what is a T27? Is it the new Avensis?

Yes the T27 is the current (2009 on) model, and the previous model (2003 - 2008) is the T25.

The T27 was also facelifted early 2012 (but is still known as the T27). The facelift is easily spotted by the more aggressive looking front end and daytime running lights. They're similar inside but the "new" TR spec has things like a touch screen stereo with built in sat nav and full ipod control, reversing camera, different coloured dials, some shiny bits where they were matt etc etc.

All Avensis' (or should that be Avensises? lol) after mid 2010 came with a 5 year warranty, so make sure it has good stamps in the book if you're looking at a used one.

[yossarian247]

Now the shock. I would choose a Honda Civic 1.8 FK2 over the Auris of the same age! More space flexibility with the Honda and the Honda 1.8 petrol has good economy compared to Toyota's 1.6 (especially the early short geared five speed Auris). The Auris Tourer is a possibility.

Is the Civic 1.8 really much more economical than the 1.6 Valvematic Auris? Honest John has them both at around 40 mpg which is about what I get from my Auris.

[john11k]

I have a 2007 D4D, strata diesel, yes I know its diesel, but it has 390 thousand on the clock, and I swear I have never had a problem with the car, and it is a taxi, I service it regular, and have done all the routine bits that has to be done on any car, I have had it four years, passed the NCT ( MOT equivalent ) first time, on four NCT,s,

I have had Peugeot 406 and 407, and a Honda, but nothing compares to the Avensis, I know in Ireland, especially Dublin airport, at least 80% of the taxi's are Avensis,,, , just see what all the taxi drivers are using, and that will be a good car, we rely on it for a living, and mine has never let me down,

I would stick with your avensis, like so many people have said here, not broke , don't change it, better the devil you know !!!