Avensis T4 (2004) Sat-Nav

[Amylittlehands]

Hi all,

I handed back my Kia Picanto on a PCP deal to buy a cheap, reliable car outright ... made more sense financially! I've got a 2004 Avensis T4 and I was wondering if anyones had any luck installing an after market stereo with a screen, if so which one did you get? I managed to fit one in my old KA but it doesn't seem as easy for the Avensis T4, not entirely sure what I need to get? An example like this : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-DVD-Player-For-Toyota-Avensis-Verso-Hilux-Land-Cruiser-Stereo-Radio-USB-2G-/181995150746?hash=item2a5fc19d9a:g:AyEAAOSwMNxXZSzK

Maximum budget I have is like £120-£150, bluetooth would be nice

I haven't figured out how to use the built in sat-nav but I'd like to upgrade to something a bit more modern.

Thanks all!

[Konrad C]

The unit looks good and you only need the facia plate. Check on eBay for a facia plate with double DIN to fit Avensis T25 2004-2008.

The unit mentions 2G. If it refers to the phone signal, most data is sent on 3G-4G, Most times your phone will do the data stuff. 

As for removing and installing the new stereo there are YouTube videos:-

 

 

I searched using "changing Avensis radio".

Hope this helps. 

 

[Konrad C]

One question I would like to ask regarding the car itself, what engine is in the car. Fuel type and size? I ask to wonder if you aware of certain issues that are covered within this forum! 

The diesel is great, but needs to have the EGR cleaned. Some petrol 1.8 VVTI engines are known to have oil burning issue. Do oil level check first thing before starting engine! Anything else will be age and wear related. Just a heads up and hope you have a good car.

[Heidfirst]

27 minutes ago, Konrad C said:

The diesel is great, but needs to have the EGR cleaned.

& also may need the timing belt (& associated tensioners etc.) changed.

[Amylittlehands]

On 2/4/2017 at 8:26 AM, Konrad C said:

One question I would like to ask regarding the car itself, what engine is in the car. Fuel type and size? I ask to wonder if you aware of certain issues that are covered within this forum! 

The diesel is great, but needs to have the EGR cleaned. Some petrol 1.8 VVTI engines are known to have oil burning issue. Do oil level check first thing before starting engine! Anything else will be age and wear related. Just a heads up and hope you have a good car.

Late replies, sorry! Been a bit busy as of late. It's a 2.4 petrol (54 plate), currently SORN off the road until my PCP car is handed back, gutting! The car is in amazing condition for it's age, very impressed with the service and MOT history. Oil is as clean as can be :) Thanks for the headsup, really appreciated

 

On 2/3/2017 at 1:49 PM, Konrad C said:

The unit looks good and you only need the facia plate. Check on eBay for a facia plate with double DIN to fit Avensis T25 2004-2008.

The unit mentions 2G. If it refers to the phone signal, most data is sent on 3G-4G, Most times your phone will do the data stuff. 

As for removing and installing the new stereo there are YouTube videos:-

 

 

I searched using "changing Avensis radio".

Hope this helps. 

 

Thanks for this, I e-mailed the seller and they said it's not really compatible with my car? Shame, I'll have to have a look around on e-bay. If you have any suggestions within my budget I would appreciate it loads if you could pop them in this thread? Ideally I'd like one with some sort of SatNav ability as my sense of direction is to be desired lol.

 

I really like the look of the tablet in the last video as a satnav/sound system, I'm assuming I could potentially do this with my car? Here's a picture of what the dash/system looks like right now.

[Konrad C]

Amy, as much as I love the Avensis range, you have gone from a frugal car to the thirstiest ever Avensis made. Though the 2.0l is not that much better. Worse is the VED band K! If your car had been registered after 22nd March 2006, the VED would have been in band L - £500. Another £205 over band K at this time! Probably why Toyota ceased selling this model in the UK.

At least least you should have a fairly reliable car without the known oil burning issues of the smaller ZZ series. You do get the extra torque, plus the auto makes it more relaxing. Yes the 2.4 is a rare beast. 

Back to the audio front, there are many options. Make sure you use Toyota to ISO harness adaptor cable plus the steering wheel control adaptor. It may come with the stereo you buy for the car, or you get them separately. Not cutting of cables should be done, and every thing is plug and play.

Keep up your search as you are doing now, and check with the vendor like you did. Saves on time and money. These "no brand" android stereos can be a mixed bag in regards to specs and performance. I have kept my car standard and added Bluetooth/USB/SD adaptor via the CD changer port at the rear. It works great. 

See following plus the link within that post:- 

I went that way because it gave me the features I wanted - access to my music without the expense.

Sorry for the little rant your choice of car/engine combo, as it seems a drastic change on a week by week running cost basis. 

Konrad

 

 

[Amylittlehands]

2 hours ago, Konrad C said:

Amy, as much as I love the Avensis range, you have gone from a frugal car to the thirstiest ever Avensis made. Though the 2.0l is not that much better. Worse is the VED band K! If your car had been registered after 22nd March 2006, the VED would have been in band L - £500. Another £205 over band K at this time! Probably why Toyota ceased selling this model in the UK.

At least least you should have a fairly reliable car without the known oil burning issues of the smaller ZZ series. You do get the extra torque, plus the auto makes it more relaxing. Yes the 2.4 is a rare beast. 

Back to the audio front, there are many options. Make sure you use Toyota to ISO harness adaptor cable plus the steering wheel control adaptor. It may come with the stereo you buy for the car, or you get them separately. Not cutting of cables should be done, and every thing is plug and play.

Keep up your search as you are doing now, and check with the vendor like you did. Saves on time and money. These "no brand" android stereos can be a mixed bag in regards to specs and performance. I have kept my car standard and added Bluetooth/USB/SD adaptor via the CD changer port at the rear. It works great. 

See following plus the link within that post:- 

I went that way because it gave me the features I wanted - access to my music without the expense.

Sorry for the little rant your choice of car/engine combo, as it seems a drastic change on a week by week running cost basis. 

Konrad

 

 

That's a bit gut wrenching to read :( we can't give the car back now, it's a private sale. Is it really that bad? On everything I read up on it apparently it's a pretty good car? I'm aware of the massive road tax, was a little hitch for us but I expected that because of the engine size and age (obviously not eco-friendly) but regarding it being thirsty, is it really that terrible?

Really stressing about this now, thought I did a good thing by getting this car. Car finance was just too expensive ontop of insurance and petrol, the Kia worked out to be more money than this. So confused now

[Konrad C]

2 hours ago, Amylittlehands said:

That's a bit gut wrenching to read :( we can't give the car back now, it's a private sale. Is it really that bad? On everything I read up on it apparently it's a pretty good car? I'm aware of the massive road tax, was a little hitch for us but I expected that because of the engine size and age (obviously not eco-friendly) but regarding it being thirsty, is it really that terrible?

Really stressing about this now, thought I did a good thing by getting this car. Car finance was just too expensive ontop of insurance and petrol, the Kia worked out to be more money than this. So confused now

Hi Amy again. The car might give a good fuel return, if driven gently with a light right foot. As I said the auto 2 litre version is only a couple of miles to the gallon worse. On extra urban both cars do the same, and combined only 1 mpg difference. I have the figures for the Mk2 in the folder amonst the paperwork for my car, which is a Mk3. The worst car on the chart I have on extra urban, is the 2 litre auto estate! I am sure the very same engine is used in other Toyotas like the Previa with great effect. Don't be disappointed until you have done a few journeys. You may be surprised.

[Amylittlehands]

7 hours ago, Konrad C said:

Hi Amy again. The car might give a good fuel return, if driven gently with a light right foot. As I said the auto 2 litre version is only a couple of miles to the gallon worse. On extra urban both cars do the same, and combined only 1 mpg difference. I have the figures for the Mk2 in the folder amonst the paperwork for my car, which is a Mk3. The worst car on the chart I have on extra urban, is the 2 litre auto estate! I am sure the very same engine is used in other Toyotas like the Previa with great effect. Don't be disappointed until you have done a few journeys. You may be surprised.

Let's hope it gives an ok MPG, I managed to get a decent MPG from my Kia even though it's not supposed to be great. I'm quite an economical driver, I'll drive it around or a month or so and see how it fairs with the petrol cost.

On a side note, I was given all booklets bar the actual owners manual for this car. Seems that the previous owner didn't have it, it's really hard to find online ... apparently the car doesn't exist in the world Toyota! Do you know where I can find the PDF or even buy the manual?

[Heidfirst]

You may be able to order 1 from a Toyota dealer.

There are usually owners manuals available on eBay e.g. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOYOTA-AVENSIS-T25-2003-2006-OWNERS-MANUAL-HANDBOOK-AUDIO-NAVI-PACK-/291963360562 

Certainly your car is relatively rare but looks to be in good nick.