Thinking about buying an auris

[Marcusastle]

Hi, I’m a driving instructor and have always had golfs, however my latest one has landed me a pretty big repair bill and fancy a change. I need a manual car and I want more reliability which vw just aren’t reliable!

My dads got a Toyota Yaris which I’ve had a go in I found the bite high and underpowered especially compared to my diesel golf 2.0 tdi so I know they won’t feel the same

From what I’ve read Yaris have high clutch. I’m looking at a 2017 auris 1.2 I need a manual car so hybrid isn’t an option for me how do you guys find the 1.2 and do you find the clutch doesn’t bite til right at the top almost as if it’s worn out

[solero]

As a driving instructors car, visibility is rather poor around the door mirror area for new learners. 

[jcps001]

One thing I always suggest to people that have had german cars but want to change to Toyotas, is take a test drive, if you can, try to get the car for a few days and take the routes you usually drive. After that, you will know if you can live with it or not.

A Toyota isn't a german car. You will find a lot of differences between the Golf and the Auris. The Golf is way more refined, especially when driving bumpy roads... The Auris well, you will notice the difference.

The engines is another thing, however the 1.2t is ok, not bad on performance, but it won't be the 2.0 TDI you're used to.

Generally speaking, if the Toyota you buy is in good condition, you will save a lot on maintenance, comparing the Golf. But there are downsides...

There is a very recent thread on the forum about the 1.2t. Check it out.

https://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/218544-experience-with-12l-turbo-engine-8nr-fts/

[Cyker]

Yeah, I tend to find people who are used to german cars find Toyotas a big step back as they're used to significantly better refinement and plushness for the same money.

Reliability is a surprisingly tricky thing to sell.

The Yaris clutch bite point should be dead centre, at least the Mk1 and Mk2 were, don't have first hand experience with a Mk3. Might be worth getting it checked!

Any non-turbo petrol car is going to feel underpowered compared to a torque monster turbo-diesel, esp a 2L TDI, but IMHO your students will learn better clutch control in a petrol car than a diesel; In my experience, people that learned to drive in a manual diesel tend to have much worse clutch control because the massive amount of low end torque makes it so effortless. When they then go and buy a 1L Punto or something and try to do e.g. a hill start you see them struggle.

The AygoX is a very popular learner vehicle around here, but that does have a higher biting point. What else have you looked at? Ford Focus and for some weird reason BMW 1-series have been common learner cars down here, and I've been seeing crossovers like the Vauxhall Mokka and whatever the Ford one is used too.

 

[koji]

On 1/12/2024 at 6:35 AM, solero said:

As a driving instructors car, visibility is rather poor around the door mirror area for new learners. 

Good point!

Although very satisfied with my 2013 Auris, visibility around the right front wheel is very poor, compared to my previous cars (Seat León, Fiat Bravo). I reached the top height level in my seat, but no improvement here...

A Golf is always a Golf.

But in reliability, the Auris will win hands down (that timing chain instead of belt!)

You'd better take a test ride