Avensis 1.8 Gs Vvti 2000 Or 2001

[batch]

Hi,

Thinking of getting a Avensis 1.8 GS VVTI 2000 or 2001 to replace my none too reliable Laguna before it bankrupts me.

It seems to me that the above Avensis can be got with a fairly good spec at a reasonable price (5-6k). I have a couple of questions I would be greatful if you could find the time to answer.

1. Would you say the car is in general reliable? My Renault is going because it spends more time in the garage than at home! Coming onto a forum like this is bound to taint the perception of a car because people generally come onto here because they have a problem

2. Does the GS VVTI have climate control as standard or is this an option? The dealers listings seem to vary between "ar con" and "climate" so I wondered if some used "air con" for either.

Edit: May have been the GLS with climate?

3. What is the service costs like compaired to say a ford Mondeo (was going to go for a Mondeo but it seems slighly more money to get an equivelant spec).?

Anything else to look for or concider?

Thanks in advance

Batch

[Anni]

Hi.

I just bought a 1.8VVTI Vermont Sep,2000 4-gear automatic with climate control,CD,Alloy etc and paid 6000 quid.

Car is X reg with 15000 miles on clock.

I am not very much familiar with mondeo/laguna but Toyota seem like a very quite and responsive car.

I guess, it's reliability is very good at least in J D Power survey etc.

Hopefully somebody will help answer your questions.

Cheers

Anni

[Parva]

The 1.8GS has climate control but it's not the digital variety. My 2.0 GLS has the same system and it works very well. Basically you set the temperature with a regular temperature knob and set the fan to 'Auto'. If it's set to be at a comfortable warmth then basically the blower doesn't come on until the engine is warm enough to start heating the car. Once the temperature is attained the blower slows down and maintains the temperature. The only exception is if you have set the fan to clear the windscreen in which case the fan automatically goes to high speed irrespective of how cold the engine is.

There is also a manual range for the blower should you not want to use the auto setting for some reason but I tend to set the temperature to just over half way and leave it on auto all the time.

As for servicing it's pretty much on a par with most other mainstream models, not particularly cheap but not expensive either. One big plus point on the VVTi engined models is the fact that they use a cam-chain and not a cam-belt so there's no 35,000 mile service interval and another £200 saved. :)

[batch]

Thanks for the replies. On the GS non digital climate control does the aircon come on automatically to cool the car in summer, or is it purely a 'warm up and maintain' feature?

[Parva]

Thanks for the replies. On the GS non digital climate control does the aircon come on automatically to cool the car in summer, or is it purely a 'warm up and maintain' feature?

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I don't know if any variety has digital climate control, my GLS certainly doesn't (though the new shape models probably will have it). The air-con is only on if you switch it on, it's not automatically controlled. What you will find on hot days is that switching air-con on and setting the temperature to the coldest setting and the fan to auto is that the fan blows at full speed permanently. Obviously, if you set it somewhere above its coldest setting then the 'auto' function will operate the fan as required to get to and maintain the temperature set.

The 'climate control' (auto setting on fan) works irrespective of whether you have air-con switched on or not, it merely attempts to maintain whatever temperature you set. Obviously if it's a hot day and you set a cool temperature but don't switch air-con on it will just whirr away at full belt indefinitely in a vain attempt to bring the cabin temperature down to what you have set on the dial, switching the air-con on will help it achieve that of course.

Hope that explains it. :)

[batch]

Thanks Parva. The one good thing about the Laguna is it's climate conrol. Set to 20C and it does everything for you (incl air con).

I think as long as I have aircon I will cope, the semi climate control sounds like a bonus.!

[jamesholden]

Thanks Parva. The one good thing about the Laguna is it's climate conrol. Set to 20C and it does everything for you (incl air con).

I think as long as I have aircon I will cope, the semi climate control sounds like a bonus.!

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Try and find yourself a second hand Camry, the build quality is quite a bit better than the Avensis partially because it's made in Japan, but can be had with some luxury spec items like leather, and all have digital climate control.

[Parva]

There are many cars that have digital climate control and which will put the A/C on automatically but the semi-auto method that my Avensis employs is more than adequate for my needs. It's certainly 10x better than the manually controlled temperature in my previous Primera and Escort anyway. :D

[izzi613]

Yep climate in the avensis works just as well as digital but is quicker to adjust.

The Avensis is not totally reliable. Steering rack noises are a particular issue as are things like electric window regulators. Mechanically sound though if well serviced but I was in the dealer a lot after I bought mine. Luck of the draw.

You should not be disappointed though with the comfort or way it drives. Ride probably will not be as good as your laguna's but above average I find, (a friends car rides pretty badly on Dunlops mine has Michelins) Dash is squeak free though slight rattle from vent.

Overall though I love the car to bits.

oh P.s. paintwork is s**te (scratches & damages very easily) make sure the one you but is decent.

Good luck