Newbie To The Avensis...

[podicus]

I am currently looking to buy a second hand diesel avensis and have a few questions...

1. If I was considering buying a "typical sized" caravan (against my better judgement) would i be better off with the 2.2 or the could the 2.0 be good enough?

2. I have seen a 2.0D4D T-Spirit ('53) with 43,000 for £10,995 is this reasonable?

3. What are the main differences between what is on the market now and what was sold a couple years back...(2.0D4D T3-X)?

4. Any major issues with the car?

5. Things to look out for when going around looking at some avensis's?

cheers

[bristolmotorspeedway]

I am currently looking to buy a second hand diesel avensis and have a few questions...

1. If I was considering buying a "typical sized" caravan (against my better judgement) would i be better off with the 2.2 or the could the 2.0 be good enough?

I guess torque is more important than power, there is little in it on the current engines 300Nm (2.0) vs 310Nm (2.2 150). Don't know how the old 2.0 compares.

2. I have seen a 2.0D4D T-Spirit ('53) with 43,000 for £10,995 is this reasonable?

Sounds a touch steep compared with an 2006 06 2.0 D4-D T3-X 15k miles for £11995 or a 2005 55 2.2 D4-D T3-X Tourer 14k miles for £11975 - both approved used on Toyota's website. Reckon either of those is well worth the extra grand (if you can stretch to it :) )

3. What are the main differences between what is on the market now and what was sold a couple years back...(2.0D4D T3-X)?

New 2.0 D4-D on the facelift (mid 2006) model - more power (126bhp vs 114bhp?), more refined and - most importantly - chain-driven cams rather than cambelt.

Other minor changes - improved stereo (also plays MP3/WMA), no lcd screen on top of dash, electric folding mirrors. 2.2 D4-Ds get cruise on all models (was only T-Spirit previously), not sure if 2.0s do? Can't recall the other changes off the top of my head.

4. Any major issues with the car?

None with mine yet :D

5. Things to look out for when going around looking at some avensis's?

cheers

I found dealers to be very variable in attitude and pricing. If you don't like the look of your local one, shop around a bit. If you are thinking of new or nearly new, take some printouts of online quotes (for new ones) in to take the heat out of the haggling.

Sorry if some of that was a bit vague, but hope it helps. Happy Avensis hunting

[podicus]

Thank you very much for your reply. Very helpful - especially the differences between the old and new.

I thought the t-spirit was over priced...hence I am not really persuing it.

I am a little bit disappointed that the facelift has all the bells and whistles that i liked when i took out a 56 t3-x out for a test drive...and the old one doesnt...

thanks again

marcus.

[Dunkelmann]

I am a little bit disappointed that the facelift has all the bells and whistles that i liked when i took out a 56 t3-x out for a test drive...and the old one doesnt...

I've test driven the old 2.0L and the new one. The new one was much better (and yes it has cruise control). If your budget stretched to it and you wanted a 2L then go for the facelift. It also has improved emissions and mpg in case they are factors.

I also drove the 2.2L. A fair bit more oomph but too much for my modest needs. However if I had a budget that wouldn't extend to the new 2L, I'd definitely go for an older 2.2L.