New Avensis Purchase - Toyota Newbie Requires Help

[Caleguy]

I’m currently considering the purchase of my first Toyota, a new Avensis Colour Collection, and have a few (!) questions:-

Does anyone know when Toyota begin new offers? Start of the month (potentially any month)? On a quarterly basis? etc.

Does Toyota ever do 0% finance deals, in particular, on the Avensis?

Does anyone have any idea what dealers typically pay for Avensis models (percentage of retail list price)?

Can anyone confirm if the Colour Collection has an identical specification to the T2? Toyota & its dealers tend to say that it is ‘based’ on the T2, but Toyota do not have a separate leaflet/brochure for the CC, so there doesn’t appear to be a comprehensive & detailed spec. available for it?

Does the CC have a height adjustable driver’s seat?

Does anyone know the current list prices for the following Toyota Avensis accessories:-

Velour Carpet Floor mats

Mud Flaps

Boot Liner

Rear Bumper Protection Plate

Scuff Plates (are these of practical benefit, or merely for show?)

Are the current velour carpet floor mats the same as the ‘sound absorbent premium grade’ ones available with the pre-facelift Avensis, or have they done away with the ‘standard’ and ‘premium grade’ options?

Are there any good quality generic options for any of the above accessories?

Does anyone know where I could find some good quality pictures of the current Avensis in the four CC colours (Silver Steel, Silver Fern, Black & Dark Blue) – the brochure pics, unsurprisingly, don’t seem very realistic. In particular, I’m wondering quite how dark the Dark Blue is? – It looks as though it’s almost as dark as Black, and will therefore, presumably, be almost as bad at showing dirt?

Any other thoughts about the four available colours, that might help sway my decision (I don’t actually want metallic paint, so I am trying to choose the ‘best of a bad lot’, so to speak)?

Finally, should I be worried by all the faults that are detailed in quite a high proportion of posts in this forum, or is Toyota’s reputation for reliability still warranted (my main reason for including Toyota in a shortlist of manufacturers, is my predilection for Japanese manufactures, due to excellent reliability etc, after owning mark I and mark II Nissan Primeras, which were excellent (Because the mark III, unfortunately, did not enjoy such a good reputation, and Nissan no longer make a ‘normal’ family saloon, I have looked further afield this time)?

Thanks in advance for any help/advice/suggestions etc.

[dark andrew]

Ok so that's quite a few questions! I don't know the answers to all of them but I'll try with what I do know.

The colour collection has been available for some time (about as long as I can remember really) and is a T2 but available in fewer colours. I suppose the usefulness of the protection accesories depends on how you're going to use your car - my wife's car has a boot liner because she puts the baby's pushchair in there and that was certainly worth buying. I'm not sure what the mat situation (ie. Standard and luxury, etc) but if you want to save your carpet then I'd say these are pretty essential. One thing you haven't put on your shopping list is a rear parking sensor - the boot on the Avensis is quite long and the rear window quite high making it easy to bump into anything below the window level.

Reliablity wise I wouldn't be too concerned, most people tend to make a big fuss when things go wrong and keep it to themselves when things go right! I have the pre-facelift model and Toyota have had to change a few components on it, nothing major (headlamp units, etc) but the main point is that they HAVE changed them. My experience is that Toyota continue to develop and improve components long after the car goes on sale which is not a bad thing, then when things do go wrong they usually have a fix for it, unlike some other manufacturers who shrug off faults as features and do nothing about them.

When you look at the competion, I think the Avensis CC is hard to beat and happily recommend it.

[bjw]

I believe the colour collection has metallic paint as standard on the T2 its an extra

Regarding colour I always think silver does suit the Avensis well it gives it an executive look but its just an opinion.

Also have you looked at the Mazda 6 I don't know when it is to be replaced with an updated model

[Caleguy]

Ok so that's quite a few questions! I don't know the answers to all of them but I'll try with what I do know.

The colour collection has been available for some time

SNIP

Thanks for the replies.

@ dark andrew

I always get mats & flaps, I just wondered about the potential usefulness of the scuff plates?

I tend to be very careful, so the bumper protection is probably not essential, but there are no guarantees, of course, so I may still opt for it.

I don’t really fancy the reversing sensors, somehow, even though I did notice the less than stellar view through the back window – to be fair, this seems true of many modern vehicles. I tend to go out of my way to park away from other vehicles, obstacles etc. (I don’t a mind a bit of walking!), and have never had any problems in the past, along these lines (touch wood!)

With regard to reliability, each time I visit this website, there seems to be yet another (what I would consider) serious and unacceptable problem ‘rearing its ugly head’ – maybe I have been spoiled by my two Nissan Primeras (mark I & II), which have been excellent (sadly, as I mentioned in another thread, Nissan seems to have gone downhill, as epitomised by the less than great, by all accounts, mark III Primera – must have been the input from Renault!). I take your point, however, about the likely disproportionate amount of ‘things going wrong’ posts, relative to the ‘I’m totally delighted…’ posts. Still, a bit disconcerting, though.

Maybe I should start saving the ‘pennies’, and go for a Lexus, instead (I wish!).

IS250, Ahhhh….

[Caleguy]

I believe the colour collection has metallic paint as standard on the T2 its an extra

Regarding colour I always think silver does suit the Avensis well it gives it an executive look but its just an opinion.

Also have you looked at the Mazda 6 I don't know when it is to be replaced with an updated model

Yes, just my luck – ‘free’ metallic paint, which I don’t actually want!

I have always thought of sliver as a bit of a non-colour, but having seen the pictures in the brochure (the main ones, not the small ones from the ‘paint’ page), it does look quite ‘classy’, for want of a better description, so it’s definitely in the running.

I did look at the Mazda 6; in fact, it is the only other large/full size family saloon that I have (so far, at least) considered – A worthy competitor to the Avensis, IMO, each with their own positives & (relatively speaking) negatives, but I am leaning towards the Avensis. In simple terms, I would say that the 6 was the most ‘rewarding’ drive, wth the Avensis offering superior (subjective) build & refinement, though far from night & day differences, either way. In addition, the entry level 6 is out of stock, which means a factory order, and consequently, a delivery time of 3 months!

I did hear that it is due for replacement, but not sure when.

[bjw]

Don't forget to haggle hard( I am sure you will) as there are some good deals about on Toyota's and you can get good discounts at the moment.

Have you looked at the Honda Accord that was another car I considered

[Caleguy]

Don't forget to haggle hard( I am sure you will) as there are some good deals about on Toyota's and you can get good discounts at the moment.

Have you looked at the Honda Accord that was another car I considered

I'm guessing there is less to play with on a CC, given the considerably lower list price compared to the T2, but tentative discussions suggest a 'not inconsiderable' discount. :)

We seem to have similar tastes in vehicles, as I did (do?) fancy looking at the Accord, but with a starting (list) price of over £17000, I'm not sure I can justify it - particularly if the Avensis lives up to Toyota’s past reputation, and the less than favourable posts in this forum are the exception, rather than the rule.

To be fair to Honda, the entry level model comes with a 2 litre petrol engine; to get an equivalent with the Avensis, you would have to go for the T4, which lists at £19595 (though much bigger discounts seem to be available, compared to Honda).

Talking of prices, I notice that the most expensive (manual, petrol saloon/hatch) Avensis retails at £21095, which is well on the way to the entry level Lexus IS250!

I would be interested to learn your thoughts on the Accord and Mazda 6, and why you decided, ultimately, to go for the Avensis? Are you pleased with your decision?

[bjw]

Don't forget to haggle hard( I am sure you will) as there are some good deals about on Toyota's and you can get good discounts at the moment.

Have you looked at the Honda Accord that was another car I considered

I'm guessing there is less to play with on a CC, given the considerably lower list price compared to the T2, but tentative discussions suggest a 'not inconsiderable' discount. :)

We seem to have similar tastes in vehicles, as I did (do?) fancy looking at the Accord, but with a starting (list) price of over £17000, I'm not sure I can justify it - particularly if the Avensis lives up to Toyota’s past reputation, and the less than favourable posts in this forum are the exception, rather than the rule.

To be fair to Honda, the entry level model comes with a 2 litre petrol engine; to get an equivalent with the Avensis, you would have to go for the T4, which lists at £19595 (though much bigger discounts seem to be available, compared to Honda).

Talking of prices, I notice that the most expensive (manual, petrol saloon/hatch) Avensis retails at £21095, which is well on the way to the entry level Lexus IS250!

I would be interested to learn your thoughts on the Accord and Mazda 6, and why you decided, ultimately, to go for the Avensis? Are you pleased with your decision?

Yes you are right the discounts available on the cc will not be as great as on other models but you should get some discount I purchased my car through a car broker ( but through a Toyota dealer) and they took my trade in and gave me the trade in price I had been offered by my local Toyota dealer.

Regarding the Mazda and Honda I went to the Honda dealer and they were useless so in the end did not test it out and after having 1 Carina and 2 Avensis I thought I would try something a bit higher to get in and out more easily I did try out a Volkswagen passat diesel but was very disappointed with it there seemed to some turbo lag.

I also tried out the Rav4 but thought that was overrated I ended up with a Toyota Verso diesel the deal just fell into place if you know what I mean and I am very pleased with it. Previous to that I had the Avensis T2 and found the spec was all I needed

[Mkuk0]

Before I bought my T3-x, I test drove the Mazda 6 TS. My thoughts were:- Mazda looked better on the outside, drove MUCH better, tighter handling. Interior was a MESS, horrible red glow to the cheap plasticy switchgear, radio was very inferior to the Toyota, overall build quality was bad, seats were cheap material, and not as comfortable as the Avensis. Having said that, Mazda have facelifted the 6 since I drove it, so maybe these things are better now. I still think the Avensis looks classier though, both inside and out. No regrets choosing my 'vensis yet!!

[Caleguy]

Thanks for all the replies.

I have now got to the stage of considering which paint option to go for, which is proving to be a surprising stumbling block – check out my post “Help! - Paint Choice Advice Required”, if curious. ;)

[Shuggie]

Hi

I see you mention various protection items in your wishlist.

I added the Protection Pack to Avensis purchase. For £495, Mr T will install the rear parking sensors, boot liner, bumper protection and mud flaps.

The parking sensors are really to cover the "preventative just in case" senario where you didnt notice that bollard or your child leaves their bike behind the car. Its peace of mind more than anything else. You can get them colour matched too for no extra cost.

The boot liner is much easer to wipe clean than any upholstery. Thumbs up for that if you have prams/bikes etc... These fit the boot snugly and whilst you could use a tarpaulin, the liner is a much nicer permanent solution.

The bumper protect is shown as a black rubber unit in the brochure, but my Mr T made a great call and instaled a CLEAR one on my silver Tourer. It is not noticable from more than a few feet.

The mud flaps are discreet and help protect the car from excess spray in winter. Also, risk of stone chips on the door/underneath is reduced.

My car did not have floor mats, so I bought some off eBay for 27 pounds delivered. They are tailored for the Avensis and I am happy with them. (search for TOYOTA AVENSIS LUXURY TAILORED CAR MATS). There are other makes out there, but thats just what I bought.

Hope this helps.

regards

S

[Zimmy]

For prices check out :

http://www.rrg-group.com/toyota/toyota_Toy...Accessories.asp

[chill610]

I’m currently considering the purchase of my first Toyota, a new Avensis Colour Collection, and have a few (!) questions:-

Does anyone know when Toyota begin new offers? Start of the month (potentially any month)? On a quarterly basis? etc.

Does Toyota ever do 0% finance deals, in particular, on the Avensis?

Does anyone have any idea what dealers typically pay for Avensis models (percentage of retail list price)?

Can anyone confirm if the Colour Collection has an identical specification to the T2? Toyota & its dealers tend to say that it is ‘based’ on the T2, but Toyota do not have a separate leaflet/brochure for the CC, so there doesn’t appear to be a comprehensive & detailed spec. available for it?

Does the CC have a height adjustable driver’s seat?

Does anyone know the current list prices for the following Toyota Avensis accessories:-

Velour Carpet Floor Mats

Mud Flaps

Boot Liner

Rear Bumper Protection Plate

Scuff Plates (are these of practical benefit, or merely for show?)

Are the current velour carpet floor mats the same as the ‘sound absorbent premium grade’ ones available with the pre-facelift Avensis, or have they done away with the ‘standard’ and ‘premium grade’ options?

Are there any good quality generic options for any of the above accessories?

Does anyone know where I could find some good quality pictures of the current Avensis in the four CC colours (Silver Steel, Silver Fern, Black & Dark Blue) – the brochure pics, unsurprisingly, don’t seem very realistic. In particular, I’m wondering quite how dark the Dark Blue is? – It looks as though it’s almost as dark as Black, and will therefore, presumably, be almost as bad at showing dirt?

Any other thoughts about the four available colours, that might help sway my decision (I don’t actually want metallic paint, so I am trying to choose the ‘best of a bad lot’, so to speak)?

Finally, should I be worried by all the faults that are detailed in quite a high proportion of posts in this forum, or is Toyota’s reputation for reliability still warranted (my main reason for including Toyota in a shortlist of manufacturers, is my predilection for Japanese manufactures, due to excellent reliability etc, after owning mark I and mark II Nissan Primeras, which were excellent (Because the mark III, unfortunately, did not enjoy such a good reputation, and Nissan no longer make a ‘normal’ family saloon, I have looked further afield this time)?

Thanks in advance for any help/advice/suggestions etc.

hi. haveing work for toyota for last 10 year .the avensis cc are a good spec /car for the price with facelift model..i dont not work in sale ...the colours in red none metallic...sliver steel is a good ccolour (1co) and what about a pre reg car they are alot cheaper..we have a couple..if you what pics email and iwill send more info ..chris