Are You Happy With Your (2003-) Avensis?

[gfoster]

3. Annoying rattle in dash (now fixed by Toyota as a known problem)

I bought an 03 Avensis T4 a couple of weeks ago. I'm very impressed (obviously, after owning a Daewoo Lanos) but once I've owned it a while I'm sure I'll start to figure out what I do and don't like about it.

One thing though: just last week I started getting a rattle in the dash on sharp bumps, like something plastic knocking under the dash on the left hand side above the air bag. I'm going to call Toyota about it next week.

Is this similar to your 'known' rattle? Do you think it is covered under warranty, if not what's the likely cost?

Update: now have it booked in for diagnostics with Toyota, for dashboard rattle and brake squeal.

Update 2: Toyota put new 'modified' (?) brake pads on, insulated the dashboard, did a safety check and washed and vacc'ed the car, all on the same day! I only expect them to diagnose the problem and tell me when I needed to bring it back. They told me the dealer I bought the car from paid for everything (a different dealer to the one I took the car to for diagnostics).

[frape]

Given some of the less than favourable posts on this forum, I wondered what Avensis owners, in general, thought of their vehicles, and whether or not they think Toyota still deserves its good reputation (for build quality, reliability etc.)?

So, are you happy with your (2003 onwards, particularly the 'facelift' model) Avensis, and would you recommend it to others?

TIA.

Hi, I have an Avensis 2.0vvti Executive. I bought the car new on Jan 2007 and up to now I have 20,000Km. Apart from the Avensis, my dad and me have had more than 9 (new) Toyota Corollas in the last 20 years. Here are my comments:

Built quality : Not impressive at all. I have replaced (free of charge) my disk plates, an axle, and the tyres in the last 5 months (5 visits to Mr T.) The dash (console) is rattling in many different places (UNACCEPTABLE for a new car).

Engine: Excellent with excellent consumption.

Handling : Good but the rear tyres have a strong tendency to oversteer. My tyres are Goodyear NCT5 (medium quality tyres). TCS works fine but VSC is NOT helping at all as its sensitivity is TOO low. (Note: The VSC sensitivity cannot be adjusted). VSC sensitivity is so low that you cannot intentionally activate VSC unless you pull the handbreak. (Note: I am assuming that my VSC is working fine since no warning light stays on after ignition).

Overall: I am sorry but I cannot recomment Avensis any more. (Note: My dad just purchased a new Toyota Corolla even though his son (me) recommended against so. This is an indication of how much satisfied is my dad with Toyota!!!).

Sorry for my negative comments. I hope it is my car that has but built quality, useless VSC and but handling.

[andrew1]

I have had an 03 T3-s until last month and was so happy with it that I have now a new TR 2.2 its a fantastic ride and is proving very good so far. One niggle is that I wanted to install the Toyota bluetooth system to run in conjunction with the Sat /Nav but was told just as I purchased the car, that there was a problem with the two working together and that they were working on it! No one seems to know what is going on and I am told they are still working on it and hope to resolve the issue soon. Does anyone out there know any more?

[albapatriot]

I have owned an 03 plate 1.8 vvti T4 Liftback Avensis with full Toyota service history since April. I have done just around 5,000 miles on all types of roads, day and night and in all weather conditions. There is not a car on the road which doesn't have a design fault or two to a greater or lesser degree. Toyota's are no different. The majority of people driving Avensis are extreme happy and I would put myself in that group. The dealerships are on the whole good but I feel that Toyota GB and Toyota as a whole could be better.

The Bad Points: I have had a major oil consumption problem which the car supermarket I bought the car from rectified by replacing the short block engine. I wish the lights were a little brighter and I am hoping that mine wont melt! but the side lights are terrible. Some Avensis have aircon, steering and gear box issues/problems. I keep my fingers crossed that mine wont be one of them.

So far I have just had basic wear and tear on a car which has 82,000 miles on the clock and is bound to have things wear out now and then.Its had a major service with a private garage (not a dealership) which was reasonable in price. They said all thats needed is a new set of tyres and brakes in 4,000 miles.

Dispite the initial problem I had with the car I love it and would definately reccommend an Avensis. But I would say to any one wanting one to buy after the summer of 2005, when most of the issues are supposed to have been rectified. Buy a diesel if at all possible or a 2.0ltr and an automatic gear box might be better than the manual which is a bit sticky and rough for a car of this kind.I still think it has a lot of refinement and luxuary though and Toyota have definately borrowed ideas from their luxuary Lexus range.

I really love my car, from its lovely deep pearlessant blue paint work to its it's big chunky and sporty styling and when you close the doors they slowly pull shut with a clunk, a sound associated with much more expensive cars. Its got an impressive trim level too shinny 10 spoke 17inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, auto dual zone climate control, auto elec windows all round, elec/heated/power folding mirrors,auto dimming rear view mirror, rain sensing wipers, cruise control, rear parking sensors, leather interior facings, elec fuel cap release, onboard computer, temp gage, 8 speaker stero radio/cd/cassette player,map reading lights, tyre change alert, sat nav with traffic avoidance,centre consol drinks holders and arm rest. I enjoy driving my Avensis and everyone who's been a passenger in the car is extremely impressed with the refinement, trim, room and ride comfort. The fuel ecconomy is good and safety features with its 5 star NCap rating are the icing on the cake.

So yes its a car with some issues as you can see from the posts on this forum but one I still love and am proud to own.

Hope thats of help to you

[stighenning]

I just love the car as well :D

I've had it since jan 2006. (avensis 2.0 SOL, D-4D)

I've done undercover rust protection with Tectyl.

Uses 0,5 - 0,6 pr mile (norgwegian mile = 10km)

Having a kid about 16month, and the car been a 5-start NCAP - I feel abit safer :)

/ Stig Henning

[belfast buyer]

review of my 2006 1.8petrol (bought 2 weekas ago)

good points - looks / spec

bad points - gear box sticky - esp 1st gear (Mr T says its fine)

steering makes a crack on full lock at low speed ( Mr T says its a fan belt (considering my next move on this one - maybe calling toyota CS.)

Handling and drive is not nearly as good as my previous car - 2000 focus

A little too slow

i wish i could sort the steering problem, i would be happy to live with the others - it is generally a nice, good value car