First Impression Of Auris

[Snert]

Hi,

My TSport (face-lifted '05 model) was in for a 40k mile service this morning at local Toyota dealers and I was browsing the forecourt, as you do, whilst waiting. The salesman came out and got chatting as he tried to sell me an Auris diesel T180 as a replacement for the old Corolla. They had a black 07 plate with 7k miles on the clock for £16,995 and a silver pre-reg 57 plate with no miles for the same money (?) both 5 doors.

I was quite keen as I'm doing a lot of miles at work just now and 34mpg is not exactly bad but not exactly good either. I was quite shocked when he told me that mid 40's was the mpg to expect from the T180, isn't that a bit low for a modern diesel?, appears from reading the forum that it's about right. Anyway, not to worry, 44mpg is an improvement on current 34mpg so I persevered.

On getting into the car my first impression was that the seats were not very supportive, not 'sporty' in design. The plastics on the door trim, dashboard and centre console look and feel a bit hard and dare I say it, cheap. The top opening glove box was a bit flimsy, a nice soft open/close mechanism would have been a good touch.

Noted, as others have mentioned, there's no backlight on the switches in the drivers door, surely a mistake, or just cost cutting?

Liked the gear lever position, felt very natural, start button a bit gimmicky but I suppose I could live with it. Good equipment level and lovely dials. Plenty space in the rear and in the boot.

Have come home to pick up the wife and read through the forum before we go back after lunch to drive it.

I have to say, unless it is absolutely amazing to drive, or the wife tells me to, I don't see me buying one.

Maybe I'll hang off and see if they bring out a TSport and fix the little niggles that you are all mentioning.

Snert

[OldSkoO1]

You'll only get 40mpg but getting 34mpg from a tsport is good.

I used to drive a tsport and compressor and i loved the change to the T180. Just suited me a lot more and i love the instant use of power. I like the interior, its no where near as nasty as some cars. Its different from the old corolla and i liked the change but i would agree its not luxurious but neither should it be.

The golf (praised for its interior) isn't even that good, its a tarted up audi at the end of the day. Mini's are the absolute worst by MILES.

I really love my T180, perfect companion to the RAV4 XTR :)

T180 isn't for everyone; t-sport can be a lot of fun and is A LOT cheaper so i doubt many people would go there. For me its a refreshing change to a screaming hot hatch. Just looking for something powerful but more relaxed as i would really like a twin turbo diesel bmw or an RS4 :)

Silly money though and majority of money would go on car finance and i've had my share of hot hatches.

[OldSkoO1]

They might release a T180 SR with some body kit on it soon and they have a V6 blade in japan; the auris with a V6 engine in it.

Whether it will make it here or not is another thing and in a recent review around a race track the T180 was as quick once you use the torque correctly as the V6 which is on paper 1.5seconds quicker.

Personally i cant wait till the supra returns in 2009.

[Snert]

Just to bring the thread to a conclusion, we didn't buy it.

Took it for a drive and it was fine, both the wife and I couldn't find fault, it was perfectly acceptable. But 'acceptable' was the problem, at this sort of money I expected something more.

Never mind, couple of months before the warranty runs out on the TSport so plenty time to find something.

Snert

[OldSkoO1]

If you want to continue on the hot hatch route you can't go wrong with a Focus ST