Can You Offer Some Advice On Buying An Avensis?

[ARIF H]

Hi eveyone,

I'm looking presently in purchasing a Toyota Avensis 05-55 automatic model. In particular, I'm looking for a 1.8 model either T3S OR T3X. I would appreciate if you can give me some advice on the reliability and performance of this vehicle as I've never had a Toyota before. I've been told that the hatch back models are better than the saloons? I would be grateful for all your experience in this area.

Thanks

Arif

[carinfront]

Hi eveyone,

I'm looking presently in purchasing a Toyota Avensis 05-55 automatic model. In particular, I'm looking for a 1.8 model either T3S OR T3X. I would appreciate if you can give me some advice on the reliability and performance of this vehicle as I've never had a Toyota before. I've been told that the hatch back models are better than the saloons? I would be grateful for all your experience in this area.

Thanks

Arif

Welcome Arif to the potentially new world of Toyota ownership!

I have a 2004 T3-X auto (2003 T4 auto before that) and i love it. I took the climate control on the T3X over the sat nav option of the T3S as you can get a better after market sat nav from the shops. (My unit was thrown in by the Toyota dealer as it happens). I THINK you get the rear electric windows on the X model, and not the S? (I could be wrong-others here will clarify that)

Mine is a saloon, in fact so was the previous car, and that is my personal preference, the light cluster on the back of the car is in my humble opinion nicer than the lift back version, and I did not "need" the large opening gap of the hatch back. The saloon was also priced more keenly to sell than the hatchbacks I looked at. If you plan on using the boot alot, say you have childrens kit to lug about - prams etc, or minicab use, then I reckon you will be better off with the hatch. I however would definitely look at the Tourer though next time for my next car. Extra space is a plus. The boots on these cars are big!

Reliability for me has been fantastic. It is serviced at Toyota dealer where I bought it from, and have not had any issues with it from a mechanical point of view. Starts everytime 1st time, drives smoothly, gear change is very nice be it on a easy cruise or pedal to the floor fast drive. Economy is I think pretty good. I am averaging 32mpg over a tank of petrol. That is mostly town driving, commuting etc. It gets about 25-30% of its life on Motorways and Dual roads.

On trips down the M4 for example, I can easily get 40+mpg with sensible pedal work.

Issues with the car, if you read other threads, you may see problems with headlamp condensation. Check your carefully, I had two lamps replaced. In fact still having an issue with one of the so called "fixed" headlamps they put on my car, but thats another story. I also seem to go through a hell of a lot of tail light bulbs. Each cluster of tail light bulbs gets replaced at least twice in a year, but that is a fairly minor point. Also being an auto, brake pads come and go fairly quickly but they are no great expense, saving can be made by having the original pads fitted somewhere else than the T dealer.

Overall I love the Avensis. My first one was involved in a high speed collision with another vehicle on the motorway. I lost the front right quarter of the car, but managed to still steer over to the hard shoulder and walk out of the car with VERY minor injuries. It is built very well, and was a major factor in me buying another one. Pretty sure I will get the new model in 2009, unless the new Mondeo lures me away!

Happy hunting.

Mike

[TeyaDog]

I have a 55 Plate HB (06 Model) T3-S and can't fault it. I've read the many issues on this forum that other owners have had with their vehicles but, fortunately for me, in the time that I have had mine I've not experienced anything other than superb performance and reliability. My advice would be to test drive both versions of the marque and decide from there.

TeyaDog

[ARIF H]

Thank you for your advice so far.....

Arif