Toyota Avensis 2008 Saloon

Toyota_Avensis

Hi all,

I'm considering buying a 2008 Toyota Avensis Saloon 2.0 D4D.

Could anyone who owns a simular car give me an idea to what extras I could expect with which Spec. i.e. Aura, Luna, Strata, Sol.

Does all models have automatic headlights?
Is an Avensis 2.0 Diesal Economical?
Is noise a nuisance with the Diesal Avensis the way it used to be on Irish Diesal Cars in years gone by or has this problem been put at rest?

I've heard from People that the car itself is too big to power on Petrol as good as a D4D.

Due to it's size, has any owners out there or drivers experianced it to be too big when parking due to it's longer size than the 2001-2003 Model Avensis?

Could anyone with any information in general about the 2006 Model Avensis (It's the slight Facelift of the 2003 - 2006 Model) tell me of their experiance with the car and inparticular the economy of the diesal and the extras [features] I should expect to get with a 2006 Avensis 2.O D4D

Thanks All for you Contributions,:)

mickdw

By all accounts the D4D engine is good. I wouldnt touch an 08 avensis for a number of reasons. Its an old model now so will lose alot of value shortly. You would need to be buying this very cheaply for it to make any sense. Also they are very bland and lag behind the other manufacturers in driving experience, interior materials & finish. If you want a dull reliable car which you might keep for a long time, well its probably a good buy but if you like driving and getting a proper feel from a car, then it wont suit you.

kyote00

I have a uk spec 2007 avensis estate d4d.I brought in it from the uk in Jan 08 with 2200 miles.

I have clocked up 35k miles now - no problems at all. Gives about 52mpg on a mixture of city (dublin) and rural driving

Cant say I've noticed noise from the engine. It cruises at 70mph at around 1800-2000 rpm so the engine is very quiet.

The basic spec now has 9 airbags and stability control. Automatic lights wouldnt be high on my list of must have features...

I dont really understand the "bland" argument that does the rounds here... all modern cars are designed in the wind tunnel and built on a production line

There is a new avensis out now -- so buy at a suitable discount...

Toyota_Avensis

mickdw wrote: »

By all accounts the D4D engine is good. I wouldnt touch an 08 avensis for a number of reasons. Its an old model now so will lose alot of value shortly. You would need to be buying this very cheaply for it to make any sense. Also they are very bland and lag behind the other manufacturers in driving experience, interior materials & finish. If you want a dull reliable car which you might keep for a long time, well its probably a good buy but if you like driving and getting a proper feel from a car, then it wont suit you.

I'm chasing after a good deal which is why I have decided to go in search of an 08 Avensis.

So in relation to my original posting, any helpful info, much appreciated!

Toyota_Avensis

Should a D Reg have a stronger value than other Reg's across the country?

Alanstrainor

Bump this thread again and i'll lock it. There's no need to bump it every 40 minutes.

Lex Luthor

Toyota_Avensis wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm considering buying a 2008 Toyota Avensis Saloon 2.0 D4D.

Could anyone who owns a simular car give me an idea to what extras I could expect with which Spec. i.e. Aura, Luna, Strata, Sol.

Does all models have automatic headlights?
Is an Avensis 2.0 Diesal Economical?
Is noise a nuisance with the Diesal Avensis the way it used to be on Irish Diesal Cars in years gone by or has this problem been put at rest?

I've heard from People that the car itself is too big to power on Petrol as good as a D4D.

Due to it's size, has any owners out there or drivers experianced it to be too big when parking due to it's longer size than the 2001-2003 Model Avensis?

Could anyone with any information in general about the 2006 Model Avensis (It's the slight Facelift of the 2003 - 2006 Model) tell me of their experiance with the car and inparticular the economy of the diesal and the extras [features] I should expect to get with a 2006 Avensis 2.O D4D

Thanks All for you Contributions,:)

the uk spec T3-s would be a better alternative. wife has a Verso 2.0D4D and its no noisier than others out there. You're not going to get a quiet diesel compared to a petrol if thats what you're after

Toyota_Avensis

But I understand the noisy roaring diesals arn't worth the use to be? and Would they be much more economical [MPG] compared to VVTi Petrol Model?

All Your Comments are much Appreciated.

Mr Benevolent

kyote00 wrote: »

I dont really understand the "bland" argument that does the rounds here... all modern cars are designed in the wind tunnel and built on a production line

True, Toyota now deliberately design their cars bland to prevent the 'boy racer effect' that plagued the Glanza/Starlet. To be fair, they've succeeded. The Avensis is a great car, but it's not for someone who loves driving dynamics and was designed that way.

Matt Simis

Confab wrote: »

True, Toyota now deliberately design their cars bland to prevent the 'boy racer effect' that plagued the Glanza/Starlet. To be fair, they've succeeded. The Avensis is a great car, but it's not for someone who loves driving dynamics and was designed that way.

Lol, its not true at all due to your very correct ending comment now is it?

kyote00 wrote: »

..
I dont really understand the "bland" argument that does the rounds here... all modern cars are designed in the wind tunnel and built on a production line
.

Thats a rather silly statement. All mass produced goods are made on a production line, that doesnt mean they are all the same. Obviously.
The Avensis (and its peers, the Passat, whatever Nissan are churning out these days, the Mondeo etc) are designed to be safe and bland, its inoffensive and fits into its surroundings. Its for the grey-man who uses an auto purely as a functional tool. Its the entry level calculator, the Casio Watch or the Dunnes store business suit.. Its perfectly fine, but to think its the same as "other cars" no matter what they are is delusional.

To the OP, would it kill you to just read a car review? Whatever you think of journalists, members of a motoring forum are likely even more biased (for/against) X car.
Look at these for a more comparative overview, highlighting positives and negatives:
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/
http://www.parkers.co.uk/

kyote00

You entrapolated what I said beyond what was intended...

I said in my post that I never understood the argument here that a Passat or Mondeo is really any different than the Avensis. Clearly a Maserti or Ferrari is different....

To be clear and pedantic, what I dont understand is why the Passat/Mondeo/A4/Octavia/3series are any less bland than the Avensis -- all are massed produced white goods....

The OP should also go for a test drive in one petrol and one diesel and compare for himself/herself

I predict this thread will go the way of most others and boards wisdom will all agree that the avensis is a piece of muck not worth keeping chickens in...

Off over to octane for some decent car discussion...:D

Matt Simis wrote: »

Lol, its not true at all due to your very correct ending comment now is it?



Thats a rather silly statement. All mass produced goods are made on a production line, that doesnt mean they are all the same. Obviously.
The Avensis (and its peers, the Passat, whatever Nissan are churning out these days, the Mondeo etc) are designed to be safe and bland, its inoffensive and fits into its surroundings. Its for the grey-man who uses an auto purely as a functional tool. Its the entry level calculator, the Casio Watch or the Dunnes store business suit.. Its perfectly fine, but to think its the same as "other cars" no matter what they are is delusional.

To the OP, would it kill you to just read a car review? Whatever you think of journalists, members of a motoring forum are likely even more biased (for/against) X car.
Look at these for a more comparative overview, highlighting positives and negatives:
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/
http://www.parkers.co.uk/

mickdw

kyote00 wrote: »

To be clear and pedantic, what I dont understand is why the Passat/Mondeo/A4/Octavia/3series are any less bland than the Avensis -- all are massed produced white goods....

I would put the octavia in with the avensis. Certainly just a functional tool.
3 series is a good drivers car as is the mondeo. Passat imo has much nicer fitout than the plastic toyota as has the A4 while also being nicer to drive. The Avensis has nothing going for it except that it will most likely not ever let you down. That is a major plus or course and I suppose the reaon for its success. That alone is not enough for most people though.

Mr Benevolent

mickdw wrote: »

I would put the octavia in with the avensis. Certainly just a functional tool.
3 series is a good drivers car as is the mondeo. Passat imo has much nicer fitout than the plastic toyota as has the A4 while also being nicer to drive. The Avensis has nothing going for it except that it will most likely not ever let you down. That is a major plus or course and I suppose the reaon for its success. That alone is not enough for most people though.

I was a passenger in an an 07 Avensis D4D on a 40km journey. On getting out of the car I went to the boot to get my stuff and saw the D4D badge. I heard nothing in the cabin to suggest I was riding in diesel and assumed it was a petrol. That's how good it is. No, it's not flashy, it doesn't scream 'badge', it's just solid, reliable, comfortable and quiet.

Oh, and I was in a new Passat too. My god it's plasticky in there. Let's be blunt, there's not that much difference between a family and executive car any more. Why buy a 'driver's car' if the damned thing is going to be in the dealer's every few months? And why should we have to pay a premium for a 3 series if the Mondeo is just as good? Even VW has lost it's 'quality' marque. In reality the most reliable cars are (in no particular order):

Ford
Honda
Toyota
Nissan

Where are the 'premium' cars in this list? A bit behind, that's where.

Lol, its not true at all due to your very correct ending comment now is it?

Apologies, brandy tends to affect my clarity of thought

rco2000

Toyota_Avensis wrote: »

I'm chasing after a good deal which is why I have decided to go in search of an 08 Avensis.

So in relation to my original posting, any helpful info, much appreciated!

What;s a good deal for an 08 D4D?

mickdw

Confab wrote: »

I was a passenger in an an 07 Avensis D4D on a 40km journey. On getting out of the car I went to the boot to get my stuff and saw the D4D badge. I heard nothing in the cabin to suggest I was riding in diesel and assumed it was a petrol. That's how good it is. No, it's not flashy, it doesn't scream 'badge', it's just solid, reliable, comfortable and quiet.

TBH, it should be pretty obvious just from the characteristics of the engine whether its a petrol or diesel. By that I mean torque delivery, rev range etc even as a passenger.
Secondly, when you went to the boot, did you notice that its made of coke cans and feels like it will come away in your hand compared to any other car in its segent.

Matt Simis

kyote00 wrote: »

You entrapolated what I said beyond what was intended...
I said in my post that I never understood the argument here that a Passat or Mondeo is really any different than the Avensis. Clearly a Maserti or Ferrari is different....

Ah well then we agree, I would put it down to styling and price preferences to pick an Avensis over a Passat, they simply cant be miles apart.

Off over to octane for some decent car discussion...:D

Ah but thats where we more argumentative types hang out, its just like a more focused but divided version of this. With Queen bees!

colm_mcm

Quick specs:

Aura:
16" steel wheels
Air conditioning
Front electric windows
Electric mirrors
8 speaker audio/CD/MP3/Remote
Height adjustable drivers seat
Remote locking
Double locking
9 airbags
ABS, VSC, BA, TRC
Rear armrest
60:40 folding seat

Strata adds:
Rear electric windows
16" alloys
Front foglights


Luna adds:
Cruise control
Dual climate control
Auto lights and wipers
Front armrest
Auto dim rear view mirror
Elec folding wing mirrors
Leather wheel and gearknob
Nicer seats,
Height adjustment for passenger seat
Colour coded sills

bazz26

mickdw wrote: »

TBH, it should be pretty obvious just from the characteristics of the engine whether its a petrol or diesel. By that I mean torque delivery, rev range etc even as a passenger.
Secondly, when you went to the boot, did you notice that its made of coke cans and feels like it will come away in your hand compared to any other car in its segent.

That model Avensis had a 5 star Euro NCAP rating, it also had 9 airbags including a knee airbag for the driver that the current Passat and some other cars in this class still don't have so how thick the metal is in the boot has no bareing on it's safety.

And I've been in a few new model Passats and the quality of plastic used leaves alot to be desired since it seems to be the motors yard stick for judgeing how good or bad a car is.

Toyota_Avensis

Why does this model Avensis have 3 Buttons on the Key fob instead of Two (Lock/Unlock)

What is the third one used for??

bostoncommon

Toyota_Avensis wrote: »

Why does this model Avensis have 3 Buttons on the Key fob instead of Two (Lock/Unlock)

What is the third one used for??

It unlocks the boot only. You are still looking for 1 a month later?????

R.O.R

Toyota_Avensis wrote: »

Why does this model Avensis have 3 Buttons on the Key fob instead of Two (Lock/Unlock)

What is the third one used for??

Boot Unlock.

Toyota_Avensis

bostoncommon wrote: »

You are still looking for 1 a month later?????

I've my eye on an 07

Just doing some research on it...

It unlocks the Bootlid? Is it like on a Merc were it opens the Bootlid too?

bostoncommon

i think your just looking for a chat.

Toyota_Avensis

bostoncommon wrote: »

i think your just looking for a chat.

...not very helpful.


Anyway, back to the question on hand, Does the Butlid Button on the Keyfob to the same as a Merc where it actually opens the Boot too?
(Opens it Up aswel as Unlocking it?)

bostoncommon

unlock = unlock
open = open

Anan1

bostoncommon wrote: »

i think your just looking for a chat.

Best not to post at all if you can't answer the OP's question.

bostoncommon

Anan1 wrote: »

Best not to post at all if you can't answer the OP's question.

I think my last reply answered his question?

Anan1

bostoncommon wrote: »

I think my last reply answered his question?

I'm not familiar with the Toyota, but some systems actually open the bootlid fully whereas others merely release it. I don't think this is always specified on the key.

colm_mcm

Anan1 wrote: »

I'm not familiar with the Toyota, but some systems actually open the bootlid fully whereas others merely release it. I don't think this is always specified on the key.

2 posters have already specifically said that it unlocks the boot only. it doesn't open the boot, it unlocks it if it's locked.