Toyota Avensis advice

Xios

Hey guys, i usually spend my time in the motorbikes forum, but as the recent weather has been a slap in the face when it comes to biking, i'm seriously considering a car. The toyota avensis has caught my eye, although i haven't really looked at many others, i'm usually a love at first sight kinda guy.
So anyways, i got my provisional licence for a car a couple months back, and i understand that the common thing with cars is to buy a cheap hatchback to learn in and then upgrade, but i'd rather skip this as it seems like a huge waste. I'm a full time student, but i'm pretty good at pulling money together from various sources, the budget is imaginary at the moment, but i'm guessing around 4k-6k for car and insurance, got quoted by axa for 2200 full comprehensive.
Anyone drive an avensis? would you recommend it for a learner? I'm quite a competent driver i'd like to imagine, but i do tend to speed a bit, saw the avensis on top gear, they say it's a 5 star for safety, up with a renault megane.
Anyone been to the merlin auctions and has an idea of what an avensis would go for there?
I'm still in the speculating stage, so i'm open to suggestions, i'd very keen on getting a 4 door car, that pulling the front seat business does me head in, a saloon would be brilliant, an estate would be a bit big, but i'm open to the idea, aswell as hatchbacks such as the VW golf.

Hope you guys can share some info.
Ciaran

colm_mcm

The newer model Avensis (03-09) is a very easy car to drive, controls are logical, gearchange light and easy, steering light too. the only issue you may have is manouvering it. it's big enough.
Note that the saloon didn't get folding rear seats as standard till mid 2006.

A lot of modern cars get 5 stars.

Tipsy Mac

The 1.6 is dog slow and best avoided, however living in a backward land of taxation they are pretty much the only ones you will find in large numbers here.

colm_mcm

What would you recommend the OP buy, Tipsy?


Is it a bit soon to start talking about Octavias?

BumbleB

I have a full spec 06 1.8 ouch ! .Its the nicest car I ever had . I'm very pleased .10/10 in my book.

colm_mcm

For lots of people, the 1.6 is quick enough.
I'd be going 1.8 though, but then I'd be also thinking Mazda6

Zonda999

colm_mcm wrote: »

Is it a bit soon to start talking about Octavias?

LOL!:D

A 1.6 Avensis is a fine reliable car, OP CERTAINLY not exciting to drive or look at though but because of the sheer volume of them about, you should be able to find one at a good price. They are very big though, as already mentioned, they make a great family car space-wise but that probably is'nt your primary concern seeing as you are a student!

Have you not considered something from the class below? A corolla, astra, golf or whatever, they would be a much easier car to get used to seeing as youre fairly inexperienced in a car, and will be cheaper to run than a 1.6 avensis. Cant help but feel it would be easier to sell on afterwards too.

squod

Buy yourself a nice Ford Focus. At least take a couple of second hand ones for a test drive. It's rightly won a shed load of awards and they're still the most reliable yoke on the road.

Xios

I'll add that the car is mainly a comfort luxury, i'm not buying it to make good time, as the bike is good for that, i'm getting it to get around on really ****ty days and doing everything you can't do with a bike ie (carry big things, give friends a lift, possibly sex with the gf keeping dry, and the most modern of things, a radio) as for the size, it may be an issue, but then again, i'm usually good a diving in the deep end of a learning curve. so a big car wouldn't be too much a problem, i'd just get used to it.

Thanks for the tips guys, gonna check out some focus' and the octavia

BumbleB

squod wrote: »

Buy yourself a nice Ford Focus. At least take a couple of second hand ones for a test drive. It's rightly won a shed load of awards and they're still the most reliable yoke on the road.

definitely, The focus is a very nice car to drive and loads of leg room.

Carina

I drive a 1.6 2004 Avensis & have to say it's the most comfortable car I've ever driven. As said before it's easy to drive & maintain. The seats are like armchairs & with all the soundproofing road noise is at a minimum. Have to say I came from a Carina to the Avensis & I feel it's prooved to be a good choice. Best of luck with whatever you choose.

Drummerboy08

I'd be looking at a Focus, they're alot better to drive and are more comfortable than the Avensis imo.

I'd also stay away from Merlin, there's very little value up there, you dont really know what your buying until you've bought it, and there's no warranty. Unless you really know your cars, I would stick to private sales or dealers.

Lex Luthor

colm_mcm wrote: »

What would you recommend the OP buy, Tipsy?


Is it a bit soon to start talking about Octavias?

I thought this might have been the first thread for car recommendations that didn't mention the "O" word

colm_mcm

If you're getting a Focus go for a high spec 1.6
Saloons make less money than hatches and in my opinion look better, they also have a (slightly) bigger boot than the Avensis.
I'd still prefer the size of the Avensis though.

Blue850

OP For your budget, you'd get a nice 01-03 old shape Avensis, we've a 01 1.6 for 4 years, thers 100k on ours and its bullet proof, outside of normal servicing its had an igniton switch, it averages 43mpg, it burns oil due to an known manufacturing fault with the vvti engine, lets say an extra gallon between services, aircon was an option on the 01s on. I was in a friends 02 Focus 1.6 saloon last week, smaller in the back than the Toyota, boot space is about the same, while the avensis maybe bland, the focus saloon is fugly:p