Avensis advice 2006, 100k miles v 2008 - cost worth it?

blue100

Hi,

I'm looking for a very reliable family saloon - have seen a 2006 Avensis with 100k miles on it and in my price range. Is the mileage too high or is the Avensis as reliable as many say? Also potential for a 2008 Avensis costing €3.2k more (50k miles). Would the extra be worth it? I could spend that much but would prefer not. I will be holding the car for about 4 years, so resale likely to be v low on either - just wondering would I spend as much on maintaining the older car. My own mileage is low enough at 8-10k pa so I won't put too much on it. Any advice appreciated.

Blue100

colm_mcm

Petrol or diesel?

blue100

both petrol 1.6

Michael Weston

I bought a 2008 Avensis with 125k on with full service history brought it to a Toyota dealer for a check up and he said its healthy as a horse. It hasnt given me an ounce of trouble since,

Its an ex sales rep car, they go forever.

granturismo

I had a 1.8 l '04 and it was much better on fuel economy than the 1.6. I think the 1.6 is too small an engine for the car weight.

Stheno

granturismo wrote: »

I had a 1.8 l '04 and it was much better on fuel economy than the 1.6. I think the 1.6 is too small an engine for the car weight.

I'd think the same to be honest.

166man

Don't let the mileage figure put you off. Choose and buy based on the condition of each. As in the 50k miles of the 2008 one could have been much harder than the 100k miles of the 2006 one.

bazz26

What condition are both cars in? Do they have a service history?

A price difference of just €3200 between the 2006 with 100k miles and one two years younger with half the mileage would suggest that either the 2008 is in less than tiptop shape or the 2006 one is overpriced.

Jimbob 83

1.8 Avensis petrol can still get 40mpg easily, 1.6 is very underpowered tbh.

The D4D 2 litre is an extremely good engine though if you can stretch to it

bazz26

I don't see the point in going diesel if the OP is only doing 8k to 10k miles per year.

colm_mcm

Can you give the actual prices of the two cars, links to the ads if possible

166man

bazz26 wrote: »

I don't see the point in going diesel if the OP is only doing 8k to 10k miles per year.

Still though, a 2.0D4D is probably a much nicer drive than a 1.6/1.8 petrol.

colm_mcm

In the op budget itd probably be a pre facelift 5 speed 116hp which get nasty with age. I'd have a 1.6 any time over a 2.0 D-4D with over 80k with its heavy clutch, narrow power band, weak gearbox, fragile injectors, dmf etc.
They don't take the miles well, the 6 speed is muh better but likely to be over budget

166man

colm_mcm wrote: »

In the op budget itd probably be a pre facelift 5 speed 116hp which get nasty with age. I'd have a 1.6 any time over a 2.0 D-4D with over 80k with its heavy clutch, narrow power band, weak gearbox, fragile injectors, dmf etc.
They don't take the miles well, the 6 speed is muh better but likely to be over budget

Fair enough I ain't gonna argue with you. I just assumed(wrongly) that the diesel would be a nicer drive than the petrol.

techie

Op, my brother bought a 04 1.6 Avensis last October and it had 120k miles on it then with full service history from Toyota Garage, he is delighted with it and it has not caused him any grief.

If I were you I'd buy the 06 and then still have money on hand should something unlikely go wrong.

Jimbob 83

D4D is as good to drive as the 1.6 from my experience (dad is on his 7th Avensis) and had more usable power and in the last 4 (all diesels) no dmf failure or anything mechanical of any sort apart from 1-2 recalls since 2000

blue100

Thanks, everyone. Take the points re power. Sounds like the 2006 would do the job, without massive outlay. Appreciate the advice.

Leonard Hofstadter

The 1.6 is woefully underpowered and it guzzles fuel at higher speeds - there is a reason that Ireland is the only EU market that got a 1.6 after all (our stupid obsession with car tax being the reason).

ofcork

I would agree that the 1.6 is underpowered somewhat but for day to day its fine,i have a 04 1.6 and have had no trouble with it and have 141k miles on it.

dmcar02

The 1.6 is slightly underpowered, I have a 2004 one since new and it has 138K miles on it. Passed the NCT last week and all I did was replace a tyre.

The only things that have gone wrong have been, a loose battery connection, anti roll bar bushes worn (wear and tear) and the headlights were replaced twice (you won't have this problem).

Considering you will be carrying your family from A to B and not going rallying, I highly recommend it, it's not THAT slow.

Casati

captainspeed wrote: »

The 1.6 is woefully underpowered and it guzzles fuel at higher speeds - there is a reason that Ireland is the only EU market that got a 1.6 after all (our stupid obsession with car tax being the reason).

Agree completely, feels v underpowered and engine really has to work hard to keep up with traffic. The 1.8 petrol is much better bet. Have a mate with one that he got 2 years old with 90k on it, 5 years later and it has about 150k on it but has cost him a fair few bob every year- think he has put two cats into it for example