Avensis, Corolla, Mazda 6?

Rossin

I'm buying a car this month for about 2-3k

It seems that will get me approx 04 Avensis, Corolla or Mazda 6

I've heard the Corolla is very reliable and great on fuel, but doesn't look very good...the avensis looks a bit better and mazda 6 better again. What is the verdict on these? Any preference?

I do approx 120-180km a week and would like a saloon shaped car preferably.


also tell me why I shouldnt buy something like this http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2004-audi-a4/5478704
would it be a fuel guzzler in comparison to the other cars mentioned?

visual

Avensis or mazda 6 will probably be better value than the corrolla plus as your not keen on the corrolla then its best rule it out.

A4 have a big following so are over priced for what they are. Good for those selling but not buying.

I would say the toyota for reliability is best value

But before its all based on value and reliability go for a couple of test drives as the driving experience can override all other consideration and the A4 might come up trumps

Rossin

Thanks Visual. I have a friend with an Avensis so i'll test drive his first.


Does buying a diesel version of the Avensis or Mazda mean i'll save money on fuel?

Victor Meldrew

Rossin wrote: »

Thanks Visual. I have a friend with an Avensis so i'll test drive his first.


Does buying a diesel version of the Avensis or Mazda mean i'll save money on fuel?

Both are good, reliable, Japanese cars...

6 will be far better to drive, but heavier on petrol.

At that age, you'll be paying 2L or 2.2L road tax as opposed to the 1.8 or 1.6 (avensis only) tax.

Petrol will be cheaper to fix, and at that budget, the overall "straightness of the car" will trump any fuel consumption or driving dynamics issues.

coolisin

No need to go diesel really.

However, rule out the mazda 6 if looking at diesel, the 2.0 ltr diesel is a ticking timebomb reading up on it.

If petrol id have the 6 as it drives alot nicer then the Avensis.

Rossin

Thanks coolisin, good to know..

Rossin

To note I picked them cars because they were recommended to me by mechanics at work, I'm open to to other suggestions

dh0011

avensis - i have an 03 with the new body (same as 04 on). It is bulletproof. I will have over 130K miles on it soon and she is still in great nick.

bazz26

If you are looking at 2.0 litre cars then the Honda Accord is worth a look, you might struggle to find a decent 2003 to 2008 model within budget though.

Victor Meldrew

coolisin wrote: »

No need to go diesel really.

However, rule out the mazda 6 if looking at diesel, the 2.0 ltr diesel is a ticking timebomb reading up on it.

If petrol id have the 6 as it drives alot nicer then the Avensis.

the 1.8 mazda 6 petrol is bomb-proof as well.

dh0011

to be fair petrol mazda 6 or avensis will be reliable if they have been looked after. The avensis will get good mpg. I get about 40. There is a lad on another thead here mentioned he can get 47 mpg from his. The mazda wont be quite as good on juice.

visual

Looking at the amount of avensis that are taxi's should be a good indication.

Don't rule out diesels if you happen across a nice one.

The low milages isn't a issue if you not spending all your time stuck in city traffic

Cee-Jay-Cee

Definitely avoid the corolla saloon, they have to be the blandest ugliest saloon ever made, absolutely no design thought went into it and they are truly horrible to drive, vague steering and soft suspension. They're simply a nasty POS.

I'd go for the Avensis 1.8 as they're as economical as the 1.6 but have a but more power when you need it.

CiniO

CJC999 wrote: »

I'd go for the Avensis 1.8 as they're as economical as the 1.6 but have a but more power when you need it.

But then they will be way more difficult to resell than 1.6

Leonard Hofstadter

The 1.6 in the Avensis is too underpowered, I have extensive experenience of driving the 1.8 and even that could do with more power.

Also I do not believe that the Avensis is as reliable as its reputation suggests, the earlier models had problems with the engines burning oil, and gearbox failures in both the 1.6 and 1.8 are not unheard of.

00833827

Avensis, while not too exciting or attractive, is grand and comfy, i can get 45+mpg outta my 1.6 petrol - but thats on a predominantly 80kmph commute - bit less on motorway but still ok for petrol. As mentioned the earlier 3zz-fe engine in these uses oil so this has to be considered/monitored.

rn

None of those three cars are stunning looking cars, so I wouldn't rule out the corolla that quickly. I have a love/hate relationship with our 04 vvti corolla. (VW golf TDI is our main motor and in a different league).

I love its low running costs and reliability. Its never failed to start in 6 years we've had it. Only part replaced an ABS sensor. Its way easier on petrol, cheaper to service, buy parts, tax and insure than the avensis or mazda. Its not as underpowered as the 1.6 avensis. It is good and solid on good roads, but terrible on twisty roads. However it is bland and the body role is very bad, so its cat on old country roads. Have a look out for Luna (Irish) or T3 or T4 level specifications.

I suggest drive all three and do the maths.

Sam Kade

dh0011 wrote: »

to be fair petrol mazda 6 or avensis will be reliable if they have been looked after. The avensis will get good mpg. I get about 40. There is a lad on another thead here mentioned he can get 47 mpg from his. The mazda wont be quite as good on juice.

I get around 40 mpg with a mazda, 6 no motorway driving at that. It depends on how you drive them if you have a heavy foot mpg will drop.

techie

Op, go for the Avensis, either 1.6 or 1.8 Petrol, make sure at least a Strata spec for Alloys, Elec windows all round.

I have a 05 1.6 with 120k miles, running great, 40mpg+, my brother has a 04 1.6 with 144k miles and never serviced! and still running great, father has 09 1.6(Same shape as ours) and that runs fine too.

JohnBoy26

Out of the three id pick the Avensis. The Corolla is from a class below and cost the same if not more to buy than an Avensis.

The Mazda 6 is not as well built as it's made out to be either. They rust pretty badly underneath and have a very cheap feeling interior imo.

166man

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Out of the three id pick the Avensis. The Corolla is from a class below and cost the same if not more to buy than an Avensis.

The Mazda 6 is not as well built as it's made out to be either. They rust pretty badly underneath and have a very cheap feeling interior imo.

I'd agree with the above, Corolla's ain't great and painfully overpriced. Mazda 6's are cheap inside and out IMO.

Avensis 1.8 if I had to pick.

Rossin

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Out of the three id pick the Avensis. The Corolla is from a class below and cost the same if not more to buy than an Avensis.

The Mazda 6 is not as well built as it's made out to be either. They rust pretty badly underneath and have a very cheap feeling interior imo.

Would you pick a different car altogether?

gerardk55

Hi Rossin,

Been driving a 1.8 Mazda 6 for the last 8 years from new, current have 383,000km on it. Faultless reliability IMO. I disagree with the previous two posters in relation to the interior, I think it's far a better place than the overly dark Avensis/Corolla.

Averaging about 35mpg, but that's with a lot of motorway driving, possible to get closer to 40 if you spend most of your time on national/regional roads.

As mentioned, test drive all of the above before making a decision. If space, load carrying is something you're after then the 5dr Mazda 6 has loads!

bazz26

Honda Accord:


http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-accord-2-0i-vtec-sport/5407769

00833827

good point @gerardk55 - one thing about the avensis of that era, rear seats dont fold down. In the early Avensis they did, and the facelift model of the mk2's they did again -

Rossin

Thanks Gerard, i'll certainly try both. My friend owns an Avensis so that's a start. There is a 03 Mazda 6 parked in the car park beside my apartment and I have to say it looks quite nice, but this guy shines his car on a weekly basis!

bazz26

Rear seats fold down in the Avensis Luna model, just not the Aura and Strata models until 2006.

colm_mcm

bazz26 wrote: »

Rear seats fold down in the Avensis Luna model, just not the Aura and Strata models until 2006.

Only liftbacks and estates did on aura and no strata models had folding seats up till 06 facelift