2008 Toyota Avensis Advice

paulocon2

Hi,

Looking at buying a Toyota Avensis circa 2008 (have a 00 avensis which never gave any bother and just need something reliable for work)

Budget is probably pushing 10k.

As someone with a very limited knowledge of cars, just looking at some advice on what I should be looking out for. Is there anything in particular that can be problematic with an Avensis of that age?

Saw this locally http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Avensis/D-4D-TR-/38613921121902040/advert?channel=CARS but mileage is on the high-side for the price and I'd also be concerned by the tow-bar.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Noccy_Mondy

I personally hate the avensis in a hatch, looks bad, saloon all the way, and there is a particular group in society who ALWAYS buy them

toyotaavensis

Decent spec with satnav and bluetooth. Looks like an import.
A lot of taxi drivers have them. They are good but I would worry that the flywheel could go in the next while on her and that costs a few bob to put right.
That said that risk is there with a lot of cars.

paulocon2

Thanks for the replies folks.

Also considering something like a Passat:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Passat/2.0-TDI-/37013864227545730/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volkswagen/Passat/2.0--Blu/37613742478367500/advert?channel=CARS

or maybe an Octavia (would rather diesel)

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Skoda/Octavia/1.4L-H%23B/37913890132658610/advert?channel=CARS

None of which are very exiting in fairness but I have been told are a safe and reliable bet..

Cleveland Hot Pocket

Could I interest you in a Superb - seeing as you are looking at skodas! :pac:

toyotaavensis

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

I personally hate the avensis in a hatch, looks bad, saloon all the way, and there is a particular group in society who ALWAYS buy them

my housemate has a hatch and i have the saloon. If i was back again i would go for the hatch as the boot is way more versatile.

paulocon2

Cleveland Hot Pocket wrote: »

Could I interest you in a Superb - seeing as you are looking at skodas! :pac:

taxi driver was advocating the superb at the weekend so it's a definite possibility!

toyotaavensis

D'mother has a superb 04 1.9TDi and the engine and gearbox have been flawless but there have been a lot of niggles with locks windows and suspension etc.

That said I would have no fear that the car would leave her stranded.

Stella Virgo

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

I personally hate the avensis in a hatch, looks bad, saloon all the way, and there is a particular group in society who ALWAYS buy them

a hatchback will carry way more bulky items than any saloon,eg small furniture items, washing machine, bags of timber,the dogs,loads of kids stuff tricycles,bulky toys etc.....the list goes on....fantastic if using the car for holidays....not everyone ponces around in a saloon pretending to be something they never will be :rolleyes:

bigroad

You should check out Autotrader.co.uk nice over there and a lot have full service history.

paulocon2

Thanks for all the advice. Will have a look around tomorrow. Torn between Avensis, Passat or Octavia!

Lissavane

Noccy_Mondy wrote: »

I personally hate the avensis in a hatch, looks bad, saloon all the way, and there is a particular group in society who ALWAYS buy them

I have the saloon version and like it. If I had a choice, I would definitely go for the hatch. It's a very versatile car. If you can find a genuine estate version, that's the one to get.

JohnBoy26

paulocon2 wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice. Will have a look around tomorrow. Torn between Avensis, Passat or Octavia!

Octavia is a class below the avensis and passat.

Cleveland Hot Pocket

paulocon2 wrote: »

taxi driver was advocating the superb at the weekend so it's a definite possibility!

Haha
Well if you are interested I should have the donedeal ad up tomorrow, and the NCT (doing it early) is booked in for the 8th)

Not my cup of tea motoring wise at all but it is a great car for someone looking in that segment.

paulocon2

Well,

Took http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Avensis/D-4D-TR-/38613921121902040/advert?channel=CARS for a quick test-drive this morning.

Nice solid car and very clean inside and out. Concerns would be the 100k mileage and the towbar (although cap was present and very little signs of usage on the towbar itself). Wondering if this is an import given that the display is in miles (think change was 2008)? Anything else I should be querying the dealer on (very busy showroom today so told receptionist i'd call later).

toyotaavensis

Change was earlier also tr means she was an import but that doesnt mean there is anything wrong with it.

Avns1s

I wouldn't worry about the towbar. Theoretically it could put a bit more usage on the clutch but a bad driver can do this without ever having had a towbar on the car. As you say it may have had little use in any case.

The mileage is just over what you'd expect for a 6 year old diesel.

Any indication of the price - you may prefer not to mention particularly since the advert says POA. But the question is - how much extra would you get a similar spec 2009 now model avensis for? If it were doable budget wise, I'd definitely opt for the new model.

paulocon2

Avns1s wrote: »

I wouldn't worry about the towbar. Theoretically it could put a bit more usage on the clutch but a bad driver can do this without ever having had a towbar on the car. As you say it may have had little use in any case.

The mileage is just over what you'd expect for a 6 year old diesel.

Any indication of the price - you may prefer not to mention particularly since the advert says POA. But the question is - how much extra would you get a similar spec 2009 now model avensis for? If it were doable budget wise, I'd definitely opt for the new model.

Sound advice. Not sure if budget will stretch to 2009 model! I assume the main advantage is in the lower tax rate? Any thoughts on the petrol model? There's a few 09 models around within budget.

JohnBoy26

Avns1s wrote: »

I wouldn't worry about the towbar. Theoretically it could put a bit more usage on the clutch but a bad driver can do this without ever having had a towbar on the car. As you say it may have had little use in any case.

The mileage is just over what you'd expect for a 6 year old diesel.

Any indication of the price - you may prefer not to mention particularly since the advert says POA. But the question is - how much extra would you get a similar spec 2009 now model avensis for? If it were doable budget wise, I'd definitely opt for the new model.

Build quality of the newer model isn't suppose to be great. The mk2 is suppose to be better in the quality department.

paulocon2

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Build quality of the newer model isn't suppose to be great. The mk2 is suppose to be better in the quality department.

Apologies for my ignorance on this but which model is mk2 and is the 2009 model the newer model?

toyotaavensis

03-08 is mark 2
09-> is mark 3 the present avensis

paulocon2

toyotaavensis wrote: »

03-08 is mark 2
09-> is mark 3 the present avensis

Spot on, thanks for that and apologies for not googling it as there's a plentora of info on the 3 generations.. http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/toyota/avensis/60954/used-buyers-guide-toyota-avensis

theoneeyedman

toyotaavensis wrote: »

03-08 is mark 2
09-> is mark 3 the present avensis

Also as someone who has had 2 mk1s and 2 mk2 s around the house build quality and feel on the older ones are better IMO. Petrol models all.....newer ones more thirsty and not as solid on the toad. Make sure you have a good drive intthe newer one as they have a different feel to your 00 model. Don't expect an upgraded version of what you are used to.

bazz26

paulocon2 wrote: »

Sound advice. Not sure if budget will stretch to 2009 model! I assume the main advantage is in the lower tax rate? Any thoughts on the petrol model? There's a few 09 models around within budget.

2009 old shape petrol Avensis have high Co2 emissions so have hefty motor tax. 1.6/1.8 petrol models cost €750 to tax on a 2009 plate. Toyota dealers were stuck with lots of them when the tax system changed over in mid 2008. New model petrol models are thin on the ground because of the popularity of diesel. New petrol models have a newer more powerful engine with lower emissions and tax however.

2010 petrol Strata model here asking under €15k:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Toyota/Avensis/1.6-STRATA/37113873830965010/

If it were me I'd probably go for one of these instead. €570 to tax, nicer to drive, more modern than the MkII Avensis and better put together than the MkIII.


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Mazda/Mazda6/1.8-SPORT,/39113926320727840/

JohnBoy26

bazz26 wrote: »

2009 old shape petrol Avensis have high Co2 emissions so have hefty motor tax. 1.6/1.8 petrol models cost €750 to tax on a 2009 plate. Toyota dealers were stuck with lots of them when the tax system changed over in mid 2008. New model petrol models are thin on the ground because of the popularity of diesel. New petrol models have a newer more powerful engine with lower emissions and tax however.

2010 petrol Strata model here asking under €15k:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Toyota/Avensis/1.6-STRATA/37113873830965010/

If it were me I'd probably go for one of these instead. €570 to tax, nicer to drive, more modern than the MkII Avensis and better put together than the MkIII.


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Mazda/Mazda6/1.8-SPORT,/39113926320727840/

I wouldn't go as far as to say the mazda 6 is better put together than a mk3 avensis. both are a bit on the cheap side in the build department, or at least they feel that way.

Imo I think the avensis will age better but the mazda is so much better looking and has better driving dynamics.

rust protection will probably be an issue though
in the 6, if that's of concern.

bazz26

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

I wouldn't go as far as to say the mazda 6 is better put together than a mk3 avensis. both are a bit on the cheap side in the build department, or at least they feel that way.

Imo I think the avensis will age better but the mazda is so much better looking and has better driving dynamics.

rust protection will probably be an issue though
in the 6, if that's of concern.

Well from sitting in a few of both I think the Mazda has the edge in build quality. Yes the plastics a little low rent but they are well screwed together. MkIII Avensis has low rent plastics also but feels more flimsy in comparison imo.