USED Toyota Avensis Estate (03 - 09)

My car

The car is now seven months old with 23,000 miles on the clock. It's generally comfortable on long journeys although some lumbar support adjustment would be nice.

I took the service plan for the car and so far the dealer has not charged me for anything, despite having numerous checks made at each visit.

The only issue so far is the nearside headlight 'wobbling' - this was supposed to have been fixed at the last service and it will now have to go back!!

The front tyres were replaced at 20,000, with Continentals. Road noise is slightly higher now, but cornering feels better.

Huge boot, masses of interior space, engine sometimes feels underpowered. Base level trim not the easiest to keep clean.

Ride height is low, and suspension is soft - it bottoms out on nearly every speedhump, especially with weight in the back. The towbar has been fitted to protect the car!!

Fuel economy is good, with boot full of kit, long hard journeys on motoway and country roads, still average 46mpg.

See how the long term works out, but have driven Mazda 6 which feels stiffer and more powerful.

My car

Having owned the car now for 19 months and covered only 16,500 miles, I am not as happy as I was with my previous car (RAV 4) .

The trim on the inside of the car I do not think is of the same standards as a Japanese-built model. And wind and road noise needs to be sorted out.