USED Toyota Avensis Hatchback (03 - 09)

My car

I bought this car as a stop-gap after my beloved Renault Clio I had from when I was 17 started going wrong. Was not intending in keeping the car, but yep after a year it is still my loyal motorway companion.

After buying at a very reasonable £6000 with only 64,000K on the clock it was a bargain for a diesel, I have now just nudged over 97,000K in a years motoring, and it has been a joy to own, completly dependable and reliable so far.(touch wood) apart from lots of stone chips, dents and creaky suspension she still powers along :)

Such a comfortable cruiser at speed, and has plenty of mid-range power when you really want to get home from a hard day at the office, not the fastest out there but for its size its more than adequate.

With this in mind averaging about 55mpg-70mpg if your really become anal about how much pressure you apply to the throttle, but do sometimes think the computer plays tricks on you.

I have no idea when I will get rid of this car, it does everything I need it to do, gets my bike(s) in and on the roof, and the dog. Its not the most pretty looking thing on UK roads but I like to think it looks purposeful.

Strongly recommend the Toyota Avensis to any one who just wants a car to get them to where there going and if your driving 500 miles + a week

Going to try to eek out 200,000K before I change, and I am sure this car can take me there.

My car

I bought this car 2nd hand 3yrs old with 49k on clock one prev owner from Toyota dealership on Tyneside who both in sales and subsequent servicing have given 1st class service. 10k service only £99 and 20k service ie 70k inc brake fluid change £250, always comes back valeted.. Local town driving gives 40mpg, careful m/way and country driving 47mpg+. Very well screwed together, loads of space and toys. Go for T3X, not T3S, as you get front fogs and dual zone climate - buy your own stand-alone colour sat nav! Other reviews comment on road noise- ive put carat progressos on and seems whisper quiet to me!but was ok before.Other comments re build quality - guess it depends how you treat it- Chieftan tank will fall apart if you chuck enough at it! Will keep and change to new model Avensis when 2nd hand on forecourts.

My car

I bought this car on a 56 Plate, at 10 months old with 6500 miles on the clock. It was an ex-Toyota car. The car was purchased from RRG Swinton, and was unmarked inside and out, almost as new. It has just had the second service at RRG and I was dismayed to find, that it required a new clutch!!, also a new master cylinder!!. All credit must be given to RRG Swinton for checking and rectifying these faults during the Service. However, this does not alter the fact that it is not acceptable,that a car of the supposed Toyota Avensis quality,and reputation, should suffer what can only be described as inferior Manufactured Components!!!Cost Cutting no doubt!! The car drives well overall and has a quality feel about it. TOYOTA GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER IN RELATION TO THE ABOVE FAULTS, IN SUCH SHORT MILEAGE.this then may put Toyota back at the top of the league for reliability as it was for many years, your alternative is Customers going elsewere, You have been warned!! I can finish by saying that I cannot fault RRG Swinton for their after sales care, it is in my exsperience second to none. Would I buy another Toyota? The jury is out on that one at the moment.But if!! I did I would buy from RRG Swinton.

My car

I had the car from new through my company. I must say that it had been an ok car in the main, except it did not live upto the legendary Toyota reliablity.

Problems I've had are the headlight mountings melted. Gearbox exploded on Motorway at 59k miles. Wheel bearings needed replacement at 70k miles and at 96k miles the thrust bearing was going and engine seals were leaking.

Other niggling problems were that the pads and disks rusted very quickly in comparison to other cars so needed constant replacement, the handbrake always needed tensioning after releatively short periods and changing bulbs in headlight assembly practically impossible, dealer prefers to take bumper off and headlight unit to replace an indicator bulb!

Other minor issues I have with the car are that the cup holder was above all the electrical equipment, one sudden stop and radio and climate controls were covered in coffee not really well thought out. Road and wind noise on motorway journeys and the 1800cc engine was too underpowered.

Positives: The ride and handling for a family car was good, its frugal on petrol at motorway speeds, interior was well put together nothing rattled/squeeked or fell off even after four years and looked good too, the cabin and boot were spacious, excellent equipment and safety for trim level.

I'm not sure I would consider another one as I have been put off with the problems I have had.