Toyota Avensis Hatchback (1997 - 2003) 2.0 VVTi CDX 5d (2001/Y) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

If I wanted a car that said something, I'd have bought a Merc or an Audi. If I wanted a car to shout something, I'd have had a BMW. This one just whispers sensible thoughts to anyone who cares to listen....

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

"A Toyota - how different. Aren't you fed up seeing all these BMWs everywhere"

Would you buy this car again and why?

Yes - brilliantly practical, brilliantly reliable, suitably quick, wonderful active safety features and 3* Euro NCAP isn't too bad for its age if all the active safety features don't keep you in the right bit of the road.

What are you likely to buy next?

New Avensis - 5* Euro NCAP. Maybe a C class Estate - if it doesn't say too much...

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchise

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£8,000

When did you buy the car?

January 2005

Did you get a good deal and why?

It was only an OK deal if I looked at Parkers prices, but it was the right car, right service history, right milage coming from the franchised network.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

The best car I ever had was a 2.0 Carina. After years of driving other cars which were all rubbish, I had to get a Toyota again

What was the dealer like?

Pleasant and accommodating. Seemed to manage to turn minor niggles into marathon warranty work by seemingly breaking the physically adjacent component or having 4 appointments when a v belt was variously described as mis-ordered, sent back, used on someone else's car or just plain old not turned up. They gave me a courtesy car most of the time though.

What's it like to drive?

wonderfully economical even through traffic below 3krpm. Open it up and theres a great lump of torque between 3krpm and 4.5krpm that will go past nearly anything.

What's it like to park?

I've never had any trouble although I do sometimes think I've less space behind than I really have, but then my last car was a Jag so this is like a rollerskate by comparison.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Minor niggles in first year under warranty - the stability control programme applied the brakes at inopportune moments, slightly damaged gaiter or somesuch and a light bulb. Sadly the dismantles by the dealer seemed to break ever more bits... eg bulb becomes headlight becomes indicator light.

What's most practical about your car?

The traction control/automatic stability control/abs is a brilliant LIFESAVER. The sat nav is invaluable if occasionally confused. The boot takes a six foot sideboard or two wasing machines with the seats down. It does 42mpg through taunton's traffic and has 150bhp if the six disc changer isn't offering enough entertainment. Leather seats scrub up nicely too after a day in the mud.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

I will never buy a car without ABS so that I suppose, plus the brilliant stability control - I can plough across muddy fields like a 4x4 to the amazement of friends "from the country" and come out of vicious standing water or obstructions on bends with electonic help