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flango
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
Had one of those and it was brilliant but I really don't like the look of the new ones.
Toyota Avensis T4 Tourer Diesel
- Thread starter flango
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Had one of those and it was brilliant but I really don't like the look of the new ones.
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flango
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
I couldn't live with the E350 for 3 years and certainly couldn't justify spending £40k on it.
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flango
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
st4
Banned
If I am spending a decent amount say £20k plus it has to be new
What was wrong with the BMW 3 series?
bpsorrel
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- '21 C300 Coupe, '20 SLC Final Edition, Peugeot 208 (hers!) and a new Ford Kuga in Russia
OK, some real life opinion of the Toyota Avensis. My father-in-law (in Russia) had one up to last winter, when we got him a larger, US spec Toyota.
The Avensis actually is a very likeable car. Competent, spacious and very reliable and well put together (much needed in Russia!). The diesel is not the best engine in the world and certainly not very refined, but is competent and pulls well from low revs and has proven good for overtaking, again a much needed quality in Russia for overtaking mile after mile of trucks!
I drove it a few times and have to admit if fuel was the prices it is in Russia, I would choose the 1.8 (or 2.4) petrol every time (the same engine as in my Celica and the new Toyota he now has.)
Some Toyotas are boring and joyless machines, but the new Avensis is not that bad, and actually from the times I spent in it, can be fun!
For folk that think all Toyotas are not for "drivers" I challenge you to drive my Gen 7 Celica.... it IS fun, make no mistake, possibly the only car I've had that equals it for "fun for pound" was my old Alfa Sprint!
The Avensis actually is a very likeable car. Competent, spacious and very reliable and well put together (much needed in Russia!). The diesel is not the best engine in the world and certainly not very refined, but is competent and pulls well from low revs and has proven good for overtaking, again a much needed quality in Russia for overtaking mile after mile of trucks!
I drove it a few times and have to admit if fuel was the prices it is in Russia, I would choose the 1.8 (or 2.4) petrol every time (the same engine as in my Celica and the new Toyota he now has.)
Some Toyotas are boring and joyless machines, but the new Avensis is not that bad, and actually from the times I spent in it, can be fun!
For folk that think all Toyotas are not for "drivers" I challenge you to drive my Gen 7 Celica.... it IS fun, make no mistake, possibly the only car I've had that equals it for "fun for pound" was my old Alfa Sprint!
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flango
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
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flango
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
Interesting turn of events
Talking to the Volvo dealer this morning on a totally different subject and we got on to my V50 and was asking me when I was going to change it, to which I said now and told him about the Avensis deal and that was my current line of thinking if the car drove as well on a longer test drive.
20 minutes later the Volvo sales manager was on the phone offering to match in % terms any discount offered by Toyota and inviting me down for a chat and a test drive of whatever I want, so that might bring a V70 back into play even though that will be about my 7th Volvo from them. But I must admit I can't fault any Volvo I have ever had the only failure in all the years was a collapsed rear wheel bearing on my V70 T5
So it's test drive the Avensis and then onto Volvo
Talking to the Volvo dealer this morning on a totally different subject and we got on to my V50 and was asking me when I was going to change it, to which I said now and told him about the Avensis deal and that was my current line of thinking if the car drove as well on a longer test drive.
20 minutes later the Volvo sales manager was on the phone offering to match in % terms any discount offered by Toyota and inviting me down for a chat and a test drive of whatever I want, so that might bring a V70 back into play even though that will be about my 7th Volvo from them. But I must admit I can't fault any Volvo I have ever had the only failure in all the years was a collapsed rear wheel bearing on my V70 T5
So it's test drive the Avensis and then onto Volvo
crockers
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If the V70 is anything like the S60 I had it will be a comfy drive but a b*tch to park and turn as it will have the worst turning circle I have experienced.
Have you thought about a Honda Accord Estate ??
Have you thought about a Honda Accord Estate ??
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flango
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
V70 is a bit better than it's 60 sister, I've had 3 previously and they have all been good, Not really a fan of the Honda styling
bpsorrel
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I loved my S60, had it for three years, but hated the way the turning circle made me look like I couldn't drive in car parks!!
Would you consider something like a Nissan Qashquai? I tried one a while ago and was impressed. Liked the elevated driving position and the relatively good spec for the money. Guess it's a bit of a marmite car though..
Would you consider something like a Nissan Qashquai? I tried one a while ago and was impressed. Liked the elevated driving position and the relatively good spec for the money. Guess it's a bit of a marmite car though..
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flango
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
I loved my S60, had it for three years, but hated the way the turning circle made me look like I couldn't drive in car parks!!
Would you consider something like a Nissan Qashquai? I tried one a while ago and was impressed. Liked the elevated driving position and the relatively good spec for the money. Guess it's a bit of a marmite car though..
Qashquai is a really good car I've had quite a few as rentals in various countries, always felt it was a little compromised on the cargo space though even the extended 7 seater version.
D
Deleted member 6183
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Mate of mine has had an Avensis for 9 years, he's not a petrol head at all.
Uses the car for business and changed the oil for the first time last year, in his mind the annual MOT was expense enough for car maintenance!
On the upside his only issue has been a knackered alternator over the 9 years.
Uses the car for business and changed the oil for the first time last year, in his mind the annual MOT was expense enough for car maintenance!
On the upside his only issue has been a knackered alternator over the 9 years.
Dieselman
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Translate that lot into the cost of services at an MB dealer and you would be quids in.
davidjpowell
MB Enthusiast
Pah. All these people complaining about the Volvo turning circle. All it takes is planning... and never going into a space forwards.
D
Deleted member 6183
Guest
That's his exact argument.
Claims annual MOT is plenty enough, gets tyres when he has to and brakes too.
The downside?
When the alternator went in the middle lane of M25 rush hour - the tailback made it onto Radio 2 - he still shudders at all the names he was called that day.
(I was talking to him at the time - 'What's it mean when all the lights come on mate?' - Me: Move over to the hard shoulder - Him: I can't it's just stopped - Me: You are F****D.)
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Dieselman
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No amount of dealer servicing would stop an alternator failure. He must have saved thousands over the years.
grober
MB Master
You might be interested in this Toyota Avensis | Used Car Tests | Car Reviews | Auto Express OK its the last model but does appear to undermine the Toyota rep for build quality slightly.
If you are looking for oriental adventure how about one of these? http://www.hyundai-car.co.uk/i40/visualiser.php
If you are looking for oriental adventure how about one of these? http://www.hyundai-car.co.uk/i40/visualiser.php
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D
Deleted member 11979
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We have a 2011 XC70 and can confirm the turning circle is now fine. Our 07 reg V70 was indeed a barge!
As with above, Volvos do seem quite reliable in comparison to other makes, but lack the overall polish of a BMW or Mercedes.
As with above, Volvos do seem quite reliable in comparison to other makes, but lack the overall polish of a BMW or Mercedes.
st4
Banned
Ian, if it ain't broke don't fix it. If you've found Volvo's to be pleasant, reliable and ideal fit for your requirements, why buy something else. Change, for the sake of change, is usually bad.
