November 2002

Some cars cause a massive stir when they're launched, while others just fade into the background and quietly get on with the job in hand.
While Toyota's Avensis will never be remembered as an all-time great, it has been a strong seller for the Japanese company, winning over fleet buyers with its peerless reputation for reliability and low running costs, as well as wooing private customers who value Toyota's superb reputation.
But with so much choice in the mid-size saloon sector, the Avensis needs to be cheap to compete. That means most are incredibly well specified and - although there are better choices new - Toyota's repmobile makes a strong argument for itself as a second-hand choice.
Checklist
* Although the Avensis has a superb reputation for reliability, the mechanical build quality isn't matched by the interior. Check for loose or missing trim, as many of the plastics are brittle.
* Rear visibility on saloons and hatchback models is poor, so parking sensors are a worthwhile option.
* Watch for stonechips as many Avensises cover a lot of motorway miles. Resrays are expensive.
* A few owners have reported clutch failures at low mileages. Check there are no difficulties engaging gears.
* The Avensis is a popular minicab. Look for clocked examples, and check for wear to the back seats, interior trim and door handle mechanisms.
Glass's View
The Avensis isn't particularly aspirational, but like most Toyotas it retains its value well after the initial depreciation period, says trade bible Glass's Consumer Values. It is a reliable and inexpensive car to own, so for those who are looking for sensible, trouble-free motoring it's hard to beat. However, only cars in top condition are worth buying, as low-spec models will prove difficult to sell in the future.
My Avensis...
Mark Harvey had never considered owning a Japanese car before he got his Avensis earlier this year. "I'd always owned Fords or Vauxhalls before that," said the 34-year-old IT consultant from Camberley, Surrey. "But after checking out what was available, the Avensis started to make sense. I could have had a Vectra for less money, but I decided I wanted something slightly different."
Sportiness was an important factor, as his previous motor was a Vauxhall Calibra. "I chose an Avensis SR, because it is surprisingly quick. It's refined on motorways, but equally happy being barrelled along country lanes, where it shows surprisingly good roadholding."
Mark is also a fan of the Toyota's generous equipment levels and practical interior, but he admits that, in some areas, there is room for improvement: "The gearbox is slow and it's easy to crash the gears. And from the front, it isn't the prettiest car on the road." Even so, Mark says he will keep the Avensis for four years, by which time he hopes to trade up to a Volvo S60 or Saab 9-3.

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