Great video this week John. Fancy cars are great, but as you say, if you need a car for everyday reliable driving, there is no beating Toyota. My brother in law is on his second Avensis (estate) currently well north of 300kms and still going strong. Plain ordinary cars have a place in the market. Just imagine if the only cars were Alfas etc. with all the unreliability they bring with them. No apologies necessary for owning a four wheel Labrador.
Thats the thing. So many people are quick to run down ordinary cars and brands but most people just need a simple car. And, like me, if you're a motoring enthusiast I just want a daily that allows me to enjoy the rest at weekends.
I have the older Avensis, the T25 hatchback with 1.8 petrol auto. It's comfortable, spacious, quiet, and just goes. I love it, because whenever you need a car and no matter what you throw at it, it's the car you need. And that is ultimately the best thing a car can be. Perfect.
Hi John, Enjoyed your video. Like yourself,i'm a Tipp man and the owner of an Avensis. I bought mine in March 2019....since then,the car has given me a lot of trouble.....within months of buying it,I had to replace a c.v., a spring, the starter, abs sensor,and clutch. Also,the electric drivers side mirror gave trouble. On the plus side, i get c.70 mpg,(using dipetane), and i do get plenty of acceleration. My wife drives a 24 year old Corolla that never gives trouble. I guess my car was a Monday morning build car
Petrol will never fail, especially Toyota or Honda. Diesel technology is a complex and it does not like short around the corner trips. Also DPF and emission Laws are killing modern diesel. Diesel Toyota without DPF would run 500.000km without problems...politicians and Green Agenda is what is killing the car industry.
I started to drive in 2006, my first car being a BMW 316i compact. My second car in 2012 was a BMW 320d. In 2024, after a combined 18 years of BMW, I’ve given up on having nice cars that let you down and hurt your wallet and instead bought a 72 plate Corolla Estate. I plan on having this car for a long time.
Mine is even older, i have a 2009 same shape but the pre facelift. T4 spec, full cream leather, auto lights, heated seats, cruise control, etc, etc and only 87000 mile's. (UK import. It's a run about, bland but never let me down. A good Labrador indeed.
Interesting...there is one 1.8 manual facelift and 2.0 full spec CVT. Both look good and first owners. I would go for cvt with 2.0 engine but then again I need reliable estate for vacations with family. I just can't decide which to take. Facelift or non differences are almost non existant only headlights are differt and some small parts in interior.
There are a few other unexciting cars in this segment too Passat Insignia Laguna…😮The 2.2 d4d has a bit more grunt. Here’s a bombshell tho I had an Accord Type R, sold it and bought my Avensis, handled like a ship 🚢 😂😂 but now I appreciate how brilliantly average it is. 🤣🤣Great video 😎 hope you get a good deal on the car.
@@JohnsGarageIreland what we want is headache free motoring I guess.. And the Avensis fits the bill for me and many others. You definitely hit that one on the nail and was the best review on the Avensis. 👍🏿
@@superthierry1 that's pretty much it. Hassle free daily allows you to have a fun weekend car, it does for me anyway. And who wants to be fixing a daily regularly or paying out on overly exorbitant service items. Nah
Looks a great example....300nm doesn't seem too bad for torque .....I've never driven one though I think. Hard car to value, asking prices on donedeal go from loony low to what I'd expect a decent one to go for in these times so no doubt you'd get lots of nutters making contact.
As it happened it sold from the end of the driveway after a few days. A local guy spotted it, knew of me and appreciated how well cared for it was. It sold for €8k including a luck penny which I was happy with.
12 / 13 ish year ones have the electric handbrake nonsense that takes the shine off them. When those go south, its an utter pita & gets spendy. They also like injectors, which is no big deal - but the handbrake issue is a proper fly in-the-ointment.
I am just getting my aircon fixed and it's bloody expensive. Bought mine just before January with 100,000 miles and now on 108,100. It's a brilliant long distance car and hauler but I wish it was smaller.
I'm surprised that you had to have your aircon compressor replaced. The only thing that usually goes is the condensor, but that's a stone or something because it's right at the front, and that can happen to any car. Maybe the previous owner didn't use the aircon much, and it got dry.
Took 5 years of ownership and constant use for it to fail. The pulley went abd was pretty much ready to snap off. The worst thing I ever did was sell that car, I've wanted it back ever since
Im on a market for 2014 Avensis, it has a lot of mileage on it (260K km), but well maintained. One thing I noticed was the aircon didn't blow air that much out of vents. Is this something that should I be worried about! thnx
@@flo_fetAircon is probably faulty or your unit does cant signal it to work full blow. It can be a small issue. I heard some people needed to clean unit and it runned perfect. Some electrican should look into this. Airfan when it dies it does no spin at all, if it blows then either unit has problem or fan does not get enough power from the system.
Carbon build up in the intake, Diesel particle filter gets clogged. Any modern diesel make this issues if you drive a lot of short trips. If you wanr to save engine you need to keep it warm after each start meaning if you need to drive it only 1km you should make at least couple of more and then shut the engine.Once a week at least you should get to highway and push the engine. To burn the ash from the DPF you need constant oil and engine temperature. People that are not into mechanics usually make mistake and buy diesel to save money. If you drive it daily at least 20km then it's fine. Too many short trips to the local store will make you headache and problems. For people that drive daily 50+km diesel is a good choice. Petrol consume 2 liters more but on a long run it does not brake and services are much cheaper. So either you will save and spent money to keep diesel going or you can buy petrol which will hardly see mechanic shop. I once bought 2.0 B8 Passat diesel and never again will buy one. All the money I saved on diesel went on repairs after 40.000km.
There is a lot to be said for owning a car that just works. Starts every time and doesn't let you down. A Toyota is the ultimate for this.
Great video this week John. Fancy cars are great, but as you say, if you need a car for everyday reliable driving, there is no beating Toyota. My brother in law is on his second Avensis (estate) currently well north of 300kms and still going strong. Plain ordinary cars have a place in the market. Just imagine if the only cars were Alfas etc. with all the unreliability they bring with them. No apologies necessary for owning a four wheel Labrador.
Thats the thing. So many people are quick to run down ordinary cars and brands but most people just need a simple car. And, like me, if you're a motoring enthusiast I just want a daily that allows me to enjoy the rest at weekends.
I have the older Avensis, the T25 hatchback with 1.8 petrol auto. It's comfortable, spacious, quiet, and just goes. I love it, because whenever you need a car and no matter what you throw at it, it's the car you need. And that is ultimately the best thing a car can be. Perfect.
Hi John, Enjoyed your video. Like yourself,i'm a Tipp man and the owner of an Avensis. I bought mine in March 2019....since then,the car has given me a lot of trouble.....within months of buying it,I had to replace a c.v., a spring, the starter, abs sensor,and clutch. Also,the electric drivers side mirror gave trouble. On the plus side, i get c.70 mpg,(using dipetane), and i do get plenty of acceleration. My wife drives a 24 year old Corolla that never gives trouble. I guess my car was a Monday morning build car
Petrol will never fail, especially Toyota or Honda. Diesel technology is a complex and it does not like short around the corner trips. Also DPF and emission Laws are killing modern diesel. Diesel Toyota without DPF would run 500.000km without problems...politicians and Green Agenda is what is killing the car industry.
Thank you, very informative
I started to drive in 2006, my first car being a BMW 316i compact. My second car in 2012 was a BMW 320d. In 2024, after a combined 18 years of BMW, I’ve given up on having nice cars that let you down and hurt your wallet and instead bought a 72 plate Corolla Estate. I plan on having this car for a long time.
Mine is even older, i have a 2009 same shape but the pre facelift. T4 spec, full cream leather, auto lights, heated seats, cruise control, etc, etc and only 87000 mile's. (UK import. It's a run about, bland but never let me down. A good Labrador indeed.
I still miss mine!
Interesting...there is one 1.8 manual facelift and 2.0 full spec CVT. Both look good and first owners. I would go for cvt with 2.0 engine but then again I need reliable estate for vacations with family. I just can't decide which to take. Facelift or non differences are almost non existant only headlights are differt and some small parts in interior.
Great channel john🤘
Thanks James, make sure to share it 😀 👍 😊
There are a few other unexciting cars in this segment too Passat Insignia Laguna…😮The 2.2 d4d has a bit more grunt. Here’s a bombshell tho I had an Accord Type R, sold it and bought my Avensis, handled like a ship 🚢 😂😂 but now I appreciate how brilliantly average it is. 🤣🤣Great video 😎 hope you get a good deal on the car.
Thanks for sharing!
@@JohnsGarageIreland what we want is headache free motoring I guess.. And the Avensis fits the bill for me and many others. You definitely hit that one on the nail and was the best review on the Avensis. 👍🏿
@@superthierry1 that's pretty much it. Hassle free daily allows you to have a fun weekend car, it does for me anyway. And who wants to be fixing a daily regularly or paying out on overly exorbitant service items. Nah
Looks a great example....300nm doesn't seem too bad for torque .....I've never driven one though I think. Hard car to value, asking prices on donedeal go from loony low to what I'd expect a decent one to go for in these times so no doubt you'd get lots of nutters making contact.
As it happened it sold from the end of the driveway after a few days. A local guy spotted it, knew of me and appreciated how well cared for it was. It sold for €8k including a luck penny which I was happy with.
@@JohnsGarageIreland fabulous.... Was thinking sane valuation was guts of 10k retail, best of luck with new job John (and car)
Great review john. Have the trailing arms been done in the back? Only other things that give trouble
Nope, never had any issues with them. I did ask the dealers and the suggested it's generally an issue after 300k kms or cars that have been towing.
@@JohnsGarageIreland ya true. Normally ones that get hardship need them done
What’s the mileage in the city and motorway
12 / 13 ish year ones have the electric handbrake nonsense that takes the shine off them. When those go south, its an utter pita & gets spendy. They also like injectors, which is no big deal - but the handbrake issue is a proper fly in-the-ointment.
A great car, apart from the diesel injectors from Denso :(
I am just getting my aircon fixed and it's bloody expensive. Bought mine just before January with 100,000 miles and now on 108,100. It's a brilliant long distance car and hauler but I wish it was smaller.
What wass the issue with Aircon? I heard already Avensis had issue with control unit(cockpit) which needed cleaning.
@@The_Touring_Jedi cracked condenser.
@@alankeyes8267 How much was the condenser? I guess repair was not that expensive as part?
@@The_Touring_Jedi cost about £800 including replacement of the high pressure hose.
@@alankeyes8267 That is expensive but it's not usual. Can happen on aby car.
I'm surprised that you had to have your aircon compressor replaced. The only thing that usually goes is the condensor, but that's a stone or something because it's right at the front, and that can happen to any car. Maybe the previous owner didn't use the aircon much, and it got dry.
Took 5 years of ownership and constant use for it to fail. The pulley went abd was pretty much ready to snap off. The worst thing I ever did was sell that car, I've wanted it back ever since
Im on a market for 2014 Avensis, it has a lot of mileage on it (260K km), but well maintained. One thing I noticed was the aircon didn't blow air that much out of vents. Is this something that should I be worried about! thnx
@@flo_fetAircon is probably faulty or your unit does cant signal it to work full blow. It can be a small issue. I heard some people needed to clean unit and it runned perfect. Some electrican should look into this. Airfan when it dies it does no spin at all, if it blows then either unit has problem or fan does not get enough power from the system.
Ivers standard of service is definately a cut above the rest.
I honestly can't criticise their customer service and honestly.
can you put one Avensis 2020 in Dominican Repubic?
Great video. I recently been told if you buy Japanese car buy only petrol. I have 2012 avensis 2.0 diesel . What's you though on that ? 🫵🏻👌🏻
DPF issues
Carbon build up in the intake, Diesel particle filter gets clogged. Any modern diesel make this issues if you drive a lot of short trips. If you wanr to save engine you need to keep it warm after each start meaning if you need to drive it only 1km you should make at least couple of more and then shut the engine.Once a week at least you should get to highway and push the engine. To burn the ash from the DPF you need constant oil and engine temperature. People that are not into mechanics usually make mistake and buy diesel to save money. If you drive it daily at least 20km then it's fine. Too many short trips to the local store will make you headache and problems. For people that drive daily 50+km diesel is a good choice. Petrol consume 2 liters more but on a long run it does not brake and services are much cheaper. So either you will save and spent money to keep diesel going or you can buy petrol which will hardly see mechanic shop. I once bought 2.0 B8 Passat diesel and never again will buy one. All the money I saved on diesel went on repairs after 40.000km.