I rhink im turning japanese

[bub2006]

As you may know ive not been very well. Depression, anxiety and stress along with a existing disability flare up i ended up in hospital over the weekend on suspicion of having a mini stroke. Luckily it doesmt seem that i had one according to doctors but im left with limited left leg strength. Ford focus went up for sale and sold to a chap for his mrs which left me with a little cash to regain some mobility.

Finding an automatic is quite hard at lower budgets. Either the box or block is kippered,bodywork knackered, no mot or just daft prices but me and a friend stumbled over this avensis. Pre facelift in leeds. Chap said bodywork isnt great but box and engine is sweet with only 68k on the clock and a recent service. It was a 70 mile journey but we took a gamble and went over. Paintwork was flat,dent on front wing,scrape on rear quarter and an absolutely minging interior but the mileage was good,recent service,new front discs and pads and an mot till june with fairly decent mot history. Money was paid and off i went.

2.0 automatic,full leather,sony head unit im lead to believe is factory with remote control,manual climate with working ac,electric sunroof that sadly doesnt work too great but the windows,rcl and everything else seems to be fine.

Yesterday my friend said the car needed cleaning and promptly set to and spent 4 hours polishing a turd. Its actually come up very well but he has said it needs a full carpet shampoo inside and i agree as its very very scruffy with ingrained dirt in carpet mats.

Overall it seems a very decent motor. Fuel economy seems unrealistically good dor a 2.0 with an auto box too. Thanks for listening toca madmans ramblings!

[Squirrel2]

A project manager at a company I used to work for had one of these - almost the exact same spec. - it did a 'moon-ship' mileage in his hands before his OH made him change it. Very little went wrong; Japanese/Toyota reliability?

 

Squirrel2

[bub2006]

With my luck im hoping it works out!

[dollywobbler]

Nice one Bub. I think that in many ways, these were the peak of car development. Surprisingly economical, spacious, practical and not fitted with bloody Bluetooth.

[320touring]

My parents had an R plate 2.0auto.

 

Phenomenal car - never ever broke down and was often a loaner for me when my shiye died.

 

I used to get 40mpg on a run at 70. This being an R reg, it should have the earlier non oil-burning lump. Pretty much bulletproof.

 

Looks like just the car you need chap, enjoy!

[bub2006]

It is better on fuel than the focus 1.6 and mondeo. Certainly better than any auto ive owned!

[BorniteIdentity]

I think y'all know this - but I have a 1999 2.0 Avensis.  To echo what DW has said, this is as close to 'peak car' that you'll get.  Certainly what came after the MK1 Avensis was nowhere near as good from a reliability POV.  

 

The 3SFE engine is tough - very tough.  Mine has 213k on it with just regular oil changes.  They're easy to do as the oil filter is front facing and up top, the plugs are a doddle, the fuel filter is easily accessible and you can have the air filter out in about 10 seconds.  Tyres, being 15", are cheap - and the drums on the back will outlast the car (mine are still completely original)

 

One weakness is the steering rack - they all squeak a bit at low speed.  Ignore.  It's unlikely to ever completely give up.  Otherwise mine has given 4 years of faultless service.

 

I doubt there's a better mode of transport available at the price point.

 

[spartacus]

I think that's pretty much the essence of Autoshite, looks like a good buy to me.

[Heidel_Kakao]

Full leather Also loving what looks to be the fakest wood I have ever seen. With only 68k on the clock it should go on forever as long as it doesn't dissolve.

[plasticvandan]

with your situation and the mileage you do,i think Jap is the only way

[bub2006]

I think y'all know this - but I have a 1999 2.0 Avensis. To echo what DW has said, this is as close to 'peak car' that you'll get. Certainly what came after the MK1 Avensis was nowhere near as good from a reliability POV.

 

The 3SFE engine is tough - very tough. Mine has 213k on it with just regular oil changes. They're easy to do as the oil filter is front facing and up top, the plugs are a doddle, the fuel filter is easily accessible and you can have the air filter out in about 10 seconds. Tyres, being 15", are cheap - and the drums on the back will outlast the car (mine are still completely original)

 

One weakness is the steering rack - they all squeak a bit at low speed. Ignore. It's unlikely to ever completely give up. Otherwise mine has given 4 years of faultless service.

 

I doubt there's a better mode of transport available at the price point.

 

avensis.png

What mpg are you getting? This is around 38/39 whuch im frankly amazed with.

[BorniteIdentity]

What mpg are you getting? This is around 38/39 whuch im frankly amazed with.

 

The same.  It does 100 miles a day, mostly motorway.  The auto will be thirstier around town than the 5 speed, but more economical on a run because of the overdrive/longer legs.  I've seen 42mpg out of it quite a few times doing 65mph on very long journeys.  

 

I will give you a medal if you can terminally break one of these!

[bub2006]

I have been doing a lot of town driving. Hate being stuck in when down. The auto box on this is so responsive yet can be so laid back too. I was a bit apprehensove with my experience of autos being thirsty but this is another world

[chaseracer]

Almost back to where it was made, too.

[bub2006]

Only up the road!

[Kiltox]

Non VVTi petrol auto has to be the best combination for one of these, well bought

[bub2006]

Thank you. Got it for 370 with mot till mid june so it should be ok.

[Supernaut]

Thank you. Got it for 370 with mot till mid june so it should be ok.

An even bigger bargain than my Mondeo. Top work!

[jonny69]

I don't think you need to be too surprised about the fuel economy. Mrs69's old series 1 Scenic was a 2.0 petrol auto and would do 42mpg on a run. Her new one doesn't get anywhere near that.

[Bren]

Get some bondo and rattle cans.

Japanese fake wood is terrible - I dread to think what their fake tits must be like.

[Lacquer Peel]

Nice one Bub. I think that in many ways, these were the peak of car development. Surprisingly economical, spacious, practical and not fitted with bloody Bluetooth.

What's wrong with Bluetooth?

The same. It does 100 miles a day, mostly motorway. The auto will be thirstier around town than the 5 speed, but more economical on a run because of the overdrive/longer legs. I've seen 42mpg out of it quite a few times doing 65mph on very long journeys.

 

I will give you a medal if you can terminally break one of these!

If anyone can do it, bub can... Sorry bub, I hope this car ends your spell of bad luck

[bub2006]

Thanks for vote of confidence!

[AlabamaShrimp]

When are you getting your taxi licence?

[bub2006]

Im not,fake plates ftw

[Kiltox]

Fake Taxi Derbyshire ?

[tommytwo]

Congratulations on a great purchase, the car looks really good now that it has a had a good wash and polish. The scrape on the nearside rear looks like an easy fix. And a full leather interior. I envy you!. Looks to me that you have got a real bargain buy.

 

This year. I acquired a Mondeo Mk3 2.0 litre auto and that is also good on petrol. Longer runs return well over 40 mpg and shorter runs give about 30 ish.  I am told that the engine design is Japanese. Its good to have an auto if you get stuck on a regular basis in heavy traffic, it certainly saves wear on your left leg.

 

With regular servicing, I think your car will outlive you. Looks to me like  your luck may now be changing for the better.

[stuboy]

autos way to proceed

[Slartibartfast]

Well bought. Keep an eye on that grot though, don't want the thing to rust out from under you.

[Jazoli]

My Avensis auto only did 29mpg, which I thought was shit really as I couldn't have been any gentler with the throttle, they are not bad cars, think my old one is still going somewhere, sold to JohnK off this forum.

[bub2006]

Mines definitely better than 29mpg. No major rust but i plant to sort out that rear quarter.