Toyota Avensis test drive since 2009 sedan

Dreaming is not harmful

For many Toyota, not just a car brand, but a whole religion. As the adherents of this cult say, Toyota makes the most reliable cars in the world. In many ways, this is why it is not difficult to sell Toyota in the secondary market, although the prices for them are one of the highest. Today, the second Avensis 2002 is of the greatest interest.
In our secondary market you will meet mainly cars originally sold in Russia. Of course, there should be no problems with iron. But the front headlights and rear lights sometimes sweat. This is due to the features of the design of optics. The official dealers of Toyota at the insistence of the owners even changed the sweating headlights under the guarantee, but the new ones turned out to be no better. You should not be upset about this, because this feature does not affect not only the speed, but even the efficiency of the headlights.
At first, Avensis was sold in our two trim levels of medium (R1, later it was renamed SOL) and rich (under the index R2, or Lux). But in 2005, the simplest cars appeared in the R0/Terra configuration. Although simple such machines can only be called conditionally, because Avensis R0 has an air conditioner, ABS, an anti-wings system and even a contrast (though it was absent in the database), an electric package, 6 pillows, a cd receiver with 8 speakers and 16-inch wheels (Machines in such a configuration from Europe could have 15-inch wheels). If we talk about the version of R1 (SOL), then there will already be a separate climate control, 9 pillows, one of which protects the driver’s knees, heating chairs, fog lights and much more. Such cars in the secondary market are the most, because Avensis data had everything necessary that can be required from a decent foreign car.
The only serious headache of the owners of this model is high demand for it from hijackers. Alas, you can only fight this by systematic protection of the car from theft. The car should be installed on the car, consisting of at least alarm, an additional immobilizer and a hood lock covering access to locks located in the engine compartment. It is also necessary to insure the car in a decent company according to the CASCO policy (and the tariffs on Toyota are often higher than for many other brands).
To begin with, let's say about those motors that are very rare in Russia. This is a gasoline unit with a volume of 1.6 liters (110 hp), which was installed only on European versions of Avensis. In addition, from the same Europe, if you wish, you can bring a car with a diesel engine, which were several pieces: 2.0 liters (116 hp) and 2.2 liters, and the last motor can be in two versions of 150 hp. or 177 hp According to the masters, if you order diesel Avensis from the distillers, it is best to look towards the 116-horsepower or 150-horsepower engine. The fact is that a diesel with a capacity of 177 hp, which is called Clean Power, is very demanding of the quality of diesel fuel. Although, of course, the characteristics of this power unit are magnificent by the driver pleasantly pleasing not only the power, but also the torque, which is already 400 nm (for comparison: the most voluminous gasoline engine gives out only miserable 260 nm).
In Russia, Avensis was sold with three engines. The most modest cars have a 1.8 liter engine. Its 129 horses are enough. In many ways, this is why the engine was equipped with both mechanics and automatic.
But the experience shows that it is better to find a car with a 2.0 -liter engine, which produces 147 hp. (or 155 hp in the Japanese market). And this is primarily due to the low reliability of the 1.8-liter engine of the 1ZZ-FE series. Due to the insufficient abuse of oil and ineffective cooling of the bottom of the piston, the oil scrap rings of these engines lose mobility in the piston groove already with small runs. The result is increased oil consumption and engine noise due to insufficient pressure in the Tensor of the timing chain. In advanced cases, oil consumption can reach one liter and more by 1000 km of run. The treatment method is only one replacement of pistons and piston rings or replacing a short block assembly.
In July 2005, the problem was solved. A new piston design with eight holes for draining oil from the piston groove was used, piston rings were modernized, and the volume of oil was increased by 0.5 liters. Therefore, buying Avensis with a 1.8 liter engine, released after July 2005, you can be absolutely sure that you will not encounter the problem of increased oil consumption.
Avensis 2.4 is also not the most profitable purchase. Of course, such a car has 163 hp. And it is equipped only with a new 5-speed automatic box (with 1.8- and 2-liter units there is a mechanic or a 4-speed automatic). Yes, and with reliability in a 2.4 liter engine, full order. But such cars are painfully expensive: the new Avensis 2.4 costs as much as Camry in a very good configuration and with the same power unit. And in the secondary market this situation is preserved. So it turns out that the best option is Avensis 2.0.
Choose a gearbox to your liking. After all, there are no complaints about their reliability. They have a huge resource, and even adhesion on mechanics sometimes withstands 180,000,200,000 km. The replacement of the kit will cost, however, not cheap (about $ 600).
If you return to the engines, it should be noted that Toyota, unlike most world car manufacturers, still forces buyers to do it every 10,000 km, although many have long ago switched to maintenance every 15,000, or even 20,000 km. As a result, at first glance it seems that the cost of operating Toyota is slightly higher than cars of other brands. But in this case, everything is relative: comparing the cost of only one oil and filters is not entirely correct. Of course, the frequent then can annoy a little, but with this schedule of car service, it is possible to detect a malfunction much earlier. Say, in time to clean the brake calipers or elements of the power system, and the engine has never been harmful to the engine.
The chassis Toyota Avensis can be safely called one of the most reliable among classmates (if not the most reliable). In most cases, Avensis buyers with a mileage of more than 100,000120,000 km receive a car with all (!) Native elements of the suspension. Usually, even shock absorbers and silent blocks are calmly withstanding this mileage, which on our roads are often not the strongest. Moreover, one should not think that shock absorbers are worth some crazy money ($ 130). The service life of such elements as levers is difficult to predict for sure, on good roads they calmly withstand more than 250,000 km.
However, before buying a car, ask the masters to carefully check the suspension. If it is already strongly worn out (in Russia, with the ability to kill it, and for 70,000 km), remember: the resuscitation of the chassis will cost very decent money. Moreover, the greatest costs will be given to the rear axle. For example, replacing all the rear levers with a company's service station will cost more than $ 1000. Plus, probably you have to put new fists with ball supports ($ 600700) and shock absorbers ($ 220 per pair). In general, be careful! This is especially true for cars of the first years of production. The steering mechanism on these machines was not the most successful. Sometimes, with a run of 50,000 km, the rake begins to knock. Usually it was changed under warranty, but not on all cars the problem managed to manifest itself during the warranty period. The reason for the malfunction is increased wear of plastic sleeves of the rail, due to the disgusting quality of Russian roads. A defect is manifested in a barely distinguishable tapping, coming from the shield of the motor compartment when passing small irregularities and tram tracks. The wear of the rails of the rail does not affect safety and in no way cannot lead to jamming, but even to bite the steering mechanism. It was not possible to identify the laws in the appearance of a knock, and it is highly likely that someone will not encounter this problem. Raika repair does not give any effect, the only way to get rid of the sound is a new rail ($ 850 plus work). Therefore, choosing a car, shake the steering wheel from side to side with the ignition turned off. If you hear a barely audible tapping, it is better to look for another copy.
EXCURSION
The predecessor of Avensis model Carina, which first appeared on the market back in 1957. However, in the 90s, the Japanese decided to give the heir to Carina a new name, this was supposed to help the company a little improve the image of the model. After all, Carina was famous in Europe with her reliability, but she looked boring.
In 1997, Toyota showed a model named Avensis, which they began to do in three bodies: sedan, hatchback and station wagon. It is interesting that this model was developed specifically for Europe, they also assembled it, by the way, in the Old World in the UK. The first -generation Avensis was placed under the hood of gasoline engines with a volume of 1.6; 1.8 and 2.0 liters. In addition, there was a 2-liter turbodiesel, which, of course, was not officially supplied to Russia. In 2000, Toyota held Avensis restyling, and at the very end of 2002 at the Motor Show in Bologna showed the second generation of the model (official sales of Avensis II began in the first half of 2003).
For the hood of Avensis II, at first they put 1.6 engines; 1.8 and 2.0 liters, as well as a 2-liter diesel. A little later, a 2.4 liter gasoline engine and two 2.2 liters appeared. Moreover, it was the 2.2-liter diesel in the Clean Power version that turned out to be the most powerful he gave out 177 hp, and the 2.4-liter gasoline unit had 163 hp.
In 2006, the restyled version of Avensis was shown. Well, at the end of this year, Toyota promises to show the third generation of Avensis, which is now undergoing road tests.
Toyota Avensis is one of the most reliable cars. Buying even a used Avensis, you can be sure that in three years the car will lose very little in price, and there will be no problems with its sale.
An ideal in terms of price and quality is Avensis with a 2.0 liter engine in the R1 or SOL configuration.
Experts
Andrey Lemigov, Director General of the DAX expert company:
Toyota Avensis, even 1998 of the model year, can be attributed to the most trouble -free car. Thus, the number of non -planned visits to car services by the owners of Avensis was almost the lowest compared to other machines. The last generation of Toyota Avensis entered the market more than five years ago, but such a hype that accompanied the previous model at one time, is still imperceptibly. After all, Avensis is not brought from the United States, as a result of which the cost of European copies of this model is still at the level of the American Toyota Camry. It is clear that the latter clearly win in many positions due to belonging to a higher class, and therefore are more popular in the secondary market.
Dmitry Erokhin, General Director of the Center for Car loans, Ph.D.:
The buyer Toyota Avensis will undoubtedly pay attention to the credit program of Toyota Bank, which is now offered by official dealers. Unlike programs of Russian banks, it has several advantages. In particular, the buyer receives a credit decision acting within 6 months, which allows him to calmly expect the arrival of the car. Another advantage of the Toyota Bank program signing a loan agreement directly in the dealer office, thereby saving the buyer’s time does not need to go to the bank.
As for the financial conditions of this program, they are comparable to existing markets. So, the loan rate is 9% in currency and 11% in rubles. The initial fee is from 20%, the loan term to 5 years.
Early repayment of a loan is possible after 6 months. Package of documents: passport, second document, work book, work certificate.
However, this program is aimed at supporting sales of official dealers and applies only to the purchase of new Toyota cars. Therefore, a buyer who wants to purchase a Toyota Avensis with a mileage will have to look for a credit program among Russian banks. Although if we are talking about a car not older than three years, the financial conditions of the loan will be quite comparable to the terms of the loan for the new car.
Denis Smolyanov
Author photo: Yan Segal
 

Source: Mkobil magazine [March 2008]