Faults:

Blown indicator bulb. I won't blame Toyota for that one...

Offside passenger door doesn't unlock with the central locking. A bit annoying considering it's a Toyota.

General Comments:

This is my first proper car after passing my test, after many years riding 'bikes. So my comparisons are with a Honda ST1100 Pan European rather than any car. Although I had a Cavalier 1.6L for a bit before passing.

So my first impressions are of performance; I'm used to slightly better power to weight ratios, but after I worked out that third was needed, 'A' road overtaking has been OK. It feels strained in lower gears (where the gearshift could be better), but main road cruising is great. Crosswinds and the wake from lorries seem to buffet it around a bit, but then maybe that's normal for cars. It seems to handle great on sweeping 'A' roads, but Suffolk back roads (a dire test for any vehicle) can get the suspension in a bit of a tizzy.

That said, comfort is great. I'd prefer it if the seat was to tilt forward a bit more, but after 400 miles straight I got out with no aches or pains. I could have been sitting in front of the telly; brilliant. Excellent accommodation for passengers and luggage as well; it seats five in relative comfort and swallowed up a dishwasher without a hitch. Very practical. The interior looks good as well, with tastefully patterned seats and an ergonomic dashboard.

Hopefully reliability will be good, it's the main reason I bought the car. The previous owner had had a 4wd reverse into it and ding the bonnet and there is a less than satisfactory repair there. But apart from that the paintwork is like new, not bad at all for a 7 year old car. I'm used to 'bikes and like the quality touches you get with Japanese vehicles, like the stainless exhaust system, which looks set to last another seven winters.

Faults:

The first things to go were rear shocks and coil springs after 15,000 miles. The bushings in the rear also went shortly afterwards. At around 40,000 all 4 shocks and coils were replaced again. Then after that at different intervals gearbox, clutch, starter, numerous batteries, bushings in suspension all round, steering wheel worn through, gearstick worn, drivers seat broke, handbrake broke off, several sets of brake pads, also a set of rear brake shoes, lots of tyres, vacuum pump for brakes on top of engine, ignition switch, were all replaced.

General Comments:

The car has covered 120,000 miles on Irish roads in 1 year as it is used as a taxi. It is used 24 hours a day and is hardly ever parked. Most of the problems have been covered under the warranty up until now. Most of the problems occured after 60,000 miles but were still replaced under the warranty. very good dealer service. The car is still very smooth and quiet on the road even though it needs shocks and coil springs all round again!! The engine diagnostic light has a habit of going on and off even though no fault is recorded. I would say they are a fairly OK car, brilliant service from Tim.

Faults:

Not much within the first 30,000 miles that couldn't be blamed on intensive use.

General Comments:

Used as a taxicab 24 hours a day. Sheetmetal is ludicrously thin. Much thinner than its predecessor the Carina. The Avensis is in and out of the bodyshop because of dents. Pays off to lean against a door before buying, especially when you have small kids playing soccer in your driveway, or you have to enter rougher terrain frequently. Paint is very soft and scratchable as on various modern cars because of water based paints, but why can Mercedes get this right and Toyota not?