2003 Toyota Avensis Luna 1.6 petrol

Summary:

Best built Toyota on road

Faults:

Nothing so far, a very reliable unit.

General Comments:

The car is very comfy and drives good. The 1.6 engine is bit underpowered, but does the job. Very reliable, but the VVTi engine likes a drop of oil every now and again. Previous car was a 12 d4d; that was horrible car to drive. That's why I went back to the older model; a better built car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 12th February, 2021

13th Feb 2021, 16:21

Totally agree they are nice cars. Not terribly exciting, but reliable. An elderly gentlemen near where I live had an old Carina E back in the 1990's, then a 2000 model Avensis after that, said they were both the most reliable cars he had in 50 years motoring. 2003 - 2009 shape is nice as well. I believe the problem with the 2009 on wards model is the same as all modern cars - just even more dull and boring with average reliability, interior styled like a smart phone, and very expensive to repair when they do go wrong.

Myself I'm looking at a cheap run around low mileage 1998 R Reg Avensis 1.8 petrol in blue. At £800 it's a very smart older car, still modern enough to be safe and reliable (it's very looked after) and will easily last me a couple of years, and no expensive worries the likes of which I would get with that 2013 Avensis for sale nearby, which costs thousands to buy initially as well.

In reply to 13th Feb 2021, 16:21

25th Jun 2021, 19:56

Yes I still have my 03 Avensis 1.6 VVTi platinum silver metallic. I really love this colour, but Toyota discontinued it for some reason because my 2012 model was flat silver and lacked the coat; the paint was bare.

So far no problems with my Avensis. I agree parts are cheap; ECT lamps, tail lights all can be got from a breakers yard. Yes the model Avensis you speak of in 1.8 blue would be a very nice model indeed. I have to agree with you there. Unfortunately in IRE lots of that model Avensis were exported to other countries and it's very hard get one now; even my model is rare now because of exports.

Kind regards. Hope you got your Avensis. The real problem with my last d4d model was the ERG valve gets blocked; a common fault on all models; it's design flaw unfortunately.

I'm very happy with my 1.6 VVTi; it gets the job done.

2003 Toyota Avensis T4 1.8 petrol

Summary:

Unworthy of the money I paid

Faults:

Brake shoes rusting (repainted again, which fell off).

Brake discs (front) replaced before first pads worn.

Both keys replaced.

Front underside tyre panel fell off.

Alloy wheels flaked and bubbled.

Fault in steering (recalled twice).

Rattle in panel.

Now rattle in steering and vibration at 60mph, even after new tyres.

General Comments:

This is one of the worst cars I have ever had, systematic repairs one after another. My previous cars Peugeot and Citroen, had not a fraction of the repairs this car requires.

Toyota after the warranty did not want to know. I was offered replacement alloys for £500 because the paint was bubbling and flaking. I now have a rattle, possibly in the steering area and vibration starting at 60mph.

One repair after another.

I will never buy another Toyota again.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 5th October, 2007

7th Oct 2007, 15:49

You've been really unlucky, I think you must've had a lemon car!

My wife ran an 03-plate Avensis D4-D T4 from about 22k miles up to around 96k miles as a co. car in the space of about 18 mths, and apart from it being slightly underpowered we found it great.

Up til recently I was in car sales for 10 yrs, and in my opinion in their class, these cars ride, handle and perform very well. They're also well built, and very reliable. I'd like to get one back again as she now runs a Saab which is no-where near as good!

I sold the following new--Ford, Vauxhall, Daihatsu, Kia, Honda, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge. In my opinion, only Honda's come close as an overall package.

However, our dealer was crap, and completely cocked up when they replaced rear bushes and got all the geometry wrong, but I blame the dealer, not Toyota as a manufacturer.

You sure you just didn't have a crap dealer? And don't you think it's rather narrow minded to say you'll never buy another Toyota just because of one experience, kinda like saying you'll never have sex again becuase you didn't like it once!

8th Oct 2007, 00:14

I agree with above comment. Toyota as manufacturers are superior to the PSA group, just look at all the satisfaction/reliability surveys.