Discussion
Having had zero luck with my last few cars, I've decided to give disposable motoring a try. I've always bought cars around £2k, because generally you can get something with a bit of life in it that'll see you good for a couple of years. However, this time I've spent a single week's wages on a car - so if it dies I'll crush it and buy it again.
ANYWAY - I narrowed my search down to the MK1 Toyota Avensis. I had one back in 2003 and it was a cracker (CDX). It did 178k before the bodywork showed its age, and I got snobby. A guy came all the way from Germany to pick it up on a trailer!! More recently I've had a MK2 which drank oil as fast as petrol and, whilst it was a gorgeous seating position, has let me down a couple of times.
The temptation to buy another CDX was almost irresistible. But I came to realise it's a bit like going back to an ex girlfriend. You know it'll give you a nice ride, but you'll so know there are other models that you're not experiencing and enjoying. To cut a long story short, I found this SR and bought it. This way I get everything I know, but something a bit different. (A bit like your ex's sister - it may have more miles on the clock, but it's a more attractive example - and a bit firmer)
Anyway, here it is. 100,500 miles on it - serviced every 4k miles with an obscene amount of history. The real deal breaker was a rather daft one, but valid nonetheless. Ever since I sold the first car I've regretted it. This one is just a couple of digits out on the numberplate in the same sequence, so I had to have it.
There's not a lot about the Avensis SR anywhere on the internet. It's basically a GLS spec, but with a bodykit and firmer suspension. It has the same brilliant 2.0 engine (3SFE) that the CDX has, which comes it 126BHP. It won't knock you over, but it's quite a torquey engine.
Anyway, I'm very fond of it. Which wasn't supposed to be the way with 'bangernomics' ! It's already turned into a rolling restoration!
Here's to the best thing to come out of Derby since Brian Clough (and the A52)
ANYWAY - I narrowed my search down to the MK1 Toyota Avensis. I had one back in 2003 and it was a cracker (CDX). It did 178k before the bodywork showed its age, and I got snobby. A guy came all the way from Germany to pick it up on a trailer!! More recently I've had a MK2 which drank oil as fast as petrol and, whilst it was a gorgeous seating position, has let me down a couple of times.
The temptation to buy another CDX was almost irresistible. But I came to realise it's a bit like going back to an ex girlfriend. You know it'll give you a nice ride, but you'll so know there are other models that you're not experiencing and enjoying. To cut a long story short, I found this SR and bought it. This way I get everything I know, but something a bit different. (A bit like your ex's sister - it may have more miles on the clock, but it's a more attractive example - and a bit firmer)
Anyway, here it is. 100,500 miles on it - serviced every 4k miles with an obscene amount of history. The real deal breaker was a rather daft one, but valid nonetheless. Ever since I sold the first car I've regretted it. This one is just a couple of digits out on the numberplate in the same sequence, so I had to have it.
There's not a lot about the Avensis SR anywhere on the internet. It's basically a GLS spec, but with a bodykit and firmer suspension. It has the same brilliant 2.0 engine (3SFE) that the CDX has, which comes it 126BHP. It won't knock you over, but it's quite a torquey engine.
Anyway, I'm very fond of it. Which wasn't supposed to be the way with 'bangernomics' ! It's already turned into a rolling restoration!
Here's to the best thing to come out of Derby since Brian Clough (and the A52)
Edited by radiodanno on Tuesday 9th July 09:43
Goodness me. I don’t remember even starting this thread. I suppose in 2013 someone buying a 14 year old Toyota was so unremarkable that it didn’t warrant comment. At all.
Fast forward 8 years and it’s still here, still purple, still loved and still very much going.
Since purchase it’s been routinely serviced lol and that’s about it, apart from one clutch at about 185k. Last week it passed an MOT with a clean sweep.
It’s had quite a few quid spent on it (read: more than the initial purchase price) but it’s now A1 mechanically and B1 cosmetically. Some paint next year and it’ll be better than when I bought it.
Oh. And it’s done 263,000 miles (!)
Fast forward 8 years and it’s still here, still purple, still loved and still very much going.
Since purchase it’s been routinely serviced lol and that’s about it, apart from one clutch at about 185k. Last week it passed an MOT with a clean sweep.
It’s had quite a few quid spent on it (read: more than the initial purchase price) but it’s now A1 mechanically and B1 cosmetically. Some paint next year and it’ll be better than when I bought it.
Oh. And it’s done 263,000 miles (!)
Levin said:
What a joyous sight that is. I don't think I've ever seen an Avensis SR before, but - believe it or not - diesel Avensises (Avensi?) are becoming somewhat desirable in Ireland. Young lads here like a saloon they can lower as much as possible and it seems the D4D and Turbo-D models are becoming appealing.
Personally I just think they're a likeable car. Utterly dependable motoring like the Carinas that preceded them.
My work used to take me - on and off - to Northern Ireland and the borders for a few years 2001-2005. I had another Avensis saloon back then (only 4 years old!) and I saw more Avensi (plural) in Ireland in one weekend than I did back home in 3 years. Personally I just think they're a likeable car. Utterly dependable motoring like the Carinas that preceded them.
In the UK, the saloons were rare indeed. But that's always been an Irish thing. Nowadays, MK1 Avensi (plural) are almost completely unseen. It's a shame really; nobody will mourn their passing like the Mondeo as they were just never that popular when they came out. I guess it was an image problem.
rugbyleague said:
I used to work for Toyota in Derby building these, The SR was built at the factory in Derby and then transferred to Toyota GB who changed the badges, wheels and put a rather nice Sony stereo in I think?
I used to travel to the export ports for Toyota in the Uk and in Europe so had many (20?) of these as company cars qas we were only allowed to put 6000 miles on them before they went into the dealer network. Never let me down and have had 1 Toyota in the family ever since (which have never let me down either)
That's really interesting intel, thank you! I did nearly buy an SR back in about 2006 when the miles on my CDX were racking up and a guy at the nearest garage had one for sale. I used to travel to the export ports for Toyota in the Uk and in Europe so had many (20?) of these as company cars qas we were only allowed to put 6000 miles on them before they went into the dealer network. Never let me down and have had 1 Toyota in the family ever since (which have never let me down either)
rugbyleague said:
New grille, lower bumper and boot spoiler I think aswell. 1.8 engine much less thirsty that the 2.0L
Yes, the old 7AFE "lean burn" is very efficient but, tbh, I've never had cause to complain with this 2.0 unit. It will do over 40 on a run, but I've never managed to do worse than 35 mixed use. It's a joy to service (front facing oil filter, no undertrays etc) and will hitch up her skirt and make a dash if you ask nicely!F1GTRUeno said:
Technically the JDM Caldina was.
Anyway was the Avensis an updated Carina E or a totally new car? Strikes me just how much the mid section of the car is similar as the very least,
Hmm, my knowledge here is quite gappy. The Carina E (E for Europe) was an all new car. The Avensis is very similar to the Carina E but I'm quietly confident that no panels were carried across.Anyway was the Avensis an updated Carina E or a totally new car? Strikes me just how much the mid section of the car is similar as the very least,
The engines all were though, from the (very) rarely seen 1.6 to the famous 3sfe 2.0i. The Avensis estate was effectively a Caldina off of Japan.
carinaman said:
From the comments at the bottom it seems there's a Toyota High Mile Club:
https://mag.toyota.co.uk/toyota-carina-e-avensis-2...
Are the doors not the same between the Carina and Avensis? They've the same crease above the door handles.
A trader in Hampshire had a sub 100K mile with FSH 2.0 VVTi Avensis SR hatch up for £990 a couple of months ago. It wasn't advertised for long.
Yes, I proudly display my bronze and silver badges. https://mag.toyota.co.uk/toyota-carina-e-avensis-2...
Are the doors not the same between the Carina and Avensis? They've the same crease above the door handles.
A trader in Hampshire had a sub 100K mile with FSH 2.0 VVTi Avensis SR hatch up for £990 a couple of months ago. It wasn't advertised for long.
I did very, very nearly sell this car 2 years ago to the only person I would sell it to. Scott from Toyota for the Heritage fleet. Sadly there was a disagreement internally so it never happened, but I’m glad as it remains with me.
Little update then. Begrudgingly I sold this a couple of years ago when I simply had too many cars and was forced to take on a company lease car. It sold to a guy I know - his 19 year old daughter drove it to Dubrovnik on a banger rally, then toured it all the way home.
Currently on 282k and still plodding. Great, great cars.
Currently on 282k and still plodding. Great, great cars.
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