Boring Stuff - Seat Exeo v Toyota Avensis
Discussion
Afternoon All,
A monumentally dull post for PH but I assume there will be some on here who own one of the above so will be well placed to give a real life view on them and let me know if there's anything to look out for.
My Civic's getting to the stage where big bills are imminent (clutch, turbo and CV joint all look to be on their way out, whilst it's long overdue a suspension refresh) so looking to chop it in ASAP for something solid and reliable to replace it with.
I'm currently averaging around 30k miles per year, without a fuel card or allowance, so 50+mpg is a must. I've spent the last 7 years crashing around in a Civic so I'm used to not floating on air, meaning either of these cars will be an improvement. My budget means that I'll most likely be looking at 2009/10 models of each with 30-40k on the clock.
Exeo 2.0 TDI SE - Seems like a lot of car for the money and a smart interior (previous generation Audi A4). I've driven a few Passats at work with the 143bhp diesel and managed to average 61mpg out of the last one over 800 or so miles, which is an impressive return. That was the Bluemotion Tech, which will have helped, although Passats weigh about 9 tonnes, which the Exeo doesn't. Would it be realistic to expect 55mpg out of an Exeo for 95% motorway miles? The downside is that the looks are a bit dated and I find the rear especially challenging on the eye. The ST (estate) is even worse! Sport model looks a bit better but I'd prefer the SE for ride quality (and cheaper tyres!).
Avensis 2.0 D-4D TR - I prefer the look of the Avensis (especially the tourer, which would be a bonus as we do a fair bit of camping) and I'm drawn in by the old Japanese reliability stuff (clutch aside, my Civic has cost very little in 176k miles), however my biggest concern is the mpg. The last one I drove was showing 38mpg over 40k miles. That was a fleet car so will most likely have been hammered, although having a look online, there seems to be a few owners disappointed with their economy. Is it really that bad or would 50mpg for motorway driving be realistic? I've also spotted a remap that would take it up from 126bhp to 160bhp, which looks tempting, and in theory would improve mpg slightly. Does anyone have any experience of this?
Note that it's only these two that I want to know about so I'm not interesting in looking at a 15 year old 5 series, a Pontiac Trans AM, an S60 D5 or £500 quid throw away car and MX5 for the weekend. I find driving irritating these days and rarely go out for a drive for "fun" so my main focus is running cost and the ability to eat up miles. I don't hang around when I get the opportunity of a clear run so that rules out and 1.4 - 1.6 diesels too.
I'm edging towards the Exeo as you seem to get more for your money, plus I like the idea of a 70 litre fuel tank, but if any owner of either of these could chip in with their views it would be appreciated.
A monumentally dull post for PH but I assume there will be some on here who own one of the above so will be well placed to give a real life view on them and let me know if there's anything to look out for.
My Civic's getting to the stage where big bills are imminent (clutch, turbo and CV joint all look to be on their way out, whilst it's long overdue a suspension refresh) so looking to chop it in ASAP for something solid and reliable to replace it with.
I'm currently averaging around 30k miles per year, without a fuel card or allowance, so 50+mpg is a must. I've spent the last 7 years crashing around in a Civic so I'm used to not floating on air, meaning either of these cars will be an improvement. My budget means that I'll most likely be looking at 2009/10 models of each with 30-40k on the clock.
Exeo 2.0 TDI SE - Seems like a lot of car for the money and a smart interior (previous generation Audi A4). I've driven a few Passats at work with the 143bhp diesel and managed to average 61mpg out of the last one over 800 or so miles, which is an impressive return. That was the Bluemotion Tech, which will have helped, although Passats weigh about 9 tonnes, which the Exeo doesn't. Would it be realistic to expect 55mpg out of an Exeo for 95% motorway miles? The downside is that the looks are a bit dated and I find the rear especially challenging on the eye. The ST (estate) is even worse! Sport model looks a bit better but I'd prefer the SE for ride quality (and cheaper tyres!).
Avensis 2.0 D-4D TR - I prefer the look of the Avensis (especially the tourer, which would be a bonus as we do a fair bit of camping) and I'm drawn in by the old Japanese reliability stuff (clutch aside, my Civic has cost very little in 176k miles), however my biggest concern is the mpg. The last one I drove was showing 38mpg over 40k miles. That was a fleet car so will most likely have been hammered, although having a look online, there seems to be a few owners disappointed with their economy. Is it really that bad or would 50mpg for motorway driving be realistic? I've also spotted a remap that would take it up from 126bhp to 160bhp, which looks tempting, and in theory would improve mpg slightly. Does anyone have any experience of this?
Note that it's only these two that I want to know about so I'm not interesting in looking at a 15 year old 5 series, a Pontiac Trans AM, an S60 D5 or £500 quid throw away car and MX5 for the weekend. I find driving irritating these days and rarely go out for a drive for "fun" so my main focus is running cost and the ability to eat up miles. I don't hang around when I get the opportunity of a clear run so that rules out and 1.4 - 1.6 diesels too.
I'm edging towards the Exeo as you seem to get more for your money, plus I like the idea of a 70 litre fuel tank, but if any owner of either of these could chip in with their views it would be appreciated.
Not too much to add, but a freind of mine has had an Exeo for a few and he loves it. He is a bit of a petrol head and the exeo was one of his company car options along with the useual suspect. So far he has no problems and he gets quite a few admirring comments as he has a bright red one which looks great.
CTS86 said:
Note that it's only these two that I want to know about so I'm not interesting in looking at a 15 year old 5 series, a Pontiac Trans AM, an S60 D5 or £500 quid throw away car and MX5 for the weekend. I find driving irritating these days and rarely go out for a drive for "fun" so my main focus is running cost and the ability to eat up miles. I don't hang around when I get the opportunity of a clear run so that rules out and 1.4 - 1.6 diesels too.
I'm edging towards the Exeo as you seem to get more for your money, plus I like the idea of a 70 litre fuel tank, but if any owner of either of these could chip in with their views it would be appreciated.
Read and understood. Nevertheless, give thought to a mondeo as it might well fit your circumstances.I'm edging towards the Exeo as you seem to get more for your money, plus I like the idea of a 70 litre fuel tank, but if any owner of either of these could chip in with their views it would be appreciated.
Sorry I can't give detail on the two you've suggested but a first thought is that either would be as good as the other for your needs. Avensis slightly more reliable, Exeo slightly more pleasant.
I'm running a 2011 Avensis Tourer which I inherited from my predecessor at work. It's the 140bhp diesel.
Awful thing to drive, no feel whatsoever from any of the controls.
It weighs slightly more than our house.
It returns about 45mpg if you drive along steadily. This is according to the computer, as I haven't lost enough will to live to measure it brim to brim. Sitting at 85mph it's doing less than this.
It has the most awful electronic handbrake. It rattles.
Needs servicing every 10k.
If it was my money? Nope.
Awful thing to drive, no feel whatsoever from any of the controls.
It weighs slightly more than our house.
It returns about 45mpg if you drive along steadily. This is according to the computer, as I haven't lost enough will to live to measure it brim to brim. Sitting at 85mph it's doing less than this.
It has the most awful electronic handbrake. It rattles.
Needs servicing every 10k.
If it was my money? Nope.
I have an exeo sport tech 170. Personally I think it's a nice car to drive, Seat have fetted with the suspension so it handles nicer than the A4 it is based on.
I receive quite a few positive comments from random people and notice a fair few average joes taking a glance at it which I have never hand on previous cars.
Go for the 143hp unit and you should achieve your mpg requirements. The 170 gets around 48 on the motorway, whilst using its performance where possible.
Try and find a SE tech model for the leather and BOSE stereo.
I receive quite a few positive comments from random people and notice a fair few average joes taking a glance at it which I have never hand on previous cars.
Go for the 143hp unit and you should achieve your mpg requirements. The 170 gets around 48 on the motorway, whilst using its performance where possible.
Try and find a SE tech model for the leather and BOSE stereo.
I drive a 1999 Avensis 30k a year and it's flawless. But don't be fooled by the unburstable reputation of Toyota in the 90s. Every avensis has been less reliable than the predecessor. The 6 speed diesels have gearbox issues and HGF is a real probability. I'd avoid.
In fact I don't know what diesel I'd buy in your boots, which is why I'm still bangering about in £700 worth of Derby's finest. I get 40mpg and I can chuck it away if it eats itself.
That said, I'm tempted to go derv regularly. I just don't know.
Let me know what you get and how it works out.
In fact I don't know what diesel I'd buy in your boots, which is why I'm still bangering about in £700 worth of Derby's finest. I get 40mpg and I can chuck it away if it eats itself.
That said, I'm tempted to go derv regularly. I just don't know.
Let me know what you get and how it works out.
I had an avensis tourer on an 09 from new for 90,000 miles it was dull it also had clutch fuel pump water pump two wheel bearings and gearbox replaced all within three years if it were my money exeo. Returned late 30's early 40's on the mpg 2.0D4D.
Edited by myvision on Monday 31st March 21:34
I'd consider, for comfort and frugality:
Citroen C5:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...
Volvo S60/V70:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
Citroen C5:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...
Volvo S60/V70:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...
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