Love it Galaxy! :)

The only issue with these is the electric parking brake, though it has to be said that Toyotas version seems to be living up to typical Toyota expectations, but they can go wrong and if they do it's an expensive game as it is with any EPB.

So make sure the thing works properly, both automatically, it should set itself and release itself promptly, but also check it works on the dash switch...which works backwards ie push for on pull for off.

On the test drive make sure the rear brakes don't get unusually hot, possibly indicating a dragging brake.

I'd have a good read up about these things on the appropriate Toyota owners forum and learn as much as you can about them before going to look.

It sounds expensive, but then good Toyotas with low mileage and history will always have buyers because they are very good reliable cars, and remember SLO is and was a car trader so he knows how to spot and buy a bargain, the rest of us need a good helping of luck or be ready to dash like hell when the right car comes up.

As for dry underbody, that sounds like a compliment to me, but do make sure those EPB's get serviced and lubed well.

Full Toyota history means all brakes should have been fully serviced every other year, which is not the case with most makes, sadly too many only get peered at and some brake cleaner squirted about.

Edited by gordonbennet on 23/09/2018 at 14:29

Thanks gordonbennet and catsdad.

Luckily the Avensis Im interested in has a regular handbrake! :)

Don't worry gordon as it was interesting waffle!! :)

I've just spoken with the dealer and apart from a tiny scratch on the bumper, he reckons its immaculate and in his opinion all the paintwork is original.

I'm going to see it on my day off on Wednesday and if its as good as he says, perhaps I'll offer £3k and see what he says. He can only say no...... Well, and get really annoyed! :)

Edited by Nobby Clark on 23/09/2018 at 15:54

Price seems to be at top end for age. There seem to be slightly older but comparable mileage cars for £2,000 or so. And fewer than 6,000 miles per annum could mean a lot of short journeys which is not good for a car. I think I would look for something with more miles at max £1,500.

Cheers SLO. I'd be travelling to Croydon for this one. I live in Essex.

Cheers SLO.

It's amazing how much of a lovely car you can get for very little money, and of all the cars I've ever owned, I can honestly say I much more enjoy owning and driving older cars than the 3 brand new ones I've ever had ........ Im weird I know! I think part of it is knowing you are cheating the system and running a reliable cheap motor over an expensive new car with the monthly payments attached!

Its also amazing that this 2003 Honda has absolutely zero rattles or squeaks from the interior and it feels so well made overall.

Well bought Nobby Clark, i think that model Accord is one of the best cars ever made, not only a very competent car all round but to my eyes quietly handsome too.

Interesting what SLO says about the advert and good vibes, you can usually tell the ones to avoid too, 5 mins on the phone invariably confirms whether its worth pursuing.

Hope it gives you many years of enjoyable use.

I phoned the seller of the Accord and it's an older lady selling it on behalf of her friend.

She was a little vague, but she thinks it was last serviced last year and she believes her friend has owned it for around 10 years!!

I'm going to see it on Wednesday :)

Hi all.

Just a little update on the Honda! I picked her up on Sunday and drove her 70 miles home, cruising along the motorway.

So far I can honestly say what a lovely car as the 2.4L auto really is a peach. So smooth but has quite a bit of get up and go if required.

Friends and work mates have commented what a lot of car for little money. Because she came with a private plate, my work mate guessed that it must have cost me £4500 because of the condition with only 51k miles on the clock with full Honda history. When I told him I only paid £1800 he couldn't believe it.

I had a new tyre fitted today as there was an advisory on the recent MOT, so for the sake of the cost of the tyre and peace of mind, it was worth doing.

The private plate that came with the car has initials with no relevance to me so I've had a valuation of £600, so I'll sell that and put that money aside for any maintenance or bills that are needed for her.

Thanks again to SLO and everyone else who talked me out of buying a overpriced 2007 Toyota Avensis for my lovely Accord!

Bangernomics are the way forward!! :)