I am thinking about a buying a current shape Avensis - Haven't driven one yet, but like the look and quality feel of the car, and have heard good reports.
I'm hovering between 2.0 D-4D diesel (manual only), or a petrol automatic, as I've mostly had automatic cars over the years, but am also noticing hte increasing petrol prices, hence thinking of diesel as an alternative.
I do also have an old Celica Cabrio which is 180Bhp and automatic (this is a high-days and holidays fairweather car). On the celica the automatic box works well - the engine has plenty of grunt at low revs - doesn't need to be revved or thrashed to "go", and is incredibly smooth, even at quite a high mileage.
I've test-driven a few modern petrol Variable Valve engines (my mum has a newish Civic) and found them very thrashy - all power at the top-end, as soon as you get to a hill have to kickdown or use the auto selector to downchange (Don't have to in my Celica)
My quesion is what are poeples experiences with the Tiptronic box on the Avensis auto - Does it work well with these VVTi engines, or is it similar drive to the Civic - all top-end ? - There is a 1.8 and a 2.0i I gather - is it best to go for the bigger engine and is it better in terms of "grunt".
Does anyone know what the reliability of these boxes is like also ? I am assuming it is a more modern 'box than my 1995 Celica, or is it just an upgraded version of what I already have with a tiptronic selector bolted on.
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I have a new shape Avensis with the 2.0litre auto. I like it. You may not-each to their own! Best to get in a 1.8 then a 2.0 to compare.
However I can tell you I am pleased with my car, the auto box working well and kickdown brings a smile to my face and a swift overtake. I sometimes slip it over to manual and pop it down to second for a quicker overtake-leave it in auto and kickdown means it can change back up mid-overtake so to be sure a quick use of manual prevents and hicups! Handy also for a bit of spirited country lane driving as you can leave it in 3rd, or pop it down to 2nd just before a nice corner ready to accelerate out.
Also post your question at www.toyotaownersclub.com. There is an active Avensis community there.
Any specific question, just ask.
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Manufacturers select gear ratios and match the change points of an autobox to suit the power/torque characteristics of the engine it's mated with.
If autos are uncommon, on a particular model, it can be difficult to get a proper test drive - just perservere and check round used car dealers for an auto to test drive, even if you buy new from a franchise dealer.
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Thanks for the report Runboy
What is the Avensis auto like on long motorway inclines ?
Recently I test-drove a Mazda6 auto, (the earlier 4 speed) and it needed to kickdown to maintain 70mph on a motorway incline - not a relaxed drive, and certainly no "oomph" at even high revs - The MAzda6 auto just didn't seem to have the right gear ratios matched to theengine, or the engine just didn't suit an auto-box, I am not sure what the problem was, but it didn't "work " for me !
Just out of interest have you measured the fuel consumption (the computer is usually hopelessly inaccurate BTW) I would be interested to know what mpg you get under various types of driving.
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