It's a rep's car really though, isn't it.

Fallen out with the Superb, Rob?

I take it it's the T180 then?

Very nice, you wont regret buying one of them.

It's a rep's car really though, isn't it.

Fallen out with the Superb, Rob?

No ......still love the Superb....just thinking ahead.......the octy vrs tdi doesn't seem to be getting very good reviews.........and the Superb has 18 months warranty left ...so I am looking around...and to be honest I didn't like the feel of the passat so the new superb will be based on that so thats out........Audi is OK but expensive.........maybe a 2.0 diesel octy estate.. but the reliability seems to be slipping and dealers are getting fewer

still have a feww more months yet to look and something better may come along

There was a review of toyota vs passart in auto express this week, with the higher power diesels. The outcome was the passart as winner although thy said they are both very similar. I didn't like the avensis interior particuarly but interiors are very much a personal like/dislike thing.

Also I recall hearing new suberb will be based on A6 chasis (could be wrong tho)

What was the handling like? IIRC it got a less than good rating in that regard.

looks very grey inside , which is normal Jap interior trim

What was the handling like? IIRC it got a less than good rating in that regard.

I'll see if I can get test drive somewhen ...but most of the reviews aren't too bad

Rob, don't do it.

I spent a miserable hour in a Toyota dealership yesterday and the only thing I could fit in was the Avensis.

I found it cramped, low-rent plastics, tacky.

Nothing fell to hand, it was horrible to look at from every angle outide and even worse to look at from the driver's seat. The dash just seemed to be from a typical japanese car circa 1990......yeuach.

I then had a wonder over to the Honda garage.......

Accord 2.2 i-CDTi Tourer Sport, with 17"s, Roof carrier things, metallic paint coming in at 21.800.......

Nicer place to be.

Better residuals and finish than the Toyota.

The avenis after all, replaced the carina as the Taxi drivers chariot of choice.........doesn't matter how many horses the shove under the bonnet, the chassis isn't up to much, it looks awkward.

And it's a taxi.

Rob, don't do it.

I spent a miserable hour in a Toyota dealership yesterday and the only thing I could fit in was the Avensis.

I found it cramped, low-rent plastics, tacky.

Nothing fell to hand, it was horrible to look at from every angle outide and even worse to look at from the driver's seat. The dash just seemed to be from a typical japanese car circa 1990......yeuach.

I then had a wonder over to the Honda garage.......

Accord 2.2 i-CDTi Tourer Sport, with 17"s, Roof carrier things, metallic paint coming in at 21.800.......

Nicer place to be.

Better residuals and finish than the Toyota.

The avenis after all, replaced the carina as the Taxi drivers chariot of choice.........doesn't matter how many horses the shove under the bonnet, the chassis isn't up to much, it looks awkward.

And it's a taxi.

trouble is every other car around here is a Honda ...even the police drive Hondas ...the factory is just up the road :eek: .....the new passat was very cramped although the Mazda estate wasn't too bad.....just looking for a decent sized, decently powered diesel estate

trouble is every other car around here is a Honda ...even the police drive Hondas ...the factory is just up the road :eek: .....the new passat was very cramped although the Mazda estate wasn't too bad.....just looking for a decent sized, decently powered diesel estate

but an avensis?

it's got no soul, style, panache, je n'ai c'est quoi.....

Suppose it's your choice at the end of the day. Hope you can live with it, rather than just like the headline figures.

If you want a decent diesel estate, and don't want an Octy for some strange reason, then how about a Laguna? Yes, I know it's French, but its probably the best looking estate out there, and not badly specced.

If you want a decent diesel estate, and don't want an Octy for some strange reason, then how about a Laguna? Yes, I know it's French, but its probably the best looking estate out there, and not badly specced.

with you on that one... also a big fan of the laguna here.

Surely forget buying new and pick up a used Audi estate diesel... or volvo cant really go wrong then.

If you want a decent diesel estate, and don't want an Octy for some strange reason, then how about a Laguna? Yes, I know it's French, but its probably the best looking estate out there, and not badly specced.

They may look good and be well specced, but they're also rubbish to drive, gutless and squeak and rattle like a very squeaky, rattly thing I like the Accord, but not looked at the Avensis - the old one was very naff to be in!

Chris

If you want a decent diesel estate, and don't want an Octy for some strange reason, then how about a Laguna? Yes, I know it's French, but its probably the best looking estate out there, and not badly specced.

Still watching the Octy ...the tdi vrs may be too thirsty and expensive to run.....so I will be looking for an elegance or L&K but I am keeping my eyes open for most other cars ..........like I said earlier Audi ..= too expensive....not over keen on Ford ...wont touch Vauxhall (not the cars at fault it's the dealers)....volvo is a possible....but not Saab as the Vauxhall dealers seem to be taking over the marque...don't want French or Italian......

Fussy sod aren't I

BMW 530d touring for 22k. All the car you need

I have to say I strongly disagree about the 'low rent' and '1990's' dashboard comments about the avensis, The Optitron instruments look great IMO.

It never was the taxi drivers choice (I should know) in the old shape as it was too small when it replaced the carina so very few people cabbed them up, the new shape Avensis IS becoming a firm favourite with cab drivers for a very good reason - It's a very good car.

Dont forget that the original MK1 octy was the cab drivers favourite, and then the Superb, so It's hardly fair to criticise a car on those grounds, we do alot of miles in our cabs, we know what makes a good car and what doesn't better than most.

If you think the interior is cheap on an Avensis then god knows what you think of the Octy? It's far worse with it's nasty peeling rubber trim everywhere.

Have to agree the Honda would be a very good choice, excellent cars but seem overpriced and dealers not keen on hagling either!

As for the Laguna, well funnily enough whilst my Superb is of the road for 3 weeks due to Skoda uk's general sh*tness (another story) I've been driving a 04 plate Laguna 1.9dci, I dont know what BHP the engine is but it's quicker than the 130bhp VAG cars, it's got a 6 speed box if that helps anyone work out what engine it is?

I have to say that I'm fairly impressed with it, not to the extent that i'd ever buy one, but it's much better than I thought it'd be, OK so it's cramped and the switchgear looks like it was shot into the car with a scatter gun, it is a bit creaky (but not as much as I was expecting) but what has suprised me most is the handling and ride comfort, it holds the road beautifully with a firm but not harsh ride, absorbing bumps and potholes wonderfully, it inspires confidence and turns in fantastically, unlike my Superb that feels disconnected from the road most of the time!!

If you think the interior is cheap on an Avensis then god knows what you think of the Octy? It's far worse with it's nasty peeling rubber trim everywhere.

Have to agree the Honda would be a very good choice, excellent cars but seem overpriced and dealers not keen on hagling either!

WEll, I assume you mean the Octy Mk2, as I never had any peeling rubber in the Mk1. Mk2 looks better from the time spent with it in the showroom and driving it as a courtesy car, but as you say, time might prove otherwise.

I just don't like the Avensis - around these parts, it outnumbers the Octy on the private hire circuit. It looks soul-less, doesn't say anything apart from "i'm a box on wheels. I just fit for purpose". It looks/feels like it's been built by accountants, much like quite a number of other cars on the road. Where's the engineering? The little creative flair? The seemingly pointless touch that gives you an irrational warm feeling?

Actually, I don't like Toyota. Mechanically sound, but wholly un-inspiring. They had a good idea with the MR2 and recent Celica. But the interior execution is awash with cheap grey/black plastic in both. I'm afraid if it's in a cool 2 seater sports, isn't going to be banished from a family saloon car. Case in point, we were supposed to be buying an Aygo - cheap, funky looking, reliable. But the interior - cheap plastic from a 1996 Corsa, paint-streaks on the interior panels (which are bare, not cloth covered) and exposed bolt and screw heads all over the place. I know the Aygo is built down to a price, but it's the difference of two pence to get a little cover on those sort of things that make the difference to the punter.

Maybe I've just been spoilt with VAG cars and damped grab-handles.

And as for the dealers not being keen to haggle - true. It took over an hour to get the an extra

How about a Mazda 6 ?

As for the Laguna, well funnily enough whilst my Superb is of the road for 3 weeks due to Skoda uk's general sh*tness (another story) I've been driving a 04 plate Laguna 1.9dci, I dont know what BHP the engine is but it's quicker than the 130bhp VAG cars, it's got a 6 speed box if that helps anyone work out what engine it is?

Maybe the one I drove was a dud, but it certainly lacked go (120bhp I believe with 6 sp box) which made my Fabia look fast and it was pretty reluctant to go round corners too with more barge-like roll than I'd like. Had lots of toys though and was very comfy and I loved the smart key and push button start. In the end, I went for the Mondeo because it was significantly better to drive, had more go, nice sharp handling, no creaks or rattles, and heated seats

Interestingly, the Laguna I looked at was still for sale 6 months later and the price had dropped by 1500 quid. If the screen price gets down to £2k, I might buy it

Chris

I think the one i'm driving must be a sport or something, doesn't say it on any badges but it's got a rear spoiler big alloys and i'm sure the suspension is firmer than i'd expect of a 'normal' model.

I find the smart key quite annoying to be honest, I keep trying to take the keys out of the steering column, but obviously they aren't there!!

Oh, it's got heated half leather seats too!!

As I said before I dont like it enough to ever buy one, but i'm suprised at how good it is............*for a french car*