Hi all,
Due to the sad loss of my Brother-in-law,his wife has asked me to sell the car.I wonder if any of you could offer some thoughts about the value,probably for a private sale.
It is a Toyota Avensis 1.8 Colour Collection manual,2008,hatchback,14,000miles(!),she tells me it has had a recent service and I can see four new Bridgestones.
After doing a bit of research on Autotrader etc,I am thinking £4000,does this seem reasonable?Also,is it possible to get temporary insurance,for test drives etc?
Cheers....Phil
|
>> After doing a bit of research on Autotrader etc,I am thinking £4000,does this seem reasonable?
Too reasonable, thats too cheap. £5 to £5.5k is nearer the mark.
But I have to ask, 2008 Avensis hatchback? is there such a beast?
|
Hi Zero,
Yes,its a five door hatchback,the last of the old model.
|
|
I know this will sound like a sneer and it isn't meant as one. But I'm trying to visualize a last-generation Avensis - I know I drove one once, with the supposedly stonking T180 engine too - and I simply can't. I can do the first Avensis - the one related to the Carina E - and I've seen press adverts recently for the current one. But that mid-00s iteration? Sorry, it's gone.
|
Bland, a bit wallowy, not very quick or sporting but competent in all departments, quiet on the whole and capable of running up to very high mileages without anything going badly wrong.
That's what I'd expect it to be like... more my kind of car than it used to be too. Must be getting old.
|
Hi,
That's a good summary of it!...I actually have one myself,slightly earlier version on 05 plate,automatic and in most respects cracking cars.
If this one was auto I would definitely have had it myself.
|
>> If this one was auto I would definitely have had it myself.
Well all right, but auto is inefficient. OK in a Bristol or Mercedes or similar, but slower actually and perhaps quite a lot thirstier in a Toyota. The manual version would go faster and use much less fuel if properly conducted. People exaggerate the inconvenience of driving manual cars in town traffic. Three pedals, no big deal, normal really, second nature.
Modern people are clutch abusers. It's encouraged by driving instructors. I'm not, but clutches do give out in the end. Very tiresome it is too, they pick a bad moment to act up usually. Once the noises and/or dodgy running have started, it's up to the driver to work out exactly what's happening and how far the jalopy can be driven before definitive breakdown. That's the interesting bit really. I've always been good at it, but pride can lead to embarrassing situations as any fule kno.
|
|
I reckon these give a realistic guide: www.wisebuyers.co.uk/
|
People exaggerate the inconvenience of driving manual cars in town traffic. Three pedals, no big deal, normal really, second nature.
Agreed, AC. I've just spent my first full day with the (manual) Volvo since my left-hip operation three months ago made me temporarily auto-only. No problem at all, even in the town traffic at either end of my M4 run. Only glitch was reaching the 30 limit at the end of a mile-long suburban NSL, going for third and finding I'd done the stretch without changing up. You can blame that one on me and the Volvo audio system.
|
>>
>> Modern people are clutch abusers. It's encouraged by driving instructors.
>>
AC, that's a favourite of yours.
Which driving instructors are you talking about? I certainly could never have afforded to keep replacing clutches on a regular basis.
|
Hi,
I found when I was looking around before I got my auto that in the case of the avensis the auto was a much nicer drive than the manual,although they may have improved the clutch action in this later updated version.It is a extremely smooth box with little penalty in consumption.
However,I will try it,only problem is the need to arrange some short term insurance.
|
|
I have an auto and my wife has a manual. To be honest, pottering around here in a small market town and the country roads in its vicinity I really don't mind using either type of gearbox. In London traffic though for example or in the interminable queues we get on the motorways, I much prefer an auto.
|
>> AC, that's a favourite of yours.
>>
>> Which driving instructors are you talking about? I certainly could never have afforded to keep
>> replacing clutches on a regular basis.
One of mine too, maybe a mistaken one.
I don't suppose DIs ever mean to leave pupils with the impression that clutches should be used in a way that will destroy them rapidly. But I do have an enduring memory of a colleague who would hold his car on the clutch at traffic lights etc., on the basis that "that's what it's for".
I know this was taught to some presumably under the heading of clutch control - perhaps intended just as an exercise, but I have come across a few drivers with the habit.
None of them could have had the same image in his/her mind's eye that I have, of the friction plate wearing away and cooking itself, or they wouldn't have done it. So maybe some explanation of how things work is needed, for those who can take it in.
|
>>
>> One of mine too, maybe a mistaken one.
>>
>>
He either worked for a school or didn't last long before either learning his lesson or going bankrupt. Most ADIs use their own cars and make sure they look after them.
|
>> Bland, a bit wallowy, not very quick or sporting but competent in all departments, quiet
>> on the whole and capable of running up to very high mileages without anything going
>> badly wrong.
Trans: If this car were a sandwich it would be processed cheese on sliced white.
|
And of course there are the very clever drivers (of manual gearboxed cars) who insist on 'dipping' the clutch on every descent/overun and some on some sweeping corners too.
To coin an expression reviled by Lud (and I to be honest).......go figure!
|
>> Trans: If this car were a sandwich it would be processed cheese on sliced white.
>>
IIRC this model Avensis was popular for taxis ? I notice that (in Aus) the ubiquitous Camry (now in hybrid form) is also very popular as a taxi, these things do stellar mileages. Toyota must be doing something right.
|
>> Toyota must be doing something right.
Designing cars with appealing exteriors and interiors might not be part of that. I don't personally like this particular model Avensis but I think well made (some recalls in recent years across various models but at least they fix their faults).
I hope it's a quick and easy sale. Makes these sort of sales/tasks a bit easier.
|
|
Yes,they are very popular in my area as taxis but almost exclusively diesels.
|
|
Made in Britain. Must be a 'kipper out there who'll snap it up.
|
>> Toyota must be doing something right.
I'm sure they are. The sandwich analogy was about how. I prefer cars with something that's got more flavour and texture than the cheese on white model.
|
Phil,
You might want to check your own car insurance policy, as it may have a 'driving of other cars, (DOC) extension. As your late brother in laws Avensis isn't owned by you, this extension would provide you with some cover to see if you enjoy driving the car, or just to give it a run if its been sitting for a while.
Bear in mind that the cover will be third party only, so whilst you'd be legal, there wouldn't be any cover for damage to the car.
Other assumption is that the car is taxed and MOTd and I also think there'd still need to a policy in place for the car itself (ie your late brother in laws policy hasn't yet been cancelled).
Other option if the policy is still in force is to get your sister to contact the insurers and get the policy changed to any driver, pending the sale of the car. In the circumstances, you'd hope that an insurer would take a sympathetic and pragmatic view.
|
Insurance. May be of interest ?
I took out a one day insurance so that I could test drive a car I was considering driving so I could forget about basic risks.
IIRC it was about £20
|
>> Other assumption is that the car is taxed and MOTd and I also think there'd
>> still need to a policy in place for the car itself (ie your late brother
>> in laws policy hasn't yet been cancelled).
>>
>> Other option if the policy is still in force is to get your sister to
>> contact the insurers and get the policy changed to any driver, pending the sale of
>> the car. In the circumstances, you'd hope that an insurer would take a sympathetic and
>> pragmatic view.
>>
Yes - OP please check this out if you're not across it already if BIL was RK and policyholder. I've been involved in a couple of these situations and standard procedure is the policy ceases on the death of the policyholder. In one case the insurer offered to keep it running for a week but only his wife could drive (she was in no state to) and they wouldn’t let his mid-20’s son drive. In the other they just ended the policy. I bet loads of (probably mainly) widows continue to use their late husband’s car without telling the insurance company at least until renewal.
So driving it on DOC cover while legal (although as noted, a few policies do insist on the vehicle having its own insurance) could breach the Continuous Insurance Enforcement regulations. I guess the responsible person would the Executor.
|
Hi Bill Payer,
Thanks for that.The owners insurance was cancelled a couple of weeks ago,I asked my insurance company if I could temporarily insure it,negative,but they said I could drive it on DOC,without it actually having a policy.I would probably take the risk on that just to test drive myself but obviously would not agree to anybody else doing this.
Not sure about the Continuous Insurance regulations though?
|
|
Even if you had the car insured in your name, it is unlikely to cover anyone test driving it. They should have their own insurance to test drive a car.
|
The problem now with driving someone else's uninsured car on your insuarnce is probably not one of legality but if an ANPR car tucks in behind you it will ping you as uninsured.
You may have your certificate with you but a cop who hasn't had his coffee and doughnuts yet may choose to seize the car and impound it.
Inconvenient for both you and a potential buyer.
|
Hi Ted,
Very good point,it seems to me from your comment and others that the only way to go with this is to get the car properly insured,or be fortunate enough for somebody to buy it via word of mouth and drive it away on their insurance?
Cheers...Phil.
|
>> Not sure about the Continuous Insurance regulations though?
>>
The car has to be either insured or SORN'd. Being SORN'd will make it a pain to sell.
DVLA will pick up that the car isn't SORN'd and doesn't have insurance and they'll send the RK a fixed penalty. I've no idea how this works in the case of RK being deceased, but it can't be an unusual situation.
|
The sandwich analogy is a bit unkind, and wrong. A sandwich is gone in four bites. An Avensis properly maintained and not crashed is a very long-term proposition. I note it's favoured by cab drivers. A bit boring but everlasting. That's worth something to a practical person.
I bet the upholstery's crap, nylon rexine scheisse.
|
|
Sort to hear of your loss Phil. My two pence worth - anything that the taxi drivers use are generally the best bet for longevity, I seem to think they choose wisely.
|
|
Went out for a walk at lunchtime and now I know where all the Avensis hatches have gone - I was seeing them everywhere. Spacious back seat, which was, now I remember, part of my reason for looking at one in 2006-07. Curiously long gearstick too.
|
"Curiously long gearstick too."
You think that's a long gear stick? This is a long gear stick:
www.pioneer-automobiles.co.uk/Resources/library/Morris%20Minor%2055.html
|
>> You think that's a long gear stick? This is a long gear stick:
>>
>> www.pioneer-automobiles.co.uk/Resources/library/Morris%20Minor%2055.html
>>
Has to be said - mine is way longer than that, with a bend at each end. :-)
|
>>mine is way longer than that, with a bend at each end
Peyronie's Disease.
(wiki link not made as it has anatomical photographs!)
|
|
Long enough to reach my hand and bent so that it doesn't get in the way of the bed when it is folded down.
|
|
The bend stops your hand slipping off the end?
|
Just to show how big it is
www.dropbox.com/s/rlpneoyrzgiyfj4/IMG_1370.JPG?dl=0
haven't pasted a link for a while, hope that works
|
Ah, Peyronie's Disease:
When a man grows old and his.......................
The ballad of eskimo Nell: www.rugbysongs.net/028%20Eskimo%20Nell.htm
Last edited by: bathtub tom on Wed 10 Dec 14 at 16:10
|
The 1.8 petrol Toyota engine isn't the best...there have been a number of oil related faults
tinyurl.com/ltsbysg
(I know the above is an old article, but it covers what I'm saying).
I had a 1.8 petrol Avensis, it was hung around for months and didn't sell.. and had the oil issue which cost a lot to put right. I eventually sold it at auction for a loss.
An 08/57 plate would be about £4200- £4400 private sale
An 08/08 £4300-£4500
An 08/58 £4500-£4700.
The above figures are in an ideal world, it will only sell for what someone else think it is worth, which might be lower.
Avensis are not that popular.
|
Hi,
Thanks everyone,very helpfull and informative.
Just for info,I have the 1.8 auto,and has had very little attention over the 90,000 miles i have done in it,seems bullet proof!
The oil burning issue,described by Westpig,only affected cars up to 05 regd,mine never uses any.
Cheers...Phil
|
my sons car has just become uneconomic to repair and I noticed your post, is the Toyota still for sale and if so where are you? we are in Kendal in Cumbria
many thanks
Alistair
|
Hi,
Sorry Alistair,it has been sold.
|
Toyota Avensis - Bereavement Sale - Zero
