06/07 Petrol 1.8 Avensis

[sproutdreamer]

Hi

thinking of getting a (slightly) newer Avensis to replace my 03 1.8 GLS. This has been a really reliable car but the seats are getting less comfortable after only 70k miles and I think it is time to go while it is still running well. I have been looking at 06 07 1.8's Auto and I have a couple of queries.

Does this model have a spare wheel?

I understand that thes autos are semi- automatic- how does that differ from the older auto box where you could just shift between drive, 2nd and 1st anyway.

Does the semi-auto box have more gears than the older auto?

Is there anything to l;ook out for when buying one of these-I hope to get one with under 60k miles.

Thanks for any info

keith

[avensisd4d786]

some come with space savers and some with full size, even if the car has a space saver there is enough space to fit a full size.

as you probably know the vvti oil burning problem but that should be fixed on 06,07, the t25 is more spacious. If you want comfortable seats, then the t spirit has leather but I believe these only came in 2 litre petrol and diesel models.

[sproutdreamer]

Bump- Does the post mid 2006 model Avensis have an electrical parking brake-not sure I like the sound of that!

Also what to look for when buying one of these having done about 50k miles?

thanks

[Heidfirst]

the facelift T25s still have a mechanical parking brake. The EPB came in on the T27 in 2009.

[alan333]

Does this model have a spare wheel?

I understand that thes autos are semi- automatic- how does that differ from the older auto box where you could just shift between drive, 2nd and 1st anyway.

Does the semi-auto box have more gears than the older auto?

Spare wheel... yes, might be space saver or full size.

Semi auto... My (previously owned) 55 plate 1.8vvti was classed as a semi auto and drove like a regular torque converter auto. It had four gears plus a lock up at about 52mph, which gave the impression of a 5th gear. The down side of this was during accelerating at about 55mph, it was either dawdling along in (the equivalent of) 5th, or it kicked down into 3rd - so it was either gutless or revving its nuts off. If you're not a "rushed" driver it drives great, if you're heavy footed it feels a bit gutless. Economy wise it returned about 36mpg during normal driving, 30mpg about town, and the best I ever got from it was about 39mpg. To compare that to another manual 1.8vvti I owned...I could average 45mpg, and could achieve over 50mpg.