Toyota Avanza Owners & Discussions [ARCHIVED]

**mbt** · November 7th, 2006 11:53 AM

Pwede na rin yung Avanza, although it will NOT appeal to the same people who are interested in a Honda Jazz. I don't think Jazz buyers will be cross-shopping Avanzas. This is well and truly a mass-market "people's car", and in case somebody won't get it, Toyota is actually encouraging the market to use the Avanza as taxicabs and fleet workhorses.

In that respect, it's quite good. Space up front and in the middle row is unobjectionable because of the high chairs, while the third tow seat is downright roomy as third-row seats go. In fact, I swear headroom, kneeroom and footroom are better than the Innova's if the Innova's second row is pushed all the way back. Impressive stuff in a vehicle as tiny as the Avanza.

There are crude details: the interior door handles feel like they will come off in your hand, the pedals and the release levers for the fuel door and liftgate are some of the homeliest I've ever seen, the hood release is an old-fashioned-looking switch, and the liftgate can't be opened unless you key it or if the the driver pulls the switch beside his seat. But hey, it's a cheap car and it's proud to be one.

For enthusiasts, well, let's just say that it's one of the least expensive rear-wheel drive vehicles on the market today. Lower it and slap a turbo on the poor four go drifting and autocrossing on the cheap. Haha.

**GasJunkie** · November 7th, 2006 11:57 AM

I rather ride the model....

:fly:

Edit gaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!! the car is the ultimate el cheapo.....

**Psylocke** · November 7th, 2006 12:17 PM

it's a time machine

takes you back to the early 90s

**oldblue** · November 7th, 2006 02:59 PM

kung kukuha ako, tatanggalin ko na lang 3rd row seat at mapaglagyan ng daily bagahe ko. I think this car is more useful than driving a 4x4 pickup in the city. dali pa i-park siguro. gusto ko ngaun mga tsikot isang kabig lang sa parking lot, kuha na.

**nugundam93** · November 7th, 2006 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by GasJunkie

I rather ride the model....

my sentiments exactly!

sino yung model na yun?

**badkuk** · November 7th, 2006 04:03 PM

gaano ba siya katangkad? some sources say that it's higher than your typical sedan, kaya pwede pangbaha; yet on all the pics i see, it's about the height of a sedan(pwera na lang puro 7 footer ung models)

imho, i really don't mind if the interior is a bit outdated, basta wag lang ung "detachable" B) kung simple lang pero sturdy, oks na in my book

**orly_andico** · November 7th, 2006 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by badkuk

gaano ba siya katangkad? some sources say that it's higher than your typical sedan, kaya pwede pangbaha; yet on all the pics i see, it's about the height of a sedan(pwera na lang puro 7 footer ung models)

imho, i really don't mind if the interior is a bit outdated, basta wag lang ung "detachable" B) kung simple lang pero sturdy, oks na in my book

according to the entry in Wikipedia, the Toyota Avanza/Daihatsu Xenia is 1685mm high (I posted its complete specs a bit earlier in this thread). It's 6.3" inches taller than the Jazz, so definitely taller than a typical sedan. Probably 1" more ground clearance than a sedan, no not exactly a "lusong baha" vehicle.

(for comparison, compact SUV's like the Tucson have around 8" of ground clearance, compared to 6" for a typical sedan, so I would assume the Avanza would have about 7").

**niky** · November 7th, 2006 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by mbt

Pwede na rin yung Avanza, although it will NOT appeal to the same people who are interested in a Honda Jazz. I don't think Jazz buyers will be cross-shopping Avanzas. This is well and truly a mass-market "people's car", and in case somebody won't get it, Toyota is actually encouraging the market to use the Avanza as taxicabs and fleet workhorses.

In that respect, it's quite good. Space up front and in the middle row is unobjectionable because of the high chairs, while the third tow seat is downright roomy as third-row seats go. In fact, I swear headroom, kneeroom and footroom are better than the Innova's if the Innova's second row is pushed all the way back. Impressive stuff in a vehicle as tiny as the Avanza.

There are crude details: the interior door handles feel like they will come off in your hand, the pedals and the release levers for the fuel door and liftgate are some of the homeliest I've ever seen, the hood release is an old-fashioned-looking switch, and the liftgate can't be opened unless you key it or if the the driver pulls the switch beside his seat. But hey, it's a cheap car and it's proud to be one.

For enthusiasts, well, let's just say that it's one of the least expensive rear-wheel drive vehicles on the market today. Lower it and slap a turbo on the poor four go drifting and autocrossing on the cheap. Haha.

Agree regarding the third row... very very impressive compared to the Innova, despite the fact that you're sitting close to the tailgate. I was surprised at how roomy it is... I would have never guessed, in fact, that it was so narrow on the outside, as it feels as roomy as a compact car on the inside... must be the cheap and thin doors...

Agree x2 on the enthusiast thing... quit whining you rear-wheel drive purists! You've been asking for an inexpensive, lightweight rear-wheel drive vehicle for a long time... this is it! :hysterical:

Hmmm... think an Innova 2.0 would fit in there?

I was enthusing over the Carens... here's another viable option... too bad no turbodiesel, but I can live with a 1.5 gas MT... I agree with orly, though... if you're a semi-family guy, the 1.5 would appeal to you if you're looking in the price range.

BUT STILL, those doors on the 1.3? I'm aghast... I've finally seen something worse than the door trims on the Norkis Legacy... come ON, how much can cheap but better looking plastic cost?!? That's like the bare particle board in the back of the Hiace!

**userfriendly** · November 7th, 2006 05:05 PM

Prices are confirmed. 1.3J 582,000, 1.5G m/t 738,000, 1.5G a/t 773,000
The J is cheap at that price. Good buy for fleet cars and taxi use. The 1.5 is actually 51,000 pesos more expensive than a Vios. For the 2 extra seats and bigger space IMO its not bad. Especially if it turns out to be as frugal on gas as a Vios.

Its not for everybody, but it is a nice MPV. I'm getting one for my wife to use. Bring kids to school, grocery, shopping, church etc.. At least I'm sure I'll save money on gas cause she won't have to use the Venture.

From what I remember from World of Toyota, its a pretty tall car. If memory serves, it should do well on Manila's floods. The 1.5 AT was not bad looking during the World of Toyota, hopefully the car looks a lot better than the pics. But then those pics were from a 1.3J. I bet Toyota cut all corners to get it out cheap. They were probably thinking that since the J is targeted at fleet and taxi use, the buyer won't care if it looks like ****. As long as its cheap and a Toyota, they will buy it.

Oh yeah, talked to a Toyota SA, he said cars should be on the showroom by tom after lunch.

**orly_andico** · November 7th, 2006 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by userfriendly

Prices are confirmed. 1.3J 582,000, 1.5G m/t 738,000, 1.5G a/t 773,000
The J is cheap at that price. Good buy for fleet cars and taxi use. The 1.5 is actually 51,000 pesos more expensive than a Vios. For the 2 extra seats and bigger space IMO its not bad. Especially if it turns out to be as frugal on gas as a Vios.

Its not for everybody, but it is a nice MPV. I'm getting one for my wife to use. Bring kids to school, grocery, shopping, church etc.. At least I'm sure I'll save money on gas cause she won't have to use the Venture.

i'm pretty sure it won't be as frugal as the Vios.

the vios weighs in at a bit under 1000kg. the avanza/xenia is about 1300+ kg. in other words, it weighs as much as a ford focus. and with the 1.5L VVT-i engine (110hp) it's got a bit more power than a focus. so i would expect perhaps 8km/L from the auto tranny and 9-10 km/L from the stick shift. not exactly jazz territory here.