SecondHand Sense/Toyota Avensis diesel:You could be knocked down in the rush to buy a second-hand Toyota Avensis diesel. The fact that it has Toyota's reputation for reliability, is very economical, comfortable and benefits from the company's work on luxury Lexus models means it is an absolute favourite with taxi drivers.
It is worth remembering that taxis and Garda cars are perhaps the best barometers we have of a car's reliability and potential for longevity. No cars are worked as hard as they are and faults, if there are any, quickly become apparent.
The Avensis has been around for four years now and has been constantly placed in the top three in its segment. Ford's Mondeo and Volkswagen's Passat are its closest rivals and the result is that the buyer benefits from the cut-throat levels of competition.
The Avensis has been the most cleverly thought out and there is a refinement about it that did not exist with previous models. Seats are big and comfortable, instrumentation is backlit and easy to read and there is nothing complicated about it.
It's very comfortable to drive, with surprising ride and handling. However, there is nothing terribly exciting about it either.
This is not the kind of car you buy for real driver involvement. Rather it is the kind of car that is capable of being all things to most men, from the family driver to the business driver.
Toyota's diesel technology has come a long way with the Avensis. You can return up to 50 miles to the gallon without too much effort on a long journey and even city driving comes with premium economy. And all this comes with refined levels of noise and performance - not quite up there with BMW diesel engine refinement but much better than average.
The shape of the car may become a little dated with the arrival of Ford's new Mondeo but there is a soft profile about it that ages well.
You need have no worries on the reliability front. There has only been one relatively major recall for the Avensis when some 10,000 were recalled in 2004. Overall, considering the number of Avensis cars that come off the line, the figures are negligible.
The car also has a five-star crash rating. The Avensis diesel does not come cheap because it is much sought after. A top of the range 2004 model with the 2.0-litre D4D engine and with multiple airbags, air conditioning, traction control, alloys, electric windows and remote locking and with 82,000 kilometres on the clock is on offer at one garage for €21,800. A 2005 model with the same equipment and just 41,000 kilometres on the clock is on offer for €23,000.
For:Great reliability, excellent diesel economy
Against:Expensive to buy