Accord or Avensis? Or?

[Ifinishposts]

I will be downsizing soon from my 530d but I still want a car with a bit of room inside, some factory fitted extras and an auto gearbox.

I have been browsing Accords because they have a 'normal' auto box whereas the Avensis is a CVT.

Any experience of them to share. Thanks.

[anyoldcardave]

Auto does really restrict your choices, you do not mention age of car, budget, I assume diesel?

Auto gearboxes have let down a lot of good cars over the years , if you have been happy with a 530d, perhaps a 3 series is the natural downsize?

[Ifinishposts]

Probably a diesel yes, but would not rule out a petrol.

Probably looking about£7k.

They seem to vary a lot in price. Very low mileage ones are expensive.

[66HFM]

I do like the Accords, especially as an estate / tourer, although I don't think they are much of a downsize from a 5 Series, unless by downsize you are thinking of taking some money out of the car...

Would a more suitable downsize be the 3 Series or Audi A4 Avant etc?

[Ifinishposts]

The main reason for 'downsizing ' is insurance, I have managed to get 9 points in a short space of time.

The BMW is showing group 41E and an initial quote was just sky high, more than I am willing to pay. It is due for renewal in a few weeks and although the BMW has been a good car for the past 2 1/2 years and 70k miles (Including three tours of Europe) it might be time to change. Getting some proper quotes on Friday. So we will see.

[Ifinishposts]

Perhaps downgrading would have been a better choice of word.

[ZX10R NIN]

Take a good look at the 508 which is a very good option:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407222...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406241...

Infiniti Q50 se:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406150...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406281...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405159...

Insignia SRI VX Line Nav:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407011...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407272...

All are good reliable auto diesels, the Toyota diesels aren't the best.

[Ifinishposts]

Oh you have peaked my interest there with the Infinity. That red one looks lovely.

[Kevin-2g5x2]

My father had an Avensis Petrol auto which he never had any issues with, but was a boring drive, part ex'd it for an Accord Petrol auto and the salesman informed him he'd find it a 'sportier car', it did handle better and the engine was more responsive, again no issues with it but you'll generally find that with anything from Japan.

[irish boy]

The avensis is great, not dramatic but will keep going and going with minimal bills.

You want 2012-2015 though, the 2016 facelift changed to bmw engines as Toyota couldn’t get their d4d through the emissions and had stopped investing in diesel. They made changes to the bmw unit to make it better but it’s still not very well thought of and certainly not a patch on the older Toyota units.

[Ifinishposts]

Thanks Kevin and irish boy.

[dai1983]

Civic tourers have loads of room and decent layout but hold their value pretty well. Step down in quality again from the Accord I guess though.

[ZX10R NIN]

Ifinishposts said:

Oh you have peaked my interest there with the Infinity. That red one looks lovely.

They're a good car the drivetrain is Mercedes 2.1d, so it's well proven.

[nomank]

This question must have been made for me

I had a E39 530d in the past too!

Anyway, I owned a 2008 Avensis tourer (2l petrol auto, T-Spirit) and until two weeks ago an Accord tourer (2l petrol auto, ES-GT).

Both were brilliant and utterley dependable. Space wise - Avensis clipped it but drive and refinement the Honda won hands down. One reason was that the Avensis had (I think!) a 4 speed autobox - either way just not enough gears. Honda felt a great deal more modern too.

Anyway, would have had the Accord for many more years to come if it hadn't been for an uninsured chap deciding to t-bone me on a roundabout

[Sporky]

I had an 07 Avensis as a company car and hated it. The seats were comfy, but otherwise it was terrible, and unreliable (which I know bucks the trend).

Id take a Superb or Octavia in a heartbeat over an Avensis. Even a Passat is more fun.

My experience with Toyota dealers was pretty awful too.

[Ifinishposts]

I have decided just to keep the 530d.

It is just not worth the hassle of trying to sell it and get something else.

Some of the insurance quotes I have been getting for something Accord size are not much less than what I would be paying for the BMW.

Thanks for taking an interest anyway.