I was wondering whether anyone had any comments on the following:
I'm thinking about getting an 05 1.8 petrol Toyota Verso T-Spirit. 25K £8k.
My only concern is it's CO2 figure is 184 g/km which will be Band I (or even Band J on the now postponed VED rates [ news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/629/629/7293011.stm ] . I'm just a bit concerned that if/when the Government bring in the postponed higher rates the tax on it will be ~£300 it will be even harder to sell than 4x4s are now?
Looking at some of the latest Petrol engines are better than most recent Diesels, say the new Toyota Avensis ( www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=361&s...e ). So if by some miracle I was looking to trade the car in 4-5 years from now it would be even less than squat. I was wondering whether it might be best to sit tight for 2.0 05/55 D4D T3 for a similar mileage/price or a diesel Spirit with+40K on the clock. I guess the fuel/service costs vs economy pretty much cancel themselves out on my annual mileage, 4-5k a year 60% of which is city driving. .
I've driven both the Petrol and the Diesel and apart from the obvious Torque differences can't say I noticed a whole lot of difference.
Any thoughts much appreciated.
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"...apart from the obvious Torque differences...."
That to me is the whole point, and the difference that makes (in this particular case) a 2.0 or 2.2 diesel much better in the Verso than the rather weedy 1.8 petrol. It has a lower CO2 figure as well, 164 according to What Car for the current 2.2.
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I have been considering buying a Verso, do not like diesels but, like you, the CO2 of the petrol is stopping me buying for the same reasons you have outlined.
Btw, I think 8K for an 05 diesel is nuts when I have seen 07 1.8 T3 Versos for 9Kish for a couple of months now. I also think that the T-Spirit is not worth it - if you google around for 'Verso review' you will find numerous T-Spirit owners wishing they had not paid the extra for the model and had gone for a T3 instead or, as is now, the SR. There is a good reader review of a T-Spirit over on Whatcar.
Likewise, the current D4D engine is still about the apparent Govt CO2 figure of 160 which seems to be their line in the sand. I am reluctant to buy any car above that nowadays and have begun to look at the Ford diesel C-Max engines as, as much as I dislike diesel, I feel I am being shoe-horned into buying one by Govt taxation. Yep, once ths recession is over I expect to see VED shoot up.
Actually, I was reading in Telegraph online just now more Council proposals to charge parking on CO2 levels. They just see CO2 as a money-maker.
Toyota really lacks a good low emission diesel engine - or they did until the new Avensis came out. I think that in 12 months one of the new Avensis will be a good buy for under 10K on the secondhand market... assuming they sell any new this year!
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Hi Guys,
Thanks very much for your replies.
One vital detail I missed I need to fit three car seats across the back (1 group 0, 1 group 1, 1 group 2) and need to make that purchase within the next month or two.
So what would you say was a good price for a Petrol 05 T-Spirit with 25K on the clock £7K?
The car would come with one years Toyota approved used warranty FWIW
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I've looked at several other MPVs but there either not much cop or just plain unreliable.
The only other option is the Honda 2.0 FR-V Sport petrol it's a good drive has some nice gadgets. However to me seems a bit cramped in the front, the controls are confusing and when I've looked at high milers the trim just doesn't seem to be as durable as the Verso oh and the emissions are even higher ;-/
Edited by pants on 07/01/2009 at 23:34
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Suggest you do a search on the used cars at Toyota's website for a Verso - you might be shocked at how 'cheap' some dealers are selling them compared to others. I have seen several thousand pounds difference in more or less the same Verso but just 40 miles apart.
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For 5,000 miles pa, your worries are irrelvant especially if you are going to keep the car for five years. The £300pa in road tax is miniscule compared to your other costs - don't worry about it. The car is what you want - so buy it.
The only other alternative I can think of is the Mazda 5, but that is meant to be narrower than the Toyota across the middle seats.
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don't worry about it. The car is what you want - so buy it.
Thanks Espada, wise words, now I just need to get the price down :D
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So what would be a good price for an 05 1.8 petrol Toyota Verso T-Spirit. 25K £7k?
www.parkers.co.uk/cars/used-prices/Valuation.aspx?...8
www.parkers.co.uk/cars/used-prices/Valuation.aspx?...8
www.parkers.co.uk/cars/used-prices/Valuation.aspx?...4
{links made non clickable, rival website and all that!}
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 11/01/2009 at 13:02
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I was looking on the Toyota website last night and they have a 'City Car' ready for launch in April. It looks to be based on the Auris platform and looks like a Toyota version of the Qashqai. I like the look of it but upon closer look I imagine it is pretty cramped inside and noticed the rear doors look tiny.
It looks to me like photos I saw last year of a 2009 Auris Verso, with cover-up bits over the body panels, out on secret test drives. I wonder if in fact the 2009 Auris Verso is therefore in fact the 2009 City car 4x4?
I like the look of it. If it was out now and I could fit in one I would buy one. It has always amazed me how I find the inside of the Corolla incredibly cramped but the Corolla Verso I find incredibly roomy. It would be nice if the City car had such room but I somehow doubt it and cannot nor will not wait till April to find out.
I have noticed the diesel Verso prices are firming up in places now which, frankly, no longer makes the Verso as attractive. The petrol ones are still falling in price as far as I can make out but I have been slowly coming round to the idea of a diesel one after numerous comments and suggestions from people on here. Problem is though, for the price of a seconhand one locally to me there are simply much better and 'nicer' cars out there for the money.
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Tawse What are the alternatives:
I was thinking maybe the following Estates: Avensis /Mazda 6/Accord/Focus?
or even a Mazda 3 Hatchback (just in terms of it's reliability.)
Though it will be a challenge to see how many of these can take 3 car seats in the back?
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I cannot fit into a Focus nor a Mazda 3 - have to put the seats all the way back and can't get my legs under the steering wheels even when it is fully extended. If I could I would have bought either one a long time ago.
I am put off estates as they have no cover to hide things if you see what I mean. You either look into an estate and see it empty or you look into it and see a big cover which is hiding something underneath. They ain't good cars for surfing for this very reason as you park up at a beach car-park and are away from it for a long time.
Otherwise, the Mazda estate is nice. IMPO the Accord estate is just a huge barge - way too big. I can't get my head around the current Avensis as I imagine that men in their 70s and 80s would feel too young driving around in one. I like the new Avensis but no way am I buying a new car.
A big hatch such as Mondeo, Mazda 3 is OK IMPO but no good for me as I hate the low driving position. Bad for posture, bad for breathing, ends up in hyperventilation syndrome and worse.
No, I want something that I step in and out of and have seating that affords me to have my back square against the base of the seat allowing me an upright driving position allowing my diaphragm to move in and out normally - as I have posted before, it is amazing how many cars do not allow this and I have learnt the hard way how bad this is for health over the long time.
Rant over.
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Ah I'd forgotten about the height and mileage issue for yourself.
I guess I have slightly more options as I'm 5'10" just so long
I can get three kids in the back :D
So if the Verso is now out are you off to look at Tourans ;?
Edited by pants on 13/01/2009 at 23:26
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In my heart any MPV is not me. I am single, no kids and just feel that a MPV is something that people have when you have a SO and a few kids. Someone commented back before Christmas that you only live once and that I should just go for the CRV. I think I will if I can find one for a realistic price.
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