Toyota/ Suzuki - Which to buy?

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Fri 8 Mar 2013 23:52
Toyota/ Suzuki - Which to buy? - Brianthebubble

This is a strange request for advice as the two cars are I know very different. However, I have an interest in two cars both for around £8,500. A 2009 Toyota Avenis (older model) saloon 1.8 petrol TR4 with 34,000 miles and the second a 2011 Suzuki 1.6 SZ4 with 6,800 miles. Which would you choose based purely on the cars,themselves, as cars.

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Sat 9 Mar 2013 07:32
Toyota/ Suzuki - Which to buy? - Brianthebubble

What I wanted to add was also which represents the better value for the money.

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Sat 9 Mar 2013 08:28
Toyota/ Suzuki - Which to buy? - RT

Apples or potatoes?

Value depends what a particular car gives you, in terms of things YOU put value on.

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Sat 9 Mar 2013 09:55
Toyota/ Suzuki - Which to buy? - bazza

You need to tell us more detail,eg what use is the car for?, How long are you going to keep it? Dealer purchase or private? Known history or not? Annual mileage? Then we can make a stab at it!

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Sat 9 Mar 2013 13:13
Toyota/ Suzuki - Which to buy? - madf

Should I buy a pig or an apple ? makes as much sense as this question.

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Sat 9 Mar 2013 17:40
Toyota/ Suzuki - Which to buy? - 72 dudes

Agreed, but actually I can't think of a single reason why I would prefer the Suzuki over the Avensis (unless I was almost stuck in a muddy field)

So, go for the Avensis. Better still, hunt around for the new model, you may have to spend another £1000 though.

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Sat 9 Mar 2013 21:41
Toyota/ Suzuki - Which to buy? - Brianthebubble

Have just had apple pie with mashed potato for dinner. The pig was not hungry.

Yes, I was expecting this. But as strange as it seems I like both cars. I live in West London so it would be to and from work. I like the Avensis because it rides as well as my present old Renault saloon and I like the Suzuki because it is high up . Both I know both are reliable.

Oh well. Next post will be back to my normal high standard; promise!!

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Sat 9 Mar 2013 21:49
Toyota/ Suzuki - Which to buy? - Brianthebubble

Both cars are at a dealer, I would keep the car for up to five years. Annual mileage is about 7,000 miles. It would be from home to work about 35 mins to and from work. I like both cars - the Avensis because it is like my present R reg Megane saloon, a soft ride and comfortable and I like the SX4 because it is high up.

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Sat 9 Mar 2013 21:51
Toyota/ Suzuki - Which to buy? - Brianthebubble

I value the smoothness of the ride of the saloon and the being high up with the SX4. The SX4 saloon would have been a good mix of both but they stopped bringing in the saloon and it never had the uprated engine.

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Sat 9 Mar 2013 21:55
Toyota/ Suzuki - Which to buy? - Avant

I do see your point - you visited a dealer and saw both cars which you liked for different reasons.

I think it would be worth pondering it from the other angle - decide on your budget and then think what sort of car you need and would like within that budget. Japanese cars - petrol ones certainly - are normally reliable although I think the SX4 is the Suzuki that shares a .ot of parts with the Fiat Sedici.

Edited by Avant on 11/03/2013 at 23:42

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Sat 9 Mar 2013 22:23
Toyota/ Suzuki - Which to buy? - daveyjp
Suzuki also have a tie up with Vauxhall. That was enough to get us to look at other brands.
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Sun 10 Mar 2013 07:50
Toyota/ Suzuki - Which to buy? - RT

So Suzuki built their Wagon R+ and put Opel/Vauxhall badges on it for Opel/Vauxhall dealers to sell - how does that devalue Suzuki? It's not like Opel helped development or production.

Opel/Vauxhall also sell the VXR8, a rebadged Holden V8.

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Sun 10 Mar 2013 07:58
Toyota/ Suzuki - Which to buy? - bazza

BB If I remember you have a high preference for saloons. in which case the Avensis will almost certainly be an ideal car for you. It is a proven entity. There won't be much difference in running costs and it will be more refined than the SX4. Boot space is much greater, the SX4 isn't large in the hatch area. The plus's for the SX4 are the slightly raised view, probably easier to park and it should have some warranty left - also the mileage is very low - 3000 miles a year?? However 34K on an Avensis is really nothing.

The SX4 1.6 has the Swift engine, so that is also a proven unit.

For your priorities, I can't help thinking the Avensis is the car for you.

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Sun 10 Mar 2013 10:49
Toyota/ Suzuki - Which to buy? - Brianthebubble

Avant/ bazza - thanks for your replies - it is true I have a bias towards the saloons - but was feeling perhaps that the Avensis was maybe too large although side by side with my Megane, there is not much difference. I can understand what you are saying about the quality of the Avensis - much higher than the Suzuki, but that both will be reliable. The problem with the Megane is that the seats are low -design, and I guess age is the cause - which is what attracted me to the SX4. Having said that, the sitting position in the Avensis is quite a bit higher - as is the second generation Megane, which I had also looked at.

Funnily, enough, I was looking at the new SX4 Crossover pictures from the Geneva show. This looks like a different proposition and a very nice car. Will be good to see what HJ thinks of it when he comes to test it.

So, perhaps, following your advice, maybe now an Avensis saloon to be followed by the newer SX4 in a few years time; lottery permitting.

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Sun 10 Mar 2013 18:49
Toyota/ Suzuki - Which to buy? - Happy Blue!

My general preference for any car is to sit high. Whether than is enough to buy the SX4 over the Avensis I don't know.

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Sun 10 Mar 2013 19:12
Toyota/ Suzuki - Which to buy? - Brianthebubble

Happy Blue!

I am intrigued to know what it is that would put you off going for the SX4, as you like being high up, and, I am supposing that would put you in favour of the Avensis? Your reply might be the answer I am looking for in myself.

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Mon 11 Mar 2013 07:23
Toyota/ Suzuki - Which to buy? - Happy Blue!

No - I have little knowledge of either car. The Avensis is a comfortable saloon with good reliability ratings and a broad dealer base. The Suzuki has a good reputation, but fewer dealer and I don't know the level of refinement of the car or the involvement of Fiat in the development/build.

If I was simply driving to and from work in a suburban environment I would seriously consider the SX4. I think you need to say to the dealer that you want an hours test drive in both and you guarantee to buy one of them?

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Mon 11 Mar 2013 09:09
Toyota/ Suzuki - Which to buy? - Brianthebubble

Yes, I think it is down to refinement - and I think you are right about questioning the level of refinement in the current SX4. Looking at the next generation, the car looks in a different class.

Most of my journeys are suburban with the occasional longer journey -although that will change with my daughter starting uni, most likely up north. Then I will appreciate the low engine noise at the higher speeds. One of the other contributors suggested the running costs of the two cars would be similar and I was questioning the justification of a larger car like the Avensis - but as I have already mentioned, it is only slightly bigger than the Megane I have now.

I will take the hour's test drive and see which feels right.

Thanks for your help.

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