After 43,000, let's say interesting, miles, and 7 years and 3 months of ownership, it's time to part the ways.

It threw one strop too many on a weekend away (alternator again!!!! - This is now its fourth one) and after much boiled waste water the decision was taken.

It only has 70k on the clock but has an intermittent ABS fault (rear sensor) and really needs a major service and cam belt change (we have been sailing a bit close to the wind really).

It had a new valve block in the auto box (plus full overhaul whilst it was out) last year, which is still under warranty. This year, new battery and front discs.

Generally the rest of the car is in good order (engine still pulls like a train).

It's currently at Minories Toyota in Sunderland and will be traded out. Offer them a grand as a trade sale and they will probably take your hand off.

That's all we got as PX against our new Auris. I wanted to sell it privately but the missus was worried that we might get a brick through the window when it broke down.

Its got to be done sometime Radlet. I have been looking round at what my options are for a replacement and have had some exciting conversations with salesmen :slayer:. The most I have been offered has been £900 against a £13000 nearly new Ssang Yong Korando.
My Croma is a Prestigio 16v with 47000 genuine miles so your £1000 was a bargain when you chopped it in!!!
Had a good start to my test drive of a Chevey Captiva, when I got to the garage he said the battery was flat but they got it started aand off we went. However it was driving in limp home mode with the engine management light on . "They can do this when the battery has been flat" said the salesman, " lets do a few restarts to see if the light goes out if the fault has cleared", said I, " Cant do that it will need to go onto the laptop to clear it" said the salesman.
My enthusiasm for the car waned when he said anything that showed up would be seen to before I bought the car----- right said I, made my excuses and left.
Another good one was at the Korando dealers. When I asked him how much it would cost to have a towball fitted, he said "standard £600 !!!!! but if you are a Caravan Club member for at least 3 months we will fit one for free, you cant buy them anywhere else either":slayer:
Now my bull**it antenna was in full quiver - I asked him "would this have anything to do with the CC having voted the Korando best tow car in its class ?" "and by the way I dont like the wet feeling up my back where you just pi**ed up it and told me it was raining"
To top it off when I told him that you could buy Witter towbars for it on E-Bay he said if it wasnt one of there tow bars it would cancel any remaining of the 5yr Manufacturers guarantee.
"You have just lost a sale "said I and left ( classic flounce)

Following suit with me then, chopped by Bravo in for a Toyota about 4 weeks ago now.

What Auris did you go for? Petrol/Diesel or Hybrid

Most Easterly Pandas said:

Following suit with me then, chopped by Bravo in for a Toyota about 4 weeks ago now.

What Auris did you go for? Petrol/Diesel or Hybrid

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1.6 petrol. Hybrid is still too much of an unknown quantity for me, diesel too expensive for the low mileage we do now; we would not recoup the up front cost, plus we wanted an auto again.

Radlet6 said:

1.6 petrol. Hybrid is still too much of an unknown quantity for me, diesel too expensive for the low mileage we do now; we would not recoup the up front cost, plus we wanted an auto again.

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Fair enough. You're happy with it, which is the main thing

Although Toyota Hybrid tech has been about since around 1997, and on the domestic market for over 12 years now, so has stood the test of time IMO

Most Easterly Pandas said:

Fair enough. You're happy with it, which is the main thing

Although Toyota Hybrid tech has been about since around 1997, and on the domestic market for over 12 years now, so has stood the test of time IMO

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Oh yes I am happy. I am looking forward to years of motoring without having to worry about which dashboard light will come on next, and when; and how much it will cost to make it go out again.

Plus the Toyota dealers are in a different league to the FIAT fraternity, who frankly I rate not much better than dodgy horse traders.

Re the Hybrid. After owning a Croma for seven years I guess I am nervous about anything that relies on electricity. I mean a flat battery on a hybrid is a big thing.

Radlet6 said:

Oh yes I am happy. I am looking forward to years of motoring without having to worry about which dashboard light will come on next, and when; and how much it will cost to make it go out again.

Plus the Toyota dealers are in a different league to the FIAT fraternity, who frankly I rate not much better than dodgy horse traders.

Re the Hybrid. After owning a Croma for seven years I guess I am nervous about anything that relies on electricity. I mean a flat battery on a hybrid is a big thing.

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Completely agree on the dealer front, was another reason for making my decision. Fiat have a lot to learn IMO.

Most Easterly Pandas said:

Completely agree on the dealer front, was another reason for making my decision. Fiat have a lot to learn IMO.

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In my experience, Toyota dealers are the best of the lot. I had a Supra, a few years ago (when I think, in hindsight, I was probably going through a slightly early mid-life crisis...), which, mechanically was sound (the engine failing only at 179,000 miles -- which was down to the previous owner's neglect...), but it actually looked quite tatty.

The two dealerships I took it to, to be looked after, still treated me like royalty, though -- and no differently to the posher (and a lot richer) Lexus owners.

By the way: if you want a good FIAT dealer -- although I hope they're not the only one -- Grays in Warwick is still family-owned: and their customer service is actually utterly astonishing, friendly (even the MD) and immensely helpful. :worship: