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Shall I get rid of my Avensis?
Hi there. I am driving a Toyota Avensis 2002 diesel. It has 250,000kms on the clock and I get it serviced every year. It has recently had a new alternator and some body work done. Am I better off at this stage changing for a new model. I was thinking of a second hand Prius as I am a bit low on finance. Also, is it possible to trade in an ex-taxi against a second-hand car? Is that something that garages do? I've never bought a car before and am in bad need of some advice here. Thanks
Our answer:
Hi Colm,
If you're buying to use as a taxi again then the Prius would be great - assuming most of your work is in and around town at low speeds. Diesel is generally more economical on longer journeys at higher speeds, but then again, your Avensis is getting on, so a newer Prius may still be more economical in such conditions - and it will certainly be cleaner.
Nonetheless, you'll get very little for the Avensis as a trade-in now. Dealers won't particularly want such an old car, especially an ex-taxi, so they'll offer very little for it. If you're not in a hurry to sell it, and you can afford an overlap in the cars, it would make more sense to sell it privately.
Alternatively, the Avensis owes you nothing and is likely to be reliable for a long time to come, so consider holding onto it.
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