Lately, none has gone wrong with this car.
The Altis 1.8G is probably the best car I've ever had.
It's engine is very powerful and potent for a 1.8-liter:
Output: 145hp/6,000rpm
Input: 188Nm/4,200rpm
It accelerates very quickly, reaching 100km/h in around 8.5 seconds (When the ECT is set to power mode).
It also wins numerous stoplight races, outrunning almost all cars to the other side of the intersection.
Its bump absorption is very good- the car is stable throughout any surface of road, and doesn't get nervous.
Steering is no problem; it has decent feedback.
The 4-speed Automatic with Super ECT is so sublime and par excellence. Whenever it detects an uphill climb, it downshifts so that the car will have no problem going over it, while in some cars, the gearbox upshifts and downshifts back and fourth, trying to compensate for loss of power.
And when in 'Power' mode, this is where I'll feel the full fury of the Altis. Acceleration is seriously quick, with it is a slight (but almost unnoticeable) forward surge, and the gearbox behaves like a car with a manual gearbox, but the problem is that the fuel mileage becomes lower.
The top speed of my Altis 1.8G is around 220km/h. I tested it in a clear open stretch of road.
Fuel mileage:
Mostly city: 8km/L
Mixed city-highway (average) -9.5km/L
Mostly highway: 11km/L
Gas tank: 50 liters.
Inside, the Altis is very comfortable, but rather boring due to the gray-beige interior. The driving position is good, and the seats have great support. Space in the front passenger is enormous, but the rear is a little cramped. Nonetheless, the seats have great support, good for long distance travel.
The controls are logically placed in this car, and is very easy to use, with the exception of the radio and the air-con. These 2 are button overkill, and you need to take your eyes off the road and push those buttons just to make the air-con cooler or switch stations to avoid Eminem's music full of bad and taboo words.
The rear sun shade also adds a bit of class, and keeps the car at room temperature in hell-hot temperatures outside.
And that sums add the Altis-
Fast, spacious, solid, refined and painless, but it ultimately feels quite boring, despite the ECT power mode in the Automatic gearbox and the potent engine.
For those people out there that want something that's exciting, energetic and make fruity engine noises, then choose any of the following: Mazda3, Civic, or Lynx.
Hi, I'm planning to buy a 2001 1.8 Altis with full specs with 57,000 km. The test drive is superb, but the temperature is a bit above the average. Is this common? The salesman said this is quite common for all Altis. Do you agree? thanks a lot.
Saiful Azhar Rosly
KL, Mmlaysia.
As long as it doesn't overheat after being in stationary traffic for a long time, you should be OK.
You could try a lower-rated thermostat or even try removing it altogether.
I recently bought a new Altis 1.8G. It's a great car to be driving. I am pleased to have it and recommend it to all who are looking for a driving machine at Rm 120,000.00 - it is a bit over priced in Malaysia due to to local car protection. Otherwise compared to the other foreign manufacture vehicles... this tops it class - TOYOTA is a driving experience.
Dr Mitesh, Seremban.
I got the 1.8 Altis just this April 15, 2005.
It's an reliable all around performer for a mid-level compact.
The Good: For middle class driver like me, the Altis 1.8 gives value for money. It has good construction, a testament to Japanese efficiency and attention to detail. (1) First on the list is the peppy 1.8 Engine that gives oomph and the acceleration you need to zip in city traffic. It is very responsive and QUIET. The engine is sublime. Even when pushing it, the engine will let off a purr, and that's its. At 145 HP, it delivers the right amount of power. (2) Air conditioning -- The AC is really great especially for the tropical climate. (3) Spacious head room and airy feel inside the cabin. Feels bigger than it really is.
What I think needs improvement: (1) Interior design is well... decent. Nothing flashy. The eye sore is the 2 din Silver head unit that, with its multi color lights, is too out of place. (2) Rolling: With its height, the car has the tendency to roll when negotiating curves at high speed... but again this car is not designed to race.
You are wrong about the seats. You sit like you're in a van, high up and upright. For some people that might be "safe", because they "can see where the front bumper is going". The seats have no adequate support, you slide from side to side should you try to turn hard.
The suspension is stone age. Do you know what a torsion beam is? Yes your rear suspension is just a horizontal bar, nothing more. Some pick up trucks have more sophisticated suspension links. Ride is too soft. Bumps and speed strips send the dashboard rattling still. Humps make the suspension creak. Car floats at high speeds.
Yet still the engine is a wonder. A pity Toyota doesn't put as much effort in the handling department though.
Overall, my altis is really spacious as compared to my other car (Civic). However, I would like to comment on their suspension. Just recently, the front shock absorbers replaced, under warranty of course, now I been hearing "Tok sound" at the rear. It's really annoying. I hope Toyota can fix it.
I feel satisfy with my toyota altis, it has a high quality, performance, comfort and safety. I am fully agree that toyota altis is the best in its class (1.8).i feel like I was driving a luxury car.
After driving my friend honda civic 2.0 I feel that toyota Altis is much better in term of quality, luxury, performance and comfort.
Hey, I am thinking of buying a second hand 1.6 Altis. The 1.8 is a second option (Second Hand). Can anybody give me any comments on the 1.6. I currently own a 1995 1.6 corolla seg and knowing the reliability of Toyota. I am considering the Altis. P.J Boy!
Altis is a very good car, but the suspension and shock absorbers are the worse I have ever seen. They are very hard almost like a car with the wheels attached directly to the chassis without suspension.
I will try to change the tyres to Michelin Certis as they are a soft tyres, that may help a bit.
I owned an Altis 1.8L about 2 months ago. Here are my comments :
1. Exterior look - classy, slightly sporty and Elegant. A car will never out of fashion even after years of drives.
2. Interior look - very well designed, elegant appearance
3. on highway over taking, excellent! U will feel the thrill especially overtaking when you cut out from inner lane.
4. In city ride under hot sun, turn on aircond full blast, it drags the power thus reduces the pickup thrills.
5. Very good ride on highway.
6. Fuel mileage - 11 to 12km/L on city. Highway - 13km/L.
7. The aircond (Denso) is really great!
8. Cornering is not as good due to the car height.
9. Brake is good.
10. Sound proof is bad especially motorcycle across you.
11. Very spacious boot.
12. Internal seating is more spacious than Sentra.
Don't ever consider 1.6L. It is definitely under power. You will regret for life! Trust my word!!
Overall, I am very pleased with this car. I will keep it for as long as I could.
KL owner ....SY
I do agree with most of the comments laid down. there are few things that I have to stressed on:
1. the acceleration is good, but the engine noise is a bit annoying especially on the high speed. Honda civic is better
2 the sound proof is not as great as the rival Honda
3 fuel consumption is a bit a high compared with the Civic
but by enlarge, still it is an excellent car.
I agreed with you too. The sound proof is bad. The engine noise is quite prominent when you ramp the car. After 3 months of use, the only dislike is, when you are at low gear and suddenly wants to pick up, the gear shift is not smooth and tends to jerk. I was told by many Altis owners, this is a common symptom, but nothing serious just that it is not comfort.
To be honest, I have not tried Honda, I am not in the position to comments and make comparison.
Some car maniac friends commented, Toyota - long lasting car. You paid for what you get, while for Honda car, on the same range, you will not get the same features as what Toyota offered.
For instance, Altis 1.8L comes with TRC control, Super ECT, VSC, you paid what you get, value for money.
Honda has just released the new Civic version, perhaps someone can share their experience with us in this forum?
Cheerio...SY from KL.
I bought my Altis 1.8G in March '06 and honestly this car is so much better than my old Waja 1.6. It's quiet and smooth. Only complaint I had so far is the tyre alignment which is out and after my first service Toyota still could not fix it.
Deric, Shah Alam
Poor dear! Wheel alignment and wheel balancing should be an easy fix. Would suggest you do both together. For my Altis, I never have this problem. So far, my top speed is 190km/h, no sweat! I think I can go up to 200km/h as the ultimate speed, but did not try.
Well, could anyone tell me the compare about sentra, civic, and altis??