toyota avanza radiator

What car has the lowest depreciation rate?

Toyota Avanza/Daihatsu Xenia in Indonesia. I paid Rp 103 million (about $10,000) in 2006 to bring back home a brand new Xenia 1.300 cc. About 8 years and 160,000 kms later, I sold for Rp 88 million (about $ 7,500) which was below the market price. If I didn’t hurry, I believed I could sell for about Rp 95 millions. I had checked on the Internet, there were people who offered 7-8 years old Xenia for Rp 100 millions, almost exactly the cost I paid. It’s a very popular model in Indonesia and aften 16 years in the market, there are 1,8 million Avanzas and 670 thousand Xenias in Indonesian roads. It has happened because (1) Toyota/Daihatsu raised the price in Indonesia about 6-8% annually to catch the inflation, (2) there was no real competitor for 7-8 years, and (3) very reliable. It is not the best car in the world. It's very basic. It’s a simple car but let me give you a little background, Toyota launched Avanza and it’s sibling, Daihatsu Xenia, when the economy of Indonesia was moving fast. For many Indonesian people, it was for the first time they afforded a car. Maybe just like the US in the 50s. The picture below was my Xenia. The car would rattle when I was driving at 120 km/h (75 mph), I had to shift the gear every minute or two in an uphill express way, the body was so thin, etc. But It was a very reliable car and have 7 seats. I had found the problem with the car only two times for 8 years. Both, about 5-6 years after I used it, were a bad AC magnetic clutch and a bad radiator fan. It cost me about $ 200 to replace the magnetic clutch (and rebuild AC) and $ 50 to replace the radiator cooling fan motor. I have never had a problem with the suspension system even though I had driven on a very bad Indonesian road, which then was in much poorer condition than today. And do not forget, the fuel was fantastic, about 12 kpl (28 mpg). I used to drive a similar car from Chevrolet, a Chevrolet Spin, which was sold in Brazil, Indonesia, and several other countries. It had better handling. I pushed to 140-150 km/h without any problem, with no rattling at all. But had several issues with the Chevrolet Spin. The ground clearance was not as high as Avanza/Xenia. If you ever drive in Jakarta outskirt, you would understand, Second, its power is not as good as Xenia. Third, it’s not as reliable as Xenia. The AC was recalled and the tie rod started to make a funny sound. The biggest problem is Chevrolet closing the Indonesian factory and ending its presence on the Indonesia market. It made a used Chevrolet price fall down rapidly.