Sitting is the worst thing you can do to a car.

Go Toyota on that one.

In 2003 the generations of Avensis were swapped. I suppose it is the 1CD-FTV engine.

Perhaps these info will also interest you.

https://mlfree.com/en/toyota-2-0-d-4d-engine/

8th generation of Civic came out in 2005

https://mlfree.com/en/2-2-and-ctdi-engine/

I wonder why it was sitting so long.

Perhaps @dan knows more about those engines.

Anyway have a mechanic to check out a car you will decide for before you buy it.

Good luck!

Hey, G.T., thanks for the heads up. The Toyota might be cheaper now but if the injection fails... not so much. I also wanted something smaller and sportier, not too powerful though - fewer hp = less taxes. (I am a young guy, and generally dislike the wagon type cars. For me they are something someone's uncle might drive.) 

So in the end the Civic might be worth a shot eh? I get it the battery needs to be replaced and the oil changed. But what else I need to replace in a car that's been grounded for prolonged time?

I'm assuming we are talking about the second generation Avensis, but most of what is said here is true also of the first gen.

As, @g-t said, that engine is probably a Toyota-CD, and as a matter of fact that's a crappy engine. Keep in mind that the fuel system (including pressure regulators and injectors) isn't well built at all, the exhaust gas recirculation valves are known to cause issues, and water pumps on these are probably the worst in the industry.

Oh and don't forget the cost of maintaining a Toyota D-4D: 6L of oil every 7500km, A timing job every 100,000km or 5 years (If you will forget to do it, the engine is going to total it self), Valve adjustments should be done every 100,000km on both intake and exhaust, and don't forget to replace your anti-freeze when you do the timing. 

BUT, that being said (and the fact that when you're shopping for a Japanese car - you should get a petrol) if you maintain it and fix issues as soon as they arise you can get quite a lot of millage from it.

The Honda diesel is better built but at 300,000km? and it sat for a year? You never know what issues will suddenly happen and how much more does it have left.

so out of these two, OBVIOUSLY THE TOYOA (If a mechanic proves it's in good shape, and you're willing to deal with the maintenance it will probably need at 200,000km). It's mediocre car, nowhere near as good as a Toyota Corolla with a ZR motor. but with good maintenance you probably should be able to make it last.

Speaking for first cars, The Avensis, isn't a particularly safe car. 2nd gen scoring 34 points in EuroNCAP (First gen scored only 23 points) that's about as much as the 2005 Suzuki swift and Splash with 30 points (but much more then the 20 points that the Alto scored)

If you're just looking for a cheap get around consider the Suzuki Alto (7th gen, 1.0L, 70HP, manual / 4 speed Aisin auto - but note that safety is weak on this particular model) and the Splash / Swift (/ also sold as the Opel Agilia, but Opel variants had timing chain issues) their 1.2L 85-95 HP engine is very dependable and the cars are alright (Although it's important to avoid their CVT automatics like wildfire)

Possibly, you can get quite a lot of mileage out of a 2nd generation Ford Focus 2.0L DuraTec with a manual. but when it comes to Ford, the rest of the car isn't very well built.

(to get more detailed euroNCAP safety reports on older vehicles, use the pdf report cars site on official EuroNCAP.com if that vehicle was also sold in the US, use IIHS)

http://www.euroncap.com/

@dan, thank you for the extra info. I will consider the points you made. 😀 

By the Toyota not a good idea to buy a car that's been sitting for a year

• I feel honored to have Scotty himself to answer. I know you read through and answer thousands of messages but still. And wow 6.45 am. Do you start answering as you drink your morning coffee?

Btw yeah, I was leaning more towards the Toyota but Hondas are supposed to have better stats and it's newer model right?

The interior of the Honda was well preserved too. And even the engine didn't have dust on it.

I was kind of sceptical when I heard it was sitting around for a year but I didn't know long is the critical time since last driven. I mean it didn't sit for a decade in some barn.

Well so much it gets for being shiny. Moneypits can be shiny all they want but in the end people still prefer cars that last. Not that Hondas are known as moneypit brand of course.

BTW it's funny that whenever I read about cars everyone agrees that Land Rover is the worst brand in terms of reliability.