Toyota Crown Comfort Taxi

[AndrewCrown]

Hi.... not sure anyone has discussed the Crown Comfort on here before...
I've been in Asia these last few weeks and this is Hong Kong's taxi... I think also used in Japan and previously in Singapore.


It's a brilliant thing... kind of retro but totally fit for purpose. Anyone else been in one?

[dtmpower]

Been in one in both Japan and Hong Kong.

Went through a stage of wanting one, LPG and auto..

They are very basic engineering, solid axle , rear wheel drive and column shift 4 speed.

The dashboard suits adding radios and meters. Ideal if you want to fit a CB or stereo.

Did you experience the driver door control ?

[Trabi601]

Brilliant things. Along with the Nissan Cedric equivalent. Must be thousands of them in service in Tokyo alone.

What most impressed me were the Toyota Century 'executive taxis' used by the hotel I stayed in.

Really want to import one of those.

[dtmpower]

OP: just spotted your username... coincidence ?

[ShakeyJake188]

Seen them when I was in Japan and used a couple, very cool indeed!
Also looked into importing one when I got back, even with a million miles they are still expensive to import!
A terrible exchange rate doesn't help!

[jlai928]

Hey mate I'm from Hong Kong originally and just chiming in, you are gonna love it if you managed to get one haha

They are taxis for a reason, durable AF and simple to work on (I've seen some being serviced in my garage back in Hong Kong). To be honest though, when we were kids back in Hong kong we always wanted to get a Nissan one instead as IMO they were more comfortable. Not sure why they are dwindling though in Hong Kong, maybe due to parts or some government legislation. Anyway, they are insanely comfortable, practical and I've never seen one in the UK so you'd probably turn some heads (for car guys).

Picture is one of the Nissan model.

[mikef]

Googling suppliers of Japanese taxis, I find myself very much attracted to the Toyota Alphard Executive Lounge

http://www.batfa.com/new_car_toyota_alphard_execut...

[Trabi601]

Heh, our Alphard isn't quite like that! - although we have ripped out the rear row of seats and converted it to a camper.

Those new Executive Lounge versions are something like £80k!

You can get an older 6 seater for around £10k, though. With the V6 engine from a Lexus RX.

[mikef]

Cool. Are you in the U.K.? Personal import other through an importer?

[Trabi601]

mikef said:

Cool. Are you in the U.K.? Personal import other through an importer?

Yes, in the UK. Found an importer on eBay, bought an 8 seater in the top G-MZ spec. with the V6. Converted to LPG (they only do around 18mpg), got a camper conversion with rear kitchen, leisure battery and electric hook-up.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Trabi601]

Here's an example of an older exec-spec. Alphard.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Alphard-MZ-G-3-0-...

[mikef]

It's the styling on the newest model that appeals to me. Looks to come out about USD 50K for a 4WD plus shipping, import duty, VAT and SVA, so prob double that on the road



18mpg isn't a problem, most of my vehicles have been way south of that (US imports)