What to look for when buying a Jap Import Previa?

What to look for when buying a Jap Import Previa?

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veewhy

Original Poster:

708 posts

259 months

Sunday 2nd May 2004
quotequote all
Can anyone of you fellas give me some advice on what to look for when buying a Toyota Previa MPV from a Jap Importer in the UK?. Any help for a novice would be appreciated.

cptsideways

13,648 posts

259 months

Sunday 2nd May 2004
quotequote all
Do you mean the Lucida 92-96ish models?

If so a few things.....

TD's watch for any sign of overheating, avoid completely if there is no/low water in the system or its or discoloured in any way.

Ancillary Drive Shaft Couplings
These engines (under drivers seat) have a driveshaft that points forwards & drives the alternator, pumps air con etc (under the bonnet). There are some rubber coupling links that break & give a rumble at low revs not dissimilar to big end bearings! £250 fitted. Need doing every 80k ish.

Anti Roll Bar Bushes
Always wear, £28 from toyota an hour to fit replace every 50k

Apart from that, some are 4x4 avoid if possible unless you need it as not so good fuel & more to go wrong, RWD otherwise. You can tell as they have an axle at the back, 4WD are fully independent.

Get the ones with armrests G spec

Ours des 30-35mpg all day long, has cost zilch to run for the past 35k, great to drive ditch some seats and you've room for bikes, surfboards, dogs, etc etc.

Hope that helps, any more questions just mail me

>> Edited by cptsideways on Sunday 2nd May 21:25

veewhy

Original Poster:

708 posts

259 months

Sunday 2nd May 2004
quotequote all
cptsideways said:
Do you mean the Lucida 92-96ish models?

If so a few things.....




Thanks 'sideways, very useul info, we're looking to buy something to do 50 miles a day. Work n School, something cheap and reliable and these seem to fit our requirements perfectly. I was just not sure if they were any good, and if there was anything worth asking a jap importer, as we can't afford to be sold a pup.


>> Edited by veewhy on Sunday 2nd May 21:43

cptsideways

13,648 posts

259 months

Sunday 2nd May 2004
quotequote all
Another thing.....

Quite a few of the newly imported ones get shipped with snow/winter tyres, the dealers leave them on as it costs. These are c**p on normal dry roads, check to the tyres to see if the have an ice or * or M+S logos, avoid if so.

A new set is £350 so watch out,

I'd find one thats been in the UK a while with some history just to be sure, avoid the dealers if possible.

veewhy

Original Poster:

708 posts

259 months

Tuesday 4th May 2004
quotequote all
I found this site online, fascinating...

http://uktoyotaestimasite.tripod.com/index.html