... Even so other vehicles would have crumpled but the Toyota build quality has just left a few large dents.
I would certainly consider buying another or even the petrol Previa. There are now many reasonably priced examples on the market. ebay they range from around £1000 for K reg. Autotrader ... Read review
...would have crumpled but the Toyota build quality has just left a few large dents.
I would certainly consider buying another or even the petrol Previa. There are now many reasonably priced examples on the market. ebay they range from around £1000 for K reg. Autotrader and locally you can pay anything up to £6000 for R reg. Generally they seem to be a little cheaper than the Previa. The only difference is the rerliability and durability ... ...the internet. I would avoid Toyota main dealers as some are not aware of the service requirements and will charge Toyota prices for genuine parts. I've been told Lucidas are heavy on starter motors. Mine failed after about 2 years use (although it well have been the original). The local garage could only source from Toyota who wanted £500. The local recondition centre wanted £180. Finally, I got one from ebay which cost £41.65 including next day ... more
There doesn't seem to be a category for the imported versions of the Previa so hopefully, this might act as a comparison.
The review will be in 2 sections. The first will be my interest and experience, the second more technical data. So if you want to skip the Jackonary bit please do so.
Once you've read the review check the following websites they are excellent if you are considering buying and need to see common faults or if you have the vehicle and need help/support
http://uktoyotaestimasite.tripod.com/
http://estimaowner sclub.org/ (register and enter community forum for help/topics)
Story Bit
I first drove the British version of the Previa about 12 years ago as a hire vehicle for 2 weeks over the summer holidays. The normal thing lots of kids, even more activities and far too much traveling. The hire version I think was the GS model, very futuristic, spacious and comfortable to drive.
Many years on we bought a ford Galaxy and it was suitable for our needs and budget at the time. Too much rum punch at the Nottinghill carnival and baby numero six was on the way. My wife with her extensive traveling had blown the head on her BMW so another vehicle was needed tout suite.
Trying to get a reasonably priced Previa at this time was difficult so I looked at the imported versions. I was a little naive at the time and have learned quite a lot about the Lucida I now drive. The Estima which covers the imported range has 2 model types, the Emina which is comparable in size to the Previa and the Lucida which is smaller especially the X badged version which I have.
The advantages of the Lucida is that they are diesel and usually 2.2l turbo versions. For a big vehicle they accelerate well and have a switch to change the engine revs so that they change gear at higher revs and thus accelerate faster or go up hill without loosing power! A support website suggests that if steadily driven at 60km/hr on the flat mpg can be around 48 mpg. Living in Plymouth this is difficult to gauge because of the hills. I certainly get 30+ mpg. If you drive the vehicle hard then this can drop drastically to more like low 20's.
Other features include 8 seats with the middle row rotating so they can face backwards which is entertaining if you have children. This function loses leg room if you have teenagers or adults but adds luggage space between the middle row and the front seats. The boot is spacious on a par with the Previa and certainly much larger than the Galaxay.
The X model has no sun roof so has air conditioning positioned above the centre of the vehicle. This is essential as the greenhouse effect of the windows causes the car to get very hot in the summer. The small hinged opening windows and two standard opening ones can't really cope. This might have something to do with the wind deflectors/ plastic shrouds that allow the front windows to open without severe drafts blasting in. There is also a cool/hot box situated at the front which can be handy for cold drinks (summer) or keep food warm (one of those trips to KFC etc on the way to pick up the kids).
The down side to the imports is the servicing. The handbook requires a full service every 10,000km (6200miles approx) - speedos and odometers normally metric, with an interim oil change in between. The guy at my local garage said that it shouldn't need the 5,000km oil/filter change if decent oil is used but the technical literate says different? I don't know what the brake wear on the Previa is but the Lucida needs the brake pads changing every 10,000km (well my has) which is a lot more than the Galaxy.
Finally, the head and head gaskets are prone to faiing if the vehicle is a high miler or driven too hard or not serviced correctly. Howver, the body work is excellent and is usually rust resistant for many years. My K reg was fine until I had a few prangs. Even so other vehicles would have crumpled but the Toyota build quality has just left a few large dents.
I would certainly consider buying another or even the petrol Previa. There are now many reasonably priced examples on the market. ebay they range from around £1000 for K reg. Autotrader and locally you can pay anything up to £6000 for R reg. Generally they seem to be a little cheaper than the Previa. The only difference is the rerliability and durability of the diesel engine which you were not able to get in the first generation Previa. Maintenance wise the increased fuel efficency is balanced with greater servicing costs that are normal for a diesel.
If you love your Previa great I'm still a fan this is just an alternative that might appeal to some.
Technical Part
4 Door MPV
2.2 l Turbo Diesel
PAS, Electric front windows with window lock feature, Central locking.
Air conditioning above centre of vehicle. Heating controls for demist, blowing to feet and blowing of air from console towards drive or windows. Rear heating has a feature to heat back of car rapidly, ideal for children or people feeling cold in winter.
Standard model is front wheel drive 4 spd automatic (low, gear 2, Drive and overdrive). Overdrive can be removed to restrict speed especially handy in hilly areas with speed cameras. There are rarer manual versions available.
Reversing mirror comes as standard/older models. New/Higher spec models have parking sensors.
Generally come in 8 seat versions but 7 seats are widely available. Drivers and passenger seat are adjustable backwards and forwards. Middle row is adjustable backwards and forwards. Middle seats split 60/40 so that single seat nearest door folds forwards to access rear seats. Middle seats can be rotated 180 degrees. Rear seats fold flat to floor then lifted to sides to increase large boot space. Middle seats can be folded down to make double bed with rear seats.
Engine is under front seats and across the vehicle which makes it a little noisy under harsh acceleration and speeds over 100km/hr (62mph)
Engine location makes servicing more difficult. Timing belt changing is particularly difficult and cumbersome.
Details in vehicle are in Japanese so a translated manuals is required. Servicing is Oil/filter change every 5000 km (3000 miles) Air filter various on use between 10000km (6200miles) and 15000 km (9400 miles) Fuel filter should be changed at usual/full service interims (10000 km). Brake discs seem to need changing with full service.
Parts are now more readily available locally and via the internet. I would avoid Toyota main dealers as some are not aware of the service requirements and will charge Toyota prices for genuine parts. I've been told Lucidas are heavy on starter motors. Mine failed after about 2 years use (although it well have been the original). The local garage could only source from Toyota who wanted £500. The local recondition centre wanted £180. Finally, I got one from ebay which cost £41.65 including next day delivery. The garage charged £70 to fit it because it took 2 hours, wasn't the exact replacement but was fitted with some adaption.
Fuel consumption is around 34-39 miles to the gallon driven sensibly at 60 km/hr. Performance indicators from support web-site state upto 48mpg can be achieved. If I drive hard around town then low to mid 20's is more realistic.
Fuel is standard diesel although the new bio/eco versions can be used and I know of someone who has driven a Lucida on vegetable oil. At 58p a litre it is very cheap but the down side is the long term effects on the engine especially the gaskets and rubber seals. More seriously is if you get caught by the fuel revenue inspectors then there is a big fine usually relating to the an estimated amount they believe you have used and the revenue on fuel. If you do run you vehicle on vegetable oil and declare the fact the extra in revenue makes the cost at more like £1.10 per litre.
Advantages: Big genuine 7-seater. Very reliable. Disadvantages: Very dull...and butt-ugly!
...the latter is a four-year-old Toyota Previa. 60,000 miles on the clock, an automatic gearbox and 2.4 litre petrol engine under the bonnet. Well, under the front seat actually.
Being a Toyota, this bus is extremely reliable. It is also seriously boring, bloody uncomfortable and butt-ugly. OK, so I’m being subjective, but it’s my bum on the seat and the bloody thing has been parked outside my window for the past few days just…squatting ... ...you now? ‘cos if that sucker starts taking pleasure out of running up and down walls, I’m going to need all the help I can get!
Let’s get down and dirty with some hard-won facts. Interior: Large, with good headroom (I’m about 6’2”, and have absolutely no problems with the height) and fairly good elbow room for the driver. It comes with seven seats, two of which, at the rear, fold up against the sides of the vehicle ...
stevethesleeve 30.11.2001
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Toyota Previa
Advantages: loads Disadvantages: you can't say you don't have room for people that want a lift.
I can't tell you any technical jargon about this MPV, mainly because I can't drive. But I can tell you what I think from a passenger's point of view,
Right well where do I start?
Spacious: Now that's an understatement. There are 6 seats in the back, in two sets of three, one behind the other. The middle seat has a section that tilts forward so you can pass by to get into the back, unlike a lot of MPVs where you have to clamber over the other seats ... ...use it as an 8 seater, not only do all the rear seats lie down flat to form a bed, but the rear back seats split in half so that you can lift them up individually, sideways against the side of the car, giving you even more room in the boot. You don't have to lift both seats if you don't want to, because each section is stabilised so that it stands on its own.
So as I have said you have the options of an 8 seater with quite a large boot, a 6 seater ...
joannewheldon 13.05.2006
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Toyota Previa
Advantages: Size, space for ALL passengers, visiblity, looks. Disadvantages: Fuel consumption, tight parking spaces
We bought a 10 year old Previa last Easter when our oldest son came back from Oz and our middle son came home to join the youngest two! Since we wanted to go out with grandma we needed the space (5 adults and two children!). We looked at several MPV's and felt than none of the others came anywhere near the Previa for comfort or style. Looking at it, you would never know the design is as old as it is - in fact I really think it looks better than the ... ...the new ones!) I have put a picture on this page:- http://www.ackworthschool.biblio.net/~administrator/16956/page_1.html. In everyday use the two youngest have a row of seats each and are so happy that they can stretch out and relax. All of the seats are big and comfy and they all recline so it is possible to have a huge, almost flat area. The back row of seats splits in two and folds very neatly into the sides. There is a wide gap between the two ...
ackworth 28.11.2001 (29.11.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Toyota Previa
Advantages: Spacious and comfortable. Disadvantages: Thirsty.
I bought my Previa as a new import in August 2002 and I've loved it from the moment I first saw it! It took me a while to get used to the automatic gearbox, but pretty soon I found it a breeze to drive, with its high-up view and power steering. I was worried that I'd struggle to park such a big car (my previous car was a Rover 416i), but I've found it OK. The secret is to reverse into the space (something which I rarely did in the Rover as the view ... ...plus I often do a school run with more. There is a middle row of three separate seats and two separate seats on the back row. I usually keep the centre seat on the middle row folded down, which improves the rear view (when there's no child in it, obviously!) The folded seat makes a nice tray with cupholders for the kids on either side. Even when the car is full of large teenagers, because the seats are all separate, they aren't squashed together ...
cazzac 21.09.2006
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Toyota Previa
Advantages: Realible, Spacious and Economic Disadvantages: Low mpg on short trips, high bulb failure
Bought from new in April 1994, this MPV is the most reliable vehicle that I have ever owned in more than 40 years of motoring. Not the most exciting but truly magnificent in terms of reliability and performance. I have just completed 100,000 miles of trouble free motoring.
The size of the vehicle makes parking tricky but all round visibilty is good from the high driving position. Despite the sizeof a van, with power steering, it drives just like ... ...local garage specialising in Japanese cars at a modest cost and has only ever broken down once (starter motor). All other equipment is original including battery and exhaust.
The interior is spartan yet functional and has been on many fully laden trips with seven passengers. Even with a full complement of people, there is still room behind the rear seats for bags and baggage.
With just driver and one passenger and all back seats folded flat the ...
Robinthornhill 31.12.2004
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Toyota Previa
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Advantages: spacious, comfortable, easy to drive Disadvantages: not a run around car
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I saw this one and opened the boot and fell in love with it, plus it had eight seats not the usual seven.
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Advantages: Good Looking! Spacious and excellent choice for a family of 2-5 children Disadvantages: Feels really big and sometimes hard to park, especially in London. The Fuel consumption is 14-15 Litres per 100km, quite greedy rider.
less by using all sorts of tips around. but the only difference it will make is 0.2 litres. My previa consumes about 14.8 litres/100km and I've tried everything that would help to consume less. but the results was unimpressive 14.6, so that's about it. Hope you'll enjoy owning one too, so all in all I would turn down Chrysler vans for this one. Which means that i would like to kindly recommend you ToyotaPrevia if you're thinking of one! ...
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♦ Introduction ♦
This review is based on my experience of owning and driving the T Spirit Previa, an MPV suitable for the fecund of society (i.e. those who have copious numbers of kids or passengers to transport). Despite its enormity and bus like vital statistics, the Spirit is reasonably car like to drive, although parking is another matter. This review may be of interest to those considering purchasing a large multi purpose vehicle from the practical perspective rather than the technical Jeremy Clarkson perspective. Just go and watch Top Gear if you want that. This model is no longer available to purchase new but used models are.
♦ Choosing the Previa ♦
When replacing our previous MPV, a Galaxy with 7 seats and no boot space, we looked at all suitable options with greater luggage space. Even with one seat ...
