Uk Or Import, Old Or 'new'

[JimmyShelter]

Hi all.

I'm seriously considering a Toyota MPV for the family, and I've been searching around these forums for answers.

I have a few questions. Please can you help a 'newbie' here.

I have about £4k to spend. It seems I could get either an imported Estima from 2006/7 with 60,000-80,000 miles on it, plus loads of gizmos and stuff, or a UK Previa with about 120,000-140,000 miles on it, an 2002-4 plate and without very much else. Which should I go for? And which engine and trim?

I gather that, with an import, I'd spend more on insurance, have trouble with parts and possibly get stung on the original deal. Is this fair? I'm no mechanic, so I can't do the work myself.

Who is, genuinely, reliable for buying, insurance, servicing (in London) of imported Estimas?

With a UK Previa, it seems from these forums, that they aren't actually that reliable, and that the turbo tends to go at a cost of £2k typically. Is this fair, too?

Alternatively, it seems, I could pick up an old-style 1997-9 Previa for £800-£1,500 with 120,000 miles on the clock. Is this a better option. It seems to me like this is, in fact, the legendary Previa - the one that goes for 400,000 miles. Should I be looking at this instead?

Not asking too much :)

Thanks all.

[Raistlin]

Hi, Welcome to the club... Enjoy

[FROSTYBALLS]

Hello James - welcome to Toyota Owners Club.

As regards insurance, you could try Toyota Owners Club Insurance: http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/insurance/

There is also a small specialist owners club you could have a look at - the Toyota Estima Owners Club: http://www.teoc.ws

[JimmyShelter]

Thanks Mike. What about parts? Am I going to have a problem when something goes wrong? There seem to be many more imported models for sale than UK versions.

[DAN@ADRIAN FLUX]

Hi,

Please feel free to give us a try for insurance if you like. If you wanted to PM me your details I'd be happy to arrange for one of my quotes team to give you a call back.

Regards,

Dan.

[gaz9759]

Here's my 5p worth

I got a H plate Previa GL UK spec back in 97 with 86000m on the clock, owned it for 12 years, went to both Italy & Spain fully loaded,

Sold it in 2010 with 200000 on the clock, the only repairs I carried out was with the starter motor, (clicking) Cold start injector, (rough idle) & the kick down cable, (sticking). I would love to own one again, but the kids have flown the nest (all 3 have yarises) The one to go for is the Mk1 GX 7 seater, Non import. (At least Mr T will have a look at it) No turbos or dpf cats to worry about

Well that's my opinion, have fun searching for the right one.

Cheers

Gary

[JimmyShelter]

Thanks Gary. Very helpful.

Like this?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201407055578562/sort/atcustom/postcode/se136hw/radius/1500/make/TOYOTA/model/previa/price-to/2000/page/1/usedcars?desc=1

And you'd go for that over 01/02 mk2 model for 3.5K?

[gaz9759]

That's the one mate

You can't beat two sunroofs & a cool box

Might be worth a look & a test drive, make sure all the knobs & buttons work

Could be the best car of your life (IMO)

Good luck

Gary

[JimmyShelter]

Thanks Gary. That one's gone, it seems. There's another with a leaking a/c system. They said they charged it, and it had gone again within a week. Seems like this is not uncommon. Is it easy to diagnose where a leak is coming from, and to fix it? Has anyone any experience of this?

Thanks.