toyota estima/lucida

Miss_Cinnabon

I need a mpv by the next 2 months and have been thinking about a estima on ebay.

Can anyone tell me any more about these cars and what should i look for ie the year/reg.

Thanks.

Kyle

rdwarr

We've had one for six years during which we've done 70,000 miles in it and it's never put a foot wrong. I'd recommend an Estima to anybody as the best MPV but now it's also the best value. Our 'K-reg' cost £8,500 in 1999 but is worth under £2,000 now.
How many other people carriers can take six adults, sitting in armchairs with loads of legroom, plus their luggage? Only the Renault Grand Espace (still expensive and a bit quirky) and the Chrysler Grand Voyager (only car to score 0% in a crash test) come close.
There is plenty of choice on eBay so decide which features you need and wait for the right one to come along. Definitely diesel, have the swivel chairs in the middle if seven seats is enough, 4WD if you need it, coolbox and curtains (especially electric) not vital, high-roof nice etc.
Make sure you get to look at the car before you bid. Key things to look at are:
Does everything work? Chack all electrical systems including AirCon. Remember the back is a separate system to the front. If it's the original radio it should have been converted to UK bands.
Check service history - an oil change every 6,000 miles is really a minimum.
Check the condition of the interior tallies with the mileage.
Make sure all glass is 100%.
Check for oil leaks - look at the engine under the passenger seat.
Make sure there's no smoke when driven. There should be none at all (but expect it to be noisy under accelleration).

Tyres are normally pretty cheap so it doesn;t matter if it needs some - the should last 20,000 miles plus.

Finally, good luck! Feel free to get in touch if I can provide any more help.

rdwarr

...forgot to mention. There's a good websie at http://uktoyotaestimasite.tripod.com/.

wazza

is there any problems nowadays insuring jap imports?

rdwarr

wazza wrote:

is there any problems nowadays insuring jap imports?

No, we're paying below £300pa fully comp with Tesco. Because there are so many Estimas about now, nearly all the insurance companies provide cover.

Quinny_2

And make sure that the head gasket has been done.This is vital,as it can be expensive to sort the engine if it has gone.

robbeau

The best website for EStima owners, or prospective owners is https://www.estimaownersclub.com It's the largest Toyota MPV club in the UK and has the largest Toyota MPV forum in the world. You'll get access to buyers guides and as much help and advice as you can cope with.

The site at http://uktoyotaestimasite.tripod.com hasn't been updated for a few years as the owner got too busy and the site too big for him to continue.

Check out the owners club, it's excellent, as are the cars if you make sure you buy well - as with any used car.


Rob