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Original poster

Toyota Estima - Owners' Opinions Please

39 replies

Walnutshell · 22/06/2007 08:08

After a very cramped camping trip with dog and ds in a Ford Focus (even with roofbox and pared down packing, this was one cosy journey), we think we may have to bite the bullet and buy a people carrier. Having recently downshifted to one car and one job between us, we are hoping to make this as financially painless as possible. Dh is very interested in the Toyota Estima (rather than Previa because he wants diesel) but before we make the change, thought we would see if any MNers have comments to make, particularly with regard to driving performance (of course!) but also...:

  • how useful are those curtains!
  • do seats fold up OK in the back
  • are captain seats comfy enough
  • anyone used the coolbox?
  • double sunroof ok?

And any general views of course.
Thanks folks.

OP posts:
Original poster
Walnutshell · 22/06/2007 16:43

Bump... I know you are out there! I know you have one!

OP posts:
sniff · 22/06/2007 16:50

I love mine I have used the cool box

we have the seats all facing inwards and the dog in the middle

curtainsdont use them but the kids do if its really sunny

driving ok actually considering its size
very comfy to drive be a passenger

never folded seats up because in the boot I can get 2 prams all my shopping for five any usual crap kids carry round

zephyrcat · 22/06/2007 17:04

We are buying an estima emina from Whoops so she knows all about them - will point her in this direction when I see her!

sniff · 22/06/2007 17:07

I would be loath to get rid of mine now

is your auto

Original poster
Walnutshell · 22/06/2007 17:18

Thanks folks. The one we have been out to look at today is a Lucida G spec so with captain seats, curtains but sadly no coolbox! Reputable dealer according to the Owners Club website and jolly nice bloke he was too. Bit nervous about driving an auto though.

Like the idea of sticking the dog in the middle, lol, ours would love that!

OP posts:
Original poster
Walnutshell · 22/06/2007 17:19

Oh, thanks Zeph, yes do send her this way for a grilling!

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sparklesandwine · 22/06/2007 17:32

lol walnutshell - we were exactly the same as you we had a focus and always go camping but it got really cramped and we wanted a people carrier that actually has proper boot space!

Ours is second hand and doesn't have the curtains but does have tinted windows which are great

The fold up seats in the back are really useful when your going to the dump or need to load large things in - loads of room even without folding them up!

No coolbox in ours

Seats are very comfy even on longer journeys

We've got a/c on ours and don't really use the double sunroof even though we've got them - the dc's just use sunroof to watch the areoplanes through

The performance on ours isn't as good as the focus was but its older, bigger, heavier etc, and fuel wise it costs about £50 to fill up with diesel

We love ours and would definatley recommend getting one - they're fab!

piximon · 22/06/2007 17:42

We are picking ours up tomorrow. The loan one we have from the dealer is great.
I'll try to point DH this way later if you want to know anything specific.

Original poster
Walnutshell · 22/06/2007 17:45

Hey, sparkles, I think we are living a parallel life!

Oh ours will be secondhand, very much so, in fact the one we looked at today comes with it's own zimmer frame - it's on a J plate so '92 at youngest! (Focus was 2001). Did have a/c though as well as aeroplane viewing screen . Tinted windows - not yet, but will consider adding.

DH twittering in background about how many miles do you get for your £50. More importantly (I say), what colour is yours?

OP posts:
Original poster
Walnutshell · 22/06/2007 17:46

Oh piximon, how exciting! Yes send dh over, but don't be showing off some flash new thing when we're looking at old ladies!

OP posts:
sniff · 22/06/2007 17:49

350 miles aprox motorway miles less round town more fuel efficient if kept under 3000 revs always on OD

mine is silver and has tinted windows and aircon

great place in Haydock imports them and is really nice honest bloke mine is old N plate had for 18 months sailed through mOT

Original poster
Walnutshell · 22/06/2007 17:51

An N plate eh, posh!

OP posts:
sniff · 22/06/2007 17:53

actually dont know where you live but they are much cheaper up here

Original poster
Walnutshell · 22/06/2007 17:54

Torquay and we have looked at a place in Newton Abbot. Where's Haydock (ignorant emoticon)?

OP posts:
sniff · 22/06/2007 17:56

near liverpool but when we were looking there was considerable price difference

sparklesandwine · 22/06/2007 19:32

ours is silver too! its an M reg don't know about milage actually

Original poster
Walnutshell · 22/06/2007 19:34

We are looking at a turquoisy type coloured one. It's quite nice but I don't rate my chances of parallel-parking the thing.

OP posts:
MilaMae · 22/06/2007 20:13

Anybody had experience of engine problems that are expensive to fix????? Engine cooling, head gasket????

Original poster
Walnutshell · 22/06/2007 20:37

Engine cooling apparently common so the guy we are looking to buy from replaces the cylinder head and radiator as standard - with 12 month guarantee. (or fits 2ndhand engine if probs have already occurred)

Of course that doesn't help if you have already experienced this, MilaMae!

Hang on, DH saying look at Estima Owners Club homepage for advice on repairs etc (this site rather than the sister one which is dot.com)

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MilaMae · 22/06/2007 21:38

Where is that, we're very near to you Walnut???? Other than this query the Estima is the only one we like. We've got to upgrade from our battered Zafira, with you on the parking issue.

sniff · 23/06/2007 08:53

parking is much easier in my opinion you have the mirror at the back and the power steering is great

Original poster
Walnutshell · 23/06/2007 09:34

Hi MilaMae, we are buying from GT Motors in Newton Abbot (GT stands for Gary Thomas, the owner, he's really nice and recommended by people in the owners' club.) We went to see him yesterday and are serious about this J-reg Lucida.

Here is his website- definitely worth a visit to him if you are shopping around. Let me know how you get on!

Sniff, the guy we are buying from reckons the mirrors often get pilfered, the car we like currently sports a mirrorless stick but are getting it replaced! Hopefully this will help with parking, but we used to have a massive Mondeo estate and I don't recall ever attempting to parallel park it (coward) although reverse parking was fine. I guess I need a little practice...

OP posts:
piximon · 23/06/2007 10:19

walnut sorry should have said ours isn't a new one. Will get DH to say mileage etc on a tank of petrol later, busy decorating at the mo.

sparklesandwine · 23/06/2007 14:04

our back mirror has been nicked but we haven't bothered replacing it again - someone told us that you could put a salvaged tractor mirror on the back and its just the same (and cheaper) whether thats true or not i don't know??

The only thing i can think about recommending is to make sure the you keep gearbox fluid filled up as this does affects the performance on ours - ie. not too good when its running low!

DP said our does 350-400 km to the tank i don't know how to convert it into miles though (its a japanese import thats why its in km's)

If you go for an import and have trouble getting a decent insurance quote i can recommed a good company

MilaMae · 23/06/2007 21:28

Hi Walnut. Thanks thats very near to us and he sounds good. Love that turquoisy colour. We've got to wait a couple of months so will be interested to hear how you get on. DP is keen on the sliding doors and the different ways you can position the seats-he doesn't get out much these days!!!!!