Posted by Rob Drinkwater (CAFTEC) on September 26, 2004, 9:33 am, in reply to "People carriers"
Hi Derek,
Has he considered a late Grey Import Lucida, Emina, Estima.
We have the Townace, which is basically the same engine, and will be upgrading to a Lucida shortly.
Compared to UK/Euro spec vehicles, you get loads of equipment & the interior room is excellent. The middle row of seats also swivel around, so the kids can face each other, much better for long journeys.
If you do look at one, make sure it's a post '95 car, so that it has the 3CTE engine, this is a 2.2 diesel, with electronic diesel control. These are best for emissions & they don't suffer the head gasket problems of the earlier 3CT engine. Even still take one for an extensive test drive, on fast roads especially, if the temp gauge rises at all above the middle, walk away & find a goodun.
With that kind of budget, you should find a very late, very clean low mileage model, with all the knobs & whistles on it, even 4WD if you want.
Best of all Toyota UK fully support grey imports (unlike other dealers) with parts availability being good & they will work on them as well.