Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:20:02 -0700
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Vanagon ?Previa?
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I've heard they are not that great in terms of cost and reliability, and
cost and difficulties of repair.
I just put 'reliability of Toyota Previa Van' into Google. ( you outhat
try that, for *anything* ......it's amazing, I dont' care what it is you ask
for ........there's tons of info about everything )
here's one thing I found immediately :
" Repairs (yes, it has to be repaired sometimes!): be aware of front
accessories driveshaft problem. Due to mid-engine placement, accessories
like alternator, steering pump, A/C pump, S/C, etc that are placed in front
are driven by accessories driveshaft that utilizes rubber bushings. These
tend to self-destruct about every 100K, and, according to Toyota, cannot be
replaced separately. Whole shaft replacement cost me about $1300, and that's
kind of job only shop can do. Recently, I observed variety of aftermarket
replacement bushings advertised for sale, claiming that they can help fix
that problem. I do have my doubts, knowing design and understanding working
conditions of that thing. Also, when Toyota dealer replaced the shaft, they
never offered me basic preventive repairs, that could be easily done at the
same time - replacement of front seal and possibly water pump (strange, hah?
They could make some money right away). I did not consider them, thinking of
Toyota reliability. Well, nothing is ever as reliable as we wish. Now, I
have strong suspicion that it's front seal that is leaking, but its
replacement means taking off the accessories driveshaft, putting it back and
adjusting again - about $400 labor! I added oil leak stop and waiting out to
see how it goes now. Oil filter change is a pain. Otherwise, it is pretty
reliable. "
I've eyeballed that shaft in a Prvevia ........struck me as not that smart
immediately. The engine is somewhat mid-engine all right...........and there
is a drive shaft about 2 feet long or so, runing forward to where the
accessories are .............PS pump, AC compressor, and altnerator I think.
And the radiator is up front there of course.
But ask Goolge.......and also Wikipedia............you can search Wikipedia
for an engine type, or a car model........and read about it until your
totally burnt out.
Tell you this, for sure........and this is my exact
profession..............I would NOT recommend one for a friend.
What I did recomend for a freind though, was a Nissan Quest Van.
At autotrader.com..............no kidding...........they have a GREAT
search feature. I asked for a Nissan Quest Van, from 92 to 1997 year model,
for $ 1,000 to $ 4,000 within 60 miles of my freind's zip code. Found a 95
Quest in minutes, for $ 2,500, and the next day she got it for $ 2,250.
I drove it from Albuquiqui back to Southern Oregon .........it just glides
along at 80 effortlessly.
Nissans are incredibly durable. V-6 engine of course. That Quest is 'made
by Ford for Nissan' ..........so it's a Ford body, but Nissan drivetrain.
She did, after a year and a half have some msifiring due to a simple
distributor cap issue........
and some cat problems,............and the cats were replaced *before* the
misfiring was fixed.............so I suspect it didn't even have bad cats in
the first place.
But otherwise..........has worked perfectly.
And anyone seeing red hot cats should check for misfiring right off the bat.
And a distributor cap and rotor is a normal wear item anyway.........so
that's not even a mechanical failure. I'm sure that cap and rotor had 100K
on them.
but check that out ..........Nissan Quest Van .........around 1995.......and
also check out www.autotrader.com.
I just recommended a Quest van to some other friends of mine too.
Scott
www.turbovans.com
aka 'Scott Foss Foreign Car Repair and Consulting' .......my official legal
biz name.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Hanson" <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 10:23 PM
Subject: Vanagon ?Previa?
> Kinda off topic but is anyone onlist familiar with the Toyota Previa?
> Respond PM, if you think it belongs off list.
> S.O.'s old (1970) Beamer 2002 is finally rusted beyond beyond. No more
> body
> left to weld another 'raceshop' suspension to, so I have to find another
> old
> vehicle she will drive..And the Toyota has always intrigued me. Reading
> shows them inexpensive (compared to Vanagons) and dependable(according to
> some). They are fairly plentiful, but manual trans ones seem a bit rare
> and
> the supercharged ones (160hp vs 130hp na) are rare also. Many come with
> full time 4X4. They have a DOC 4, mounted slanted behind the front wheels
> (mid engine?)
> Not a Vanagon, by any means, but a viable van for someone who's been
> known
> to neglect their vehicle, like my SO. I think they made em from 91 to 97.
> Anybody have any feedback on those?
> thanks,
> Don Hanson
>
> Vanagon content: In order to buy a nice running 4X4 Vanagon with 160hp
> and
> cold AC, I would probably have to give....oh, maybe $20k? I see plenty of
> these Previas for under $5k..most around $3k...seems like a good price..
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