New Member!

[Tiggz]

Hi guys and girls!

New on TOC!

I curently own a ford galaxy (dont start lol) and would keep it but due to a health problem I now need a automatic car, and galaxy auto boxes are made of chocolate and I cant afford a £1k time bomb!

I have four kids, all girls and my beautiful wife so need a big car! We only got married 6 months ago but were living in sin for 8 years!

I am saving up and in july/aug and part exchange I should be able to get a mk2 previa. I dont want a mk1 as they ony have sliding door on one side and i need both really with my tribe!

Are the auto boxes as reliable as I hear on previas? looking at a 2.4 auto I guess a uk model as the imports look great, but are out of price range mostly and harder to get parts?

I just want a car that works!!! I can change brakes and do services etc, is previa easy to work on?

Cheers

Tiggz

[Phoenix999]

Welcome to TOC and I hope you find the car that fits your bill

I know nothing about Previas but given they are Toyotas I hope they are reliable.... good luck :)

[Bos]

Hello and welcome to TOC

[Tiggz]

Thanks Phonex and Bos for the nice welcome :)

Nice to see not as many common faults on the MK2 previa on here than on the mk1 galaxy on the galaxy club im a member of lol

My medical probem affects my left leg so auto seams the way to go and the reliability of Toyota has drawn me towards one! The mercedes ml320 is also a possibility and ride comfort is upmost due to my problems.

But the cabin space for the kids in the toyota looks far more impressive!!!

Are the sliding doors heavy to operate? or balanced nicely?

Easy to add in extras like reverse sensors (I fitted them to my galaxy and they look factory ) and maybe drop down screens?

be good to hear from any previa owners to tell me good and bads!

The only bad thing I heard is the foot operated handbrake. not sure how you release it? do you press it again?

and the hand brake shoes create a lip on the drum and can be a pig to change.

Thats it!

Would like to know if 2.4 engine has any flaws like head gaskets etc and any info on the autobox, how to check one, if they have overdrive etc

[bothwell_buyer]

Welcome to the forum.

After a spine injury I lost the strength in my left leg and wasa dvised to use an automatic. Like you I have 4 kids altho they are grown up now and left home. I bought a Previa in 1994 - great car and just loved it to bits. I sold it when a garage told me the rear axle was needing renewed - then missed it so much I bought a 1997 model !! The mk1 has the mid-engined layout 2.4 engine auto but its a pig to work on.

I too was driving a Galaxy - the company car at the time - fast, rubbish at corners and needed a tank trailer to keep it in petrol! Ended up retiring at the age of 44 due to the back problems!

I do have 2 RAVs from 1994 - one from new and the other bought as a back up about 5 years ago. Both have turbo engine conversions and fly.

the Previa is good for the family as some of them live nearby but for long journeys nothing beats it.

I did look at the mk2 which has the vvti engine front mounted and I think was modelled for the USA market. I'd guess its easier to work on....

The diesel imports versions I believe struggle with overheating so best to maybe avoid. The vvti is more common in Toyota cars and spares should not be a problem.

have fun !!

[Tiggz]

Hey bothwelll!

Yes mines a spinal injury to L2/L3 and permament "pre-ganglionic nerve damage" to my left leg and problems with my hand etc, not fun!

Still could be worse eh! always someone worse off!!

Was reading alot on here last night about the previa engine management stuff on the 4 lambda sensors and cat, so maybe I can look on the service history for a replacement cat see, i'm learning allready!

My kids are all very much at home! 15 year old step daughter then my other girls are 7,5 and 3 so house full!

The Merc ML is still very much a possibility, but I think for many reasons the previa is the way to go

[acetip]

hi Tiggz

welcome to toc, hope you find the car your looking for.

[bothwell_buyer]

Hey bothwelll!

Yes mines a spinal injury to L2/L3 and permament "pre-ganglionic nerve damage" to my left leg and problems with my hand etc, not fun!

Still could be worse eh! always someone worse off!!

Was reading alot on here last night about the previa engine management stuff on the 4 lambda sensors and cat, so maybe I can look on the service history for a replacement cat see, i'm learning allready!

My kids are all very much at home! 15 year old step daughter then my other girls are 7,5 and 3 so house full!

The Merc ML is still very much a possibility, but I think for many reasons the previa is the way to go

I found the mk 1 Previa was ideal.

never tried the newer version. Did try other similar vehicles but none compared as well as the Toyota.