Buying used estima hybrid am I right?

[bathrat]

Hi all!

Love the look of an Estima and am pretty much sorted to buy one in a few days. Have been wanting a hybrid for the usual reasons, but the closer I get the more I worry! It's a 2012 aeras hybrid with 70,000 miles on it, newly imported. I know the Battery is uncheckable without a specialist but just how likely is it to be a problem? I mean like, what's the percentage of ones going wrong? Also, what speed can I expect from the electric drive? I don't intend to batter EV mode but I was led to believe 30mph was possible but I now have found people saying 15mph. Should I be looking at the petrol instead? 

Help me stop worrying someone! 😄 Sorry if all this is covered elsewhere but I have looked through and can't get specific answers (I think)

Cheers!

[Cyker]

TBH, unless you know of a hybrid specialist who can look after it, you're better off with the petrol ones as they will be much less hassle to service.

The hybrid ones seems to have been made mainly for compliance, as although it has a lower CO2 rating, its mpg isn't much better than the petrol one and it's a chunk heavier so there is very little advantage in getting one unless you want the AWD (I believe you can only get AWD as a hybrid).

There have been threads on here, but if you're not that worried about mpg, the nicest one to get is the 3L V6 model, as it's a lot nicer to drive; The 2.4L and 2.4 hybrid are quite sluggish by comparison, although as a luxobarge the Estima is never going to be particularly quick so that might not be such a big deal unless you want to tow with it or regularly carry a full load of people and luggage.

 

Also, one important point before you buy it, make sure you can insure it first - A few members have bought them then found they had a lot of trouble finding insurance at reasonable cost, or at all in some cases, as it's an import and a lot of insurers discriminate against imports. It can vary wildly depending on where you live, but I think there is a pinned topic in the Estima forum with insurers Estima owners have used successfully.

 

[bathrat]

Thanks, since I talked my wife into it I've had cold feet over the hybrid! Will definitely be doing some hard thinking now. Thanks for the info 👍

[Paulscarbs]

I concur with Cyker. A hybrid is costlier, heavier and, at ten years or more, will likely need money spent on the hybrid Battery.

In addition, the 2.4 utilises a CVT box which can be a little volatile under load and heat. Opt for the v6 if you can which has a standard auto transmission I believe.

[bathrat]

Yep frightened off the hybrid. Oh well better safe than sorry! Fossil fuels a bit longer then. But still want an Estima!

[RUToyota]

Agree with all above...personally I wouldn't buy a 10+ year old Estima hybrid..go pure petrol and avoid the potential hassles and expense.

I've had a MkII 3 litre V6 T/C Auto for nearly 8 years now and never regretted it..it's simply a fabulous, reliable vehicle and the V6 is a joy to drive with little difference I think in mpg against the 2.4.

I would always buy the V6.

[Cyker]

2 hours ago, bathrat said:

Yep frightened off the hybrid. Oh well better safe than sorry! Fossil fuels a bit longer then. But still want an Estima!

Just to clarify, the Estima hybrids aren't plug-in hybrids and can't be charged - They still run exclusively on petrol like the normal Toyota hybrids - so you're not really missing out on anything environmentally or economically. Because it's so heavy, the traction motor can barely move it so the engine runs almost as much as it does on the petrol version anyway, which is why the mpg is so similar between the two.

 

[bathrat]

Thanks for the info, been very useful. Am currently in negotiations over a 2013 aeras 2.4 petrol! 😄

[DAN@ADRIAN FLUX]

Hi.

If you have any issues with insurance at all then please feel free to drop me a line.

Regards,

Dan. 

[bathrat]

Got my Estima! Petrol 2.4 Aeras, has made my driveway so much classier!

Cheers guys

[JohnGW]

Nice and clean, especially the headlamps. Congrats

[Cyker]

Nice  

Keep us posted on your experiences with it!

[bathrat]

There is one thing actually, we've had diesels only for years so I've not really smelt petrol exhaust for ages but the Estima exhaust does smell rich. Is this normal for the car does anyone know?

[Cyker]

It's normal initially, as petrols have a 'choke' to help get them going, esp. when it's cold, and it makes the exhaust very petrolly. Diesels always run lean so they just have the normal diesel exhaust smell.

If it smells petrolly all the time, even when it's well warmed up, there may be a problem tho' - I remember my dad's Ford Escort had an automatic choke and it always got stuck so he ripped it out and put in a manual one  

 

[bathrat]

Cheers I'll keep an eye on it 👍

[Tee_J]

On 1/16/2024 at 12:40 PM, JohnGW said:

Nice and clean, especially the headlamps. Congrats

Yeah! Beautiful! Very nice! I love the colour...I approve... 👍
I wish I had gone for the petrol instead of the hybrid..but I don't regret the purchase.
I need my headlights looking like yours! What a shine! Mine have gone a bit "dirty"... Anyone have any recommendations in the South East London area?

[JohnGW]

Just a bit of elbow grease and a polishing kit, oh and UV laquer.

That said still have mine to do but weather is improving so could be done in a couple of weeks.

[JohnGW]

I watched a young lad on YouTube the other day and he doesnt like laquers at all, he prefers using window film UV resistant clear film. So I have bought some to try, I have only ever filmed flat windows so the curved headlamps will be a challenge. Beauty of this idea is the film takes the abuse and stones etc and when it needs replacing you just peel off and replace no need to polish again.

[Cyker]

Ooh, that sounds nifty, got a link?

 

[JohnGW]