Toyota Previa 2000 test drive - 2003 minivan
"Toyota-Privia"
Model / Toyota-Privia Manufacturer / Toyota motor
Year of release / 1993
In operation while driving / from October 2001
Mileage at the time of the report / 115 thousand. Km
Previous publications / ZR, 2002, No. 1
This winter showed: in the choice of hostess for Russian weather conditions and broken roads, we were not mistaken. It is nice to ride it every day, not thinking about starting in frosts, a shovel in a snowfall and the fight against a car in ice. It’s not scary to get out of the tract. Not an all -terrain vehicle, of course, but not a very broken lane will master.
Our Previa has to be either by a bus, then a truck, then a tower. The machine copes with these responsibilities perfectly. Seven people in it are quite comfortable. And if it is necessary, say, transport two sets of wheels with a dimension of 14-15 inches, they will easily fit in the trunk behind the third number of seats, without constraining passengers. When the load is large, the rear row can be lifted to the sidewalls of the body or, having unscrewed only four bolts, generally get rid of it. At least the standard desk is placed in the salon with folded rear chairs and the second row seats unfolded against the course. The hostess happened and towing editorial machines at considerable distances: a relatively light VAZ 2112 and heavy kia sportj. At the same time, it did not seem that Previa was forced to carry out overwhelming work. But the athlete had to pull almost fifty miles!
However, not everything is so rosy. In severe frosts, the heated engine began to freeze in traffic jams and when moving at high speeds - the temperature arrow slides a couple of millimeters down. You can most effectively overcome non -reinforcement by closing the radiator with a cardboard. Another feature that is characteristic of many sixteen -clapdones in frosts is after cold starting the engine reaches the operating temperature only on the go. And although slightly warm air from the deflectors about five minutes after turning the ignition key begins to drown ice on the glass, the interior warms up with the engine only in motion. And quite quickly and evenly. Under the same weather conditions, the passenger compartment of Sobol did not pamper warmth. And passengers of the second row, even with an additional stove, were slightly envious of those sitting next to the driver.
In the thaw, electrical equipment pleased with reliability. The ignition coil and high -voltage wires are under the floor and are available to spray from the road. But there were no failures due to increased humidity or water.
Now about costs. In the last report, we indicated - the purchased car was brought into good condition. Only a deceased air conditioner did not touch. For the reporting period and he was returned to life. It cost, however, not cheap at all: twenty -eight thousand rubles! The time and two salty winters did not spare the condenser and pipelines - they had to be replaced. The compressor survived, both evaporators (air -circuit air conditioning system) and control system. Are we too wasteful? It turns out no. If the air conditioner refused to your car in winter, do not tighten it with its repair until the summer. If you do not restore the tightness of the system in time, in a few months the compressor may fail, and then the repair will turn out to be prohibitively roads for the owner of the elderly car. 
With a run of 112,000 km on the dashboard, the Change Oil inscription caught fire (change the oil) - a reminder of the forgetful owner. Inspection in the editorial technical center showed that, in addition to the planned replacement of oil and filter in the engine, it was time to install new front pads. Other works did not require either an instructions or the condition of the car. The toxicity of the exhaust has compiled normal, ball supports, steering rods, hinges of equal angular velocities, cardan hinges, shock absorbers, electrical equipment in satisfactory condition. Only the release system caused anxiety. Although she has yet to intact, the bell tower, without which it doesn’t do, probably not a single Japanese car has already lost its protective grid. It is not far off to replace it, but it will surely reach the next one. The appearance of Previa in the editorial office, and even as a hostess, caused conflicting judgments about the appropriateness of its acquisition. Many doubted that it was extravagant in appearance, a teddy tasty miracle inside, bought from hand for $ 8,000, is suitable for cargo transportation and will be able to ride without requiring constant expensive repairs. And the car left the winter without any technical problems, moreover, it was pleasantly surprised by the convenience, ease of management and running qualities. One, unfortunately, is indisputable: such a car requires considerable financial investments. Initially, manufacturers addressed it to far from poor people. Three to four thousand rubles per month fly out only on gasoline. Yes, add here the costs of consumables for each ... And if you pay for work? So you can get pleasure from Previa if you earn ... a little more than the average Russian.
On the way you can communicate, looking into the eyes of the interlocutor - the seats of the second row turn around.
Text / Andrey Kochetov
Photo / Alexander Polunin
A source: The magazine "Driving"
