1995 Toyota Estima Lucida from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

Biggest issue was the head gasket failing (due to corrosion, I think) at approx 140,000kms. This caused water to leak into one of the engine cylinders, initially just being an undiagnosed loss of water from the radiator getting worse over time, eventually being enough to make a "clunk" sound when trying to start the vehicle. After diagnosis from an engine reconditioner (costing approx NZ$900 by itself), it was recommended to replace the head ($1300, cracked despite no known overheat) and other engine components that may wear out while doing work in the engine. Total cost of repair was $4500 - ouch! Very disappointing especially since $900 was spent replacing idle chain, pump etc as preventative measure when purchased, and was regularly serviced. Resale value of vehicle is expected to be no more than $6000, possibly only $4500.

I was told by someone who worked in the vehicle insurance industry that there was a design fault with the head that causes cracking due to "hot spots", but the head gasket probably failed due to corrosion. A new replacement head apparently doesn't have the fault.

Replacement windscreen (cracked from stone impact) cost $800, which is very expensive for a windscreen (covered by insurance fortunately).

Engine is susceptible to overfilling with oil because of inaccurate dip stick readings. Twice after servicing the oil-too-full light came on. Don't know whether this might have caused damage (took it back to remove oil one of the times).

Fluorescent light bulb inside sliding door failed soon after purchase. Replacement bulb from Toyota was going to cost $88! Didn't replace.

Parts and servicing for this vehicle seems very expensive, especially if engine work is required as access is difficult - front seats and dashboard may need to be taken out before work can start.

When I purchased this vehicle, I was hoping it was going to hold value better than competitors like Nissan Serena due to better reliability, but I was obviously sorely disappointed.

However, despite all the financial woes, I have very much enjoyed driving the vehicle. It is extremely comfortable and has plenty of power, even with a reasonable load in the back.

U-turns aren't easy due to large turning circle, but you get used to it.

I do intend to sell this vehicle shortly, and purchase a vehicle that is cheaper to maintain.

Your estima is the same car as a previa, pretty much, and they are indestructible. You obviously have had a poor mechanic who doesn't understand what he is dealing with. You MUST use genuine Toyota coolant, you can't mix brands or they lead to the problems you have experienced. He also obviously can't do an oil change, the dip stick on these is accurate. If you mix coolant brands, they will coagulate in the engine and cause blockages, hot spots and corrosion. You also should change the radiator at 100,000Ks as a matter of routine. I'm sorry you have had these woes, but I think you are judging the wrong thing to be a lemon. Previas are tough as old boots.

I would echo the previous comment. I have a 1991 petrol Previa with 274,000 miles on the clock. Engine 'flutters' a bit on idle now, but otherwise have never had a problem with it.

I'm running an eleven year old estima lucida 2.2td. The cylinder head cracked 5 days after I bought it. Dealer replaced. This is a well documented problem in the UK. The channels in the rad are too thin and clog up, the temp gauge is in the coolest place in the engine so it may overheat before you know anything. Once the head was replaced I swapped the rad for a recommended deep core rad. Worked fine ever since. Other than that, great car. Getting around 34 mpg.

Be advised that whilst outwardly the Estima and the Previa look the same as far as engines go they are not. The Estima has a 2.2TD Diesel engine which by all accounts is notorious for suffering from cracked cylinder heads.

The Previa as it is known in the UK and USA only ever came as a 2.4 petrol engine which whilst seemingly far more reliable is also known to suffer from blown head gaskets.

I have been told that the UK Previa is wider than the Estima imports, someone I know bought a secondhand rear door, to find it would not fit, I can't verify this though.

Hi.

I have an oil change caution light (amber) come on, I do not have a manual, what does this mean? I have also spotted a couple of small oil leaks underneath the car.

Thanks.

Regarding the amber warning light, it comes on when your engine's oil level is low. Check this.

As for the leaks, get the sump gasket checked for a broken joint.

Hi, I want to buy a 2.2td Toyota Estima Lucida, but it is a head problem just waiting to happen.

I've been reading on the net that the original head has a design flaw, it gets hot spots which lead to a cracked head. A replacement head from Toyota apparently doesn't have the same problem, which I don't believe.

I also read about poor coolant circulation through the radiator, due to the wrong coolant used, which leads to internal corrosion, and bad coolant temperature sensor position are to blame!

Has any one heard of any successful mods which would help with the cylinder head problem, like for example, reducing the size of the pulley on the water pump, which would increase the volume of water per revolution, put in a bigger radiator, reposition the coolant temp sensor, or use a electric thermal temp sensor for the head?

There has got to be a way to fix the problem. I'm in Canada and gonna import one. Do not want to spend more than I'm already gonna.

If any one has got info, let me know thanx.

I am now on my second Lucida. I bought this one with a blown head gasket. I had to replace head because it was cracked and warped, but I bought a second hand one for £200. It took me two days to do the work.

As long as you change oil on these vehicles every 6000 miles, and change flush and change coolant every year, they run fine.

Second hand engines are very cheap. Places will supply and fit them starting from £800. Engines are imported from Japan and have covered only 40000 miles.

I just about bought one today. Still tossing it up, but after reading these reviews man, definitely a toughy.

It was a Lucida TD; looks great, but looks like a no no now.

I have had a Lucida for 4 years. The engine is not only different from the previa, it is also mounted under the front seats - so if not looked after, overheating can be a problem.

The bus is 17 years old now, so few drips of oil here and there, but nothing worth bothering about. The oil header tank still works, so she never runs low on oil. The oil change warning light comes on every 3000 kms, but I only change it every 6,000kms, I figure the regular drip in and out counts for one oil change! The light can be reset using a matchstick and the hole on the dashboard by the speedo.

8 seats, 30mpg, used to run it on 80 / 20 veg oil / diesel with no loss of performance, (including neat veg oil when I ran out of fuel one day!).

I don't drive it over 70, it is a bus not a sports car.

Loads of room for a family of 5 and luggage, or family + friends. Easy to put in a stereo.

Just do your homework when buying - run it at 50mph for 15 minutes, check the heater blows hot at the end (probably just an airlock if it is cold), and that the engine temp is at about 8 o'clock!