1994 Toyota Previa GX 2.4 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Don't buy high milers, otherwise a good, fun, practical family bus

Faults:

Radiator collapsed at 115,000 miles £200.

Tailgate strut failed. £85 dealer part.

Head gasket blew at 116,000 miles £150.

2 pistons broke, ruined all 4. £1600.

Gearbox disintegrated. £950.

General Comments:

The car was great for the first 2 years, flexible seating, loads of room for 3 kids a dog and luggage.

Then it all went wrong, radiator corroded internally and the rest went within 3 months. Dealers in Essex area were OK, bit pricey, but better than Henry's boys.

Most work undertaken at private garage.

Saved me about £2000, still cost too much to justify it's good points.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st October, 2004

3rd Nov 2004, 16:04

My dads Previa had a new radiator at 110,000 miles and the automatic gearbox disintergrated on that too (little clutch plates inside it failed)

What annoyed him most was that he took the car into a Toyota dealer to have a look at a new one, ordered the new one, come out to the car park and it had deposited all its anti freeze over the floor.

1994 Toyota Previa DX 2.1 gasoline from North America

Summary:

Excellent people mover at a bargain price

Faults:

Radiator clogged up at 136,000 miles. That's about it.

General Comments:

Exterior styling are excellent with a nice aerodynamic shape. Wind noise at high speed (110 mph) are at minimal and very stable.

Engine is bullet proof, with no mechanical breakdown except a clogged radiator.

Interior needs more lighting specially on a long trip with kids who wants to read or play.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th August, 2003

1994 Toyota Previa LX 2.4 from North America

Summary:

Don't even consider another minivan

Faults:

Nothing. Ever. Second Previa, 110,000 total miles. Never replaced a single thing - no exhaust, no alternator, nothing. This is the most reliable car ever made, period.

General Comments:

If you need a minivan, a Previa is the only real choice. Read the reviews of the Odyssey and the Sienna, then go back to the Previa. And it has more cargo space. Owned a DX - bought with 75,000 and put 80,000 additional miles on it with zero maintenance - only oil changes. The only problem with the Previa is poor handling in snow, so we sold the Previa and bought an LX all trac with ABS brakes. Both were a big improvement. Seats very comfortable. Lots of space. Engine feels anemic and gets the same mileage as most V6 mini vans. But don't let the extra few bucks on gas or engine zip deter you from buying the only truly reliable minivan on the market.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th October, 2002

7th Jun 2007, 12:27

I have a RWD model and also an awd All Trac model in New England. I discovered that if you put Blizzak snow tires (WS-50) on all 4 wheels, you can go through anything in winter with the RWD, plus the braking with those tires is superior.

The engine is better matched if you have a supercharged model. The automatic transmission is geared better with the supercharger also. You won't realize it's a 4 cylinder, IMO.

The AWD hurts fuel efficiency.

1994 Toyota Previa DX from North America

Summary:

I'd buy another one in a heartbeat!

Faults:

My struts needed replacing at 140,000 miles.

My brakes needed replacing at 132,000 miles.

General Comments:

This van handles like a car.

The radius is good when making sharp turns.

The van has a lot of pep for having only 4 cylinders.

The interior lighting is poor.

The interior cabin is very roomy.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th August, 2002

7th Aug 2010, 12:52

Hello.

I have a '94 Egg too. Just like all other vehicles, it needs tires, oil change, brake pads, etc. but it is so dependable considering its age. Some people say Previas don't even break in until 100,000 miles; I don't know how true it is, but at 110,000 miles I opened the valve cover to replace the rubber gasket, the inside of the engine was very clean, there was hardly any sign of smoke, i.e. carbon from combustion going through piston rings.

Of course the van is old so it's boring, but it's money saver. We drive it everywhere from south to north California and from California to Arizona, usually over 1,000 miles round trip. It has seen hot deserts and freezing snowy mountains.

Hope you enjoy your van as I do mine, for many years.

Best.

TL.