1991 Toyota Previa review from North America

Nothing more than normal wear and tear for a vehicle with well over 100,000 miles on it.

Replaced both front ball joints at about 200,000 miles.

Replaced brakes yearly - seemed to have more problems with brake wear than anything else, and I don't ride the brakes at all.

Wiper motor went out at 150,000 miles.

Cruise control computer has just started to act up at 213,000 miles.

Upholstery has worn extremely well for a vehicle 13 years old, and having been used heavily by a family with children on long trips. Only one tear at the seam on the driver's seat on the vehicle entry side, where it receives the most stress in any vehicle.

Carpet has worn well - not threadbare, no holes, only minor staining, but always cleans up very well with a shampooing.

No rust at all on the body - one small spot of rust on the hood where a rock chipped it and went through the paint to the metal - my fault - I should have had it touched up before it rusted. However, it hasn't rusted through.

I only have a couple of complaints about the comfort factor of the Previa - the driver & front passenger compartment has a major design flaw in that Toyota placed the front wheel wells INSIDE the driver & passenger compartment, which severely compromises the space allowed for the driver's feet. On a long trip, this forces the driver to keep their left leg bent at an odd angle and leaves no room to stretch it out or move it around. Very uncomfortable. The only other problem I have is that the headrests on the front seats are not removable - the seat backs are all one piece, so the headrest is not adjustable at all.

How else can I say it? I LOVE my Toyota Previa minivan.

Purchased at 115,000 miles for approximately $6,000.00, we have used this van very heavily as a family that travels frequently. It has made the trip from Virginia to Michigan (680 miles one way) and back again at least 8 times now, with several shorter trips in between.

I would never consider giving up my van for any other - especially not a Dodge Caravan, which I owned prior to this one and had severe transmission problems with at 100,000 miles.

If not for the fact that I struck a rather large deer with my Toyota Previa last night, I would never give it up until it absolutely died in its tracks. I can still drive it, but will have to invest in a different vehicle come spring time. You better bet it will be a Toyota!