Toyota TownAce Reviews - Page 3 of 3

20th Mar 2004, 07:56

So good to read this review. Recently purchased Royal Lounge (I'm in Australia) and love it, but as it is imported people have told me may be difficult to get parts. Also manual is in Japanese so I'm not sure if I'm always doing things correctly. If you have any info about model or other models similar would greatly appreciate help. My email is stevedore@iprimus.com.au.

Thanks again. Reading this review relieved some of my anxiety.

30th Jan 2005, 01:00

I have owned the car for 4 years now. Bought it from a Japanese importer with a speedometer value of 35,000 km. I have now traveled over 100,000 km and have not encountered any major problem. Only recently the air condition system has gone off. I have'nt bothered to have this checked out. It is a good reliable family van, easy to drive and manipulate due to its all round visibility. I have cruised over 120km/hr with little steadiness. For a car built in the mid 1990s everything is electrical. Power steering and electric windows, mirrors and curtains. The model I have is turbocharged diesel engine.

1991 Toyota TownAce Super Extra 2.0 turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Year of manufacture	1991
First year of ownership	2002
Most recent year of ownership	2002
Engine and transmission	2.0 turbo diesel Automatic
Performance marks	7 / 10
Reliability marks	9 / 10
Comfort marks	9 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	6 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	7.8 / 10
Distance when acquired	46000 miles
Most recent distance	48500 miles
Previous car	BMW 3 Series

Summary:

AN excellent MPV on a budget

Faults:

Rear shock absorber leaking when purchased.

General Comments:

The performance of the car is lacking by family saloon standards. But it will cruise at 65 to 70 mph.

Handling characteristics is very van like and sitting in front of the wheels is disconcerting at first.

The high driving position is excellent giving good visibility.

The combination of mirrors give views of virtually 360 degrees around the vehicle.

The passenger comfort is excellent, being able to use the various seating arrangements is real plus.

Luggage space for an MPV is superb.

The trim level of these vehicles is amazing if you compare to their European equivalents. Dual air conditioning electric curtains in the rear.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th December, 2002

1998 Toyota TownAce deluxe 2.0 diesel from UK and Ireland

Year of manufacture	1998
First year of ownership	2002
Most recent year of ownership	2002
Engine and transmission	2.0 diesel Automatic
Performance marks	7 / 10
Reliability marks	8 / 10
Comfort marks	9 / 10
Dealer Service marks	3 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	5 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	6.4 / 10
Distance when acquired	68000 kilometres
Most recent distance	75000 kilometres
Previous car	Citroen Xantia

Summary:

Handles like a jelly on ice skates very comfy though

Faults:

Curtain trims fell off.

Tends to overheat on long runs i. e 30 miles + at 3000rpm or more so I have to slow down as soon as speed alarm goes off i. e 60-65kmh fuse box tricky to work with.

Fault with l/h e/w (switch faulty)

(no fault, but red button on gearbox lets you select gears without pressing brake)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 12th July, 2002

1991 Toyota TownAce Superextra 2.0 turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Year of manufacture	1991
First year of ownership	2001
Most recent year of ownership	2002
Engine and transmission	2.0 turbo diesel Manual
Performance marks	9 / 10
Reliability marks	9 / 10
Comfort marks	10 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	7 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	8.8 / 10
Distance when acquired	61000 kilometres
Most recent distance	80000 kilometres
Previous car	Ford Mondeo

Summary:

A super buy

Faults:

Slightly excessive oil consumption, but no smoking.

General Comments:

It's eleven years old, but drives very well indeed. I like the high driving position, the manual box is smooth, I must be getting around 40 mpg.

The diesel turbo engine is not the quietest diesel I've driven, but is very effective, and my Townie has the largest cabin of all the MPV's I've seen. Ample room for eight adults, and the A/C unit is very efficient.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th February, 2002

1992 Toyota TownAce Super Extra 2.0 turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Year of manufacture	1992
First year of ownership	2001
Most recent year of ownership	2001
Engine and transmission	2.0 turbo diesel Automatic
Performance marks	8 / 10
Reliability marks	10 / 10
Comfort marks	8 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	8 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	8.5 / 10
Distance when acquired	77000 kilometres
Most recent distance	78000 kilometres
Previous car	Rover - Austin 200

Summary:

Unlike orthodox people carriers, but that is what makes them better

Faults:

When we first got it from import, it had a slight oil leak, now virtually cured with a tin of Wynns Stop Leak.

General Comments:

An excellent all round people carrier.

These cars are never going to be a racing car, but they are extremely comfortable, and have plenty of room for up to eight & luggage room as well.

The specification puts many newer cars to shame, with dual air conditioning, electric everything & even powered side & rear curtains.

Mine is a 4x4, although you can get a 2 wheel drive as well, but unlike a Range Rover I can take mine out of four wheel drive for normal use.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th December, 2001

26th Mar 2005, 20:17

Hey there.

I'm in the middle of Wyoming, USA, and am considering getting a Townace or a Masterace (whoever came up with that one really needs to revisit some WWII information-what a marketing nightmare in North America or Germany) with 4x4 and turbo diesel.

Could you tell me how your van has been doing and if it is a diesel or a gasoline model?

What kind of mileage do you get with it?

Thanks.

Russell.

12th Aug 2006, 11:15

Hey Russel in Wyoming, did you ever get your Toyota van? I live in MT and just recently discovered the Townace and would love to get my hands on one, but not sure how.

13th Sep 2006, 17:06

I have a '92 Townace Super Extra. I love it. Mine has a manual transmission. I only wish it had sliding doors on both sides & left-hand-drive. You can view it at cardomain.com.

29th Oct 2006, 21:09

I would LOOOOOOVE to get a townace- WHERE do you find them? more specific WHERE can I find one in the USA. any info would be great. thanks P*

1995 Toyota TownAce 2.2 turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Year of manufacture	1995
First year of ownership	2001
Most recent year of ownership	2001
Engine and transmission	2.2 turbo diesel Automatic
Performance marks	7 / 10
Reliability marks	10 / 10
Comfort marks	8 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	7 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	8.0 / 10
Distance when acquired	45000 miles
Most recent distance	48000 miles
Previous car	Ford Mondeo

Summary:

Reliable comfortable people carrier

Faults:

One or two bits of the plastic trim inside have broken loose (screwed them back on now).

Otherwise no problems so far.

General Comments:

Excellent 8-seat people carrier, with room for luggage too.

Good air conditioning/heating.

Very easy to perform routine servicing at home.

General body style is a bit dated compared to modern MPVs, but it does have more room inside than most.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th September, 2001