Faults:

One of the handbrake cables snapped when pulled hard at 66,000 miles.

General Comments:

Back in 1996 we bought a Toyota Previa GX. We traveled all over Europe in it. It became a work delivery van and it never skipped a beat. We sold it in 2000 as it had become a 3rd car for occasional use.

Since then I have had 4 Spanish built front wheel Mercedes Vitos (okay) and 2 disgraceful Volkswagen T5's. The first T5 had to be taken back and the replacement was worse than the original £28,000.00. So I decided to track down a late model Previa again.

Found a low mileage example from a dealer with full service history at a bargain price. It runs like a dream, smooth & quiet. Automatic gearbox changes almost seamlessly, just like it was new. Has ABS, front A/C, rear roof mounted A/C, front Sunroof, rear electric moonroof, 4 captains seats and one 3 seater rear bench. Handy Fridge/drinks cooler run off A/C. Electric windows, electric heated mirrors, twin airbags and one very cool looking spoiler.

I am as delighted with this Previa as I was with my first, and at under £2,000 I am considering buying one as a spare, should I ever run this one into the ground. However, with some owners reporting a 1/4 of a million fairly trouble free miles, might not need to.

Faults:

Air conditioning stopped working after 1 month, new seal & re-gassed by the dealer, now okay.

Petrol lever handle came off, but I have glued it back on.

General Comments:

The car is a pleasure to drive, very comfortable.

On the driver's sun visor there is a mirror with no cover flap. The reflection when driving is annoying.

Faults:

Nothing yet.

General Comments:

Improved over the original model in lots of ways, but still very similar strengths and weaknesses.

The individual seats are a pain to take in and out, but the flexibility is worth it.

The interior is lower-floored, but slightly shorter due to the switch from under-floor engine and rear drive to conventional front engine and front drive, but the extra layout flexibility largely offsets this.

The handling is firmer, but actually more comfortable to ride in on fast A and B roads. Better for drivers and passengers in this respect.

It's definitely a bit faster than before, and quieter with it. In fact it almost needs an LSD as it's quite easy to break traction at the front.

The centre-mounted instruments are odd at first, but are closer to your line of sight and need less refocusing.

The new equipment is welcome (ABS, satellite navigation).

The extra sliding door is welcome, as the old model's single one could be inconvenient.

Basically the same strengths as before, but improved all round, and less of a van to drive.