Where's the Previa?

[SixxiA]

I searched the forum for keyword "Previa" and only came up with one thing! It was pretty badass, but had nothing about the previa. I'm wondering if anyone here has a Previa. Pictures, stories, and such?

http://www.toyotavanpeople.com/#

 

[icantsee]

Those vans were in Old Chinese Movies!!

They called it the "Peck Yai Van"

Because in the chinese movies, you have gangsters roll up to the sidewalk & then they start beating your a$$ w/ Butcher's Knife.

Not kidding...Butcher Knives carried in the van.

And sometimes, they would roll up to the sidewalk and just drag you into the van.

 

[08blacksr5]

I have a 94 LE Previa. No awd and no supercharger. It is has been the most reliable before the 4-runner. Only thing I have replace is the SAD shaft. the most common mechanical part that breaks.
It now serves as my work vehicle and a parts runner.

 

[peter78]

Well, gee I hate to admit it but I have a Previa. It was my parent's car and they bought a Honda mini-van in 2004. I thought about getting the Previa and asked this fourm about it:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4103&highlight=previa

We still have it. I am like 08blacksr5 and I had to replace the SAD supplemental auxlliary driveshaft. We shelled out $750 to replace it. Also, the air conditioner was converted and we got a new catalyic converter. My Wife likes drivng it, being 6'4" I have a hard time finding a place for my left foot.

I have picked up 4'X8' sheet of plywood with it, towed my camper with it and recently drove down to south GA to pick up my son and all his stuff from summer camp.

The cup holders are terrible, the mileage is worse than the 4Runner. The engine and transmission are doing well and I plan on getting rid of the 92 Acorrd when I get a new car. My wife still likes the Previa, I am a little luke warm about it. I am a little upset about getting the SAD, everyone who owns one that I met had to replace it. It is basically a shaft from the engine ,which is in the middle of the car, to the front for pulleys and belts. Basically it is a mistake Toyota made. Anyway, overall it is a unusual car with lots of interesting ideas.

 

[08blacksr5]

The first time it the SAD shaft broke I spent $575 for the part and had the dealer to the work.

This time,just recently. I did the work myself. it isn't too bad, but definately need to get a second hand to help you especially with the bearing on the front of that shaft, requires you to lift and turn it. it is easily 50 lbs with accesories on it.

The van was originally my parents. once my daughter was born, I did a swap, signed the title to my 240 volvo and recieved the title to the previa. It is definately a work horse vehicle. beside, what other vehicle would I haul my 351W for my stang. I'll get pictures up later.

 

[peter78]

The first time it the SAD shaft broke I spent $575 for the part and had the dealer to the work.

This time,just recently. I did the work myself. it isn't too bad, but definately need to get a second hand to help you especially with the bearing on the front of that shaft, requires you to lift and turn it. it is easily 50 lbs with accesories on it.

Great, you had to replace the shaft twice. Something to look forward to. Actually, with about 155,000 miles on my car, I am hoping to have it for a few more years (2 to 3) and then move on.

By the way, if you think about the movie "Bullet", you think about the Ford Mustang. We Previa owners have a Previa movie, unfortunately it is a chick flick called "Juno".

 

[08blacksr5]

Well with the shaft, I don't think the dealer installed it right or they just replaced the shaft and didn't even inspect the 3 isolator mounts that hold that accessory braket in place. The reason why mine went out a second time was the rear isolator bracket broke in half. but if you get decide to get rid of it, you can pull good money for it. I've seen them go in houston for at least 1500 to 2500 running or not. the strip yards here rarely have them and if they do they want lots of money for the parts.

check out this if you need parts.

http://www.previaparts.com/

I haven't seen Juno yet but have heard about that. The only one that does pop in my head. Had a previa in it for a very short seen was "Last action hero" the movie sucked but in the very begining when arnold was getting chased they had a black previa with tinted windows and the bady guy opens the side door and out comes a gatlin gun of some sort. It is a small scene but the van looks awesome. Black with limo tint.


Ben

 

[08blacksr5]

just remember that was the only mini van I know that came regular engine RWD, AWD, Supercharged and AWD/sUPERCHARGEd.

Mine has 163,xxx miles on it and runs as smooth as a kitten. It is a great van.

 

[peter78]

I haven't seen Juno

I would consider that a good thing.

Also, a lot of taxis in the North Atlanta area are Previas. Most of the Previas I see are taxis.

 

[Uneek]

My buddy's folks had one. That thing was a tank, the put 240k hard driven miles on it from hauling the debate team around with all their documents for debates to moving back and forth from the dorms to the apartments and back home.

It was underpowered and expensive. I think the LE S/C AWD was over $30k. My folks looked at one, but it was too expenisve for a NA one and we ended up getting the Mazda MPV instead.

 

[00Spork]

When i first got my license i had to drive my parents previa for like a year and a half... It was so sick because it was supercharged, awd and it was the luxury edition. I beat the shit out of that thing. It was so fast i topped it out at 125 with some gear left to go, but the speedo only goes to 110 so i didnt wanna go any faster. It was such a big van! I got 14 people inside it one day at lunch... Good times