Toyota HiAce from sellers near Bristol (1 Viewer)

[kurtb]

Hi,
Am new to the forum and also new to motorhoming! So new in fact, that I have not yet started!
Am thinking of purchasing a Toyota HiAce Japan import (ideally with 4WD). There seem to be a number sold via 2 sellers both based near Bristol, all over eBay etc. Anyone have any experience with these?
Or any other suggestions as to how to source a HiAce?
Equally, if there is anyone in London or Surreyt, who'd like to share their experience with Toyota campers..... more than happy to invest in a coffee or beer!

Many thanks and greetings from London
Kurt

 

[EX51SSS]

 

[2657]

My daughter bought a '97 Hiace import from this firm near chesterfield last year

http://www.poplarmotors.co.uk/

She had a couple of problems soon after she bought it, power steering pipe ruptured and gas strut for roof failed but both sorted without problem.

Just had a quick look and they don't appear to have any of that age/model in stock.

She has been well pleased with it the conversion was a Vantech with Reimo pop top, good quality stuff, they are mostly automatic, the 2.8 litre diesel engine is reputed to be very long lived.

If they are new imports and undersealed they are virtually as new underneath as no salt is used on the roads in Japan.

Gas locker only big enough for camping gaz and limited space for porta potty.

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[gus-lopez]

I seem to recall that those firms around Bristol have been about a while & deal in all sorts of the jap campers along with estimas,bongo's Freda's, Delica's, etc.

Oh &

 

[kurtb]

Thanks so far everyone. If anyone has practical experience about this firms, that would be great. Just trying to avoid buying a dud....Cheers, Kurt

 

[2657]

Thanks so far everyone. If anyone has practical experience about this firms, that would be great. Just trying to avoid buying a dud....Cheers, Kurt

The only thing I can say is to look for a newly imported vehicle that was converted in Japan, I would think the only difference between dealers would be price and the length of warranty.

I believe testing is very strict in Japan.

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[Mickey1]

Mickey.

 

[Howard H]

And the

 

[gus-lopez]

The only thing I can say is to look for a newly imported vehicle that was converted in Japan, I would think the only difference between dealers would be price and the length of warranty.

I believe testing is very strict in Japan.

Yes if you can get an original as @matamoros says it would be better. & yes that is why they get shipped here in that the test is so severe that even new stuff would fail.

Off topic but there used to be something similar with the Netherlands back in the early 80's. Whether it was the test or age of vehicle but many people used to import minis & convert to rhd for resale.

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[gus-lopez]

Actually the op wants an opinion off of @GeriatricWanderer as I believe he has a one but I cannot remember what ?