Browsing for my first campervan. This one looks interesting?

[bennyyorkie]

Hi,
I'm considering a toyota hiace japanese import as my first campervan. Found this nice one on ebay but being a novice, would be great to hear your thoughts.
Looks to have been a high spec in its day, and with very low milage and rust free. Many thanks

 

[simsy56]

I'm not surprised the Toyota dealer couldn't supply the lamp, MX5 is a MAZDA........
Cheers, Dave

My apologies, it was the Toyota/Mazda dealer. We know it locally as the Toyota dealer. Sorry.

Craig

 

[ambulancekidd]

A few of the old wives tales about imported vehicles are exactly that, old wives tales.

Lets kick off with insurance, no problem, never has been. Its just one of those stories that's told by a man down the pub & simply isn't true. Its been said so often that some people believe it.

Now to address parts availabilities, these is always a grain of truth in that some parts on the Japanese vehicles can be different to UK models but, the internet has changed the availabilities out of all recognition. Parts are available, you just avoid the main agents & beat a path to on line suppliers.

I've ran many imported vehicles, some were what they called "re-imports" such as Land Rovers, they were built here but, for the Japanese market before being shipped back to the UK. There were quite a few differences but, nothing that couldn't be overcome.
I've also ran Japanese vehicles such as Mazda Bongo's which were never sold in the UK market. Parts were very easy to find & were inexpensive.

Rust proofing needs to be looked at as Japanese roads are not gritted with salt so rust is rarely an issue.
The condition of the imports is truly remarkable but, many were never rust proofed & need to be treated properly to cope with UK roads.

Be careful where price is concerned & as already mentioned, there are many Autosleeper (amongst others) vehicles out there which are similarly priced to the particular vehicle you've looked at.
Beware of rust & the old problem of obsolescence of parts.
The last Autosleeper we owned was over 20yrs old & was in very good condition inside & out but, some of the motorhome specific parts (water & saloon heating) take a bit more of a search to find than many would like.

The last thing to say is that you've asked exactly the right people & in the right place.
This forum has a membership that are all interested in the same thing, motorhomes & the associated leisure which comes with them.
The range & depth of knowledge is second to none. We might not all agree with each other but, that's the case in all walks of life.

Here's hoping that you find a vehicle which will tick all the right boxes for yourself & get out there enjoying the new found freedom.

Regards....Robert.

 

[34127]

If this vehicle has a remote key fob then check there are 2 available as getting a spare is very difficult and expensive for Japanese imports.

 

[EuroTrotters]

Hi BennyY only my thoughts...it looks very nice....not a proper shower and basically shiting in a cupboard/open into the back of van ....Spares are getting hard to get.....very thirsty....Reasale value? .I would look at something else
BTW welcome

I agree


Might get 35 mpg down hill !

You will struggle with spares as it’s not a UK MODEL.

I run an 18 & 19 year old UK TOYOTA Previas. Utterly reliable. But if I want spares. I can find them. Including a whole car for under £500.

I would look to something European. They are around and even an auto 2000 MY EURO III onwards will be cheaper than the Toyota

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[tacr2man]

Spares for older vehicles are becoming more and more difficult, the "grey import" is less a factor than the age thing , as I have owned imports both in UK and in Australia , (both due to jap cars being home market RHD ) Parts are sometimes different with UK and Japan version of particular models , it just means you source from a different model . it happens with ROW models of british cars as well . Having said all of above the vehicle you mention is way over priced eg £5-£7K too much . JMHO

 

[bennyyorkie]

Hi everyone,
Ive had such a great response, so many helpful replies. Thank you all so much!
As I would be traveling solo (all be it with my yorkie!), realistically I need a van I can find parts for relatively easily and more importantly quickly. Im beginning to look more towards more recent panel van conversions. Hiace was made up to 2012, so still looking at them as an option.
Still lots to consider, do I want to splash out and buy an investment I can sell on for reasonable money later, get a conversion done to suit my needs or go for a relatively old, reliable van conversion or campervan where I'll be the last owner (much cheaper but maybe more headaches)? The only catch for me is that it must be an automatic due to my dodgy back. And I know thats pretty non existent in transits and masters etc. And so the search continues

 

[Terry]

Hi everyone,
Ive had such a great response, so many helpful replies. Thank you all so much!
As I would be traveling solo (all be it with my yorkie!), realistically I need a van I can find parts for relatively easily and more importantly quickly. Im beginning to look more towards more recent panel van conversions. Hiace was made up to 2012, so still looking at them as an option.
Still lots to consider, do I want to splash out and buy an investment I can sell on for reasonable money later, get a conversion done to suit my needs or go for a relatively old, reliable van conversion or campervan where I'll be the last owner (much cheaper but maybe more headaches)? The only catch for me is that it must be an automatic due to my dodgy back. And I know thats pretty non existent in transits and masters etc. And so the search continues

Hi, as you've not owned a campervan before I would steer you towards a well known make of PVC. You may not like your first van --- most people change them after using them for a while due to layout issues etc.
Buying a van and getting it converted to your spec could be your second van option as if the converter is unknown they never sell for as much as a named equivalent.....if you get it right, you may not want to sell it therefor you've probably paid a good low price for a conversion.
Beware ----- there a lots of sheds out there!
Decisions decisions
Good luck

 

[EuroTrotters]

If you are looking fir a Japanese model, look towards a specialist who will import one on your behalf.

Paul at http://www.japautoagent.com/ will source one for you. He has a Toyota trained mechanic who will find you a decent one at the Japanese auctions and import it for you. You pay a fixed commission for the work they do.

You could save a fortune. Dealers who import and sell here in the UK make a tidy profit. But as you don’t know what you are buying from them, they could be clocked or bodged.

Through Paul, even if you don’t save much. You will end up with a far better vehicle for your money.