I am getting closer to my Hiace! We have been approved finance Now. I have my eye on a 99 hiace at Nayoga Motors. WHat exactly do i want to look at/for, ask etc.
I don't want to walk in there & look like I know nothing & get the "sales pitch" I want to know what I need to know so they know I know what I want LOL.

So guide me people. I will try & get over there first this saturday AM.

ALso Insurance... Who am I likely to get the best deal with? I don't have a heap of time up my sleeve with 4 kids to sit onthe phone all day being told no we wont touch that. So who do I try? What is a good price for comprehensive?

thanks

There is a thread somewhere on this forum about exactully what yuo want to know, just have a search

Our insurance is with Just Cars.  As far as I can see there are only 2 in Aus that do the job Shannons, which wouldn't do ours, and JC.  I think for both you have to have an immobilizer fitted. Ours was about $300 but I spose age comes into it. Just checked this thread and saw I was out 70 odd $'s
http://hiace-super-custom.free-boards.net/insurance-f4/australian-insurance-t307.htm?highlight=insurance

ah crap see thisis what bothers me.. Carsales me telling me that they are hard to insure etc... parts... etc

But then Im told Na, they all good.

Then I ask & yep seems like it will be a bit of an issue. Am I silly to think that this is a good option for us.. I just what a realisable large family van that wont cost us the earth every other month (like the friggin Kia does!)

Please be honest. Is it really worth owning one.. Put aside your love & tell the honest truth.. Someone who just wants a car KWIM?

You are not going to get an unbiased opinion on this web site Fiona. I have owned mine for 3.5 years now and have put 20k on it in that time without one issue. My mechanic thinks it is great and he is and old English car fan. I am insured with GIO but pay a lot because it is a company vehicle. I have not had a problem with parts except the front bumper when some idiot smacked it but I located one in NZ. Most of the parts are common to other Toyotas and nowadays through this website you can locate parts from all over the globe without a major issue. You get a lot of vehicle for your money and the motors are good for 200k+. Whatever you do don't buy the Mitsubishi Delica as the motors are not the best and the Nissen Elgrande will have parts problems as the bodyshape was never imported here. When I thought about selling mine I looked at all the options and thought what else would I get for the money? The answer was - nothing.
Rex

Get the dealer to install the imobilser for you, they usually do that sort of thing to get te sale but negotiate your price first. if your looking at #1124, the 4wd limited with the digital dash, then watch out for the after market steering wheel coz there is no airbag on it so may be a prob when you go for pink slip, also looks like it has no spare wheel. if you want that one get them to swap stuff off another van. good luck.

Thanks.. Werx.. when you say you have put 20k on it do you mean thats what its insured for or you have spent 20k in 3 years on it?

Im keen on the #984. I prefer the look of that one. I don't really like the two tone ones. they look old & daggy LOL but wont let that be the decider.

What about fuel.. I have heard that the 3 lt is a fuel guzzler?

LOL I know im not going to get an unbiased opinion but really where do I go to get one? I either get told to stay away from imports in general or that they are fab.

Also, what do I want to look for as far as rust? I plan on having it independently looked at but its a big hike for me out to where it is & I wont be able to use my regular mechanic to look it over.

Fiona,
People in Australia are biased against imports because they don't know anything about them and are being fed missinformation by the motor trade. If you look at NZ the second hand import business is huge. the government encouraged the trade because it improved the overall quality of vehicles on the road. there is no car manufacturing in NZ so you tend to get a more open opinion.
rex

gah I have rung about 4 places now & they all said nop. Just cars wants $959.. surly I can o better then that?

Have you thought about a Tarago?

Hi , is that dealer at Taren Point? 5 minutes from me
if you going to do serious 4wD ing then dont get the 4wd version, although better traction on wet roads and safer.
3Liter diesel is a good strong engine if serviced regulary
If you dont like the diesel get the 2.4 petrol efi ,same engine as we got here.

Nope.

umm there at CARINGBAH. I don't know the area so can't say if that is near taren point?
We don't 4WD. But I live in the blue mountains on the bells line of road is which is usually wet & foggy & justa crap road in general.

So the 3lt diesel isn't bad on fuel? I want a diesel. just seems like it needs teh grunt that would have to pull a car that big