Tarago Upgrade Questions

[SHARNA]

I want to upgrade on my current old Tarago Ultima 1995 to a later model Tarago Ultima

but unsure of what year would suit my needs (if any). My needs are primarily

the rear cargo area for carting marquees and stock to markets.

Is there anyone who can enlighten me on these few questions?

1. Do any of the later Tarago models have it so that the 2^nd and 3^rd row

of seats fold down and under the floor space? Or is it only the 3^rd

row that go under the floor?

2. If it is only the 3^rd row thats folds under, does anyone know the

clearance space under the 2nd row of seats, either folded up or left down? I need to

push marquee legs and lengths of posts right under.

3. Can anyone advise me on the differences between an imported Estima van as

opposed to an Aussie one? Ive heard so many people saying to avoid the imports.

4. Just by looking at the imports, they look to me to be narrower and shorter

so does anyone have any specifications regarding this? Currently my van is

1800mm X 4750mm X 1790.

5. Is it true that a V6 is more expensive to maintain regarding servicing,

mechanical repairs, running costs and insurance costs?

I absolutely love my old Tarago, it just keeps going and going but its starting

to look tired and old on the exterior like me lol Was thinking about doing it

up but so many people have told me that I would be mad to, so hence im

searching for an upgrade.

I would appreciate any feedback on my questions and thank you in advance.

[trentmeyer23]

5. Is it true that a V6 is more expensive to maintain regarding servicing,

mechanical repairs, running costs and insurance costs?

In short, yes. They require more oil, 2 more spark plugs and leads; and are much harder to work on due to tighter spaces.

[Reds_TACC]

What year model are you going to upgrade? A little bit expensive in maintaining v6 compare to 4 cyl but not that much. If youre after for the new model tarago i think 2nd row seat is 60/40 split and the 3rd row seat split flat. If its only the paint need doing your old tarago then go for it. If there is no other problem.

[Reds_TACC]

Currently my van is

1800mm X 4750mm X 1790.

Sharna, is this inside measurements or outside?

[SHARNA]

What year model are you going to upgrade? A little bit expensive in maintaining v6 compare to 4 cyl but not that much. If youre after for the new model tarago i think 2nd row seat is 60/40 split and the 3rd row seat split flat. If its only the paint need doing your old tarago then go for it. If there is no other problem.

This is it Reds, I don't know what model to upgrade to. As I said it depends on the maximum cargo space I can get :) That is why I asked so many questions, im lost :(

[SHARNA]

5. Is it true that a V6 is more expensive to maintain regarding servicing,

mechanical repairs, running costs and insurance costs?

In short, yes. They require more oil, 2 more spark plugs and leads; and are much harder to work on due to tighter spaces.

Thank you Trent :)

[SHARNA]

What year model are you going to upgrade? A little bit expensive in maintaining v6 compare to 4 cyl but not that much. If youre after for the new model tarago i think 2nd row seat is 60/40 split and the 3rd row seat split flat. If its only the paint need doing your old tarago then go for it. If there is no other problem.

This is it Reds, I don't know what model to upgrade to. As I said it depends on the maximum cargo space I can get :) That is why I asked so many questions, im lost :(

Yes it is the body that needs repairing. Ive got bog bulging and cracking and lil dents from car doors and trolleys, top coat peeling and paint fading.

Inside is pretty good and the mechanics are good too. Im just scared that I would put the money into doing up the body and then the engine will fail me :( Everyone tells me that doing it up isnt worth it and if the engine fails, it will cost around $5,000 to replace it. Someone quoted me 8-9,000$ to fix the body up on it and another person (back yarder) quoted me $3000 but im scared the back yarder wouldn't do a very good job.

I wouldnt mind upgrading just as long as I can get my market gear in there as I can with my current van. No one has yet informed me about the differences between an import and Aus van, does anyone know?

[DAY50K]

Recently I went from a 1999 Aussie Tarago to a Japanese import Estima 2005.

To answer your questions:

1. Do any of the later Tarago models have it so that the 2^nd and 3^rd row
of seats fold down and under the floor space? Or is it only the 3^rd
row that go under the floor?

On second generation Tarago/Estima (2000-2006) the rear seats travel on floor rails back and forth and seat-backs fold down - that's pretty much it. It has less space than first generation Tarago. On third generation (2006 - present) the rear row of seats folds into the floor.

2. If it is only the 3^rd row thats folds under, does anyone know the
clearance space under the 2nd row of seats, either folded up or left down? I need to
push marquee legs and lengths of posts right under.

There is no clearance under the 2nd row of seats on Mk2 and a little bit under the 3rd row. I don't know about Mk3.

3. Can anyone advise me on the differences between an imported Estima van as
opposed to an Aussie one? Ive heard so many people saying to avoid the imports.

Aussie Tarago is bare bones, imported Estima is fully loaded. I see no reason avoiding the imports.

4. Just by looking at the imports, they look to me to be narrower and shorter
so does anyone have any specifications regarding this? Currently my van is
1800mm X 4750mm X 1790.

It is exactly the same body so mostly it is the same car. Mk2 Estimas have the option of V6 and AWD not available on Tarago until Mk3.

5. Is it true that a V6 is more expensive to maintain regarding servicing,
mechanical repairs, running costs and insurance costs?

V6 has a timing belt that has to be changed at 100K. Insurance differences are negligible or the same depending on insurer.

The Mk2 (2000-2006) Tarago/Estima is a better car all round but lacks on interior space compared to the Mk1 body. The Mk3 may be a better option with its disappearing rear seats but I'm not very familiar with it.

Hope this helps.

[SHARNA]

Thank you so very much Day50K.

Loved the way you Itemised the answers to my questions thank you. Your feedback was really helpful. I have always quickly turned my head away from Estimas purely because ive been told to avoid imports as parts are hard, slow or expensive to get. I am really shocked in hearing that you say the body's of a Aussie Tarago is the same as an Estima! Thing is, I seem to be able to spot an Estima (as oppose to a Aussie one,) on the road straight away! Plus when I have looked inside them, they look so much smaller in width than my 95 model. Sorry im not calling you a liar but are you sure? How would it be that I can identify an Estima straight away? Im baffled :(
Anyway, on what you have been telling me, I am going to look at the Estima's now instead of turning my head away from them. Thank you for your help ;)

[DAY50K]

Sorry mate about the confusion. From your questions I assumed you
wanted to know about Mk2 Tarago/Estima. You are absolutely right about
the differences between the Mk1 cars (up to year 2000). The Mk1 Estima
is a different body - more narrow. One of the first things to notice is
how the window wipers sit. As you have noticed you can spot them right
away. I can imagine there may be a few problems getting parts for a Mk1
Estima because of the numerous and substantial differences.

In 2000 when Toyota came up with the new layout (Mk2 with front wheel
drive, double side doors, etc.) they used the same body for both the
Tarago and Estima. The main body parts and mechanical stuff is the same.
The differences will be with Estima only options such as V6 engine and
AWD. Also there are some visual differences in bumpers, lights, etc.
Considering how many of the Mk2 Estimas are driving around there should
be plenty of parts available. I think there are even cars being brought
in from Japan just for wrecking.

I'm not very familiar with the next re-design or Mk3 (2006 and
onwards). As far as I can tell the Tarago/Estima became even more
similar with the V6 option available on both models.

If you are interested in a Mk2 Estima I can give you measurements on
how far the seats can be pushed forwards and stuff like that.

[SHARNA]

:) I have been avoiding Estimas lol

I definitely need for the 3rd row seating to be under the floor space. I would very much like the 2nd row to do the same but I dont think thats an option ;) I will broaden my search and include Estimas form now on :) thank you

Someone said that I could take the seats out and store them until I needed them again but I really dont want to do that, too much mucking around and too heavy for me to lift out .....

I also wonder why I see people who are selling their Aussie Tarago, boast about it! Making it seem that the Aussie one is the best way to go!

[DAY50K]

Of course someone selling their car will boast about it, wouldn't you? That's just marketing.

In terms of loading space the Mk1 Tarago is the way to go. Before the
Estima I had a '99 Tarago (the last of the old shape). In extreme cases
I used to remove the middle seat to carry furniture and such. The
loading space was massive. Like you say it is mucking around to get the
seat out but well worth it if the need arises. I haven't investigated
yet how to remove the seats on my Estima as they are fixed in a
different way in the Mk2, besides I have a feeling they are heavier as
there is more mechanical stuff there. On the 8 seater Estima the whole
middle seat swivels around to face the rear!

On the Mk3 Tarago/Estima only the third row seats go into the floor.

[SHARNA]

Thank you :)

Seems I have a lot to take into consideration, do I do mine up or upgrade hmmmmm

[rthy]

I too am in the same boat, I was looking for a Tarago but found the Estima had way more factory options than the overpriced Tarago's with over 300,000kms...

Just watch out for those hybrid or diesel models (mk1?) as servicing could be troublesome

Also some of the notifications and buttons might be in Japanese, the estima hybrid I had a look at had a touch screen in Japanese

side note: why not go to a car dealer and have a look at one?

Ie. Pickles or Manheim auctions who display the cars out in a yard like most car dealers

Have a look and sus it out, not obligated to purchase...

[DAY50K]

"Also some of the notifications and buttons might be in Japanese, the estima hybrid I had a look at had a touch screen in Japanese"
Yes the whole ICE system is in Japanese on the imports. I'm still figuring out stuff on mine. Also some of them come fully loaded with mod-cons that are useless here in Oz. I have removed things like Electronic Toll Collection system, the Satellite Navigation computer and Digital TV receiver from mine. No use for dead weight :).

[SHARNA]

Thank you guys :) I live close to a car auction place but they dont get many Taragos through there. There is a small business that imports quite a few Estimas from Japan so I might go to him and take a look. Thanks :)

[rthy]

A question re. the awd/4wd estmia's, are they full time awd or part time?

 

edit:

a nice read about imported cars (estima in this case)

http://altonabeauty.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/buying-imported-used-car.html

 

Edited January 13, 2016 by rthy

[DAY50K]

Hi mate, just got back from a long drive to the Gold Coast.

The 4WD on the Estima is selectable by a button on the dash. I have it in FWD all the time.