Were can we buy a 9 seater Toyota? Is it possible to convert our 8 seater to a 9 seater?

- (#6871) Liz, 21 Jan 03

Townies are all 6/7 or 8 seaters, we did look at a Toyota Hiace Super Custom which had three seats in the front (with column shift) as well as the 6 in the back, it was quite a good vehicle 3litre naturally aspirated diesel, but we weren't that keen, so we got a Townie. we only needed the six seats anyway. HTH Rob.

- (#6872) Rob Drinkwater, 21 Jan 03

My townie has the bench type seats as oposed to the individual ones found in the more delux models, once i had 14 people onboard is this a record? im sure it's not legal though.it all comes down to seatbelts,i can at a push get my five children on the rear seat shearing two to a seatbelt (eldest is 10yrs)but only in an emergancy.I know this dosent help you but i just thought id mention it.gaz.

- (#6873) gary hope, 21 Jan 03

Gary, the obvous probs with more people on seats than designed for legally wise can cause you problems if you have an accident with no insurance cover, they company will void your cover if they found out.
If you are stopped by the police and they check the log book for the vehicle and under construnction & use regs you are carrying more persons than the design spec for the vehicle they can get stroppy. Even in an emergency they will normally not let you continue in this state.
Mind you 14 in a townie must be like a can of sardines, with the lid opening on the side instead of the top lol!
The handling of the vehicle will be different if say the passengers were mostly adult with the weight and centre of gravity being altered.
The idea of two kids fastened on one seat belt does not sit well either, imagine if you had an idiot hit you head on and what would happen when the two kids are pulled together behind the belt, if you do need more seats might be better to go for a minibus instead, they are more stable then a heavy loaded ace, admittadely not as nice, but more beneficial

Cheers Kev

- (#6874) Kev, 22 Jan 03

kev, you are right.i know this was an iresponsable act but 14 poople was a "one off" (christmas time no taxis) and the two kids to a seatbelt was an emargency to, normally we have more than enough space in our car.and yes the handling was suspect and would not recomend it to anyone.but just goes to show how versatile our cars can be.ps.i have a table and tv?/video in the back of mine keeps the kids amused on long journeys.........gaz.

- (#6875) gary hope, 22 Jan 03