This just a message to congratulate my Townie for flying through its 4th MOT with no faults. What an awesome vehicle it is, in 4 years of reliable, trouble free motoring my bus (a 1990 royal lounge 4WD) has cost me,excluding wear and tear + service items, less than £400. £350 of that was on the dreaded head gasket routine and rad re-core.
ACE is simply too short a word to describe how wonderful these cars are. The best £3800 i ever spent.
BIG UP THE ACES.
Anybody else think there ace is worth its weight in the proverbial shiny stuff, would like to hear others comments on there ace's
- (#972) pete, 26 Apr 05 16:06
My own view, quite often expressed in the past, is that these can be the most satisfying of vehicles IF they are used within their limits. My own Masterace, bought four years ago for £3400, and now with nearly 50.000 extra miles on the clock in my ownership, was the best vehicle purchase I have ever made. Thanks to the help of the contributors to this BOK, and the advice I gleaned about the vehicle's weak points (Hardly any, it's really the owners) I immediatly did the head skim/gasket/bolt job, the cooling system check, radiator etc and, apart from the small problems which would affect any vehicle, I have never had any serious trouble.
I NEVER stress the engine, I am unhappy about motorway cruising above 60 mph and, with the regularity of the oil and filter changes at every 3000 miles, the, almost daily level checks, the abandonment of the Toyota "town based" temperature gauge, I have one of the most reliable vehicles I have ever owned.
Of course, quite rightly, on this BOK, we see problems because that's really what it's for and us owners are fortunate that so many knowledgeable people are prepared to offer help and advice. Your posting Pete, reminds us that our vehicles really are good, if given the treatment which they deserve.
- (#972) John Davis (Leics), 27 Apr 05 02:17
Well unfortunately I have to disagree. As much as I love the Townie which I have had for nearly 5.5 years now, this vehicle has been by far the most expensive to maintain in my 31 years of driving and believe me I've owned some old ones over the years.
I keep a record of everything I spend on my vehicles and if you look at servicing alone, the price of filters is far higher and the more frequent oil changes all add up the ££s. Spares are also expensive because I have had to buy from the dealers more often than I would have liked to, due to unavailability from motor factors. This despite doing the majority of my own repairs and servicing.
Then there's the poor fuel consumption. Ok it's only a 2 litre dragging a lot of weight (mine's 4WD) but there are a lot more frugal alternatives out there now. Being diesel doesn't really help thanks to the higher taxation than on petrol.
Sorry but in my view high satisfaction comes at a high price.
- (#972) Ian Dunse (Derbs), 27 Apr 05 02:31
Now in my 15th year of Spacecruiser/Townace ownership.
Need I say more?
Well I will, yes I agree the parts can be expensive and you may have to wait for them, but in my view it's worth it. If it becomes to expensive you move on otherwise it's worth the cost. Not that I've had a major spend yet, just the exhaust on the Townace and I class that as an expendable.
I do work the Townace, I've covered almost 100,000 kms in my 3 and a bit years, not had the head done yet, but do check and check again all fluid levels. I've pushed it flat out where legally allowed (Germany), and apart from jumping lanes on a small bump had no ill effects.
So yes long live the Ace!
See you all at Brean, or if you are from up North Woodvale.
- (#972) Clive (Bristol), 27 Apr 05 05:06
Of course Ian, you are right regarding costs but, the alternatives (are there any, in the price range?) are not cheap and,in many cases (£800 to fix an Espace clutch?) you could have motoring financial ruin, without all the unique benefits found in a Townace. I suppose I am a hobbyist motorist (retired) and I avoid looking too closely at the overall costs. There are, of course, much more frugal alternatives but, how boring and unexciting they are? Yes, satisfaction does come at a high price but, in my opinion, the low initial price of the superbly equipped Townace range, albeit, quite an old vehicle, does offset, to some extent, it's higher running costs.
- (#972) John Davis (Leics), 27 Apr 05 09:11
Sorry if that sounded too negative. I was merely trying to show a different viewpoint. I reckon Pete's been very lucky with his Townace in terms of maintenance. So have I in comparison to many poor souls on here that have had a lot worse mishaps than me.
Despite the superior Toyota build I seem to have too many periods of fixing things on the Townace. My repair and servicing bills average out at nearly £1000 a year over the 5.5 years I've had it. That includes everything except fuel, MOTs, insurance and road tax. I think that's a bit steep but agree it's a better alternative than shelling out the extra 5 grand up front for a crappy Espace or the like. I looked at two prior to buying the Townace. The first one's doorlock fell off when trying to get in, the second had trim and door mirrors falling off.
No I'll stick with the Townace and its quirks until I no longer have a need for it but still maintain it's satisfaction at a price.
- (#972) Ian Dunse (Derbs), 28 Apr 05 02:40
Many good points, glad to hear you all think the same as me about these great if quirky motors, sorry to hear Ian has had a worse time than most.
Maybe i have been lucky, im now touching anything made of tree material i can find, but i must agree strongly with John on the need for the Bok. Without it and its strong,loyal and very knowledgable contributors i think i may have given up the old ace long ago. Many thanks to all who have helped me over the years solve all my queries and worries, will try to talk the better half into goin to one of the jams so i can meet some of you face to face.
Regards + happy aceing
Pete
- (#972) peter, 28 Apr 05 16:09
I was sitting out of this one, but I've got to agree with Ian. I went from the townie to a (new) Grand Vitara two years ago. I keep a close eye on costs as the vehicle is used in my business, and I've got to say that they've plummetted since getting the Zook. Months go by without spending ANY money on the car. Contrast that with having to take days off work every month to fettle the townie.
Now I know many of you don't do big miles, but I do. I think you'll find that many of you will be getting a bit tired of the hassles and expense once your vehicles get "well used".
Are they a superb vehicle, just about without equal in the marketplace? Yes. Would I own another? No.
- (#972) David Miller, 29 Apr 05 02:02
Just had to send my towny to the scrapyard. Always wanted one ang got one last year for 1500euros after 6months of the road and a further 1800 euros for repairs and 560euros for the insurance I will not be rushing to get another. On the plus side beeing a driver for a living it was one of the best cars I have driven
- (#972) Joe, 30 Apr 05 15:27
I have had my Towny nearly 3 year now,the most major job was the dreaded head gasket costing 500 quid.yes they are nice to drive yes they are nice to look at yes they are pricy to keep on the road,but have you tried to sell one.Mine is a 4x4 2ltre diesel usual spec with 98000km on the clock best price offered 700pound[sorry no poundsighn on keyboard].If it hah the space & headroom of a semihigh transit I would keep it but having to remove the seats & try to store them so I can use it as a camper is a pain in the nether regions to say the least.So it looks like another crowded & tight squeeze for me & the two Haggis Hounds.Only hope Scotland is dryer this year.
- (#972) Steuart, 16 May 05 10:07