The Raddest Minivan Ever Built - Toyota Previa All-Trac!

[@MrRensan404]

I am an original owner of a 1993 Previa LE with 275,000 miles and it still is going strong! I like the innovative engineering that went into it that you very well described. They don’t built them like this anymore and that’s why to me, it’s a keeper.

[@StaggerLee68]

Best spaceships ever built by earthlings.

[@metalpunk1234]

Especially with the and and rwd option, it sure is a hell of a keeper, my aunt and uncle had one, I just regret not asking them how much they would sell theirs.

[@alexandermik1194]

My dad bought it, took us kids to school and everywhere, now dad passed away I'm driving it taking my kids everywhere in it .The best memories in that Toyota previa.More memories will be made even if I'm gone too. Thanks Toyota.

[@CrossingRover]

This is unironically one of my dream cars. My cousins had one growing up and it served faithfully from 1994 to 2016 when it was hit by a drunk driver. It never needed anything besides wear items and oil changes. We took it on so many road trips, adventures, and general childhood memories. When we all went on a family trip to Georgia, we took this sucker off road with 2 adults, 4 kids, and a dog bouncing around inside. My family on the other hand had a boring Chrysler Grand Caravan and a Plymouth Voyager that were nowhere near as futuristic. Theirs was the exact same color and everything (broken front cupholder included). If you ever decide to sell this one I hope you let us viewers know so I can have a chance of buying it.

[@ui1383]

Nice! I agree with you in most of it, it's also one of my rare dream cars because of its awesome capabilities considering its era and still today, one of my friends from college used drive one back then but he just let me see the engine bay so I never got a chance to drive it. I only differ from you about the Caravan/Voyager, my dad used to own a '99 or '00 (I think) one about 12 years ago when I still lived with them, such good memories with that van my brother and I used to take it without permission lol it was really fun to drive, maybe you say it's boring because you know the Previa well and compare them.

[@bradleytaylor6512]

Selling one now

[@shepshepherd]

I used to hate the styling of the Previa when it first came out. 30 years on, I think it looks really cool :)

[@BlakeFoster050]

“Babe wake up, Ethan just bought a Previa”

[@jeremyramirez9150]

Its awesome that he's like a poor mans Hoovie 😀. Much more relatable lol.

[@ZoomZoom81]

Hoovie is no longer the old Hoovie we used to know and love. He's got more supercars and luxury cars than most millionaires

[@JP-it9ie]

Yes! Hope he will be relatable when times go on. So much fun to watch cars I can actually afford.

[@petescarport]

Honestly love hoovie but Ethan's editing skilss are on a different level and he is still just as good on camera if not better

[@RetroCarsForever]

@@ZoomZoom81 Hoovie IS a millionaire. And likely always was.

[@JustcallmeGnarly22]

Was just thinking the same thing. Hoovie used to be like this but now just buys super cars and old luxury cars.

[@hullinger]

I'll stand up and testify that the Previa has alway been one of my most favorite minivans. There, I said it, and I'm not ashamed of it either.

[@ralphlazio505]

I live in Southern California. Hispanics love this thing. Some in good shape; some completely “hoopty”; but still running.

[@jefferysmith3930]

The design of this has aged remarkably well. It still looks modern inside and out. As a 20 year old college student I was just wowed by this van. Toyota had set up a display one day at my community college with the then new Previa and a 2nd gen. MR2. I loved them both equally. Very unique engineering. I worked in a Toyota dealership in 2000. Most of the techs didn’t like working on them back then. I recall Those S.A.D. Auxiliary Prop shafts were prone to wearing out and were expensive to replace. But for $1500, how can you go wrong? And an All-trac no less. Cool.

[@rightlanehog3151]

Ethan, I think the Oldsmobile Silhouette looked even more radical while offering none of the reliability.

[@HelloRoad]

Haha!

[@robertzoch122]

“It’s the Cadillac of minivans!”

[@DragPakMerc]

Never thought I'd say it, but I miss those old Dustbuster vans.

[@michaelkrenzer3296]

@@DragPakMerc They make excellent racecars...well, they do after you fix all the 90's GM WTF stuff.

[@Jag-leaper]

Laughs In bullet proof 3.8

[@DF-yp2nu]

My friend and his family are on their second Preview. They bought their original one in 1992, had it till 2017. They sold it. Their mom missed it so much not even a year later they bought another from California. Made a vacation out of it to go get it, and drive it 1000 miles home. All sight unseen lol. Previas rock.

[@savink7762]

Lot of these in Australia. A friend of mine had one, with full Toyota dealer service history, it was then 20 year-old in 2012 with nearly 200,000 miles, not a rattle and the air-con was still powerful. I am still very impressed with the body integrity.

[@cameronlovesevolve]

oh man you know i filled my Alltrac Previa with friends and took us wayyy into the woods. Boldly going where no minivan has gone before. Such good times!

[@HelloRoad]

Nice! If you have a van with AWD, you're pretty much required to take your friends out into the wilderness!

[@StaggerLee68]

Still do! a 94' keeper, for sure.

[@katsiduzynski488]

Our 1994 model is going strong. Has just over 200,000 miles. Nickname is jellybean. It fits. 😅

[@802Garage]

There is one of these in my area and it just drove by my house last week. Very cool!

[@HelloRoad]

Nice!!!

[@jonp9654]

You are sitting on and in an egg. But the interior is still, ahead of its time

[@RobertNES816]

You gotta find a late 80's Camry All-Trac as well.

[@HelloRoad]

yesssssssss

[@jkhuv87t5]

I love that generation of camry

[@RobertNES816]

@@jkhuv87t5 Me to. My Dad had a 91 Camry DX sedan, 15 years later it became my first car. BUT he almost got an 89 Camry All-Trac lol. At the time he was deciding to buy new or pre owned and went with a new one unfortunately.

[@gordythecreator]

Dammit! Memory don't fail me now. Lifted camry? With knobbies?

[@JaceD4V1S88]

i have a 94 awd previa, 306k miles and still goin strong

[@JaceD4V1S88]

so i know i commented a year ago but came across this vid again...he's at 331k now and still goin

[@AlainDion-iv7qe]

I drove one for 14 years, I loved that van! So reliable and good to drive through snow.

[@slebdad]

I think this has become my favorite pick of yours. Originality at its finest!

[@baselhs]

The drivetrain of the Previa might be strange for people in NA market but for people from other markets who are used to japanese vans is normal such as the Toyota HiAce which is rear wheel drive and the engine is under the seat.

[@alanmay7929]

Same with the Toyota coaster a 30 seats bus

[@revchucksantiago9213]

Nissan homey(caravan) as well.

[@donnyboyi1615]

Hi ethan, In australia we call these torago vans a wombat after an australian marsupial, cheers from down under.

[@MrRensan404]

A car designed way ahead of its time even in terms of coefficient of friction and engineering innovation. Thanks for featuring this unique vehicle. I have one that I still use to this day with 275k miles and still going strong.

[@cbh148]

Many fathers felt the minivan’s resemblance to a suppository was appropriate.

[@D_2_M]

Owned one on the past with bench middle seat if you fold second bench and third row seats flat you could have a nice bed for two.

[@RetroCarsForever]

Dude, this was a REALLY great episode. Just from a video craft/pacing/hosting perspective, you've really raised the bar. Super enjoyable, nostalgic, and informative. The fact that it starred one of my fave weird minivans was just a solid bonus!

[@HelloRoad]

Thanks man, really glad you enjoyed it!! :) :)

[@LEllis-ui3lx]

Man sttu

[@ugh_adam]

This might be my favorite video yet! I demand to see all the "More Weird" takes you had to do 😂

[@HelloRoad]

Thanks man!! Haha you probably don't want to see any of my outtakes... 😆

[@Mgyuh]

Man, I love this thing, this really is the raddest minivan ever. Thank you Ethan for bringing us this diamond in the rough

[@josezavala1518]

I pay 1400 for my van 1993 toyota previa I'm 2 owner super clean everything works good vehicle I love it

[@StaggerLee68]

Life is mo betta in a Previa.

[@StaggerLee68]

When the going got weird, Toyota went all out Super Pro. I drive a 94 LE Supercharged All-trac, white like yers! SO rad! I sold a 97' LE/SC years ago as I wasn't living in the U.S. and my friends back in the U.S. needed a family car badly. I regretted it for years and didn't realize how difficult to replace it was. It took a while to find another- almost gave up- but was completely worth the search. Anyone who has one is reluctant to ever sell it. They are the best all around vehicle I've ever been in, an amazing camper for biking and climbing and such. People honk and wave all day long and it's not unusual for people to walk up wanting to buy it. They remember how fun, cool and weird they are, just like their owners! Best vehicle ever built by earthlings, period. And yes, 200k on the odo is fine, it's just getting warmed up.

[@terbennett]

Awesome vans. I've owned 4 of them. I'd buy them again but they are getting harder to find for sale in good shape. The vans are out there, but owners don't usually want to get rid of them because they are so reliable. I saw one with 794k miles on it with original engine and transmission and there was a member on Toyota Nation.com forums that had one with 840k miles on it

[@StaggerLee68]

There is a legend of a German with well over a million miles on the original engine. I'm on 240k and it's just getting warmed up it seems. Yes, it took me a while to replace my first one, needle in a haystack for well kept LE/SC anymore. I got luuuuuucky to find this one. Stoked.

[@terbennett]

@@StaggerLee68 That is awesome! Take extra care of that. The S/C models tend to suffer from neglect. Most owners are unaware that the superchargers need servicing too. Make sure to have the supercharger oil changed. I bought one S/C model, but the rest were N/A models because of this. I'd ask the sellers about replacing the supercharger fluid and they had no idea what I was talking about. I'm talking about vans that had engine oil, tranny, and diff services done. When I found one that was serviced,, I bought it. SC14 supercharger are expensive to replace.

[@StaggerLee68]

@@terbennett Supercharger completely redone right before I bought it, mechanic family and well cared for. i had given up trying to find a good one. Scored a great one in the end, Cheers.

[@terbennett]

@@StaggerLee68 That is awesome! Congrats on that one!

[@MrRensan404]

I have a ‘93 Previa with 275K miles and it still runs good. Never failed to pass a smog check required every two years in our state. Glad to know that it can go way up to 840k miles. That’s a long way to go.

[@bactanite]

I spent a lot of hours in valet parking in the 1990s and the monotony of normal cars could get boring, but I would always get excited at driving the weirdest car of all, the Toyota Previa. I just wished there were more Previas.

[@StaggerLee68]

We're still out there charging around. And yes, they drift quite well, ha.

[@katsiduzynski488]

Be sure to give this car a nice nickname. They will last longer when you do.

[@solstar4778]

The forerunner 83-84 Toyota minivan had all the like features before the Previa except under powered + built in refrigerator/freezer !

[@bmcshane80]

These were called a Toyota Tarago here in Australia, my parents had one in the early 90's

[@mystikalecho]

i currently own two Toyota Estima 2007 and 2008 models. always get compliments, friends and family love the flexible seating arrangements. Can be turned into either 7 seats or 4 seats limo style. i use 4 seat configuration as my personal mobile lounge while waiting for traffic to die down :)

[@siamiam]

these were pretty neat vans, still see them on the road today. i wanted a rwd sc one for a long time but in my state they were impossible to find since just about everyone was awd im most impressed that the van fit in that enclosed trailer . the supercharged ones actually got better fuel economy that art work was eggcellent

[@kassemlarsen7839]

The previa look nice and acceptable, it's more air dynamic

[@DragPakMerc]

Excellent video. The van seems like a great buy. My family never had a van, as my parents were strictly domestic full-size sedan people. But my friend's family drove one of the eighties predecessors to the Previa. Talk about weird! It had a refrigerator complete with little ice cube trays built into the center console.

[@jessicaculver6198]

I was a tech for Toyota Camry corrolla corona previa and 1987 Van. Are the best car ever. Get any Toyota 1998 and back these cars last forever

[@mylifeisJDM]

Fuse placement is genius! Love the meaty tires.

[@ZoomZoom81]

I think he should make a clear cover for the fuses to be able to see them all the time

[@HelloRoad]

@@ZoomZoom81 Yeah great idea!

[@zcomputermanz4177]

the super charged ones are quick!

[@HelloRoad]

Haven't driven one yet. Need to change that!

[@StaggerLee68]

Mine rips in the dirt and cruises at 85 on the highway comfortably at 2400 rpm. climbs mountain passes in the snow like a monkey on bath salts.

[@zcomputermanz4177]

@@StaggerLee68 same!

[@StaggerLee68]

@@zcomputermanz4177 I'm constantly surprised how much get up and go it really has, I want to find another SC, sawzall the back off and make an Alltrac lil' flatbed bruiser. I jumped my first one and it didn't even flinch, ha!

[@adamfischer6768]

Love the stance of this vehicle!

[@hvacrmike]

I had 2 1991and a 1997 supercharged. Most of the front end noise comes from worn out sway bar bushings. Learned that the hard way, Wasted a lot of money on struts and strut bushings

[@HelloRoad]

Thanks for the tip.

[@ZarzTV]

Known as Tarago in Australia. They were everywhere! My parents had an 1987 tarago then a 1994 one. I owned a 1989 one ( with the factory “fridge”) and then a 1996 one. One of the most comfortable cars I’ve ever owned. Wasn’t super quick but definitely no slouch, I never had issues joining traffic on the freeway/highway on ramps either. I did feel like a shame when they went to front wheel drive in the late 90’s but they were V6 then and the third row seats folded away under the floor. I miss mine, not only a great family car but was a great band van too. Currently contemplating if I can get an imported 2018 Estima because I like these things that much.

[@rustbeltrobclassic2512]

I owned one, it went just shy of a million miles. Mine was rwd with a stick.. If your coupler on the sads is rotted, bmw makes one that with a little modification will fit, I won't lie, maintenance is rough on these..

[@HelloRoad]

Wow that's a ton of miles! Thanks for the tip on the SADS :) :)

[@rustbeltrobclassic2512]

@@HelloRoad Ethan... Here is good reference on the BMW fix.. www.toyotavantech.com/forum/showthread.php?4603-BMW-SADS-Conversion&styleid=4 Other thing to keep in mind, that these motors at about 200K-250k miles will need the Nylon Timing Chain tensioners replace, if not you will start to hear Slap in the chain.. When i did mine.. (3 times) i pulled the motor and did the clutch, water pump, plugs, wires, Distributor cap, rotor, and drive shaft couplers at the same time, though to be fair mine was exposed to salt, snow, and a LOT of stop and go traffic. Enjoy it, they are fantastic vehicles.

[@kippaseo8027]

I owned a 1997 Toyota Previa! Even though it was brand new it technically was a year old. It had just been replaced by the Toyota Sienna and the Toyota dealership couldn't get rid of them After the I IHS crash test results came out. I only had it about a year before my parents pressured me into getting rid of it because of the safety concerns. I was 19 years old and had an 18 month old son. I had it hooked up sooo Miami with little rims and a leather bra on the front. It was burgundy With really dark limo tint. I'm surprised that you found one for only $1500. Those things here in Miami are worth at least double the book value since they are still in demand as downtown delivery vehicles. Don't get rid of this one like you did the Geo!

[@HemiChrysler]

$1,500 was a great deal, and a good investment.

[@btrdangerdan2010]

If I ever have children, the Toyota previa would be my choice.

[@StaggerLee68]

"I Am A Child" - Neil young. kid-less and loving my Previa.

[@brianchambers7772]

I got my license in my parents Tarago (Australian Previa). They had it for 20 years and traded it in with 630,000 kms on it with an original engine, gearbox and clutch! Great car, the only time it gave them any trouble was when a tiger snake flicked up into the engine and wrapped itself around something it shouldn't have

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Beautiful looking van. I remember when the Toyota Previa was first intro'd back in the early 90s. I would've loved to have driven one myself. I thought it was Toyota's best looking vehicles.

[@mr.bnatural3700]

I have a 1992 AWD Previa with only 122,000 miles on it. It's the best condition Previa I have seen here in the midwest. Sadly I haven't driven it more that 5000 miles in 8 years. Every time I drive it I say "why am I not driving this? This is a great car."

[@MrRedsi]

Had one growing up! Good memories

[@emmittkelly4631]

I love this van a lot! I really wish I could have one for myself!

[@RobertNES816]

The second gen Dodge Caravan was also available in an AWD version. Those are kinda hard to find.

[@MatthewVanceMusic]

I saw a very tired '99 Plymouth Voyager pulling onto the road today. Impressive that it was still going, questionable white smoke out the exhaust though

[@RobertNES816]

@@MatthewVanceMusic Those vans would run forever. The ones with the 3.3 or 3.8 V6 where great. My Mom had a 2001 Caravan Sport with the 3.3 that lasted for 230k miles before the body rot made it unsafe to pass inspection.

[@pabloszabo5996]

nice I used to own a previa built in Japan cannot go wrong men toyota always built quality around the world

[@gentlepersuader]

I remember going to a car show as a teenager in 1990 and seeing one of these. It was a whole new concept in vans (for me anyway). The W shaped dash and exterior styling just looked so futuristic. Vans to me (growing up in NZ) consisted of predominantly boxy 80's Toyota Hiace's and Mitsubishi L300's. Apparently when the Previa was released it came with platinum spark plugs that only needed changing every 100,000 kms due to the fact they were an utter PAIN to get access to.

[@swtexan6502]

Pretty sweet ride, Ethan. I've got my eye on a '96 Toyota Estima Lusida.... I'll keep you posted.

[@anthonyr829]

More weird! Love the channel! I enjoy seeing some of those forgotten 80s and 90s cars..it takes me back

[@HelloRoad]

Thanks so much! Glad you're loving the vids! :) :)

[@reallyhappenings5597]

Had one for 11 years, great memories

[@3amgarage483]

Nice video! I love this generation of toyotas. In fact, I bought a first gen tacoma sr5 trd because of your video on them! Cheers

[@dward218]

Love these vans. We were a 100% previa family growing up. the first a dark blue 92 rwd. The second a 94 white one just like this. We got 275k out of both before the body would rot out. We never had the captins chairs though the bench was better on long road trips. Still the best mini van ever made.... except that engine. Not one for the Eisenhower tunnel that's for sure you were always struggling in the mountains. It was you and the old vw buses at 45mph in the right lane.

[@michaelb6729]

Tarago !! Golden era of Toyota. The SW20 MR2, ST205 Celica, A80 Supra, 80series Landcruiser were released around this time.

[@jaceresa]

I miss the experimental Toyota of the early to mid 90's. There were so many interesting designs and a wealth of incredible technology available for reasonable prices. Toyota should hold an annual "More Weird" contest to see what the engineering and styling departments come up with, using off the shelf tech and a lot of imagination. Maybe they make a Carrera 4 competitor by flipping an AWD Camry engine/chassis 180 degrees and topping it with an origami-inspired body like the first generation MR2?

[@howebrad4601]

I believe either Chrysler or mercury had ventilation channels run thru the front doors back around 1960. Love these vans because they are different.

[@gordythecreator]

Awesome is an understatement! Any design that confuses ppl is cool with me. Don't know what to think about THAT design. Instantly Cool lol

[@soder0318]

With all its weirdness, the Previa was the Stanza wagon of the 90’s! If my mother had waited one more decade to buy her only new car ever, it would probably have been this one rather than our beloved Stanza wagon! Glad my Stanza t-shirt purchase is helping to fund these new finds!!!

[@ruzzelladrian907]

I love the design.

[@nubetre]

I miss my Previas. Peak bubble era engineering everywhere you look. It took like 4 hours but I did get the cupholders working in one of mine once.

[@WookieDrives]

Ethan out here living every hooptie-lover's dreams.

[@HelloRoad]

Trying my best

[@MrDwightsimon]

Wow that van is clean

[@mitduschzentrale]

Just bought one with a really nice DIY campervan interior. Always wanted a Gen1 Previa and a not too big campervan. Its got the sunroofs and just RWD and standard cloth seats. Does anyone know whether Gen2 Previa seats will fit ?

[@fabianopereira7082]

I love your sense of humor. This video is such a delight. More weird!

[@HelloRoad]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the video!! :) :)

[@fabianopereira7082]

Love your neighborhood too. :D

[@howardcopestake1036]

We have owned a Toyota Previa CDX since 2000 bought new we put nearly 200,000 miles travelling across Europe from the eastern German border to the Atlantic coast of Spain and from Scotland to the toe of Italy and even over to Istanbul and back numerous times, when the engine block finally]gave up the ghost in 2021 we immediately replaced it with a second hand Previa that had a lot fewer miles and was 3 years younger, it continues to serve us very well with our yearly drive from Cambridge to Croatia and has never failed us even servicing is reasonably priced Nearly all the parts are Renault or Citroen compatible, we love the comfort and when we had two dogs travel was a dream with both dogs having as much room as is needed

[@Pedroisanickname]

Having owned both a Previa and several SAAB 900 classics, I know first hand how shops refuse to work on certain vehicles. Speaking of weird, the SADS system is borrowed engineering from the classic Citroen DS. Cheers!

[@mexicanspec]

I never bought one of these when I was buying and selling cars. Considering the engine is under the drivers seat, I always thought if it threw a rod, your future as a father would be in danger.

[@HelloRoad]

Well I don't want any more kids, so...

[@evan937]

Reminds me and looks just like a 2000 dodge caravan lol. I had one and it was actually a great vehicle. It had a Mitsubishi 6 cylinder in it. Was going strong till I hit a deer. It actually still ran and drove after haha!

[@cbrown864]

This van is so underrated I think it's a future classic

[@grunkohlaktionar7474]

You really need to find a Mitsubishi Expo now :D

[@HelloRoad]

I keep looking, can't find one!!

[@toronado455]

@@HelloRoad Or even better the Expo LRV with the sliding side door on one side. You can also search Eagle Summit for that one.

[@grunkohlaktionar7474]

@@toronado455 or Plymouth Colt Vista

[@sascharai1335]

As an avid viewer of Star Trek The Next Generation at the time, I approve of this terrestrian shuttlecraft

[@CRXJDM88]

My cousin godparents own 2 of those back in the day lol he had the rare yellow 90 and the same white in 94 pain in the ass to work on but definitely got great gas mileage specially with that underpowered engine and that's what Toyota was all about back in the day

[@andrewanderson9896]

I absolutely love the previa, my girlfriend finds it weird. I want to get one and do a 2nd gen turbo mr2 swap.

[@rafaelvalentin5508]

That be dope

[@rocketsmall4547]

not sure never heard of such. but i know theres turbo diesel engines from japan. problly need ecu and wiring harness. dunno needs research.

[@kane8058]

The Previa and the APV's were the best Minivans ever

[@MrTimbo901]

I had one of these and I absolutely loved it ❤️ 😍

[@wturner777]

I must say, seeing these Previas always reminds me of the movie "Carpool" I used to watch all the time as a kid.

[@ryanwarsh]

Yes! I couldn’t remember the name but I know there was a movie where a guy drove a bunch of kids around in this van.

[@banstaman]

12:45 damn, someone loves their C107s.

[@HelloRoad]

I know, right??

[@carsandtopgear]

Fun fact, one of the conference room at Toyota’s US HQ is named Previa.

[@HelloRoad]

Oh nice!!

[@happychildhood8806]

I had this van a long time ago. My kids loved it. We live in Canada, so every day when it was some snow on the road my wife can not handle it and the kids have to skip school. It was a nightmare rear-drive van.

[@trabertgraneau3323]

At least we can say that the Previa tried to be different

[@barron204]

I found this channel yesterday. Interesting review. My country is fortunate to have the narrow body version of the Previa called the Estima.

[@itsyeeoledskoolfurry3208]

Hoovies got one. The supercharged version.

[@HelloRoad]

Yes!

[@shept.7736]

I literally got an ad for the toyota camry awd before this video... wish they called it all-trac

[@nicklegostava]

This is the closes thing to a release of a Real life Hotwheels Deora 2 haha

[@jxmai7687]

Even better, search up estima 2006, i am in Australia, got one import from Japan in 2019, love it.

[@elactionwilly2135]

That was our first Van for my family 😂😢🤍 I’m not lying if I can fine one I’ll buy it I do miss it. 🇯🇵 ❤

[@dave11686]

One of my favorite minivans

[@pattyjay9999]

What action did you use?

[@HelloRoad]

Bought it via Copart.

[@DaveSchrenk]

Didn't the original Toyota van have an engine under the cabin? I remember you'd have to pop the seat to check the oil. Amazing they made a vehicle so well with such engineering compromises.

[@HelloRoad]

Yes! Just seems weird that they decided to stick with it!

[@joskjj3625]

Such an awesome van, man you struck gold with this purchase

[@HelloRoad]

It's gooooood

[@sugcalif1]

It was the best minivan I ever owned. Wished I still had one.