Old Top Gear 1990 - Volkswagen Transporter and Toyota Previa

Chris Goffey tests the new Volkswagen Transporter, and the new new model from toyota - the Previa. They are made to be like minibusses, but they compete with the Renault Espace. Taken from season 13 episode 14.

[@mustsilm]

The Transporter was just a van with seats. Previa was a purpose built MPV.

[@JanMichaelFranklin]

I've owned 2 Previas and I still believe it's the best van ever made. Still looks modern today too!

[@manisingh4567]

I'm surprised that was H reg, everything in the era was straight edges and this was so curvy

[@manisingh4567]

@AshMKPlayz racist

[@manisingh4567]

Why write curry? I didn't make a spelling mistake when I wrote curvy

[@manfromnantucket9544]

Mid-engine supercharged AWD van? Yes please!

[@jd3076]

Plus its a toyota hell yeah

[@jimmyjimjims7483]

I enjoy my Previa nearly 26 years and 300k miles later, very durable.

[@HadesOmega]

Nice clip, I got a 91 Previa thats the 5 speed manual. I have to say hats off and thumbs up to the engineer/s of the Previa. You can tell much thought was used to put it together. I've seen many previas with other 300k miles on em, Toyota built em to last

[@nutz4gunz457]

Those Previas run for at least 250K miles. Amazing vans. Here in the states there was a supercharger option. It had a magnetic clutch on the supercharger pulley so there was no parasitic loss when the boost wasn't needed. Just like an A/C compressor. 90's Japanese cars are really some of the best made.

[@magus5200]

Meanwhile I have a 1998 Grand Caravan with 267000 and not one engine or transmission issue. MERICA!!!

[@BlueRice]

magus5200 i have my previa at 417,000 miles. ive never touch the engine beside spark plugs. few days ago the bearing broke and a lot of oil shot out so i decided leave it as non operational. also, i change the oil every 10,000-11,000 miles using synthetic brand. base on my theory you can change oil at that much mileages being safe. i wouldnt claim the brand of the car contribute to it. i argue with a lot of people about oil change and about gas. my neighbor car she had her car sitting in the garage for over 20 years and it started up just fine. there are things that people say that are not true sometimes. and i prove it by real life experience.

[@magus5200]

BlueRice "There's always a bigger fish." -Obi-Wan Kenobi

[@Dkcode]

Yes the Japanese owned that decade.

[@artemast6976]

These vans are indeed amazing. I have a 1993 previa LE currently with 265k miles on it. Everything original, like you mentioned all i've done is basic maitanance, spark plugs replaced once, distributor cap and rotor are on the new side, newer fuel filter, and I use a K&N Panel filter in the originalintake box., i change oil and filter every 5k. Does not burn oil, and not a single leak. Tranny shifts a smooth as brand new, can't even feel it. I am just amazed at how well it drives, it still feels like a brand new car, probably will continue running forever. Great vans...

[@tomsmith9208]

I’ve got a 96 estima (similar) and it’s my second one, 1st one was a 92 J reg, had it 4 yrs to the day and despite it being 20 years old I only ever had to replace an interior bulb, only sold cos scruffy, bought a 10 yr old Galaxy, nothing but trouble, had my current 96 P reg estima 9 years and it has NEVER broken down or cost me anything other than routine maintenance, they are simply a brilliant, coumfy, well speced wallet friendly vehicle, cannot fault them.

[@jacksonatic]

Fully agreed! When it was first launched here in Kuala Lumpur in 1990, I was 9 yo.. it blew me away & start drawing the van over & over again wishing that I have a toy of it! It was waaay ahead of its time! Since then, other car brands start copying the the space-age look of Previa! Even the later models of Previas cannot top the futuristic, fluid & soap-like of original model! The Japanese outdone themselves too early lol Previa (& Sera!) will always be my favourite, favourite cars!!!

[@Owiko7]

we had one of these and it lasted up to 390 thousand Kilometers before it started having issues. Its such a nice little van.

[@d-boyz3786]

little xD

[@urmomfarturdaddied]

When you think about it, the Previa was very ingenious at the time and I think my parents were going to get one when I was about 4ish, but the Sienna came out and they bought that. That was a piece of garbage, returned it within a year and got a Honda Odyssey. They just don't make minivans cool anymore...

[@jaceresa]

I miss this era of Toyota, when the (now very conservative) company would produce a mid-engine jellybean-shaped minivan.

[@jacksonatic]

Oh yea, the Previa was also a favourite of the late Michael Jackson. He always rent this baby during his world tour.

[@fenn_fren]

We have a 2010 Previa and it really is a pretty solid car. Can fit a lot of stuff in the back, the 2.4l engine pushes out a lot of performance as said in the video. The performance is so good because of the VVT-i engine type.

[@FEETLE]

but for the previa i had 3 of them and all of them went over 520,000 miles with 1 of them I had gasket failure and another with a water pump all original engines yes it was a mechanic's nightmare with the engine placement that was because it wasn't expecting any service requirements this vehicle was Not about volume it was just for engineers to flex the muscles muscles.. within that era everything from Toyota was bulletproof from the Lexus ls400 to corrolla

[@spenceCID]

I'd look at these cars today and think what a piece of shit. But seeing this video and all the engineering involved really makes me appreciate them.

[@JaceD4V1S88]

I have a 94 awd and it's the greatest vehicle I've ever owned! Just passed 200k miles, and is still a beast!!

[@TwinTowerTwo]

I loved the Previa as a kid, looked very futuristic to me. I believe they used heavily modified ones in Honey I Shrunk the Kids?

[@jeremybelcher1727]

I believe that was a GMC Safari van in the movies and a Pontiac Trans Sport Montana in the tv series.

[@dragonbutt]

Heh, my neighbors have one. I agree, it still looks modern. It was WAY ahead of it's time. And, nobody can deny it once they step in, that it still is ahead of it's time. Other car companies might catch up to it near 2020 or so. xD

[@QuadroNVS]

i like watching these old videos , its like a tv time machine

[@TheTurbulant]

I've owned 2 of these and still have 1, Called the Tarago in Australia, Unfortunately we never got the supercharged version but we did get the duel head / driving lights & duel air con. Never had problems just standard wear & tear items and fuel economy couldn't complain for a vehicle that tipped the scales at 1980 kilograms not including passengers or load - 11.1 l/per 100 km (25.45 mpg) city cycle and 7.8 l/per 100 km (36.21mpg) highway I get as an average depends on driving mood.

[@kasparpl1993]

are those figures for a manual I presume?

[@TheTurbulant]

@@kasparpl1993 automatic trans.

[@DH.91]

I'm 26 my first car I have it now is a Previa 96' plate it drives great always starts perfect for my family I've got a couple of aftermarket mods big alloys rally roof and fog lights.

[@russellharold5896]

The Previa is by far the most dependable vehicle ever made. I have beat the crap out of 3 different ones and never had one leave me stranded. 300K miles is nothing to a Previa. Also easier to work on then most vehicles. Seems like it would be harder but it really isn't.

[@slashbashin]

oh i love our previa. It has so many memorys. The car has 260,000 miles on it and its only broken down once. It certainly has been a great car.

[@johnathonfontenot8187]

I got a 97 privea over 200, 000 miles love it!

[@sabinafisic1120]

HAjjsj

[@kendigjl]

I can fit a stack of uncut plywood/drywall in the back of my Previa (4 feet by 8 feet), hop on the freeway and get 24 mpg, then unload the building materials, put the seats back in and transport 8 people in air conditioned comfort. The Previa is the most useful, pragmatic 4 cylinder vehicle ever built. Any small business would be wise to take a look at one for transport of materials and people.

[@16mmDJ]

I currently drive a 1993 Eurovan (America's name for the T4), and it's awesome to see the one he was demonstrating so clean and new. My car's a right mess

[@Tylerpierre99]

No Antilock brakes, no airbags, no seatbelts, no brakes, no chassis etc... So what acted as a safety feature back then? Not crashing, being courteous and not dipping your attention to look at a mobile telephone every 11.4 seconds were the finest of safety features.

[@CynicalBastard511]

Such a shame the Previa had appalling crash-test ratings, because it looks very cool and the interior is amazingly well thought out.

[@DennisH22A]

"I drive a mid engined supercharged AWD vehicle" WOW sounds fast.

[@98770]

In North America, we did not get the entire Transporter line but we did get the Eurovan. but did not sold very well. loads of reliability issues that plague these vehicles here.

[@syxepop]

Most problems started with the sticker price. Back then the cheapest German-made (T4) Eurovan w/a NA-2.5L I5 started > U$40K (U$60-70K inb '18 money). Only today you'd find an > U$50K loaded minivan. Besides, the infamous (25% of sales price before local taxes) Chicken Tax still in effect was / is another issue (some of the first vehicles affected were precisely the VW T1 Transporter vans and pickup trucks).

[@alexballantine3973]

Ah, the good old days

[@JanMichaelFranklin]

I agree! Toyota was "The" maker of interesting, forward thinking, sporty cars of the 90's! So much for that! SMH!

[@Mercurychka]

Инженеры немецкая школа 🏫 Жаль это уже в прошлом ,и маркетинг победил ,а в те годы ещё Мерседес w140 удивлял ) Золотые времена автомобильного современного строения!

[@Aikynbreusov]

totally agree with you. the PREVIA made the other vans look out of date in the 90's

[@Eatinbritches]

I have a 4WD previa, and I used to have a Vanagon Westfalia a few years ago. Don't know what the guy is talking about regarding the shifter, I loved stamping down on the clutch and rowing that giant lever. It was fun. Slow, but fun. The previa is faster for sure and the layout means it handles and rides well, though there's fuck all steering feel. Overall the older VW's have way more character and make great campers, but the previa beats it for reliability and road holding.

[@praxisnets7199]

keyword is reliability!

[@kendigjl]

@Peter24397 It's a great vehicle. Take the seats out and you can carry full size, uncut sheets of plywood or sheetrock. You can take the roofrack off and get 25mpg on the freeway. It also makes a nice weekend camper. Not to mention if you take even mediocre care of it, you could easily get 300,000 miles. Hands down, mine is the most useful vehicle I've ever had.

[@johnhulka2729]

Love these old top gears

[@notpurple]

i LOVED my previa. i bought my daughter one as her first car and she wont get rid of it.

[@CenobiteBeldar]

The Toyota Previa is the perfect Star Trek shuttle craft.

[@shawnz241]

We are on Previa # 4 at work and the van is an animal- over 300k and going strong! I've never seen a manual one in real life but the auto box shifts well enough to not miss it - I doubt the Sienna will have this extreme durability in 20+ years

[@HadesOmega]

This is true the manual transmission in the Previa is not my favorite. Horrible shifter position, its too far from you and too low. The previous Toyota Van had an excellent shifter, best 5 speed I've ever shifted!

[@whoohaaXL]

Grab a supercharged Previa!

[@tittiehunter]

I got a Lexus rx350, cadilac escalade and of course a Toyota previa these cars are sick :) Never gonna get rid of it.

[@Sauws]

4:10 seatbelt wasn't needed back then?

[@guidok3762]

The Toyota Previa is the best MPV of the world, for sure. I owned two of them, one 4wd 5 speed and a rear wheel drive automatic. Smart car, with a lot of technical features you don’t even see in 2020! Would love to buy one again, if I can find one in good shape I will buy it for sure.... !!!

[@CreRay]

"... but certainly, my occupants in the back were feeling stuffy on long journeys". Yeah right Chris, I'm sure you made plennnnty long journeys in Germany with many occupants when you test drove it.

[@powershin12]

Modern day Estima[Previa] and VW T6 is now in very different segment.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

I've always liked the styling of the Toyota Previa. I thought it was a shame that the Previa was replaced with the front engine, front-wheel drive Sienna. While I like the Sienna name, I could've done without its front wheel drive and the styling.

[@fanousontheloose]

the toyota previa is by far the best mini van ever created!!!!!

[@MonkeyHunch1]

Not my thing but i drove a previa back in the day and was impressed with it for a van / MPV. Drove very well .

[@mrsad1255]

Dad has a previa for 15years never went wrong well made

[@blacuraRL]

I love the rear sunroof!

[@jorasaveminiaturas]

I own 2 previas and I love how the prformace is about them, after I saw this video I fell like I want to test the VW van too =)

[@sebastianjenewein5599]

He didn´t inform himself about the cars at all, he was just telling what he saw on the cars he had for the test. For example the VW was also available as an 8 or 9 seater and opening rear windows also were an option.

[@Stig007]

I want a previa so bad. Its so hard to find a standard one.

[@ihavewaited90daystochangem51]

@Sawa Bull Oh it's a 90's toyota, 300k is 50k from being broken in.

[@rimmerblues1586]

These classic Top Gear are so watchable and informative. As for the vehicles, such types are still required & useful but sad they're not popular anymore due to the SUV fashion, wouldn't EVs also do better in the van shape?

[@jeff4362]

I still see some Previas from time to time on the UK roads. The Transporter not so much. Last few times I saw them they had Bulgarian numberplates.

[@Tin_Town]

Who would have known that the Toyota would go on the be one on the best banger racing cars of today they are strong af

[@rafaml94]

5:48 LoL

[@wildbsc]

Well Ive have a twenty year old Estima (which is much the same as the previa) owned for over ten years now and I cant find a wrong word to say about it apart from the front SADS which need to be replaced about every two years but that may be down to generic parts. Only other thing is I wish it was a manual! MPG is 36. Best wishes WD

[@TregTube]

*thud* "the back flies up and hits you in the face"

[@TheCompyshop]

They are reliable vans, but to say that look modern is a HUGE stretch. They look very early 90's.

[@TheTurbulant]

I forgot to add mine is automatic transmission.

[@ColapsMental]

''very space age looking''

[@DerSpiess11]

The then new VW looks primitive against the Tarago/ Previa. Germany may have started it, but Japan finished it.

[@zOiNhUh]

It's not so easy to compare them, since the T4 was developed more as a commercial vehicle while the Previa didn't really follow the same approach. Plus the engine access and the transmission layouts are also harder to compare. But they're both cool anyway.

[@bluemoondiadochi]

WOW! So top gear was once long ago a normal car show before it got infested with irritating antics of a few midle-age-crisis men!

[@jorasaveminiaturas]

I own two is double the fun!!!

[@SuperFlamethrower1]

did u end up with a previa then? :)

[@Nskawtea1]

Now, let's give it to the stig!

[@2010mpslick]

I was told my PREVIA looks like a giant loaf of bread :O :O :O

[@hku1240]

Toyota previa is the toyota estima are called in some other countries.

[@hoffman4506]

previa is a superb car

[@DraGon_eDiTiOn]

@Peter24397 me too! 4wd version with automatic transmission and in diesel!

[@2010mpslick]

the Toyota Previa rocks!!!!!! I have owned 2 of them!!!!!

[@SuperFlamethrower1]

surprised how u got insured for your first car,toyota quality for ya,dont need ta worry bout it goin wrong kno,eingoy :)

[@craigybus1]

The 1980s Space Cruiser had them as well.

[@JUANCHO1713]

Toyota Previa!!!!!!!! :)

[@dwilsonjr78]

The Toyota Previa. Good minivan, but it's hard to work on!

[@Rymac91]

Somewhat oddly my parents went from a Previa to a Eurovan (Transporter) when the Previa started to fall apart.

[@danninarizona]

@Peter24397 I have had one for over 20 years. I have had no mechanical failures and it has almost 200k miles.

[@benirvin-weller7824]

He got them mixed up, the transporter has 8 seats and the previa 7

[@Flying_GC]

Nope Previa shown was an 8 seater. They are 7 with captains chairs.

[@soundseeker63]

@jaceresa I agree. in 1990 they also had the MR2 sports car, the Celica coupe and the Supra, the big supercar, as well as the normal range of small cars and family cars. What do the have now? No Previa replacement, no MR2 replacement, No Supra replacement and No Celica. Basically nothing even remotely interesting, just dishwater dull hatchbacks and a few picup trucks :-( What happened?

[@UKEbikers]

excellent thanks

[@polsterj]

Well, I am and will always be a T4 enthusiast, they're just fantastic. Our's is 17 years old but still running perfectly, it's much more practical than this Toyota and for it's size it's impossibly easy to handle and park.

[@anthonyperkins7556]

polsterj you have unbolt and remove the seats in a VW T4 to do any SERIOUS carrying which can be inconvenient, with the Toyota Previa you just fold the 3rd row sideways and lower the 2nd row seatbacks to carry anything big.

[@dgurevich1]

In Israel, I pay around 2$ for a liter. I also pay around 50% of the car's value in tax, regardless of whether I ship it, or buy it at a local dealer. another 600$ just to put it on the road, and around 500$ every year to keep it on the road. and that's even before counting insurance.

[@loudring6247]

Dima Gurevich thats a shitty place to live

[@Me-zo8yc]

Plenty of pushrod V8's still motoring round in America. If it ain't broke don't fuck with it.

[@videomonster235]

where did you get the intro music where it tells you about whats on the episode (blue backround and yellow writing)

[@timppa600]

yeah he did

[@theotendleeey]

i like this guy

[@leonardobaracchi7040]

Never understood why Toyota previas front door frame has that shape.. Isn't it that when you crash from the side the metal part of the window smashes your head?!

[@julianbell90]

and it's super charged!

[@Peter24397]

im actually thinkin of gettin a toyota previa for my first car. hopefully it will be fun

[@bear5945]

How did it hold up? I'm about to get one for my first car as well aha

[@darrenwilson8042]

What was this 90's thing with the fold down table to make a conference room set up in vans like this and the Espace and so on? Somebody senior enough to be driven to meetings by a driver didn't have on site meetings in the back of a van !!!

[@44ro.n]

i think its for camping and stuff like that

[@trainntruck]

what is the song in the beginning

[@saubea]

Grandstand by Keith Mansfield

[@redstar612]

My first Car 🤘 T4 🥳

[@bliglum]

Previa still looks modern.. VW, not so much.

[@FOertel]

If you live back in 2000 or at most 2005 maybe... o.O

[@ThomasCollectables]

Previa looks like a relic, very clearly from the 1990s.

[@rimmersbryggeri]

VW vans still look almost exactly the same though.

[@user-sq2hg7nh9u]

Are you blind?

[@BertusWoudwijk]

Previa all the way!

[@danielfajka2483]

Toyota previa is a minivan wow

[@UnionJxck]

previa ftw

[@mrflamewars]

The water cooled boxer engine in the 1980s VW Vans was absolute garbage. The so called "wasserboxer" was a sorry excuse for a mill at best. Not nearly enough oomph and loved to dump it's coolant all over the road.

[@clarkneil1980]

5:13 "full 8 seater..." where's the 8th seat gone? Also "engine oil reservoir" under the bonnet or seat, he can't make his mind up.

[@anthonyperkins7556]

The two rear rows can take 6 people.

[@clarkneil1980]

@@anthonyperkins7556 but he mentions 5 passengers not 6 and where is the 6th seat?

[@anthonyperkins7556]

@@clarkneil1980 you can put 3 people on the back row and three on the middle row and yes you can, because I sat in the middle of the 2nd row with some friends in one

[@robertmcgovern8850]

Reservoir is under the hood; oil filler tube is under the left front seat, next to the dipstick. He was quite distinct about it. The Previa is unusual in having that 2L plastic oil overflow/reservoir on the fender. There is a sensor in the oil pan and a small pump that will add oil to the crankcase when it gets low. Unfortunately, the wires to this sensor are vulnerable to corrosion and physical damage, causing the system to overfill your sump. Most 1990-97 Previas had leaking main seals as a result. My suspicion is Toyota feared owners wouldn't check the dipstick since it is under the seat, tho access is still pretty simple. So they came up with the reserve tank idea. I drive a 91 Previa AWD with 318k miles, never broken down, no major mechanical issues. Most had the unkillable 2.4L I4 used in small Toyota pickups. Without the supercharger, they are slow to accelerate, and the auto trans could use a 5th gear. Parts are becoming very hard to source. Still, I have no plans to get rid of it. It will take fifteen 4x8' sheets of plywood in the back (with seats removed, obviously), and you can put 12' long lumber inside and close the hatch. Traction in snow is very good, but clearance is poor. It's noisy, it's a greenhouse, and the A/C used R12 so can't be recharged in the US. Do NOT get in a front end collision, or you are dead. But visibility is spectacular, and it is stupidly cheap to own.