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Somebody find me a Previa!

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by naterprius, May 1, 2005.

  1. naterprius

    naterprius Senior Member

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    So, I really need a Previa to tide me over until the Sienna comes out in a Hybrid. Dang, these are hard to find.

    It would be awesome if you could locate one, and maybe even take it in your local Toyota dealership on my behalf. (I'll make it worth your while).

    It must have:

    1995, 1996, 1997
    Supercharged
    Middle Row Captain's Chairs
    ABS Brakes
    All-Trac
    Cloth Interior
    Clean, not smoked-in or dog-smell
    Any color but Gold

    Prefer:
    About 100,000 miles
    Dark Red with Tan Interior

    Will put up with:
    -Some rust/ scratches/ dings
    -higher mileage
    -needs work/ repair
    -paying above market

    Any help would be appreciated, and I'll pay a finder's fee (and I won't be cheap about it). If you drive it to Denver, I'll buy you and a friend a Plane Ticket home.

    Nate
     
    #1 naterprius, May 1, 2005
  2. Wolfman

    Wolfman New Member

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    I found three, and only one had the supercharged engine. That one is way up in New Hampshire.
     
    #2 Wolfman, May 1, 2005
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Wow. I found only one 1992. You're right, they are rare
     
    #3 Tideland Prius, May 2, 2005
  4. Beacher

    Beacher Member

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    A search on www.cars.com came back with 135 Previa's. I'm not sure how many of those meet your specifications, but it's a place to start.
     
    #4 Beacher, May 2, 2005
  5. naterprius

    naterprius Senior Member

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    I've tried cars.com, autotrader.com, and ebay, and they are either too old or very, very far away.

    I was hoping someone had a lead on one with a for sale sign somewhere...

    I think the scarceness (sp?) is due to the very low sales in the final years combined with the owner loyalty since it is so loved by those who own them. I suspect many owners are holding out for a hybrid sienna as am I.

    Space wise, no minivan will ever be as big inside relative to the outside; all the new ones have the super long nose for the driveline. (The Previa didn't crash all that well, though either).

    The swivel seats in the center and the supercharger are just way cool!

    Nate
     
    #5 naterprius, May 2, 2005
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    and the MR layout.

    Euro and Asian spec vans had swivelling 2nd row seats but it seems we're more concerned with fold-flats lol
     
    #6 Tideland Prius, May 2, 2005
  7. IsrAmeriPrius

    IsrAmeriPrius Progressive Member

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    scar·ci·ty ( P ) Pronunciation Key (skגrs-t)
    n. pl. scar·ci·ties

    1. Insufficiency of amount or supply; shortage: a scarcity of food that was caused by drought.

    2. Rarity of appearance or occurrence: antiques that are valued for their scarcity.

    www.dictionary.com
     
    #7 IsrAmeriPrius, May 2, 2005
  8. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    I looked while I was at the Toyota dealership at lunch, but none were in the used car section. I'll be on the lookout for you, though. Please keep us updated if you find one.

    I had a teacher once back in like middle school that had a 5 spd (I think it was a Previa, at least) Toyota van - it was awesome.
     
    #8 Danny, May 2, 2005
  9. naterprius

    naterprius Senior Member

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    I had the pleasure of prepping a brand new 5-speed Previa once. It was only available on the base model, rear drive, and was discontinued in 1994. Incidentally, that's also the first year they offered the supercharger and offered a passenger airbag.

    So, my choice now is manual transmission or an all-trac, supercharged, dual-airbag, ABS equipped, swivel center row seating with keyless entry.

    My ultimate minivan, if money were no object, would be to start with a dual-sunroof model Previa, swap in the supercharged engine and a manual transmission mated to the All-trac driveline. (I don't even know if the manual would connect to the all-trac driveline, but a man can dream, can't he?).

    For some reason, all-trac and sunroof was never available together on the Previa or the Toaster (previous van). (Body rigidity concerns, perhaps.

    Nate
     
    #9 naterprius, May 2, 2005
  10. IsrAmeriPrius

    IsrAmeriPrius Progressive Member

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    Nate,

    Toyota still sells the Previa in Europe, although it now has a front engine and front wheel drive and looks like a shrunken Sienna.

    [​IMG]

    Toyota Previa
     
    #10 IsrAmeriPrius, May 2, 2005
  11. tgates

    tgates New Member

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    I have a 1995 Previa. It is maroon in color and matches all of your specs, (supercharged, etc) except for the captain chairs. The middle seat is a bench that folds flat or can be removed.

    Mileage is only about 78,000.

    Tom
     
    #11 tgates, May 13, 2005
  12. naterprius

    naterprius Senior Member

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    Tom, thanks so much for the offer, but I really want the captain's chairs.

    Nate
     
    #12 naterprius, May 13, 2005
  13. naterprius

    naterprius Senior Member

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    One finally showed up in Denver that has everything, but it's Gold. My wife says its a hideous color, and won't let me buy it.

    Nate
     
    #13 naterprius, May 13, 2005
  14. Beacher

    Beacher Member

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    I would think you could get a set at a junk yard or on the net and install them.
     
    #14 Beacher, May 13, 2005
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