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Toyota's
Twins -Lucida & Emina
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This luxury eight seater turbo diesel is the shape that saw people
movers evolve past vans with seats, the big wombat shape of the Tarago
is quite obvious, though many features differ.
Estima
comes in three variants;
Estima,
Estima Lucida and Estima Emina.
In Australia we get the latter two, which are internally slightly
narrower and longer than the standard Estima or Tarago.
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What
you get
It seems that almost every conceivable option has been available
on the Estima, but they are options, so look around for those
you want. Here are a few; 4WD,
alloy
wheels, overdrive
(auto), ABS
(standard post 1996),
adjustable
steering column,
ultrasound parking aid, electric windows,
raised
glass roof, rear
spoiler, roof
rails, dual moon roof with blinds (manual front,
electric
rear), middle
row captains chairs,
servo
assisted door closing,
central
locking, cruise
control, ECT
switch (power and normal),
airbags,
climate
control dual
air conditioning,
cup
holders,
electric curtains,
picnic
table, hot/cold box,
and
television.
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Driving
and owning
As you get into the
driver seat the prominent air-conditioning array really hits you...
it's space age. The
rest is simplicity, clean lines, sloping, sweeping dash. Low on
drivers door are the controls for central locking, mirrors, windows,
moon roof lock and further down is the handbrake.
The automatic gearbox is controlled by an
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‘on the tree’ lever, a small breakdown flare at the feet of the
front passenger is another odd feature. Behind the driver there
is good room for the passengers, the rake of the velour/tweed seats
is adjustable and small adjustable headrests make them quite comfortable.
Passengers are well looked after with their own sliding sunroof
and air-conditioning controls with an array of vents. They also
get ashtrays,
storage bins and a rear high mounted clock can be viewed by all.
Distinctive exterior fitments include a rear parking mirror, the
front light array and long wipers, which reach over from the left
of the vehicle - features which are quite different to the Tarago.
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Importdriver's
choice
No
choice between the Lucida and Emina, differences here are merely
cosmetic, neither is higher spec. So, is it one of these or a Tarago?
With each being around the same price, it’s a decision between levels
of equipment and between petrol or turbo diesel. You can have the
Tarago with some niceties, the range topping ‘Ultima’ has; ABS,
alloys, central locking, cruise, airbag, sunroofs, power steering
and spoiler, although these are still much more expensive than ‘cooking’
models. The choice then is fuel, and with fuel prices as they are,
we chose economy… we choose diesel and Estima.
Many
thanks to 'Just Jap Auto Imports' in Kirrawee for providing
us with our test vehicle. Contact them on 02.9545.0532
or
Just
Jap.com
Recommended
Reading
http://uktoyotaestimasite.tripod.com/
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