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| Toyota
Townace - Not the Master-ace |
Toyota's
smaller people mover is packed with gadgets and features, but the
Town Ace and oddly named variant, the 'Master Ace' are unlikely contenders
for world domination.
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What
you get
Two
litre, 4 cyl. turbo diesel engine, electric windows, assorted sunroof
panels, air conditioning with separate rear control, power steering,
central locking, curtains, optional hot or cool box for making ice
or keeping food hot. Folding rear seats to free up load space or
make a bed. Seven seats (late models 8) or a 6 seater 'Royale Lounge'
with more space and luxury upholstery.
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Driving
and Owning
Thanks
to Steve Ford Elliott at Townace Nutters UK for his 'Townie' review...
"Car
owned; 1991 Townace 2.0 TD, auto, 2WD, eight seater.
Performance: top speed 85 mph power 67 bhp (yes I didn't believe
it either till I saw it written down) 0-60 about 25 seconds or so,
fuel consumption about 25 mpg town driving, 34 on motorway cruise
at 60 mph.
The
comments on reliability will be fairly universal I think from correspondence
- weakest point is the cooling system. Radiator on any 2nd hand
Jap import Townace should be pressure tested and replaced/recored
if defective (many are).
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If
you don't do this you run a serious risk of an expensive overheat/head
gasket failure, head warp, rebuild, in that order.
Many people also report failing viscous coupling on cooling fan drive;
again better fixed early before the engine overheats (symptom is a
car which stays cool at high speed then overheats in town). Otherwise
in 3 years of use the car's been reliable with only minor piffles
like one electric window packing up (easily fixed).
It's easy to drive and park in town with excellent all round vision
and enough pace to keep up with stop-start traffic. It's a bit more
hassle on motorways - overtaking trucks requires military planning
and a constant eye on the rear view mirror to make sure you're not
upsetting any Galaxy/Espace drivers! Usually hunts between top gear
and next down going up long hills unless you can keep rpm above 2500.
Short wheelbase makes it a bit hairy in crosswinds."
Importdrivers Choice
This
or the larger 2.2Ltr Toyota Estima with similar features/options
and only a marginally higher price tag? Take an Estima & a Delcia
for a drive before deciding. The Townace is a compact, economical
6-8 seater with everything that opens and shuts, but if you like
the idea of world (or even road) domination, look elsewhere.
Recommended Reading
Townace Nutters UK- http://freespace.virgin.net/steve.ford_elliott.townace.htm
Townace Register UK- http://website.lineone.net/~tim_lon/newpage1.html
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