Stock #6426
Exterior Overview
Toyota can design a people mover with the best of them, and this 1997 HiAce Regius is one heck of a clean example. Finished in a fresh coat of Silver Flair (WA251F), this hauler is set off by refinished 15″ aftermarket alloys, some classy privacy tint, bespoke vinyl accents, and a set of factory rainguards. Aside from a few light dings and minor imperfections, the body is in good nick and this eight-seater is fresh off a recent service. Offered with only 71k verified and documented miles on the clock, this turbodiesel model is barely broken in, and is beloved for its trademark efficiency and its whopping torque output. Ideal for year-round use, with its FullTime 4WD, this Japanese Classic would make for a unique and useful daily driver, fun family hauler, or cool weekend cruiser. Reliable, inexpensive to operate, safe, and filled with premium materials, this terrific Toyota is a van for the ages!
Interior Overview
This cabin is massive and has loads of space for family, friends, storage and activities. The dashboard is sloped, providing a wide view of the road ahead and this HiAce is equipped with a larger front crash structure than its cabover stablemate. Dual SRS airbags are standard, and add some peace of mind when traveling at speed. The dashboard lacks any cracking or fading and the center stack is close by, within arms reach of the front occupants. A simple-to-use digital dual-zone climate system supplies cold A/C and piping hot heat to the cabin. If those aboard prefer more natural ventilation, the front windows power down, the side glass pops outward to vent, and two large moonroofs dot the roof. The front unit is manually powered and tilts upward, and the rear panoramic unit slides back with the press of a button, for a convertible-like experience. Power folding mirrors and power locks function just as they should and make daily use more enjoyable. For longer drives the seats are soft and supportive. Upholstered in a gray cloth, the two front captains chairs have integrated armrests and can swivel 180 degrees to face rearward. The large sliding door opens wide for easy rear entry and soft closes when left ajar to ensure the battery doesn’t go flat. The middle row seats slide fore and after and swivel rearward, too. The soft cloth lacks any major rips or tears but we did want to note some staining on the middle and rear rows. The Kenwood audio system includes Bluetooth, however, we did want to note limited stateside functionality. The rear hatch opens tall, to about six feet, and the rear of this HiAce includes additional stowage. Other upgrades include a backup camera and even the OEM carpeted floor mats are on hand to protect the floor liners against future spills or stains.
Mechanical Overview
Designed with a longer wheelbase than the standard cabover HiAce, this Touring model is a good fit for our domestic roadways. The 1KZ-TE under the bonnet is a legendary mill, beloved for its hardiness, power output, and fuel economy. The 3.0L whirrs to life care of a new 12v battery and runs seamlessly thanks to a new engine air filter and a new fuel filter. To keep all the electronics properly powered and under hood squeaks to a minimum, we installed a new set of accessory belts. One of our trained techs refreshed the 1K with a new valve cover gasket and half-moon seals, and she runs right as rain. Power is fed through a stout automatic gearbox and funneled through a FullTime 4WD system. New front CV boots were installed to put the power to the ground and acceleration is impressive for a van of this size. The long wheelbase distributes uneven pavement nicely. The lower control arms and new front struts improve the ride and the soft suspension insulates the cabin nicely from potholes and things of the sort. The power steering is light and on point and new front sway bar links were installed before we mounted and balanced four new tires. The new Toyo all-terrain rubber quells road noise and will last for tens of thousands of miles to come.
*California Residents: In order to register a Grey Market vehicle in the state of California then it will have to be made CARB compliant first. CARB certifications will have to be performed within the state. Depending on the vehicle and any existing modifications will affect the pricing. Typically CARB compliance will range between 5-10K. Additional information can be found on the California Air Resources Board website.
