Stock #6305
Exterior Overview
Here at the dealership, we love the Toyota HiAce for so many reasons. It’s capable, with its Full-Time 4WD, easy on the eyes, and the cabin is filled with space and premium materials to coddle those within. This 1997 turbodiesel is a wonderful example of the van, and was spec’d with the eight-seat configuration in case you have a large family or friend group in tow. Fresh off a recent service, this Super Custom model is offered with a mere 139k verified and documented miles on the ticker. Aside from a few light scuffs, chips, and dings the Desert Dune Metallic over Silver Taupe (2BY) paint is in good nick. Accentuated by gunmetal 15″ alloy wheels and OEM rainguards, this transporter oozes style. Perfect as a daily driver, campsite cruiser, or anything in between, this is a certified Japanese Classic!
Interior Overview
The interior is spacious and nicely appointed. Toyotas designers thought of plenty of flexible seating options, such as a 180-degree swiveling middle row. The driver and passenger sit in comfort and have a panoramic view of the road ahead thanks to the cabover design. Power windows, locks, and mirrors all operate and make daily use more enjoyable. Optional dual front SRS airbags are on hand for those who may be safety conscious and this model also includes anti-lock brakes. The dashboard lacks any cracking or distortion and the center stack includes controls for the digital automatic climate control system. Rear occupants have their own dedicated controls and the system doles out cold A/C and piping hot heat. For those who prefer more natural ventilation, a suite of three moonroofs dot the roof. The front can be manually tilted and the rear can be powered up. The middle unit is massive and powers back for a convertible-like experience. Best of all the seats fold into a sleeping assembly so you can view the stars while out on a camping trip. Below the front climate screen is a touchscreen Pioneer headunit. It is sufficiently loud to drown out the kids and will aid your work commute greatly. Rarely found this HiAce includes a cooled and insulated CoolBox center console to keep your libations chilled while on the road. Time for a roadie, because this thing works like a charm! The gray upholstery is in above average shape as seat covers were installed in Japan. The material is soft to the touch and lacks any major rips, stains, or tears. The headliner and door cards are in good nick as well and the carpets have resisted major abuse over the years aside from a small home on the driver’s side footwell. We also wanted to note the power sliding door option has given up the ghost as have the power folding side mirror function. Still, at 30 years old the cabin looks impressive and even the owner’s manuals are included with the purchase.
Mechanical Overview
The mid-mounted engine lies low in the chassis, so this HiAce will corner better than you might expect. Propulsion is created by the legendary 1KZ-TE, which is fresh off an oil and filter service. A new 12v battery was installed so that this four-cylinder starts up immediately, and as we do with all our diesels, we chucked in a new fuel filter. The 3.0L is linked to a stout automatic gearbox that feeds power through a full-time 4WD system. To keep the driveline operating smoothly, one of our trained techs replaced the left rear axle seal and also replaced the transmission fluid. It accelerates well for a van and sustained highway cruising is effortless. Plenty of ground clearance is afforded by the soft suspension and we refreshed the ride with new upper control arms and a fresh alignment. The power steering is light and easy to manipulate and the short wheelbase is ideal for parking in the tight confines of a city. The brakes feel confident and new rear shoes and the wheels are wrapped in brand-new aggressive all-terrain Yokohamas. The new rubber quells road noises 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.
