Stock #6916
Exterior Overview
There was once a time when a proper station wagon was another member of the family. We don’t know where things went wrong, but luckily the spirit of the segment lives on with unique, stylish, and functional imports like this 2000 Crown Estate. One of the best Toyotas we never received, these Crowns are comfortable, packed full of utility, and make dependable daily drivers thanks to overall ease of service. Finished in White Pearl/Silver (2FQ), this wagon is a looker, set off by a factory optional 3 piece aero kit, an OEM rear hatch spoiler, and OEM rainguards. Best of all, the 58k miles on the clock are verified, documented, and indicate this fabulous estate is barely broken in. Fresh off a recent service, this Crown is everything you’d want out of a daily-use vehicle. Ideal for family oriented folks, passionate Toyota enthusiasts, and everything in between, a Crown in this condition is a once in a lifetime Japanese Classic!
Interior Overview
Set aside its handsome styling and staunch Toyota reliability, and you’re left with an interior that’s surprisingly spacious, downright comfortable, and intuitive to live with, even well into the 21st century. Standard equipment like dual front and side SRS airbags helps the family feel at ease, and for runs to the hardware store, the rear seats can fold fully flat to almost double cargo capacity. It’s also well crafted, with durable tan cloth upholstery that shows no discernible rips stains or tears. The dash is free of lifting or peeling, and we only have good things to say about the design of the center stack. OEM audio is easy to operate, and mounted adjacent to dual zone automatic climate control. The driver benefits from power adjustable seating, and a tilt adjustable steering column to find the perfect piloting position. Power windows, locks, and folding side mirrors work like a charm, and for those who prefer a fresh breeze, an expansive power moonroof can unfurl at the push of a button. The headliner surrounding it is clean, as is the remaining upholstery inside. Even the original carpeted floor mats have resisted excess wear and tear. In fact, we find it really hard to nitpick this cabin overall, save for some. As a whole, we find it to be the perfect blend of luxury and utility, and to help the next owner, even the original owner’s manual and retractable cargo shade were retained.
Mechanical Overview
Under the hood is an oddball engine that we never received here in the States. Derived from Toyota’s JZ platform, the 2JZ-FSE powering this estate is peppy, frugal on fuel, and easy to service overall. Best of all, we’ve taken care of some useful preventative maintenance, including a comprehensive timing belt and water pump job. A new 12v battery was installed to aid ignition, and we installed a new engine air filter to help the direct-injected JZ breathe easier. While the I-6 was torn down for its timing belt service, we installed a new serpentine belt, belt idler pulley, and six new spark plugs to aid combustion. The coolant was flushed, too, and won’t need to be done for another 4 years. We also addressed a leaking valve cover gasket and performed an oil and filter service to make the most of all the good maintenance performed. Peppy and responsive, this wagon has excellent driving dynamics, and power is sent straight to an automatic gearbox that makes good use of the powerband. With a stable rear wheel drive layout, highway cruising is comfortable, thanks to the Crown’s long wheelbase. To keep the stock suspension comfortable and compliant, we installed new front tension rods. This estate passed state inspection with flying colors, and the rest of the drivetrain is in ship shape. The power steering is light and easy to dart about, and the ABS brakes grab with authority. The stock alloys are wrapped in Goodyear rubber, and after a fresh four-wheel alignment, you’ll track dead straight in this Japanese Classic and look good doing it!
*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.
