Video after the jump
Think drifting's just for the kids? Silly grown-up, didn't you know that it's also something you can do with your kids? At least that's the impression we get from this vid, which features an older-gen Toyota Estima (that's "Previa" in USDM English) out shaking a tail feather with some of the more traditional drifter fare. Odd choice? Yes, but still awesome. So buy yourself a couple of these, throw the youngsters in back, and make getting sideways a family affair. It's totally responsible. No, really. Follow the jump to watch.
[Source: JPCN]
New KITT Attack Mode revealed at Comic Con
London 2008: Honda OSM concept roadster says, "Cheerio!"
London 2008: Lotus unveils the Evora
2010 Chevy Camaro - Official Details and Images
2010 Chevy Camaro - LIVE from the reveal
First Drive: Maserati Quattroporte S in Europe
First Drive: 2008 MINI Cooper S JCW
In the Autoblog Garage:2009 Nissan GT-R
North American Exclusive First Drive: Alfa MiTo
First Drive: 2009 Kia Borrego
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
psarhjinian @ Apr 9th 2008 4:43PM
I loved the Previa. For a van, it had good weight distribution, rear-drive, smart packaging and, amusingly, could be had with a stick. Where I used to live there was a nice example in contrasting flat/metallic black.
It's a pity we never got the supercharged version paired with the five-speed. It's even more of a pity that North American consumers basically went "OMFGWTFBBQDIFFERENTSCARED!!" and resulted in Toyota's replacing it with the Sienna.
2004m3driver @ Apr 9th 2008 5:05PM
I own a Previa right now for deliveries. If you get caught in a head on collision you lose your legs from what I heard. Still not wtfbbqscared!
Victor @ Apr 9th 2008 5:15PM
The Estima/Previa in 2nd and 3rd gen guise are close cousins with the US-sold Sienna. Sad to see a minivan go to a FF platform vs. the original MR. But buy doing so, crashworthiness and emergency handling (not the forte of a first gen Previa) were greatly improved. I still love the first gen Previa.
k @ Apr 9th 2008 5:43PM
my uncle owns one of the supercharged ones. unfortunately it's not a stick
n!ck @ Apr 10th 2008 7:54PM
I've been in a pretty bad front end collision in a 1994 Previa. And I still have my front legs.
I've seen the crash test video's, theres some warpage around the door frame on the previa...but not nearly as bad as a mid-late 90's ford f-150 (front engine).
My point is, having the motor in the front doesn't make your car any safer. Of course there are to be safety improvements when toyota moved from the previa to the sienna. The previa debuted in 1990, and was in production untill 1997/98 without any major updates. Comparing it to the sienna, a car made in 1998, is a little ridiculous. The improvements between the two platforms are likely due to a better understanding of frontal crashes. Not necessarily moving the motor to the front. A lot can be learned in 8 years, i.e. 2 generations on most platforms. Had Toyota kept developing the MR platform i think it would have been one of the greatest vans ever.
My friend got her feet crushed in a 1996 Pontiac Grand Am (front engine) as her boyfriend managed to drive it into the side of a store. the floor buckled and pinned her legs in between the dash and the floor.
They discontinued the MR platform of the previa because it was too costly. The car shared nothing in common with the rest of the toyota line up. Not even it's motor was shared. It's base price price balloned through the years, especially when they dropped the N/A motor from the line up.
The Toyota Previa is one of the best built vehicles that Toyota has ever produced. I am still driving that same Previa from 1994 to this day. No dash rattles, no hiccups, no nothing. 385000 km's and still ticking.
My parents have moved on and have a 2001 lexus rx300 and a 2006 lexus rx330. My dad still prefers the previa.
I own a 1990 Toyota Celica Turbo4wd (aka GT-Four, Alltrac) and I can't move into anything newer Toyota has to offer. I still daily drive the Previa. I love it.
The end of the Previa marks the end of an era for Toyota. Just like the innovative Celica GT-Four, MR2, Supra, and AE86.
Auto companies should be encouraged to innovate. Us North Americans shouldn't be so scared of change. I think we're beginning to change our outlook towards different cars. Look at all the people jumping on the hybrid bandwagon.
Its a prime time to bring back that MR Previa platform.
madgamer @ Apr 9th 2008 4:47PM
Cool video. Honda had an element they turned into a drift car that was kind of like this, it was even a similar color.
Yaroukh @ Apr 9th 2008 4:50PM
What is the white thing? Isn't it Ford Probe?
Ray @ Apr 9th 2008 4:55PM
There are two white silivas. Pop up headlights one is a 180sx. US version of the car is a 240sx.
Yaroukh @ Apr 9th 2008 4:58PM
OK, THNX Ray
SPG @ Apr 9th 2008 5:24PM
I'm a huge Previa fan, love driving my in-laws Previa.
They have the AWD model with the deluxe interior (not leather).
It's a 91 and getting worn out now but an amazing vehicle.
Never feel safe driving it though, haha.
And I've taken it on a few driving trips.
catgirlshyla @ Apr 9th 2008 5:26PM
Older than the Interwebs.
Dan @ Apr 9th 2008 5:39PM
The first car is likely a Silvia S14, and the second one is not a Silvia, it's a 180. Though the Silvia S13 and the 180 had very similar chassis, the S13 was shorter. There was also the Sil-Eighty which was a 180 rear end with a Silvia front end, but this one looked like a 180 front as well.
stefan @ Apr 9th 2008 5:43PM
The first car is a S14a silvia and the second is a kouki 180SX type X.
john @ Apr 9th 2008 5:50PM
our old family car was a previa, i hated it when i was little because i thought it looked like a big ugly whale, but miss it now. It was extremely reliable ( never had anything besides oil change etc. ) went for 230,000 miles before we gave it it charity, and got preety good gas mileage.
stefan @ Apr 9th 2008 5:52PM
Sadly the new previa is FF. But you could take a nissan elgrand its FR and has a VQ35DE. Swap a manual transmission and ad a twin turbo kit.
Otto Ingineer @ Apr 9th 2008 6:18PM
Neighbor in TX had an AWD Previa, Stick, with the supercharger...Weird guy (with several vehicles to match). Did not realize how rare it was!
RCL1221 @ Apr 9th 2008 8:09PM
IIRC, there was no AWD 5-Speed version in the US.
SSII @ Apr 9th 2008 7:51PM
Do a search on ebay for jdm previa & take a look @ that. Kinda cool.
RCL1221 @ Apr 9th 2008 8:08PM
wow. old much?
Daniel N @ Apr 9th 2008 8:14PM
The voice of the guy recording sounds like one of the drivers from Best Motoring International. I don't remember his name, but his voice is pretty distinctive. Anyways, that's a pretty unique ride, haha.