I am in need of some advice, please.

I'm interested in the above...did think I was onto a good thing for a conversion.

BUT, a salesman said Japanese used vehicles haven't been serviced regularly and I

could end up with one which needs a new motor, abt $8000 for a deisel...so he said.

I've heard measure twice, cut once so this is in that vein !!!

I'm doing the homework, they seem to be reasonable prices and under 100k's.

The commuters are abt 12"/200mm longer and also have the high top which is a good

height for me. I'm interested in having something that will be safe to drive, can't

ring nrma around the black stump.

Thanks guys in anticipation

Robyn

I'm inclined to think that buying any "grey import" vehicle would be a brave decision.

I dont know why the japanese would be any less likely to service their vehicles. I lived there for 3 years in the 80's. The reason they get rid of their cars early is because of "shaken", which is a government inspection for vehicles I think over 3 years old. The government inspect them and then fix anything that needs fixing so it can be very expensive. I had a toyota town ace when we were there but as I was, at the time in the Australian Diplomatic Service I was not subject to "shaken". I got it for a song and on sold it to another member of the embassy. But that said, it is still very much a matter of caveat emptor...

Thank you for your replies,
if it's negative can you say why please
thanks for your interesting imput petengail, it's amazing what diversity of folk and pasts are here.

In aus they have usually been round the lap twice got 2oo,ook+ and they want $25ooo if they've been converted.

I thought to do my own.
First remove extra seats...maybe someone on ebay may buy them.
Mr Ply can make a light cupboard or 2 or however many I fancy  to the size needed, I can paint, I'm over laquered/stained wooden kitchens.
I can buy a smaller compressor fridge with upward opening door.

Chatted to the auto electrician re electrics after he's put the caravan plug in, have to get a house electrician to do inside van, then back to auto guy re extra battery AGM type but that would be later after a few try outs.

DD friends' Dad does conversions...to far away, but he sent a message it shouldn't be more than $5ooo. I have a neighbour who is retired and he would give me a hand...he has a kind wife...and I don't take advantage.

All this has certainly given me something to become excited about, make new plans, Mum might not be around all the time when she finishes work, haha maybe I'm more independant than they thought.

Cheers
Robyn

I was warned against Imports by a friend who was a car-dealer for quite a long time, because he says you have a problem getting parts. I can't remember why he said it was a problem, but I ended up buying my '98 Hi-ace from a CMCA member about 4 years ago , and have not had any trouble, let alone needed parts.

Cheers,
Sheba.

-- Edited by Sheba on Tuesday 8th of June 2010 04:42:11 PM

I am interested to see what you finally decide on as I'm looking at the same size camper. Hadn't thought of a Jap import, and not sure about the costs for a conversion. Would it end up costing you a lot less than finding one here. I know NZ have a lot of jap imports, all my relatives drive imported vehicles over there and no complaints. Why would it be a problem getting spare parts, they are still Toyota. I can't see the problem.

If it's a "Grey Import" it doesn't come up to Australian Standards apparently, and my friend say that they put a lot of miles on them quickly, and sell them as soon as they can. CHeers, Sheba.

The countries of south east asia are full of second hand Japanese imports for the reasons I mentioned above. Standards I dont really know about but i do know, albeit in the 80's that friends imported them to Australia. As for a lot of miles, no way, they dispose of their vehicles at abouty 40,000 miles its a small island chain, traffic is heavy, but the drivers are charming. Never see courtesy like that in say Malaysia... Pakistan, America, nor for that matter here... dont want to get off topic but... ah well why not.....

Hi Robyn, Just thought you might like to see what is available here in Brisbane. http://www.motorhomesoz.com.au/home.html I have looked at these and they seem to be good value I think they will do a conversion on your supplied van if you wish I have no interest in this company, but just thought it may give you some ideas Good Luck Reg

Hi Robyn
I was looking into buying a grey import  Toyota Hiace Camper early last year.  Did a bit of sleuthing and asked lots of questions. 
 
Spoke to people who owned or had owned them.
The Toyota Hiace seemed to be no problem spares wise  or getting services done. Other than Toyota dealers might refuse to do a service. But no problem with most other service places. The 4x4   Hiace camper I am not sure of parts for those, as I did not manage to find anyone who had one that had failed in the Transmission gear.
But it must happen !!!
 
Did hear that panels might present difficulties if you damage any.

Freinds in Noosa    had a Hiace grey import,  they converted to a camper, and no hassle with that.
 They sold it three years ago and bought a Toyota Hilux Surf  grey import which they  still have and use daily. They love their SURF.     Never any problems with it so far, nor servicing or parts issues. They go off road a lot.   We were there with them last month. I asked the question about spares, and they were surprised I had asked !! 

Awfull lot of  Mitsubishi Delica 4X4's around. They are grey imports !!
(How to you pronounce  that.  "DELEEKA"  "DELISHA" or "DELEESHA")
Have asked various Delica owners how they go for parts and servicing.  They all say "no probs",    but these are nearly alway casual conversations in supermarket car parks or similar places.
 
Our insurance company, RAC  (W.A.) said they do not insure  grey imports.  Said we might have problems with spares, thats why they dont insure grey imports.
 Might be worth phoning around to find who does insure them.
I felt confident that I would eventually  get one.

We eventually  found a Hiace Diesel camper localy which filled our needs, so never got around to buying a grey import.

By the way a Toyota diesel engine, well maintained with 200,000 Klm on the clock is still only half way through its lifespan. 500,000 Klm is not uncommon.
Talking to a just retired Melbourne courier recently. He was saying his last vehicle, a   KIA Preggio diesel Had 387,000 Klm's on the clock and was still running beutifully when he sold it. "Best van he'd ever owned" Courier work is all stop start driving as well, which is hard on engines. 
 

I think all import vehicles that come into Australia or NZ have to comply with the standards otherwise you cant register them.

Good luck with your  search for your ideal van.
Also with your conversion.  Keep us informed on your progress.

Oh  and  if you install gas for cooking make sure it's done correctly. 
Gas can be a killer in a confined space. 

Regards
Mike and Ellie


-- Edited by elliemike on Tuesday 8th of June 2010 11:22:15 PM

-- Edited by elliemike on Tuesday 8th of June 2010 11:23:58 PM

Don't gas installations have to be done (or at least signed off) by a licensed gas installer?????

Thanks everyone for your replies, they are so very much appreciated.

No gas installed IF I use it will be just with a little barbie outside
.
All I am seeing are Hiace everywhere I look, never noticed so many before, including transporting as school taxis, ( I work with kids with an intellectual disability ) Are all deisel Toyotas grey imports?
As they have ALL done less than 100,000km the grey imports I mean.
Don't imagine there is much off road driving in Japan, most roads would be sealed.
I thought I can drive many kms and then sell it and buy another hatchback with the money to carry me and my walking stick, the one you can attach to a lanyard, so I don't drop/lose it or maybe a push along seat down to play Bingo/shop for my bit of grocery, maybe meals on wheels by then.
Cheers
Robyn

-- Edited by countryroad on Wednesday 9th of June 2010 08:51:09 AM

-- Edited by countryroad on Wednesday 9th of June 2010 08:59:23 AM

Hi Robyn, I won't have gas in mine. Gave the stove and bottles to a nephew. I just use a small gas stove with Butane canisters. If I ever need to use Caravan Parks I'll take the Turbo Oven. At the moment, I don't do a lot of cooking when I'm on the road. Live mostly on salads. Use the stove mainly for making Coffee. Save time and gas by filling a thermos pot whenever I have to boil the kettle again. To make plenty of storage without having to disrupt the bed, I made it into a 3/4 bed, bought 4 sets of plastic drawer units from the Warehouse, and they fit nicely along one side. Cheers, Sheba.

Gas installations are reasonably "fail safe" if installed correctly and by a registered gas fitter.      That is, as per the Australian Standards. 
 Also the routine of closing the valve on the cylinder as soon as you have finished using the Stove top or Fridge running on gas.
 
But  a bottle or canister carried inside the vehicle is not at all safe.
(That is,      not carried in a externaly vented cabinet or container)
 

Was travelling with a friend last year  They refilled a gas cylinder when we stopped for fuel.  They put the cylinder  inside the van, meaning to  stow it in the external cabinet  later at our lunch stop. It was secure and could not move. But the valve must have been knocked open slightly. Luckily no harm done. But!!   
 
Does not take much of a spark to light it up.  Nor does it take much to put you to sleep.
We have gas in the van. But prefer to cook outside. Carry two cylinders. Both externaly mounted and vented. 
Regards
Mike

Thanks to everyone for their thought provoking replies Cheers Robyn