I love my Hiace but wouldn't like to spend a week in rainy weather in it. Room for a porta potti but no room for shower, mine isn't a commuter though. My Hiace is my everyday vehicle.
I couldn't use a coaster as my only vehicle, too large, I must have auto and they are scarce and seem to be late models only in coasters and quite expensive.
A commuter could be a good compromise but not a lot of campervans around, second hand. Also you can't use most undercover carparks.
-- Edited by jetj on Friday 15th of June 2012 08:26:10 PM
AmandaJayne said
09:52 PM Jun 15, 2012
We love our coaster, its short based one so it fits into normal carparking spots with a little over hang, nothing much :) We don't have a shower inside but have an instant gas one with a pop up tent and a water pump so the showers are wonderful on those bush stops... in the two months we were away this time we only went to caravan parks for one night in Kambalda mainly to do our washing... and again near wave rock to hide from the stormy weather. It has everything we want in there and is very comfortable..... its a diesel 7k a litre, its an older model 3b 1980 something, am too lazy to go look it up atm LOL so it's a little slower than the turbo fitted ones especailly up hill.... it sits comfy on 80-90 and honestly we don't really want to go any faster. We are back home now to repair our roof (of our home) and to pop another solar panel on the roof (of the bus), then we're off for the 'big lap'. You can pull a small car behind it as I've seen plenty do but we figure that with the exp[ense of buying a car etc up against using the money for fuel to go sight seeing..... we decided not to get the car. Then if we are sightseeing and like a spot we can stay there with out having to go back to get a parked bus.
-- Edited by AmandaJayne on Friday 15th of June 2012 09:54:15 PM
I had a chance to look at a mid 90's toyota coaster the other day at
our local avan, I can se the appeal why they are used alot by grey nomads and travelers alike, this one is $27ooo, wasnt sure on the k's but had deisel engine, it would be a good size for me if i could ever aford something like that one day, rather than having the big motor home of ours, if i ever did my own travelling, and i wonder if you could tow a small car behind it..
this one had a small shower, toilet in it ,
after looking at that the typical camper van looks abit small..
but depends what i can do, one day.. just dreaming but thought id share these pics
hope there ok and just gives some one something to dream about, oh do these ever come in auto or are they pretty rare and i wonder how the deisel is with fuel prices ...
any ways feel free to dream on
Happywanderer said
12:31 AM Jun 16, 2012
If I ever won Lotto that is what I would like too milo, and yes you can tow a little car behind it. There was one parked next to me last night which had a trailer with a little car on.
Dougwe said
01:36 AM Jun 16, 2012
I hate tp pick you up Milo but that is a Mazda (I think T35), nice unit but in my opinion a Coaster Short or long wheel Base would be better.
I still love my Avan. I noticed one in the background.
Beth54 said
01:47 AM Jun 16, 2012
I looked at a friends Toyota Commuter Hi-Top the other day. I think I'd prefer that size. It's in between the HiAce and the Coaster.
The Toyota Commuter is a very nice unit as well Beth and very reliable. I had 8 commuter buses an 3 Coasters under my control for 17 years and not one had any problems, mind you they got changed over every 40,000 Km, which was company policy. I actually know where 4 ended up and the people still have them and are still problem free, just showing a bit of age on the outside.
Beth54 said
02:01 AM Jun 16, 2012
Sometimes I wish I'd gone that way instead of what I have.
Too late now, money's gone!
03_troopy said
02:13 AM Jun 16, 2012
I've only got Tooheys and Guinness coasters...
Beth54 said
03:18 AM Jun 16, 2012
03_troopy wrote:
I've only got Tooheys and Guinness coasters...
kiwijims said
07:44 AM Jun 16, 2012
Hi Guys & Gals,
We're glad there are some other folks around who like the Coasters.
We have a rather old 77 model ( OL BLUE ) but, after spending a heap of $$$ on her over the last couple of years, we are now ready to head East from Perth to SA & Vic in a few weeks time.
We have fitted just about everything that is required for a long stop in bush camps as much as possible, there is a shower cubical, separate toilet, a new hot water system, new Micro wave, Rear air-con, two long running single beds, "Oh" and also the washing machine.
We will be carrying 125lt of drinking water, 70lt of petrol and 80lt of LPG.
I have removed the rear boot lid and extended the boot to carry a 4.4 kva Genny plus an extra gas bottle.
The Coaster has a 4 cylinder petrol motor and runs on LPG as well, with two tanks full of fuel we get well over 800 km.
This trip I will be towing a small trailer which carries an extra 100 lt of fuel, plus spares, tires and the usual, extra cloths, BBQ, and awnings.
here are a few pic's on our "Castle on the road"
See you all on the road, some-where, some-time.
kiwijims
milo said
08:00 AM Jun 16, 2012
That's a nice set up kiwijims!!!!
kiwijims said
04:19 PM Jun 16, 2012
Howdy Milo, We have done further changes to the Coaster since those photos were taken, Mainly, given it a good clean up and added a H.D. T.V. which sits on a swivel arm beside the oven,
plus a reversing camera, very handy in a bus this size.
The Coaster isn't new by any means, but we like it as its functional and has all we want to be comfortable in, for a long road trip.
kiwijims
Beth54 said
05:08 PM Jun 16, 2012
That looks great kiwijims!
beiffe said
05:13 PM Jun 16, 2012
Hi the bus is in fact a MAZDA T3500. 3500 is the cc of the motor and is a normal aspirated diesel engine. I have just sold mine very cheap to move up to my new bus a Hino Rainbow.
Was not able to advertise her here so sorry I could not let you all know it was on the market but I sold for just over 1/3 of the price stated for this one. Mine was fully set up for full time camping with batteries and solar and mine pulled a 7 x 4 trailer weighing nearly 1.4 tonnes (my shed)
Would recommend for anyone who is happy with the size of the Mazda and Coasters to give them serious consideration.
I changed as I wanted a bit more power for the trailer and I also wanted to change some of the ways I traveled and also I was about to get involved in a experiment and I felt it would fit both needs. I am really happy with my new bus and what I can now do that I was restricted in the Mazda. Nothing to do with the bus but the desire for more driving power, more available battery power and the method to charge it, more fridge space and the ability to do many of the things we all wish such as to be able to make a good coffee and run a few things that the experts said I could not.
Keep looking Milo something will come up and you will not be able to let it go.
Regards Brian
jimbo said
09:13 PM Jun 16, 2012
I hope they do not have any rust under the Awning...Because that is where it is if any..Mines an 1983 Model Coaster I have just finished Clearing out my rust..I'll never get it all though....At Least it does'nt leak....I should be heading North Mid July
jetj said
10:02 PM Jun 16, 2012
Kiwijims, I love your pics and your coaster, looks great for travelling.
I was wondering what the Mazdas were like in comparisons to the Coasters?
Cropper said
10:20 PM Jun 16, 2012
I've been looking at different options too, had a look at one Toyota Commuter but it was too low for me inside, I would have to stoop unless I had it made into a pop top.
The rear A/C only works while the vehicle is moving so no good for when stationary on 240V, unless the ducting could be used in conjunction and modified for a 240V A/C unit.
May suit a shorter person though without a pop top....
Travel Bug said
02:17 AM Jun 17, 2012
Kiwijims: Love your Coaster!! ___________________________________________________________
Beth: A Commuter with a 3 Ltr diesel motor...how good is that!! ______________________________________________________________
Cropper: I have no trouble standing up in my Commuter...I am 165 cms. (just under 5 feet 5 inches). It probably wouldn't suit anyone too tall though. ____________________________________________________________
Cropper: I have no trouble standing up in my Commuter...I am 165 cms. (just under 5 feet 5 inches). It probably wouldn't suit anyone too tall though. ____________________________________________________________
Sounds just right for you Pam, I know the one I looked at was just a bit too low for me, but I have seen one with a pop top so for tall people that may be the solution....
kiwijims said
12:37 AM Jun 18, 2012
Sitting right outside the Coaster, beside the Ocean with a fishing rod in one hand and a coldie in the other,
Watching the sun set on a calm warm evening.
" How Good Is That " ?????
kiwijims
Travel Bug said
08:11 PM Jun 19, 2012
Hi Beth and Marj,
It is a Hi Ace Commuter. The reason it has a higher roof is because they were built as a 12 seater bus. The roof isn't as high as a HiTop.
Because of being a bus, they also have a SLWB (super long wheel base).
I can stand up in mine...but as I said in a previous post...that wouldn't be the case for anyone who is very tall. I am 165 cms...just under 5 feet 5 inches in the old money.
Cheers.
-- Edited by Travel Bug on Tuesday 19th of June 2012 08:15:31 PM
Cropper said
10:38 PM Jun 19, 2012
Sounds great.....hope I will be doing the same in the not too distant future.
Someone mentioned High Ace commuters, here is another one for sale on Trading post;
I thought the HiAce and Commuter were two different vehicles, the HiAce being the smaller one like Marj's. Or do they mean Hi-top Commuter?
Happywanderer said
01:36 AM Jun 20, 2012
Thats got to be a HiTop Beth, not like any HiAce I've seen.
Cruising Granny said
03:45 AM Jun 20, 2012
The Hi-Ace Commuters are popular with government vehicles. I've seen a few at the SA auction yards where they sell of ex govvy vehicles. They are used as buses on mine sites and patient transport, people moving taxis, and mobile homes. Bigger than the standard Hi-Ace, smaller than the Coaster, but still a Toyota. It's always a personal choice. Happy choosing.
Cropper said
04:37 AM Jun 20, 2012
Travel Bug wrote:
Hi Beth and Marj,
It is a Hi Ace Commuter. The reason it has a higher roof is because they were built as a 12 seater bus. The roof isn't as high as a HiTop.
Because of being a bus, they also have a SLWB (super long wheel base).
I can stand up in mine...but as I said in a previous post...that wouldn't be the case for anyone who is very tall. I am 165 cms...just under 5 feet 5 inches in the old money.
Cheers.
Spot on TB, here is the Toyota site showing the Hi Ace Commuter bus;
I love my Hiace but wouldn't like to spend a week in rainy weather in it. Room for a porta potti but no room for shower, mine isn't a commuter though. My Hiace is my everyday vehicle.
I couldn't use a coaster as my only vehicle, too large, I must have auto and they are scarce and seem to be late models only in coasters and quite expensive.
A commuter could be a good compromise but not a lot of campervans around, second hand. Also you can't use most undercover carparks.
-- Edited by jetj on Friday 15th of June 2012 08:26:10 PM
We love our coaster, its short based one so it fits into normal carparking spots with a little over hang, nothing much :) We don't have a shower inside but have an instant gas one with a pop up tent and a water pump so the showers are wonderful on those bush stops... in the two months we were away this time we only went to caravan parks for one night in Kambalda mainly to do our washing... and again near wave rock to hide from the stormy weather. It has everything we want in there and is very comfortable..... its a diesel 7k a litre, its an older model 3b 1980 something, am too lazy to go look it up atm LOL so it's a little slower than the turbo fitted ones especailly up hill.... it sits comfy on 80-90 and honestly we don't really want to go any faster. We are back home now to repair our roof (of our home) and to pop another solar panel on the roof (of the bus), then we're off for the 'big lap'. You can pull a small car behind it as I've seen plenty do but we figure that with the exp[ense of buying a car etc up against using the money for fuel to go sight seeing..... we decided not to get the car. Then if we are sightseeing and like a spot we can stay there with out having to go back to get a parked bus.
-- Edited by AmandaJayne on Friday 15th of June 2012 09:54:15 PM
I had a chance to look at a mid 90's toyota coaster the other day at
our local avan, I can se the appeal why they are used alot by grey nomads and travelers alike, this one is $27ooo, wasnt sure on the k's but had deisel engine, it would be a good size for me if i could ever aford something like that one day, rather than having the big motor home of ours, if i ever did my own travelling, and i wonder if you could tow a small car behind it..
this one had a small shower, toilet in it ,
after looking at that the typical camper van looks abit small..
but depends what i can do, one day.. just dreaming but thought id share these pics
hope there ok and just gives some one something to dream about, oh do these ever come in auto or are they pretty rare and i wonder how the deisel is with fuel prices ...
any ways feel free to dream on
I still love my Avan. I noticed one in the background.
I looked at a friends Toyota Commuter Hi-Top the other day. I think I'd prefer that size. It's in between the HiAce and the Coaster.
http://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/buy/details.aspx?_N=1549+1552+1602+1601+4294965342+4294959408&R=11491965
Sometimes I wish I'd gone that way instead of what I have.
Too late now, money's gone!
Hi Guys & Gals,
We're glad there are some other folks around who like the Coasters.
We have a rather old 77 model ( OL BLUE ) but, after spending a heap of $$$ on her over the last couple of years, we are now ready to head East from Perth to SA & Vic in a few weeks time.
We have fitted just about everything that is required for a long stop in bush camps as much as possible, there is a shower cubical, separate toilet, a new hot water system, new Micro wave, Rear air-con, two long running single beds, "Oh" and also the washing machine.
We will be carrying 125lt of drinking water, 70lt of petrol and 80lt of LPG.
I have removed the rear boot lid and extended the boot to carry a 4.4 kva Genny plus an extra gas bottle.
The Coaster has a 4 cylinder petrol motor and runs on LPG as well, with two tanks full of fuel we get well over 800 km.
This trip I will be towing a small trailer which carries an extra 100 lt of fuel, plus spares, tires and the usual, extra cloths, BBQ, and awnings.
here are a few pic's on our "Castle on the road"
See you all on the road, some-where, some-time.
kiwijims
Howdy Milo,
We have done further changes to the Coaster since those photos were taken,
Mainly, given it a good clean up and added a H.D. T.V. which sits on a swivel arm beside the oven,
plus a reversing camera, very handy in a bus this size.
The Coaster isn't new by any means, but we like it as its functional and has all we want to be comfortable in, for a long road trip.
kiwijims
That looks great kiwijims!
Was not able to advertise her here so sorry I could not let you all know it was on the market but I sold for just over 1/3 of the price stated for this one. Mine was fully set up for full time camping with batteries and solar and mine pulled a 7 x 4 trailer weighing nearly 1.4 tonnes (my shed)
Would recommend for anyone who is happy with the size of the Mazda and Coasters to give them serious consideration.
I changed as I wanted a bit more power for the trailer and I also wanted to change some of the ways I traveled and also I was about to get involved in a experiment and I felt it would fit both needs. I am really happy with my new bus and what I can now do that I was restricted in the Mazda. Nothing to do with the bus but the desire for more driving power, more available battery power and the method to charge it, more fridge space and the ability to do many of the things we all wish such as to be able to make a good coffee and run a few things that the experts said I could not.
Keep looking Milo something will come up and you will not be able to let it go.
Regards
Brian
I hope they do not have any rust under the Awning...Because that is where it is if any..Mines an 1983 Model Coaster I have just finished Clearing out my rust..I'll never get it all though....At Least it does'nt leak....I should be heading North Mid July
I love your pics and your coaster, looks great for travelling.
I was wondering what the Mazdas were like in comparisons to the Coasters?
I've been looking at different options too, had a look at one Toyota Commuter but it was too low for me inside, I would have to stoop unless I had it made into a pop top.
The rear A/C only works while the vehicle is moving so no good for when stationary on 240V, unless the ducting could be used in conjunction and modified for a 240V A/C unit.
May suit a shorter person though without a pop top....
Kiwijims:
Love your Coaster!!
___________________________________________________________
Beth:
A Commuter with a 3 Ltr diesel motor...how good is that!!
______________________________________________________________
Cropper:
I have no trouble standing up in my Commuter...I am 165 cms. (just under 5 feet 5 inches). It probably wouldn't suit anyone too tall though.
____________________________________________________________
Very good Pam!
Sounds just right for you Pam, I know the one I looked at was just a bit too low for me, but I have seen one with a pop top so for tall people that may be the solution....
Sitting right outside the Coaster, beside the Ocean with a fishing rod in one hand and a coldie in the other,
Watching the sun set on a calm warm evening.
" How Good Is That " ?????
kiwijims
Hi Beth and Marj,
It is a Hi Ace Commuter. The reason it has a higher roof is because they were built as a 12 seater bus. The roof isn't as high as a HiTop.
Because of being a bus, they also have a SLWB (super long wheel base).
I can stand up in mine...but as I said in a previous post...that wouldn't be the case for anyone who is very tall. I am 165 cms...just under 5 feet 5 inches in the old money.
Cheers.
-- Edited by Travel Bug on Tuesday 19th of June 2012 08:15:31 PM
Sounds great.....hope I will be doing the same in the not too distant future.
Someone mentioned High Ace commuters, here is another one for sale on Trading post;
http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Automotive/Caravans/AdNumber=TP005270220
I thought the HiAce and Commuter were two different vehicles, the HiAce being the smaller one like Marj's. Or do they mean Hi-top Commuter?
They are used as buses on mine sites and patient transport, people moving taxis, and mobile homes. Bigger than the standard Hi-Ace, smaller than the Coaster, but still a Toyota.
It's always a personal choice. Happy choosing.
Spot on TB, here is the Toyota site showing the Hi Ace Commuter bus;
http://www.toyota.com.au/hiace/gallery?WT.ac=Gallery#item-images-tab-1-hiace_commuter_bus_rear_view
Wow! I didn't realise there were so many varieties.
Thanks for the clarifications boys & girls.
now it's yours milo