I am looking at buying a Toyota coaster motor home. Has anyone got any advice.
Hi Alan.Around 1998,when I was living in Cairns,I owned one of those,but only for a short time! It was a great vehicle,but a 'friend' conned me in to loaning it to him so that he could visit his sick mother in Darwin. Being a sucker for a sob story,I eventually gave it to him,and away he went! There was no response to my attemps at contacting him,but after 3 months he called to say that he had been 'sidetracked' and was now in Port Hedland! Poor fella had run out of money,but he was very keen to return the bus to me! All he needed was some money for fuel! Perhaps the $500 that I sent to him was not quite enough for the return trip,as he didn't turn up in Cairns,and I have heard nothing from him for 20 years.Probably sold it for parts,or possibly lives in it behind a friend's house.But,back to your question,all I can say is that the Coaster is a good vehicle.Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Thursday 15th of July 2021 07:24:46 PM
maybe the most able of the motor homes for getting that bit further off the road. mine has an an old school diesel, good on fuel , could do wit a little more power but I am not in a hurry, cruise on 90kph. beware of rust where the seams are on the roof
cheeers
blaze
montie said
07:42 PM Jul 15, 2021
Alan,
Toyota Coasters have been very popular over the years for conversion to motorhomes to the point that they've become a bit of a cult vehicle.
The later 1hz diesel models are quite a good unit mechanically and you can buy the import version which is automatic or the local five speed manual version. Most are "home made" conversions and I've seen a few "innovative" designs in my time. The import versions were a bit prone to rust because of the use of salt on the Japanese highways and the local ones mainly surface rust.
Without knowing what particular model you are looking at can't offer much further advice.
PeterInSa said
08:32 PM Jul 15, 2021
I agree on the rust, would also check around the windows.
The Long wheel base versions, require a higher level licence than the ordinary car licence. A Brisbane company did conversions that looked great and over the years visited CMCA rallies, I think the company went into receivership, but their conversions would still be available second hand.
Jaahn said
09:52 AM Jul 16, 2021
Hi albro
My thoughts to add to the others. I had an older one years ago and would buy another one again ! The later model long wheelbase models are a good size IMHO. The previous models are a bit shorter and lighter and older.
BUT the age of some of them means that rust can be a problem. People like to do the beach side camping and that will promote rust in any vehicle. So rust is the worst thing to look for and the older it is the more careful. Any 30 year old vehicle needs checking! The roof seams, around the windows and the usual places. Once it gets going it is a constant job to keep it repaired in an older one. They have a chassis so no problems there.
The same age comments apply to the engine and gearbox. The older ones my have seen a lot of work and they work hard pulling a bus plus the kitchen sink around Australia. Check them out with a good mechanic. The 6 cyl engine is a good worker and the same as the Landcruiser of the same age. But nothing lasts forever flogging around the back roads of Australia so go for lower kms.
The LWB has a weight that puts it into a LR licence category but often they are derated to squeeze them under the 4500KG limit for a car licence. This can be a trap as when fully loaded for travel they might be over that and not legal. Some home made conversions can be heavy timber constructions ! Wise to do a weighbridge check on one you are interested in. It is easy enough to get your licence upgraded to LR and they drive easy too if you take it easy.
Good luck jaahn
-- Edited by Jaahn on Friday 16th of July 2021 10:00:57 AM
Warren-Pat_01 said
03:34 PM Jul 16, 2021
The Mazda 3500 wasn't a bad bus either but I think they stopped making them in the late 90s. At the time they had one safety point over the Toyota & that was a driver's door. I think rust was an issue with them too.
I find it difficult to read that you yobarr was conned out of your bus! Oce bitten, twice shy?
yobarr said
05:34 PM Jul 16, 2021
Warren-Pat_01 wrote:
The Mazda 3500 wasn't a bad bus either but I think they stopped making them in the late 90s. At the time they had one safety point over the Toyota & that was a driver's door. I think rust was an issue with them too.
I find it difficult to read that you yobarr was conned out of your bus! Oce bitten, twice shy?
Thanks,Warren,for your kind words."Once bitten,twice shy". Unfortunately,I always am a sucker for a sob story,and always try to help anyone in need. If I got back all the money I've loaned to people over the last 50 years,I'd be a rich man! Gave a 'mate' $26,000 in 2001 to start a business, and haven't seen him since.Easy to find him,but he is a bit if a shady character,and mixes with lots of 'heavies'. After all,it's only money,and they're still making it! I can only hope that,if I one day need financial help,what goes around comes around.Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Friday 16th of July 2021 05:49:58 PM
I am looking at buying a Toyota coaster motor home.
Has anyone got any advice.
Cheers Possum
Hi Alan.Around 1998,when I was living in Cairns,I owned one of those,but only for a short time! It was a great vehicle,but a 'friend' conned me in to loaning it to him so that he could visit his sick mother in Darwin. Being a sucker for a sob story,I eventually gave it to him,and away he went! There was no response to my attemps at contacting him,but after 3 months he called to say that he had been 'sidetracked' and was now in Port Hedland! Poor fella had run out of money,but he was very keen to return the bus to me! All he needed was some money for fuel! Perhaps the $500 that I sent to him was not quite enough for the return trip,as he didn't turn up in Cairns,and I have heard nothing from him for 20 years.Probably sold it for parts,or possibly lives in it behind a friend's house.But,back to your question,all I can say is that the Coaster is a good vehicle.Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Thursday 15th of July 2021 07:24:46 PM
cheeers
blaze
Alan,
Toyota Coasters have been very popular over the years for conversion to motorhomes to the point that they've become a bit of a cult vehicle.
The later 1hz diesel models are quite a good unit mechanically and you can buy the import version which is automatic or the local five speed manual version. Most are "home made" conversions and I've seen a few "innovative" designs in my time. The import versions were a bit prone to rust because of the use of salt on the Japanese highways and the local ones mainly surface rust.
Without knowing what particular model you are looking at can't offer much further advice.
The Long wheel base versions, require a higher level licence than the ordinary car licence. A Brisbane company did conversions that looked great and over the years visited CMCA rallies, I think the company went into receivership, but their conversions would still be available second hand.
Hi albro
My thoughts to add to the others. I had an older one years ago and would buy another one again ! The later model long wheelbase models are a good size IMHO. The previous models are a bit shorter and lighter and older.
BUT the age of some of them means that rust can be a problem. People like to do the beach side camping and that will promote rust in any vehicle. So rust is the worst thing to look for and the older it is the more careful. Any 30 year old vehicle needs checking! The roof seams, around the windows and the usual places. Once it gets going it is a constant job to keep it repaired in an older one. They have a chassis so no problems there.
The same age comments apply to the engine and gearbox. The older ones my have seen a lot of work and they work hard pulling a bus plus the kitchen sink around Australia. Check them out with a good mechanic. The 6 cyl engine is a good worker and the same as the Landcruiser of the same age. But nothing lasts forever flogging around the back roads of Australia so go for lower kms.
The LWB has a weight that puts it into a LR licence category but often they are derated to squeeze them under the 4500KG limit for a car licence. This can be a trap as when fully loaded for travel they might be over that and not legal. Some home made conversions can be heavy timber constructions ! Wise to do a weighbridge check on one you are interested in. It is easy enough to get your licence upgraded to LR and they drive easy too if you take it easy.
Good luck jaahn
-- Edited by Jaahn on Friday 16th of July 2021 10:00:57 AM
I find it difficult to read that you yobarr was conned out of your bus! Oce bitten, twice shy?
Thanks,Warren,for your kind words."Once bitten,twice shy". Unfortunately,I always am a sucker for a sob story,and always try to help anyone in need. If I got back all the money I've loaned to people over the last 50 years,I'd be a rich man! Gave a 'mate' $26,000 in 2001 to start a business, and haven't seen him since.Easy to find him,but he is a bit if a shady character,and mixes with lots of 'heavies'. After all,it's only money,and they're still making it! I can only hope that,if I one day need financial help,what goes around comes around.Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Friday 16th of July 2021 05:49:58 PM