Toyota Crown Hybrid

[loserone]

Alright, I've no idea if this should be in the 'MODERNS' section or not. 

 

What's the AS-collective knowledge of these things? They appear to be a modern, luxurious hybrid without being pretentious in the slightest.

 

Here's one that's been 'freshly imported':

 

http://www.thecarwarehouse.co.uk/vehicle/343/toyota-crown

 

 

Five and half large is obviously mega bucks, but surely these have to be awesome?

[Felly Magic]

If you bought it, Dollywobbler would love you forever

[loserone]

This year I've had an LS400 and a Leaf.. (as well as a 405 estate which is still kicking about somewhere)

 

I'd only need a three cylinder Malaysian hatch to complete the set, right? 

[Dave_Q]

Can't find much info about these but I think the Mild Hybrid is just a stop/start type system with no option to run on electric only.

[Bren]

Sorry but that is stunning.

 

Buy this and you can act like an extra from Black Rain.

[DodgeRover]

"Mild Hybrid" why does that have me thinking all the weight of a cast iron V8 with the power of a small capacity 4 cylinder?

[dollywobbler]

It looks like a Mazda B2000 pick-up saloon. I love it. Also, the Japanese wisely realise that leather in luxury cars is a stupid idea. I like that.

[Spottedlaurel]

Wheels look a lot like those on my Camry. Therefore it must be good.

[somewhatfoolish]

Can't find much info about these but I think the Mild Hybrid is just a stop/start type system with no option to run on electric only.

Depending on how the whirly electrickery is arranged it might be feasible to modify it to be electric only for nipping to the corner shop etc; a few folk have done the same with 1st gen Honda Insights.

[hairnet]

its stop start

 

prius style hybrid didnt happen till 2008

 

sadly

[Asimo]

See also http://autoshite.com/topic/29779-unusual-shite/ from two months ago.

[captain_70s]

Every Japanese taxi driver for 20 years can't be wrong, surely?

[somewhatfoolish]

How is stop-start any kind of hybrid? Mild in the sense of not actually hybrid at all really.

[Sheefag]

I was in love with that, right up until I saw this...

 

http://www.thecarwarehouse.co.uk/vehicle/525/mitsubishi-rosa

 

[vulgalour]

Basically the Japanese Crown Victoria this, isn't it?  Just needs seat doilies and a well dressed driver with white gloves to complete the image.

[Alan_Green]

I'd always assumed the dearth of leather on Jap imports was a Shinto/Buddhist thing.

[Eddie Honda]

Alright, I've no idea if this should be in the 'MODERNS' section or not. 

 

Load of modern toss. It's slushbox too, which whatever Junkman says (or used to say) is pants.

 

I could of forgiven you had it been:

 

[timolloyd]

These are also the standard car of choice for Hong Kong cab drivers. I've enjoyed quite a few miles in these as a passenger and often thought they'd make an alright family-wagon with wipe down interiors, and seemingly indestructible bodies. 

 

They seem to cope OK with the steep mountain roads around Hong Kong too, but for maximum authenticity you'd need 22 different phones and tablets strapped to the dash...

[5speedracer]

Retro! No, just never been jellymoulded to look modern. It's ace !!!!

 

Sent from my Redmi 4 using Tapatalk

[loserone]

Apologies for the thread duplication, I even remember that thread from two months ago - or at least, there being a reflection in a car window.

 

At least DW is consistent with the type of pick-up this must* be a saloon version of.

[jonathan_dyane]

I love these! The system is more sophisticated than basic stop/start http://media.toyota.co.uk/2001/06/toyota’s-‘mild-hybrid’-boosts-fuel-efficiency-15-per-cent/

[Negative Creep]

Must be worth it just for those seats alone. I love the c.1984 dashboard in a 2004 car as well.

[BorniteIdentity]

I'm struggling to find something that I'd like to drive daily.  Zero modern cars interest me - apart from maybe a Yeti or something a bit quirky.  These, however, are very appealing.  My wife would probably rather I spent £4k on one of these than a good 190e or something similar.

 

However, my only real concern, who the fuck do you sell it to afterwards?  ie for a reasonable price?

 

I can see me handing over £4,500 tomorrow and only getting £2k for it next year.

 

Then again, I guess that's cars.

[Asimo]

^^^^Me.

 

Nice History of the Crown Taxi here: http://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-asian/cc-global-1995-toyota-crown-comfort-japans-crown-victoria/

[DSdriver]

My first impression was that it was styled to look like a Mercedes. Did they do an estate, I would roll one of those.

[sierraman]

I’d imagine parts would be a serious problem. But then again these sort of things will run for some big miles. I like those Toyota Century’s that are up at £9k, I don’t think they’re bad for that. Serious presence on the road with those enormous wing mirrors!

[lisbon_road]

Is this lpg only by any chance?

 

Reckon that sort of hybrid is only a benefit for a taxi or something else doing stop start all day.

 

Nice though, live rear axle.....wow........

[mercrocker]

Yeah, I was very taken once I saw that diff!    This is really on the lines of something I would think of as a daily, possibly instead of our 190E.    I wish there were more of these simply-styled big RWD saloons to choose from - without acres of fake wood (I know this has that small slab) and cow trousers.   Something like a modern 2.3L Mk2 Granada for which this Toyota seems a worthy replacement.  

 

The hybrid stuff puts me off a bit though.  

[loserone]

It doesn't say it's LPG on the listing.

 

Given how many of these things there seems to be being used as taxis, I'd not be too worried about the mild hybrid stuff.

 

Check this one out from Asimo's link:

[lisbon_road]

It doesn't say lpg, perhaps as a private car it'd be petrol.

 

It also can't decide if it is 2004 or 2006, and says it is blue.

 

Still an awesome motor mind.