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Toyota Estima - Imported Estima vs 1.4 Sharan…or something else?!? - GrowingFamily
I’m in the market for a spacious (and reliable) used 7 seater with a budget of £12,500

Must haves are: petrol, auto, heated front seats, raised seating position OR comfortable drive (due to my disability), reversing camera, room for 2 teenagers in all of the rear 5 seats (so no Qashqai+2 for ex.) but also not as big as a van styled motor such as the Alphard or Berlingo

Would be nice: leather/half leather trim, tray tables to back of front seats, half decent mpg

After much deliberation I’ve cut it down to an imported Estima vs 1.4 Sharan - around an 11 plate or newer, with less than 100k on the clock and good history (Verso is too small, XC90 worries me with repair bills, don’t fancy a Zafira, Galaxy, S Max, Grand Picasso, or Alhambra)

Have I missed anything worth considering - such as an older X5? - and if not, which would be a better investment to try and get 6 or more years of well serviced motoring from??

Thank you for letting me tap into your combined knowledge and wisdom!!
Toyota Estima - Imported Estima vs 1.4 Sharan…or something else?!? - Adampr

If you're considering a Sharan, why not an Alhambra or Galaxy? They're essentially the same.

Toyota Estima - Imported Estima vs 1.4 Sharan…or something else?!? - Adampr

I'd also add a Mazda 5 to your list, along with a Toyota Previa (if you can find a good one).

Edited by Adampr on 10/01/2023 at 23:04

Toyota Estima - Imported Estima vs 1.4 Sharan…or something else?!? - GrowingFamily
Thanks for the suggestions - whilst I like the Mazda 5, as an auto they’re all imports (UK only produced manuals), and pound for pound the Estima feels like more of a bargain with a more spacious cabin layout for our needs with the captains chairs, and more tech with dvd player and reversing camera etc - plus the rearmost 2 seats don’t look as though teenagers would be comfy for long when sat there.

As for the Galaxy, petrol autos under £12,500 are like hen’s teeth to find (currently just one petrol manual on AutoTrader, no autos), and I’d consider an Alhambra if I had to, but again the one single petrol auto on AT is on at just shy of £16k, so the Sharan is just more readily available
Toyota Estima - Imported Estima vs 1.4 Sharan…or something else?!? - GrowingFamily
Sorry - just realised I missed a couple of ‘would be nice’ items - electric sliding rear doors would be a big plus, as would an electric tailgate (again, to help with my disability issues)

Also, I just don’t do enough miles to consider a diesel (max 9k a year), and with the age vehicle I’m looking at I don’t want/can’t afford to risk DPFs/DMFs failures

Edited by GrowingFamily on 10/01/2023 at 23:23

Toyota Estima - Imported Estima vs 1.4 Sharan…or something else?!? - Big John

Don't touch the 1.4 Sharan with the older disastrous Supercharged and turbocharged version of the EA111 engine!

The later powerful 1.4 EA211 tsi (no supercharger) cam belt version is great though.

If as you lift the bonnet you see an oil filter top / left / front of the engine above the alternator then it's the old EA111. The good EA211 was introduced circa 2011 but it took a while for it to be used throughout the VAG range.

Edited by Big John on 10/01/2023 at 23:57

Toyota Estima - Imported Estima vs 1.4 Sharan…or something else?!? - badbusdriver

whilst I like the Mazda 5, as an auto they’re all imports (UK only produced manuals),

Not the case on either count. Automatic versions were available to buy here new. And the UK did not produce any Mazda 5's, they were all made in Japan and Taiwan.

Not an awful lot of interior space though compared to a Sharan or Estima.

Toyota Estima - Imported Estima vs 1.4 Sharan…or something else?!? - nellyjak

I'm biased...it would be the Estima every time for me...luxury, build quality, reliability come as standard.

I've had my V6 Estima for 7 years now and it's never put a foot wrong.

But do try to buy from a reputable importer and I'd stay away from the mild hybrid unless you need to consider low emission zones.

Toyota Estima - Imported Estima vs 1.4 Sharan…or something else?!? - GrowingFamily

had to smile when I saw your name pop up in the comments - I've read a couple of your previous recommendations for the 3.5 version (and would be tempted by one myself if I could find a nice example, although your ULEZ comment would make me hesitate as we have family within the M25) - I also think I may have spotted you under a different name on a Toyota or Estima Owners forum (if not, there another equally keen 3.5 enthusiast spreading the word!)

I am taken with the Estima, particularly as my children would LOVE the captains chairs on the school run. I guess I'm just cautious due to their import nature, plus I really don't want a car that handles like a container ship as I drive country lanes every day - but I expect the Sharan isn't going to be leaps and bounds better in this area...?

Toyota Estima - Imported Estima vs 1.4 Sharan…or something else?!? - nellyjak

had to smile when I saw your name pop up in the comments - I've read a couple of your previous recommendations for the 3.5 version (and would be tempted by one myself if I could find a nice example, although your ULEZ comment would make me hesitate as we have family within the M25) - I also think I may have spotted you under a different name on a Toyota or Estima Owners forum (if not, there another equally keen 3.5 enthusiast spreading the word!)

I am taken with the Estima, particularly as my children would LOVE the captains chairs on the school run. I guess I'm just cautious due to their import nature, plus I really don't want a car that handles like a container ship as I drive country lanes every day - but I expect the Sharan isn't going to be leaps and bounds better in this area...?

I certainly used to be on the now extinct Toyota Estima Owners Club...I do NOT have the 3.5 engine...I have the 3 litre engine. (1MZ-FE)

The Estima is a large-ish vehicle for sure but not unwieldy at all...simply smooth and quiet and a joy to drive. A cruise machine.!..and I drive country lanes every day too.

The import nature really shouldn't be a concern as there are no difficulties with insurance and parts etc. The Estima is really quite well catered for in the UK.

Toyota Estima - Imported Estima vs 1.4 Sharan…or something else?!? - GrowingFamily

my apologies - I'd only been looking at the 2010-2015 version, which was only sold with manual engines (according to the HJ specs page in their review at least, and the fact the ones I've seen on AT being imports)

also, I mean UK only offered manual for sale, not produced as in built and made on these here shores - don't usually post on forums and didn't give my wording a second thought

main other put-me-off, besides lack of space, is the Good/Bad comment within the review that to get the electric doors you need the sport version with the larger wheels which causes ride to suffer, and I need as best a mix of comfort and ride quality I can get where possible!

thanks for taking the time to comment though, appreciate it!

Toyota Estima - Imported Estima vs 1.4 Sharan…or something else?!? - GrowingFamily

Thanks - I've seen a few comments on the older engine issues so was going to look into how I tell the difference, but you have just made my life significantly easier, thank you!

I don't suppose you're aware of any other 'common' Sharan faults/issues at all? There are rather more posts about the Estima being bulletproof and reliable than I can find of the Sharan, but I can't particularly find any bad ones either (other than early engine issues), so I'm going on the assumption no news is good news...

Toyota Estima - Imported Estima vs 1.4 Sharan…or something else?!? - Metropolis.
Estima or Previa or Alphard every day of the week. But make sure you take it somewhere for professional rust protection as they are much less protected. Dinitrol is popular. I would avoid Waxoyl personally.
Toyota Estima - Imported Estima vs 1.4 Sharan…or something else?!? - badbusdriver

Not really sure why you don't want a Mazda 5 if it is an import, but are happy with an Estima import?. JDM imports will invariably be much better equipped than the equivalent sold new in the UK. Pretty much all of them will be petrol auto and at your budget I'd expect pretty much all of them to have power sliding doors. Power tailgate?, on bigger stuff maybe, not sure about mid sized ones though.

Have I missed anything worth considering

Yes, pretty much any other JDM import MPV (as well as the Estima). Including other Toyota's, the Alphard, Vellfire, Noah and Voxy. The Honda Elysion, Odyssey, and Stepwagon. Nissan Elgrand and Serena. Mazda Biante.

Just to be clear, all reputable JDM import specialist's will underseal it as a matter of course. And if you have one of those in your area there is no reason to fear running a JDM import.

I really don't want a car that handles like a container ship as I drive country lanes every day - but I expect the Sharan isn't going to be leaps and bounds better in this area...?

A VW Sharan of the age your budget would allow is longer and wider than any of the above, including the Estima.

Toyota Estima - Imported Estima vs 1.4 Sharan…or something else?!? - ban-iok

Hey GrowingFamily,

just about to buy 1.4tsi Sharan also.

Which car you end up buying ?

Thanks !