If die die must choose from these 2, I would say Estima 2.4. It has more users on the road, much more sources of spare parts, stronger 2nd value when you want to sell it in future. The whatsapp and FB group is very active for Estima.

Do avoid the 4WD variant. And make sure you get one with ESC / ESP.

This post has been edited by 4WD_er: Feb 25 2020, 11:13 AM

the 4WD Estima are generally reliable, but most users reported high FC. Estima are already having not so good FC, we are talking about 7-8km/L in town driving, and 10-11km/L on highway cruising. Those 4WD Estima are worse than that, maybe 10-15% worse off.

Then it comes the resale value problem, usually the 4WD Estima are higher spec cars in Japan, so probably you are asked to pay a premium when you buy them. Then when you want to sell, many potential buyers are scared with the high FC, so it's very hard to get buyers or you will get very low trade in price for it.

Lastly on the drive itself, these 4WD Estima are not designed for spirited driving, so having 4WD actually makes the car less sweet to drive.

What I am also not sure is that whether the 4WD system takes up unnecessary space undercarriage, you may have a smaller fuel tank as a result. Not a good configuration considering Estima are having bad FC, all the more you want a bigger fuel tank, not smaller one

Ahem, I owned a H. Stream 2.0 4WD from 2004-2009, and own a T. Estima ACR30 2.4 from 2015 till now, so I am a prev owner of 4WD Japanese MPV and a current Estima owner.



1st, my prev H. Stream cornering capability is shitty, maybe it's better than a 2WD model but generally you don't buy MPV to do hard cornering. Just drive it like a people carrier. FC was bad, shocking bad. From Kulai to Cameron highland round trip I needed to use 4 tanks of petrol when I did my family trip in 2006



2nd, with my (wife) Estima, even mine is a older model, at times I get equal or better FC than the current ACR50. And I am in 2 Estima FB groups, without fail most 4WD owners complained bad FC. And only idoits drive Estima to do hard cornering I also did a Cameron trip in the Estima before, shockingly the FC is either equal or better than my 4WD H. Stream of the past. Bear in mind an Estima is 300-400kg heavier.




This post has been edited by 4WD_er: Feb 26 2020, 08:57 AM

Not sure why you promote 4WD Estima so much, in as far as I know almost all AWD (except those XV and Forester that I am aware) are having higher FC.

If TS not yet set his mind, my advise is that just forget about 4WD Estima, period. Don't be regret with the decision in future.

I think most Estima before 2014 are without ESP/ESC, but some G specs Estima do have it. However, G specs Estima is not a looker coz no bodykit, uglier front and rear bumper.

I can't say for sure, as there are so many variants in the recon market, each unit is different from other. TS needs to check it out individually.

This is true, but as TS put it, it appears to me that he is only considering these two.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1374548239451332/