1998 Toyota Picnic reviews

Toyota Picnic 1998

We bought our 2-litre automatic 7-seater Picnic new in 1998. As we wanted 6-7 seats and Japanese reliability the choice of vehicle was limited, but we have never had a moment’s regret. The seating may not be as flexible as some newer cars, but the two rearmost are at least proper seats, and when they are removed they leave a vast space. Pity the middle bench can’t be removed or folded flat, but you can’t have everything. Performance is adequate, the 3+1 speed auto box being high-geared and relaxing, but allowing good acceleration when you floor it. Petrol consumption is so-so, as you would expect from a 2-litre auto of this vintage. The car has now done 98,000 miles and has never let us down. It’s been regularly serviced at the recommended 9000 mile intervals, including a cambelt change every 5 years. The alarm became erratic a year or two ago, a fairly common problem I understand, so now I just use the key to operate the central locking. Apart from tyres, exhaust, battery and other consumables the only replacement part has been a set of HT leads last year to fix an intermittent misfire.