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  1. Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    5
    #1
    We are looking for a used van to be used as a school service (no budget for brand new). Vanette or Liteace are our first choice but we are unsure if it is still wise to buy these models these days. Please state the pros and cons of having a used Vanette or a Liteace. Any suggestions and recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

  2. Join Date
    May 2010
    Posts
    1,736
    #2
    The Vanette or the Liteace are not good candidates for a school service duty. Better check out larger models such as the Mitsubishi L300, Toyota Tamaraw FX, Isuzu Hilander, or Hyundai Grace.

  3. Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    5
    #3
    Thank you for your reply. But in your opinion/experiences, can Vanette or Liteace be good enough for family use only, in terms of maintenance, aircon capabilities (I've heard Vanette has strong aircon system for example, I don't know about the Liteace), fuel efficiency? We intend to use Vanette/Liteace (because of its cheap price in the market than L300, etc) as family van/school service for my three (3) children as well.

  4. Join Date
    May 2010
    Posts
    1,736
    #4
    Yung sa Liteace, medyo maraming parts and matipid pero yung 1.5 Carb engine medyo mahina sa hatakan. Suggest ko kunin ang GXL Variants (may power amenities na yan and classy tignan). Sa Vanette naman, yes you're right, malakas at malamig ang aircon (a good trait among Nissans) pero may naririnig ako prone to overheating. The Vanette has more pulling power kasi 2.0L pero im not sure about it's fuel efficiency. Suggest ko to check out the Grand Coach variants.

    Yep, both of these vans are good family haulers in a budget. Kala ko naman pang school bus service eh.

    Good luck and Happy Shopping!

  5. Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    21,667
    #5
    Aces & Vanettes are known for their own overheating problems. The AC systems are also relatively weak, especially for the Lite-ace.

    If it's bought from a relative, which should be known to be keeping his/her cars at tip-top shape then buying one of those two shouldn't be a problem, however, if you'll be purchasing a unit from a complete stranger I think you're better off with other models.

    Those two cars do not come by often, hence, the higher the risk you have in getting one which is problematic.

    For it to school service or a family vehicle, one should be reliable, and I think the given two vehicles doesn't quite fit that requirement.

  6. Join Date
    May 2010
    Posts
    1,736
    #6
    Why not consider the Toyota Revo?? Bigger than a Liteace yet reliable.

  7. Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    5
    #7
    Thank you for your input guys. Hope others will share their experiences and opinions regarding "budget-friendly and yet still efficient" used vans.

  8. Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Posts
    22,705
    #8
    Fuel efficiency of the Lite Ace is decent but not great, considering how little power it has. The Vanette.. you'll be wondering why you're paying so much for gasoline, when it's not much more powerful than the Lite Ace. Our two liter Vanette had trouble doing steep parking ramps and inclines with a full load unless you got a running start. And even then, we'd sometimes have to get out and walk. And even then, you'd be banging off the limiter in first gear watching your speed get lower, and lower and lower... praying that you had enough momentum to get to the top. It was no fun to take it to Baguio or Tagaytay... as there are some subdivisions and streets where we'd have to get out and walk while whoever was driving backed up and took several attempts to get up whatever incline we had to ascend.

    AC for the Vanette is either decent or pretty good, depending on the variant. Late models have extra radiator fans and better cooling, but early Vanettes and Lite Aces are notorious for overheating in traffic.

    The only good thing you can say about Lite Aces and Vanettes is that they're comfortable (relatively) and cheap... the Vanette even has twin second row captain's chairs and seating for ten... but all these extra seats make the cabin cramped.

    You can get roomier vehicles as school services that are more fuel efficient, drive just as well and aren't a pain in the ass to own... like the Revo, Adventure or earlier Crosswinds... these give you better safety than the lunchbox vans and much more space than the cruddy old mid-engined vehicles like the Vanette.

    Ang pagbalik ng comeback...

  9. Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Posts
    5
    #9
    Thank you very much Niky for your very informative post.

  10. Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Posts
    48
    #10
    The 1.5L engine of the Lite Ace makes it underpowered. Pero it is reliable and economical to maintain. We had problem with its aircon which was eventually solved. Huwag pauupuin sa middle row ang mabigat, kasi sa bigat yung ilalim ng upuan tinatakpan ang aircon blower sa ilalaim niya. The Vanette Grand Couch is a good bet. 2.0L ang makina. Wala nang overheating dito at malakas ang aircon. If well maintained maganda at matibay ang makina. Kayang kaya ang body. Dinadala ko sa Baguio nang punuan kasama mga bata at kamag-anak, pero wala problema sa akyatan. FC was about 6 to 7 km per liter city driving. Ang ginawa ko tinigasan ang hangin sa tire, at ginawa kong gas shocks para comfortable pa rin ang ride. FC mga 8 to 9 km per liter. Kinabitan ko ng aeronox at lalong lumakas ang hatak at nawala problema sa emission test. With Aeronox naging 9 to 10 ang FC ko.

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Is Vanette or Liteace a good choice for a used van?