650K budget for a Van

[mateomarco]

Hi Guys! Need your expert advise..We sold our 1999 starex lwb/jumbo and we would want to opt for an upgrade...for a budget of 650K, anong mga options na pwede kong pagpilian? Top of mind is Hi Ace and Estate...Primary use if for rent a van and family use as well...naisip ko ring magupgrade to starex GRX but i would want to try something different...Thank you!

[vinj]

At 650K, baka hindi maganda yung condisyon ng Hiace na makukuha mo. I think the best bet would still be a CRDi Starex; especially if you can find a LWB/Jumbo model. We had one at the office before and it was the preferred van for long trips.

[mateomarco]

Yun din iniisip ko...Swerte nung nakabili ng starex ko na kahit luma na yun, sobrang alaga at kundisyon nun...ironic kasi ako naman ang nagkukumahog na buyer from a recent seller! Pero kelangan na talaga palitan kasi may kalumaan narin...Is a CRDI good for a second hand purchase? parang takot ako eh...iniisip ko GRX pero good old TCI engine parin...

[vinj]

Yun din iniisip ko...Swerte nung nakabili ng starex ko na kahit luma na yun, sobrang alaga at kundisyon nun...ironic kasi ako naman ang nagkukumahog na buyer from a recent seller! Is a CRDI good for a second hand purchase? parang takot ako eh...iniisip ko GRX pero good old TCI engine parin...

From the looks of what i see out on the road, the old Hyundai CRDis (2003-2005 model) seem to be holding out well if you're talking about the engines. Tyempo lang talaga (as with any second hand). I'd think these would have less headaches then an Urvan Estate.

[mateomarco]

Yup, pansin ko rin...In terms of interior space, how do you rank estate, hiace, and starex? Nakasakay nako both estate and starex and i think mas maluwag yung estate though mas comfortable seats ng starex...If in terms of urvan, what is the safer choice? Estate (3.0) o Escapade (2.7)?

[jaggerx3]

Yup, pansin ko rin...In terms of interior space, how do you rank estate, hiace, and starex? Nakasakay nako both estate and starex and i think mas maluwag yung estate though mas comfortable seats ng starex...If in terms of urvan, what is the safer choice? Estate (3.0) o Escapade (2.7)?

Mag Starex ka na lang ulit. Since halos saulo mo na rin ang pros and cons ng van. At mas decente tignan.

[vinj]

Maganda yung seats nung Starex but the rear of the Jumbo is already tight (Depending on the adjustment). If you're talking of safer choice in terms of maintenance, best bet would be to find a privately owned Urvan 2.7L but of course, eto yung pinaka walang safety features and very basic lang talaga in terms of power and stuff. If i were in your shoes, maghahanap talaga ako ng Starex GRX CRDi Jumbo. Bihira nga lang talaga.

[mateomarco]

Actually, we still have our 2002 starex jumbo... kaya lang, im still thinking if i would opt for a different model...isa sa problem ko talaga sa starex is medyo masikip lalu na duon sa likod...this is important for us lalo na sa mga rent a van duties...

[vinj]

^For space, one of the best for me (short of an E150) is the Hiace Grandia but the cargo space is a bit limited.

[mateomarco]

i assume thats the new grandia right?

[vinj]

^Yup, the current gen Grandia.

[mateomarco]

Thank you Sir! But the current van is freaking expensive even for a second hand unit! Siguro mga ten years from now pa, pwede na!

I was listing down the option's pros and cons kagabi for me to decide kung alin and mas sulit...Kindly add kung meron pa akong nakalimutan...and please enlighten me in terms of maintenance cost if you have any idea...

Escapade
Pros - Timing Chain, Tested Durability, Abundant Parts, Nice Ride
Cons - Less powered engine compared to others, Cheap Interiors, Not that comfortable seats

Estate
Pros - Timing Chain, Powerful Engine, aircon vents evenly distributed, presentable seating, Nice ride
Cons - Not sure if engine parts are abundant, rear seats are not foldable to accommodate more luggage, seats cannot be fully reclined

Hi Ace - pre-2004/05 model
Pros - Brand itself, Powerful engine, Durable Engine, Abundant Parts, Nice seats,
Cons - Timing Belt, Every unit in the road looks the same! color white or silver! , No idea with the space, Pricey as compared to its year model, steel rims with hub cubs,

Starex GRX LWB
Pros - Engine, Engine, Engine, Engine up front (ease of engine maintenance), comfortable seats,
Cons - Interior space is a bit small specially at the rear portion, Availability

[GTi]

Ang pangit sa Hiace ang ride quality. Napakatagtag kahit Grandia pa yun. Yun nga lang malakas ang hatak kumpara sa mga old school diesels at matipid din sa krudo. Tapus ang mahal, kahit yung Commuter lang.

I'd go with the Starex GRX. Its also much safer due to the presence of a hood, airbag and, I think, also ABS. As you know, ride comfort is its biggest ace along with the engine performance and also the most important thing the renters will appreciate.

[mateomarco]

Yung old hiace/super grandia ba, leaf spring? may ABS/LSD ba sya? Yup, mahal pa nga resale value...2003 is at 600+++K...

Value for money talaga grx ang hirap makakita ng second hand unit...

Currently, given na hindi kasama ang starex, mas lamang ang nissan than the toyota...

[GTi]

AFAIK no ABS and LSD ang old Hiace. Ang alam ko leaf spring yung old Commuter, not sure about the Super Grandia. Magkalevel lang naman yan sa Urvan Escapade in terms of age and level of technology. The Urvan Estate is much more modern, and more reasonably priced.

I remember the family of a rich relative who used to always maintain a Pregio in their garage to ferry their 90+ year old family matriarch. They sell and change for another ever three years. Once they bought a Hiace Super Grandia for a change. Hindi nagustuhan ni 90+ year old lola, pangit daw sakyan. I found out not long after, binenta na kaagad yan and another new Pregio taking its place! Ngayon umuwi na sa kalangitan ang matandang lola at phased out na ang Pregio, but they still maintain a big passenger van in their garage. Grand Starex CRDi na ngayon.

[mateomarco]

Yung bang Estate may ABS and LSD? Kung wla, napakaminimal lang pala ng difference with the escapade...engine, interior, aircon vents, and seats lang...

Yes, i remember that pregio...i usually ride a colorum one nung nagcocommute pa ako...it rides very smooth...makes me wonder, why kia did not release a new version of this...kung may grand starex ang hyundia, why not continue offering a flat nose van under kia? Sayang yung mga van na ito same as MB100/140...If only may circa year 2000+++ MB, i will highly consider it given the space...Maarte na kasi mga nagrerent ngayon...choosy!

[GTi]

Baka ayaw nila magcannibalize ng sales ng Grand Starex, considering that Hyundai owns Kia. Its probably the same reason why Hyundai doesn't have a minivan in their lineup.

According to Nissan's website, no ABS or LSD. Pareho ring rear leaf springs. Advantages over the Escapade besides those mentioned are power amenities and probably an improved crash structure.

You can probably consider also getting a last batch Pregio. These should already be tropicalized, still look pretty new, and are a fraction of the price of the Hiace. Like this one for example: Kia Pregio - 05 | Cars for sale Mandaluyong | AyosDito.ph Between this one and the Escapade, I'd definitely go for this one. But if I were you, I'd get one of these then save up for a bit and then get another Starex Jumbo.

[E240]

Starex here power is good, handling and may nguso malaking bagay yun sa safety. One more thing hindi mainit sa pwet yung engine pag matagal ng naka upo. The only downsides of starex are turbo lag and medyo matakaw sa city driving. Parts are quite available naman agad. Thanks!

[KIANTOT]

Yung bang Estate may ABS and LSD? Kung wla, napakaminimal lang pala ng difference with the escapade...engine, interior, aircon vents, and seats lang...

Yes, i remember that pregio...i usually ride a colorum one nung nagcocommute pa ako...it rides very smooth...makes me wonder, why kia did not release a new version of this...kung may grand starex ang hyundia, why not continue offering a flat nose van under kia? Sayang yung mga van na ito same as MB100/140...If only may circa year 2000+++ MB, i will highly consider it given the space...Maarte na kasi mga nagrerent ngayon...choosy!

Kung sa rental mo madalas gagamitin sir mas ok yung Urvan Escapade mas ok yung FC compare sa Starex at Estate, syempre mas comfortable yung starex, yan nga ang gusto ng mga nagrerent, pero mas priority para sayo yung FC at maintenance, depende na lang kung ok yung deal mo sa mga rental, lalo din ngayon marami din competitor kaya kailangan kaya mo sabayan yung iba. may mga kaibigan din ako sa rental na gamit nila Starex at Estate, kailangan nila mag adjust ng price sa rental lage ng mas malaki para din sa expenses sa diesel at maintenance.

[glenn manikis]

kung rental ang bus. nyo...

stretch mo budget mo mag GRANDIA ka... ayan ang gusto ng mga renters ngayon...

starex... old model na yan... ang hanap na ng renters MODELO...

kung urvan at old hiace naman... medyo jurasic na din ang dating nun sa renters...