650K budget for a Van

[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!

[basti08]

Paps, GRX or 2008 Kia Carnival. Medyo mababa resale. American style minivan pa.

[mateomarco]

Paps basti, gusto ko talaga grx pero hirap ding maghanap ng available...Yung kia carnival medyo limited seating...sa rent a van business kasi the more the merrier!

[zap.FREEDOM]

kung rental lang naman, ok na yung Nissan Urvan Escapade, panalong-panalo ka na dyan..maintenance wise, cheap parts, fuel efficient, perfect talagang pam-business. My relatives also engaged in a van rental business, kia besta pa nga gamit nila nuon ngayon Urvan na and some friends who also in a school service business Urvan din. maganda talaga feedback nila, kagandahan kasi dyan madaling gawin kahit mag-kaaberya at mura ang spare parts, unlike the current Hi-Ace model, though maganda nga at malakas, but in the long run mas maselan, mahal ang cost of repair kung sakaling may masira. modern diesel technology na kasi e. unlike sa urvan oldschool engine.

[mateomarco]

^^^Yes sir, no doubt talaga sa urvan...subok na...medyo nalungkot ako sa seats nya...nung umupo ako, hindi ako comfortable...considering na 5/9 lang ako and medium built pero parang sikip ako...i was thinking papano mga foreigners na bisita namin...ang isa pang problema sa escapade is sa sobrang gamit nya as a colorum vehicle, takaw para/sita sa kalye...sa airport area nalang, ang daming pinaparang urvan...