Van Buying Advice (Provincial Use) Grandia vs Escapade.

[halomin]

Hello mga Sir!

Naghahanap ako ng van pang gamit sa Bohol.... that being said reliability is the main concern with safety and power being the next two important criterion.

Ano ung mas maganda pang gamit sa Bohol? Hi Ace Grandia o Nissan Urvan Escapade? (Brand New Automatic variants only)

Thanks for looking, any information and suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[vinj]

If you're after the a/t variants, your choices would be the Hiace Super Grandia and Hyundai Grand Starex. Both are quite reliable and your main concern would be to make sure your gas up at stations with good fuel quality and to have them serviced as required.

With regard to safety, both come with ABS and airbags but the Hyundai will have the edge in terms of crash rating and having it's engine upfront.

[myk384]

Since AT variant ang hanap mo, you're limited with the Hiace Grandia and Grand Starex. Safety? Starex since nasa harap ang engine. Power? Starex in VGT.

My pick? Starex VGT since may delaer kayo ng Hyundai sa Bohol right?

[IMm29]

Same as mentioned above -- choices should be Super Grandia and Grand Starex.

I would go with the Grand Starex, unless you need the space more. Not sure about how much power you need for the roads in Bohol. If they're long and wide, you'll be able to make more use of the Grand Starex's power. Otherwise, the Super Grandia's power should be enough.

[vinj]

Yeah, its seems there's a Hyundai dealer in Tagbilaran so that's a plus for the Grand Starex.

If there's also a Kia in Bohol then try checking the Carnival as well (if you're just looking for a 7-8 seater van)

[yapoy86]

sa bohol madami hyundai starex na pwede rentahan for a day tour... pero ok din yung carnival LWB para medyo classy ang dating... masyado kasi malaki ang GS eh

[halomin]

Salamat po sa mga reply niyong lahat!

Hmmm.... OK ba yung Starex sa corrosion resistance? Noon pangit kasi ung bakal na ginagamit nila kaya mabilis kumalawang pero ewan ko lang ngayon.

Sa bandang beach kasi to ipapark...

Reliable rin ba Starex?

[IMm29]

sa bohol madami hyundai starex na pwede rentahan for a day tour... pero ok din yung carnival LWB para medyo classy ang dating... masyado kasi malaki ang GS eh

Actually, it's probably just the GS's height that makes it appear larger than the Carnival LWB. The Carnival is actually longer (5130mm vs 5125mm) and wider (1985mm vs 1925mm). And it's got more overhang. I'd take the GS in terms of drivability.

[vinj]

The Starex is reliable. Just follow the maintenance regimen, use diesel from a good fuel station, and practice cooling down the turbo before shutting off (especially after long trips) and it should be fine.

Rust is a no issue on the current models. Keep the car clean by washing regularly, especially the wheel wells and underchassis where the salt water and moisture can build up and cause rust later on. Waxing regularly also helps.

[halomin]

Given that I do not know how good the diesel is there.... would getting a turbo still be a good idea?

Hindi kasi ako malapit sa Tagbilaran eh....

[GTi]

Aside from the Urvan Estate which has some more semblance of performance due to direct injection and the torque available with its big displacement, all normally aspirated diesel vans are lethargic! If you have bad fuel quality over there, I'd suggest a non-CRDi but still turbocharged van. The Grand Starex TCI may be a good choice for you. Either this or the Urvan Estate.

[halomin]

I see, thank you very much for the feedback!

Much appreciated.

[dct]

either hiace or starex lang. exclude the escapade

[guigui]

i've been to bohol in 2008 at maganda ang road network sa bohol. hindi rin masyadong traffic around tagbilaran at may tourist spots na 20-30 minutes ang layo from one another. grand starex din sana ang bet ko dahil mukhang kingpin ang mga tourist-clients niyo kung sakali plus the safety factor (over the super grandia though maraming mga celebrities at mga politicians ang merong super grandia dito sa luzon.) kaso nga lang kung alanganin ang quality ng diesel fuel, nakakapagpa-doubt sa akin both for the sg and gs dahil mga crdi na sila. kung may dealer sa tagbilaran ng hyundai or toyota na hindi na kailangang pumuntang cebu, oks lang din po siguro na mag-inquire tungkol sa bagay na ito. otherwise, ayos na rin po ang urvan estate though it only comes with manual.

[weisshorn]

Given that I do not know how good the diesel is there.... would getting a turbo still be a good idea?

Hindi kasi ako malapit sa Tagbilaran eh....

Kung sa big 3 gas station ka kakarga, lahat yan ay malinis galing sa source. Ang question lang ay gaano kalinis ang storage tanks ng local station dyan at kung hindi "tampered" ang quality ng diesel. Yung sa mga small oil player companies naman eh I'm not sure how's their diesel but from time to time I fill up my Tucson tank with them here in metro mla without problem.

CRDi engine should be no problem with our local diesel as long as you regularly change the fuel filter & "WALANG TUBIG ANG DIESEL NA KAKAININ NYA". Caps yan kasi pinaka importante ito sa lahat. Sa abserbasyon ko ang CRDi engine ng Hyundai/KIA with BOSCH system is working better than the Denso of Toyota with regards to local diesel.

IMHO, CRDi turbo charge engine should be fine in Bohol.