Used, Late-Model Town & Country or Previa vs. Brand-New Montero GLS V

[sixlove60]

Mga sirs, need your expert advice please. Looking for luxurious people-hauler (7 seats min.) for short-distance city driving and occasional out-of-town trips. Budget is around P1.4 mil. Two such vans that come to mind are the Chrysler T&C and Toyota Previa (2008 model and above), both of which I like very much. However, I don't want the headache of paying for high maintenance costs and expensive parts within the next few years. I'm not sure how reliable these two vans are, which is why I'm also considering buying a new car, albeit an SUV. What's the more sensible choice? Thanks in advance!

[vinj]

Previa, especially if you're looking for a good 7-seater. Try to find one that is around 1-2 years old. Very reliable and comfortable per our experience. The T and C is also nice and the diesel offers good pull but maintenance is more expensive versus the Toyota from what i know.

[Ry_Tower]

Previa na talaga!

[valskie01]

previa also. but with that budget you can already buy brandnew kia carnival (long wheelbase). it is an underrated minivan here but in other country (usa, europe, australia) ganda ng mga reviews nila.

[ghosthunter]

How about a STAREX LIMO?

Unfortunately it's P2.68M new.

Alternative: http://tsikot.com/forums/more-than-l...9m-only-82686/

[GTi]

Previa, especially if you're looking for a good 7-seater. Try to find one that is around 1-2 years old. Very reliable and comfortable per our experience. The T and C is also nice and the diesel offers good pull but maintenance is more expensive versus the Toyota from what i know.

Among your choices the Previa is the better choice due to better access of parts and lower maintenance cost. But if you want even more space and better power and fuel efficiency, you can consider also a 2nd hand LWB top spec Kia Carnival CRDi.

[sixlove60]

Thank you, guys, for the helpful comments! The problem lang with 1-2 year old Previa is the high cost. Siguro walang bababa ng P1.8 mil. As for the Carnival LWB CRdi, I am also seriously considering it. Just not too crazy about the badge or the low, sloping front hood (it looks "off" compared to rest of body; Chrysler did a much better job here IMHO). Hard to stop thinking about the late-model T&C though. Man, I love all the nice interior features and touches! That is one beautiful van.

[kompressor]

Now if only we have a Toyota Sienna here with a D4D engine, that would've been perfect! I soooo love that minivan!

[GTi]

Thank you, guys, for the helpful comments! The problem lang with 1-2 year old Previa is the high cost. Siguro walang bababa ng P1.8 mil. As for the Carnival LWB CRdi, I am also seriously considering it. Just not too crazy about the badge or the low, sloping front hood (it looks "off" compared to rest of body; Chrysler did a much better job here IMHO). Hard to stop thinking about the late-model T&C though. Man, I love all the nice interior features and touches! That is one beautiful van.

I actually rather like the way the Carnival looks. It somehow resembles the Chrysler T&C, especially at the rear portion. The recently updated version has a much better looking tiger nose grille and very nice looking rims. I personally don't find anything wrong with the sloping hood. It is a minivan after all, and the Previa's hood is even more sloping.

[cripple_rooster]

The LWB Kia Carnival seems to be also a good option. A good balance between the comfort of the T&C with the fuel-efficiency of a diesel engine...

[GTi]

Yes, and good luck with the parts and maintenance if you get a Chrysler T&C even if you were able to get the 2.8L diesel variant.

[sixlove60]

Yes, and good luck with the parts and maintenance if you get a Chrysler T&C even if you were able to get the 2.8L diesel variant.

Yes GTi, this is what I'm afraid of. Previously owned a used, four-year old Volvo 850 T5 wagon. Had no problems with it until two years after purchase. Boy, sunod-sunod na ang problema. Hated dealing with the casa. Mahal pa ang parts. Will buying a used T&C (2008 and above) lead me down the same, sorry road later on?

[Ry_Tower]

Nadagdag ata MS GLS-V. Dun na lang ako. Second na Previa.

[GTi]

Yes GTi, this is what I'm afraid of. Previously owned a used, four-year old Volvo 850 T5 wagon. Had no problems with it until two years after purchase. Boy, sunod-sunod na ang problema. Hated dealing with the casa. Mahal pa ang parts. Will buying a used T&C (2008 and above) lead me down the same, sorry road later on?

Since Chrysler is not very prominent locally parts would be costlier and harder to find. Worst case scenario would be your car languishing in the garage for months because you were not able to source a certain spare part, which happened to many imported cars which were not launched locally.

[cripple_rooster]

Yes, and good luck with the parts and maintenance if you get a Chrysler T&C even if you were able to get the 2.8L diesel variant.

You can always swap an Isuzu 4JB1 into

[GTi]

You can always swap an Isuzu 4JB1 into

Wahaha... 4JB1! I'd love to see that happen! Oonga naman eh noh? Iilan lang ang mga 2.8L diesels.

[cripple_rooster]

Biggest issue would be related to the electronic controls of the automatic transmission.

[IMm29]

With the T&C, Previa and MS, I'd go with the Previa. It may not ride as softly as the T&C, but it still should be comfortable. Plus it's a real minivan, so seating is likewise good compared to a Montero's 5 + 2 seating and SUV ride.

Throwing the Kia Carnival LWB into the fray, I'd say it'd be a battle of what you can find on the 2nd hand market within your budget. I like how the Carnival maximizes its dimensions with its copy of the T&C's foldable last row, and how torquey its CRDi engine is. Though that engine is pretty noisy. The Previa is not as torquey, and it has lesser interior space, but it is quiet, and should be nimble.

[sixlove60]

With the T&C, Previa and MS, I'd go with the Previa. It may not ride as softly as the T&C, but it still should be comfortable. Plus it's a real minivan, so seating is likewise good compared to a Montero's 5 + 2 seating and SUV ride.

Throwing the Kia Carnival LWB into the fray, I'd say it'd be a battle of what you can find on the 2nd hand market within your budget. I like how the Carnival maximizes its dimensions with its copy of the T&C's foldable last row, and how torquey its CRDi engine is. Though that engine is pretty noisy. The Previa is not as torquey, and it has lesser interior space, but it is quiet, and should be nimble.

Many thanks for the comments, IMm29. The consensus pretty much supports the Previa. Hmm, now if only I can find a used one in excellent condition (Q model 2008 above) with low mileage to fit my budget of P1.4-1.5 mil.

[yapoy86]

mukhang decided ka na sa previa.... in my opinion, kung ako ang meron ganyang budget, mag kia carnival LWB brand new na lang ako.. at least brand new.. iba pa din ang feel compared sa 2nd hand... plus thrifty diesel engine pa.. sa Montero naman mahirap ang ingress / egress dyan kaya hindi din advisable na people hauler