2008 Hyundai Starex (Gen. 4)

[c_cube]

Congrats sir on your new GS Gold variant

The size really needs getting use to, but in due time parang normal na alng pag drive nya

sobrang nakakapanibago talaga, grabe talaga ang laki ng GS. dati akala ko malaki na yun 1st gen starex namin yun pala maliit pa compare sa GS

[dandang]

o ayan oh now we can inquire everything we want from either HARI care of sir lui and from the Gray courtesy of PITSTOP motors. Now it will be easier for those still undecided where to buy. Now is your chance to get first hand info direct from the horses mouth ika nga. hehehe

[chad777]

[SIZE=2]Pls visit www.drive.com.au for a complete review, i hope this could help you as reference in buying a van:[/SIZE]


[SIZE=5]Hyundai iMax Shuttle CRDi[/SIZE]

• Three Star

Cameron McGavin, The Age, May 12, 2008
With space for eight, an attractive warranty and economical diesel engine, CAMERON McGAVIN reports this people-mover has its appeal.

Hyundai iMax Shuttle CRDi

• Good

• Gutsy and economical diesel engine.
• Space for eight and their luggage.
• Decent refinement.
• Huge warranty.

• Bad

• No auto.
• Safety gear and equipment could be better.
• Handling deteriorates on bumpy surfaces.
• Average cabin flexibility

2 Minute road test (See full review)
Price and equipment

• Three Star

The iMax is based on a humble delivery van, in this case the iLoad, but that's no kiss of death when its much costlier Volkswagen Multivan and Mercedes-Benz Viano rivals share similarly utilitarian roots.
Prices start at $36,990 for the 2.4-litre petrol model, which is less than Kia's Grand Carnival and well below a Toyota Tarago but $4000 more than the cheapest version of SsangYong's aesthetically challenged Stavic.
The $39,990 CRDi diesel tested here shares a similar fate, getting air, power windows and CD player but missing out on its direct Stavic opponent's leather, heated seats and cruise control. Maybe Hyundai is banking on the SsangYong's strange looks to turn buyers its way.
The CRDi's manual-only status is a potentially bigger blemish - and mystifying when a five-speed auto is offered to iLoad commercial van buyers.

Under the bonnet

• Four Star

The CRDi's 2.5-litre, common-rail, turbo-diesel four looks the goods on paper, punching out 125 kW of power and a stout 392 Nm of torque. The petrol four, by comparison, manages just 229 Nm.
The result of all this, despite a kerb weight of more than two tonnes, is strong real-world performance. Put the foot down and the CRDi engine's muscularity and free-spinning nature endow the iMax with rapid acceleration and in-gear response.
The mandatory five-speed manual is nicely positioned and easy to master. Our test car, though, was a bit gruff in character, with noticeably more engine noise and vibrations than an automatic iLoad we sampled.
Fuel economy is good. We couldn't get as low as Hyundai's thrifty 8.5 L/100 km claim, but our test average of 10.2 L is commendable for a bluff, heavy vehicle such as this.

How it drives

• Three Star

The iMax might be huge but it's not intimidating to drive. While reverse parking is obviously harder than in smaller vehicles, it's respectably agile around town.
Light steering, good vision and a high driving position are other contributing factors to its surprisingly uncommercial character.
Unlike the iLoad and its load-oriented leaf springs, the iMax gets coil-spring suspension for a noticeably improved ride. It's well mannered, too, at highway speeds, with acceptably low levels of wind and mechanical noise. But venture onto a bumpy road and the non-independent rear suspension's Stone Age leanings make themselves felt with plenty of rock and roll.
That follows through to the handling. On a smooth road, the rear-wheel-drive Hyundai is essentially an honest, predictable lug but its balance and calm deteriorate in line with the surface. Vague steering doesn't help

Comfort and practicality

• Three Half Star

The Hyundai effortlessly shrugs off the challenge of seating eight. Twin sliding side doors give easy access, while the sliding second-row bench allows passengers to tailor their legroom. It's no temporary solution - even with it set all the way back, this tall motoring writer had plenty of stretching space in the fixed final row.
Other attractions for back-seat riders include rear air-conditioning controls and vents, reclining seats and plenty of bottle holders.
However, the Hyundai doesn't offer the same flexibility that you get with the crossover crowd. While the seats recline, they don't fold flat or tumble away to increase the considerable luggage space, meaning a fiddly, back-breaking affair if you're wanting to carry long objects.
Once you've made the big step up, the iMax feels surprisingly like a passenger car in the front. Indeed, with its sober design, simple, logical controls and good fit and finish, it could be almost be any Hyundai.
Storage is good, too, thanks to dual gloveboxes and big double door pockets, while the stereo's auxiliary input could prove a potentially effective means of keeping the kids entertained.
However, the front seats lack under-thigh support over longer trips.

Safety

• Two Half Star

With only two airbags and anti-lock brakes, the iMax certainly isn't at the leading edge in terms of safety.
On the positive side, stability/traction control can be optioned on the diesel (it's free for the initial launch period) and is coming soon for petrol buyers. All eight seats get head restraints and proper three-point seatbelts.

Overall verdict

• Three Star

Feel the space


Nuts & Bolts


Price
$39,990 (manual only).

Engine Size/Type
2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel.

Torque
125 kW/392 Nm.

What's it got?
Twin front airbags, stability/traction control, ABS with EBD, rear-parking sensors, air-conditioning, power windows and mirrors, remote locking, CD player with auxiliary jack, 12-volt outlet, two cup holders/six bottle holders, 16-inch alloy wheels, engine immobiliser and alarm, full-sized spare, five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty.

[chad777]

[SIZE=5]Fellow Tsikoteers![/SIZE]
[SIZE=5] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=5] If you're a proud owner of a Hyundai Grand Starex, Let your voices be heard. Please log on and cast your vote for the Hyundai Grand Starex at www.autofocus.com.ph[/SIZE]

[SIZE=5][/SIZE]

[SIZE=5][/SIZE]
[SIZE=5][/SIZE]

[MeAko]

Been riding my Starex Gold (from HARI) unit for more than two weeks now, here are my observations so far:

The Good:
1. Conference Room. As expected, leg room is fantastic. Leather seats are luxurious.
2. Power. Engine, is ample. Drives like a car, responsive. Great ride if there are no pot holes.

The Bad:
1. Audio HU. Awful. I have always learned to live with stock audio. Now lang I have gotten my feet wet and will upgrade it. Although the features are impressive, DivX, USB and Aux in. But the sound is awful--lata, bulol. Sometimes I'd rather not turn it on.
2. Missing Antenna. I took out the antenna the first night that I got the van home. The driver was looking for it the next day..hehe
3. Missing Armrest. Would have been nice if they added additional arms rests to the captain's seat on the 2nd row and a right arm rest for the driver.
4. Honk Honk. Grabe busina, PEDESTRIANS are ignoring the horn, ano pa kaya ang bus, taxi and jeep na kalaban natin sa daan? Mas malakas pa ang beep beep ni road runner, nagugulat si Cayote.

The Ugly:
1. Sounds under the hood. When the engine is newly turned on, I don't like the sound under the engine, parang may pagka jeep ang dating. Barya lang sa umaga! I'm not expecting it to purr like a Gallardo, but is it too much to expect a unified engine sound and not individual sounds like there's a science experiment under the hood?
2. Suspension. I sit on the second row (Captain Seats) and whenever we get into pot holes, I feel like I'm again riding a jeep. I can feel every bump and grind. This is the one thing that I hated about the Pajero, the suspension being so bumpy, I am aghast that I seemed to have jumped from the frying pan into the fire. It's that bad.

Is this buyer's remorse?!

Violated the number 1 rule of buying a vehicle I guess, test drive. Pero I have ridden in my brother's old starex and the suspension I would characterize as infinitely better than this ride...what gives?!

[fast lane]

Been riding my Starex Gold (from HARI) unit for more than two weeks now, here are my observations so far:

The Ugly:
1. Sounds under the hood. When the engine is newly turned on, I don't like the sound under the engine, parang may pagka jeep ang dating. Barya lang sa umaga! I'm not expecting it to purr like a Gallardo, but is it too much to expect a unified engine sound and not individual sounds like there's a science experiment under the hood?

2. Suspension. I sit on the second row (Captain Seats) and whenever we get into pot holes, I feel like I'm again riding a jeep. I can feel every bump and grind. This is the one thing that I hated about the Pajero, the suspension being so bumpy, I am aghast that I seemed to have jumped from the frying pan into the fire. It's that bad.

on number 1, baka sir dahil nasa garahe kaya amplified ung tunog sa ilalim, kahit ba sir sa labas or sa damuhan same din tunog?


on number 2, i agree na feel mo talaga ung bump from potholes sa likod as i mentioned before, add to the fact the size of the tires, and the recommended psi rating from (normal 42 and 47psi) (loaded 42 and 51psi) as per manual.

how was your FC sir?

we get 7.5-8 km/l (not tipid mode)

any suggestion on how to efficiently drive in automatic? anyone?

[xTrememan]

Been riding my Starex Gold (from HARI) unit for more than two weeks now, here are my observations so far:

The Good:
1. Conference Room. As expected, leg room is fantastic. Leather seats are luxurious.
2. Power. Engine, is ample. Drives like a car, responsive. Great ride if there are no pot holes.

The Bad:
1. Audio HU. Awful. I have always learned to live with stock audio. Now lang I have gotten my feet wet and will upgrade it. Although the features are impressive, DivX, USB and Aux in. But the sound is awful--lata, bulol. Sometimes I'd rather not turn it on.
2. Missing Antenna. I took out the antenna the first night that I got the van home. The driver was looking for it the next day..hehe
3. Missing Armrest. Would have been nice if they added additional arms rests to the captain's seat on the 2nd row and a right arm rest for the driver.
4. Honk Honk. Grabe busina, PEDESTRIANS are ignoring the horn, ano pa kaya ang bus, taxi and jeep na kalaban natin sa daan? Mas malakas pa ang beep beep ni road runner, nagugulat si Cayote.

The Ugly:
1. Sounds under the hood. When the engine is newly turned on, I don't like the sound under the engine, parang may pagka jeep ang dating. Barya lang sa umaga! I'm not expecting it to purr like a Gallardo, but is it too much to expect a unified engine sound and not individual sounds like there's a science experiment under the hood?
2. Suspension. I sit on the second row (Captain Seats) and whenever we get into pot holes, I feel like I'm again riding a jeep. I can feel every bump and grind. This is the one thing that I hated about the Pajero, the suspension being so bumpy, I am aghast that I seemed to have jumped from the frying pan into the fire. It's that bad.

Is this buyer's remorse?!

Violated the number 1 rule of buying a vehicle I guess, test drive. Pero I have ridden in my brother's old starex and the suspension I would characterize as infinitely better than this ride...what gives?!

oh my... it seems you've got more bad experiences than good ones. I agree that the old starex feels much better than the grand starex. How i wish meron pang nagbebenta nung 3rd gen starex.

i also agree na pangit din yung busina ng grand starex... haaay... parang si mahal pag sumigaw ang tunog. hahaha

regarding the audio sounds... hindi kaya may maluwag lang sa wirings ng speakers kaya mejo di maganda sound? or baka sa FM lang po yung tunog lata sounds? try playing audio cd or mp3 baka sakaling FM lang yung tunog lata and bulol. ^^

[dandang]

Been riding my Starex Gold (from HARI) unit for more than two weeks now, here are my observations so far:

3. Missing Armrest. Would have been nice if they added additional arms rests to the captain's seat on the 2nd row and a right arm rest for the driver.
4. Honk Honk. Grabe busina, PEDESTRIANS are ignoring the horn, ano pa kaya ang bus, taxi and jeep na kalaban natin sa daan? Mas malakas pa ang beep beep ni road runner, nagugulat si Cayote.
?!

what missing drivers arm rest? gray units have driver's armrest but no seat in the middle maybe you have a different seating configuration like you have a middle seat much like the old starex.

honk honk talagang walang dating nagpakabit pa ako ng malakas na busina.

[edsgail1230]

The Ugly:
1. Sounds under the hood. When the engine is newly turned on, I don't like the sound under the engine, parang may pagka jeep ang dating. Barya lang sa umaga! I'm not expecting it to purr like a Gallardo, but is it too much to expect a unified engine sound and not individual sounds like there's a science experiment under the hood??!

--true sir, same with gray market of course.. i call the attention of the mechanic pa nga.. when i turn on the aircon and the compressor kicks in, dun mo maririnig clatter!!! kaka turn off..

2. Suspension. I sit on the second row (Captain Seats) and whenever we get into pot holes, I feel like I'm again riding a jeep. I can feel every bump and grind. This is the one thing that I hated about the Pajero, the suspension being so bumpy, I am aghast that I seemed to have jumped from the frying pan into the fire. It's that bad. ??!

definitely true again.. i even lowered the tire pressure to 36 psi front and 38 psi rear just to have compliant ride... ganun pa din halos
mas maganda ride nung dati starex ramdam mo.. well the advantage of this starex lang compare sa dati re suspension eh sa cornering and handling..
di mo halos maramdaman sway ng body kahit medyo mabilis sa winding road..
kaso nacompromise naman ride.. tama ka sir na you need NLEX type road para masabing masarap sakyan.. well im hoping na pag tumagal na konti eh lumambot na ang ride kase bago pa mga springs..
parang slight fortuner ride quALity din kase.. JITTERY ang ride..

[MeAko]

I'm actually quite upset that medyo ngayon lang lumalabas ang mga negative reviews sa GS. I don't know if it was me who chose not to see the bad reviews. But the hit-my-head-with-a-rock thing for me really is the suspension, comfort level for me is top priority even above fuel efficiency, space or number of seats. I'm just so upset that I did not do a test drive before this purchase, just relied on scant and friendly reviews of the van. I never came across reviews that gave the GS failing marks on suspension... All the reviews I read were positive and read like press releases, even the reviews here.

For those on the fence, do consider another ride if ride comfort ranks high in the ladder of your priority.