2012 Starex TCI Variant

[mda]

Try ko sagutin isa isa, as an owner of the CRDi AT nonGold variant:

1. This will be difficult for me to answer as we have a different variant. But fully loaded, you can't help but feel like the car's engine is a little strained. Pero since M/T and siguro less yung power loss, it may suffice. (You may have to request a test drive, or wait for people with an MT TCi to reply). What you should take into consideration though is that the TCi engine saw duty on the older Starex, which was probably much lighter. So you really shouldn't expect a powerhouse (like you said).

2. Depends. For items that are checked on the 3-month interval warranty such as oil levels, brakes, etc. - the warranty will be void *daw* kung hindi mo sinundan. For items totally irrelevant, such as busted electricals (ASSUMING you did not do any outside modification), this will continue to be valid.

One thing to note dun sa 3 month PMS schedule. The life of fully synthetic oil is 6 months or 10K. If by 3 months, di ka pa umaabot ng 5K, they will only change the oil on the 2nd, 6 month PMS.

3. The resale value will naturally be lower, because the base price is lower. But what really kills the deal for me is the lack of ABS+EBD and the Airbag. Better to have it and not need it, rather than the reverse (lalo sa highway drives).

4. Real need to replace all of these? NO.
My list of modifications done to our GS (all except the last done sa Casa for the 5 year warranty) -
- Rear tailgate spoiler (primarily done for the third brake light)
- Rear exterior mirror
- Horn
- Leatherette Seat cover

Granted, the stock audio system is garbage. It's a family van and it will play music with USB/aux in. No need to have this changed unless you're a real audio junkie. I find no issue with the headlights. Wag ka lang magpatint ng madilim. I had my windshield tinted with reflective tint to preserve visibility inside the car.

5. Can be pretty expensive. But then again, you're maintaining a VAN, not a Vios. Take note malakas yata kumain ng brake pads yung GS. 10K palang, palit na yung sa amin. Ang bigat ata kasi ng GS, so stopping it will really stress the brake pads a lot.

6. Nasa brochure yan. The TCi is Euro3 compliant; the CRDi is Euro4 compliant. Usually yung mga hinihinto ng mga kotong cops yung mga Crosswind, Adventure, L300. Napara na dati yung 1999 HiAce namin, but passed the test. Out of all our diesel cars, hindi pa naman umuusok itong GS namin.

7. Non-warranty parts - brake pads, suspension (springs/shocks, unless sure na may manufacturing defect), modified parts, etc.

8. Your service history is indicated in the booklet they'll be giving you as well as in their system (I *THINK*). You can do a Casa hop for all your PMSs for all they care. And your warranty should still be in effect.

Hope this helps.