STA FE (Gen 3)

[T|tan]

Hello there. This thread is quite long already but I have serious plans of buying the SF 3rd Gen. I have some questions though, and I hope those who bought theirs already can help me pick the option. First, the variants in the gray market (i.e., Pitstop) has a 2.0 engine, while in HARI they have the 2.2. Is it true that the engines in HARI are still the "old" engines? Is there a marked difference between the 2.0 and 2.2 for the SF 3rd Gen? Second, is the price difference between the 4WD, and the 2WD negligible? Would you recommend that, even if my route is substantially city-driving, I still get the 4WD because it has all the bells and whistles? I read that the new SF owners are very happy with their purchase, and it so happens that I have a budget for this particular vehicle. Thanks.

I guess they are the same ones like in the late sf2 the one with evgt. The engine is a monster, you don't have to worry. The older version engine did not have the variable turbo. The ones they are selling both PHDM and KDM are evgt. The difference between 2.0 and 2.2 is engine displacement, to which the latter has higher HP and Torque. I would recommend getting a 2.2, the SF3 is comparable heavier than a Tucson more muscle through torque will be right for this, thus 2.2 is my choice. KDM models you have an option to choose between the two engine displacement and it also has a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) which definitely emits less pollutants, PHDM models unfortunately does not have them. Disadvantage to the KDM they recommend euro 4 a cleaner diesel as it is really built to handle euro 5 which is much cleaner. Unfortunately we do not have euro 5 diesel yet, euro 4 we have through Unioil. You can use euro 2 which most gas stations carry but expect your DPF filter to regenerate, or go on its self cleaning mode which may emit smoke like belch. It is actually water vapor and CO2, not real smoke. The PHDM model was tuned to Euro 2, then again guys please correct me if I am wrong. In the end, it would be up to you if you want more bells and whistles which is a more than welcome or fancy the PHDM model which for others feel secure through casa warranty. The KDM models are offered with their own casa warranty of 3 years if I remember correctly.

You can order 2wd or front wheel drive model with all the bells and whistles from the grey market. If you are looking for more grip and secure driving I would go for the 4wd version. It goes on 2wd to 4wd automatically anyhow. But it really is what you need and want. Either ways as daily driver you won't regret it.

[simply_louie]

Thank you for the quick reply. I am inclined to get the KDM from Pitstop, but I don't know if they carry the 2.2. That was good of you to put in your advise regarding the DPF. So, it is only Unioil that carries Euro 4, but would its quality be at least within the norm of the recommended Euro 5 for KDMs? Do all Unioil branches have Euro 4?

[T|tan]

We bought our 4wd SF3 from Pitstop, look for CarlRose she is my SA. She has good after sales service. They have a white 2.2 4wd model in their showroom I was there last week, brown interior and full option like ours. Unioil carries Euro4 in all their branches, I guess that's the only diesel they sell. I haven't seen them selling Euro2 so far. Norm for the KDM unit is really Euro5, but going down a notch would hurt. It can also use Euro2, but as I have said its DPF filter will go to its regeneration mode more often as Euro2 diesel is way dirty than 4.

[numbah5]

I saw a white or beige KDM Santa Fe with license plates this afternoon at Greenhills. It came from Pitstop. Is it you sir T|tan?

[bjreyesmd]

*simple louie, you won't regret getting the SF3...a lot of happy owners here, hehe

[T|tan]

I saw a white or beige KDM Santa Fe with license plates this afternoon at Greenhills. It came from Pitstop. Is it you sir T|tan?

Not me, I think there are less than 5 folks who have the same mystic beige color, 2 I guess are in Manila. I drove my Forester this afternoon, but I was in Eastwood. I was at Annapolis last Thursday morning though.

[jetrc]

Hi sirs, would like to ask if HARI honors the original warranties of the KDM version SFs? We are planning to buy a SF soon and importers like Hancars and Pitstop are offering more for the money than the PHDM version HARI sells, but we are residing in Cebu and i am thinking maybe casa support is limited for KDM units here compared to PHDM units.

[number001]

Hi sirs, would like to ask if HARI honors the original warranties of the KDM version SFs? We are planning to buy a SF soon and importers like Hancars and Pitstop are offering more for the money than the PHDM version HARI sells, but we are residing in Cebu and i am thinking maybe casa support is limited for KDM units here compared to PHDM units.

For any warranties, Hancars and Pitstop offer warranties with the units they sell.

AFAIK, HARI will only honor for units that they sold though their dealer networks.

[simply_louie]

At P2.350M at Pitstop, isn't the 4WD SF3 quite steep? At that price, one can get a Pajero or Explorer. I don't understand why their 2WD variant is only 2.0 engine displacement, and the price is P2.150M. I do have a budget for P2M, but would the 2.0 engine be a good buy? I like the SF3, but if I will pay for P2.3M, I might have to consider getting a Japanese brand. The PHDM units pale in comparison with the KDM, but they carry the 2.2 engine variants. What do you think, Titan?

We bought our 4wd SF3 from Pitstop, look for CarlRose she is my SA. She has good after sales service. They have a white 2.2 4wd model in their showroom I was there last week, brown interior and full option like ours. Unioil carries Euro4 in all their branches, I guess that's the only diesel they sell. I haven't seen them selling Euro2 so far. Norm for the KDM unit is really Euro5, but going down a notch would hurt. It can also use Euro2, but as I have said its DPF filter will go to its regeneration mode more often as Euro2 diesel is way dirty than 4.

- - - Updated - - -

At P2.350M at Pitstop, isn't the 4WD SF3 quite steep? At that price, one can get a Pajero or Explorer. I don't understand why their 2WD variant is only 2.0 engine displacement, and the price is P2.150M. I do have a budget for P2M, but would the 2.0 engine be a good buy? I like the SF3, but if I will pay for P2.3M, I might have to consider getting a Japanese brand. The PHDM units pale in comparison with the KDM, but they carry the 2.2 engine variants. What do you think, Titan?

We bought our 4wd SF3 from Pitstop, look for CarlRose she is my SA. She has good after sales service. They have a white 2.2 4wd model in their showroom I was there last week, brown interior and full option like ours. Unioil carries Euro4 in all their branches, I guess that's the only diesel they sell. I haven't seen them selling Euro2 so far. Norm for the KDM unit is really Euro5, but going down a notch would hurt. It can also use Euro2, but as I have said its DPF filter will go to its regeneration mode more often as Euro2 diesel is way dirty than 4.

[simply_louie]

*simple louie, you won't regret getting the SF3...a lot of happy owners here, hehe

Yes, bjreyesmd, it seems so. I also want to be one of you.

[Automahn]

The gray market dealers sell 2WD units with 2.2L engines. ;)

[jetrc]

For any warranties, Hancars and Pitstop offer warranties with the units they sell.

AFAIK, HARI will only honor for units that they sold though their dealer networks.

So how will we bring the car for PMS and other casa concerns? Pitstop doesn't seem to have an authorized service center here in Cebu. I'm just afraid that the HARI dealer here in Cebu won't service the SF because it's a KDM unit...

[bjreyesmd]

*simple louie, just add about 200-300k to the sf3 price and nasa range na sya ng explorer at pajero...but both are gas engines, the pajero diesel variant costs more. Advantage of sf3 ay diesel siya, plus some premium features of the pajero are present. I personally bought the 4wd phdm version, first because I needed a diesel and the security of the 5 year warranty given by HARI. I think pitstop carry a 2.2L 2WD variant, just ask.

[koji kabuto]

At P2.350M at Pitstop, isn't the 4WD SF3 quite steep? At that price, one can get a Pajero or Explorer. I don't understand why their 2WD variant is only 2.0 engine displacement, and the price is P2.150M. I do have a budget for P2M, but would the 2.0 engine be a good buy? I like the SF3, but if I will pay for P2.3M, I might have to consider getting a Japanese brand. The PHDM units pale in comparison with the KDM, but they carry the 2.2 engine variants. What do you think, Titan?

i also thought about this. but the Pajero or Explorer are petrol variants. diesel Pajero is around P2.8M yata. their price might be close, but the operating costs are not. if you read the Explorer thread in the Ford section, their mileage is (if i recall correctly) is around 4-5km/L lang. so the Explorer is out of the picture for me. Pajero and SF3 na lang ang pagpipilian.

[oryx1001]

guys need your help,sorry kung sumali ako sa d2 thread althought d2 ako sa saudi.kc un santa fe ko na 3.3L V6 ay nd nag auto lock pag natakbo.please somebody help me regarding my problem standard option po sya d2.

[ano727]

i also thought about this. but the Pajero or Explorer are petrol variants. diesel Pajero is around P2.8M yata. their price might be close, but the operating costs are not. if you read the Explorer thread in the Ford section, their mileage is (if i recall correctly) is around 4-5km/L lang. so the Explorer is out of the picture for me. Pajero and SF3 na lang ang pagpipilian.

Ganyan din dati yung view ko when comparing. I was only thinking diesel SUVs dahil cheaper fuel.

But think about this.

Santa Fe, you pay 2.35M, you get a good car, nice gadgets, and low fuel costs (diesel and low FC). A bit more expensive for PMS.
Mazda CX9, you pay P1.8M for FWD or P2.1M for 4x4 with all bells and whistles, much more space, full 7-seater for adults, at ibang level na, pero gas and higher FC. PMS cost is a bit lower.

Question is, with the price you save on buying (around P500k to P250k), ilang taon mo na yung pang-sustain ng fuel cost difference. Compute mo lang how much in reality you will spend for fuel based on your usage and length of ownership. Pajero gas is also ok, pero mas mahal na sya relatively.

Just another view to consider.

[Ry_Tower]

Ganyan din dati yung view ko when comparing. I was only thinking diesel SUVs dahil cheaper fuel.

But think about this.

Santa Fe, you pay 2.35M, you get a good car, nice gadgets, and low fuel costs (diesel and low FC). A bit more expensive for PMS.
Mazda CX9, you pay P1.8M for FWD or P2.1M for 4x4 with all bells and whistles, much more space, full 7-seater for adults, at ibang level na, pero gas and higher FC. PMS cost is a bit lower.

Question is, with the price you save on buying (around P500k to P250k), ilang taon mo na yung pang-sustain ng fuel cost difference. Compute mo lang how much in reality you will spend for fuel based on your usage and length of ownership. Pajero gas is also ok, pero mas mahal na sya relatively.

Just another view to consider.

This is most specially true if you're not gonna keep the car for long and you don't travel much.

[imperialv]

*simple louie, just add about 200-300k to the sf3 price and nasa range na sya ng explorer at pajero...but both are gas engines, the pajero diesel variant costs more. Advantage of sf3 ay diesel siya, plus some premium features of the pajero are present. I personally bought the 4wd phdm version, first because I needed a diesel and the security of the 5 year warranty given by HARI. I think pitstop carry a 2.2L 2WD variant, just ask.

or if you don't need the AWD and the other added bling, the PHDM 4x2 is already ok..

*jetrc.. I think better get the HARI version because of warranty.. Unless ask mo si pitsop kung paano ka nila matutulungan kung nasa CEBU ka..

[imperialv]

guys need your help,sorry kung sumali ako sa d2 thread althought d2 ako sa saudi.kc un santa fe ko na 3.3L V6 ay nd nag auto lock pag natakbo.please somebody help me regarding my problem standard option po sya d2.

Ayaw mo yung features? Dito nga wala yan sa 4x2 version.

[bjreyesmd]

Ganyan din dati yung view ko when comparing. I was only thinking diesel SUVs dahil cheaper fuel.

But think about this.

Santa Fe, you pay 2.35M, you get a good car, nice gadgets, and low fuel costs (diesel and low FC). A bit more expensive for PMS.
Mazda CX9, you pay P1.8M for FWD or P2.1M for 4x4 with all bells and whistles, much more space, full 7-seater for adults, at ibang level na, pero gas and higher FC. PMS cost is a bit lower.

Question is, with the price you save on buying (around P500k to P250k), ilang taon mo na yung pang-sustain ng fuel cost difference. Compute mo lang how much in reality you will spend for fuel based on your usage and length of ownership. Pajero gas is also ok, pero mas mahal na sya relatively.

Just another view to consider.

This won't hold true in my case as mataas mileage ko per month and city driving (1500kms a month). Thats why diesel kinuha ko. Plus, you get new a model that wont change in the next 5-6 years. Kaya it really depends on your needs.