Suzuki APV walkaround and short test drive report

**Macky** · December 2nd, 2005 11:19 PM

Originally Posted by moipogi

Tapos, guys, please check out the custom seat cover for the APV at PilHino. Sobrang ganda. Might be tempted to buy it as well.

Saw this as well pero at 10K???!?!?! Tiis muna siguro ako sa libreng car seats, hehehe.

Congratulations!

**moipogi** · December 3rd, 2005 12:33 PM

Pero ganda talaga. I've bought it na rin. Card ko na lang. It was either that or changing the head unit to a 1-DIN Alpine. BTW, if anybody is interested on the 2-DIN standard head unit, please gimme a PM or reply to this message.

Getting the car on Monday!

**moipogi** · December 7th, 2005 02:53 PM

Got the APV, and I must say, what Macky says about the shifting of the transmission and the roominess have to be experienced. Great microvan for the money. Sana may APV club din dito tulad ng sa Indonesia. Anybody want to start one?

**5Speed** · December 7th, 2005 03:04 PM

congrats on your new ride.....

**ljas** · December 8th, 2005 09:46 PM

We got our APVat last October. At present both my wife and I are very satisfied with our unit. We got our unit from Pilhino (Menard) and I have to say that they gave us a very good deal. We initially got a Beige manual APV. They gave us a substantial discount, free tints, free lto (three years) and free alarm. However, after driving the manual unit for two days, we opted to return it and have it replaced with an AT. We were very surprised that Pilhino accomodated us and agreed to accept our manual unit back and had it replaced with an AT unit (of course after paying the difference between the manual and auto).

**BlackPrince** · December 8th, 2005 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by ljas

We got our APVat last October. At present both my wife and I are very satisfied with our unit. We got our unit from Pilhino (Menard) and I have to say that they gave us a very good deal. We initially got a Beige manual APV. They gave us a substantial discount, free tints, free lto (three years) and free alarm. However, after driving the manual unit for two days, we opted to return it and have it replaced with an AT. We were very surprised that Pilhino accomodated us and agreed to accept our manual unit back and had it replaced with an AT unit (of course after paying the difference between the manual and auto).

sir, tanong ko lang. why did u change your unit from M/T to A/T ?
what's the issue with M/T units?

TIA

**ljas** · December 8th, 2005 10:59 PM

There was nothing wrong with the M/T unit - it was perfect (almost). However, we find it very hard driving a M/T unit again after being used to driving an A/T unit for more than eight years. Both of us drive A/T units (Vitara and Mazda).

The reason why we initially opted for a M/T unit is the mileage. However, at the end we thought that an A/T unit is still best for us.

**Macky** · December 9th, 2005 11:01 PM

After 12K kms of ownership here are some of my concerns besides sa pagiging bouncy ng ride:

- rattle at dashboard
- some annoying sound coming from rear A/C when speed is at full blast.
- although fuel economy has improved to 7.5 km/l in city driving after its 10K PMS, it's still below my expectations.

Overall, the APV is still a great buy considering my family needs.

**moipogi** · December 10th, 2005 02:35 PM

After a week of ownership, some feedback din:

1) Observed mileage after 2nd top up: 5km/l. Possible reasons: break-in period, especially in an automatic. Macky, you may be expecting too much for an automatic 1.6L with no VTEC/MIVEC/VVTI. Even my old manual Corolla GLI 1.6 at best averaged 7-8 km/litre in city driving from Makati-Marikina. So, I figure if you get 7km/litre on an auto, that's not bad. Besides, parang may fuel penalty yata with slicker shifting automatics. The APV shifting algorithm in my opinion tends to err on the side of smoothness, at the expense of efficiency. Plus of course, medyo nagsasanay tayo sa AT after being an exclusive MT driver.

2) Bouncy ride, pero that's to be expected coming from a car. But when you load it up with 8 officemates, the ride becomes much better. In fact, those guys expecting a car-like ride in ANY van-type vehicle may be expecting way too much. If you want a car-like ride,buy a car. Otherwise, if you're on a budget, buy the APV.

3) Great engine response. I'm coming from driving a 1.6 GLI (na may intake mods), so this part surprised me. Especially since I'm used to a manual car. Pag-nagpick up yung auto ng APV, medyo malakas din yung hatak. When needed, you can actually surprise the sedan that's trying to cut you off just because he thinks you too cautious driving a new car. :-) Even my officemate who drives a CRV says the APV's shifting is smoother than his.

4) Really anemic and puny horn. That's one thing that I need to replace. Plus, since sobra lapit ng placement, yung busina rinig sa loob.

5) Absolutely no lumbar or thigh support on the seats. Tapos, medyo madulas yung optional leatherseats (pero gwapo!) I plan to buy one of those orthopaedic back cushions on long trips.

6) Great space. Even my officemate who owns an Innova commented that the APV's interior is more spacious vs the Innova.

7) Those guys buying M/T versions: you may not need the second aircon unit. Assuming you get tints for the car (including the entire windshield), the front aircon vents can cool the APV. Naka 1 lang kami, we had to shut it down since sobra lamig. Pero baka dahil december lang ngayon.

8) Exclusivity. I honestly haven't seen or been beside another APV in my daily Makati-Marikina commute. Baka nagtatago lang sila or ibang place yung mga owners. Basta, pag may nakita kayong black na APV along EDSA, ako yun!

But for P735k, and lotsa freebies, I think its a fairly good compromise. My choices were the Innova Diesel E and the APV. The APV still wins hands down, in terms of value for money.

**Hero** · December 10th, 2005 03:09 PM

hi!

are you selling your hu? how much is your best price?

wow buti pumayag ang suzuki na palitan yung unit kahit gamit na for 2 days! kawawa ang kukuha nun di niya alam 2nd hand na ahihihi