Hardcore Biker
I'm looking to buy a van in the next few months so have been browsing around at what's available. In previous threads the majority of people have said a Toyota Hiace is the way to go, but I've noticed that they cost substantially more than Nissan Vannette/Mazda Bongo with similar k's - anyone know why that is? I'd be keen to hear of peoples experiences with the vannette/bongo vans, their reliability etc.
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gee wizzz
Bert. I'd suggest to you buy a van sooner rather than later.
-reason being if you want diesel they are gonna start skyrocketing in price as the realisation that the minister of treansport has stiffed the motoring public --yet again. (no pre 2004 diesels are allowed in the country)
Short version --DONT buy a mazda diesel
The Nissan Homey is pretty good but I must say the toyotas just seem to deserve tha extra money they cost by keepin on keepin on.
What price range ya in?
If around the 3-6 range --check pillars and roof sills for rust
To see a life newly created.To watch it grow and prosper. Isn't that the greatest gift a human being can be given?
Hardcore Biker
Thanks Frosty, I'm looking in the 5-7K range, but the only Toyota's I can find in that range are round 200Km's which worries me. Will check out the Nissan Homey.
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Forum whore
PLease! PLease! PLease! DO NOT BUY a Mazda Bongo/Nissan Vanette diesel! Nissan, in a moment of sheer madness decided to sell the Mazda Bongo with Vanette badges.
I had a Mazda Bongo diesel back in the '90's before it became apparent that the Mazda and Mitsi diesel's were handgrenades! The biggest issue was they have a hardened bore and you cannot rebore them unless you resleeve them as the boring just removes the hardening and they last about another 20-30,000 km and wear out again. The other issue is the cam location flange is only a half-circle groove and the cam flange tends to crack as it's not fully supported. This is on the Mazda's. The Mitsi's had head issues, though the later 2.5 was a much better engine.
The actual NISSAN Vanette made by Nissan is a good little van and I'd have no problem recomending them. The Toyota is a good van, the earlier 2.4 diesel's had head issues and the turbo 2.4's weren't Toyota's best effort.
Make sure whatever you buy has had regular servicing, otherwise you could be buying yourself an expensive lesson. One can usually tell if a diesel engine is okay by smelling the oil. It should also start instantly from cold and then idle smoothly after the glow-plugs have been activated, though the newer models are "instant-on" without needing to wait for glow-plugs.
Check for leaks around the injector pump, expensive to fix!
You don't get to be an old dog without learning a few tricks.
Shorai Powersports batteries are very trick!
Forum whore
Originally Posted by FROSTY
Yup! Agree! I had a Nissan Caravan, (had 2), which is the Homy with another badge. The 2.3 and 2.7 motors are the old pushrod type and as reliable as a brick! Slower than other vans, though, but very reliable. My last Caravan was the turbo 2.7 GT coach and a beautiful, fast, reliable vehicle! The turbo just went so well!
You don't get to be an old dog without learning a few tricks.
Shorai Powersports batteries are very trick!
Hardcore Biker
ok, these comments do explain why they are cheaper! Is the petrol bongo/vanette pretty crappy too? It's been quite a while since I've owned a cage, is diesel still cheaper or is it much of a muchness with road tax included (assuming from Frosty's comments they are)?
Most of the vans I've looked at have been imports so safe to say little or no servicing has been done....
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parting of the sensory
Don't buy a white van, or else you will become an Evil White Van Driver, one of the biggest menaces on the road.
... and that's what I think.
Or summat.
Or maybe not...
Dunno really....
Forum whore
Depends on the mileage you're planning on doing. If not too much, then I'd probably go for a petrol in the smaller Bongo/Vanette type, but the bigger vans are VERY thirsty in petrol. The 1.8 Bongo petrol seemed to be fine and the later 2lt was okay, but I wouldn't recommend a bigger petrol. Go for the diesel if a Hi Ace or Homy/Caravan sized vehicle. Nissan petrol's never die!
Someone like Frosty may be the best person to get you what you're looking for, at least you'd be dealing with someone trustworthy...
You don't get to be an old dog without learning a few tricks.
Shorai Powersports batteries are very trick!
Hardcore Biker
Wonder if crazefox could do this
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Hardcore Biker
Thanks, that does help a lot - I'm not planning on doing too many k's in it, just the occassional trip.
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gee wizzz
Basicly COUNT ON --doint oil filter,air filter and fuel filter (cheap insurance) then take it for a run at 100km/h for an hour or two. in other words get it hot
Then Get the glow plugs and injection serviced/checked.
As a rule even taking into account diesel tax and servicing the diesel vans work out cheaper to own/run.
To see a life newly created.To watch it grow and prosper. Isn't that the greatest gift a human being can be given?
gee wizzz
It really depends too on what you want the van FOR. If its for transporting a bike you need room for --well the bike.
A personal suggestion would be a 2.0l petrol liteace noa
or a 2.0 diesel --Jorjas got an 8 setasr and its bloody great.--runns on the smell of an oily one
To see a life newly created.To watch it grow and prosper. Isn't that the greatest gift a human being can be given?
Moped rider
200K`s for a hiace is nothing man they run 500+ trouble free definitly go with a hiace.
Wannabe racer
Frosty can you explain to me what getting the injection serviced/checked would do/check for? I'm just curious seeing as I own a diesel.
Life is difficult because it is non-linear.
Hardcore Biker
What is the difference between a hiace and a liteace (one is higher and one is lighter)?
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