Anyone own a Hiace ZX (Jumbo)?

[The Reibz]

Get the manual diesel one with a turbo. You won't be disappointed

[ducatilover]

4WD won't help. Traction is a function of downforce and friction. You can increase downforce by buying a few bags of cement and putting it on top of the rear axle.

Ever seen a RWD HiAce reverse up a slop with no load?

4WD ones just understeer in a boring and casual manner.
The RWD isn't really that tail happy in the wet if you drive like a normal person, but can be provoked in to slow gay wallowing drifts.

I'd be interested to see the running costs comparo between the oil gobbler and the petrol one.
Petrol ones are a little lacking in torque, and the diesel makes fuck all torque for a 3L and absolutely no power. Not like there is a huge array of options to choose from sadly.
Any of them Renault, Merc etc vans fit the criteria?

[Gremlin]

Any of them Renault, Merc etc vans fit the criteria?

Some of the Euro vans seem to have questionable reliability or expensive servicing. Going to Merc/Renault usually results in a freaken massive van (like, bigger than the big Hiace). The nose would make it safer but to get the same load space (~3.5m) the van is heading to 6m and often with a REALLY high roof. Also don't want a panel van, as it wouldn't be that nice for passengers plus blind spots are going to come into play (although tinted windows at night will be fun). I'm wanting to get a van with a reversing camera, just to make things a little safer, and some already have aftermarket units fitted.

Not crucial, but going with a van over 5.5m will make things like an Interislander trip cost more, from about $175 to $210 for a cheap fare (under 5.5m it's the same as a ute). Also, general town manoeuvrability will be more tricky. Looked at a couple of Hiace options yesterday, yeap, she's a big van alright so wouldn't want to go bigger really, as it's also going to be my only 4 wheels, so daily use, not just moving stuff. In between comparos I also found an electrified fence the hard way...

[ducatilover]

Fair enough mate.
Some of the early current gen 3.0 Toyotas were problematic, but they seem to have ironed out most of the faults now.
I'd keep the ute. Or, not even bother with four wheels? Two bikes is a better way to have four wheels

[Gremlin]

Some of the early current gen 3.0 Toyotas were problematic, but they seem to have ironed out most of the faults now.
I'd keep the ute. Or, not even bother with four wheels? Two bikes is a better way to have four wheels

I presume 3.0 to be diesel, but early current gen would be '05 onwards, which is sort of the era I'm looking at. Few options around '05-07 for $22-26k, don't really want more expensive. Petrol will probably be the choice, simply because there are more available, with lower km than a diesel etc.

Yeah, point of starting the thread is to simply get the bits of info digging might not reveal, and ownership stories. 4 wheels is handy you know... for moving bikes. Was moving my boss' bike to a dealer for some work on Saturday. When going mountain biking, fark, I wouldn't even make the park before dying if I rode there (because of poor shape, but I could end up road kill). One I regularly visit is an hours drive.

Pros and cons, ute v van... I still like the ute, just have to figure out which suits my needs better.

[Ocean1]

I'm on my 3rd Granvia. Fully appointed coach. I take the rear seats out, build a simple ply liner and use them for work.

They're essentially the Japanese export version of the model Hiace supercustom we never got here.

Couple of reasons, at 9k-11k for a good one they're way cheaper than any other comparable option. They're comfortable to use as a family car. The middle seats can be reconfigured to get two bikes in, although I nave a trailer so I never bother. They're a lot quieter than a commercial van, with all of the insulation and lining. Access through the rear door is better then most, low sill and enough width and height.

I've kept a running search for replacements for almost 10 years, but we're now at the tail end of them, I haven't seen one for sale under 100km for a couple of years now. So I dunno what the next van will be, probably bite the bullet and spend twice as much for a gen 3 Hiace, which may be more modern but is nowhere near as highly spec'd.

[ducatilover]

I'm on my 3rd Granvia. Fully appointed coach. I take the rear seats out, build a simple ply liner and use them for work.

They're essentially the Japanese export version of the model Hiace supercustom we never got here.

Couple of reasons, at 9k-11k for a good one they're way cheaper than any other comparable option. They're comfortable to use as a family car. The middle seats can be reconfigured to get two bikes in, although I nave a trailer so I never bother. They're a lot quieter than a commercial van, with all of the insulation and lining. Access through the rear door is better then most, low sill and enough width and height.

I've kept a running search for replacements for almost 10 years, but we're now at the tail end of them, I haven't seen one for sale under 100km for a couple of years now. So I dunno what the next van will be, probably bite the bullet and spend twice as much for a gen 3 Hiace, which may be more modern but is nowhere near as highly spec'd.

I've used a Granvia as a rally service and tow van for a mate and it was a bloody good beast. A bit flabby (as one expects with an ubervan) but bloody comfy and the big V6 has plenty of wick. According to him it's super reliable and reasonably hungry (but that does involve towing a rally car, and raping it to remote service spots)
I'm surprised you can chuck a bike up one of them though, thought the floor was fairly high

[BMWST?]

mitsi l300 vans are on runout at the moment,bloody cheap

[Gremlin]

mitsi l300 vans are on runout at the moment,bloody cheap

Never touching a Mitsubishi (well, never is harsh, and I've been proven wrong, so I'll avoid them as best possible).

Granvia... Regular height roof isn't going to give 1.6m of vertical load space, length won't allow much more than a bike only (ie, another row of seats). Re lining, valid point, considered a Hiace commuter for example, but then I have a pile of seats that don't suit me...

[RJC]

I'd be interested to see the running costs comparo between the oil gobbler and the petrol one.

I just did the maths on running costs for Hilux petrol vs diesel, in total running costs the diesel isn't cheaper to own till about 15,000km a year. The extra rego cost and cost of service is what kills it in the early KM's.

[ducatilover]

I just did the maths on running costs for Hilux petrol vs diesel, in total running costs the diesel isn't cheaper to own till about 15,000km a year. The extra rego cost and cost of service is what kills it in the early KM's.

What would happen if the odometer stopped? I've found that odometers do stop very often

[Gremlin]

What would happen if the odometer stopped? I've found that odometers do stop very often

Might be good for an owner, or seller... as a buyer it scares me

[Ocean1]

What would happen if the odometer stopped? I've found that odometers do stop very often

On an auto Hiace?

Your transmission stops working.

[RJC]

What would happen if the odometer stopped? I've found that odometers do stop very often

Guess you'd save a couple of bucks.

I can afford to buy new Hilux, would seem wrong to cock about with it to avoid a couple of dollars of RUC.

[ducatilover]

Might be good for an owner, or seller... as a buyer it scares me

Scares the shit out of me too. But I get to see how most second han vehicles get treated, and I am scared of anything now

On an auto Hiace?

Your transmission stops working.

Are they a digital system? I suppose it's ann faggoty CANbus crap these days. Bah humbug

Guess you'd save a couple of bucks.

I can afford to buy new Hilux, would seem wrong to cock about with it to avoid a couple of dollars of RUC.

Fair enough. If I could afford a new Hilux, I'd spend the money on beer instead.