Full-size vans in pinas?

timmmay

what full-size vans are available in the philippines? i'm not looking for mini-vans, i'm looking for something like the ford E-150 chateau. is the gmc savana with vortec engine available there?

slamm

I think you can indent order a GMC Savana from GM Autoworld. The biggest van available here that's being sold openly is the Ford E-150 Chateau van, i'd also get this as Ford service is better than the GM service we have.

OTEP R

The GM full sizers are indeed available per order.

The E-150 is kept in stock by Ford.

The gray market is also abundant with conversion vans from Explorer (Mark III and IV), Roadtrek, as well as other reputable U.S. based manufacturers.

GreatBop

hehe.. i find it funny how sa states those vans are 'delivery vans'. dito they're considered high end passenger vans...

hahaha...

kelunji

GreatBop wrote:

hehe.. i find it funny how sa states those vans are 'delivery vans'. dito they're considered high end passenger vans...

hahaha...

depende naman yan sa configuration at options. you can buy them as delivery vans from the dealer bare (stripped of passenger seats, no windows) or as passenger vans with all amenities.

OTEP R

You can also indent order them as delivery vans here. And their fully-decked out models are also considered 'high-end' in their home market.

GreatBop

if somebody were to want a 'high end' mini van in the states, they look to an Oddessey, a Sienna, or a Caravan (complete with GPS and 5.1 dvd system that's 15k usd on top of the base model :O )

nobody drives around a e150 as a family car.

kelunji

those are "mini-vans", the thread-starter is looking for "full-size vans".

GreatBop

yes... i know. my point is.. those full sized vans are mainly used as delivery vans.

and they come here. and they become 'high end' vans..

kelunji

this doesn't look and sound like a delivery van to me:
http://www.intellichoice.com/reports/vehicleReport/vehicle_nmb/11237

the point is yes you may opt to get the utility version from the factory/dealer or get the passenger/family version.

but yes I concede some high-end vehicles here are low-end in the US, like the Honda Civic.

timmmay

thanks for the replies guys...

yeah, with the full-size vans in the states... you can go from a delivery van to a luxury van, it all depends on the configuration. luxury models are offered by conversion manufacturers. the new ones i've seen are all leather, 20" rims, navigation, reverse lcd, 22" hdtv lcd, ps2, etc... pretty much everything but the kitchen sink. and i've seen them retailed over $50k. a lot more expensive than any fully-loaded mini-vans.

OTEP R

Only the bare models are used as delivery/commercial vans.

Fully decked-out models are for the high end market which does not see these vehicles as 'daily drivers' and is bought as a second or third vehicle to augment the other vehicles in the garage.

Vehicles outfitted by Starcraft, Explorer, Roadtrek, etc. are in the very high end of the full size van spectrum. Contrary to timmmay's statement, some of these vans are fitted with a sink.

timmmay

i've seen them equipped with a center table but not with a sink. i wouldn't be surprised if some models come with a sink like you say, considering 99% of the interior is redone when these vans are converted.

how about mini-vans like the dodge grand caravan, lincoln town & country, toyota sienna, ford freestar, kia sedona... which of these are available in pinas?

kelunji

my friend has the Sedona and I've seen Caravans on the streets.

slamm

On the minivans, we have the Caravan/T&C, Kia Sedona, Toyota Previa (not the Sienna), Mitsubishi Space Gear, Hyundai Starex, and Nissan Serena amongst some. WIth no budget ceiling, i'd go with the Toyota Previa...

Other Asian full-sized vans are the Toyota Hiace, Nissan Urvan Estate, and Kia Pregio. The Hiace is due for a new model and with the current ones available now, the Urvan Estate gets my vote.

timmmay

so the sedona, caravan, and town & country are all available through dealers. i shouldn't have problems with parts and service?? am i right??

OTEP R

The Town and Country is available through the local dealer. But lack of third party support (though it does exist) means you are usually stuck with the dealer when it comes to parts and services. And the local Chrysler dealer has never been known for cheap prices and great service. They don't even stock much parts and you are usually left waiting for parts while they 'order' it abroad.

Korean and Japanese vans, on the other hand, are very much supported by third-party (non-dealer) parts and service shops.

timmmay

thanks for all the info guys..

slamm

It's safer to go with the mainstream brands that carry vans: Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Kia, Hyundai, and Mitsu amongts some.