scoobyVan.writtenOff = true; var newVan = new vanMarket().initiateSearch();

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dpw

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Topic # 89798 8-Sep-2011 09:19

Hi folks,

I'm mostly appealing to the less-vehicularly-particular (i.e. don't insist on high performance vehicles) geeks who drive, have driven, or have knowledge of diesel vans. I rolled our Hiace van on SH1 during the first Canterbury snow dump and it has been written off. For some reason I find myself a lot less enthusiastic about car purchases compared to my varsity days.

What's the general consensus about vans? It seems Toyota Hiace still tops the count of vans on the road and I guess Toyota has a reputation of being reliable and high quality - not sure how true that is. However, for the same price I can get a Mitsubishi L300 of newer vintage and nearly half the odometer reading! I don't see nearly as many of them on the road though, but what does that exactly translate to? Or is it safe to assume that more recent builds are of suitably good quality to last? We are mostly looking at mid-2000s models.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
D.

Android user, software developer, a semi-typical (not a gamer) geek, and a Bernese Mountain Dog nut!

http://savitarbernese.com | https://nz.linkedin.com/in/danywu

tchart

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Reply # 518425 8-Sep-2011 09:56

Hey D, you forgot to mention you need a van for all of your dogs :D

T

tchart

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Reply # 518427 8-Sep-2011 09:58

PS I read somewhere (might have been Stuff) that the tradies are now selecting Hyundai vans over Toyota, Mitsubishi etc as they are now the most reliable.

dpw

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Reply # 518430 8-Sep-2011 10:03

Hey T, yes, you're right - it has to be roughly the same size as a generic CourierPost Hiace so I can stick the cages back in ;o) No small vans or they won't comfortably fit 4 x 50 kg dogs!

Interesting about the Hyundai - I assume they will be dealing with new models? I haven't heard many good comments on early 2000s and older Hyundai vans!

Android user, software developer, a semi-typical (not a gamer) geek, and a Bernese Mountain Dog nut!

http://savitarbernese.com | https://nz.linkedin.com/in/danywu

nate

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Reply # 518474 8-Sep-2011 11:33

dpw: I rolled our Hiace van on SH1 during the first Canterbury snow dump and it has been written off.

I love this nonchalant attitude of a serious event. By any chance, after this, did you grab your shotgun and kill a large wild animal, and then re-route a major river?

dpw

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Reply # 518482 8-Sep-2011 11:56

nate:
dpw: I rolled our Hiace van on SH1 during the first Canterbury snow dump and it has been written off.

I love this nonchalant attitude of a serious event. By any chance, after this, did you grab your shotgun and kill a large wild animal, and then re-route a major river?

I've been through a quiet freaking out period - that's all done and dusted now - no need to shout it over the digital PA system that is The Web!

One of my major freak-out points was the fact that had I had any or all of my babies in the van with me it could've ended up very badly! Our youngest dog is very fond of sticking her head out the driver's side rear window. And guess which side the van ended up resting on the ground? I can still feel the chill up my spine just thinking about it.

Anyway... back on the off-topic discussion!

Android user, software developer, a semi-typical (not a gamer) geek, and a Bernese Mountain Dog nut!

http://savitarbernese.com | https://nz.linkedin.com/in/danywu

TheUngeek

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Reply # 518484 8-Sep-2011 11:58

tchart: PS I read somewhere (might have been Stuff) that the tradies are now selecting Hyundai vans over Toyota, Mitsubishi etc as they are now the most reliable.

Not quite. Hyundai have the best warranty. I forget the exact details but it's pretty insane how long they will cover them for. We have one here and so far it's been pretty good. But yeah if you talkng about older models not really applicable.

Mitsi from mid 2000s will be ok. Avoid 90s mitsi at all costs.