KNOW MUCH ABOUT VANS!

hey all, i just wanted any opinion on Mitsubishi L300 1988 and vans in general, my first time buying one and thought id get advice from people who had/have one. good points bad points anything, thanks

hiaces are expensive, and if the 1990-2003 shape look out for rust. on the other hand, they are bigger than most other stuff eg l300's by quite a lot.
a petrol 1300 weighs in around 1300kg, vs a diesel hiace arund 1850kg - clearly 2 different machines!

new shape hiace (2005+) go a lot faster and use significantly less diesel than the older model, if you're planning to do any reasonable mileage it may pay to spend more initially for the huge fuel savings.

the mercedes vito van could be worth looking into, though i dont know anything about them other than the fact they look like they would be nicer than a hiace

petrol 1300s tend to be thirsty, rumour has it diesel mitsi's love to blow up though i have no factual evidence to support this.

diesel hiaces are slow, with the exception of the 1kz-te powered custom and super custom

bongo / econovan / vanette / new l300 / brawny, i personally find incredibly uncomfortable to drive with their 'flat style' (like a bus) steering wheel position, it somehow encourages you to drive with a hunchback

theres some quick advise from a guy who's owned and driven lots of vans.

I think any van that old is going to be more trouble than its worth as they would have had a fairly hard life, unless you can find a low ks petrol townace or something I would increase your budget and look for something newer.

Petrol L300s are hell thirsty, also.

Hiace vans go for ever if looked after.
The LWB ones command higher prices than the SWBs.
The 5 door ones are really good in terms of usability.
Change the diff oil regularly otherwise they cut out.
Rust can be a problem - especially on imports - not so much on NZ new.

Bear in mind that diesel vehicles cost over $100 more per year to register than petrol vehicles.
Carefully check the Road User label on the windscreen - the new purchaser (not the old owner) is liable for any overdue distance payment. I saw one that had about $3000 (three thousand dollars) owing on overdues.

bear in mind petrol vehicles cost about $40 more each time you fill them up. that rego difference evens out REAL quick

as for RUC - does anyone actually pay these anyway on older vehicles!

most people just disconnect the odo or wind it back

Vans are lethal in frontal collisions. Get something with a bonnet.

especially mitsu$hitheaps.

I had the 96 model Hiace 2.8lt 5 speed, spent nothing on it till 181,000km apart from servicing, 1 seatbelt and front brake pads once. it had no air cond and it ran approx 10lt/100km
I now have the 05 Hiace 2.5lt int turbo diesel, it is heaps quicker, its auto and runs approx 10lt/100km with air cond running most of the time.
Its now up to 95,000km and has never been in to the garage yet for repairs.
Cheers Stevo