G'day
I'm in the market for a new(2nd hand) Van to transport all my toys in. I'm chasing opinions from people with I-Loads and Hiace vans on what they think of them in terms of RELIABILITY, drive ability and size as well as opinions from car Savy people on the value of a Diesel over a petrol engine.
Cheers

Hi,l've got the hiace petrol slwb 2005 -same size as a commuter but has doors on both sides.I have made racks so two 9 foot plus boards sit up in the roof so you lose no space,and it's a toyota so haven't had any trouble in 6years.Hyundai is getting better but no where near toyota yet,l am a mechanic as well so ask any mechan and they will say toyota.Diesel is more economical but you pay a premium when you buy it and a premium when you service it so unless you do over 30,000 km a year stick with petrol,hope this helps

Hyundai petrol is gutless, diesel has torque, looks way better than Hi ace

Never tried a Hi ace, do you actually sit on the engine ?

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seanhogan said..
Hyundai petrol is gutless, diesel has torque, looks way better than Hi ace

Never tried a Hi ace, do you actually sit on the engine ?

Just about -- you do, if you sit on the center seat.

Hi-ace diesels just don't quit. I know 5 guys with them; 4 kiters and one who actually uses it for business. The small business guy drives all around the country, all seasons and hes never had an issue.

Unfortunatley, they're silly expensive, even on the used market here. But that's moot, cos you're not here!

Go petrol. Especially if you drive in town. Diesels are getting a bad name and it'll only get worse. The diesel miasma is dangerous for fellow man.

I bought a Hiace last year and love driving it. It's an auto diesel with plenty of power and lots of space. I put a bed in it and one 9.8 sup goes under the bed and two 12'6 sups on top of the bed. They just fit sideways stoping at the dash. I fitted roof racks so if I go camping I put the boards on top.
I also put a cargo mat in and insulated side panels and roof which really helped to make it very quiet. Paid $38000 new for a 2014 model.
I looked at the Hyundai but did not like two sliding doors. Seemed unnecessary.

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Ian K said..
Go petrol. Especially if you drive in town. Diesels are getting a bad name and it'll only get worse. The diesel miasma is dangerous for fellow man.

Yep!! Diesels are good in trucks, locos, earth moving gear and boats and that is about it.

love my turbo diesel fiat scudo. , have to keep reminding myself its a diesel.
mind boggling fuel economy.
my only gripe is that they will change a silly pollen filter but not the fuel filter when the fuel filter clearly needed changing

I own an I-Load and drive Hiaces at work (not out on the public roads though).

The I-Load drives like a car with plenty of leg room, comfort and power ( I have the diesel auto ). The Hiace drives like a commercial vehicle - which it obviously is - and at a lanky 6'4" I find it short on leg room with a little less apparent power. It also has less of a "car" feel about it because you sit over the front wheels I guess.

If you need plenty of space I would go for the Hiace I think. I particularly wanted the Crew I-Load 6 seater to cart a couple of kids around as well as sailing gear.

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cisco said..

Ian K said..
Go petrol. Especially if you drive in town. Diesels are getting a bad name and it'll only get worse. The diesel miasma is dangerous for fellow man.

Yep!! Diesels are good in trucks, locos, earth moving gear and boats and that is about it.

Drove a 2003 Renault diesel around Europe for three weeks. Excellent driving, especially around town. Needed longer legs on the highway cos it topped out at 220 and the 500SL drivers were getting annoyed I couldn't go faster...