People Movers

[petered]

Out of my 'comfort zone' on this one. A relative has asked my advice as she wishes to purchase a People Mover. I have absolutely NO knowledge on these as I HATE them and therefore have zero interest. The last one of these I worked on was a Mitsubishi L300 some 30 years ago. Prior to that it was a Kombi - a real People Mover, especially as we had three park benches in the back to transport anything up to 15 bodies behind the driver. For the 'Sydneyites', the Kombi would only climb Taverner's Hill (in 1st gear) with 12 on board.

Anyhow, I am humbly seeking the views from the more informed. Her requirements are:
- Seats between 6 & 8.
- Room in the back for two (scabby) dogs.
- Some of the passengers may have physical limitations / disabilities.
- Required to occasionally tow a small camping trailer.
- Will be driven in a mixture of environments - Large Regional City, Highway and some trips to Melbourne.
- Driver is 40+ years experienced and highly competent.
- Fuel consumption important BUT not critical.
- Reliability paramount.
- Age around 5 or so years (price).

The only point of reference I have is that friends own an 8 year old Tarago and they absolutely swear by it.

I will be highly appreciative of any informed advice / opinion on the planned purchase.

[commodorenutt]

Like you, I can't stand them, so I've ignored the "progress" of them.

Workmate has a VW multivan & loves it. He short listed the Hyundai IMAX, and Kia carnival as well, and spent ages deciding out of the 3.

I guess it depends on their budget? A 5 year old van can vary greatly in price depending on brand, km & condition.

A 7 seat territory would be my choice, but they need the additional space that the 7 seater loses.

[Windsor220]

I like how you added the scabby bit.

I dont think there are many people movers left these days. Most have gone to SUVs.The only one I have driven recently is a few year old Kia Carnival. That was fairly roomy.

Honda Oddysey is another one and I think is slightly cheaper.

An older option(05-10) is the Mitsubishi Grandis.

[PG2]

What's their price range?

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by petered

Out of my 'comfort zone' on this one. A relative has asked my advice as she wishes to purchase a People Mover. I have absolutely NO knowledge on these as I HATE them and therefore have zero interest. The last one of these I worked on was a Mitsubishi L300 some 30 years ago. Prior to that it was a Kombi - a real People Mover, especially as we had three park benches in the back to transport anything up to 15 bodies behind the driver. For the 'Sydneyites', the Kombi would only climb Taverner's Hill (in 1st gear) with 12 on board.

Anyhow, I am humbly seeking the views from the more informed. Her requirements are:
- Seats between 6 & 8.
- Room in the back for two (scabby) dogs.
- Some of the passengers may have physical limitations / disabilities.
- Required to occasionally tow a small camping trailer.
- Will be driven in a mixture of environments - Large Regional City, Highway and some trips to Melbourne.
- Driver is 40+ years experienced and highly competent.
- Fuel consumption important BUT not critical.
- Reliability paramount.
- Age around 5 or so years (price).

The only point of reference I have is that friends own an 8 year old Tarago and they absolutely swear by it.

I will be highly appreciative of any informed advice / opinion on the planned purchase.

Kia Carnival is pretty much on the money, go for the V6 or diesel engined ones, the 4 cylinder people movers are crap.

The Honda Odyssey is a wicked vehicle, but its let down by its engine and trans, its reliable though but slow.

[petered]

Originally Posted by PG2

What's their price range?

Ideally in the $9K to $16K Range. This probably pushes it in the Mid 2000's Build Dates.

Incidentally, my cursory research has identified a seemingly endless array of faults in the pre 2011 Kia Carnival; this was an obvious candidate.

[PG2]

Have a look at an i-Max. Try and look for a diesel - the petrol ones are pretty gutless.

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by tempted

If I had no choice but to buy a people mover I'd probably go with something like this. I've driven a few of these as rentals and you cannot beat them for space. They drive pretty well for what they are too. Miles better than any Hyundai or Kia garbage.
This is rather good value, 202kw 3.5 V6 so it's no slouch, and it's fairly well specced too. From memory these were around $60k+ new.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2007-Toyo...8AAOSwYlJW28Zj

Can't go past a JDM Toyota Estima. Luxury lounge suite on wheels. There was even an AWD hybrid version, no joke. The tarago is an overpriced, under specced rip-off like the rest of Toyota Australia's range. Parts interchange with Tarago's so repairs aren't an issue:

[chevypower]

I would go with the Kia. Odyssey a close second. Then Toyota. But if the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica will be sold in Australia, then wait for that. If not, get the Kia!

[mcflux]

+1 for the Kia. I haven't moved people in one but I had one as a work vehicle for a project involving travel + hauling gear & it was great all-round.

[Tonz]

some poster dont read the budget range.

[SumoDog68]

There is no budget (5yo cars vary in price) - if not scared of gray imports Nissan El Grand or smaller Estima ( JDM Tarago) , locally Carnival or Voyager could be an option.

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by SumoDog68

There is no budget (5yo cars vary in price) - if not scared of gray imports Nissan El Grand or smaller Estima ( JDM Tarago) , locally Carnival or Voyager could be an option.

Toyota Alphart

[Ford17]

One of these or nothing:



Seriously, also not a big fan of them; and have found those that are really into them to be a breed apart.

One bloke I knew had just been given a Falcon wagon as part of his package, and when I mentioned it would be useful for family touring, said he preferred his (4 cyl) Tarago for such duties, as the 'big van' really got up and commanded the highway, or something to that effect.

Also recall a Kia 'Carnie' furiously trying to overtake my BA XR6T - again on the highway - he must have thought it was formidable force

[SumoDog68]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

Toyota Alphart

Alphard is very rarely imported as compared to Elgrand - main reason I didn't mention it , relative thing as both grey imports . Bonus points Elgrands can drift :-)

http://youtu.be/6G7d_akR3AI

[Iggle Piggle]

Only the 'welcab' versions of Alphard and it's Vellfire twin can currently be imported - but that may suit seeing how you said some passengers may be disabled.

Think the V6 they use in the Alphard and Vellfire is same as Aurion.

[Polyal]

No complaints at all with our C4 Picasso. Tdi does well and we are averaging ~6.1L/100.

[pcman]

mitsubishi delica is another option but in your price range would probably be a late 90's model as the mid 2000's still fetch close to 25k

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by Ford17

One of these or nothing:

image

Seriously, also not a big fan of them; and have found those that are really into them to be a breed apart.

One bloke I knew had just been given a Falcon wagon as part of his package, and when I mentioned it would be useful for family touring, said he preferred his (4 cyl) Tarago for such duties, as the 'big van' really got up and commanded the highway, or something to that effect.

Also recall a Kia 'Carnie' furiously trying to overtake my BA XR6T - again on the highway - he must have thought it was formidable force

Actually if someone was really blue blooded, and a Falcon Fanatic, one of these might fit the bill: . A 1963 Ford FALCON van . Xr6 turbo conversion and all sweet. Would never get your people mover mistaken in a car park or pinched .

[Tonz]

Originally Posted by SumoDog68

There is no budget (5yo cars vary in price) - if not scared of gray imports Nissan El Grand or smaller Estima ( JDM Tarago) , locally Carnival or Voyager could be an option.

not trying to be smart, just I saw this

Yesterday, 10:50 PM #6
Default Re: People Movers
Quote:

What's their price range?
Ideally in the $9K to $16K Range. This probably pushes it in the Mid 2000's Build Dates.

Incidentally, my cursory research has identified a seemingly endless array of faults in the pre 2011 Kia Carnival; this was an obvious candidate.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

Actually if someone was really blue blooded, and a Falcon Fanatic, one of these might fit the bill: image. A 1963 Ford FALCON van . Xr6 turbo conversion and all sweet. Would never get your people mover mistaken in a car park or pinched .

That's a sweet Bus, I never knew they existed!

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Tonz

not trying to be smart, just I saw this

Yesterday, 10:50 PM #6
Default Re: People Movers
Quote:

What's their price range?
Ideally in the $9K to $16K Range. This probably pushes it in the Mid 2000's Build Dates.

Incidentally, my cursory research has identified a seemingly endless array of faults in the pre 2011 Kia Carnival; this was an obvious candidate.

For that price the newest Kia you can find would be a good idea.

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

Actually if someone was really blue blooded, and a Falcon Fanatic, one of these might fit the bill: image. A 1963 Ford FALCON van . Xr6 turbo conversion and all sweet. Would never get your people mover mistaken in a car park or pinched .

Ford falcon van? You mean ford econoline. What morphed into the e series van. I'd have one over a kombi any day.

[Polyal]

You could probably buy 10 of them for the price of a Kombi these days

[NGN 351]

I have a V6 Toyota tarago and having never been a people mover person the thing is great. I have the GLX with is 7 seats not 8 like the 4 cylinder tarago.
Great on fuel, plenty of go and I'd buy another one. Having been a Ford man all my life and never thinking I'd own/drive a people mover I cant complain with the tarago. Kia...avoid unless its the new model but that's not in your price range anyway

[ozpacman]

Originally Posted by tempted

I dislike Toyota for their bland image and the clueless people who drive them, but in this instance I wholeheartedly agree with you. You cannot go wrong with the Tarago as a people mover, it ticks most boxes and is a nameplate which has been on sale in Australia since the early 80's so it's reliability is proven.
KIA on the other hand sucks people in by loading their cars with fancy features and prices them to appear as good value. Sure they may be great when new, but they are fundamentally a nasty pos vehicle which in a few years will be a worthless, smoke billowing pile of crap.

Tempted, I can't help but think that some nasty Asian bully-boy kid must have stolen your sandwiches and peed in your lunch box in primary school.

Move on my friend - you can do it! We're all here to help.

Russ

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by Giant Cranium

Ford falcon van? You mean ford econoline. What morphed into the e series van. I'd have one over a kombi any day.

The original was badged as a "Ford Falcon Club Wagon". It had the 144ci straight-six (falcon XM motor?), with option of a more powerful 170ci straight-six.

[Express]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

Actually if someone was really blue blooded, and a Falcon Fanatic, one of these might fit the bill.

Would never get your people mover mistaken in a car park or pinched .

I'd be to frightened of getting dints to leave one of those in a car park.

[ozpacman]

Just takin' the mickey mate - don't mind me!

[Evgeni]

I have been doing some research as well given we will be in the market for a people mover in the next few years.
I have driven the current shape Taragos, both 4 and 6 cylinder versions and can't fault them. Smooth, low maintenance. Pity the early 4 cylinders were mated with a 4 speed box, making them drink enough to wonder why you didn't go that little bit further to buy the 6.
The only problem I have heard about the 2gr-fe v6 engines is that the water pumps tend to crap themselves at 100k and Toyota list that an an engine out job. You can do it by dropping the driver side engine mounts, but it is tight. And as with all transverse v6's the intake needs to be removed to access the coils and plugs.

The 4's (2az-fe) had an issue with stripping head bolts early in their life. We own a 2003 Camry with the same engine with 200+k's and haven't had a problem. They do however chew oil. Piston rings get clogged up and regular flushing each oil change is required to keep the oil consumption down. Both issues are well documented.

The older taragos/estimas with the 1mz-fe v6 is a reliable engine, but thirsty around town.

The Kia's look nice and roomy. I believe the 3.8's are a Mitsubishi engine? Not sure about the newer 3.5's, but these were mated with a 6 speed box, so consumption will be improved.