The old man keeps the last row of seats out and has a rack built for 4 mountain bikes that bolts into the seat holes.
Printable View
What's everyone's rego? My cruiser is like 230 a year, only 80 bucks more than the 'rolla
Think my ute was like 180 for a year
My Grand vitara does 480ks a tank which is between $120-140 to fill, pop it in 4wd and you watch the fuel gauge drop.
With the maintenance and RUCs I still think a diesel would be better for my next truck.
We have a '95 Super Custom with the 1kz and a manual transmission and to be honest I've never felt it to be lacking power. On hills that the almost empty Safari would be constantly slowing down on the Hiace would be accelerating all the way, full of family and gear and towing a transporter. Damned nice suspension as well but the 4x4 models are tough on front tyres.
Often hire the 2005 onwards 2.7 petrol hiace 12 seater low roof wide body vans, head up to Rotorua from Wellington and fill the van up with 12 people then tow a trailer with 12 mountain bikes.
No trouble doing this, yes it's a little thirsty 3 tanks return trip welly to roto and back, the old 2.8 non turbo hiaces use to do 2.5 tanks for the same trip, love the free revving feel of the petrol and overall the newer hiace being much more comfortable on the long drive. Although leg room for the driver is average and the passenger seat is even worse most of them don't even move to adjust..
The manual 4x4 has pretty low gearing so fuel consumption isn't great. But it doesn't matter if it is towing a trailer or not, seems to use about the same. Generally around 12l/100km. The modern engines do seem to be better economy wise but there is always the 'risk' with the flasher injection systems that cost a lot to rectify when things go pear shaped. Again, it depends on how much, how and where you drive that need to be factored into the equation.
One trick with the hi ace that I have seen is putting in a set of manual front hubs, sure the cv's are still spinning but it uses a bit less fuel. Probably not worth doing unless your holding onto the vehicle for a few years