THE BEST VAN

[hellbent]

I don't trust Lifestyle Motors at all, especially their Chevy Department.
I've had issues with the Suzuki department before but let's talk about Chevy.

One of their scams was false advertising.
They are just about getting the sale. They will blatantly lie through their teeth to get a sale.

Example Scam 1
They had ads in the newspaper/media last year saying...
"Sale on the latest 2016 model Chevy Colorado - Starting at $209k"

When you went in the showroom all the Vans were either 2014 or 2015 models.
And this was in Dec 2016.
The basic models were 2014 and they fully loaded models were 2015... no models were 2016.
So if you bought a vehicle then, you'd receive it in 2017 and the vehicle would be nearly 2 yrs old before you drove it.

The sales rep said they never bought any 2016 models since they were overstock in the older models.

Example Scam 2
They showed a few vehicles in their lot.. saying the vans selling like hot bread and this is all they have remaining.
All of these were white and they said they had no other colors because they were all sold out.

These particular vehicles were also already showing signs of rusting underneath.
I went up to one of them and saw a type of grease below the vehicle. I asked about it and they said it is normal that they paste a "rust proof" substance underneath to prevent rusting.
When I wiped of part of the substance from a particular area.. I saw rust.

Btw... this was the sales manager saying that.
I said that I just came from the south showroom and they said that they had all the colors and many vans to choose from. He then said he'll call them to confirm.
He came back saying that the sales rep was misinformed and that all their other colors were sold.
He said he knows what all the branches has because all vehicles pass through him and he dispatches them.

I later saw that same day, that Chevy had a show/display in Trincity and Gulf City Mall where all the colors were there and many vans were available for sale.
A few days later.. I saw the same vehicles back in the showroom and if you called their office then.. they'd say that they now got more vans.

Example Scam 3
The manager then said that since they don't have a wide variety of vans for me to choose from etc... that he will give me a deal with a rear camera.
This particular model he was showing had the double din deck but no rear camera.
He said the normal price they charge is $15k which includes installation by his professional guy.. but he will have it done for $10k.. he will give me it as cost price and not make any profit.
Btw.. this is one of those cameras that screw onto the number plate and costs US $30 on Amazon.

When I called him back days later and confronted him about the other colors and models that they had in the Mall Shows etc and that he lied etc.. he said..
Hear what.. I'll throw in the camera for free... installed.

I bought a new model Colorado. I was the first in Trinidad to have it( week before carnival), I got it before it was officially launched.
But my, getting there was such a pain. They will say anything to get the sale. Tried very hard to get me to buy the older model even though I was waiting for the new model. Wouldn't give me a straight answer about when it would arrive. Told me to get the older model and then trade in in two years (yeah right).
Initially told me the old and new model was the same, just cosmetic difference. And that I should check it out on the net. I am glad I did. The new model is much superior over the old model. New steering, lots of gee whizz features (carplay, android auto, lane departure warning, collision warning etc), something to dampen vibrations from the turbo.
I have a friend who bought the older model, they charged him 5000k or 4000k to install the reverse camera. (the new one comes with it built in)
I do like the van, I upgraded from a Tiida so big difference for me. Going in for 5000km service on Tuesday. Will let you guys know how that goes. Feel free to ask any questions.
Personally I think it is the best van for the price on the market.

[triniboi49]

I really like the Colorado - been looking at it seriously. Getting real horror stories about LSM and they not dowing much to address them. Its one of the better looking vans and its packed with the stuff I'm looking far.

[eurotuner]

Went to the stealership to check the amarok yesterday, the one with all the features looks ok, but still too boxy and outdated as stated before. It's now 299k down from 350k (newer model coming out) ppl must be freaking nuts to even pay 299 for that. When the time comes I may get the last model hilux (2010) and lift it.

[assassin]

Imagine how ppl who paid 350 for it feeling right about now

[kamakazi]

Dexos approved oils be expensive... But then again it is either syn or semi syn that has those approvals

[patrickw]

im seriously considering buying the chevy colorado. i ask a few people about LSM after sales service and they say the north branch is horrible however the south branch is getting very high praises. Does anyone else have opinions regarding the colorado and LSM services?

[mitch1980]

Saw today and spoke to Ford Reps....the 3.2 limited ranger is priced at 319,000.00 ttd
they normally sell for 345,000.00 ttd
this is fully loaded btw

[whizzard]

Colorado pressure

[eurotuner]

Saw today and spoke to Ford Reps....the 3.2 limited ranger is priced at 319,000.00 ttd
they normally sell for 345,000.00 ttd
this is fully loaded btw

That's the LATEST model with the face-lift?

[mitch1980]

Saw today and spoke to Ford Reps....the 3.2 limited ranger is priced at 319,000.00 ttd
they normally sell for 345,000.00 ttd
this is fully loaded btw

That's the LATEST model with the face-lift?

YESS!!!!!!

[agent007]

I like all

[RedVEVO]

Vw Amarok 1000km/tank of Diesel, rides like a car 0 issues. Puts the rest to bed.

whats your mileage?

Give us a review with some details .
What year is your Amarok ?

The new Amarok with the V6 TDI is problematic per a Massy mechanic.

[Fadakartel]

I got the 2016 Hilux SRV fabric last year. There are 3 automatic models to choose from, basic at $295k, SRV fabric at $325k and SRV leather at $345k.

From test drive to day of delivery the sales rep was fantastic! Good customer service and treated my family really nice.

The van:

Really big, heavy and solid. Sales rep mentioned that it miss the heavy T license requirement by a small margin. The ground clearance was nice and tall and the ride was firm. Felt nice on the open roads. I test drove a lot of pickups including the Np300 frontier, Colorado, D-Max and Sportero (did not drive the Ranger; BT-50 nor the Amarok) and to me the most solid feel out of that bunch was the Hilux.

Upgrading to SRV model means you getting 18" rims, push button start, digital auto single zone climate control, color TFT display on the instrument cluster, 6 speaker stereo and leather wrapped steering. There's no cruise control, no traction or stability control, no side or curtain airbags. It does have a 4wd system with diff lock which when engaged will disable the ABS brakes.

It comes with the carry over IKD-FTV engine which got a bump in torque to 360Nm and I think based on what another tuner mentioned the hp is 161. The transmission is a regular torque converter 5AT with manual shift mode.

It has 3 airbags in all models. Dual front and driver's knee. If you upgrade to SRV leather you will get well the obvious which is leather seats with a power driver's seat, a touch screen DVD deck and a rear camera.

We decided to go for the fabric version because the leather seats were obviously low grade and will crack in no time. A touch screen DVD deck was neither here or there with us since we thought when the warranty is over a Pioneer replacement will be much better. We ended up installing the parking sensors and rear camera by an authorized installer and got the tray cover and roll bar one time. At least the van came with a Toyota branded bed liner.

I found the dash and interior to be classy and the quality was almost Lexus like. The interior space was awesome for a van.

One thing you should note is the Hilux has large rotors up front with double piston calipers just like in the Fortuner and Prado etc. None of the other pickups have this so in terms of brakes I think the Hilux is the best.

The disappointment:

The old-tec 3.0 is outclassed by all other Diesel engines. It was powerful enough for me but I found it to be too thirsty and was not making any sense. Also, the engine was too loud and smoky. I know it's typical of a diesel but somehow our van sounded heavier than others even next to a new NP300 2.5 the Hilux was wayy to trucky in sound. Think old Isuzu flatbed loud!

The engine also used a conventional belt driven hydraulic power assist steering which again is a bit old tec.

There was a suspension problem with the van and I can't say much about it except to say that it was acknowledged by TTTL and they said that they will sort it out in a timing as soon as they get some feedback from their over-seas bosses.

The stereo system sucked. Tonal range was poor and overall calibration was a task and it will never sound right despite numerous attempts to get this sorted.

Last gripe is the lack of rear AC vents.

Note: first service is at 5,000kms but they change the oil only. When you reach the 10,000kms mark, they will change the oil and oil filter one time. At TTTL they claim the oil filter is to be changed every 10,000kms. I found this to be stupid. I asked the technician what sense it is to change the oil and not the filter in a brand new engine, won't the metal shavings captured in the oil filter simply contaminate the new oil? He said he is simply following instructions and to talk to the service manager.

The verdict?

Well, we sold the van recently and never followed up with any warranty or discussions with the manager.

Is it worth it for those prices?

Nope!

If I had to buy a luxury van all over again perhaps I'll give the Colorado a try, I think it's super cool to have remote start, smart phone integration, blind spot detection etc etc in a pickup. I just don't like the fact that LSM is not bringing the true fully loaded LTZ Z71 4wd model here. Also the lack of push start and projector headlights is a bit of a throw back for a van to be showing off so much tech features.

What I like is the 2.8 duramax turbo diesel is the same unit found in the North American spec version so down the road in terms of power train and drivetrain parts, I should not have a problem. I also like that the 2017 Colorado now has electric power steering just like the new refreshed Ford Ranger. Steering should feel much lighter to operate especially in tight spots. At $265k it's hard not to look past this.

In terms of long term reliability and resale value? I'm guessing it won't retain value like a Hilux but being exactly $80k cheaper than a fully loaded SRV Hilux I don't expect the Colorado to fetch Hilux price 5 years down the road anyway. Let's just say you sell the Lux for $180k in 5 years then even if you get $100k for your Colorado that may not be so bad. Colorado owner lost $165k in resale and Hilux owner also lost $165k in resale. Sad part is, I'm willing to bet the Colorado will still fetch more than a lousy $100k so it means whether you chance it with the best or this relative new comer Chevy, either way you're a winner.

If you can afford it for the filthy rich amongst us, there's a company in Australia selling RHD Dodge RAM pickups. You can feel free to import that to TT and show that off.

For the Mitsubishi L200 Sportero fans out there, the updated 2017 models at Diamond Motors are coming with the projector headlamps and LED DRL's now.

Also coming soon to trump the Colorado in power is the new 2017 Amarok with a 3.0 TDi V6 spitting out 550nm of torque. Current torque king is the Colorado at 500nm then the Ranger/Bt-50 twins at 470nm then the Nissan at 450nm then the Sportero at 400nm and tail Enders, D-max and Hilux at 380nm and 360nm respectively. IIRC, the Actyon Sports was also rated at 360nm as well.

Nice review. I own the hilux 2016 fully loaded. My only problem with it is the deck system, mirror link is not very good.

[Monkey Man]

i like d new vego dem.

[Team Loco]

Im in a very good position to comment. I fix diesel turbochargers daily.

Top fixes are navaras and hilux 1kd.

Never touched a sportero or isuzu dmax turbo

I woukd go with a dmax

[RedVEVO]

Im in a very good position to comment. I fix diesel turbochargers daily.

Top fixes are navaras and hilux 1kd.

Never touched a sportero or isuzu dmax turbo

I woukd go with a dmax

Colorado LTZ with 2.8 duramax turbo diesel ?

Any review or any problems you know with the VW Amarok ?

[Team Loco]

no issues with amarok and colorado turbochargers. i guess they are too new on the market

fyi, any vericle that comes with an ihi turbocharger seems to be superior. the garret turbochargers suffer with our diesel. the hulux vnt ring burns easily

[tourniquet]

Lol @ Lexus like interior. Maybe in looks, but I found the interior to feel very cheap. It's a disappointment like the rav 4. All that money and all that style with no substance.

[triniboi49]

Any thoughts on the sportero

[Toyopet]

Any thoughts on the sportero

I own a used '09 3.2L Sportero with 229,000km and my mother owns a '12 2.5hi-power Sportero with 140,000km.

No complaints on either of them and I really push mine both on and off-road.

Both very powerful, comfortable and reliable

[triniboi49]

Any thoughts on the sportero

I own a used '09 3.2L Sportero with 229,000km and my mother owns a '12 2.5hi-power Sportero with 140,000km.

No complaints on either of them and I really push mine both on and off-road.

Both very powerful, comfortable and reliable

Okay would you recommend for kids? Any idea how the resale value.

Considering that and the Amarok.

[Toyopet]

Any thoughts on the sportero

I own a used '09 3.2L Sportero with 229,000km and my mother owns a '12 2.5hi-power Sportero with 140,000km.

No complaints on either of them and I really push mine both on and off-road.

Both very powerful, comfortable and reliable

Okay would you recommend for kids? Any idea how the resale value.

Considering that and the Amarok.

Resale value isn't bad. It isn't a Toyota but you're paying a lot less upfront and imo, less in maintenance costs.

As for kids, the rider is very comfortable and the back seat is very roomy. And if you're going used, there is a batch around TCZ that came with a DVD player and screens in the headrests

[VexXx Dogg]

Have a used 07 Sportero 2.5, that I bought back in 2013.

My child drove home from hospital as a newborn and still enjoys it. Comfortable interior, like a car. Back seat decent for a pickup, not too benchlike, decent legroom.
All round a damn good vehicle. No regrets.

Good for a family with up to 2 kids. no more - as with two child seats, the entire back will be taken up.

[triniboi49]

Thanks for the information. The Sportero looking better by the minute.

[nos_specialist]

MAZDA BT50 STILL FOR THE WINNNNN

[civic minded]

Good info here , looking at the Colorado myself but all the feedback I am getting seems that it will be a bad choice

[whizzard]

What does the feedback say?

[triniboi49]

The bt50 2.5 is now 245 on special, it requires heavy T.

[pan3660]

In all seriousness, the best is a 2004 LN165r Hilux. You will probably never see them for sale anywhere in the country, because all those that own one will probably never consider selling. Built to last. Last Made in Japan vehicle.

Check it out:

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[Toyopet]

Just crossed into the 230,000km with no serious issues and still running like new.