The ‘MPV’ (Maintenance Point of View) on the MPVs

By Philippine Daily Inquirer, Tessa R. Salazar March 05,2014

(Conclusion)

 

CHEVROLET Spin

In last week’s issue, Inquirer Motoring “faced off” three MPVs (multipurpose vehicles) in terms of space and drive. On the day that the Inquirer Motoring team got to drive them all together, these were some of the more notable observations:

 

For the Suzuki APV — This proved to be the most spacious among the three, owing to the van-like design. The 1.6-liter manual tranny was actually fun to use. It provided the best ride height. The radiator placed separately from the engine is innovative. (Incidentally, this author test drove an APV automatic transmission, and the engine response was still admirable, taking into account that the APV was loaded with eight warm bodies.) The downside to the van-type design is that the engine sits right underneath the front seats, so the heat generated by the powerplant can be felt under the legs.

 

For the Chevy Spin —- This one turned out to be the quietest inside the cabin, with noticeably less vibration and ride harshness compared to the two. It also offered the most stylish-looking interior and the best laid out dashboard console featuring Chevrolet’s signature dual-cockpit layout. The Spin, though, offers the least space, especially in the third-row seats. And the drive and engine response tends to be more characteristic of an easy Sunday drive to the picnic.

 

For the Toyota Avanza 1.5 and 1.3 — Among the three MPVs with automatic transmission, the 1.5 had the most responsive engine. The Avanza 1.3 had some difficulty reaching highway cruising speeds (90 kilometers per hour and above), but it more than made up for that by being the most fuel-efficient in the highway run. The driver seating height offered by the two Avanza units fits this petite author well. The controls are user-friendly that there should be no initial “control confusion” for a first-time Avanza user.

 

However, since the drive experience happens not only behind the wheel but inside the wallet as well, here are some numbers that could also paint a clearer picture of how costly— or affordable—it would be to own and maintain these three MPVs. Take note, though, that prices of parts vary from dealer to dealer due to freight costs; and that prices of PMS (periodic maintenance services) are not the only thing that would determine the cost of owning. Ultimately, the cost of owning is a combination of several factors, the four most significant being the actual purchase cost of the vehicle, prices of parts and services, fuel prices and the owner/driver’s driving habits—this last one being the hardest to quantify.

 

Vehicle prices

 

The Toyota Avanza’s five variants are: 1.3 J (MT) at P639,000; 1.3 E (MT) at P717,000; 1.3 E (AT) at P757,000; 1.5 G (MT) at P837,000; and 1.5 G (AT) at P877,000.

 

The Suzuki APV’s variants include: GA 1.6L at P 565,000; GLX 1.6L at P745,000; SGX 1.6L at P820,000. There’s also the APV Carry Pickup 1.6L at P460,000.

 

Spin’s three variants are: 1.3L MT-LS (1.3L diesel engine, CRDi Turbo) and 1.5L gas engine (AT) at P838,888; 1.3L MT-LTZ (1.3L diesel engine, CRDi Turbo) at P908,888.

 

Warranty, dealerships

 

Avanza carries a three-year or 100,000-kilometer warranty, whichever comes first. The same goes for the Suzuki APV.

 

The Spin has a warranty coverage of five years or 100,000 km, whichever comes first.

 

In terms of the number of dealerships, Toyota has 41, Suzuki auto has 28, and Chevrolet has 22.

 

PMS

 

Similar to other Toyota models, the Avanza’s periodic maintenance schedules are 1,000 km, 5,000 km and every 5,000 km thereafter.

 

The APV’s first 1,000 km involve changing the oil and filter, aside from the basic engine and suspension inspection. Note that labor, oil filter and drain plug gasket are free for the first 1,000- and 5,000-km checkup.

 

Spin’s first PMS is at 10,000 km or after six months, whichever comes first.

SUZUKI APV

 

Oil filter replacements

 

The estimated interval of the Avanza’s oil filter replacements is at 5,000 km or three months, whichever comes first, while the estimated price for an oil filter is P400.

 

The APV’s oil filter replacement is due every 5,000 km and is estimated to cost between P250 and P270 (excluding labor costs).

 

The Spin’s oil filter replacement interval is at 10,000 km or six months, whichever comes first, and the filter costs P380 (for the diesel variant) and P285 (for the gasoline variant).

 

Fuel filter

 

The estimated interval for Avanza’s fuel filter replacements is at 40,000 km, and its price ranges from P3,500 to P5,000.

 

The estimated interval for the APV’s fuel filter replacements is at 60,000 km, while the estimated price range is between P16,000 and P17,000. Suzuki says it replaces fuel filters integrated with the fuel pump, thus the price (which excludes labor costs).

 

 

The Spin gasoline variant’s fuel filter replacement is at 10,000 km or six months, whichever comes first, and costs P535. For the diesel variant, it’s 20,000 km or one year, whichever comes first, and costs P1,585.

 

Air filter

 

The estimated interval for the replacement of the Avanza air filter is 20,000 km, and it costs about P600.

 

The APV’s air filter is replaced every 10,000 km but still depends on the driving conditions the vehicle is generally subjected to. The air filter costs between P1,000 and P1,100 (excluding labor).

 

The recommended air filter replacement for the Spin is every 10,000 km or six months, whichever comes first. Air filter costs P890.

Spark plugs

 

The estimated interval for the replacement of a set of Avanza’s spark plugs is  at 10,000 km and, per set, costs around P500+.

 

The APV’s estimated interval is also at 10,000 km, and a set costs between P500 and P600 (excluding labor costs).

 

The Spin’s spark plugs are recommended for replacement every 20,000 km or one year, whichever comes first. A spark plug costs P270 or P1,070 for the entire set.

 

Brakes

 

THEY may be lumped together in that collective term MPV, but these multipurpose vehicles carry their own charms, quirks and design peculiarities. Photo by: EUGENE ARANETA

All three manufacturers were one in saying that there is no recommended uniform interval for the replacement of brake pads, shoes and brake linings. The recommendation for replacement, they say, depends on a thorough inspection of the brake mechanisms of a particular unit after being subjected to drive wear and tear, and road conditions.

 

Avanza’s front brake pads and shoes cost less than P2,000 each. The APV’s estimated cost is between P5,500 and P6,000 (excluding labor). For the Spin, on the average, the front disc is normally replaced every 20,000 km, while the rear brake shoe is at 30,000 km. Front brake pads cost P4,030, while the rear brake shoe is P4,330.

 

Verdict: They may be lumped together in that collective term MPV, but these three multipurpose vehicles carry their own charms, quirks and design peculiarities. Space is the APV’s strongest suit. Design is the Spin’s forte, and Avanza is admirably a fuel miser. The wisest decision, of course, will come when you get a first-hand feel of the vehicles. Better yet, bring your family along to the dealerships, and while they test the nooks and crannies of the vehicle, you’re in that one corner of the establishment, talking about the long-term with the sales agent and the technician.

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