i was looking into this serena as well, went to see.

plus
great ergonomics.
average comfort.
good space design.
good convenience with power doors.
a lot of glove compartment.
i like the movable or adjustable center console.
aircond zone control
ISO FIX seats.



negatives.
1)price, i doubt this would be the excise duty pricing, previous serena is selling about the same price.
2) safety, : though there is VDC and the basics active, but 2 airbags i think this is a pity.
3) why is this considered a hybrid, but the mazda 6 with a start stop system does not?
4) it cannot run on batteries alone, so i doubt it will save plenty of fuel. probably a marginal better only.
5) as a large car, i think the lighting is not enough.
6) quality in par with perodua or proton. Dont feel like a japanese made.


now i am just playing the waiting game. Tan Chong as a dinasour company usually gives the dinasour technology when they launch a new car. probably will wait until when they have about 2 to 3 facelifts then the MPV probably comes with more features. But i doubt they airbags will increase.
Anyway, today we travel more on highway, the risk of accidents and severity of accidents are more drastic compare to 30 years ago.

So i probably will pass this first

i think we are getting this model

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKLLvfE3qAk

from Japan

i went to look at AP Estima 08, the price was selling at about 158K excluding insurance and all those admin items, after including everything it would be about RM 162,000 somewhere there.

some how i ask, all the japanese MPV are all only equipped with 2 airbags. Seems that safety is not a concern in an MPV. No side airbags, even at 300 K alphard. i wonder.

So looking into the Serena again, probably wanna say expensive is it really not because it is new. But unless i am comparing a wrong category.

i am just wondering is the serena would be more comfortable than the Estima.

looking at it i believe the comfort level on the estima probably is no doubt. but because it is a used MPV the price is kind of expensive. But thats the very few choices that we can get.

As for the serena, the boxy shape is really a put off but that really translate a more space interior. For the estima it feels a bit more cramp. But estima second row seat is more comfortable compare to serena. well i am also waiting here. so those who own the serena can comment more on your MPV ergonomics and fuel consumption.

feel your pain, helpless actually being bullied by the sales and management team.

sometimes when i visit the showroom, i feel the sales people are really cocky. probably they feel there are no competition in this section. Let see how many can they sell. i am just waiting for either a used alpahrd or a used estima. Probably not going for serena cause my wife hates the design. like a bloody van on the road.

very true, thats why i was put off the last visit. though it looks oK but thinking that your MPV is the low class transport commercial VAN. Which looks really ugly on the road.

thank you for the advise. i will reconsider. But it is just that MPV of this kind is kind of limited. So i would prefer to buy new with warranty to get a piece of mind. But i have never owned a recond unit.

I just keep thinking, toyota car should be long lasting mah. parts should be easy to find. like Vios, never break down one. Then again. maybe i might not buy any at all.

Probably just go get myself a Kia sorento. Will See.

na not just tan chong umw as well, all the same, only lately honda M reduce price. plus honda worldwide the safety has improved.

Toyota still trying to resolve their GOA body, or what so ever they call it. Probably the design and BOM are from the 60's, thats why the Camry fail safety test this time. Same goes with PRius and the Lexus bunch as well.

So Sianglee, i know how you feel, you want to buy, but the spec we get you comparing with other choices, thats why you feel like this.

Can you ask your dad, during his time. when buying a Car what do they look for, or what is their priority?

Today, priority has changed. Brand probably may not be the main factor anymore.

So it is very jumbled up confusing market. Each sales fellow trying to confuse you. if you dont read F&F, Sianglee, i think you will not think Serena or TC and UMW is ripping you off. Because you are more educated now, thats why you will start to compare. Thats why you are not happy.

not really a fan of this ssangyong brand, last time had experience with Rexton, bloody sucks, though it feels luxury.

hi i wanna ask the onwers, Can your smart key open the 2 back doors? i was told just now that it cannot open, i believe the sales person dont know anything.

so you canceled the order, what will you buy? an estima? else you can always purchase from another branch.

nissan very cocky selling this Serena. i feel .

the MPV is quite intelligent, plus a lot of safety features to avoid funny people doing funny things, Just like Mr and Mrs Smith, the movie where the 2 power doors can open during driving. can throw a person from one side to another side.

at the most you will get an IMPUL kit only the other 2 they probably dont carry.

dont they check the car before asking you to come check and collect it? its really wasting your time.

i wanna ask a question, can you drive the serena with both sliding doors open? i wonder?

what the hell, this is not even a hybrid, its just some battery to maintain your car while it is stop and it is merely a 1 min or so.

i just dont understand, IT cant run on motor assist. and cannot run on pure batteries. Its just a more efficient engine.

most probably if CKD< my predictions, the 2 power doors will be removed, the engine and GB remains, and the extra battery, probably taken out and no more hybrid. But the hybrid logo will still keep, this will also fool MITI,