Hafei MinZ MPV

Got it April 2008 and still going.

Even though, breaking my silence is somewhat not my nature.

The bottom line is that this is a bottom line car. Everything is simple. From maintaining it to driving it to parking it and everything else thats comes in between.

I can easily reach the factory specs in terms of fuel economy and performance just by driving normally. I don't know how Singaporeans normally drive but from my eyes a lot of us have a craving for the fast lane.

Be it a people or cargo carrier or both... been there ,done that. It takes it in its stride. Going across the border? Carry on, no one is stopping you. You'll go and return in one piece. Tired maybe, but in one piece. Unless somebody fires a RPG at you.

Yes, it doesn't have those fancy gadgetry and features that we take for granted so much. So? The best gadget is ourselves. With it we can drive a Reliant Robin or a sport version of it the Bond Bug.

Everything exterior and interior is... well, all there. Seats for you to sit. Duh! Rear window defrosters that won't be used 97% of the time.

Reliability simply means that if you take care of your car it will take care of you. Its not about just washing it after a day of driving in kampong environment. Listen, look and feel the car. You'll know. Best of all you've got lots to "improve" on the car. From engine enhancements to styling. Even though aftermarket is unheard of for this car. It depends on one's initiative to get it. Look hard enough and you'll find it.

All in all, its a great car for the thrifty and simple. If you're willing to forgo the agent's way and all other disappointing nick-nacks. You'll go a long way.

After owning the minz for about 3 years' now, i feel that the local agent - should be taken to task - for the numerous amount of inherent defects, present in this make.

How the minz pass the lta import inspection, i can only suspect some "hanky-panky"

Even a simple jack-up of the minz, using the factory-supplied-jack, does not raise the minz, but instead, pushes a dent, in the body-rim location - where the jack is supposed to sit.

Fuel consumption and power figures - are only declared and is totally not accurate to the Singapore model.

Authorities claim of "world class" transport system, but actually such lapses in quality-control inspection, only shows how much loop-holes there is, to bring in a defective, poor-quality make

And to add-insult to injury, the product-knowledge standard of the local agent and its' attitude towards existing minz owners totally allienates the minz driver.

What can we / or the authorities do?

I totally agreed with the previous review.

I own the Minz for the 3rd yr. Fail the inspection due to brake. After checking by a repair shop, found out there is unknown oil all over the brake which I thought it was fixed by Hafei 2 year ago.

One of my car handle broke off just by opening it. It cost $30 to fix. My car can't start within 2 time within the 1st yr.

I have a ten yr loan, now I'm stuck with it. The only comforting thing is it is a OPC and I bought when the COE is low.

When a full load of 7 pax, I almost can't get out of Carrefour car park due no enough power even at 1st gear up the slop.

The height is 1.9m. Can't enter some older carpark like marine parade car park.

Air con not cold enough. At hot day noon, we almost cook inside.

There is so much problem enough to write into a book. Bottom line is DON'T Buy Hafei or China car no matter how much u need/want a car. You are just buying more trouble for yourself and your passenger, when it fail on the road.

Bank should not loan $$ to anyone who buy this car.

The local agent - is totally unscrupulous - before purchase, assures buyer of 3 year warranty, but after purchase, warranty covers only engine and gearbox.

Had following defects, post sale:

-speedo/odo defective

-timing problem. Very High idling rev

-rust easily

-doors don't close properly, and locks often jams (send in for rectification, agent charge for labour)

- seats are flimsy. Headrest stoppers are already spoilt, the spring jumps out of the housing, plastic quality sucks.

- very heavy steering. This van is not meant for weak-female drivers, because parking can be very strenous

-sports rim's nuts, supposedly stainless steel, rusts

- engine hose clamps, rusts quickly

- metal soft, dents easily. Don't believe me? Go to the showroom vehicle, twist the opened door, you can see the door hinge pull the metal like pulling the ring tab, out of a can.

- other hafei owners complain of engine stalling - due to the mis-positioning of the fuse box, etc.

- HIGH fuel consumption

- agent insist on using synthetic oil during engine break-in. and charges high, something like S$140/- for a minimum package

- after sales service is non-existant

- company don't bother to reply to email queries, etc

For verification, proof, email me at [email protected]