George Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 I've heard all the jokes so bugger off you lot... Last weekend we went away with the little one for the first time and it cemented our decision to buy a larger car. We enjoy touring the country and camping and plan to do more of that in the near future when Benji can crawl around in the mud. We are looking for an automatic, economical, spacious but small SUV or large station wagon. One key feature I would appreciate is adaptive cruise control although it's not a deal breaker. So far my search has centered around the Subaru range - Outback, Forester and Liberty. I've also identified the VW Passat as a possible choice. Although I would love the R36, they are a little too old and not the most economical. I'm also weary of servicing costs associated with the other Euro marques, not to mention their higher price tags. Looking to spend around $30k in the used market. Any suggestions other than the Subaru range? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 (edited) I've had a Skoda Octavia RS wagon,slick DSG gearbox, an awesome car with huge boot space and enough room for the kids. If I was to get another Skoda though it would probably be the new Skoda Superb, golf r motor and 4x4, over 50k though http://www.skoda.com.au/models/new-superb-wagon/?gclid=Cj0KEQjwxLC9BRDb1dP8o7Op68IBEiQAwWggQEsvbNoGB-vvgbRQpn6aDKY8T2Iui-hmkwNNKaQPs-YaAnJV8P8HAQ Edited August 11, 2016 by mossy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d3c0y Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 I have a Stagea RS Four you can have for $6k then you can spend the rest on your zed! gav240z 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Posted August 11, 2016 Author Share Posted August 11, 2016 I have a Stagea RS Four you can have for $6k then you can spend the rest on your zed! If I tried to swing that with the wife I would be sleeping in the shell of the zed. She said it's time to spend money on a car we use every day or some such silly thing... d3c0y 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvemfast Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 My wife has an X5 and we love it! 3.0TD has plenty of Nm, Servicing isn't too bad, as long as you go to a Euro specialist and not a stealership. An Audi Touareg wouldn't be a bad option either. Pick how much power you want as you can get 4, 5, 6, 8 & 10 cylinder versions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
260DET Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 (edited) No problems with my 2015 Jeep Cherokee diesel, the V6 petrol version is cheaper and goes pretty well though and they are a decent vehicle to drive and tow with. Better tow rating than all the competition. You won't go wrong with a Subaru though, Mazda CX5 gets a lot of wraps but I have heard of auto trans problems with them, Kia and Hyundai SUV's are excellent and for near new used very hard to beat. I would probably have bought a new Kia but they went bigger from five to seven seats in 2015. Edited August 11, 2016 by 260DET Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dionysus Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 I thought this is why the 2+2 was created? gav240z and ScottyD 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brabham Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 Suzuki Vitara, 2.4L petrol so pretty efficient, parts prices cheaper than European cars. Decent amount of power. I've had Subaru's before and was not a massive fan, the EJ22 Liberty was a gutless wonder and they are very heavy cars. Parents have the Vitara and it goes well. Failing that I'd go a Commodore station wagon, parts widely and cheaply available, V6 not too bad on fuel. gav240z 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottyD Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 (edited) Toyota Rav4 2011 AWD v6 getting 10.5/11 ltr per 100ks around town, will tow 1900kg ( your Zed If needed to ) Japanese reliability anyone can service also come in 4 cylinders. Edited August 12, 2016 by ScottyD gav240z 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterAllen Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 Volvo. Andrew_L26 and gav240z 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nizm0zed Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 you can pick up a ford territory for a good price these days, look for something around 50-60,000kms on it and you'll get a newish one for a good price.They drive well, tow most things pretty well, servicing is a good price even if you take it to a dealership, they are capable off road so long as your not trying any crazy bush tracks and the 6 speed zf box is a beautiful thing...Id put it on par with the subaru, but the higher seat/entry height is nice, especially as your getting older and stiffer in the back. Makes it nice and easy getting the kids in and out too.If you look this way it really is worth spending a bit more to make sure you get the premium sound system/colour display screen/nav system ect, you cant upgrade it easily.Things to watch for on them, listen for clunking over bumps in the front and rear, the diff cradle bushes in the front and rear wear with age, look at the drivers seat base cushion, the older models suffered badly with the cushions collapsing on the outer side of the seat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nizm0zed Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 the EJ22 Liberty was a gutless wonder and they are very heavy cars. Parents have the Vitara and it goes well. Failing that I'd go a Commodore station wagon, parts widely and cheaply available, V6 not too bad on fuel. yep i'll agree there, very gutless unless its turbo, subi's are heavy on tyre wear too. woudnt touch a commodore though, theyre cheaply built and the quality shows, especially with age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators gav240z Posted August 12, 2016 Administrators Share Posted August 12, 2016 Toyota Hilux with the tray in the rear and a 4 seater cab? You can also tow the race trailer queen that will be #19. . Not sure if your missus wants to be driving something that large around town though! I love my Suzuki Jimny (it's slow as F^%$) but probably not that child friendly. Even if you put a baby seat in the rear. So the Vitara might be a good choice as an economical car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Z Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 (edited) I bought my wife the new Honda Hrv vti-l. Top of the range one costed $37k but you should be able to get a 1 year old one or lower spec one in your budget. Has all the bells and whistles. Moon roof, nice stereo,heated leather seats,reverse camera,parking sensors, lane watch, blind spot monitoring, cruise, lots of storage space (rear seat bottoms lift up to fit bikes etc) has more rear leg room than its competitors Cx3,rav4,qashqai,ix35 etc. One of the first off the production line and have owned it for 1.5 years, not a single problem. http://m.honda.com.au/content/honda/en/cars/models/hr-v.html Edited August 12, 2016 by Retro Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smugley Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 + 1 on the Skoda RS as I just purchased a new one and it's great ? Should be able to get a second hand one close to your budget . Cheers Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoforty z Posted August 13, 2016 Share Posted August 13, 2016 We bought a 2012 T31 Xtrail St-L for our larger car. Totally love it, heated leather seats, huge boot!, good on fuel (~9.8L/100km around town), heated/cooled cup holder, good 4wd capabilities. We picked ours up at auction a few years back for 19k with 55,000km on it. and its a big Datsun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter t Posted August 13, 2016 Share Posted August 13, 2016 Retiring next month and looking at a Feroza and taking the rear seat out to make way for fishing / camping gear. Wife said she is not keen on camping so I said no worries have taken out the the other seat to make room for the dog. Now I am really in the dog house. nizm0zed 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators PB260Z Posted August 13, 2016 Moderators Share Posted August 13, 2016 (edited) Hi George You are looking in a very crowded market space and it can be very confusing. From experience the first thing to do is narrow the field with logical thought. - what size car you need (more kids & related crap ?) - 5 or 7 seats - do you need off road ability, or just the surefootedness that comes with AWD - do you need the ability to tow greater than 2,000kgs - Petrol or Diesel Answering these 5 questions will narrow the field that is available within your budget to a far more managable list. Personally (and yes I am biassed) a 2010 - 2014 AWD Toyota Kluger is very hard to beat. Good luck PB PS : I am currently driving a 2016 Tarago GLX and it is one of the best family cars I have ever had, it is expensive though. Edited August 13, 2016 by PB260Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottyD Posted August 13, 2016 Share Posted August 13, 2016 Hi George When ever I'm looking for a car i use the Redbook site ( http://www.redbook.com.au) it has every Make, Model and all the extras listed. When you've narrowed the field down you can look at the local Pickles and Manheim car auctions to save a few thousand $ http://www.pickles.com.au http://www.manheim.com.au Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nat0_240_chevZ Posted August 13, 2016 Share Posted August 13, 2016 I did the 2011 TL xtrail Top of range.but turbo diesel variant. The manual has 2000kg tow plenty of torque Plenty of room. The xtrail was selected over the subaru forester and vitara after listenimg to a dealer to try it. And we did. Although didnt buy from them but bought from wa the exact model and trim we wanted ie top range in full leather with massive sun roof. Leather is young family proof! The xtrail is really good off road. But not quite a pajero or landcruiser. I want to upgrade to a v8 or v10 vw toeareg but price for servicing does bother me. Only consideration now is a newer pajero not sport or the fj cruiser as both these cars have heaps of offroad potential as has been proven every time we go out. The land cruisers and patrols are nothing on what they used to be when they both ruled. Too bad though. Price range wise. A 2012 or newer to 2015 pajero would be a great choice. Trust me the size difference.is.almost nothing diff to the xtrail just 10mm taller. And the paj does have as good as turning circle. My mate and i always are comparing as to try and make the upgrade a pre approved decision by the boss! And she was sold after deiving it once, her thoughts were its is higher. And its no bigger than the xtrail.... Nat0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impatient1 Posted August 13, 2016 Share Posted August 13, 2016 +1 on the skodas, a few of my friends have bought them and are very happy, plenty of space and good handling. Like pete said it really depends on what you need. Tow bar does come in handy worth think about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nizm0zed Posted August 14, 2016 Share Posted August 14, 2016 From experience the first thing to do is narrow the field with logical thought. - what size car you need (more kids & related crap ?) - 5 or 7 seats - do you need off road ability, or just the surefootedness that comes with AWD - do you need the ability to tow greater than 2,000kgs - Petrol or Diesel Answering these 5 questions will narrow the field that is available within your budget to a far more managable list. ^^^ This. This is VERY good advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EJ101 Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 thing I found with most small SUV's is that they are underpowered. I took a Mazda CX3 for a test drive and that is its biggest drawback and that was without being loaded up for a weekend away. Styling and features are No.1. Other choices. Skoda Yeti. turbo diesel AWD. Quirky, good quality feel interior. Hyundai IX35. I don't know what these have in them, but they seem to have some poke. I was going up Macquarie pass recently when I kept on hearing something behind me chirping it tyres non stop, then I see it accelerating up the hill to catch me and go past in the overtaking lane, my passenger was a scaredy cat, so I had to be good. I thought as it went past.......WTF!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Posted August 15, 2016 Author Share Posted August 15, 2016 Thanks for all of your suggestions and advice. You've given me a lot to digest. Hope to start test driving soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators PB260Z Posted August 15, 2016 Moderators Share Posted August 15, 2016 IX35, the only model in the Hyundai range to break from I _ _ naming convention (I20, I30, I45 etc) Just add an X then turn the name badge upsidedown = SEXI Bit of industry humour to be had by putting posters in dealerships upside down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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