New Family Vehicle primarily for Wife

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Networkn
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#1649427 11-Oct-2016 19:43

kiwirock:

I have spent $2700 on an Outback for headgasket failures and the Warranty company has spent a few more grand more. They car still runs rough and it's been on good synthetics.

Definitely ditch them before they hit 140,000K's. It's roulette after that.

As for the new one's with the CVT, they have great get up and go but are limited for towing.The CVT saves on weight. That's all they are on these cars for. Fuel consumption has always impressed me with Subaru and their AWD. But that's it, definitely not their engines.

As for the CVT, there is a filter the size of half a coke can in these transmissions that can only be replaced having the transmission removed from the vehicle. Dumbest idea I have ever seen in my life. It's not worth the fuel savings.

I really don't understand the logic in this after they and moved the engine oil filter to the top of the motor - the best idea I've seen in my life.

I have other friends that swear by Subaru, but they all have less than 140,000K's on them. My Nissan is 20 years old with well over 200,000K's and will see more than 300,000. With no engine removals or over-hauls of engine parts, just ABS from no using it enough.

Can't say the same for Subaru.

Fast forward to 2:35. Way to go Subaru https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34hS9691L04

To be fair I've never owned a car, nor intend to, that has more than 80K on the clock.

kiwirock

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#1649430 11-Oct-2016 19:51

joker97:

The new subarus have FB engines which do not have the head gasket problem. But yes it has a new CVT problem.

Some of the FB's are just an oil burner instead. They've lowered the oil change interval's because of a class action lawsuit and went as far as recommending replacing the short block instead of just re-doing rings.

Hopefully the 2016 version is better.

They always need some serious attention of some sorts sooner than Nissan and Toyota. Of course, the Subaru is much more fun to drive. But it always opens the wallet a lot.

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#1649494 11-Oct-2016 21:44

kiwirock:

joker97:

The new subarus have FB engines which do not have the head gasket problem. But yes it has a new CVT problem.

Some of the FB's are just an oil burner instead. They've lowered the oil change interval's because of a class action lawsuit and went as far as recommending replacing the short block instead of just re-doing rings.

Hopefully the 2016 version is better.

They always need some serious attention of some sorts sooner than Nissan and Toyota. Of course, the Subaru is much more fun to drive. But it always opens the wallet a lot.

It's rated to use 0-20W oil, same engine in the Toyota GT86, I don't fully buy that. Any toyota 86s having the same issue? Maybe they put the wrong oil in it?

Technofreak

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#1649913 12-Oct-2016 19:21

networkn:

To be fair I've never owned a car, nor intend to, that has more than 80K on the clock.

So you wouldn't be interested in my "just run in" Commodore at a tad over 340,000 km then?

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#1649916 12-Oct-2016 19:24

Technofreak:

networkn:

To be fair I've never owned a car, nor intend to, that has more than 80K on the clock.

So you wouldn't be interested in my "just run in" Commodore at a tad over 340,000 km then?

$1?

Technofreak

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#1649947 12-Oct-2016 20:36

joker97:

Technofreak:

networkn:

To be fair I've never owned a car, nor intend to, that has more than 80K on the clock.

So you wouldn't be interested in my "just run in" Commodore at a tad over 340,000 km then?

$1?

I was just getting to like you and you offer up that insult! Obviously someone who doesn't appreciate an ultra reliable motor vehicle.

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MikeAqua

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#1650107 13-Oct-2016 08:35

Something to think about with your Shep. As s/he gets older you may have to lift him/her up into the back of whatever you buy.

A low riding wagon will be easier from that perspective than a higher riding SUV.

From experience of a 35kg+ Labrador into the back of the Pajero ...

Mike

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MikeAqua

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#1650111 13-Oct-2016 08:38

A mechanic mate of mine is a big Subaru fan and his rule of thumb is buy at 5 years and sell before 10 years.

Mike

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#1650115 13-Oct-2016 08:44

maoriboy:

How about a brand new Skoda Fabia Wagon?

Skoda Fabia

From $26,990 and seem to be very well equipped. Not 4WD though.

I have to mention the Octavia scout now. 4 x 4 diesel wagon. Would have bought one if they had a dealership and service backup in Nelson.

Something that interests me about Skoda is the amount of internal room they manage to pack into car.

Mike

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#1650117 13-Oct-2016 08:46

Technofreak:

So you wouldn't be interested in my "just run in" Commodore at a tad over 340,000 km then?

Vatican museum would be interested in that vehicle ... it's a miracle

Mike

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#1650292 13-Oct-2016 12:15

MikeAqua:

maoriboy:

How about a brand new Skoda Fabia Wagon?

Skoda Fabia

From $26,990 and seem to be very well equipped. Not 4WD though.

I have to mention the Octavia scout now. 4 x 4 diesel wagon. Would have bought one if they had a dealership and service backup in Nelson.

Something that interests me about Skoda is the amount of internal room they manage to pack into car.

I really like my Octavia vRS Wagon - The Scout is effectively the same car but with the 4x4 and a slight lift. Loads of space, good performance and supposed to be pretty reliable, though mine isn't old enough to really comment yet.

networkn

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#1650296 13-Oct-2016 12:20

Yeah that SCcout looks great! 51K new though!

DickDastardly

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#1650351 13-Oct-2016 12:53

Why cant Ford NZ sell the mighty S-Max here - sort of a people carrier, station wagon "cross over" kind of vehicle...

I'm looking pretty seriously about bringing a 2.2 Titanium X Sport with all the goodies over from the UK - completely solves my 3 seats in a row dilemma!

I don't want no sugar in it - thank you very much

networkn

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#1699655 6-Jan-2017 23:24

Well, we are actively looking now.

We have found a Skoda Octovia vRS which is nice. Still mulling it over. My wife likes the colour better. (blue). The scouts are nice but they are too expensive.

We have on overnight loan a Hyundai I40 Elite Limited which is amazing value for money, though I expect having dropped nearly 15K in the past 5 months it's got zero resale value. (my wife doesn't like the colour (Black with Chrome Finish and 19" Wheels). I think she's crazy, it's very nice.

We have discarded SUV's as being too unstable for her preference plus too large and the whole dog lifting thing etc.

I really like a Diesel Subaru Outback, but again, they are stupidly expensive.

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#1699664 6-Jan-2017 23:45

networkn:

Well, we are actively looking now.

We have found a Skoda Octovia vRS which is nice. Still mulling it over. My wife likes the colour better. (blue). The scouts are nice but they are too expensive.

I have a 2016 VRS wagon:

Pros:

Performance/drive

Interior space

Seat comfort

trunk space

Decent equipment

Safety

reliable...so far!

Dealer (Giltrap) good to deal with

Cons:

Road/interior noise - NZ roads can be rough and the car doesn't have the overall refinement of its VW and Audi stablemates

Ride can be firm

Some interior fittings are a little cheap

Few minor niggles on non-critical features (parking sensors, trim and Sat Nav), but were fixed very quickly under warranty from dealer.

Depreciation from new seems a little hard!

If you like the Octavia Wagon overall, unless you and your wife are particularly keen on the extra performance from the VRS, I would definitely look at the non VRS 1.8 or 1.4 litre versions as they may be a little more comfortable and certainly cheaper without any compromise on your main criteria.

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