7 seater used for towing and daily driver

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crocodile

34 posts

Geek

#239544 23-Jul-2018 07:54

We are looking to buy a car to tow our 750kg camper trailer, but mostly it will be a daily driver.

We require the following:

2.0 to 2.4L (4 cylinder but may consider 2.5 V6)

7 seater (not so much for the seats but for the space)

Automatic gearbox, not CVT

Budget of around $15K

We have a shortlist but open to suggestions:

Subaru Exiga 2.5 (apparently these have CVT gearboxes)

Toyota Vanguard (apparently the 2.4 version only comes out in CVT)

Honda Odyssey Absolute

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mazda MPV

Any suggestions or experience would be welcomed

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3885 posts

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#2060776 23-Jul-2018 08:16

Why not a CVT?

My choice of your list would be the Outlander. I would have suggested an X-trail but your objection to CVT rules that out.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

crocodile

34 posts

Geek

#2060787 23-Jul-2018 08:44

You cannot tow with CVT transmissions

I tried towing my caravan a few years ago with my LaFesta, and had to stop 3 times due to the transmission cutting out. They do not like loads. You can tow a small trailer, but not bigger

chevrolux

4962 posts

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#2060789 23-Jul-2018 08:47

Why not something like a Prado?

Bung

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#2060792 23-Jul-2018 08:54

scuwp:
Why not a CVT?

My choice of your list would be the Outlander. I would have suggested an X-trail but your objection to CVT rules that out.

Apart from 4wd diesel versions Outlanders appear to be CVT.

crocodile

34 posts

Geek

#2060794 23-Jul-2018 08:55

Prado to big and not practical as a daily driver. We have a Pajero which we are selling, it just gulps fuel

crocodile

34 posts

Geek

#2060795 23-Jul-2018 08:57

WRT Outlander, so it looks like it will have to be a 4WD Outlander then

kotuku4

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#2060800 23-Jul-2018 09:05

crocodile:

You cannot tow with CVT transmissions

I tried towing my caravan a few years ago with my LaFesta, and had to stop 3 times due to the transmission cutting out. They do not like loads. You can tow a small trailer, but not bigger

We have a 2005 Nissan Lafesta 2.0 CVT they are know to have weak transmissions, I would never fit a towbar to one of these.

Also have a 2006 Toyota Estima 2.4 CVT and this is fine for towing. Transmission is solid and repairable if there is a problem.

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Bung

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#2060819 23-Jul-2018 09:33

crocodile:
WRT Outlander, so it looks like it will have to be a 4WD Outlander then

I was looking at current line up. The non cvt definitely blow your $15k budget. Any serious towing on any auto probably needs additional trans oil cooler.

crocodile

34 posts

Geek

#2060825 23-Jul-2018 09:43

kotuku4:

crocodile:

You cannot tow with CVT transmissions

I tried towing my caravan a few years ago with my LaFesta, and had to stop 3 times due to the transmission cutting out. They do not like loads. You can tow a small trailer, but not bigger

We have a 2005 Nissan Lafesta 2.0 CVT they are know to have weak transmissions, I would never fit a towbar to one of these.

Also have a 2006 Toyota Estima 2.4 CVT and this is fine for towing. Transmission is solid and repairable if there is a problem.

We may look at the Previa, which apparently has an AT.

Does the Estima have a chain CVT as opposed to Belt?

crocodile

34 posts

Geek

#2060826 23-Jul-2018 09:44

Bung:
crocodile:

WRT Outlander, so it looks like it will have to be a 4WD Outlander then

I was looking at current line up. The non cvt definitely blow your $15k budget. Any serious towing on any auto probably needs additional trans oil cooler.

We won't be towing every weekend, but we will tow far, so I don't want the transmission to overheat

crocodile

34 posts

Geek

#2060830 23-Jul-2018 09:48

It looks like the Mazda MPV has an AT, does anyone have experience with these (2006 onwards)

MikeAqua

7779 posts

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#2060846 23-Jul-2018 09:58

We had Emina (yes that really is a car name ). It's a Previa derivative - sold on the japanese market.

All while drive and towed around 800kg nicely.

Chucked some roof tracks & bars (Rhino) and roof box on the top and used that for all the bulky, but light stuff - sleeping bags, pillows etc.

Great car, a little bit thristy. But only a 6 seater.

A regular Previa is wider bodied and seats 7- but then you lose the AWD.

Mike

crocodile

34 posts

Geek

#2060847 23-Jul-2018 09:59

MikeAqua:

We had Emina (yes that really is a car name ). It's a Previa derivative - sold on the japanese market.

All while drive and towed around 800kg nicely.

Chucked some roof tracks & bars (Rhino) and roof box on the top and used that for all the bulky, but light stuff - sleeping bags, pillows etc.

Great car, a little bit thristy. But only a 6 seater.

A regular Previa is wider bodied and seats 7- but then you lose the AWD.

Cheers Mike - I will include that in my list

Batman

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#2060852 23-Jul-2018 10:05

Santa Fe, Sorento. The 2.2 diesels are mighty beasts. Enough power to overtake on hills. Enough torque to launch your family elephant into orbit. Not sure about price though. And despite their might, I've never actually owned a diesel so I'm not sure of real life ownership experience.

shk292

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#2060857 23-Jul-2018 10:18

Ipsum? Great as a daily driver, huge boot and extra seats OK for large kids / small adults.

We have a tow-bar on ours for boats (relatively light ones) etc and it tows OK but that's probably less than 750kg

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