Need help with choosing 2nd car

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solival

160 posts

Master Geek

#179129 27-Aug-2015 16:51

In one of topic (http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=162&topicid=179018) I listed cars that I would like to buy but cannot choose and immediately get feedback on one of them. So I think it's a good idea to ask fellow geeks about their feedback/opinion about cars that I shortlisted and to make better choice.

I have everyday commuter and want 2nd car to do what first cannot. For example to move a fridge :) Or to put nice sub woofer in a boot (and still have space for something else).

So I'm up to budget < $5k, less then 20 years japanese, manual, SW or SUV, reasonable (for its age) reliability, parts availability and price (including from wrecks), not too smart (e.g. I want to put there rear camera, sensors, audio, 2din stereo myself, no fun if it is already there) but not too stone age (at least ABS, and air condition).

Currently I'm choosing from these guys:

Rav4 (cause SUV, not that big, cheap)

Subaru Legacy (cause true JDM, better options then RAV (age, air bags), but has "granny" popularity)

Subaru Forester (almost SUV, but don't really like that it's neither SW nor SUV)

Toyota Corolla SW (cheap, but tiny engine (mostly 1.6l))

Toyota Caldina (looks good, but unlikely to find manual)

Any thoughts?

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#1375306 27-Aug-2015 17:06

Rav4's are a bit thirsty so I understand. The next model of Corolla is a 1.8 the 1ZZ-FE version is no rocket, but it's not under powered either. TBH even the older 1.6 (4A-FE) goes OK, fine for a daily driver.

jpoc

1043 posts

Uber Geek

#1375328 27-Aug-2015 17:21

You say that you want a car with enough space to move a fridge and then list a load of estate cars.

If what you want is an estate car then stick to those, all fair choices, and stop reading this.

If you just want something that can take large loads then consider a Toyota Celica.

Washing machine? Big tall fridge? 2.4 metre lengths of timber or mdf planks?

It all goes inside with room to spare.

Now, if you want to move a 2M tall extended depth server rack then you will have to put it on the roof. (That nearly went inside.)

The same is true for a queen size mattress or half a dozen 8'x4' sheets of plywood.

The only thing that has ever been too much was a pool table - I hired a van for that one.

You get a double DIN radio mount too so you can play with your options there.

lNomNoml

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#1375347 27-Aug-2015 17:59

What about a honda fit? you can put the chairs down and fit a fridge no problem.

xpd

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#1375362 27-Aug-2015 18:39

Subaru's great cars if theyve been looked after and maintained. Get one that hasnt, and be prepared to pay out.... in saying that, pretty much applies for all cars... :)

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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tdgeek

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#1375372 27-Aug-2015 19:17

Two WOF, two rego's, two sets of repairs. Id go one car that is priced between what you want to invest in two older cars. One set of costs, and probably less as the one car will be newer. Hire a trailer every infrequent now and then.

BlackGlove

59 posts

Master Geek

#1375374 27-Aug-2015 19:23

Hire a trailer every infrequent now and then.

I was thinking the same thing - there's only so many times you'll need to move a fridge. :)

Inphinity

2780 posts

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#1375375 27-Aug-2015 19:26

To clarify, are you looking at the Legacy GT, and Caldina GT-T, as pictured, or rather than base spec models of these ranges?

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Batman

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#1375440 27-Aug-2015 22:55

You want two cars? My advise: choose one. The cost and hassle are lower.

original RAV4: underpowered, high fuel consumption, noisy, massive lean in corners. but has lots of parts and cheap to maintain.

that shape legacy GT: unless owned by old lady, they are all abused - everything about to need replacement. head gasket will go anytime.

that shape legacy normal: expensive to run & maintain, head gasket to go anytime. but very good traction.

that shape forester: same as legacy normal, just higher. might have less space than legacy, certainly no more.

corolla SW - if you are lucky get a camry SW. both underpowered but cheap to run. some will burn a lot of oil/leak, just look out.

caldina - no experience

I'd go Honda Fit if i were you. Just look out for CVT failure. Drive at least 20 mins ideally 30 mins, if CVT jerks it's going out the door. if not a single jerk it's ok.

DizzyD

523 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#1375442 27-Aug-2015 23:01

Car that age. I would only go for the Toyotas. Would not even think about Subaru.

solival

160 posts

Master Geek

#1375548 28-Aug-2015 09:58

Thanks guys. A lot of useful information to consider.

About unreliability, I know what's old car is. I had Fiat Ritmo '87 carb in 2005 that I spent more time under it then in it. Though it taught me a lot about car mechanics :)

BTW Do you know, if any of these cars have K-Line, or CAN, or ELM, or at least OBD-2 connector? Want to be able to read error codes and connect some android dashboard.

@jpoc, I googled Toyota Celica and it looks it is coupe, how fridge can go in it? Or you mean roof?

@tdgeek I need second car, cause I will live in Wainuiomata very soon. It's quite separated suburb with really limited public transport options. One car for commuter I already have. Second car need mostly for wife (short travels) and sometimes to move some loads that cannot fit into Nissan March. Just because no sense to have two hatches. And also for my geeky stuff (cause I don't want to accidentally break every day car). I used to move quite big stuff in March but to do that I had to remove all seats except drivers :) Towbar is also in my requirements list :)

@Inphinity I don't look for only pictured cars, those pictures just for attention :) I barely understand difference between Subaru GT or TS-R. Though I would like to avoid turbo.

@DizzyD @joker97 Whats specific with subarus? Is there high cost of parts or they break a lot, or just generaly weared out significantly more than toyota? My assumption that 15-20 years cars all pretty much lego that will need regular fixes. Also, can you tell something about "boxer" engine? Does it make any difference to standard?

lxsw20

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#1375550 28-Aug-2015 10:01

Toyota didn't get OBD2 in Japan/NZ until about 2000. You can pull codes on cars pre 2000 by bridging a couple of terminals on the diagnostics connector, which flashes the codes on the CEL. Not standard OBD2 so not android compatible.

Batman

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#1375552 28-Aug-2015 10:06

solival: Whats specific with subarus? Is there high cost of parts or they break a lot, or just generaly weared out significantly more than toyota? My assumption that 15-20 years cars all pretty much lego that will need regular fixes. Also, can you tell something about "boxer" engine? Does it make any difference to standard?

1. it is usually driven by people who trash their cars (as opposed to a boring toyota corolla tends to be driven by people who don't)
2. no, wear is not the problem here, see 1. but there is a weakness called head gasket it tends to break and needs fixing. other than that it is robust as (a hilux, if you know their reputation, i'm guessing not)
3. it is very hard to work on a Subaru because they way it is built you need to remove lots of bits to get to things hence labour costs are high. nothing wrong with the boxer engine itself other than the 4wd drive train sipping lots of fuel. and the head gasket.

ubergeeknz

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#1375554 28-Aug-2015 10:13

Why no Primera wagon listed here? They're cheap, reliable, and up to 2 litre engine.

ludez

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#1375558 28-Aug-2015 10:18

You could buy my vw passat thats got a towbar yet has never towed a thing in its life: ) and its manual

jonathan18

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#1375574 28-Aug-2015 10:41

ubergeeknz: Why no Primera wagon listed here? They're cheap, reliable, and up to 2 litre engine.

+1 on this, as long as you stay away from the more recent P12 model which was a dog (in my experience!), ie stick with the P11 not this one.

Manuals are harder to find, eg only six on TM at the moment (compared to 119 automatics/CVTs), and by this stage most will have done a decent number of kms. But, as mentioned, they're a lot of car for the money, reliable, and are reasonably priced to maintain/repair. Fuel economy's ok as well. I've not owned a 1.8 litre, but I recall being advised the 2 litre engine was better/more reliable, and the fuel economy not too different.

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