New Family Vehicle primarily for Wife

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networkn

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Topic # 204655 11-Oct-2016 15:19

So my wifes trusty Subaru Imprezza is getting long in the tooth. Our young family (2 kids) are getting older, and so we are considering replacing the vehicle with a more modern vehicle.

I like wagons, but am not opposed to a Soft Roader/SUV.

We want decent luggage capacity (We also have a German Shepherd), but ideally without having the car too massive itself.

The Subaru Outback looks pretty good, esp the Diesel, though it has a CVT transmission and I am a little leery of them given the bad publicity they have had.

I personally like the look of the landrover evoque, would be interested in feedback on that.

She would like some of the modern conveniences like reversing camera, and parking sensors, a good radio she can pair her phone and stream music to. Reliable and not too thirsty.

It's likely the car we would travel it together on holiday so I don't want something too horrible to drive.

I'd ideally like to stay inside 30K.

AWD would be a high priority.

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Reply # 1649276 11-Oct-2016 15:31

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The Evoque is a dire car in my view. A triumph of form over substance!

The windows are very small and visibility is poor, especially reversing. You'd be better off with a late model Freelander I'd say.

Forester turbo? Always fun. Plenty of space etc and AWD.

Volvo XC 70 if you do not mind Euro bills.

networkn

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Reply # 1649284 11-Oct-2016 15:49

Forester looks nice, about 10k over budget by the looks. There seems to be a gap in years. 2014 price would be ok, but none around, 2013 are all high km's

Disrespective

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Reply # 1649288 11-Oct-2016 15:57

We have a 2011 Volvo V70 we managed to pick up for under $30k. It had done nearly 100k's though. We got it with mechanical insurance and that has saved us a grand or two in unscheduled maintenance, but nearly 24 months into owning it and we love it. That being said it's highly specc'd so tyres and other consumables aren't cheap.

sen8or

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Reply # 1649290 11-Oct-2016 15:58

Hyundai ix35?

These seem to hold value well and Hyundai seems to be well regarded these days

Fred99

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Reply # 1649296 11-Oct-2016 16:10

networkn:

I personally like the look of the landrover evoque, would be interested in feedback on that.

Geektastic:

The Evoque is a dire car in my view. A triumph of form over substance!

I (don't) wonder if the designer of that knew the polarising opinions it would generate, and regardless of that went ahead with full knowledge that some people are so desperate to stand out from the crowd, they'd buy almost anything with the right badge on it - if it was "distinctive". Even more dire, people owning/driving such hideosities are prone to make negative comments about how boring cars like corollas are, that supposedly being a reflection on how unimaginative their owners must be.

maoriboy

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Reply # 1649298 11-Oct-2016 16:11

How about a brand new Skoda Fabia Wagon?

Skoda Fabia

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

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Reply # 1649307 11-Oct-2016 16:24

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maoriboy:

How about a brand new Skoda Fabia Wagon?

Skoda Fabia

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

Which reminds me to suggest the Passat 4 Motion diesel.

Geektastic

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Reply # 1649310 11-Oct-2016 16:28

Fred99:

networkn:

I personally like the look of the landrover evoque, would be interested in feedback on that.

Geektastic:

The Evoque is a dire car in my view. A triumph of form over substance!

I (don't) wonder if the designer of that knew the polarising opinions it would generate, and regardless of that went ahead with full knowledge that some people are so desperate to stand out from the crowd, they'd buy almost anything with the right badge on it - if it was "distinctive". Even more dire, people owning/driving such hideosities are prone to make negative comments about how boring cars like corollas are, that supposedly being a reflection on how unimaginative their owners must be.

The fact that they picked well known genius Posh Spice to launch the car tells us a lot...!

Be aware that Land Rover ownership is not a cheap hobby (unless we are talking older vehicles that you can work on yourself - and even then, parts are much more in NZ than they are in the UK). For example, decent tyres for a Disco 3 are around $500 a corner.

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Reply # 1649348 11-Oct-2016 17:08

That Skoda Fabia Wagon looks great. Wonder how much a second hand one would be in a couple of years.

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Reply # 1649350 11-Oct-2016 17:17

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We have just purchased a near new Nissan x-trail and love it. Yes the CVT transmission feels a bit different to drive but is super smooth and economical. I did a lot of investigating the CVT and found a lot of the horror stories unfounded, when serviced regularly like a normal transmission they are just as reliable. Can be found for about your price range. Another option is for a couple of grand more you can by a brand new Mitsubishi Outlander. Great value for money IMO with all the latest gadgets and the best warranty of any brand. I would avoid the Craptiva and Fords based on my past experience with them.

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Reply # 1649352 11-Oct-2016 17:23

scuwp: We have just purchased a near new Nissan x-trail and love it. Yes the CVT transmission feels a bit different to drive but is super smooth and economical. I did a lot of investigating the CVT and found a lot of the horror stories unfounded, when serviced regularly like a normal transmission they are just as reliable. Can be found for about your price range. Another option is for a couple of grand more you can by a brand new Mitsubishi Outlander. Great value for money IMO with all the latest gadgets and the best warranty of any brand. I would avoid the Craptiva and Fords based on my past experience with them.

I was looking at Outlanders today, they do seem well priced with good specs. I think the diesel looks like a good option.

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Reply # 1649356 11-Oct-2016 17:28

We almost got an ix35, but in the end got a six month old Nissan Qashqui for something like $30K - they're about $35K new. It's great, big enough but not too huge, wife (bit under 5" tall) likes it. Base model has all the modern bits you're looking for. CVT works really well, and even though it's bigger and heavier than my 2003 Corolla it uses a fair bit less petrol. It's powerful enough that when you need it, it's there. The diesel probably has 4 wheel drive, not sure as we got petrol. Higher up models have all kinds of interesting features, which I might actually spring for next time. I'm really impressed with the quality and performance of the Nissan.

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networkn

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Reply # 1649357 11-Oct-2016 17:29

Fred99:

networkn:

I personally like the look of the landrover evoque, would be interested in feedback on that.

Geektastic:

The Evoque is a dire car in my view. A triumph of form over substance!

I (don't) wonder if the designer of that knew the polarising opinions it would generate, and regardless of that went ahead with full knowledge that some people are so desperate to stand out from the crowd, they'd buy almost anything with the right badge on it - if it was "distinctive". Even more dire, people owning/driving such hideosities are prone to make negative comments about how boring cars like corollas are, that supposedly being a reflection on how unimaginative their owners must be.

What a strange comment to criticize the look of one car whilst criticizing people for not liking the looks of another.

networkn

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Reply # 1649358 11-Oct-2016 17:32

timmmay:

We almost got an ix35, but in the end got a six month old Nissan Qashqui for something like $30K - they're about $35K new. It's great, big enough but not too huge, wife (bit under 5" tall) likes it. Base model has all the modern bits you're looking for. CVT works really well, and even though it's bigger and heavier than my 2003 Corolla it uses a fair bit less petrol. It's powerful enough that when you need it, it's there. The diesel probably has 4 wheel drive, not sure as we got petrol. Higher up models have all kinds of interesting features, which I might actually spring for next time. I'm really impressed with the quality and performance of the Nissan.

Yeah, I've looked at that Nissan and thought it was quite an interesting vehicle. The boot space looks pretty small (tall and not very deep) not sure how my dog would go in there. My impreza can fit a kids bike and a dog in it without the seats down.

timmmay

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Reply # 1649363 11-Oct-2016 17:44

I guess it's the difference between a long station wagon and a short but high smaller SUV crossover. Depends what you want. No way can you fit a bike and a dog in there - a dog would be about it, not even sure about a bike, depends on size. But it will fit a bunch of suitcases, bags, and general travel stuff for a small family no problems.

Make sure you look at the new model, from late 2015, much much better than the old model. More stable, more features.

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