After our first trip away, it has hit home how much stuff / space a newborn baby occupies in a car. As such a bigger car is under consideration.
What we are considering is swapping our corolla for an electric car for most city stuff (wide doesn't want to park bigger car in city). And to get another car for out of town trips / towing, and when we need two cars at once. As such I think I will only do around 5000km a year in it, as such fuel cost isn't such a big deal.
As such we are looking at the bigger end of the spectrum, what should I buy for $10k - $20k (prefer bottom of range)
Seen as this is planned to be my last non-electric car, I want something somewhat interesting (I have done the prudent thing with the corolla).
Ultimately looking for a nice, comfortable high way cruiser. If it's an SUV i would like 4wd / awd to drive the likes of 90 mile beach. Also would like 1.5T+ Tow rating. I don't really mind high mileage as long as condition is good.
Prudent choices:
2008 - 2010 Commodore sports wagon (3.6L)
$10k - 14k
+ Decent performance
+ Decent interior space
+ Common for parts etc
- Wife doesn't like look / brand.
2010 era Subaru Outback (3.6L) or Legacy (turbo)
$10k - 14k
+ Reasonable space
+ Great performance (especially Legacy GT)
- Subaru reliability issues (especially the GT, prob would go Outback for that reason)
2010 era Toyota Highlander (3.5L)
$15- 18k
+ Biggest so far.
+ My current toyota has been very reliable so I respect the brand. 3.5L engine has a good reputation.
- Relatively higher cost
- Higher spec levels (electronic seats etc) are harder to find than in the Subaru's
Riskier choices:
2006 era Jeep Grand Cherokee. (5.7L petrol or 3.0L diesel)
$12k - $17k
+ Wife likes looks.
+ Powerful engines (petrol 250kW, Diesel 160kW)
+ Diesel available for lesser fuel costs than everything else on the list.
+ Decent off roader,
+ Easy to find high spec models (memory seats, preimum audio etc)
- Jeep Reliability
- Fuel costs of Petrol model (14L/100km even with cylinder deactivation)
- Cheap looking dash etc.
2001-2002 era Lexus LX470 (4.7L petrol) basically a 100 series landcruiser with a petrol engine and nice interior. (diesel landcruiser is outside of budget)
$17 - 20k.
+ Massive interior space
+ I have always wanted a full size landcruiser
+ Wife likes Lexus branding
+ Legendary Land-cruiser durability and off road ability (when not cramped by massive vehicle size).
+ Very comfortable vehicle to travel in.
- Fuel consumption (15.7L/100km highway, 21.4 L/100km in city)
- Weak engine for vehicle size, and fuel consumption. (170kW, 434 Nm)
Any comments? - I'm leaning towards the jeep, but haven't been inside one yet.