Wagons. So hard to decide!

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Wagons. So hard to decide!

ZombieJohn

109 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 10

#277012 21-Sep-2020 18:24

So I posted a couple of weeks back about looking at and asking about Subarus.

The more I look in to the various wagons out there the more stuck I get on the best place to go.

So far for requirements we have:
1. 5 star safety.
2. Big boot space for 2 dogs and impending children.
3. Between 10k to 20k in price but always preferably closer to the lower end.
4. Would be driven from Whangarei to Auckland and back once a week at least.

I have identified a number of cars that fit the bill:
1. Subaru Outback
2. Subaru Legacy
3. Mazda Atenza (6)
4. Volvo V60
5. VW Passat
6. Skoda Octavia
7. I'm sure I've come across others that I have forgot here

What are people's experiences with these (if any)? Suprisingly hard to find NZ NeW so will probably be a Jap import.

I have read so much on all of them now and they all have their advantages and disadvantages but I can't seem to get past the old (possibly hogwash) ideas beaten in to my brain that Jap cars are cheap to service; Subarus are very likely to break down; euro cars are great but expensive to repair.

I think I see death by indecision in my future somewhere ....

1 | 2 | 3

109 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 10

#2571503 21-Sep-2020 18:32

Also just re-read my initial post. The boot is planned for the dogs and the car seats for the children :D

mudguard

2327 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1250

#2571505 21-Sep-2020 18:37

Subarus are traditionally expensive to service because they have boxer engine and are four wheel drive. Personally I wouldn't own a Subaru unless it was turbo, otherwise you're paying for something that is slow, expensive and thirsty!

I would think the Octavia and Passat share the same platform, so it's probably a matter of the Passat coming with more equipment. The only Octavia I've driven was a two year old VRS, which was great fun, but not cheap yet.

I miss good old fashioned station wagons. I think they are virtually the perfect car. It's a shame the new Corolla wagon got stuck with a smaller motor than the hatch, I'd have bought one!

rb99

3505 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1830

Lifetime subscriber

#2571513 21-Sep-2020 18:52

Zero personal experience, and quite possibly dismissed already, but anyway -

https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/CategoryAttributeSearchResults.aspx?search=1&cid=268&sidebar=1&rsqid=a71718ae17564e6891d7623cf947794c-002&sidebarSearch_keypresses=0&sidebarSearch_suggested=0&14=Ford&15=&21=&1=&minPrice=&maxPrice=20000&13=-1&13=100000&24=0&24=0&309=0&309=0&54=mondeo+wagon&searchRegion=100

“The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.” -John Kenneth Galbraith

rb99

Dodgeyboye

28 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 7

#2571516 21-Sep-2020 19:10

We have a 2012 Ford Mondeo station wagon, fits all your requirements but a lot cheaper ranging between 5-10k we got ours for 5k.

2l diesel pretty economic, 5 star safety and fits our big family (2 kids in car seats, 2 dogs in boot) while also towing our caravan.

can’t get much better for the price in my opinion.

ZombieJohn

109 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 10

#2571530 21-Sep-2020 19:50

Dodgeyboye:
We have a 2012 Ford Mondeo station wagon, fits all your requirements but a lot cheaper ranging between 5-10k we got ours for 5k.

2l diesel pretty economic, 5 star safety and fits our big family (2 kids in car seats, 2 dogs in boot) while also towing our caravan.

can’t get much better for the price in my opinion.

To be honest I have never considered a Ford but this looks like a really good option too. I've looked at trademe and everything sitting close to the 20k mark for around 100k km odo.

I'm definitely adding these to the list of potentials.

ZombieJohn

109 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 10

#2571532 21-Sep-2020 19:50

mudguard:
Subarus are traditionally expensive to service because they have boxer engine and are four wheel drive. Personally I wouldn't own a Subaru unless it was turbo, otherwise you're paying for something that is slow, expensive and thirsty!

I would think the Octavia and Passat share the same platform, so it's probably a matter of the Passat coming with more equipment. The only Octavia I've driven was a two year old VRS, which was great fun, but not cheap yet.

I miss good old fashioned station wagons. I think they are virtually the perfect car. It's a shame the new Corolla wagon got stuck with a smaller motor than the hatch, I'd have bought one!

That's a good way to look at it. I think at this point I've heard enough about Subarus to take them from my list.

AliExpress

Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

kiwiace

54 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 12

#2571536 21-Sep-2020 20:21

I had a Legacy Wagon once and it was pretty reliable and fun. Around 140k things started to wear out.

Just another angle: We did similar calculations to you in 2010 (but had third kid on the way, and no dogs).

We looked at Legacy/Mazda 6 second hand, but eventually got a brand new Sportage.

It seemed to us that if you can get brand new for about 30k (Corolla wagon is around there too I think), better than spending 20k for a car with 100k on the clock. Especially if you drive quite a few kms and don't want something fast.

WyleECoyoteNZ

1055 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 372

#2571537 21-Sep-2020 20:28

ZombieJohn:
mudguard:

Subarus are traditionally expensive to service because they have boxer engine and are four wheel drive. Personally I wouldn't own a Subaru unless it was turbo, otherwise you're paying for something that is slow, expensive and thirsty!

I would think the Octavia and Passat share the same platform, so it's probably a matter of the Passat coming with more equipment. The only Octavia I've driven was a two year old VRS, which was great fun, but not cheap yet.

I miss good old fashioned station wagons. I think they are virtually the perfect car. It's a shame the new Corolla wagon got stuck with a smaller motor than the hatch, I'd have bought one!

That's a good way to look at it. I think at this point I've heard enough about Subarus to take them from my list.

Word of caution around the VW Group vehicles (Passat & Octavia).

Early models in your price range are likely to be the 6 speed DCT transmissions (Double clutch units). These gearboxes reportedly require a major (expensive) service around the 100,000km's mark.

Newer models have a fully sealed 7 speed transmission, which supposedly don't require that 100,000km service.

If you have a Volkswagen dealer nearby, go and have a chat with the service department about what to look out for.

lurker

838 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 223

Lifetime subscriber

#2571544 21-Sep-2020 20:55

I have a 2009 Honda Accord Euro Tourer N wagon, rightcar.govt.nz shows it only as having a 3 star safety rating. Would be nice drive on the longer trips. Fuel economy not fantastic, city driving it's just over 10L/100K (2.4L variant)

Picked mine up earlier this year with 56K on the clock for $12K and others sell for around the same price or less, depending on mileage.

mdav056

616 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 160

Subscriber

#2571565 21-Sep-2020 21:27

Have a look at the Toyota Prius Alpha (import, same as the V) -- lots of room, little gasoline, and in your price range

gml

ZombieJohn

109 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 10

#2571568 21-Sep-2020 21:44

What about something like this
https://www.turners.co.nz/Cars/Used-Cars-for-Sale/volkswagen/passat/21005261/?s=tm

New World

Shop on-line at New World now for your groceries (affiliate link).

Shapenz

518 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 70

#2571569 21-Sep-2020 21:45

I see a lot of hate online for Subi's but I'm on my 2nd one... 210,000k's on the clock and only the odd issue beyond normal maintenance. I would look for the 3ltr Outback in that price range personally.. the turbo legacy is more 'fun' but it can be hard to judge how much 'fun' the previous owner has had.

Before switch to Subaru I owned an Audi which sadly had the DSG fail - I had a mechanical warranty so they replaced it with a reconditioned on which failed after about 3 months... so I had it repaired again then sold it at Turners.

There are also issues with the transmissions on certain Volvo models - I can't remember off the top of my head which ones.

sparkz25

750 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 284
Inactive user

#2571582 21-Sep-2020 22:33

rb99:

Zero personal experience, and quite possibly dismissed already, but anyway -

https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/CategoryAttributeSearchResults.aspx?search=1&cid=268&sidebar=1&rsqid=a71718ae17564e6891d7623cf947794c-002&sidebarSearch_keypresses=0&sidebarSearch_suggested=0&14=Ford&15=&21=&1=&minPrice=&maxPrice=20000&13=-1&13=100000&24=0&24=0&309=0&309=0&54=mondeo+wagon&searchRegion=100

We have a 2017 2l Diesel Mondeo, we have found it awesome to drive, bucket loads of torque and can get easy 850+ to a tank of diesel, plenty of boot space, and heaps of room in the back for the kids and car seats!

Find a dealer and take one for a drive, you might be impressed.

I didn't have high expectations of the diesel model, to begin with, but when the salesman said to take it easy and ease into it as its not a slow diesel I thought he was full of it but it actually had enough power to get up and go if you put your foot down, I was impressed with the responsiveness and how smooth it drove we ended up buying one.

phrozenpenguin

868 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 90

#2571588 21-Sep-2020 23:06

mudguard:

Subarus are traditionally expensive to service because they have boxer engine and are four wheel drive. Personally I wouldn't own a Subaru unless it was turbo, otherwise you're paying for something that is slow, expensive and thirsty!

I'm not sure where this "tradition" comes from but we have owned a number of Subarus and don't agree with the sentiment. The 3L EZ30 engine is pretty quick and known for its reliability. Servicing is straightforward and there are lots of Subaru specialists around, and plenty of parts if needed because plenty of cars around. There is a reason there are so many Subarus around (especially South Island - might get a distorted view up in Auckland) - and its not because everyone love a slow and expensive and thirsty car! In that price range you have a pick of models / trim levels / engines etc. That said, if you don't need or want the AWD capability then you have other options, but the boxer engine and AWD I see as a benefit. I used to drive Audis and VWs in Europe but drive Subaru over here - I believe the cost of ownership is higher on the Euro's here in NZ, but haven't actually owned one.

I would try and drive the top ones on your list. A 3.6L petrol Outback is going to be very different to a Diesel Mondeo - both in driving and probably interior space etc as well. We compared the Audi A6 and the Passat and there was a surprising difference when looking at carseats etc.

Good luck!

Scott3

4176 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2990

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2571590 21-Sep-2020 23:07

mdav056:

Have a look at the Toyota Prius Alpha (import, same as the V) -- lots of room, little gasoline, and in your price range

This. The 5 seater has massive boot space and interior room, and the well regarded reliable drivetrain. 5 star 2015 Anacap.

https://www.ancap.com.au/safety-ratings/toyota/prius-v/b18b90/images-and-video

Will have like half the running costs of an outback or similar.

Only downside is that it is on the slower side.

At your budget I would cross the euro's off the list. The mazda 6 wagon seems fine, if on the smaller side compared to the Subaru & Prius V.

I really like the subaru's too, I quite enjoyed the rental one I had in the south island, and have driven a friends turbo legacy wagon which is both a very fast and comfortable car. The 4 cylinder doesn't have a great reputation for reliability, but the 6 cylinder is better apparently (but thirsty). All the freinds I have with modern subaru's love them.

When I was car shopping with somewhat similar criteria (No dogs, and I also wanted something powerful, and with a 1.5T tow rating), I ended up with a 2006 Lexus RX400h. Less passenger & boot space and roughly double the fuel use of the Prius alpha, and the high boot floor combined with sloping rear glass is likely bad for dogs. But my wife loved the badge, and the car is really smooth and powerful (plus jammed full of sound deadening).

1 | 2 | 3