Wagons. So hard to decide!

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

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1699 posts

Uber Geek

#2571609 22-Sep-2020 06:03

I have a 2006 subaru legacy that I picked up 5 years ago for $6000 with a 140,000 on the clock (non turbo). In that time the only issue was a fuel pump fault that cost $400. It has now done 200,000 and is due for a cambelt.

It is thirsty on the round town driving but long distance I can get up to 800km on a tank. It is a pleasure to drive if a little sluggish (I have the 2l) my mechanic has said to avoid the 2.5l as they had head gasket issues.

Plenty of space inside. Can tow a caravan (not quickly). Love the 4 wheel drive on chain days. My next car (when this one does) will be an outback for the extra clearance as a recent trip on some forestry roads round whirinak lead to quite a bit of bottoming out. My last car was a 1989 Toyota corona that lasted 16 years.

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stocksp

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#2571660 22-Sep-2020 07:08

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

im on my second Passat ( both brought new, so I’m slightly amazed by the price of this one ). They are excellent. Huge boot space ( biggest in class) and excellent long legged cruisers. Lots of space inside too, can fit 3 kids reasonably comfortably across the back ( and 2 of them are teenagers )

highly recommended

ZombieJohn

109 posts

Master Geek

#2571663 22-Sep-2020 07:09

I have one other consideration that appears to fit the requirements and is not an older 2.5 engine + is chain driven. What do people think?

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/subaru/auction-2790925768.htm

By the way, really appreciate the help everyone.

mudguard

2061 posts

Uber Geek

#2571665 22-Sep-2020 07:13

Just to be clear, I don't hate Subaru. I had a wagon that was a brilliant car. 2.0L turbo that went everywhere. It's simply that routine maintenance cost more, permanent 4WD meant more fuel, more I grew up in the South Island but owned the car in Auckland, not once did I need 4WD.

The six cylinder ones are more expensive to own they're still a boxer so simple things like changing plugs is a pain. And I'd argue the turbo ones could use less fuel.
I really like the Levorg.

It's a shame Honda NZ never seemed to sell the Accord in wagon form. I agree it's tricky, I looked for a wagon last year and there were so few.
Maybe the Commodore? The last ones weren't Australian, 2.0L turbo and were a lovely car. Only downside is the fact Holden has ceased to exist. I had the wagon and sedan plenty of times as rentals. But no idea in terms of longevity or price.

rb99

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#2571770 22-Sep-2020 09:10

How bout one of these - https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/honda/listing/2580325708?bof=s4N9QjTd

We have one. Not exactly short of space. Third row folds away completely. Chain driven. CVT gearbox, which some people object too, I quite like it. Lots of displays in Japanese, but can't have everything...

That Subaru you linked too looks quite desirable to me. We do have a baby Sub as well thats needed a few things doing to it, but its only a 1500cc, so everyone drives it flat out which doesn't help.

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rb99

Handsomedan

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#2571775 22-Sep-2020 09:20

I've been driving a Volvo wagon for the last 5 years and to be honest if you have a decent mechanic it's not a lot more costly to run than a Ford/Mazda/Subaru.

I am also looking to get a new wagon at some stage in the near(ish) future and have decided to stick with a Volvo, but change models to a V50 T5. Same engine and gearbox as my current model, but smaller, lighter and more sporty.

I don't need the soft-road capabilities of the XC70 that I have now, so may as well get something newer that costs a little less to run.

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jonathan18

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#2571898 22-Sep-2020 11:45

I have a current-shape Mazda 6 wagon, and as much as I like it (and it’s still one of the better-looking wagons on the road), its sloped roof design means it doesn’t have the roomiest boot, so your current ‘children’ could find it a bit tight. The previous model seems to be roomier in the boot (but, I think, the petrol engine in that is also thirstier than the current one).

MikeAqua

7767 posts

Uber Geek

#2571956 22-Sep-2020 12:59

The Mazda 6 Wagons are a nice machine. I seriously considered one when we bought a Mazda 3 SP25.

A few times I've seen a AWD turbo charged version version of the Mazda 6. That would be a nice car.

Mike

ratsun81

503 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2571994 22-Sep-2020 13:32

WyleECoyoteNZ:

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.

Around the 60-80K mark the DSG fluids are done with filters on the 6SPD, then again at 120K with the cambelt (this is the big ouch one)

On their own the DSG fluid service is roughly $500.

The 6spd DSG was quite well sorted after MY2008 if memory serves me well... Its the 7 speed DSG attached to the 1.2 and 1.4 engines that was quite the problem child until somtime around 2015.

All of the autos in the VAG range post 2005 are DSG aka DCT . Some were bad and others not so. Id advise anyone looking to do some prior research to make sure the one you are looking at is not one of the lemons.

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nztim

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#2572012 22-Sep-2020 13:47

late to the party but I cant go past my Toyota Avensis - the 1.8 is more reliable that the 2.0

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

jonathan18

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#2572167 22-Sep-2020 15:06

MikeAqua:

The Mazda 6 Wagons are a nice machine. I seriously considered one when we bought a Mazda 3 SP25.

A few times I've seen a AWD turbo charged version version of the Mazda 6. That would be a nice car.

I see they’re now doing a Takami version of the 6 wagon (I’m sure when this spec first came to the 6 it was sedan-only). While not AWD, having the 2.5 with the turbo (same as in the CX-9) should make for a decent drive.

https://www.mazda.co.nz/cars/mazda6#specs-and-prices

scuwp

3868 posts

Uber Geek

#2572183 22-Sep-2020 15:21

May I ask why a wagon? There is a reason why SUV's are so popular and wagons are a dying breed except for a few remaining examples, which is why there is a limited selection. There are plenty of mid sized SUV's around, possibly better value for money and deliver your needs?

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lurker

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#2572192 22-Sep-2020 15:37

mudguard:
It's a shame Honda NZ never seemed to sell the Accord in wagon form. I agree it's tricky, I looked for a wagon last year and there were so few.
Maybe the Commodore? The last ones weren't Australian, 2.0L turbo and were a lovely car. Only downside is the fact Holden has ceased to exist. I had the wagon and sedan plenty of times as rentals. But no idea in terms of longevity or price.

Honda did sell the Accord Euro wagons in NZ, at least the 2008-2013 model was. Not sure about later models if there were any.

Mine is NZ and so everything in English with NZ satnav

I was also looking at VE Commodore wagons (or newer) before I bought my Honda but they are so much more expensive unless you are happy with high mileage

jonathan18

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#2572195 22-Sep-2020 15:51

scuwp:
May I ask why a wagon? There is a reason why SUV's are so popular and wagons are a dying breed except for a few remaining examples, which is why there is a limited selection. There are plenty of mid sized SUV's around, possibly better value for money and deliver your needs?

So what is the reason, from your perspective?

MPVs offered the same advantages as SUVs but never took off, suggesting it's much more than practicality that's behind the current SUV craze.

I know I for one will be unlikely to own an SUV, partly because my wife hates them (yep, irrational reasons play a big part in many car purchase decisions), but also because I simply prefer the handling of a wagon over an SUV.
Yep, there's a smaller selection of wagons available these days, but there's still a number of decent models to pick from...

MikeAqua

7767 posts

Uber Geek

#2572196 22-Sep-2020 15:53

scuwp:

May I ask why a wagon? There is a reason why SUV's are so popular and wagons are a dying breed except for a few remaining examples, which is why there is a limited selection. There are plenty of mid sized SUV's around, possibly better value for money and deliver your needs?

When the children mis-behave you can throw them in the back with the hounds.

Mike

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