Station wagons upgrade or stay with the old one

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Station wagons upgrade or stay with the old one

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fearandloathing

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#3085306 6-Jun-2023 07:21

I’m pretty much switching from the same Subaru wagon, 2004 with 205,000. I settled on a new ZR Corolla hatch.
We will see if switching to a much smaller hatch will be regrettable.
There are some nice Corolla touring wagons available as imports, maybe an option.

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johno1234

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#3085314 6-Jun-2023 08:51

blackjack17:

Thinking about upgrading my car.

Currently have a 2006 Subaru legacy. Had it since 2014. It now has 220,000 kms on the clock has amazing features like a 6 disk cd player and mini disk but is starting to get a bit aged. The Subaru has terrible city milage but pretty good open road milage.

My wife has a 2023 mazda cx5 work car that we can use for personal use just have to pay for petrol for annual leave (it has absolutely crap milage). As I run to work my car only gets used for the supermarket runs, kids sports runs, and weekend missions to trail ends/mountain bike trails and importantly school holiday road trips. My milage isn't high and i can use a tank or two a school term with an extra one in the school holidays. However in the holidays can knock out over 1000+kms.

I like station wagons, can fit a heap in the back for road trips. Easy to lift bikes on to the roof racks.

My usage doesn't really feel like it would suit an ev (nor does my budget). I love the idea of a Subaru outback and love the awd of the legacy (but realistically I don't go to Ruapehu enough to justify it) and second hand outback prices are nuts. I got my legacy in 2014 for $6000.

To replace the current car I would be looking at something newer than 2012, less than 100,000km on the clock and under $15,000

The 2012 Volkswagen Passat 1.4T seems a good fit for my usage but have always been hesitant about european cars and turbos. There is a 2013 Volvo xc90 but once again european and its an SUV.

Are station wagons dying out and are second hand cars crazy expensive at the moment?

Mazda atenza? Toyota Corolla Hybrid?, wish?

Are you changing for dry or emotional reasons? Dry (economic) reasoning would be if the current car is becoming expensive to own. Flat 4 Subaru engines have two of everything and a tight fit so not the cheapest maintenance proposition but... if it is robust and largely problem free then despite the fuel consumption it is most economic to just keep it and drive it until it is so old the wheels fall off. It owes you nothing so as long as the maintenance is not a burden it is the cheapest possible option.

However if you want to treat yourself to an upgraded driving experience (I am sure you have earned it!) and you want a lifestyle vehicle, then my personal like is a mid sized AWD SUV. However it is going to burn some cash in depreciation and interest.

Batman

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#3085688 6-Jun-2023 18:00

johno1234:

However if you want to treat yourself to an upgraded driving experience (I am sure you have earned it!) and you want a lifestyle vehicle, then my personal like is a mid sized AWD SUV. However it is going to burn some cash in depreciation and interest.

Unless it's already depreciated! I have heard good things about Mazda (the petrol ones), and bad things about the diesel Mazdas.

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#3085694 6-Jun-2023 18:13

blackjack17:

To replace the current car I would be looking at something newer than 2012, less than 100,000km on the clock and under $15,000

for this spec do not get a Euro. it will cost you more than the purchase price to maintain it.

a quick TM search

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/toyota/corolla/listing/4150244445

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/toyota/corolla/listing/4135960616

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/hyundai/tucson/listing/4153811604

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/mazda/premacy/listing/4030059626

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/honda/fit/listing/4114432753

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/volkswagen/golf/listing/3918252183

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/peugeot/508/listing/4072648359

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/honda/shuttle/listing/4077137071

blackjack17

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#3085726 6-Jun-2023 20:05

johno1234:

Are you changing for dry or emotional reasons? Dry (economic) reasoning would be if the current car is becoming expensive to own. Flat 4 Subaru engines have two of everything and a tight fit so not the cheapest maintenance proposition but... if it is robust and largely problem free then despite the fuel consumption it is most economic to just keep it and drive it until it is so old the wheels fall off. It owes you nothing so as long as the maintenance is not a burden it is the cheapest possible option.

However if you want to treat yourself to an upgraded driving experience (I am sure you have earned it!) and you want a lifestyle vehicle, then my personal like is a mid sized AWD SUV. However it is going to burn some cash in depreciation and interest.

A little from column A and a little from column B.

Have already completed most of the expensive maintenance (cam belt/gaskets/etc) but need to get the diff gaskets do etc. Fuel economy around town doesn't bother me as I can can go a couple of months on a tank as i run/bike to work and long distance economy is good.

But have been driving the car since 2014, it is a nice drive, a little under powered at 2000cc but handles well. It is lacking all mod cons such as bluetooth, cameras, etc and is showing its age having had two kids through it for the past 9 years and used as a transport for a couple of house renos.

I just don't like the SUV form factor, too high a ride, too small a boot and feel like I'm floating.

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jonb

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#3085741 6-Jun-2023 20:47

I'm a station wagon fan but reluctantly jumped on the SUV bandwagon a couple of years ago with a Toyota Fortuner - looks just like an oversized station wagon and fits my 'lifestyle' by getting me to places a station wagon couldn't. Apart from that will not fit your requirements very well - out of budget range, not great fuel economy and diesel RUCs.

Have a look at the more station wagon styled SUVs - a Nissan X-Trail (say 2015) or Subaru Forester would tick most of your boxes.

yann

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#3085744 6-Jun-2023 21:11

fearandloathing: I’m pretty much switching from the same Subaru wagon, 2004 with 205,000. I settled on a new ZR Corolla hatch.
We will see if switching to a much smaller hatch will be regrettable.
There are some nice Corolla touring wagons available as imports, maybe an option.

I went with a Corolla ZR hatch about three years ago, though would have opted for a ZR wagon if it was available. I don't think they offer this as a NZ new option, but there are a number of imports of this spec coming in as you mentioned. I'd likely opt for something a little bigger than the hatch next time around.

BlakJak

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#3115294 13-Aug-2023 15:41

Scott3:
BlakJak: Useful thread. My Toyota Gaia is probably up for replacement in the next year or two and i'm thoroughly depressed by the options. I'm going to probably wind up with an SUV to retain the practicality I seek, and that'll come with relatively increased costs for both tyres and fuel. Grr. I'd love a modern Caldina.

If you are OK with 5 seat's and 2wd, the Prius V / Alpha would be the obvious first pick for your use case. Similar power and space, in a modern car with half the fuel usage.

Just wanted to thank you or this recommendation. Put a deposit down on a Prius Alpha S this afternoon.

So going from this:

To this:

Took a couple of Corolla Fielder Hybrid's for test drives in the last week. Just a little underpowered for me, and as the hybrid isn't able to have a towbar fitted, served as a dealbreaker for me.

Mine will get a towbar in due course... not that I want to tow heavy things, just that I want the option, if only for the bike rack or to move furniture or bulk waste with a rental trailer from time to time.

No signature to see here, move along...

Eva888

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#3115316 13-Aug-2023 16:55

Nice looking car and hybrid too. Enjoy it.

markymarknz

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#3115378 13-Aug-2023 18:18

I haven't seen anyone mention a Hyundai i40 yet. I have the 2014 1.6L Diesel (petrol version not rated as highly) like this one.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/cars/hyundai/i40/listing/4232771583

Economy good, about 6.6L/100KM, great boot size, great leg space for back.

Obviously not a performance beast but has served us well and low maintenance.

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