Thread: Mid size wagon - which one?

GJ,
Why not try a car broker.

I used one for both my boy's cars. Both got good honest vehicles at the right right price and the broker will cost you nothing.

Beats the heck out of wandering around car yards kicking tyres

Ian

I got a far better deal on my 09 forester than a broker could manage (bought new).

FWIW and remembering I was looking at new cars:

EVERYONE I know who's had a subaru over the last 25 years or so reports ridiculous reliability and low maintenance. 200,000 kms on early 2000's foresters and total repairs amount to a wheel bearing or a couple of steering boots.

Mine isn't as good and I think they made some errors with the current model. The electronic throttle varies from annoying to dangerous and the paint is the most flimsy I've ever experienced. Don't buy a manual. Subaru build truely awful gearboxes with that winning combination of notchy engagement and vague gate. Being half way through a 3 point turn and banging the thing through the gears trying to get the cogs to line up so I can select reverse is so much fun. If you really want the current shape buy an auto, which will minimise the ETC annoyance avoid the gearbox and get paint protection. IMO the previous shape is a MUCH better car. Mine is surprisingly competant off road and on dirt/rain etc. Hangs on extremely well in corners. Even if you don't go off road it is reassuring in weather or on slippery roads.

Hyundais seem to be mechanically reliable but the interiors aren't up to japanese quality. IMO the price difference isn't enough.

Would think twice buying a mazda after my partners experiences with her second one. Some models are great but some just aren't.

I looked at everything on the market in that class, xtrail (previous model blows transfer cases but otherwise the nicest thing in class, always a quenstion mark over nissan reliability), outlander (awful), crv, vitara (both average), tiguan (tremendous strengths and even more tremendous weaknesses), rav4 (awful), (no) escape (pointless), kia sorento and the smaller one (no cars, dealer couldn't give me an answer on price or anything else).

The forester basically won out because it was the least awful, and to be fair it is a good car it's just frustrating that it could have been great. Be aware I could get all these cars at the time for about $32 on road. I wish I'd paid $2k more for auto.

I miss my fairlane.

Hope that helps.

Originally Posted by damian

EVERYONE I know who's had a subaru over the last 25 years or so reports ridiculous reliability and low maintenance. 200,000 kms on early 2000's foresters and total repairs amount to a wheel bearing or a couple of steering boots.

Absolutely - had a 2000 and got a 2005 model - both manual - kept away from the metallic paint - just plain ole white - zero complaints and I don't mind the gearbox.

Ian

Thanks for the info so far guys. The missus just threw another one into the mix, Subaru Liberty wagon.

nah! get her the imprezza WRX with all bells and whistles (rally pack), watch the smile on her face as it roars into life! [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgK-Lz7Ax18]YouTube - Subaru Impreza WRC Wide Body Kit by ACCOLADE[/ame] it will take years off her!!!

Have two Subaru Liberty's. One '04 model wagon, the other a '06 model GT. Could not be more impressed. Only servicing costs to date. Very happy. Have many friends who own Forester's and they are very happy. I also used a car broker for both of my vehicles. Great service and price for the vehicle.

Another vote for the forester, on No2 , this one 6 yrs ola and has 130,000k , has had new breaks 3 months ago $ 1300 , and a new clutch is on the way soon $ 1700 , and thats it in 4 years ,( liberty's smaller inside and you need the v6 engine , check the cost ). also dont go for the turbo as you need preimium unleaded petrol , work that cost out over 5-6 years ?

Why not just lash out and but a Great Wall X240 SUV. According to their price list a new one is about $24,000 on road. the closest dealer is only 16 Km away..

Originally Posted by damian

I looked at everything on the market in that class, xtrail (previous model blows transfer cases but otherwise the nicest thing in class, always a quenstion mark over nissan reliability),

Damian:
Not sure what you mean here. I ran my old Nissan 720 dual cab 2.5l diesel 4X4 till it hit the 300,000 mark. Then moved to a Nissan patrol 4.2l Diesel till it hit 400,000 km. There was no problems re mechanical reliability. the body works started to suffer about the 200,000Km mark.
I have a new GU IV Patrol and that has issues but more to do with my preferences than being Nissan. The new Toyota's Landcruisers are no better.

Don't think the Liberty comes in a V6. Subarus have boxer engines. You must mean the 6 cylinder boxer. Also, the turbo runs on 95 RON petrol and not premium unleaded of the 98 RON variety. Very happy with mine. You are right though in that the Liberty is smaller inside. Suffice to say both have been very reliable. A common trait in Subarus.

Originally Posted by cultana

Why not just lash out and but a Great Wall X240 SUV. According to their price list a new one is about $24,000 on road. the closest dealer is only 16 Km away..


Damian:
Not sure what you mean here. I ran my old Nissan 720 dual cab 2.5l diesel 4X4 till it hit the 300,000 mark. Then moved to a Nissan patrol 4.2l Diesel till it hit 400,000 km. There was no problems re mechanical reliability. the body works started to suffer about the 200,000Km mark.
I have a new GU IV Patrol and that has issues but more to do with my preferences than being Nissan. The new Toyota's Landcruisers are no better.

I always get a response like this when I talk about nissan and mitsubishi reliability. The thing is they have built plenty of reliable cars, but they have also built plenty of dogs. One of the chaps at work had his xtrail blow it's transfer case just as he was heading off on hols, and at 4 years out of warranty. Partners father has a nissan ute, about 4 years old, nothing but trouble. Blown clutches, etc etc Ask around and you'll find those problems are common.

So the thing is given you can have a subaru for similar money why would you risk getting a dog ?

The great wall wasn't out when I bought but they are apparently releasing a diesel auto on the wagon any time now. About $29k on road. Apparently the reliability is similar to korean cars so far, they buy in motors from mitsubishi for some models.

By the way I've broken my ankle so responses if any will be slow coming.

Originally Posted by damian

By the way I've broken my ankle so responses if any will be slow coming.

Why ?? Do you type with your foot??

Bad luck BTW - hope it heels ....no I won't go there ..heals soon..

Ian

I'll put a vote in for the Tribute, with a couple of caveats....

Get the V6, not the 4 cylinder. The V6 will happily tow anything you throw at it trailerwise, and the space inside the back is very large. I have towed dual axle car trailers loaded down with wood, and it was happy to tug it down the road at 110km/h.

The tribute also has the separate back doors, so you have one BIG door for bulk loading, but if you have something that is long and small, you can just flick open the glass section, and have any longer lengths of wood poking out through there.

Build quality is fantastic, it handles really well (Its a twin sister of the Ford Escape, but has better road handling than the Escape). It has all the mod cons, very comfortable (I find the Mazda seats much more comfortable than the Subaru ones, sorry guys!! But thats just me!).

And while it looks like a big car, its the same length (by about 10mm) as a Subaru impreza, so its actually shorter than a Liberty I believe.

The first downside to the Tribute for me is the fuel economy. The V6 model is the US build Duratec V6, which develops a shedload of power and torque over a VERY large rev range, but it sucks down a lot of fuel to do so.

In normal use I get about 480km off 54L of petrol.

The second downside (Which may or may not be a downside), is that while it is 4WD (2WD normally, computer controlled 4WD, with a diff lock switch to force 4WD), it doesnt have a low range transfer case. If you don't go off road, then look at this as a bonus (No transfer case to blow and use more fuel on), but if you go off road, its more a dirt driver and beach runabout, not a full four wheel driver.

But as always, my biggest recommendation is to get out there and test drive as many as you can. I liked the liberty until I took the Tribute for a drive, and fell in love with it. Which is odd, because I was never looking at a Tribute originally! (Wanted a falcon ute! hehe)

What you like may not be what everyone likes, and the same goes for SWMBO, doubly for her!.

Thanks for the interest shown and advice given, but the missus has decided to keep the crumpledoor wagon for a bit longer.

Originally Posted by damian

I always get a response like this when I talk about nissan and mitsubishi reliability.

Maybe that's because most peoples experiences are very different to yours. Maybe you've just hit a "pocket" of bad experiences.

I currently drive a 98 turbo diesel powered Nissan 4WD that has done over 280,000 km's (they have been very hard km's) and I must say that the engine (and drivetrain) is still in excellent condition and remains very very strong.

Because of my experiences with this vehicle, I would not hesitate to purchase another Nissan diesel powered vehicle.