Downgrading to a diesel wagon?

[millzy555]

As the title suggests i'm thinking of selling my FG XR6 Turbo ute as my work will be moving (epping market). My weekly km's will increase dramatically, (6-800km) so a diesel wagon is on the shortlist. Doing a fair bit of reading and narrowed it down to these:

Skoda Octavia
Mazda 6 diesel
Mondeo

Budget around $25k give or take. Am i going to regret a diesel in the long run with DPF issues, high service costs, auto dramas etc?. My other option a Ecolpi ute. Need something that can tow a trailer/ has a bit of space for weekends away.

Any direction would be appreciated

[Franco Cozzo]

DPF should be alright as long as you keep up the long trips, they clog up and burn out with short trips.

I think the Mondeo wagon doesn't have a DPF, but the Mazda 6 diesel has the better engine.

All 3 are good anyway.

[DJR MAN]

Have you looked at Peugeot range of diesel wagons / and SUV?

[millzy555]

Originally Posted by DJR MAN

Have you looked at Peugeot range of diesel wagons / and SUV?

Indeed I have, the 308 rannge, didn't really ticket my fancy. There's one 2 doors down from me.

[smoo]

BMW E46 330d touring.

[2011G6E]

Going to a modern diesel is "downgrading"...
I think you'll be pleasantly surprised...

[Focused]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Going to a modern diesel is "downgrading"...
I think you'll be pleasantly surprised...

Exactly. As someone who went from an AU Falcon to a MA Mondeo diesel, welcome to: refinement, quietness, standard equipment (re: power everything), the latest technology (by '00 Falcon didn't have ABS, let a lone ESP), decent performance, good fuel economy and very comfortably highway cruising.

Having said that, a LPG Falcon may be what you need if you want good running costs and something that can tow. Remember, diesel does cost more to purchase and the servicing will be (a lot) more expensive so make sure you include that in your thinking. My parents, in an effort to decrease fuel costs, went from a 4cyl Camry, to a diesel Focus and now a petrol Focus. They plan to replace that with another petrol Focus. Diesels are nice luxury items, they're not money savers.

[Binny]

There is a DPF in the Mondeo. Not that it will matter with the KMs you will be doing.
The Mondeo wagon is a great roomy family car. The other two are as well.
The Mazda was manual only until the current shape came out. It would be my pick if you can find one. The other two have dual clutch autos so if they scare you at all the Mazda is the only option out of those 3.
Diesel mazda 6 wagons are not very common and hold their value so finding a good one under 25k might be hard.
You will probably save more in fuel than you think. My Mondeo averages just over 6L/100km. Previous cars including Honda CRV and Aurion used more than double in the same conditions.

[simon varley]

what about a territory? or do you really need the back of a wagon?

or there's a few PX Rangers in that price range

[millzy555]

Originally Posted by simon varley

what about a territory? or do you really need the back of a wagon?

or there's a few PX Rangers in that price range

Not a fan of the Rangers given the amount of time in the seat. Territory was in the mix at first but not required. Mazda 6 being a manual is my preference atm

[XR Martin]

LPG inject your ute.

[millzy555]

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

LPG inject your ute.

Inquired about.this but for 5.5k I'm not going. To recoup the costs

[duaned]

With the price of unleaded is a diesel worth the extra outlay and fuel cost per/l, service cost etc. over an efficient petrol? A quick calculation with a diesel using 6.9l p/100 and a petrol on 8.9l p/100 over a 600km tank is only $2 more expensive. Providing fuel pricing stays consistent to this day.

[buggerlugs]

We have just done 5300ks in a bit over 2 weeks in a CX5 diesel. Averaged 6 litres per 100 ks sitting between 110 and 120kph with the air always on. I wasn't a huge fan of the car before the trip ( she who must be obeyed's car ) but I am now........

[DFB FGXR6]

Don't rule out a EcoBoost Mondeo (or Falcon).
Our EcoBoost Mondeo is absolutely fantastic on fuel, especially on long distance trips, and pulls like a train.
You get the fuel economy and torque benefits of a TDCi but the refinement and power of a petrol.

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by buggerlugs

We have just done 5300ks in a bit over 2 weeks in a CX5 diesel. Averaged 6 litres per 100 ks sitting between 110 and 120kph with the air always on. I wasn't a huge fan of the car before the trip ( she who must be obeyed's car ) but I am now........

Recently did 3000kms in a Camry and got 7.5L/100km, 2000kms in an FG XR6 and got 8.5L/100km and 1500kms in a Kia Optima at 7.2L/100km.
Kia was basically pure freeway with average speed for the trip at 100km, the others was in the 80s from memory.

[mik]

to me an eco ute sounds good , but ..... no lay back seats and a bit harsher riding, ...............
an egas wagon, still a few with low k`s around and at about half your budget, if i worked it out right ................ about 15 L per 100 k`s combined for the egas wagon, at approximately current price of 59c cents per litre cost for 800 k`s travel = $ 32.00 if my maths is right(but my math sucks), and being its a wagon ..... no irs, bugger all up keep costs, good air con, only down side i see is not so much eye candy in the cabin/interior or gadgets , but winning everywhere else.
But as you will be the one doing 800 k`s a week and might want to spoil yourself a bit , i would say if you have your heart set on something a bit flasher...... dont go for something less, regrets suck.

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/de.../?Cr=2&sdmvc=1

Towing Capacity (braked) 2300 (kg)

[deadfish2]

Mazda 6 would get my vote, go like stick - for what it is, and fun to drive - for what they are. We had a work car manual mazda 6 that was averaging around 5.5l/100 doing highway work... Pretty impressive for a largish car, and never had any dramas with it

The km's you drive won't create any dpf issues

[EB#]

Have you considered a Hyundai Santa Fe or the Kia Sorento? I believe neither of those run a DPF in the 2.2 diesel and both are available in manual.

[Jacko*]

Originally Posted by EB#

Have you considered a Hyundai Santa Fe or the Kia Sorento? I believe neither of those run a DPF in the 2.2 diesel and both are available in manual.

My other half drives a Santa Fe 6 spd manual, very good on fuel. 65 litres gets you 750-800km or 8.4 litres per 100km Around town. 950-1000km or 6.7 litres per 100km on the highway.

[new2ford]

I had a leased 6 year-old Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI manual in Europe. 200,000 ks on the clock, I did several thousand more. No engine issues came up, the whole car was a solid as a rock. A beautiful drive, a roomy family car that drives like a sports car. Much of the time I was motorway driving at 120-160 km/h. Plenty of response in reserve at high speeds and even at those speeds returning 6 l/100 km. The Mazda and Mondeo are good but the Octavia is a dream.

I'm wary of VAG's DSG auto gearbox, though Skoda's response to addressing any issues is miles better than Volkswagen's. Skodas are overall better-built and more reliable. But I'm a fan of the ZF - if I was going for auto I would choose a BMW. But the manual gearbox in the Octavia was a dream.

VAG technology is a double-edged sword. They do FWD superbly, you can't really tell them from a good RWD. But the DSG has been a concern, though maybe after all the publicity they've ironed it out. Skoda at least builds its own gearboxes and gives better attention to any issues.

[b2428]

Although not a wagon my mondeo averages between 6.5 and 7.5 mainly town kms. Average speed around 37-42. You will be surprised. Yes diesel is dearer but that's only because it lacks the big fluctuations like petrol. If I went again I would grab a Mazda 6 or a subaru outback. My father has one and goes really well and averages 5.5 roughly on the highway. Only problem he has is with the DPF. He finds it very fuel sensitive and also needs a good run at least once a week.

[XR Martin]

Falcon had ABS in 1991.

[Elks]

What about a 4x2 Territory wagon? Quiet, comfortable, good on fuel, (better with a tune), and no DPF so a running cost saving down the track. Plus it drives like a falcon.

[millzy555]

Originally Posted by Elks

What about a 4x2 Territory wagon? Quiet, comfortable, good on fuel, (better with a tune), and no DPF so a running cost saving down the track. Plus it drives like a falcon.

Had a look at a few today (mainly SZ series), i thought they were heavy on juice and don't particularly like being high up. Not a lot of Mazda's around from the looks of things.

[XR Martin]

Only the base models didnt get ABS from like EB onwards.
Futura, XR, Fairmont, Fairlane all had it standard from the beginning.

[Werd.]

Our AU2 forte doesn't have ABS.

My EL Fairmont does

Calling people trolls when you have no idea what's going on, ahhh..

[millzy555]

Back on topic, i'm finding that the majority of wagons don't have a tow bar!!!, Extending the options to include Subaru outbacks and golf wagons (again no tow bar). Not having much luck at all. Most cars having 80k kms so i'm a bit wary.

[nuthin' fancy]

What about a BMW X3? The diesels have a problem with the turbo that requires a modification to the oil pick up. Plenty of cars on carsales under $20k with less than 150k. Most of the depreciation has occurred, you will cost yourself a lot in depreciation buying a car with low ks and adding 40 or 50k a year yourself.

[new2ford]

I'd stay away from a first series (pre 2011) X3, not the best. The current post 2011 X3 is something else altogether but not yet below about $45k second hand.