New Car Advice - Baby on the way!!

[Cabbage]

Guys,

Looking at upgrading our car. My wife and I are expecting our first child in December (fingers crossed) and our 2002 Rav 4 is starting to show its age. We're looking at getting a medium sized 4wd mainly for the extra room, better vision and ease of getting stuff in and out of the vehicle. Budget would probably be about 60k

I am looking at the territory thats a given. What other cars would you recommend. Others I'm considering are Platinum Pajero, Volvo XC 60, Kluger (not sold on this), Jeep Grand Cherokee. My preference has always been for a petrol vehicle over a diesel. Safety is also a key concern. Any suggestions or opinions on these vehicles would be much appreciated.

Also I have read a fair bit on the territory in the territory threads but any opinions on which model is the best value for money would also help.

Cheers,


Clinton

[RASER]

The JEEP Grand Cherokee is great value and a very very nice vehicle, would be my choice, the Pajero would be worth a look too, i dont think you will find a dog in the whole pack, u will need to test drive and google about them, and see what deal they give u on the RAV

If your not ever planning to go off-road, buy a Prius V and keep $30k in your pocket!

Best of luck with the new bubs too!

[Gavin Thomas]

That add...... "you brought a jeep?"...."yes Michael, i brought a jeep"....
It's right at that moment where that dude should kindly 'slap' her out of it, lol.

I've had many late model Jeep's in the workshop over the years, & all i will say is that if you were to buy a new jeep then you don't want to still own it anymore than one day out of the warranty period.

It's a no brainer really with your budget mate....go the Ford Territory with the proven reliability and toughness of the Petrol 6.

Cheers.

[RASER]

Originally Posted by Gavin Thomas

That add...... "you brought a jeep?"...."yes Michael, i brought a jeep"....
It's right at that moment where that dude should kindly 'slap' her out of it, lol.

I've had many late model Jeep's in the workshop over the years, & all i will say is that if you were to buy a new jeep then you don't want to still own it anymore than one day out of the warranty period.

It's a no brainer really with your budget mate....go the Ford Territory with the proven reliability and toughness of the Petrol 6.

Cheers.

My God, who ever did that commercial deserves a BIG pat on the back, everybody is talking about that commercial and JEEP, just like the Falcon...not!

The older Jeeps did use to have drama, but they have made huge steps in quality and engineering, have not heard any bad reports about the GC, only some issue in fitting a tow bar?

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by Gavin Thomas

That add...... "you brought a jeep?"...."yes Michael, i brought a jeep"....
It's right at that moment where that dude should kindly 'slap' her out of it, lol.

I've had many late model Jeep's in the workshop over the years, & all i will say is that if you were to buy a new jeep then you don't want to still own it anymore than one day out of the warranty period.

It's a no brainer really with your budget mate....go the Ford Territory with the proven reliability and toughness of the Petrol 6.

Cheers.

That's funny. I owed a Jeep for a few years and the only time it saw a workshop was for it regular 12,000kms services.

Who cares if someone wants to buy an SUV. I have no kids and would buy a New Grand Cherokee tomorrow if I could afford it. Suits my needs fine. Biggish wagon that can handle a track and still looks good in the city.
I don't like any of the other options the OP has stated, so I'd pick the Grand Cherokee.
My opinion.

[Kryton]

ID also reconsider the TDi option as well.

[Murph-51]

ummmmm, thats given, I'd go for the latest Rav4 then, they offer 35% more luggage space, super economical, cheap to register, and an absolute godsend for ease of getting your baby stuff out of!!!
You would a bucket load of change out of 60K, and you get good old Toyota reliability, and relatively cheap to service!
Seriously! I would consider the next model Rav4 up from what you have now. When we had our first child in 06 we upgraded from a Nissan Pulsar to a brand new 06 Rav4. 6 years on and the Rav is going as strong as ever, showing no signs of any problems and is a great people and equipment mover.
Good luck with you choice, oh and congrats btw on your impending arrival!!

[Cheese3]

my parents got a xtrail new wheb they first arrived in Australia and we still have it. its nearly done 200,000km and its going strong. it done many trips towing a 1.5t caravan to qld and back. it was a petrol version TI. its never had anything done bar basic service, very comfortable and plenty of room for a mid size suv.

maybe consider a later model diesel TI?

[Gavin Thomas]

Also would agree that the later model Rav4 with the 2AZ engine is very, very reliable.... Like a little 'jap brother' version of the big Ford six, bullet proof engine with no cam belt to worry about replacing either. This would be a very good long term option if you don't need the larger size of the Terry.

[Polyal]

If its your first dont give into the thought that a SUV or wagon is a must.

edit: So I would be going that new limited edition Ecoboost, a LPi or if your not worried about fuel consumption a XR6T/G6ET.

[prydey]

Territory titanium TDI!!

[kaniSS]

Originally Posted by Polyal

If its your first dont give into the thought that a SUV or wagon is a must.

edit: So I would be going that new limited edition Ecoboost, a LPi or if your not worried about fuel consumption a XR6T/G6ET.

Exactly.

I got 2 boys one is 3 the other is 5 months and we do fine in the XR6T sedan. Family trips are always comfy and the boot takes all our luggage and the pram easily.

[PepeLePew]

The TDi Jeep goes like stink. Great looking car too. Saw one the other day one of our reps got and for the money it's super nice.

[Uncle Tone]

I'm not really sure why people think that they need a big lumbering SUV to cart around something so small.....2 kids under 5 here, all the time carted around in the wife's trusty 2001 model Audi A3, no problems at all.

Not having a go, just find it funny how people seem to go the SUV option all the time.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Uncle Tone

I'm not really sure why people think that they need a big lumbering SUV to cart around something so small.....2 kids under 5 here, all the time carted around in the wife's trusty 2001 model Audi A3, no problems at all.

Not having a go, just find it funny how people seem to go the SUV option all the time.

agreed. my wife drives a focus. i have a falcon. 2 kids. easy as. plenty of room in both cars etc.

as mentioned in the OP, many (including the op) like the extra height for better entry and exit and loading and unloading, better vision and a perception of safety.

[Gavin Thomas]

My god, yes what was i thinking.....i should just follow the '1/2 asleep jeep sheep', instead of recommending a proven quality Ford on a Ford Forum,

Ok lets play a game of "guess what 3rd world country the jeep electronic's are made in" ?.....don't know if that could rate as huge steps in quality & engineering. I actually find that the older jeeps are more reliable long term.

Anyway i'm not going to continue this line of debate - i was just stating some of my professional on-going experience from a hands on point of view.

Cheers guys.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Gavin Thomas

My god, yes what was i thinking.....i should just follow the '1/2 asleep jeep sheep', instead of recommending a proven quality Ford on a Ford Forum,

.

i find it amusing that come vfacts time, the sales of ford get scrutinized like never before and analysed to death and yet when someone asks for car recommendations (with a ford product in the list), most people recommend a car from a different maker

this is a ford forum is it not? don't worry, i know the answer.

[GT]

I went through this exercise only a couple of months ago and needed a SUV type vehicle that would be a daily for me and also tow my dog float and be a dog wagon. Needed room, comfort, ease of use, safety and reasonable economy and I didn't want a diesel either.

After heaps of looking (and I seriously considered other brands) I stayed close to the fold and bought a Territory. Didn't go nuts though and picked a white base model (which had everything I needed) and only cost us $36,888 drive away. I have since changed the steering wheel out as the plastic one gave me the 'you know whats' for an FG leather one, out of a wrecked F6.

I am thrilled with it and the economy has been a surprise. I am getting up to 700kms out of a tank and 630kms when towing. It is fantastic to drive and very good to see out of. Seats are extremely comfortable and my back feels excellent after driving for hours. Easy to climb in and out of too. Easy to get stuff out of also and having had kids (yes, a long time ago!) I would recommend it for such use. Loving it and glad we bought one.

Gaela

[Rodge]

Originally Posted by GT

I went through this exercise only a couple of months ago and needed a SUV type vehicle that would be a daily for me and also tow my dog float and be a dog wagon. Needed room, comfort, ease of use, safety and reasonable economy and I didn't want a diesel either.

After heaps of looking (and I seriously considered other brands) I stayed close to the fold and bought a Territory. Didn't go nuts though and picked a white base model (which had everything I needed) and only cost us $36,888 drive away. I have since changed the steering wheel out as the plastic one gave me the 'you know whats' for an FG leather one, out of a wrecked F6.

I am thrilled with it and the economy has been a surprise. I am getting up to 700kms out of a tank and 630kms when towing. It is fantastic to drive and very good to see out of. Seats are extremely comfortable and my back feels excellent after driving for hours. Easy to climb in and out of too. Easy to get stuff out of also and having had kids (yes, a long time ago!) I would recommend it for such use. Loving it and glad we bought one.

Gaela

That's great buying Gaela, congrats ! Amazing economy too and i'll bet your doggies love the space in the back. They're doing them for $N.Z.44,990 here as part of the Fieldays specials, (that's fantastic value for Kiwi dollars) and even running creative adds on T.V.too, http://www.fordhotdeals.co.nz/# click on check out our latest Fieldays TVC (wonders will never cease), really for the money and given the Op doesn't like diesel its hard to go past them for the value and versatility isn't it

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by prydey

i find it amusing that come vfacts time, the sales of ford get scrutinized like never before and analysed to death and yet when someone asks for car recommendations (with a ford product in the list), most people recommend a car from a different maker

this is a ford forum is it not? don't worry, i know the answer.

Perhaps because the specifications dont exactly match what the consumer wants? When your spending that much money do you get exactly what you want or something close enough?

I think most people thus far have mentioned a Ford, but you cant close your eyes and pretend there is no other option, your robbing yourself of a potentially better suited vehicle.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Uncle Tone

I'm not really sure why people think that they need a big lumbering SUV to cart around something so small.....2 kids under 5 here, all the time carted around in the wife's trusty 2001 model Audi A3, no problems at all.

Not having a go, just find it funny how people seem to go the SUV option all the time.

Yeah I dont get it either. Were upgrading too and have 3, the AU is fine size wise but its getting a bit old.

Want a manual, wagon, preferably TDi but a decent petrol is ok. Pretty much rules out any Ford unfortunately. I know 3 seats can fit in a Mk5 golf which the father in law has and I was curious to see. Its tight but you could live with it. Seems a Gen4 liberty or a B7 A4 wagon is looking like the winner at the moment.

We had 2 kids in our Barina at one stage when we were in between cars, no problem other than its safety being questionable in a side on. But we still use it when the Ford is getting serviced etc.

[Rodge]

Volvo XC60 T6 petrol is a nice piece of kit and there's probably nothing safer on the planet for the money.

Terry petrol's are also nice. New Maxda CX5 is a tidy looking and performing peice of kit but perhaps a bit on the small side. New Rav 4 is a safe choice if you want vanilla motoring but I think they're as boring as bat crap, you can obviously afford a stylish vehicle so I'd go the Volvo XC60 if you must feel the need for a SUV.

You can buy a demo SC GT for $60K, that would be my pick

[Yellow_Festiva]

Get something that has 5 stars, mid sized, and diesel... Unless you are going to go off read on a regular basis I would shy away from a full sized serious 4X4 (Pajero) or even the Kluger as that is also pretty big.

If you are happy with the Rav4, get the newest one and put the rest into a trust fund for your soon ariving. Would also look at the Territory.

Subaru perhaps??

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

Get something that has 5 stars, mid sized, and diesel...

That rules everyone's precious Jeep out of the equation then, only 4 star rated by Euro NCAP and the US NHTSA comprehensive test.

Territory FTW.

[excopau]

hope the new jeeps are alot better then the old ones that fell apart and had alot of drive line and electrical faults

[Seduce XR6]

Originally Posted by excopau

hope the new jeeps are alot better then the old ones that fell apart and had alot of drive line and electrical faults

So you hope they are why are you going to buy one or did you just want to knock Jeeps like so many others on here do

Anyway to answer you question yes they are much better than the previous versions so much so that you would not even know they are related (GC I am talking about) however all cars have issues just as the Territory has over the years so maybe the Grand Cherokee will also though I have not heard of any major issues with it yet (such as ball joints failing)

I would not have considered a previous GC however am considering the current model

[Rodge]

Originally Posted by Seduce XR6

So you hope they are why are you going to buy one or did you just want to knock Jeeps like so many others on here do

Anyway to answer you question yes they are much better than the previous versions so much so that you would not even know they are related (GC I am talking about) however all cars have issues just as the Territory has over the years so maybe the Grand Cherokee will also though I have not heard of any major issues with it yet (such as ball joints failing)

I would not have considered a previous GC however am considering the current model

Must say the GC was co-developed with Mercedes-benz in regard to their new ML series and you can really see the influence of Mercedes-benz in the GC Overland. Not suggesting it'll have Mercedes-benz quality but if I were in the market for a top spec 4WD GC Overland would be on my review list.
The question for the Op though is do you really need a 4WD ?, wouldn't a RWD petrol Terry like Gaela bought be ideal, under $40,000 on the road and come miles within budget.

[Matty4]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

That rules everyone's precious Jeep out of the equation then, only 4 star rated by Euro NCAP and the US NHTSA comprehensive test.

Territory FTW.

What a crock!!!
The Territory when released was only 4 star rated by ANCAP.
The only addition to the vehicle to bring it up to a 5 star rating was the addition of a front passenger seatbelt reminder light.

The Jeep also comes with side thorax bags, something the Terri doesn't, as well as a host of other safety related aids that the Terri doesn't.

Don't get me wrong, the Terri is a fantastic family car (i've had 2) and I almost went back for a 3rd one, but there are other altenatives out there.

Yes, I bought a Jeep too..

The Jeep hasn't even been ANCAP tested, so no-one knows what star rating it would have here, but to just blindly dismiss it because it doesn't have a 5 star rating is myopic at best.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Matty4

What a crock!!!
The Territory when released was only 4 star rated by ANCAP.
The only addition to the vehicle to bring it up to a 5 star rating was the addition of a front passenger seatbelt reminder light.

The Jeep also comes with side thorax bags, something the Terri doesn't, as well as a host of other safety related aids that the Terri doesn't.

Don't get me wrong, the Terri is a fantastic family car (i've had 2) and I almost went back for a 3rd one, but there are other altenatives out there.

Yes, I bought a Jeep too..

The Jeep hasn't even been ANCAP tested, so no-one knows what star rating it would have here, but to just blindly dismiss it because it doesn't have a 5 star rating is myopic at best.

Which is why I take the time to read the actual crash test reports from these testers when they crash test new cars, as simply trumpeting a star rating is meaningless. It is important to know where exactly the cars were awarded or docked points in the physical test. Although I will say EuroNCAP seem to write their reports with a general 'negative' overtone (particularly in relation to SUV's) and are more detailed in their assessment than ANCAP reports.

[SumoDog68]

I 've driven v6 , v8 and crd Jeep GC and seriously considered buying one. IMO opinion CRD is the one to go for - quickest and good fuel economy. Car is stylish and well appointed with nice interior and smallish boot space. Negatives for me were:
Jeep reliabilty record is not the best and foot operated park brake where foot rest is supposed to be (very uncomfortable) , lack of service support compared to major players.