New Car Advice - Baby on the way!!

[Cabbage]

Double post

[flooded one]

i think the argument for a territory is pretty good. but then again i'm biased as i think there the best suv around at the moment.

[GT]

I found the petrol Terri much more responsive and seemed to have more get up and go. Put the boot into it to overtake and the thing was like a rocket - diesel just didn't have that IMO.

[Seduce XR6]

I would suggest a Jeep GC Laredo, @ 45k driveaway you get a fully loaded vehicle that is a true 4WD & seems at this stage to not have the previous versions issues.

They dont drive like a truck which a Pajero would & have a list of standard features as long as your arm.

Or spend another 10k & get the diesel which is just an amazing engine with great economy (nothing wrong with the petrol 6 though it may be a bit thirsty).

Choice 2 would prob be a TS diesel Territory which would give you good economy, space, high viewpoint, safety & be even more car like to drive than the GC though not a proper 4WD but an AWD & you can get them driveaway for mid 40's RWD or high 40's AWD.

[Seduce XR6]

Oh Gratz on the baby news & hope all goes ok with the pregnancy

[duaned]

What about a Honda CR-V? A little smaller that a Territory and better built. Although not as dynamic as the Ford.

[GTP owner]

It comes down to preference.
Jeep - no thanks. Poor build quality, reliability, and lower safety rating. Thirsty too.

Pajero - some great deals out there at the moment, providing good value. They are older design compared to other true 4x4s, but are very reliable and proven in the field. Fuel economy is good in the diesel, they have plenty of grunt, and are very friendly to use. I would chose this if you want a true 4x4. But they don't handle that well on the road, and they are a bit cheap feeling. I chose this for my family car and love it.

Territory - the best handling one here. No good in rough 4x4 driving, but if you don't intend to do any of that, it doesn't matter. Economy is debatable. Design is great, and are great mum's taxis. I would chose this is I didn't go offroad

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by duaned

What about a Honda CR-V? A little smaller that a Territory and better built. Although not as dynamic as the Ford.

That thing has a face not even a mother could love, Odyssee would be the best bet, its a little larger, would fit the dogs in the back seats, then the kiddies in the middle row, and the captains in the front

[Hayden1]

If you want build quality then, unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend a terri, ours doesn't feel as 'solid' as say a landcruiser/prado or european SUV - though they are respectively more $$$.

You can still pick up second hand low km SYII's if you wanted a turbo ($38k to $54k). I would reccomend one (but I'm a bit biased) if you're after some more power - the fuel economy is 15L/100km on ours right now but the surprise that other people get and the ease of towing as well as overtaking is very worth it Lowest consumption we've had was 10.0

If you're after a proper 4x4, then the prado and cherokee are both worth looking at.

You can save thousands and thousands buying second hand.

[Chopped]

How did families ever cope and travel before SUVs came into existence ?

The power of marketing wins again....the sheep are none the wiser.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by galaxy xr8

I am in the same posistion, we have a 4 month old and the Laser as a daily is just to small.
I have short listed my option's down to the SZ TD (Titanium or TS) and a Toyota Prado 150.
.

The Prado's (and Hilux) Diesel engine has been getting a bit of bad press latley due to injector seals and carbon build up in the oil pickup causing early engine failures.

SZ Territory would be a great choice. Aussie made too!

[Matty4]

Originally Posted by Chopped

How did families ever cope and travel before SUVs came into existence ?

They all had normal station wagons!!!...
I grew up with Kingswood wagons and Falcon wagons in my family
Seeing as though there are no more Falcon wagons and the Commodore wagon has downsized there is no other option other than an SUV.

It's not the power of marketing to the sheeple
It's been forced upon us by manufacturers.

To the OP, buy whatever YOU feel is best suited to YOUR needs as a family.
Everyone on here has their own needs in a family car and everyone on here will have their own agenda to push.

Test out the ones you like and go from there, don't be swayed by emotional arguments.

[galaxy xr8]

Originally Posted by Chopped

How did families ever cope and travel before SUVs came into existence ?

The power of marketing wins again....the sheep are none the wiser.

Panel van's or wagon's, if that isn't the most arogant statement ever!!!.
I'd like to see you fit two pram's, and all the baby necessities as well as all the gear while the back seat is taken up with two child seat's, then all your own clothing etc for you and your wife for a week or so use to go on holiday in a sedan.
Don't judge people that clearly need the room for ever growing families.

[galaxy xr8]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

The Prado's (and Hilux) Diesel engine has been getting a bit of bad press latley due to injector seals and carbon build up in the oil pickup causing early engine failures.

SZ Territory would be a great choice. Aussie made too!

I have heard that, but I believe the issue is with the early model of the 150(D4D) diesel, and is sorted now.

[Chopped]

And what killed the wagon ?.....

[Matty4]

Manufacturers offering a more practical alternative..

[Rockape]

Buy Australian buy the Tezza

[galaxy xr8]

Originally Posted by Matty4

Manufacturers offering a more practical alternative..

Or people wanting a vehicle more suited to their need's, as the market has shown.

Yr's ago people would probably opt for a wagon plus the fully loaded campervan out the back and of they go.... oh the '70's.

[flooded one]

I think the VE commodore wagon is pretty usless to be honest after seeing the cargo area. the only reason i think people buy a VE commodore wagon is because alot of people say they look good. i dont like them personally but hey. what ever floats yer boat. ford axed the wagon because you have two wagon options now. the territory and the mondeo. everyone now days seem too want a smaller car or an SUV. it would make sense for ford to axe the falcon wagon (as sad as it is because it was a very practical car) and continue with the mondeo and territory. unfortunatly the sad day may also come when ford might also say too hell with the falcon ute and want you too buy a ranger instead??

[Cabbage]

No one has mentioned the captiva......sorry craptiva, is it that bad?

[PepeLePew]

Captiva is fine for it's price tag. Can't be one eyed..... ;)

But its a wee bit small in real terms.

PS on the Jeep side it seems to have raised a bit of emotion. I'm no 'jeep sheep' but I'm also not one eyed. Have a drive of one, if you dont like it dont buy it. There are positive and negative experiences of every brand on the net. Has Jeep changed in its latest iteration for quality? You decide. I didn't mention Terri as it was clear the OP was already considering it. The Laredo diesel at 49K driveaway is far from thirsty, has tons of grunt, and outpaces it's 5.7L 'hemi' cousin. Our reps are over the moon with them coming from Patrols and haven't seen any issues to date.

In the end everyone has opinions, take them all drive them all take a good look and get what you fall in love with ;)

[falconator]

Pajero,love that car!!!

[galaxy xr8]

I must admit that I have never really looked into the Jeep untill this thread, it made me have a look today and suss them out, they do seem to have a viable option and the economy seem's very good with them, not to mention the 550nm of torque.
I am not one eyed and since this thread I will check them out aswell.

[Luke Plaizier]

I was driving around a winding back country road the other night in the Missus' SX Ghia - 182kW I6 and 4Spd Auto. We have aftermarket Liquid Injected LPG so we have a bit more poke than the standard Petrol version. My normal car is a BA XR8, so I was pushing this thing pretty hard.

Despite my efforts, another vehicle caught up to me in the bends and passed me. I thought it was going to be something sporty with a bit of poke - but it was a spanking new TDi Territory.

The SX is a bit gutless compared to my XR, but compared to most other cars it's pretty competent. Someone in a conventional car was going to have to be on their game if they wanted to keep up - let alone in another SUV.

My point is, if you're not considering the TDi Territory because of a preconception of low power, don't be too concerned. The TDi is the Territory's competitive advantage right now. It won't be all that much more efficient in city driving, but on longer trips it will go very well. The only downside is the oil-slick at petrol stations.

As for the anti SUV speak - I'm with you when it comes to loading little kids. Normal sedans are back breakers having to bend down and lift them across to the centre seat. In an SUV the baby seat doesn't require bending down.

Keep in mind, if you get a little SUV like a RAV, and you have a baby seat in the middle, don't count on having full sized adults on either side. A mate at work had a RAV and a permanent baby seat fitted, and we were buggered if anyone could sit either side of the thing at all. Renderedthe thing a 2.5 seater. For that - or more than one baby seat at a time - you'd want a Kluger or a Territory. And if you want good road dynamics, you're far better off with the Territory. The virtual-pivot control arm front suspension gives the Territory a tight turning circle too - much tighter than my XR. The missus thinks my car is the tank in carparks and considers her car the easier on to park.

So for my vote, despite you saying you don't want diesel, is to get the diesel Territory - for many praticical and useful reasons that you just won't regret.


Lukeyson

[CODSASR]

comes down to what you like the most but I wouldn't be ruling the sorento or santa fe out both verry good cars. For me it would be between a terry and the sorrento

http://www.kia.com.au/cars/showroom/Sorento
http://www.hyundai.com.au/vehicles/santa-fe

[Brazen]

The SZ Territory has FG levels of build quality, they are much much improved over the previous version - almost like two different cars.

[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.

[Cabbage]

Appreciate all the comments guys. A lot of positive comments for the Jeep, I will check the GC out again. They do look good and are pretty nice inside. Will also drive the petrol and diesel territories and will check the xc volvo out for interests sake. Captiva as stated isn't big enough, Rav 4 not big enough and although a good vehicle, a bit boring. How many Rav 4 enthusiast forums/threads are there? When Hyundai's and Kia's first came out in Aus they weren't the best vehicles, I know they have improved but I just have negative view of them rightly or wrongly. If the Kia or Hyundai was a better vehicle i would rather buy a an Aussie ford as long as it wasn't terrible.

Looking through Ford and Jeep websites the GC and territory are probably the best looking SUV's around for their price.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by Cabbage

Appreciate all the comments guys. A lot of positive comments for the Jeep, I will check the GC out again. They do look good and are pretty nice inside. Will also drive the petrol and diesel territories and will check the xc volvo out for interests sake. Captiva as stated isn't big enough, Rav 4 not big enough and although a good vehicle, a bit boring. How many Rav 4 enthusiast forums/threads are there? When Hyundai's and Kia's first came out in Aus they weren't the best vehicles, I know they have improved but I just have negative view of them rightly or wrongly. If the Kia or Hyundai was a better vehicle i would rather buy a an Aussie ford as long as it wasn't terrible.

Looking through Ford and Jeep websites the GC and territory are probably the best looking SUV's around for their price.

Dont ever underestimate the value of space in a family car, see how wide the back seats are because you never know, you may have a couple of baby seats in the back at one point. Half the time families run out of room in cars and have to throw thousands of dollars away in trading up to a larger car. Roomy cars are also a lot less stressful to drive long distance with a car full of people and stuff. A lot of SUVs are based on small or mid-sized car platforms so are a lot smaller than they appear. Space - one of the most undervalued features!

[excopau]

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