Considering newer car, but my eyes are straying from Ford....HELP!

[falconboy]

OK,

Getting married in August, hope to start a family next year, so looking into a decent newer car (must be wagon). Initially I was looking at a BF Futura wagon. However, I am sorry to have to say, they are boring. Really would like higher performance and luxury (prefer leather), hard to get in a wagon.

So I was straying a bit, shock horror I was thinking of looking at some VY/VZ Berlina 5.7 wagons, or even a VY Adventra LX8. Please don't ban me.

I then discovered the Nissan Stagea 2001 ARX (newer shape). They are a tad smaller, but thought I'd check one out so drove one today. It did not live up to my expectations. Yes, it absolutely flys, but EVENTUALLY. Initial throttle response is pathetic, it needs to get up a bit before it kicks in and takes off. Very disappointing. I did read a post here somewhere where one person mentioned this poor throttle response, and they are right. Not sure if this is a design thing of the turbo or what. Also, the whistle of I assume the turbo sucking air??? would annoy the hell out of me (not to mention the wife would not be happy). They are not as comfy even with full leather as I would have expected, the seats felt a bit cramped, and overall, for $18K to $21K odd just not worthy. Advantage is most of these Stagea imports have low k's compared to our Falcons and Commodores and have all the bells and whistles you could want (this one even had reverse camera)

I haven't driven the Holdens yet, and this isn't the place to discuss it for obvious reasons, but the Adventra seem pretty cosy and high spec, but reviews I've read haven't been great in regards to reliability and warranty issues when they were new. Doesn't give great confidence in getting a used one.

I thought of a Territory, but not a big fan of the '4WD style' of vehicle (I do realise they aren't all 4WD), plus they are still a bit more $$ than I'd like to spend for a luxury model.

The last options is maybe getting back to finding a well priced BF Futura wagon and doing some mods - track down some leather front seats to suit off ebay (hoping Fairmont or someone fits), maybe get the back seat retrimmed to match, and some moderate mechanical mods - cam, intake, diff gears. Problem with the seat idea is often the door trim/pillars don't match and it may end up a drawn out and expensive interior replacement.

Any suggestions? Alternatives?

What else is there in wagons with a tad of luxury?

I'm going to have to spend more than I'd like, so lets say very maximum upper budget $18K with any mods, as long as the mods are going to give half decent gains (more suburban driving, stop start, keen on throttle response and take off rather than top speed).

Thanks.

[DJM83]

If it were me (V8 boy) if go the V8 VZ Berlina wagon

[Fairlane]

Volvo V70- Pretty sure they do a 5cyl turbo
Citreon C5- Not exactly a rocketship though
Mazda 6- Nice machine, especially in Manual Diesel
Mitsubishi Magna/Verada wagon
VW Passat V6- They are quite a few cheap ones of these around

Not exactly performance machines, but go the luxury. Mazda 6 is probably the pick

Otherwise you could check out the other import wagons, like the Mitsubishi Legnum VR4. They are a quick jigger 2.5 TT V6 AWD.

[Fireblade]

Go the Berlina Wagon

[DTFRMONT]

What about a Liberty wagon or an Outback?

[falconboy]

Thanks guys, a few suggestions there.

Not keen on parts prices for things like the Volvo, Citroen, VW etc.
Verada wagon, I don't mind them, but aren't they getting on a bit now?
Thought about the Subarus, just not a fan overall for some reason, but might take a closer look.

Yes, I looked at the Legnum, but they are considerably smaller than the Ford/Holden and even smaller than the Stagea, which is as small as I'd go. Any smaller I wouldn't bother, I'd just make life easier and buy a BA Fairlaine/Fairmont.

Surprised at a few mentions of the V8 VY Berlina. That would in fact be everything I want, but its a holden. I don't actually go into this Ford Vs Holden rubbish, but my VR berlina years ago did leave a sour taste in my mouth (comfy, hell yes, reliable - don't even ask, and it was only 3 yrs old at the time). If I can be assured they've improved, I might drive a couple and see.

[Bushbasher]

How about get the ford wagon and translpant Fairlane seats, doorskins, carpets etc into it. Better still just go for the Fairlane and be done with it. I've got a Fairlane and a Futura wagon and short of trecking across the country where the wagon space is needed for luggage, pram, porta-cot,etc, the Fairlane has enough boot space to carry a decent pram and the weekly shopping and more plus you have the extra leg room so the kids aren't constantly kicking the back of your seat while in their booster seats and trust me, by the time they're 2 1/2 they'll be able to do that unless you're a shortar$e and have your seat way forward in the wagon. Just remember to fit good waterproof seat covers over the back seat cos, trust me, they WILL get covered in crap. Think sticky fingers, dropped bottles, spilt sipper cups and poppers, food scraps, crumbs etc, you name it, the seat will wear it at some point. Don't say you won't be letting them eat or drink back there cos you'll end up giving them anything you got on hand to feed and water them just to shut them up. Mine are nearly 3 and 5 and the back seat of the missus' wagon is a certified disaster area. In my Fairlane I have big thick seat covers and those big deep rubber 4x4 floor mats in the back to minimise the fallout........ oh, and here's a tip, get yourself a portable DVD player you can strap to the headrest or bolt to the roof for trips longer than 45 minutes, preferably one with IR headphones. They won't wear them for a while but once you can train them to put them on your trips will get a whole lot easier and less stressful, lol.


Bushbasher

[Joshvee]

Originally Posted by Bushbasher

How about get the ford wagon and translpant Fairlane seats, doorskins, carpets etc into it. Better still just go for the Fairlane and be done with it. I've got a Fairlane and a Futura wagon and short of trecking across the country where the wagon space is needed for luggage, pram, porta-cot,etc, the Fairlane has enough boot space to carry a decent pram and the weekly shopping and more plus you have the extra leg room so the kids aren't constantly kicking the back of your seat while in their booster seats and trust me, by the time they're 2 1/2 they'll be able to do that unless you're a shortar$e and have your seat way forward in the wagon. Just remember to fit good waterproof seat covers over the back seat cos, trust me, they WILL get covered in crap. Think sticky fingers, dropped bottles, spilt sipper cups and poppers, food scraps, crumbs etc, you name it, the seat will wear it at some point. Don't say you won't be letting them eat or drink back there cos you'll end up giving them anything you got on hand to feed and water them just to shut them up. Mine are nearly 3 and 5 and the back seat of the missus' wagon is a certified disaster area. In my Fairlane I have big thick seat covers and those big deep rubber 4x4 floor mats in the back to minimise the fallout........ oh, and here's a tip, get yourself a portable DVD player you can strap to the headrest or bolt to the roof for trips longer than 45 minutes, preferably one with IR headphones. They won't wear them for a while but once you can train them to put them on your trips will get a whole lot easier and less stressful, lol.


Bushbasher

Wiser words were never spoken. (I got a 20 month old and a 5 yr old)

[Falcon Coupe]

Priorities change when starting a family, our BA wagon fits the bill perfectly, especially with two large dogs, a cargo barrier is the only thing between the little ones and a dose of Turner and Hooch type Mastiff ectoplasm all over them.

As pointed out by Bushbasher family transport cops a fair hiding, not just the interior but the exterior when the children open the doors onto garage brick walls !

I'd suggest buying a cheap BA and having another car for fun if the budget allows.

[Joshvee]

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

Priorities change when starting a family, our BA wagon fits the bill perfectly, especially with two large dogs, a cargo barrier is the only thing between the little ones and a dose of Turner and Hooch type Mastiff ectoplasm all over them.

As pointed out by Bushbasher family transport cops a fair hiding, not just the interior but the exterior when the children open the doors onto garage brick walls !

I'd suggest buying a cheap BA and having another car for fun if the budget allows.

or buy a cheap BA and turbo charge it?

[falconboy]

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

Priorities change when starting a family, our BA wagon fits the bill perfectly.

I'd suggest buying a cheap BA and having another car for fun if the budget allows.

Yep, I guess they do, but on the other hand, when we take the plunge and have a kid, we probably won't be in a position to buy a newer car for a while after that, hence wanting something good and newer before this happens.

Same goes for not being able to afford a second car for fun!

[falconboy]

Originally Posted by Joshvee

or buy a cheap BA and turbo charge it?

I've got another thread going which comes down to turbo lag on a Stagea wagon I was looking at - will turbo charging a BA/BF then take some away from the bottom end acceleration it hard prior to the turbo being added?

I did read a bit about adding a turbo to an i6 however it also seemed to add up to a few $$ with the added suggested fuel/ECU/computer upgrades.

[Falcon Coupe]

Originally Posted by falconboy

I've got another thread going which comes down to turbo lag on a Stagea wagon I was looking at - will turbo charging a BA/BF then take some away from the bottom end acceleration it hard prior to the turbo being added?

I did read a bit about adding a turbo to an i6 however it also seemed to add up to a few $$ with the added suggested fuel/ECU/computer upgrades.

Not worth the hassle, everyone who asks about retro fitting an turbo to an N/A sedan soon realises it's cheaper to buy one factory. As far as wagons go, you would be better off with the Holden V8, it's engineered for the power it has.

[falconboy]

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

Not worth the hassle, everyone who asks about retro fitting an turbo to an N/A sedan soon realises it's cheaper to buy one factory. As far as wagons go, you would be better off with the Holden V8, it's engineered for the power it has.

Thats what I was thinking. Seems a lot of stuffing around for what will still end up a Futura. But I don't want to have to hang out on forums with holden people.

[Joshvee]

Originally Posted by falconboy

Thats what I was thinking. Seems a lot of stuffing around for what will still end up a Futura. But I don't want to have to hang out on forums with holden people.

If thats all ur worried about, you shouldn't be. Get the car that best suits your situation. Don't NOT buy a car coz your forum buddies won't like it, thats just stupid. It's not your fault that Ford dont have a wagon that suits you. Get the V8 holden wagon and be happy with it. Contrary to what some fanatics may say, Holden do make nice cars. Your 1 bad experience with a previous holden does not mean they're all bad. Hell, my FG FPV F6 is having problems. Does that mean all Fords suck??? well ok yes it does : HAHAHA just kidding.

Get the Holden if thats what suits ur needs. There are plenty of holden owners in this forum. We will still talk to you.

[GeoNazi]

The missus wants holden sports wagon, she thinks they are a nice looking car and I have to say I agree with that.. I am a ford man from like birth and she is a ford girl from birth.

The current range of ford made cars are lacking in my opinion.

[ebxr8240]

Why do people think when they get married or have kids they need a station wagon ??
A car will only be a start of your expenses.. Trust me..
The bigger the car the more you'll fill it up..
Have you considered you may have a two car family ??
Then yes a poverty pack station wagon.. Imo I would forget about leather!!
Till you own that furniture etc in your house...

[Buzz Box]

Originally Posted by GeoNazi

The missus wants holden sports wagon, she thinks they are a nice looking car and I have to say I agree with that.. I am a ford man from like birth and she is a ford girl from birth.

I have to agree those new clubsport wagons are VERY nice.

But back to the topic........

There are plenty of guys on here who own holdens, hyundais, mazda, mitsubishi etc. We'll let you speak (sometimes lol) :

But seriously like mentioned above don't buy everyone elses car buy what suits YOU best and if it happens to be a holden well so be it.

I personally would ask why your insisting on a wagon especially considering the size of the boots in all new cars these days unless of course you got dogs who go everywhere with you....??

[Snelens]

We had the same issue.
The boss wanted leather seats etc & I wanted something that was a bit nicer to drive & could safely carry a dog. When you have a cattle dog leaving them at home is not an option as they are like owning a 2nd shadow.
We test drove a few commonwhores & even put down a deposit on one. Nice white & clean VZ, went and got a Vic roads check & turned out to be a repaired write off, didnt look at another commonwhore....
We ended up in a 01 SAAB 9-5 Aero, they are VERY safe, great to drive, quick, understated, reasonable economy, about the same room as a commonwhore & suprisingly cheap servcing at a specialist. They need religous servicing though but dont be fooled into thinking they are expensive to own as they are a GM car with lots of crossover parts eg front brake rotors on the standard 9-5s are the same as a Holden Vectra, oil filters are the same as a Toyota camry.
So far we have fitted a full bilstein kit, exhaust & ECU chip from the UK (same price as a local Ford chip), its now got about 220KW and is perfect for eating up freeway k's. There are heaps of web sites just like this one to do your research and also specialist web parts suppliers where you can research parts prices. I have ordered parts from the US & UK & have had them here in 4 days.
Jumping out of my FG ute & back into the Aero is always very nice to do & I look forward to the drive.

[Joshvee]

Originally Posted by Buzz Box

I personally would ask why your insisting on a wagon especially considering the size of the boots in all new cars these days unless of course you got dogs who go everywhere with you....??

Even with the boot size in new cars, the wagon beats em all if you need to put a pram or 2 in them and a few bags (suitcases). I find that although I can fit it all in the F6, (ok not 2 prams) it's just easier in a wagon. Thats why im keeping my old EF wagon.

[DOC]

We could not afford a wagon when we first started out with our kids ( a while back now ), so we had to make do with what we had, a Datsun 120 Y, so we used to make them run behind the car, if one got to tired we would let them jump in the back seat for a small spell. little buggers were fit in no time.

As for cars / wagons I think it is very rare that you would need all of the space of the wagon where you would have everything loaded up and in many ways your probably looking at the 100 / 1 trip that would probably never happen and with that a good normal family sedan will suffice so the mention of the fairlane was a good one and with many things like folding jogger prams , even cots and the like the real need for a wagon is probably not there.

[falconboy]

Hold on, I'm kidding, I'm not really that scared of going to the dark side.

As for the needing a wagon thing, I more need a wagon for work than as a 'family' vehicle, I've had several wagons before but am 'in between' cars at the moment and driving the wifes Honda Civic hatch. Not quite the ongoing family vehicle.

Might have to drive a few VY/VZ Berlinas and see what I think.

[DRU842]

Can you wait for the Mondeo Wagon, or is new car out of the question?

[falconboy]

Originally Posted by DRU842

Can you wait for the Mondeo Wagon, or is new car out of the question?

I like the Mondeos, but yeah, too many $$ for us.

[rootster]

why a wagon..i own a fg sedan have two young kids and find there is plenty of room in the boot....We go away for weeks fit 3/4 large suit cases fishing rods and all the bits we need when were away...Really the question is how often are you really going to need the extra space....Imo if you are going to need it regularly buy a holden...

[The Monty]

In all seriousness, if it were me, Id be looking for a second hand VE wagon. Im a Ford man through and through, but for a wagon, and the cheapness of the VE range at the moment, it would be hard to look past.

[jasjul]

I didn't see budget anywhere, but if you could afford a new or 2nd hand VE sportwagon, they are a big step up from the VY/VZ. In saying that, a mate of mine who wanted a V8 wagon has got a V8 VX Berlina wagon and is very happy with it, even though he is a Ford man.

On a side note, there was also an SS wagon a couple of times over that model period as well.

[deesun]

Start saving, the new FG SVI Egas wagon due next year. Space, economy, power etc. I have been through what you are going through and agree with Bushbasher. I bought the higher end Magna at the time and was always worried about the interior as it eventually turned to doo doo. Your kids and the missus when shes trying to keep them from screaming their heads off really don't give a rats botty about your precious leather seats. Take a look around the local Coles carpark at the interior of the cars with baby seats in them. Save yourself some money and get the fancy nancy car for when they are a bit older, about 20 . Nowadays even the basics are whatever the high spec cars of yesteryear had. The Aero was a bit out of left field but worth a look as Snelens suggested. Have fun. :

[Auslandau]

Have a mate who has a VE wagon and says there is no room in the back and should have just gone for a sedan in the end. If you are looking for a station wagon because of the capacity to carry tall or lots of stuff, the VE could be a dissappointent once you try and actually use it. The Falcon sedan with the rear access through seats is also a huge advantage over almost everything else out there.



| [/url] |

[Molloy]

Nissan Stagea 2001 ARX FTW ;)