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!

[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!!

[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.

[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?

[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.

[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.

[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.

[prydey]

Territory titanium TDI!!

[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?

[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.

[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

[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.

[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.

[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

[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??

[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.

[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

[Cabbage]

Appreciate the opinions guys.

For all round versatility you can't really beat a 4wd/suv. Better visibility in traffic, better load carrying capacity, no bending over to get in and out or put things in the boot (have a dodgy back) and the ability to put things like surfboards and two labradors in them is a plus.

The look and how a vehicle drives is important to me so the territory is right up there. I recently sat in a new jeep and they are a nice vehicle but found the foot park brake to be in a really awkward position. Probably wouldn't go a Rav 4, can't explain why except that I want something a bit meatier. The V6 Rav4 does go like a rocket though, drove one at work.

Subaru's are out, wife doesn't like them (don't ask), I think I will probably look at the territory, pajero and the jeep. Volvo I would have a look at but I do cringe a little thinking about driving a volvo. I had a petrol 2002 pajero exceed, nice car to drive but fuel economy was terrible around the city, would have to get a diesel i think.

If I thought I could get away with a new/demo gt/gs I would give it a go. I even tried the new ranger on but didn't get a great response. Is the diesel territory a slug compared to the petrol model?

[Rodge]

Seeing as you have 2 labradors mate, the terry should be right up your alley.
195 Kw v 140 kw's for the diesel and the diesel is 54 kg's heavier.
Torque is better in the diesel though and only the diesel is 4WD Petrol is now only RWD. Petrol gets the real ZF transmission, diesel the amercian copy, hope that lot helps. Hard to beat a RWD petrol Tezza especially for the sort of money Gaela paid, that's a real bargain

[Polyal]

Ah Labs makes it a while different story, tez is the winner. IMO your made to buy a petrol and the RWD TDi offers great value and the TX is well appointed.

[Franco Cozzo]

Look at the Kia Sorento, in 2.2L diesel form, its a very good car.

Or a Honda Odyssee, you'd be able to get a top of the line Luxury model, they're actually quite comfortable cars, 7 seater, not too quick though.

[FPV8U]

Jeep GC or Ford Territory either option i'd be going Diesel.

[Brazen]

If you are looking at a three year changeover I think any of them would be fine. If you are looking at a decade of ownership the Territory will be the clear winner. It will also be big enough to grow with you as life might bring you more kids down the track. Add to the fact it is one of the best driving and best looking in the class I think it should be top of the list.

[IceValk85]

diesel auto territory by far. volvo would be lovely but your better off saving the 20k

Ice

[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.

I find that SUV's are needed with a growing family, sure little car's/sedan's might be fine for some everyday duties, but when you have a pram and then go shopping it doesn't take long to fill the vehicle and not to mention the ease of getting thing's in and out of the vehicle.
Then when you go on holiday's, a sedan would just not do it for me, by the time a pram is in there and then all the suit cases and gear.
Unless you like to tow a trailer or fill the back seat aswell, the space is just not enough in a sedan.
We are going away next week for a week to the beach, we are taking the XR8 and it is going to be a full car by the time we have the pram, port-a-cot, suit cases, some food and I want to put my body board in there some where aswell.
Wish I had that SUV already.

[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.