Another Suggest Me a Car Thread

daleyboy79 on 01/09/2015 - 15:16

As the title suggests im looking to upgrade my car in the very near future.
Currently have 2007 Toyota Camry Altise in very good nick with 150k on the clock

Looking to upgrade to something larger to accommodate 2 adults + 2 small kids (1 newborn due in October and hopefully another in a year or two) and a 30kg dog (lab x shep). I also want something a little luxurious and with plenty of grunt to tow a decent sized boat in the future. And preferably less than 80,000kms on the clock

I was originally looking at the last of the Falcon station wagons, 2010 models … as i previously had a 2000 model and loved the ample space in the boot.
But the other half wants something that looks nicer……

So my next thought was a 2012+ V8 Holden Calais … but after getting a glimpse at a 2011 commodore wagon on the weekend, i discovered how much smaller the boot is compared to the old falcons.

I'm not a fan of SUV's, but it looks like they are the only option apart from the holden wagons?

Budget is $25-$30k + whatever i can get for the Camry (im guessing i could get $8-9k private sale or about $6-7k trade in)

Automotive

Comments

  • spackbace on 01/09/2015 - 15:34

    How much do you need/want to tow?

    Cheapest 2007 Camry Altise with that sort of mileage is $7,800 private sell, cheapest dealer is $8,850. So expect trade value around $3-4k

    • daleyboy79 on 01/09/2015 - 15:41

      I'll take a guess and say around 1.5T

      • spackbace on 01/09/2015 - 15:44
        +1

        Ok I'd still suggest the VF wagon, but wait until November/December once Series 2 is out and has pushed the 2nd hand prices down.

        Only look at Calais V, not standard Calais (just not worth the extra price), or for about $32k you should be able to find a 2014/Early 15 SV6 wagon.

        Either way, VF is a very nice car to drive and has tons of space for the kid/s

        • daleyboy79 on 01/09/2015 - 15:50

          Thanks … do you know if theres much difference between the VE & VF?
          Also, do you know if Holden have fixed the timing chain issues in the V6's?

          When i spoke to my mechanic last i said i was looking at holden wagons and straight out said dont get a holden V6 due to timing chains needing replacing at about the 100k mark due to stretching … and it costs a few $k to replace

        • spackbace on 01/09/2015 - 15:53

          @daleyboy79:

          Holden/Suzuki salesman here ;)

          VF - Huge improvements and refinements. From safety features like front parking sensors, blind-spot monitors on everything except Evoke, better multimedia system, better seats… Yeah, get the VF ;)

          Haven't heard anything about the V6 timing chain tbh, and we see a few come through.

        • daleyboy79 on 01/09/2015 - 16:28

          @Spackbace: Thanks again :)

        • [Deactivated] on 01/09/2015 - 20:42

          @Spackbace:

          Holden/Suzuki salesman here ;)

          Out of curiousity , what kind of car do you drive?

        • spackbace on 01/09/2015 - 21:27
          +1

          @Jar Jar Binks:

          Drive the demos/used cars, bought a territory for the Mrs and the 3yo and 9mo

  • ESEMCE on 01/09/2015 - 16:41

    Mondeo Wagon is comparable in size to the old Falcon one.
    You'll need to get the Diesel for grunt, sounds like you drive decent K's though so Diesel should suit your requirements.
    You'll get a great example for your budget cause they're dirt cheap!

    I recently bought a 2011 model. The Powershift gearbox is "interesting" to drive. When it works nicely it's brilliant, but I get the occasional weirdness with it, random hard gear change, severe lag at roundabouts, Parallel parking on a hill is downright scary and it's useless off road on slippery terrain (would easily have got myself bogged if I didn't know better)!
    Some traits are fixable by changing driving style, but the random botched gear changes aren't. I don't understand how the computer can be so crap every now and again!

  • oscargamer on 01/09/2015 - 17:30

    Outback diesel or Forester diesel

    my 2c

  • Archi on 01/09/2015 - 17:35

    sounds like you need a 7 seater…

    • daleyboy79 on 03/09/2015 - 11:32

      Just curious … Why would you say i need a 7 seater?

      • Archi on 03/09/2015 - 12:14

        2 adults + 2 kids + 1 new born + one more planned for the future + dogs..

        that's a lot to fit in 1 car..

        if you are buying a car for the family. then you have the 4th kid in the next year or so that's 6 people. + dogs.

        because you listed the 4th child, i would assume you would like to make plans for him/her.

        if you wanted a car for the next 2 years before the 4th child then why mention him/her in the first place. that information would be irrelevant.

        unless you get a car with a front bench seat that can fit a child maybe or maybe not still required to be in a child restraint that could still work.

        • spackbace on 03/09/2015 - 12:22

          I think you're confused, OP is allowing for 2 kids now. They have 1 on the way, and allowing for a 2nd.

          So allow for 2 kids, not 4 ;)

        • Archi on 03/09/2015 - 12:25

          ohhh I see,

          missed the brackets.. hahaha..

          ignore my rambling then

        • daleyboy79 on 03/09/2015 - 12:28

          @Archi: haha no probs … im prone to the occasional bout of dyslexia myself

        • Archi on 03/09/2015 - 12:44

          having said that.,

          I did buy a seven (7) seater for my family.

          but only use it as a 5 seater with the occasional use of seats 6 and 7 for the odd chauffer of kids friends.

          when used as a 5 seater 98% of the time. incredible boot space

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