SUV AWD v FWD v Alternatives - Budget $35k Maximum

Francis82 on 10/02/2022 - 12:03
Last edited 10/02/2022 - 12:34 by 1 other user

Hi looking for good advice on SUVs, the time has come to change family car. All the rage seems to be SUVs. Will be driven 20k annually,90 percent daily commute/shopping/school run for my wife on bitumen in Perth. Rest probably parking on the grass/dirt at dog walking areas

I see AWD seems to have a fair bit of a premium price/costs over FWD, is it really worth it for our needs, much difference in daily driving and dry/wet, although it only rains about 3 weeks of the year here. LOL.

We've both only ever had FWD hatchbacks, she wants the SUV, my thoughts Mazda 6 wagon, Skoda or Subaru outback could be an alternative and not as mummy wagonish for when I'm driving it

Family of four 2 very young kids and dog hoping to keep at least 5 years max budget $35k

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mirz on 12/02/2022 - 15:18

-1

Subaru Forester or outback.
OmboKing on 12/02/2022 - 16:27

Kia Seltos is the small SUV I purchased, and I love it. You can get it for around 30 - 35k for the FWD models, depending on specs. Consider this if you are not in a hurry to make a purchase, as the wait times are currently quite lengthy.
sillyhead on 12/02/2022 - 17:31
Join an organisation that access to Toyota gold fleet discount. (Use Google)

Buy a RAV4 2wd gx hybrid in glacier white.

Wait 9-15 months for car.

Smile.
sub7er on 12/02/2022 - 19:39

Get haval h6 and thank me later.
Francis82 on 12/02/2022 - 22:39

Over a Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 or Subaru outback possibly?
- Euphemistic on 13/02/2022 - 07:08
  
  All good solid vehicles. Test drive, assess for space/comfort, pick your favourite.
  - Francis82 on 13/02/2022 - 11:18
    
    Cheers many thanks
Rupture on 18/02/2022 - 20:26

So many people here assuming you’re buying a new car. I’d suggest looking at the used car market for your budget and getting something nice that’s eaten a bit of depreciation already. Also gotta factor in the extremely long wait times for almost all popular new cars.

More to the point, Ive had FWD, RWD, 4WD and now an AWD car and I can say with utmost certainty I would never buy a FWD car again (unpopular opinion here apparently).

People commenting here are probably correct in saying that FWD will suit your needs, but in reality, it sucks big time in those 5-10% of moments where you give it a bit or need to move quickly. The wheel spin in the wet and just a general feeling of being unsafe in a pinch really bothered me with my young kids in the car. Have moved onto an AWD Tiguan in the used car market for $37k, so pretty similar budget to you. Love it, and the AWD just makes things feel more sure footed in real time driving. I’d grab something like that or a used CX5 AWD. Can’t go wrong.
- Francis82 on 18/02/2022 - 22:46
  
  Cheers mate ,thanks for the great feedback ,the tiguan is a very good looking car ,just Abit worried about getting vw parts and reliability and assuming extra paying for timing belt changes services etcetc where alot of the Japs are chains I think Honda mazda and prob Abit cheaper to run. May I ask what year is your car?
  Yea it will be a family orientated car and I'm glad you said it gave you more driver confidence and safer feeling as the wife will predominantly driver it with kids and all in it mostly
spad on 21/02/2022 - 10:51

My golf wagon can do more than 1100km in one tank (50L) if I do a lot of highway. No SUV can come close to that. The boot space is bigger than a RAV4 too
- Francis82 on 21/02/2022 - 13:26
  
  Cheer mate definitely like the golf wagon just worried about the reliability and services ,how long have you had yours and found them things so far?
  - spad on 22/02/2022 - 21:02
    
    gearbox died at 15000km. Warranty covered that. Nothing else other than annual service. Still running the original tires after 60000km
    - Francis82 on 23/02/2022 - 07:38
      
      Wow gear box, that's pretty crazy

SUV AWD v FWD v Alternatives - Budget $35k Maximum

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