Suggestions for Mid Size SUV - New Vs Second Hand

shockrave on 08/08/2022 - 01:21
Last edited 08/08/2022 - 09:55 by 1 other user

Hi all - hoping to pick your brains on something.

Needing to buy a new mid size SUV - ideally something with a fair bit of space in the back seat. Have test drove a few options - CX5, RAV4, CRV, Mitsubishi Outlander and probably the CX5 is the winner albeit, it's the smallest of the lot (CRV felt dated inside and new 2023 model is round the corner, the Outlander was great but seems to have brake and reverse camera issues, RAV4 is 2.5 years away). Given the features we want unfortunately we have to go for higher trims and pay $50-$57K.

I'm open to buying second hand to save money, but current prices for those are high (or above rrp) given supply issues, and feels like a bad deal to do so, given I am an Ozbargainer.

Am not really familiar with cars (never owned one) but I was wondering if it's better to spend say $40k - $45k for a second hand SUV from a few years ago from the more expensive brands - Volvo, Audi, BMW etc. Perhaps I am wrong but my logic goes more expensive brands probably have less supply issue and bigger price drops, as people who buy those cars will want something new and shiny, and servicing cost is high (I will do very little KMs on the car so guessing those costs will be lower for me). Downside would be the features may not be as good as the new car from cheaper brands (e.g. 360 camera, heads up display), but I am thinking that's like buying the lower trim of the Mazda, Toyota's etc for $40k - $45k.

Thoughts? And with my budget, any recommendations for which brand and model to look at if we want a mid size SUV? Any particular sweet spot with regards to age and KMs done? Would I need to increase my budget to say $50k / $55k to get to a better value proposition on these brands (I don't feel like spending as much as I would on new but could do so if the value equation improves a lot).

Alternatively, am thinking of buying something to just use for a few months to a year til the new 2023 CRV arrives - seems cheaper than renting from Carbar. Is that a decent idea or would the additional ownership transfer devalue the car by a bit (saw some ads promoting only owner), plus the admin costs and stamp duty?

Thanks

Automotive Car SUV

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 08/08/2022 - 02:42
    +13

    do you need an SUV? any reason that a station wagon wouldn't fit your needs?

    • andresampras on 08/08/2022 - 11:08
      +3

      The people have spoken, loud and clear - WE WANT SUVs. Esp. people who don't know much about cars, the safe bet is to follow the pack….right?

      Better for those of us who prefer wagons, Shhhhhhh!

      • [Deactivated] on 08/08/2022 - 11:30
        +1

        then we have to deal with softroader headlights blinding us with their overly bright and raised lights and blocking the view of the road so we can't see if there are any obstacles in front, all so mummy can feel safer, but not actually be safer with her higher centre of gravity putting her at a higher risk of roll over

        • andresampras on 08/08/2022 - 11:40
          +1

          Unfortunately it seems (to me, anyway) the majority of drivers on the road don't know or care about any of that. The belief seems to be - big car, me safe.

          Which is easy to buy into if you see the aftermath of a collision between a big SUV vs small hatch, to be fair.

          Passive safety (read: prevention) is not a consideration most of the time - this theme commonly extends to driving skill, IMHO.

          • slowmo on 08/08/2022 - 11:54

            @andresampras: have you seen brand new SUVs trying to race sedans? I have, plenty of times. There's no gender bias to this, these people i observed literally must have felt that the SUV is just like a much sturdier sedan in order to drive this bad.

    • Brick Tamland on 08/08/2022 - 11:52
      +4

      Unfortunately SUV's have won the battle. I love wagons but the market is so small now its almost dead. If the Peugeot 508 wagon wasnt so stupidly overpriced it would be such a lovely thing. I'd buy one of them in a heartbeat if it was around $50k

    • boomramada on 09/08/2022 - 09:59

      They aren't safe as Camry?

  • Euphemistic on 08/08/2022 - 05:56

    You’ve done the work, test driven and found one YOU like. Go buy a CX5.

    New, lightly used doesn’t really matter although there’s plenty of wait time for new. Used is up in price, but you’ll get what you want sooner. What’s a couple of $k in the long term really?

    Why not keep your current vehicle until the new CRV arrives? There’s no point buying a short term vehicle to make do, unless you are buying something closer to $10k as a stop gap.

  • Muzeeb on 08/08/2022 - 06:36
    +11

    Am not really familiar with cars (never owned one) but I was wondering if it's better to spend say $40k - $45k for a second hand SUV from a few years ago from the more expensive brands - Volvo, Audi, BMW etc.

    No - don't do this

    • MrThing on 08/08/2022 - 07:49
      +3

      agree, buying an expensive 2nd hand euro car…….likely out of warranty.. is asking for $$$$$$$ trouble

      stick to asian brands……kia / hyundai / toyota / mazda

    • toomuchdogfur on 08/08/2022 - 10:54
      +2

      Especially if you're unfamiliar with cars, don't do this! If you just want your car to work and do little else but scheduled servicing, stick to the Asian brands.

      Euros on the second hand market are a way to try out a luxury marquee if you really wanted to, but you have to be interested enough in cars to look after them yourself between services… and even then…

  • Benoffie on 08/08/2022 - 07:16

    Stick to Japanese/Korean labels. Or Ford. Or Subaru.

    If you liked the RAV, there are cars around but you need to hunt them down. Little wiggle room. Country dealers are your best bet.

    Otherwise, I'd look at a Subaru Forester.

    • shockrave on 08/08/2022 - 10:15

      Any suggestions for how to find stocks availability without calling every dealer? I've tried using Motorscout (thought I'd get them to find the dealer for me) and they told me they can't get any RAV4 Cruiser for 24 months

      • Benoffie on 08/08/2022 - 18:44

        Either the Toyota website and change the dealers or, the real person to talk to is Dan Biady the Car Concierge.

        That man will find you want you're looking for and if he can't, will at least be honest about time frames

        • shockrave on 08/08/2022 - 19:42

          Will try that. Called a few dealers (that's not too far from the CBD) and asked about RAV4 petrol but was told 18+ months still for Victoria

  • Austaurean on 08/08/2022 - 08:00
    +2

    I have a 2015 Subaru Outback that i bought as a year old car in 2016, had about 18,000 on the clock, im now at 122000. Been great so far, heaps of room in the back as well as in the wagon area, most SUVs are small in the cargo space, but not the Outback..

  • ForkSnorter on 08/08/2022 - 08:04
    -7

    This is just money down the drain, in my opinion. If anything, I want to get rid of my car. Sick of being stuck in traffic breathing in fossil fuels, sick of aggressive drivers, sick of risking my life at 110km on the freeway, sick of never-ending road construction, sick of trying to find carparks, sick of topping up the petrol for $100 every 2nd trip. Sick of having to concentrate for hours at a time every time I drive somewhere.

    I now live in an area where I don't need a car. Highly recommend a car-free life. Even if you think you need a car, there are often workarounds, and the workarounds can have major advantages, enabling you to try different things, think outside the box and envisage a different lifestyle.

    My mid-sized SUV cost me $22k secondhand 10 years ago, and I haven't spent anything on it apart from rare servicing. Done over 120,000km since then. $45-55k is overkill in my opinion. That's a good chunk out of a mortgage. If you add on insurance, servicing, maintenance, registration, petrol, etc., it could end up costing you $80-$100k over 5 years. In some cities you can buy an inner-city apartment for $300k-$400k. Seems insane to spend that much on transport.

    • Richmond Tigers on 08/08/2022 - 08:37
      +4

      This was a long way to not provide any insight.

      Pretty sure most people willing to buy a new car NEED a car.

      • ForkSnorter on 08/08/2022 - 08:45
        -2

        I doubt it. Most people could catch the bus or ride a bike. Only people who use it for work or live in the countryside far from a large city/town or >100km from their work really need a car.

        • Richmond Tigers on 08/08/2022 - 09:03
          +8

          That has to be the dumbest take I've ever heard, like an absolute load of unrealistic horseshit. Maybe if you are a fit healthy young person with no dependents living within a 5km radius of everything you will ever need in life it possible.

          What about people with kids? People with disabilities? People who are carers? People who live close to the city but not close enough to practical means of public transport?

          How do you do a large grocery shop on a bus? Or take a pet to the vet? Or go somewhere completely unserviced by public transport?

          • SF3 on 08/08/2022 - 09:14
            -1

            @Richmond Tigers: Uber?

            People want a car, seems to be for the convenience vs other options… comes down to tradeoffs people are willing to make. ForkSnorter obviously can tradeoff things that others may not forgo. People's circumstances are different and make different choices.

            • Richmond Tigers on 08/08/2022 - 09:43
              +3

              @SF3: Uber your kids to school and back each day? That'll keep money in the wallet.

          • ForkSnorter on 08/08/2022 - 09:52
            -5

            @Richmond Tigers:

            That has to be the dumbest take I've ever heard, like an absolute load of unrealistic horseshit.

            Actually it's not. It may require experience and/or imagination to realise this.

            Maybe if you are a fit healthy young person

            i.e. ~70% of the population.

            with no dependents living within a 5km radius of everything you will ever need in life it possible.

            Who does not have everything they need within 5km? I've lived in 17 different houses/apartments, and there has always been a supermarket and/or shopping centre within walking distance.

            What about people with kids?

            Why do kids need a car? Kids can walk, ride, catch buses.

            People with disabilities? People who are carers?

            You have a point here, but this is not a significant portion of the population.

            People who live close to the city but not close enough to practical means of public transport?

            Unlikely. Also, bicycles are good. I used to use a combination of bike+bus to get to work, and it improved my life massively. Got fit. Enjoyed beautiful mornings in the sunshine. Enabled me to read a book/study on the bus. It was so much nicer than driving through traffic and then 100km/h down the freeway.

            How do you do a large grocery shop on a bus?

            You don't. You walk/ride bike to the supermarket several times a week.

            Or take a pet to the vet?

            Taxi/uber. Honestly, how often would this be? Want to buy a car specifically for these rare occasions?

            Or go somewhere completely unserviced by public transport?

            You're correct, owning a car is useful for this. The only reason I still own a car.

            • Richmond Tigers on 08/08/2022 - 10:17
              +1

              @ForkSnorter: Tell ya what, you tell me how I can live on West Mount Cotton Road in Brissy and not have a car AND rely on public transport/walking/cycling. I suggest you look at a terrain map as well if you plan on me bike everywhere.

              • ForkSnorter on 08/08/2022 - 10:21
                +1

                @Richmond Tigers: That’s simple: if you want to rely on public transport/walking/cycling, don’t live on West Mountain Cotton Road.

                But the majority of the population don’t live in places like that.

                • Richmond Tigers on 08/08/2022 - 10:23

                  @ForkSnorter:

                  Only people who use it for work or live in the countryside far from a large city/town or >100km from their work really need a car.

                • brendanm on 08/08/2022 - 12:02
                  +1

                  @ForkSnorter:

                  don’t live on West Mountain Cotton Road.

                  If much rather live in mt cotoon and drive a car, than live in a shithole apartment next to 600 other people, and catch the bus.

                • brendanm on 08/08/2022 - 12:04

                  @ForkSnorter:

                  But the majority of the population don’t live in places like that.

                  A wild melbournian with no idea about anything outside his suburb appears

            • slowmo on 08/08/2022 - 10:23

              @ForkSnorter: still a lot of preaching words but none of them helpful.

              You have a point here, but this is not a significant portion of the population.

              why am i not surprised by your ableist takes and "screw the minorities because I'm not them" attitude.

              • ForkSnorter on 08/08/2022 - 10:26

                @slowmo: Where did I say that? Shouldn’t put words in people’s mouth. Is my actual statement incorrect? What does the data say? Pretty sure the majority of the people driving on the road don’t need to be there. They choose to be there.

                • slowmo on 08/08/2022 - 11:45

                  @ForkSnorter: there's no need to be disingenuous about saying i put words in your mouth. you didn't have to explicity say that.

                  you inferred just as much, there's no need to pretend you think a percentage of people should go without a car just to further your agenda (whatever the hell it is), while at the same time admitting to your own hypocrisy of still owning a car. or do you not read what you typed?

                  back all of these up :

                  • Pretty sure the majority of the people driving on the road don’t need to be there. They choose to be there.
                  • But the majority of the population don’t live in places like that.
                  • i.e. ~70% of the population.
                  • You have a point here, but this is not a significant portion of the population.
                  • I doubt it. Most people could catch the bus or ride a bike. Only people who use it for work or live in the countryside far from a large city/town or 100km from their work really need a car.
                  • Even if you think you need a car, there are often workarounds, and the workarounds can have major advantages, enabling you to try different things, think outside the box and envisage a different lifestyle.

                  i'm glad people like you don't make decisions around welfare and policies because from what you just wrote over a few posts, I'm confident you will conveniently write off 30% of the population (your own numbers not mine) because they don't fit into your criteria in your head.

                  btw, australia population is 25,930,900 as per wiki, 30% is 7779270.

                  • ForkSnorter on 08/08/2022 - 12:13

                    @slowmo: What’s your point? I’m just arguing that $50k on a car nowadays is money down the drain if you don’t really need it. You have not demonstrated that all the people on the road need a car, let alone a $50k car. So my point stands.

    • SBOB on 08/08/2022 - 09:26
      -1

      Sick of being stuck in traffic breathing in fossil fuels,

      Choose a life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family. Choose a (profanity) big television. Choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players and electrical tin openers… Choose DSY and wondering who the (profanity) you are on a Sunday morning. Choose sitting on that couch watching mind-numbing, spirit crushing game shows, sticking junk food into your mouth. Choose rotting away in the end of it all, pishing your last in a miserable home, nothing more than an embarrassment to the selfish, (profanity) up brats you spawned to replace yourself, choose your future. Choose life… But why would I want to do a thing like that?

  • EightImmortals on 08/08/2022 - 08:20

    AFAIK out of that list the RAV (Hybrid) is the only one that doesn't have a CVT (it has a mechanical transaxle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O61WihMRdjM ). If you have driven a vehicle with a CVT and don't mind it then go for it.

    • lgacb08 on 08/08/2022 - 22:16
      +1

      don't think mazda doing cvt just yet.

  • Richmond Tigers on 08/08/2022 - 08:43

    We are going through the process of researching a new SUV. I find the biggest consideration is if you have kids, or work requirements that need a bigger SUV. The main questions you need to ask is

    • petrol or diesel option
    • do you need 5 or 7 seats
    • if you need boot space, can you get away with a 5 seater worth of boot space
    • leather or material seats (yes this may sound odd but leather if you intend to get the car dirty)
    • wait time
    • future car requirements

    We really like the Outlander Exceed but the wait time is too long. The Hyundai Tucson Highlander basically has most of what we like in the Outlander just yet to test drive it.

    • Muzeeb on 08/08/2022 - 09:24
      +2

      leather or material seats

      Not many SUVs in the OPs budget has leather. Plastic impersonating leather - plenty of those.

      • Richmond Tigers on 08/08/2022 - 09:45

        MG does (well leather blend I assume like every other car out there), but having test driven the MG the transmission is like your profile pic.

        • andresampras on 08/08/2022 - 11:06

          but having test driven the MG the transmission is like your profile pic.

          You mean full of sparkling character?

    • geekcohen on 08/08/2022 - 09:45

      We really like the Outlander Exceed but the wait time is too long. The Hyundai Tucson Highlander basically has most of what we like in the Outlander just yet to test drive it.

      We were in a similar boat and got a Hyundai Tucson N Line. Pick it up this week.

      Outlander was a very long wait, whilst nice, just too long.

      • shockrave on 08/08/2022 - 16:49

        Any concerns with the brakes for this crop of Tucson. Saw they recalled a bunch of an older model

        • geekcohen on 09/08/2022 - 08:11

          Nope. No concerns and there is a risk of any cars with a recall. I had a clock spring fail in my 3 month old Ford Ranger. So things just happen randomly.

  • shockrave on 08/08/2022 - 09:17

    Thanks peeps

    Reason for SUV and buying a car - having a kid. So my car free life is over.

    I believe the Hyundai has slightly longer wait time - when I went to a dealer the guy just said he doesn't really have anything for me to test drive and that stocks won't be around til next year (the Outlander and CX5 is available in Dec)

    • Euphemistic on 08/08/2022 - 09:43

      Based on this comment, and your OP sayings not many kms, buy an older used car. Halve your budget, you’ll still get a good quality vehicle with plenty of life in it, then you won’t lose as much when inevitably EV availability improves and fuel prices hike.

      Also reconsider the features you want, reality is you only need a reliable box to transport in. Safety tech like AEB, blind spot monitoring etc are OK, but not really essential if you can drive and pay attention. Airbags and ABS are important but beyond that, are incremental improvements. Add an aftermarket reverse camera if it doesn’t have one.

    • geekcohen on 08/08/2022 - 09:46

      I believe the Hyundai has slightly longer wait time

      Depends what you are after. Plenty of Hyundai Tucson's around.

      • shockrave on 09/08/2022 - 18:44

        Went to another dealer and could get Tucson in 6 months. There's even a Elite white Tucson petrol for sale, though I think the Highlander is a better trim for me

        • Abaddon on 09/08/2022 - 18:46

          I went for Elite (Petrol Turbo). I'd have the highlander if I could have it without a bloody sunroof.

          • shockrave on 09/08/2022 - 20:48

            @Abaddon: Oh - I really like the sunroof - thought it was a better one. I find the price jump in price from Elite to Highlander is a bit steep and you don't get that much extra features (as you get the fake leather on both trims which was a plus), but I kind of want the sunroof, the front camera, the digital display and the tailgate.

    • jrowls on 09/08/2022 - 22:22

      Reason for SUV and buying a car - having a kid. So my car free life is over.

      You don't need an SUV for a kid. Wagons and hatchbacks have often got the same amount of room whist costing less and being better to drive.

  • dtc on 08/08/2022 - 09:19
    +4

    You should add the Sportage to your shortlist, and then buy a Subaru outback. Bigger, better visibility, more practical and probably cheaper.

    If you want to look at one of the more expensive SUVs, stick with Lexus and its a sound option. The others may be fine, but if you look up servicing costs and spares for the Euro cars you will quickly change your mind. Even if you get them serviced at your local, you will still needs consumables and spares. Plus more expensive does not equal more reliable. Reality is that the top of the line, or even mid tier, Asian models are just as good if not better than the Euro options, have all the luxuries and gadgets and just work better. Its only if you want a strong diesel option or a fast SUV that there is an need to look at the Euro.

    edit: kid does not mean SUV. You can buy a Camry with one kid and its more than you need. In fact, you can get one of the larger hatch backs (like the impreza) and its more than you need. If you load up for the odd long trip with all the kid gear, just buy a roof top box for $800 (or less) instead of spending $20k to get that extra space in the car itself and which you wont use 95% of the time

  • shockrave on 08/08/2022 - 09:34

    The KIA Sportage has a 12 month wait time unfortunately. Dealer didn't even have anything for me to test drive too

    Never really considered Subaru but might drop by the dealer to give it a try.

    Reason for SUV is that friends who are parents recommend it for the space. What I'm basically after is: a) a bigger back seat so 2 adults can sit + baby car seat and be somewhat comfortable, and b) decent boot size. Would the larger hatchback have better back seats size than SUV?

    • Richmond Tigers on 08/08/2022 - 09:52

      How long do you intend to keep the car for and how many kiddies are planned? If you plan to have it for a while take into account that eventually with kids in school, doing sport and carting around their friends a hatch will be very inconvenient.

      I know people who bought a Mini Cooper with their first kid, they now have 3 kids and the mini is now a Redback Spider fortress.

      • shockrave on 08/08/2022 - 10:00

        Plan would be to keep the car for ages. As for how many kids…not sure.

        Why would the hatch be inconvenient as they grow older?

        • Richmond Tigers on 08/08/2022 - 10:05

          Back seats have less room than front and in a hatch usually less height. If you are more likely to have tall kids this will prove an issue. Also come high school its often 2 school bags, so multiply that by the amount of kids and add in any after school activity equipment. Try jamming all that into a hatch.

          Source: I have 2 tall kids who do after school training each day where my current 2006 Honda Civic is way too small.

          • slowmo on 08/08/2022 - 10:28

            @Richmond Tigers: tbf a civic is not a large car, even it came in that old civic sedan style, it's a little cramp at the back if you have tall kids. A car the size of a camry would be much better suited.

    • Bigboomboom on 08/08/2022 - 09:52

      How big are the adults? If they are not tall then yes it should be alright, put the baby car seat in middle seat. If they are tall then you need bigger vehicle. As in large SUV or even people mover like KIA Carnival.

      One thing with Wagon vs SUV is that even a high riding Subaru Outback is still seating lower than equivalent SUV for example Kluger (Outback is a bigger vehicle than mid size SUV). Do you need the higher seating?

    • mtrkr on 08/08/2022 - 14:29

      This common notion that SUVs have more room than similar station wagons easily shown to be wrong if looking at affordable wagons like Mazda6 or Skoda (for example). Easily fit 2 adults and a child seat in these wagons back seat, and bigger boots than SUVs like CX5 or Sportage etc.

      • shockrave on 08/08/2022 - 16:36
        +1

        Thanks will check out Mazda 6 and the Subaru mentioned a few times here

        Anything else worth checking?

    • dtc on 08/08/2022 - 16:20
      +1

      I have an Impreza, I'm 189cm and my 184cm son can sit behind me and is fine with the roof; but there are some hatches (eg mazda 3) where the rear roofline swoops down early and head height is definitely an issue.

      In terms of fitting a kid seat and two adults in the back seat, it would be hard with an Impreza. But keep in mind that the rear seat 'shoulder room' of the Impreza (the distance door to door) is actually about 20mm more than the CX5 and only 20mm less than the RAV 4. So car size doesnt mean everything - you will need to pay careful attention if you baby seat + 2 is a key feature as a lot of cars wont have that space (eg the outback shoulder room is around 50mm wider than the CX5, which does make a bit of a difference).

      I've almost always had a station wagon (in addition to the hatch) and do like the flexibility of a boot. However a lot of SUVs dont have that much boot space - some do, but a lot have vertical boot space but not much horizontal. So check that out. eg: https://www.whichcar.com.au/car-advice/boot-sizes-of-austral…

      Secondly, day to day you put in a pram and a nappy bag and you dont actually need that much boot space; its true if you are driving to the grandparents and taking a cot and bath and pram and 50 other things then space is needed, but in that case a roof pod is an option. Plus once the kids hit about 4 or 5, you dont need extra boot space other than when you are travelling and taking extra suitcases (in which case, the roof pod works). Hatches do tend to have smaller boot spaces eg the Corolla is ridiculously small; so its not an 'all hatches' are big enough; but some are worth a look

      I'm not against you getting an SUV, they are suitable for many reasons; but they arent the only option that will work. Station wagons (not that there are many!) are just as good if not better; and some of the sedans and even hatches are also worth a look. Just dont get totally focused on an SUV

  • JafferMoney on 08/08/2022 - 11:44
    +1

    Tesla Model Y.

    • Muzeeb on 08/08/2022 - 12:21
      +1

      Why did it take this long for someone to mention the T word?

      • JafferMoney on 08/08/2022 - 12:35

        No idea, should have been the first suggestion.

        • Euphemistic on 08/08/2022 - 13:08

          How much are they? Perhaps outside the OP budget.

  • spackbace on 08/08/2022 - 12:23

    Toyota salesperson here (but different state)…

    If you were prepared to go the CX5, then give the 2.0L RAV4 a good thought. Sure, the hybrid has more power and better economy, but you'd have a 2.0L inside around 6 months

    The Kluger is an option with shorter wait times, though $60k minimum

    Otherwise have a talk to the local dealer about Corolla Cross. Official launch in October, will be stock at launch but hybrid will likely be accounted for already in pre-orders (so 2.0L petrol might be available). Will be plenty big enough for 1 kid and inside budget

    • shockrave on 08/08/2022 - 14:02

      Thanks for that. The sales person did mention the Corolla Cross and showed me an old RAV4 that's about the same size - thought it was a bit small / smaller than the CX5.

      Re stocks, would the 2.0L petrol comment also apply for the Cruiser trim? Was told that Cruiser in any configuration is pretty much 2+ years (both by Toyota Melbourne and Motorscout). Hybrid for $2ish K extra is nice but I am ok with petrol

      • spackbace on 08/08/2022 - 14:08

        Wait time will vary per dealer and per state

        But yes, I'd quote up to 6 months wait for a Cruiser petrol

  • Wooooooo1 on 08/08/2022 - 15:50

    Get a used Lexus NX. Toyota reliability but with luxury features comparable to the European brands like Mercedes, BMW. Also available in hybrid if you're after fuel economy or straight petrol if you want more performance

  • isthisreallife22 on 08/08/2022 - 16:06
    -1

    I am in the same boat (albeit I dont think I like cars to be quite as big as your selection) and have decided on a second hand Volvo XC40 - although I'm hoping 2nd hand prices start to drop in the next 12 months

  • drunkbeetle on 08/08/2022 - 17:40

    In the same boat, ordered a Rav4 Cruiser Hybrid and it has been pushed to 2023 October. Potentially extending into 2024. Another guy who ordered before me from another dealer already got a letter saying expected arrival is March 2024.
    I've been having a look around for mid-size SUV between 40-50k with leather, but there's nothing decent.

    I'll probably get strangled for saying this, but the only option seems to be a Jeep Compass, which is available now and comes with 5 years warranty and 5 years road side assist. What are your general thoughts? I know they aren't the most reliable, however two other people who have 2020 Compasses have no complaints so far…
    I'm thinking it's 'available now' because they aren't very popular for past reliability issues?

    I think I'm going to wait it out till January and if there aren't any decent options with leather, might have to look at a 2023 Jeep Compass.
    Other options with leather interior around that price range usually have 20-80kms on the clock.

    • SBOB on 08/08/2022 - 17:42
      +1

      40-50k with leather

      "Leather"

      If the only 2 options you've found at a RAV4 and a jeep, then I think our vehicle market is in serious trouble

      • drunkbeetle on 08/08/2022 - 17:50

        All other options for that price range either have a long wait period, or high kms.
        I've looked at used rav4s. Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-5, Honda CRV…

        As soon as you look at leather option the price is at 50 - 65k. And used.

        Used Land Rover Discovery Sport was another option, but again, too many kms, heard not to be so reliable after 5 years.
        And not a VW fan.

        • dtc on 09/08/2022 - 15:18

          5th Gen Outback premium

    • spackbace on 08/08/2022 - 17:52

      Bear in mind that you're now getting the upgraded RAV4, with the full digital dash and larger stereo (among a couple of other things)

      • drunkbeetle on 08/08/2022 - 17:54
        +1

        Yeh, for an extra $2,300. But that's fine, I will not be cancelling my order. When we were at the dealer and placing an order (waiting times were 12 months), I actually wanted to order two.

        • spackbace on 08/08/2022 - 17:55

          I certainly wouldn't be buying a Jeep to sell in under 6 months

    • PVA on 08/08/2022 - 18:02

      Renault Koleos Intens. Been updated (I see the tail lights are different to ours that we bought 4 years ago).
      Leathers seats that you want.
      Been super reliable and at the time we got 5 years of free services (fixed price 12 months services).

      • drunkbeetle on 08/08/2022 - 18:23

        Thank you for the suggestion, I'll have a look.

    • Euphemistic on 08/08/2022 - 18:34
      +1

      Any Jeep that isn’t one of the big off road models will suffer at resale time especially compared to the Japanese/Korean equivalents.

  • drunkbeetle on 08/08/2022 - 17:53

    By the way, I'm not cancelling the Rav4. I will still wait for it and sell the Compass, or the VW Polo we have.

  • lainey13 on 08/08/2022 - 20:42
    +1

    Hey I love my CX5. Great for parents of one kid. Drives very nicely and has great features in higher models. Would I recommend two adults and a child seat in the back? Hell no!

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