decisions decisions

[Tonz]

Looking at where my family is heading.
The wifes '04 Subaru is getting very long and tired, I was going to sell my Falcon ute and get a cheap Rodeo ute but now decided to keep the Falcon

So what do I start looking at...requirements.
5 seater, auto, prefer station wagon/smallish SUV, capable on long distance cruising, also occasional trailer towing.

Was thinking of a Terri but some comments here have put me off.. so suggestions.
I promise no one will be held libel for biased opinions

[Tonz]

budget $20K

[Citroënbender]

Trailer - tip runs, mini digger, horses, what?

Is the Scooby a wagon?

[Tonz]

Scooby yes 2l outback towed some loads that you dont need to know about, just big heavy loads.
trailer usually nothing heavy now that (at present) I keep the Falcon ute.

[Citroënbender]

So, in your mind the replacement would be similar size to the Outback, just taller per typical SUV-lite?

The Subi XV is something of an orphan, getting cheaper now. Would that come close, as it’s from the same stable?

Also - any fuel preference - piesel or dettol?

[Franco Cozzo]

SZ Territory

[Tonz]

i think petrol, but only as they are (supposedly) cheaper to run and maintain.
Ive been mulling this over for some time but not really knowing whats out there has been the stumbling block.
SZ11 yes like them.

[Citroënbender]

Pug version of the Outlander can be good value if you get one with the engine light on.

Another orphan, the Freemont, can be good buying.

[Tonz]

Pug Outlander ? huh
Freemont what...

I am out of touch.

[Citroënbender]

Fiat Freemont = unloved re-badged Dodge Journey. Quite nice interior finishes.

Pug 4007 = Mitsubishi Outlander, came with odd front styling and either Mitsu petrol engines or a durable Pug diesel.

[Tonz]

Dodge

Mitsi would have to be an acquired taste

[frankie86]

MD Mondeo ambiente ecoboost wagon for them dollars.
Thank me later �� ��

[BENT_8]

Rav4?

[fordomatic]

A cheap car that won't stop and needs barely any maintenance, I vote an Outlander.

Sold my 2010 ZH 4x4 with 260,000km, all i changed in that time was the rear shocks and a clock spring. From 130,000km all i serviced was the oil, oil filter and air filter every 15,000km. It literally never let us down once. I had a full safety check done at 250k and they found nothing wrong. They just keep going.

I've since bought an SYii Territory because we needed a bigger car but the Terri has nothing on the Outlander for reliability and cheap to run.

Terri will suck the juice and also requires a fair amount on maintenance items to be fixed.

My BIL also has one, its at 290k now, with not a single issue in that time either.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Fiat Freemont = unloved re-badged Dodge Journey. Quite nice interior finishes.

Pug 4007 = Mitsubishi Outlander, came with odd front styling and either Mitsu petrol engines or a durable Pug diesel.

A second hand Dodge Journey is probably the most unreliable car you could possibly suggest.

[hackney]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

A second hand Dodge Journey is probably the most unreliable car you could possibly suggest.

And a very ‘short’ journey @ that!

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

A second hand Dodge Journey is probably the most unreliable car you could possibly suggest.

Don't stop, belieeeeeeeeeving!

Alright, I'll get me coat

[Citroënbender]

Captiva, $20K will get you a runner plus half a dozen parts cars.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Captiva, $20K will get you a runner plus half a dozen parts cars.

You'll need every single one of those parts cars too

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by fordomatic

I've since bought an SYii Territory because we needed a bigger car but the Terri has nothing on the Outlander for reliability and cheap to run.

Terri will suck the juice and also requires a fair amount on maintenance items to be fixed.

My thoughts with the Territory, while they're fragile for anything steering/suspension, its easy to work on, parts are cheap and easy to get a hold of, everyone knows how to fix them and the FG Barra is solid.

If they're just using it for trips to the big smoke on the highway, the unleaded one won't use too much fuel and there's nothing for that $20K mark that is that comfortable and goes that well.

If they're using it for short trips around town then bring the silicone based lube

Depends how fussy people are with minor mechanical issues, any 10 year old car is going to have worn rubber components, have minor oil leaks and all that jazz.

There's a bunch of SZ Territory for sale in SA at the moment with low kilometers under $20K, well within OP's budget.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...20798576/?Cr=2

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...12367827/?Cr=3

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...20790297/?Cr=0

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...20520321/?Cr=1

MD Mondeo Ambiente wagon in here was a good Ford suggestion as well:

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...20036472/?Cr=3

Ecoboost has the torque converter auto, not the DSG.

I'm not sure if the povvo spec screen craps out like the SYNC one does when you disconnect the battery but thats another thing to be weary with on a Territory aside from its fragile steering/suspension components.

[Tassie f100]

Maybe a 2WD Ranger Hi rider supercab with a tray (or tub and canopy.quite nice to drive 2.2 ltr very economical(8l/100).tow a couple of tonnes or carryy best part of a tonne

[Tonz]

Appreciate help there have been some interesting ones pop up.

I could easily have the Mondeos, to me they are simply a bloody nice car.
Outlander, I hadnt even thought of, while not the nicest one in the car park, comments here about reliability add big points, but getting her in one ???
She would not drive a ute. hmmmm
Terries I like also, but uncared for ones sound like trouble makers
Dodge(y) & Captiva you can park where the sun dont shine.

[Hulsty]

My only experience in that segment is my wifes Rav4 and we are very happy with it. Its the 2.5L AWD, so has 132kw, proper 6spd auto and 1500kg towing capacity. Drives well, plenty of punch on the hwy and rock solid reliable. Compared to other cars we looked at in the segment at the time, they were CVT gearboxes, smaller engines and/or drum brake rears.

[Tonz]

Originally Posted by Hulsty

My only experience in that segment is my wifes Rav4 and we are very happy with it. Its the 2.5L AWD, so has 132kw, proper 6spd auto and 1500kg towing capacity. Drives well, plenty of punch on the hwy and rock solid reliable. Compared to other cars we looked at in the segment at the time, they were CVT gearboxes, smaller engines and/or drum brake rears.

what year range are you talking about,

[minheim]

Mondeo wagon does sound a good option as does an outlander. What about a 2 litre ecoboost escape; under-rated, nice handling, power and reliability. The 1.5 ecoboost version is also available and cheaper than the larger engine. The ecoboost escapes also have a nice torque converter auto and not the dct used in diesels.

[BENT_8]

Like this..

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/torr...uto/1299092676

[Tonz]

Why is it most vehicles look so much like the opposition, and the back ends look like a disorganised committee decision.

At present on looks alone I am leaning to the
Mitsi Outlander and Ford Mondeo Ambiente MD Auto both very different but could be swayed by a Rav

[383hq]

I faced a very similar decision
After cancelling a 4wd order, I narrowed it down to a S/H mondeo or a Subaru Outback.
Given the current environment of inflation and high (historically speaking) prices of 3-10 year old cars, I ended up with the Outback. I spent a few months with an eye on the market.

I too am keeping the falcon. I actually think its a better highway car then the outback, but I'm biased.

Regarding loads - anything like this?

[Citroënbender]

Originally Posted by Tonz

At present on looks alone I am leaning to the
Mitsi Outlander and Ford Mondeo Ambiente MD Auto both very different but could be swayed by a Rav

Like I said, the Pug branded Outlander can benefit if you’re not troubled buying an orphan. The PSA donk is easy to maintain and the engine light fault a good bargaining chip if present (less than two hours to fix, no parts required). Look at the economy Blue Bear gets with his PSA diesel.

[Tonz]

semi related question....with warranties and such, living >800K from Adelaide
If I was buying from Adelaide or god forbid interstate, and a good report was given by one of you learned gentlemen and or RAA is the warranty worth it or could I haggle cheaper price .