I'm in the market for a near-new car. Preferably a wagon with roof racks and some towing capacity - 500kg would do, but preferably a bit more. I don't tow very often. I'm also after good fuel efficiency. The Skodas seem to have good specs for a great price, but there is not a lot of them around second hand.

I meant a stationwagon. Something you can fit a surfboard or fridge in the back off.

Near new. I'll pay whatever it costs, but I'll be looking at the cheaper end.

That one is on my radar. Haven't checked the towing specs yet.

I'm considering those, but am still leaning towards a conventional stationwagon. Cheaper to run I think.

Thanks. I hadn't come across that one yet. 750kg unbraked towing capacity.

I thought Skodas were 'cheap'.

Quote:


I only need one of them.

FD also needs to be a bit more specific. Are we talking 5'5 shortboard and a bar fridge or a 10'0 mal and a French door with ice maker?

freediver wrote on Jun 20^th, 2021 at 10:56am:


I like stationwagons,  suv is a wagon raised a bit ?

https://autoexpert.com.au/videoblog/lemon-list-the-top-20-worst-cars-to-buy-in-2...

A guy called John Cadogan advises on cars.
He has some good info and is a qualified engineer.

One thing he said that appealed to me was along the lines of ' ........... no car is perfect at every task. If it can tow 2500 kgs safely it won't be so good around the shopping mall car parks. 
Work out what you will be doing for 90% of the use of your car, buy one that does that perfectly.'

Just tested a Skoda Fabia wagon. I think that is their bottom of the market model. Bit too small.

Too much depends on your preferences.

Do you need new or newish?
Would an older second hand do?
How often, how much do you tow?
What sort of driving do you do?
Do you have a big family?

And these are just a few

My wife has a Suzuki Ignis,  a small 4 cylinder 1200cc motor
Will sit comfortably on a freeway at 120 all day and get 5 l/ 100k.
But for more than two people, not so good.
I have an Isuzu MUX,   a 4 cylinder 3000cc turbo charged diesel.
Great for up to 7 people, eats miles and can tow 3ton.
But it's big and heavy and gets around 8l/100 k
Need it for towing things, boats, caravans etc, but a a commute car, not all that great.

I also have my run around, a 1999 Toyota echo.
1.5 litre, 4 cylinder, bit of a bomb, but mechanically great, I make sure of that.
Body work is a mess, paint peeling ( as all Toyotas do) and a few pre purchase dents.
But for 2000 bucks, it's a great run around and about 6l/ 100k.
Can tow up to 750kg and does so reasonably regularly.

All three cars have different roles
All three cars are great at those roles.

Think carefully
Do you need the latest model, it will depreciate very quickly.
Or is an older model better suited for your purpose.

station wagons have sort of been yaken over by SUVs

depends how long you want to keep it.

if you want a car for a long time that has boot space and you can chuck a mal on the roof,  a D max , a honda HRV , a mazda cx7 , a pajero sports all good vehicles.

i'd go a hyundai over a kia.

you want something where there a re a lot of units on the road as then parts are cheap and mechanics know how to work on them

so, for that reason, i would not touch a skoda

saw an Hyundai i40 station wagon today ... I didn't realise they made them as station wagons. Looked nice. Might be worth a look for FD.

Johnnie wrote on Jun 22^nd, 2021 at 8:22pm:


Lurveley.

You can sleep in the back of a falcon wagon

Test drove an Outlander today. Great car for only $30k. I'm going to test out a Skoda Octavia and a Haval H2 before deciding.

freediver wrote on Jun 26^th, 2021 at 5:36pm:


What did you think about the CVT?
With the H2, make sure you factor in the depreciation because you'll get killed when you eventually sell it.

freediver wrote on Jun 26^th, 2021 at 5:51pm:


I drove CVTs in the Outlander, 2WD Rav and Forester.
The Rav was poxy, the Mitsu felt ok but just kind of soulless. The Subaru CVT simulates the gear change points, kind of weird.

porche ceyenne.
the water pump is  run off the timing belt inside the engine.

you have to pull out the radiator and pull out the engine to change the water pump.

cost, maybe 2 grand .

you own a falcon ute and you can buy a water pump at a wreckers for 40 bucks and do it yourself in 30 minutes.

open the bonnett and chuck it at the engine and it will probably fall into place.

and DONT buy a cvt transmission

Gordon wrote on Jun 26^th, 2021 at 7:57pm:


To me, a 10 year warranty speaks volumes.
It speaks of the confidence Mitsi has in the whole car.

hah - uses a cayenne as a work car !!
Well done.

Sprintcyclist wrote on Jun 26^th, 2021 at 8:24pm:


An old one...

If you want a station wagon, Skoda is the only one left.  It's much better than holden and ford station wagons. Once it's out of warranty  or even before that - generic VW/Audi/Skoda parts are available.  Roadside assistance is nationwide.

I asked a dealer, 'who buys Skodas?'
She said, ' Educated, done their research, want value'.

Skoda Octavia 110TSI manual sedan
Three-year resale value: 43 percent.
Original RRP: $25,890.
Three-year estimate: $11,132.

Toyota Corolla: There is a high demand in Australia for new and used Corollas. The steady demand and the vehicle's reliability contribute to its minimal depreciation of 27% – 36% after three years.

so the skoda drops 57 % and the corolla drops 30 %.

rhino, i simply cannot accept anymore white flags.

your previous claim that used BMW's are a good investment 



BMW 520i

Three-year resale value: 36 percent
Original RRP: $90,990
Three-year estimate: $32,756
Few other cars are as wince-inducing to watch come down in price than luxury cars, and the BMW 520i is a perfect example of that. Starting at a lofty near-$100k price, after a mere three years of ownership you can expect a BMW 520i to only be worth 36 percent of what it was new.








https://www.whichcar.com.au/car-advice/which-cars-depreciate-the-most

Is the Mitsubishi 10 year diamond advantage thing worth it? I have a fairly cheap local mechanic who tells me how to save money - eg replaced a gearbox for a total cost of only a few hundred dollars by sending me to the wreckers. The new OEM deal would have cost $2000. The Mitsubishi dealership where they would service it is only about 10 minutes drive away.

Also, is it worth trying to salary sacrifice a vehicle? This example given by the ATO here suggests you would end up worse off:

https://www.ato.gov.au/general/fringe-benefits-tax-(fbt)/in-detail/employees/salary-sacrifice-arrangements-for-employees/

The advice I can find online is mostly novated lease companies spruiking it but not giving a clear answer on the financials. Moneymag has an article saying it is not really with it, with a lot of people trashing the article in the comments.

www.carsguide.com.au - pricing and specs                                                            
https://www.carsguide.com.au/simple-search                                                            
https://www.autotrader.com.au/mazda/cx-3/towing-capacity/2019                                                            
                                                           
                 $k lowest      engine size L      fuel      L/100km            dim HLW      Braked towing capacity kg – in complete guide, also under dimensions      Unbraked – google it
2007      Holden Viva      stationwagon      2      1.8      ULP regular      7.4      Manual 5 speed      1.4X4.6X1.7      1200      610
2021      skoda fabia 70 TSI      stationwagon      19      1      PULP      4.5      Manual 5 speed      1.5X4.3X1.7      1000      550
2021      skoda Octavia 110 TSI ambition      stationwagon      32      1.4      PULP      5.9      Auto 8 speed      1.5X4.7X1.8      1500      670
2021      volkswagon golf 110 TSI trendline      stationwagon      29      1.4      PULP      5.6      Auto 7 speed      1.5X4.6X1.8      1500      640
2021      volkwagon passat 140TSI business      stationwagon      49      2      PULP      6.6      Auto 7 speed      1.5X4.8X1.8      1800      750
2021      Peugot 308 Alluire Touring      stationwagon      32      1.2      ULP regular      5      Manual 6 speed      1.5X4.6X1.9      1200      690
2021      Mazda 6 GT      stationwagon      47      2.5      ULP regular      7.6      Auto 6 speed      1.5X4.8X1.8      1500      550
2021      Mazda CX-3 Akari      stationwagon fwd      34      2      ULP regular      6.6      Manual 6 speed      1.5X4.3X1.8      1200      640
2020      Subaru levorg GT awd      stationwagon      37      1.6      PULP      7.4      CVT Auto      1.5X4.7X1.8      800      750
2020      Subaru levorg GT awd      stationwagon      50      2                              1500      750
2021      Ford Mondeo      stationwagon      39      2      Diesel      5.3      Auto 6 speed      1.5X4.9X1.8      1600      750
2021      Renault Captur Life      stationwagon      29      1.3      PULP      6.6      Auto 7 speed      1.6X4.2X1.8      1200      625 for 2020
2021      Kia Stonic S      stationwagon      21      1.4      ULP regular      6      Manual 6 speed      1.5X4.1X1.8      1000      450?
2021      Ford Focus ST-Line      stationwagon      31      1.5      ULP regular      6.4      Auto 8 speed      1.5X4.7X1.8      1200      750
2020      Holden Commodore LT      stationwagon      23      2      PULP      7.7      Auto 9 speed      1.5X5.0X1.9      1800      750
2019      Hyundai i40 Active Tourer      stationwagon      19      2      ULP regular      7.5      Auto 6 speed      1.5X4.8X1.8      1500      750
2021      Toyota Prius V Hybrid      stationwagon      35      2      ULP regular      4.4      Auto CVT      1.6X4.6X1.8      725      725
                                                           
2021      Mitsubishi Outlander ES      SUV 2WD      30      2      ULP regular      7      Manual 5 speed      1.7X4.7X1.8      1600      735
2021      Mitsubishi Outlander      SUV AWD      35      2.4      ULP regular      7.2      Auto CVT      1.7X4.7X1.8      1600      750
2021      Mitsubishi ASX ES      SUV 2wd      24      2      ULP regular      7.7      Manual 5 speed      1.6X4.4X1.8      1300      750
2021      Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross ES      SUV 2wd      30      1.5      ULP regular      7.3      Auto CVT      1.7X4.5X1.8      1600      750
2021      Hyundai Kona Active      SUV fwd      26      2      ULP regular      7.2      Auto 6 speed      1.6X4.2X1.8      1300      600
2021      Hyundai Tucson Active      SUV 2WD      30      2      ULP regular      7.8      Manual 6 speed      1.7X4.5X1.9      1600      750
2021      Honda HR-V Vti      SUV ?      27      1.8      ULP regular      6.6      Auto CVT      1.6X4.3X1.8      800      500
2021      Honda CR-V VI      SUV 2WD      31      2      ULP regular      7.6      Auto CVT      1.7X4.6X1.9      1500      600
2021      Mazda CX-3 Akari      SUV FWD      34      2      ULP regular      6.6      Manual 6 speed      1.5X4.3X1.8      1200      640
2021      Mazda CX30 G20 Pure      SUV fwd      30      2      ULP regular      6.5      Auto 6 speed      1.5X4.4X1.8      1200      600
2021      Nissan Juke JT      SUV ?      28      1      PULP      5.8      Auto 7 speed      1.6X4.2X1.8      1250      639-732
2016      Nissan Murano ST      SUV ?      17      3.5      ULP regular      10.9      Auto CVT      1.7X4.9X1.9      1500      750
2021      Nissan Qashqai ST      SUV ?      29      2      ULP regular      7.7      Manual 6 speed      1.6X4.4X1.8      1200      720
2021      Nissan Xtrail ST      SUV      31      2      ULP regular      8.2      Manual 6 speed      1.7X4.7X1.8      1500      750
2021      Peugot 2008 Allure      SUV ?      35      1.2      PULP      6.1      Auto 6 speed      1.6X4.3X1.8      1200      690?
2021      Haval H2 Premium      SUV 2WD      20      1.5      PULP      8.2      Manual 6 speed      1.7X4.3X1.8      1200      750
2021      Haval H6 Premium      SUV      28      2      PULP      9.8      Auto 6 speed      1.7X4.5X1.8      2000      750
2018      Haval H8 Premium      SUV 4X2      22      2      PULP      12.7      Auto 6 speed      1.8X4.8X2.0      0?      
2021      Haval Jolion Lux LE      SUV      28                                    1500      710
2020      Holden Trax      SUV ?      23      1.4      ULP regular      6.7      Auto 6 speed      1.7X4.2X1.8      1200      500
2019      Holden Captiva 5 LS      SUV fwd            2.2      Diesel      8.2      Auto 6 speed      1.7X4.7X1.8      1500      750
2020      Holden Equinox LT      SUV fwd      20      1.5      ULP regular      6.9      Auto 6 speed      1.7X4.7X1.8      1500      750
2021      Fiat 500X Pop      SUV      25      1.4      PULP      6      Manual 6 speed      1.6X4.2X1.8      1200      600
2020      Ford Ecosport      SUV ?      ?                                    900      750
2021      Ford Escape      SUV fwd      36      2      PULP      8.6      Auto 8 speed      1.7X4.6X1.9      1800      750
2021      MG ZS Excite      SUV?      21      1.5      ULP regular      7.1      Auto 4 speed      1.6X4.3X?      500      500
2020      MG GS Core      SUV      21      1.5      PULP      7.4      Auto 7 speed      1.7X4.5X1.9      ?      
2021      MG HS Core      SUV ?      29      1.5      ULP regular      7.3      Auto 7 speed      1.7X4.6X?      1750      750
2021      Suzuki Vitara      SUV?      25      1.6      ULP regular      5.8      Manual 5 speed      1.6X4.2X1.8      1200      400
2019      Suzuki Grand Vitara      SUV?      16      2.4      ULP regular      8.8      Manual 5 speed      1.7X4.1X1.8      1600      550
                                                     1850      750
2021      Suzuki Ignis      SUV?      19      1.2      PULP      4.7      Manual 5 speed      1.6X3.7X1.7      800      350
2021      Suzuki Jimmy GLX QLD      SUV ?      28      1.5      ULP regular      6.9      Manual 5 speed      1.7X3.5X1.6      1300      350
2021      Suzuki S-Cross Turbo GL+ QLD      SUV ?      30      1.4      PULP      5.9      Auto 6 speed      1.6X4.3X1.8      1200      400
2021      Skoda Kamiq 85 TSI      SUV ?      27      1      PULP      5.1      Manual 6 speed      1.5X4.2X1.8      1200      620
2021      Skoda Karoq 110TSI      SUV ?      35      1.4      ULP regular      6.6      Auto 8 speed      1.6X4.4X1.8      1500      690?
2021      VW T-Cross      SUV ?      28      1      PULP      5.4      Auto 7 speed      1.6X4.1X1.8      1100      620
2021      VW Golf Alltrack      SUV      37      1.8      PULP      6.8      Manual 6 speed      1.5X4.6X1.8      1500      750
2021      VW Tiguan 110 TSI trendline      SUV ?      35      1.4      PULP      7.1      Auto 6 speed      1.7X4.5X1.8      1800      750
2021      Kia Seltos S      SUV fwd      27      2      ULP regular      6.8      Auto CVT      1.6X4.4X1.8      1100      600
2021      Kia Sportage S      SUV fwd      31      2      ULP regular      7.9      Auto 6 speed      1.6X4.5X1.9      1600      750
2021      Subaru Forester      SUV awd      35      2.5      ULP regular      7.4      Auto CVT      1.7X4.6X1.8      1800      750
2021      Subaru Outback 2.5I Vision      SUV ?      39      2.5      ULP regular      7.3      Auto CVT      1.7X4.8X1.8      1500      750
2021      Subaru XV      SUV awd      30      2      PULP      7      Auto CVT      1.6X4.5X1.8      1400      650
2021      Honda CR-V      SUV ?      31      2      ULP regular      7.6      Auto CVT      1.7X4.6X1.9      1500      600
2021      Jeep Cherokee Sport      SUV 4X2      38      2.4      ULP regular      8.5      Auto 9 speed      1.7X4.7X1.9      1500      750
2021

There isn't a single Kia product I would purchase. Nissan has gone to ʇᴉɥs. Honda isn't what it used to be.  I like Subaru but they are a bit overpriced.

Something one has to take into consideration these days but many don't until it is too late is the tire size - sizes have gotten so damn big in the USA on pickups and SUVs so the replacement tires are very, very pricey.

Oh - mazdas are very good

aquascoot wrote on Jun 27^th, 2021 at 1:41pm:


I looked into a novated lease a few years ago.
It did not appeal to me.

Sprintcyclist wrote on Jun 27^th, 2021 at 7:45pm:


Tyres, they are a trap for the unwary,

I purchased a beautiful Valkyrie motorcycle quite a few years ago.
Magnificent machine
1500cc 6 cylinders 0 to 60 in a smidgen over 3 seconds.

But the tyres.....ouch.
I had a choice of two when I bought the beast.
And just before I sold it I had a choice of 4.

All at over $500.00 a tyre

But the bike was the greatest.

freediver wrote on Jun 27^th, 2021 at 10:17am:
The salary sacrifice on a vehicle is a trap, stay away from it. I know quite a number of people who have done it and all regret it, the only time leasing a car makes sense in my opinion  is if you are using it as a 100 percent business deduction.

aquascoot wrote on Jun 27^th, 2021 at 5:55am:
I never claimed a BMW was a good investment, get yourself checked, I keep telling you. Catch it now and theres treatment.

Happy wife, happy life.

rhino wrote on Jun 27^th, 2021 at 9:34pm:



Like when you claimed many BMWs will do 500000 km

freediver wrote on Jun 27^th, 2021 at 9:17pm:


I liked it on paper, not really keen on the look but that wasn't a deal breaker. I just didn't like the CVT. This was for wife's car which she hardly drives because she strolls to the ferry to get to work. 

Each to their own, a mate of mine has a Pajero Evo and bought his wife an Outlander and he doesn't mind it

Sprintcyclist wrote on Jun 27^th, 2021 at 8:52pm:


It truly was a beautiful machine.
I had it for 11 years and it looked as new the whole time.
Was not cheap on petrol though, it ate up fuel at 32 MPG 40 if you took it easy (but that's not what a bike is for)
With 6 carburetors, one for each cylinder, I guess that's to be expected
Id probably still have it had I not developed Vertigo (which comes and goes)
Id hate to throw that beast down the road because I lost my balance one day.

The motor was a 6 cylinder horizontally opposed boxster engine, so smooth you could barely know it running.
And no vibration at all while riding.

Of course anything can be kept going for ever but eventually the curve of cost and practicality starts to bite.

Some cars will go longer with less major intervention and others may be described as the Ship of Theseus

Gordon wrote on Jun 28^th, 2021 at 9:39am:



Yes I guess, but is it really worth forking out $40,000.00 for a new car when a $2,000.00 car will do the same job?
Even if you have to spend maybe $5,000.00 in repairs over its lifetime?

I have a near new Isuzu MUX (new when I bought it two years ago)
My wife has a near new Ignis (bought new 3 years ago)

Together these two cars cost us nearly $63,000.00.

My Echo cost me $2,000.00 and in the 12 months Ive had it has cost me the grand sum of $230.00 for oil changes, new sway bar bushes  and new brakes I fitted.

Yet we use the Echo quite a bit, we dont worry about people banging doors into the paintwork or scratching it.
Its just a bomb and thats how we use it.

The MUX is for towing and long trips, the Ignis for cheap reliable short trips.

But the echo does all we need for a fraction of the cost.

Gordon wrote on Jun 28^th, 2021 at 10:07am:


Yes, but the bike was an absolute MUST HAVE.

I saw it, I loved it, I bought it.

My wife called it my midlife crisis bike.
But I loved that bike.

It went to a good home though.

Valkie wrote on Jun 28^th, 2021 at 3:56pm:


Beautiful.
That is living

Valkie wrote on Jun 28^th, 2021 at 9:27am:


Was it like flying ?

I love good engineering and smooth running machines

https://www.caradvice.com.au/915943/lada-niva-theres-a-new-one/

freediver wrote on Jun 28^th, 2021 at 9:52pm:


Yes, I would think so too

The Mazdas are a bit more expensive, and smaller, with less towing capacity.

I just got told the manual Outlander and Xtrail might be discontinued. I won't even know what I can order until late in the year. So that's the two main things I wanted - a stationwagon and a manual - off the market. Everything is getting replaced by automatic SUVs.

freediver wrote on Jul 3^rd, 2021 at 5:34pm:


oooooooohhhhhh, manuals are rare.
That is a toughie.

aquascoot wrote on Jul 3^rd, 2021 at 5:58pm:


You talking about Bobby?

Sprintcyclist wrote on Jul 3^rd, 2021 at 6:07pm:


How much would we get for Bobby?

Here ya go FD, may blow the budget after you import and convert to RHD, but it has night vision.

UnSubRocky wrote on Jul 10^th, 2021 at 5:04pm:


A better question would be to ask why it smells like that in the first place. Without resolving that, any remedial action is pointless.

UnSubRocky wrote on Jul 10^th, 2021 at 5:04pm:


Can you smell the mouldy odours when you are out of the car too? 

UnSubRocky wrote on Jul 10^th, 2021 at 5:04pm:


If your car has a cabin air filter you need to replace it.

Modern cars have cabin air filters the one in my Lancer was really good when we had all that bushfire smoke it filtered it out.

Sprintcyclist wrote on Jul 10^th, 2021 at 8:08pm:


A 5 minute job to replace in the Lancer have to take glove box out.

Buy the filter from Supercheap or Repco much cheaper than from a dealer. Mitsubishi wanted $65 Repco had them for $24

UnSubRocky wrote on Jul 11^th, 2021 at 11:38am:


Might just be from an extended wet period with it being closed up .

Houses get like that.

It was the milk. You might have some nice carpet cheese by now.

Gordon wrote on Jul 10^th, 2021 at 5:44pm:


No. That would be my father with that problem. I have a habit of putting Vicks Vaporub on my feet every week, to make sure that my feet avoid having a fungal issue.

Mice like getting into vehicles as well

Sprintcyclist wrote on Jul 14^th, 2021 at 11:49pm:


I bought some Meguair Car Refresher. I used that on Sunday night spraying that through the car and running the recycled air conditioning for 15 minutes. I got the car stopped and shut it up for the night and the next day -- even though the can instruction say to air out the car overnight. I used the car for the first time on Tuesday and the car smelled like Glen 20. Wednesday night, I drove around for an hour before the game. The smell was still relatively strong, but not overwhelming. It will take a week before I can get an idea if the smell was from the airconditioning, or from something else in the car.