I'm considering buying 2015 Ssangyong Stavic base model $29k or SPR $32k. Does anyone have first hand experience with the car? Short list also includes iMax series2 diesel $45k just released or Kia Carnival Si $49k. Any ideas on best price our dealers in NSW for Any I'd the the models? Currently only one young baby but drive parents and in laws often. Would like to grow family to 2-3 kids. Will keep car 10 years.
2015 Sangyong Stavic or other options?
QQPenguin on 29/03/2016 - 22:15
Comments
Carnival is the best currently. Otherwise try looking for Isuzu mu-x. I would rather buy a 2nd hand Imax than a Stavic. Plenty on government auctions fro around 20-25k for 3 yr old imax
Until you actually drive a 2-3yo mu-x! Built on the ute platform, basic features. Basically any other SUV will be more fit for purpose!
Hmm buy a big car now for the parents on the occasional trip? There's so many more options if you just look for a car for 2 adults and 2 young kids!
I currently drive a CX7. Our car seat is on the back passenger side. Because it doesn't hug the window side, when you add grandparents in the back it is very tight. We see grandparents once a week. We’d like flexibility to take more adults on weekend trips (or preferably longer road trips) hence looking for people mover. @karnage1020 , we actually are leaning to Stavic or iMax because of size. Looking to transport more adults than children, bigger would suit purpose more. Would future proof car for when kids grow bigger. See many small children climb in and out of Kluger from the back. And family has the older Odyssey. Back row is a joke when you try to put 2 adults there.
No worries. Sounds like you definitely want the bigger sized people mover, in which case, I'd personally go the iMax. But my reasoning, once again, is my concerns over parts and labour costs. I'm in Perth though, and I think there are only 2 or 3 Stavic dealers over here, so I'd be worried about them sticking around for the next 10 years. Things might be different in NSW.
Out of curiosity, have you looked at the Tarago? I assume the cost will be too high, but they weren't too bad when I test drove them.
I think value for money the Kia and Hyundai were on to of my list. I prefer the diesel engines for more torque, petrol engines usually have low torque so uphill feels like a struggle. Yes iMax was probably my preferred especially the new series now with large screen and reverse camera which negates cons of big size. Parts in Sydney should be ok. Kia 7 year warranty gives a lot of peace of mind. Will go test drive soon to make decision. My budget is around 45k good spec Tarago would probably be 55k.
@QQPenguin: Yep, it is hard to top the value of the Kia and Hyundai. They are both considered good manufacturers these days, so you should be happy with either one. Once you test drive them, you'll be in a better position to know what is right for you.
One thing I discovered is that dealers will loan you a car for a day. I was originally taking cars for a 5 minute test drive around the block, which really doesn't give you a good feel for the car. Once I started taking them for a day, and testing them out in real world conditions (fitting carseats, gettting the kids in and out, parking in crowded shopping centre carparks, driving through Macca's drive-thru etc) I started to quickly strike cars off the list.
Best of luck with it all.
Do a search on Ssangyong Guaranty/Warranty issues.Considered a Ssangyong few years back, did an online search and basically crossed them off my list forever. Seems to be bad for Australia,other countries no idea.
I considered a Ssangyong Rexton (4wd). It seemed a good car and was a real bargain (1 year old just over half of the new price). Then I rung around (Brisbane) as if I was looking for parts. One of the big dealers (they are also Ford dealer) was listed as Ssangyong parts. They told me that they do not do Ssangyong any more because it was bad for their reputation. Sometime it took 3 months to get parts! That was the end of Ssangyong for me.
I am thinking of bigger car too. I am currently considering 2014 x-trail or outlander. Maybe you can consider them as well? :)
I was in a similar position to you early last year, and looked at the 2014 model Stavic, the Carnival (older model), Honda Odyssey, Toyota Kluger and the imported Toyota Tarago (Estima).
Was very close to purchasing an Estima, but just couldn't bring myself to buy a grey import car. It's an irrational fear I know, but I just couldn't do it. They are great cars though, so maybe have a wander around and see if any dealers in NSW import them?
The Stavic looked great in terms of price and features, but when I went to the dealership to look at it, the sheer size of it became apparent. For me, it would be too big as an every day car, so based purely off the size, it was crossed off the list.
The Carnival looked cheap and drove poorly. The new model looked brilliant, but it was out of my budget so I didn't test drive it.
The Odyssey was a joke for a family with kids. Once the car seats are in (we have 2 kids), there is no room for anyone else.
Which left the Kluger. Once I test drove it, I fell in love with it. The centre row, middle seat being removable is the best invention ever. We have both car seats in (one on the left, one on the right) and people can walk through the middle to get to the back row. Easy as. The gap between the car seats is perfect too, as it keeps the kids from fighting each other. We found an Altitude model which comes with some nice additions (dvd player in the back, sunroof, bigger wheels etc) and honestly, it is almost the perfect car for a family with small kids. The downside is that there is minimal boot space once the rear seats are in use (still fits the stroller and a couple of bags though) and the rear seats aren't comfortable for adults. They can definitely fit in there, but you wouldn't go on a long road trip.
Our friends all drive Toyota Prado's which are bigger and better, but they were also out of my budget. If your budget suits, that might also be an option for you.
Hope this helps in some way.