Anything Similar to a Mitsubishi Airtrek?

Chewie on 23/05/2017 - 11:15

Hi all, just a general question.

Back in 2005, I had a 1997 Toyota Supra MKIV (non-turbo) which I bought for $18K with ~54,000km.

Then in 2014, I traded the Supra in and bought a 2003 Mitsubishi Airtrek Turbo R for $7.5K after trade-in with ~48,000km.

In both instances, I bought the car from a grey import dealer, and have been quite happy with the cars (previous cars were a 1987 Toyota Avante, then 1999 Toyota Camry, and then a 1999 Mitsubish Magna). I prefer to buy from dealers because I can do trade-ins and I've done a private sale once and it was a pain in the butt (I know one doesn't get more value this way versus a private sale).

Both the Supra and Airtrek have similar acceleration (6.9 seconds 0-100km/h on paper) and power (~168kw), but the Supra was a RWD and the Airtrek is a AWD. I bought the Airtrek because I needed more space in the boot to carry around props, portable lighting, puppets, etc. I'm starting to get into more outdoorsy things now, so keen to have the same space. BUT the parking I have in my residence is quite tight, so both width and length (~4.5m) of the car are one of the many constraints.

Now I'm looking to change cars again, but trying to keep the budget down below $20K as much as I can. I'm finding that grey imports tend to be cheaper (most likely cheaper again in 2018 when the import duty changes), and I like the idea of having my daily driver with a bit of grunt if I ever need it.

Does anyone have a suggestion of what I should be looking for which is around (preferably less than) $20k, <60,000km, younger than 2009, similar grunt and good boot space (not like the Supra's shelf boot)?

Automotive

Comments

Euphemistic on 23/05/2017 - 11:37

+1

V8 Commodore wagon?
- Chewie on 23/05/2017 - 15:35
  
  The length is too long
[Deactivated] on 23/05/2017 - 12:03

-1

VW Golf GTI MK5/6.
- Chewie on 23/05/2017 - 15:38
  
  Trying to stay away from European cars due to servicing costs, and I thought VW had some gear issues…? Can't remember in detail though
k-rokfm on 23/05/2017 - 12:15

Subaru WRX wagon / outback / forester?
- Chewie on 23/05/2017 - 15:36
  
  For the Forrester, I'll have to up the budget you $25k at least
Scrooge McDuck on 23/05/2017 - 12:42

Toyota Caldina
Mitsubishi Legnum
Nissan Stagea
- tonyjzx on 23/05/2017 - 16:19
  
  the newer stageas are close in that they are jacked up but expect appalling fuel economy and they are big cars too
  
  unfortuntately no one is really making turbo CUVs
  
  nissan used to make the Xtrail GT but not any more?
Chewie on 23/05/2017 - 13:01

Thanks, all.

The Jap import wagons mentioned as well as the Holden are too long.

Not sure on the boot space for the VW…?
spackbace on 23/05/2017 - 14:50

Turbo Forrester

And I'm a Mitsubishi guy and I'd never heard of the Airtrek… Holy hell that's an ugly car! Give me a Legnum any day of the week over that thing!
- Chewie on 23/05/2017 - 15:34
  
  haha yeah, the look of the car has to grow on you.
  
  But its less than sleek look makes it a better sleeper car ;)
justaperson on 24/05/2017 - 10:30

Check out the Nissan Skyline Crossover, you can get it much cheaper than the cheapest ones for sale if you go through an importer rather than purchasing something that is dealer-in-stock. Being a light car, the 3.7 VQ engine actually gets pretty good fuel economy and 0-100 is achieved in 5.2 seconds. Great cars but they're in quite a niche market here in Australia.
- Chewie on 26/05/2017 - 21:21
  
  Yeah, I was thinking of that. I think locally they're selling it in the high $30Ks though.
  - justaperson on 26/05/2017 - 23:10
    
    09/10 models are in the low 20s at dealers, which you could probably get under that with a bit of negotiation or even cheaper if you wait 8 weeks and order one from Japan at an importer. You could even buy privately but then you're left with no trade-in option.

Anything Similar to a Mitsubishi Airtrek?

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