Looking for suggestions to replace my trusty one tonner cab chassis ute.
Have two new grand kids so need to transport them plus "accessories".
I have a budget of 15k so thinking of a wagon or 2wd dual cab,no diesels.
For the Toyota buffs,the corolla wagon is too small and Camry wagons are now extinct
Replacement Motor Vehicle. Grandkids Have Arrived
abear on 14/01/2020 - 16:06
Comments
the new "Forrester Ultimate Customised Kit Special" edition
Grandkids' parents already bought that model :D
So is it just for you and 2 small kids or will there be others traveling?
Crewman tonner.
Hard to find with low ks and not abused as a work ute. Some Vzs had timing chain issues
4 of us mostly. Thought about a Liberty wagon or Outback but head gasket issues in some models up to 2012 A dual cab would have to have a canopy
Any dual cab in that price range won't have child anchor points behind the seats, you'd need to get them installed.
What's wrong with a Commodore wagon? VE or similar
Actually, surprisingly enough if OP wants V6, a VF wagon is achievable within budget with moderate kms
Yeah, I would go a VF wagon over a Camry wagon. Should be able to find a decedent one out there for the budget price.
I've had liberties, Camry's and currently have my second Forester. I would get a sportswagon next if I ever felt I wanted to depart from my beloved Forrie. Or even a WRX hatch… meh depends how I'm feeling and the availability of manual lol.
After all the issues with the VZ,I haven't looked at Commodores.Do the VE have their own set of gremlins?
Please reply to appropriate thread to make this easier for everyone. Cheers
You can actually get a VF Wagon in your budget with moderate kms. Has a lot more features than VE did
Only issues I remember from VE was sagging roof lining, constantly loose handbrakes and clear coat fading
Should be able to look around the usual forums. Pretty sure the engine/gearbox etc was pretty solid
VF got the remote start (awesome feature for the a/c), f+r sensors, BSM, self-parking etc
Go for SV6 for the nice things (not evoke) (just pump the budget a smidge, or negotiate)
Geez. They depreciated quickly. A lot of reasons why I guess.
Not really, 7yo car for $17k+, sold new for around $45k or so. Then ex-GM cars brought the price down, then ex-rental/fleet brought it down a lot more. Would see 1yo ex-rentals for low-30s
I prefer the VE look but the VF comes feature packed for sure. Either way both are pretty solid.
Thanks.I'll have a read on the forums.Ant thoughts on the Mazda6 wagon? Better fuel economy
Not as big, smaller engine, servicing might be more expensive at this point in it's life. I'm not a mechanic however, will leave that for "brandanm" to comment on ;)
Also looks like you only get a 2013 or less model if you want a Mazda 6.
So same year range as the Commo, but the Commo is bigger. Mazda 6 could be had in GT form though which gets moreComparison here - interesting that the 6 was more expensive new, but Redbook reckons the SV6 is worth more now.
SV6 gets BSM and rear cross traffic, 6 doesn't but gets more nice thingsBut I just like the Commo wagons lol used to sell them, and I liked driving them. Comfortable to drive, have the power, and remote-start is handy in summer
Only issues I remember from VE was sagging roof lining, constantly loose handbrakes and clear coat fading
*cough* timing chain stretch in the early VE V6 *cough*
After having a VE SV6 ute as a work vehicle
sagging roof lining: Can confirm
constantly loose handbrakes: Can confirm. I swear the hand brake cable is made out of elastic.
clear coat: Never had an issue, but I kept mine super clean and under cover.VE & BA roof lining - It's like no one knew how to glue roof lining back then lol
@spackbace: One of the local trimmers here has a stock of VE and Falcon head linings as service exchange units because of how many he does in a week.
The Australian glue shortage of 2009…
first 3 or so years in ve, the v6 is the same dud motor as the vz (timing chains, expensive issues), then they improved i think late 09 or 10. but the vf is miles in front of the ve for features. i am not sure how much difference between s1 and s2 in a vf in these models, i know in the redline there were some big improvements between s1 and s2, not that you will be in the market for a redline but some real improvements between the two versions.
Series 2 was mainly cosmetic for the V6s, the V8s got the 6.2
Thanks for clarifying that farknos.I had read about VE issues so the VF s1 &s2 should be Ok.No clearcoat problems?
Have you considered just swapping cars when the grandkids are dropped off or you go to pick them up? Saves buying a new car.
My old ute wouldn't work with my daughters!
Manual?
No! Just imagine all the mean comments on their socials if their friends spotted them in an old ute.
Have you considered just swapping cars
Please stop applying logic. Forums will be dead if this behavior continues.
My SIL does just that. She hands over the keys to her Mazda cx-9 , with the 2 kids and the dog in there, and drives off in Nana's Z4 beemer.
how about making the kids stand in the back of the ute like dogs do?
We're not monsters! At least give those kids little plastic chairs to sit on. 😛
Still happens on Norfolk Island
Camry
Do you really need to transport them?
Won't your daughter be bringing them to you, and taking them home again when she leaves?and what if they want to take them somewhere eg the shops/park/beach
They they use the children's mother's car - because they are not a daycare?
because they are not a daycare?
No they're not, they're grandparents who want to spend quality time with their grandkids.
@Almost Banned: Not unless they swap cars
What's wrong with OP wanting a new car, and for it to suit a different purpose? Are people not allowed to buy things if you don't think they should?
@spackbace: That was quick.
How do you know they can't have quality time now? How close are you to OP?
There's nothing wrong with them wanting a new car, or wanting to transport their Granchildren.
Equally there is nothing wrong with me querying whether it is really necessary, how often it would be required, and whether there are other options.
And who are you to say otherwise?@Almost Banned: The whole purpose of the post was to get opinions on a replacement for my ute to carry grandchildren.For various reasons ,I feel that it is a worthwhile necessary expense so opinions,ideas and experiences of vehicles that may be suitable is what I really need.
As others have suggested - VE/VF Commo.
Get a wagon unless you will use the ute for hauling other things. Wagon is so much more dust and waterproof even if the dual cab has a canopy.
Break the mold and get a VAN. Ignore fashion, trends and stereotypes.
A quality, van. A family van. A modern van.
Gain space, comfort and safety.Like a Kombi?
We haven't been able to destroy a 2004 X-Trail YET. Granted, it's regularly serviced.
Maybe a recent reliable SUV? Outback or Forester have been mentioned. The Tribeca used to be good but not made any more. The higher ride height over a wagon is advantageous plus easy to park over curbs, drive on beach etc.
Sorry just seeing wagons mentioned but I've owned both and given the choice the SUV wins every time.
You should have enough time on your hands to conduct your own research
Opinions form part of the research
Subaru Outback or Forester would be my choice.
Would you get all the "accessories" in a dual cab?