Looking for elevated car under $35k

Hansi on 04/09/2021 - 22:05

Due to back issues and having to lift kids into / out of the car we're looking for (most likely) an SUV type of family car up to $35k

Important is that it's easier to get kids in the back seats than it is with the current low hatchback. COVID has really messed up the used car market and I have not purchased a new vehicle before. However, due to inflated used car prices and a small used car market in my regional town I'd be happy to consider new. We're most likely to sell our hatchback for 18-20k and I'd be happy to add up to 15k on top.

Most important would be that the new car is spacious for 2 (possibly up to 3) toddlers and reliable. Safe, cheap service and good on fuel would be other benefits. Assuming we would keep it for a while being able to go on gravel roads / to camping spots would be awesome once the toddlers are a bit older.

I have no loyalty to any brands and listed some vehicles that caught my eye due to being simple / cheap or I have heard good things about from friends and family. Probably driving around 10000km a year, shopping, dropping kids and not working from home.

Kia and Mitsubishi caught my eye due to the extended warranty of 7 and 10 years.

Any input is appreciated.

Poll Options

  • 7
    Kia Sportage
  • 4
    Mitsubishi Outlander
  • 4
    Subaru Outback
  • 3
    Nissan XTrail
  • 2
    Other (details in comments)
  • 1
    Subaru Forester
Automotive

Comments

  • Bafranz on 04/09/2021 - 22:06

    Sportage.. might be ordering delays though

    7 year warranty

    • Peter Enis on 05/09/2021 - 08:47
      +1

      If OP stops at 2 kids then I agree, good choice. Not big enough for a family of 5 though.

  • oscargamer on 04/09/2021 - 22:32
    +1

    2017 Tucson active X. Have one. Does everything you want it to do.

    • Hansi on 04/09/2021 - 23:38

      Cheers I'll take a look

    • wei13 on 05/09/2021 - 00:15

      I think for $35k should be able to score a newer Tucson? Maybe even a diesel model.

      • oscargamer on 05/09/2021 - 09:17
        +2

        Of course. I was offering a decent SUV and saving the OP some money…. Don't always have to spend all your money.

        • Hansi on 05/09/2021 - 20:13
          +1

          Happy to save money, used cars were a no brainer before covid. Now some cars with longer delivery windows even exceed the prices of new ones….

  • brendanm on 04/09/2021 - 22:57

    Sportage/outlander/Tucson/CRV/Santa fe.

  • Stewardo on 04/09/2021 - 23:27

    ASX

  • Presence on 04/09/2021 - 23:29
    -3

    So you want something spacious, wide enough for 3 car seats, safe, cheap to service, good on fuel, high ride height, good on gravel (AWD) - do you also want it to make you a coffee?

    But really I think budget will be the main driver. Doubt you'll afford a Subaru for that price.

    • Hansi on 04/09/2021 - 23:38
      +1

      I found the Outlander does a lot of it on paper:
      - 2 or 3 seats in the back
      - ANCAP 5 stars
      - Most services $299
      - Fuel average
      - High check
      - AWD performance, unsure but some videos and reports say it should be more than capable of what I'd like to use it for

      However I'd like to hear from people who have owned one and can back up the Mitsu sales pitch.

      Happy to go used as well, but I think the warranty is good for peace of mind as opposed to a more risky / expensive but possible nicer Subaru for example

      • brad1-8tsi on 05/09/2021 - 07:27
        +1

        We had an Outlander 7 seat 2.4 AWD for a while. It did everything competently but nothing amazing.

        The power isn't amazing and requires a heavy right foot but this is to be expected. Fuel economy wasn't notably good or bad.

        The CVT was starting to whine when the fleet manager took it back at 40k km but we'd given it a hammering and this seems to be a characteristic of CVT transmissions.

        Personally, I'd look at the diesel with conventional trans.

        • tonyjzx on 05/09/2021 - 16:51
          +2

          You need to spend more.

          I would imagine the new Xtrail or Outlander would be good… its 2.5 puts it above the 2.0 trash crowd.

          You should be able to get a mid spec 4wd for around $40k.

          I would not bother with a t32 or the outgoing Outlander. Why spend $40 or even $35k on what is an 8 or 10yr old chassis.

          • Hansi on 05/09/2021 - 18:46
            +1

            @tonyjzx: New Sportage and Outlander coming which would be exciting options!

            • tonyjzx on 05/09/2021 - 19:41
              +1

              @Hansi: The Ford Escape I quite like too but its a Ford and made in Spain and Fords are popular as herpes outside of Mustangs and Rangers.

    • bobkin on 05/09/2021 - 20:29
      +3

      I’m not suggesting this because newer cars have active safety features and are better for the environment, but a 2014-2016 awd diesel ford territory actually ticks all of those boxes

  • wei13 on 05/09/2021 - 00:12

    Recently was in a similar situation to you. I'm in Qld.

    I think with intention to keep prices down, you'll have better chance with an Outlander or X-trail - there is more supply on market.

    For reference, I picked up a base model 4wd X-trail (2019, 23000km) for $30k flat from a dealer, with 3 year manufacturer warranty left.

    The extended warranties you do have to pay for, by servicing with the manufacturer dealerships.

    • Hansi on 05/09/2021 - 18:47

      Thank you for the feedback. Are the rear seats noticeably higher compared to a hatchback so it would be easier to get kids in?

      • wei13 on 05/09/2021 - 19:52

        I have a 2 and 5 year old. I use to drive a hatch corolla. The X-trail is noticeablely higher - much less bending forward-down needed for me. However 2 year old not happy because it's much harder to climb in herself now.

        • Hansi on 05/09/2021 - 20:12

          Thank you I appreciate the feedback! Does indeed sound like a similar situation to me!

  • Euphemistic on 05/09/2021 - 06:42
    +5

    Test them, buy one YOU like. What you’ve listed are some of the most popular, ultimately they’ll have pros and cons and YOU need to decide which is what for YOU.

    • Hansi on 05/09/2021 - 18:47

      Agree I'll test a few, but the market for medium SUVs is so packed that I'm certainly happy to rule out any lemons (thinking of Jeeps and the like)

      • Euphemistic on 05/09/2021 - 20:12

        Stick to Japanese or Korean. Hard to go wrong with them.

        Some people don’t like the Nissan CVT, suggesting it’s not reliable but Nissan has been making them for a while now so should be reliable enough.

        Some say Mitsubishi is an outdated platform (yeah, it’s old but it’s proven)

        • tonyjzx on 06/09/2021 - 03:53

          But moving forward, the new Outlander and Xtrail are on the same motor, same CVT.

          I think the Outlander is terrible looking and the Xtrail looks like a mashed up Korean with rav4.

          https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/nissan-x-trail-not-due…

          I flat out would not buy a current model of either.

          If you can hack the Outlanders looks the warranty is just better. Given the same mechanicals hard to make a case for anything else.

  • GourmetFoodie on 05/09/2021 - 22:29

    I’d just say test drive them all and try fitting your stuff in the boot. You will be surprised how tight the boot space can be especially with 3 kids. Also the back seat ride in a lot of these are ordinary. Kids probably don’t care though…

  • Techie4066 on 07/09/2021 - 17:03

    Go for the new YB series Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, easier to drive than the Outlander due to a smaller size but still a good boot size, great all-round car and provides value with 10 year warranty servicing at the dealer. One feature of note is that the rear backrest angle is adjustable. The Outlander feels like a particularly underpowered boat and fuel consumption isn't great due to the older, larger displacement non-turbocharged engine.

    • Hansi on 08/09/2021 - 06:38

      Cheers I'll have a look, didn't consider that one before!

      • Techie4066 on 08/09/2021 - 10:36

        All good! Highly recommend this website for the family-related concerns, and this 2021 UK reliability survey (family SUV section- there's other cars here) where the Eclipse Cross came first with no faults recorded, incredibly.

        PS: the new YB series doesn't have that strip across the back window separating it into two.

        • tonyjzx on 08/09/2021 - 14:19
          +1

          it depends what you can put up with

          try something even smaller if you can stand it… the yaris cross and kia stonic also exist… or the suzuki vitara

          but i found that if you're in for a penny you're in for a pound

          i personally found no point in anything smaller than a CRV Outlander RAV4 etc.

          the price wasnt too much more than an ASX (pre Covid) and you had a car that could just do a lot more

          i always use this example… I picked up two people from their airport + their kid… i went there with two people in the front

          they had 2 roller bags two backpacks and a duffel bag which is about right for a couple on holiday

          a rav4 xtrail crv can do it

          can you do it in something smaller? if you're a couple with no kids, sure but a little bit extra room never goes astray

          to go up bigger you need a pathfinder or kluger and that's $50k

          you used to be able to buy a decent compact large SUV for $35k

          harder going now but I think the new 2.5 Outlander just scrapes in

          its real good buying and i dont like mitsubishi at all

  • payless69 on 11/09/2021 - 08:45

    A Korean diesel is hard to beat. Usually throws in the rear axle when needed. If you are going to have a 3rd kid look out for a good used Kluger, they down scaled engines but the used ones are smooth, roomy and reliable.

    • tonyjzx on 11/09/2021 - 14:01

      expensive though

      very

      i think once you go diesel they tag in 4wd and with a mid trim, you're talking $45-$50k

      klugers are nice but they are mostly v6 and also toyota tax

      • payless69 on 12/09/2021 - 13:59

        Depends how long you plan to keep it. Any Sportage diesel driver who rented a petrol felt like the small petrol engine being lame. We did monster trips in Subaru's but their technology stood still. Would still choose Subaru over Mitsubishi. Got a Haval dealer nearby: Their stock flies thru his door. The Kluger would probably last twice as long.

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