Family car

[tipper]

Agree, I too have an FG XR6, but I'm not sure that it suits his towing/camping requirements. ( The towing bit, yes, obviously )

That depends on what you call camping, I used to take a Sigma wagon with Mrs Ian, Jnr Ian, the dog, the back full and trailer loaded, to semi off road camping sites in Lyrup Flats conservation park regularly. Sometimes people dont realise what the average family car is capable of so long as you drive accordingly. Dirt tracks don't need a 4WD.

agree with this completely. if you arent going to do any "serious" offroading then the falcon/commodore wagon would probably be the go. and despite the fact that i am a "holden boy" i agree with the posters above that the falcon is probably the better buy, as long as you avoid the fleet hacks

i like the looks i get from people when they see the type of roads i take my ss ute on. in reality most are just dirt roads, and are fine for any car no matter what the weather (although some are a bit rougher), but some people are horrified that i would even consider taking it on them. its great fun turning up with the inlaws to the "campsite" and sleeping in the back of the ute while everyone else has dragged their 4WD's and camper trailers with them

[Ian]

I took a XE Falcon Panel Van to the Flinders Ranges, I came to a creek crossing that ran along the creek for a while with about 10 inches of flowing water, got out, had a quick look and went for it, part way through I look in the mirror, there were 2 Pajeros and a Prado that had been too scared to cross following me through

[BIG SEXY]

Funny how people always reckon the car they own is the bees knees & everyone should own one.

Nearly all of the current batch of cars on the market have some issue or another. Sometimes you get lucky or the problem does not surface or is not evident to the average driver.

When you own a vehicle, maintain it as required including servicing by someone who knows what to look for ( an oil change in the driveway doesn't cut it).

i.e When was the last time you had the transmission oil & filter screen changed ? Expensive job if you don't look after it.
What are the suspension bushes like in the back of your Falcon /Territory ( $2000 job by the way, and common!). I could go on.

Generally, your car is your second biggest investment and the one you lose the most money on !

Whatever you buy/own is going to cost to maintain , ALL cars do.

Spot on. Every car has its issues and that's EVERY car. Regular maintenance helps stop issues but they will occur

[fish]

Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions. I reckon I can eliminate the second-hand Commodore (sorry smac), and I certainly won't be getting a Trabant (too small) or a Hummer (too big)

I'm not planning to do much off-road camping so that leaves the Ford Falcon as the most-recommended by you lot.

I was also thinking of a Camry wagon or maybe a Forester.

I'll check out a few prices and take it from there.

Meantime I'm happy to hear of any further suggestions...

[mickey]

Nice twin cab ute..

[Ian]

Nice twin cab ute..

so long as you don't mind paying commercial rego for a family car

[mick]

Hyundai i30cw wagon, plenty of space in a smallish car, price new on road sub 25K$. If you can afford more the turbo diesel is the way to go. Five year unlimited km warranty. I've had the turbo diesel for two years, cart heaps of crap around, get 5.6 l/100km on a trip, with absolutely no problems. Plenty of guts too with the the same torque as a 3 litre six.

[tipper]

Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions. I reckon I can eliminate the second-hand Commodore (sorry smac), and I certainly won't be getting a Trabant (too small) or a Hummer (too big)

I'm not planning to do much off-road camping so that leaves the Ford Falcon as the most-recommended by you lot.

I was also thinking of a Camry wagon or maybe a Forester.

I'll check out a few prices and take it from there.

Meantime I'm happy to hear of any further suggestions...

we actually have a MY06 forester, and it is really a great car, so they would definitely be an option, however, depending on the size of the kids, and yourself, check back seat leg room carefully. Jr tipper is only 2 so me having the seat right back doesnt really bother her, but i reckon we will have to go for something bigger as she grows. i am 6'2" so have the seat right back, and if i could go further i would, my knees are still sitting rather high near the steering wheel.

not trying to put you off one, just check the driving position and rear seat room before you lock one in. i can still get comfortable to drive it (and it goes like a rocket, we got the turbo manual version ) but others may not like it. I live out north (para hills) if you want to check it out pm me.

[Q.]

Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions. I reckon I can eliminate the second-hand Commodore (sorry smac), and I certainly won't be getting a Trabant (too small) or a Hummer (too big)

I'm not planning to do much off-road camping so that leaves the Ford Falcon as the most-recommended by you lot.

I was also thinking of a Camry wagon or maybe a Forester.

I'll check out a few prices and take it from there.

Meantime I'm happy to hear of any further suggestions...

we actually have a MY06 forester, and it is really a great car, so they would definitely be an option, however, depending on the size of the kids, and yourself, check back seat leg room carefully. Jr tipper is only 2 so me having the seat right back doesnt really bother her, but i reckon we will have to go for something bigger as she grows. i am 6'2" so have the seat right back, and if i could go further i would, my knees are still sitting rather high near the steering wheel.

not trying to put you off one, just check the driving position and rear seat room before you lock one in. i can still get comfortable to drive it (and it goes like a rocket, we got the turbo manual version ) but others may not like it. I live out north (para hills) if you want to check it out pm me.

Had to have the timing belt changed yet? Was told this is an expensive exercise in the Subas due to the difficulty in getting to and changing the belt, so if buying a second hand one, then look for one that has either recently had that particular service, or at the least is not due it anytime soon.

[tipper]

Good point Q. yeah, ours was already done. not sure about difficulty in accessing it, but subaru parts are notoriously expensive. if you get a good one that has been looked after it should be all good, but if you do start breaking stuff they get expensive quick! they quoted me $1200 for a headlight globe!!! i didnt need it in the end, and they can be purchased elsewhere for much less. (and as mine is the turbo model they have HID lights, most of them use normal globes that are no more expensive than other cars)

they are due for the timing belt service at around 100,000 kays, so if it is near those sort of kays, check the service history. once again, not trying to talk you out of one, i really like mine!

[Q.]

I'd love a Suba

[gadj1976]

Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions. I reckon I can eliminate the second-hand Commodore (sorry smac), and I certainly won't be getting a Trabant (too small) or a Hummer (too big)

I'm not planning to do much off-road camping so that leaves the Ford Falcon as the most-recommended by you lot.

I was also thinking of a Camry wagon or maybe a Forester.

I'll check out a few prices and take it from there.

Meantime I'm happy to hear of any further suggestions...

Mate of mine purchased a SsongYang "Kyron". Sounds weird, looks a bit different but goes really well (turbo diesel, 4cyl). It uses all Mercedes bits, so it's reliable as hell - but will be expensive to fix no doubt (insert experts experience please!). He bought his dirt cheap - brand new, so they'd go for around 15-20k for a 2yo model.

Image - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ssang ... celift.JPG

[BIG SEXY]

The prob with doing suby quad cam timing belts is the time it takes not the part cost. Would be a day job in most cases I'd reckon.
As for the ssangyongs, they use mercedes REPRODUCTION parts. Same design, different materials. In theory this leads people to think they will get the same results as Mercedes running gear when this isn't ever the case
I'd steer clear of them personally. The earlier models had massive issues.

[Psyber]

Funny how people always reckon the car they own is the bees knees & everyone should own one.
Nearly all of the current batch of cars on the market have some issue or another. Sometimes you get lucky or the problem does not surface or is not evident to the average driver.

When you own a vehicle, maintain it as required including servicing by someone who knows what to look for ( an oil change in the driveway doesn't cut it).
i.e When was the last time you had the transmission oil & filter screen changed ? Expensive job if you don't look after it.
What are the suspension bushes like in the back of your Falcon /Territory ( $2000 job by the way, and common!). I could go on.

Generally, your car is your second biggest investment and the one you lose the most money on !
Whatever you buy/own is going to cost to maintain , ALL cars do.

Absolutely, Les.
I guess it makes sense that everyone has a need to believe they got it right and so stick up for the car they have chosen.
But some makes do have special fragilities that are worth being warned of.
My 1978 Porsche 930 Turbo, for example, needed a new thruster bearing in the clutch annually, but otherwise it was good.
(The important thing there was to find an independent who wouldn't rip you off - Enzo Belluzo charged about 1/3 of what the dealer would have.)

My 1996 Ssangyongg Musso gave me very little trouble until 2007 and 150,000 or so Km, after which it started getting more expensive.
But by then, being twice orphaned, it was worth so little as a trade in I concluded I'd keep it going as cheaply as possible until it died.
I spent about $2000 between early 2009 and late 2011, when I found the next repair coming up would be about twice its red book trade in value.

While looking for a replacement, I took advice from my local independent mechanic, an RAA mechanic, and a long-term 4WD club enthusiast I knew.
(None of whom had a vested interest in selling me some specific make.)

[lesthemechanic]

The prob with doing suby quad cam timing belts is the time it takes not the part cost. Would be a day job in most cases I'd reckon.
As for the ssangyongs, they use mercedes REPRODUCTION parts. Same design, different materials. In theory this leads people to think they will get the same results as Mercedes running gear when this isn't ever the case
I'd steer clear of them personally. The earlier models had massive issues.

Dead right, they are a copy of Mercedes parts, much the same as early Hyundais were a copy of many Mitsubishi products....we all know how that went.

Quad Cam Subaru camshaft timing belt takes approx 2 to 2.5 hours, add another 3/4 hour to replace all the camshaft oil seals & timing cover oil seal.
We LOVE doing those, but I must say, it helps to have the correct tools to hold the cam sprockets etc.
Subarus are a great reliable vehicle.

[lesthemechanic]

Funny how people always reckon the car they own is the bees knees & everyone should own one.
Nearly all of the current batch of cars on the market have some issue or another. Sometimes you get lucky or the problem does not surface or is not evident to the average driver.

When you own a vehicle, maintain it as required including servicing by someone who knows what to look for ( an oil change in the driveway doesn't cut it).
i.e When was the last time you had the transmission oil & filter screen changed ? Expensive job if you don't look after it.
What are the suspension bushes like in the back of your Falcon /Territory ( $2000 job by the way, and common!). I could go on.

Generally, your car is your second biggest investment and the one you lose the most money on !
Whatever you buy/own is going to cost to maintain , ALL cars do.

Absolutely, Les.
I guess it makes sense that everyone has a need to believe they got it right and so stick up for the car they have chosen.
But some makes do have special fragilities that are worth being warned of.
My 1978 Porsche 930 Turbo, for example, needed a new thruster bearing in the clutch annually, but otherwise it was good.
(The important thing there was to find an independent who wouldn't rip you off - Enzo Belluzo charged about 1/3 of what the dealer would have.)

My 1996 Ssangyongg Musso gave me very little trouble until 2007 and 150,000 or so Km, after which it started getting more expensive.
But by then, being twice orphaned, it was worth so little as a trade in I concluded I'd keep it going as cheaply as possible until it died.
I spent about $2000 between early 2009 and late 2011, when I found the next repair coming up would be about twice its red book trade in value.

While looking for a replacement, I took advice from my local independent mechanic, an RAA mechanic, and a long-term 4WD club enthusiast I knew.
(None of whom had a vested interest in selling me some specific make.)

That can not be any more important a statement.

[Psyber]

The prob with doing suby quad cam timing belts is the time it takes not the part cost. Would be a day job in most cases I'd reckon.
As for the ssangyongs, they use mercedes REPRODUCTION parts. Same design, different materials. In theory this leads people to think they will get the same results as Mercedes running gear when this isn't ever the case
I'd steer clear of them personally. The earlier models had massive issues.

Dead right, they are a copy of Mercedes parts, much the same as early Hyundais were a copy of many Mitsubishi products....we all know how that went.

Quad Cam Subaru camshaft timing belt takes approx 2 to 2.5 hours, add another 3/4 hour to replace all the camshaft oil seals & timing cover oil seal.
We LOVE doing those, but I must say, it helps to have the correct tools to hold the cam sprockets etc.
Subarus are a great reliable vehicle.

Yes my Musso was one of the very early ones that were coming with the running gear assembled by Mercedes, with the Koreans fitting the body.
That may be one of the reasons it did hold up as long as it did..

Interestingly, however, the body still had no rust when I got rid of it.
It was its auto-transmission starting to make nasty noises that finished it off, and I was pleased the dealership didn't try it in reverse when I was trading it in.
(The electrics were getting a bit dodgy too.)

[Sky Pilot]

Fish I am seriously disappointed that you are not going straight out and buying a Prius! Have you spoken to Bob Brown about your - seemingly - defection to buying a gas guzzling polluting Falcon? God help us.

[gadj1976]

Under no circumstances should you purchase a Land Rover Discovery of any year, petrol, diesel, auto, manual. None.

[lesthemechanic]

Under no circumstances should you purchase a Land Rover Discovery of any year, petrol, diesel, auto, manual. None.

You should just remove the word " Discovery " from that sentence to make it more accurate.