Family car

[Dirko]

What vehicle would you recommend les?

[gadj1976]

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.

I know what you mean Les, however I can only comment on the DIscovery first hand. I made a joke with my old man when he had one, one day. We were passed by a Land Rover Discovery on the road from Melbourne to Adelaide. He firstly was amazed that it was going and I said, "that's ok, we'll pass it shortly, it'll be broken down on the side of the road".

Biggest most expensive heap of shizen on the road. I think my old man replaced the motor after about 80000km (diesel I might add) then spent about 18k on it in the last two years he had it. I still laugh then I see a TDi on the road (and wonder how much it's costing the owner to keep it on the road).

[lesthemechanic]

What vehicle would you recommend les?

Depends what size/type you need. Stick with the well known ( older ) brands although many of those have models that are now assembled in Thailand/Korea etc.
Toyota generally make very good vehicles, Mitsubishi have their act together on many of their vehicles ( and have a great warranty), Subarus are super reliable.
In my opinion, the Falcon has overtaken the Commodore over the last 5 years as the better large family car.

[Dirko]

Mazda?

[lesthemechanic]

Mazda?

Sorry, missed them out. But they are one of the older brands who know how to do it right. Mazda 3's & 6's are popular and for good reason.

Not to discount the fact that some of the better brands mentioned also make some howlers though.

[fish]

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.

For a start a Prius is too small.

Also, I'm not convinced that Hybrids are better overall for the environment than a conventional vehicle. They are certainly better whilst in use, with their low fuel consumption and associated pollution, but I have concerns over the environmental impacts of the production and disposal of their batteries.

Until I see a comprehensive cradle-to-grave assessment of a Hybrid vs conventional vehicle I'm unwilling to invest the extra money into purchasing a Hybrid...

[BIG SEXY]

Les is spot on with his assessment on what to buy. Stick with a "local" car, that is an established Aussie recognised make.
Fish your worries about disposal of batteries etc. with hybrids is well founded, recently did some courses on these cars and the production emissions are t tops and ELV ( end of life vehicle) decommissioning isn't that easy!

[Sojourner]

Mazda?

Sorry, missed them out. But they are one of the older brands who know how to do it right. Mazda 3's & 6's are popular and for good reason.

Not to discount the fact that some of the better brands mentioned also make some howlers though.

Interesting to read that Les, I have a 2001 model Camry which is supposed to be super reliable, yet after 180 000ks and being regularly serviced its leaking oil out of the rear main seal on the engine. Not what I had in mind and not what I expected from getting a Toyota!

Yet I have been very much considering replacing it with the Mazda 6 wagon for the reason you point out above - the same reason why I got the Camry in the first place!

Onto Fish's question though, if environmental factors are to be taken into account, have Ford not released a 4cyl Falcon this month which offers a big car with good fuel economy? I stand to be corrected, yet did Ford not do this to get their cars purchased by the Qld Government who have economy figures as a pre requisite for vehicles purchased for their State Fleets?

[Dog_ger]

Good Luck fish and happy hunting.

Now the only thing is for you and your partner to agree on the same vehicle.

Bet ya get what she wants.

[lesthemechanic]

Mazda?

Sorry, missed them out. But they are one of the older brands who know how to do it right. Mazda 3's & 6's are popular and for good reason.

Not to discount the fact that some of the better brands mentioned also make some howlers though.

Interesting to read that Les, I have a 2001 model Camry which is supposed to be super reliable, yet after 180 000ks and being regularly serviced its leaking oil out of the rear main seal on the engine. Not what I had in mind and not what I expected from getting a Toyota!

Yet I have been very much considering replacing it with the Mazda 6 wagon for the reason you point out above - the same reason why I got the Camry in the first place!

Onto Fish's question though, if environmental factors are to be taken into account, have Ford not released a 4cyl Falcon this month which offers a big car with good fuel economy? I stand to be corrected, yet did Ford not do this to get their cars purchased by the Qld Government who have economy figures as a pre requisite for vehicles purchased for their State Fleets?

Servicing your car regularly is not going to stop things like an oil seal leaking after 11 years/180,000km !!

[BIG SEXY]

Damn skippy. Rear main seal is just one if those things unfortunately, $10 part and probably $3-500 labour

[Psyber]

I'd have to say that my 1995 Audi S2 coupé I bought second-hand in 2002 has been the least troublesome car I have ever owned.
With my Suzuki G/Vitara 3-door bought in October 2011 it is too soon to tell.

[kickinit]

Damn skippy. Rear main seal is just one if those things unfortunately, $10 part and probably $3-500 labour

Yep to get 11 years out of seal that is surrounded by heat you have to be very happy it's just a pitty that amount it cost in labour to replace. And you would more then likely pay $1-2 from someone like ludowici.

[fish]

Nice twin cab ute..

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

What is the extra rego payable on a twin cab ute compared to a family station wagon?

[tipper]

12mths reg on 6 cylinder station wagon (which will be the same for a sedan) $797

12 mths reg on a utility (number of cylinders is irrelevant on a commercial vehicle wheighing as much as a dual cab) $1017

those fees are current as of today, they will be going up on july 1

[gossipgirl]

12mths reg on 6 cylinder station wagon (which will be the same for a sedan) $797

12 mths reg on a utility (number of cylinders is irrelevant on a commercial vehicle wheighing as much as a dual cab) $1017

those fees are current as of today, they will be going up on july 1

If you get a mazda 6 station wagon they are only 4 cylinders but feels like a 6 cylinder when driving

[Q.]

Thoughts on Nissan X-Trail?

[tipper]

12mths reg on 6 cylinder station wagon (which will be the same for a sedan) $797

12 mths reg on a utility (number of cylinders is irrelevant on a commercial vehicle wheighing as much as a dual cab) $1017

those fees are current as of today, they will be going up on july 1

If you get a mazda 6 station wagon they are only 4 cylinders but feels like a 6 cylinder when driving

and 4 cylinders are slightly cheaper at $668.

just a tip, non commercial vehicles (sedans, station wagons etc) are charged on their number of cylinders. this includes 4WD style bodies, so a big 4cyl diesel pays as much rego as a prius.

commercial vehicles (utes, vans trucks etc) are charged depending on their weight. a v8 commodore ute pays the same as a v6 commodore ute.

however a commercial vehicle pays less stampp duty upon purchase (which is a once off fee though). non comm vehicles pay roughly 4%, commercial pay roughly 3%. (very rough estimates there..)

[BIG SEXY]

12mths reg on 6 cylinder station wagon (which will be the same for a sedan) $797

12 mths reg on a utility (number of cylinders is irrelevant on a commercial vehicle wheighing as much as a dual cab) $1017

those fees are current as of today, they will be going up on july 1

If you get a mazda 6 station wagon they are only 4 cylinders but feels like a 6 cylinder when driving

A slaggy clapped out 6 maybe. I drive my mums Mazda 6 and yearn for another 50 hp!
Xtrails once again have issues, the t30 motors don't last very long unless maintained precisely, also heater fans and a few other electrical issues..may sound minor but heater fans can be up to $450 second hand. In saying that I believe they are a nice drive

[Dutchy]

Also, I'm not convinced that Hybrids are better overall for the environment than a conventional vehicle. They are certainly better whilst in use, with their low fuel consumption and associated pollution, but I have concerns over the environmental impacts of the production and disposal of their batteries.

Until I see a comprehensive cradle-to-grave assessment of a Hybrid vs conventional vehicle I'm unwilling to invest the extra money into purchasing a Hybrid...

Am driving the new Camry Hybrid for work at the moment, do over 100kms a day in it and while it gives some good economy, nearly 900kms on the last tank of fuel, it is a terrible car.

Plus I walk away from it after parking it and it is still running