Mum's 4WD Comparison's

[oscar]

Similar to the earlier thread I am after advice on a "Footy Mum's 4WD".

Anyone had any experience with:

1:Mazda - Tribute
2:Nissan - X-Trail
3:Mitsubishi - Challanger
4:Mitsubishi - Outlander
5:Nissan - Pathfinder

This car will be driven mostly by my wife so ease of parking, getting kids in and out is a consideration. Occasional towing of small trailer and family camping trips. Don't expect to be doing any real off road or beach driving.

Any thoughts?

[poidda]

The Pathrfinder is a much bigger/more capable 4x4 than the rest. It will handle a family camping trip. The rest you'll need someone to drag you out of trouble to often. My wife has a Honda CRV and she loves it. We've taken it on the beach a couple of times, but would never go anywhere without someone else to drag me out of trouble.

[markTHEblake]

This car...

they are not cars - they are trucks.

I like the idea of the Kia Sportage and a few others like the Mitsubishi Outlander 'half cut' in that <$30k bracket. Plenty of boot room and not so expensive on fuel. Will be looking at one of those for the next car.

[just]

Blakey
If you want the space of the soft 4WD without the weight have a look at the Hyundai i30CW. Very economical too.

[markTHEblake]

The station wagon i presume, good call on that my boss has one.

[poidda]

This car

they are not cars - they are trucks.

I'm looking for the sarcasm here. Still Looking. Looking......... Searching.......... Nup, decided it's complete daftness.

And now laughing. bwahahahaha.

[just]

I'm looking for the sarcasm here. Still Looking. Looking......... Searching.......... Nup, decided it's complete daftness.

And now laughing. bwahahahaha.

What I find curious is that there are none of the benefits of a true 4WD but most of the weight and average fuel economy becuase of it. Buy a Landcruiser etc or buy a station wagon IMO. Sorry for the threadjack oscar.

[Dotty]

Subaru Forester for 7 years. Bit smaller and probably a few more dollars than the listed models.

Upside is bullet-proof handling and parking. Small trailer (8'x4' with cage) at highway speeds and around town doesn't affect handling.

Outback for 6 years before that, but that is in a next price range.

[AlexMc]

I have an Outlander for work - a 4 cylinder. It is gutless with only me in the car. I hate to think how it would go with a family.

My boss has the 6 cylinder - seems to go a little better. Still an uninspiring drive...

[LarryLong]

What I find curious is that there are none of the benefits of a true 4WD but most of the weight and average fuel economy becuase of it. Buy a Landcruiser etc or buy a station wagon IMO. Sorry for the threadjack oscar.

What he said.

The new subaru outback has very good fuel economy. Best of both worlds.

[markTHEblake]

What I find curious is that there are none of the benefits of a true 4WD but most of the weight and average fuel economy because of it.

Good point, but i think i figured out why so many mums like to drive the 'trucks' now. Even my missus says she wants an SUV, and she is so short if she does not wear high heels I cant see her. Because there are so many SUV's on the road its hard to see over and around them when you are following, the chicks feel much safer sitting higher up, because they get a better view of whats further in front.

Buy a Landcruiser etc or buy a station wagon IMO.

Not much of a choice for Station wagons though, personally I'd love one. As you said the i30 is one, then there is a suburu and thats about it isnt it?
Whats your thoughts on the likes of Dualis, its pretty small, I am not sure of the weight though.

[mike]

Tributes are shit.
X Trails are OK
Outlanders are OK bit smallish.
Challengers are excellent, a Triton with a wagon body. Way bigger than the above mentioned.
Pathfinders are bigger but expensive to repair (from my experience) We have one in the workshop right now with a shattered drive shaft. $1800 for a newy. Non genuine unavailable.

But I have to go with Dotty. The Subarus are an excellent vehicle.

I work on Tributes, Challengers and Outlanders every day.

[Tongueboy]

hyundai santa fe diesel. 5 years unlimited k warranty and cheap to run. 850 to 900k a tank and no issues. got her new in july 2007 and hve 185,000k on her and still going strong

[just]

There's plenty of station wagons, it just depends what you want to spend. VW Golf, Peugot 308, Mazda6, Holden Sportwagon, Ford Mondeo, Skoda Octavia etc. Most of them are Euro designed models, including the Hyundai, and therefore most come with diesel option. I have the diesel i30CW, great fuel economy and no problem towing a trailer. My wife loves the capacity (we have three kids and all the crap that entails) and the rear parking sensors.

[mike]

hyundai santa fe diesel. 5 years unlimited k warranty and cheap to run. 850 to 900k a tank and no issues. got her new in july 2007 and hve 185,000k on her and still going strong

185000 k in 3 years. Is it a taxi?

[markTHEblake]

There's plenty of station wagons, it just depends what you want to spend.

good point, i hadn't considered those, they are all above my price range last time i went shopping. I have always liked the idea of the Lancer wagon, but they stopped making them, again.

[MegaWatty]

If Hyundai bring this Sonata in as an i45, I think it'll be an absolute winner. The bloke that's designing their new cars knows what people like!

[just]

good point, i hadn't considered those, they are all above my price range last time i went shopping. I have always liked the idea of the Lancer wagon, but they stopped making them, again.

Yes not many wagons at the cheaper end of the price scale. I was going to look at the Lancer wagon as well except they stopped making them. The fact that you can buy a diesel i30 with all the extras for a touch under $30k is pretty good value.

If Hyundai bring this Sonata in as an i45, I think it'll be an absolute winner. The bloke that's designing their new cars knows what people like!

I think they have some ex-BMW designers working for them now.

[BrisVegas]

Pathfinder and Challenger don't belong in that list, as they're proper 4wds.

"This car will be driven mostly by my wife so ease of parking, getting kids in and out is a consideration. Occasional towing of small trailer and family camping trips. Don't expect to be doing any real off road or beach driving."

Subaru Forester, if you want AWD. Otherwise, take your pick from the various normal wagons on the market.

If you want a high riding soft roader, the Kia Sorrento/ Hyundai Santa Fe get a good wrap among the Korean offerings.

[BrisVegas]

...

[Webster]

I have a Mazda CX-7 and am very happy with it. I think it meets all your criteria.

[Captain Nemo]

I have 2 Subaru 4wd's
1. 07 Forester XT (mine)
Great performance good room/boot, not really economical although i hammer it!

2. 10 Tribeca (missus)
Luxury motoring, great car, i love it!
Good upgrade engine wise from 1st generation.

[WBennett]

I have a Mazda CX-7 and am very happy with it. I think it meets all your criteria.

How thirsty is it Jack? I've only ever heard complaints that they like a drink, and its PULP only as well...

[Webster]

I have the base model which uses normal juice. Around 9l/100k's.

[solarman]

I have a Pathfinder top of the range and love it. I took it in for a 30K service however and it required new brakes etc for around $500.
The wipers cost $43 ea.
But it is a really great car and plenty of room. It can take up to 7 and the seating arrangements are many.
I required a 4WD and not a AWD. It tows my boat really well and the engine is a Renault. Normally anything French runs away from confrontation but this thing loves rough work.