Please help me choose my next car

DAVID PATERSON · 28 May 2004, 04:28 (Ref:985722)

I have come up with a short list of cars to replace my current ride, a Holden Commodore Acclaim sedan, but I'm having trouble narrowing it down.

I need something that can carry two or three adults in comfort, carry plenty of gear and tow an 1800kg trailer. It also must offer a smooth, quiet ride, good accleration and cruising ability and not send me broke.

Please offer your thoughts and opinions. Bear in mind, I'm more interested in specifications and performance, than badges.

pplater · 28 May 2004, 04:39 (Ref:985731)

Quote:

two or three adults in comfort

Three Adults? Scratch the Holden One Tonner S, Falcon Ute, Falcon Futura wagon.

Crewman is a marketing excersize- compromises both in load carrying and passenger facilities see it fall waaaay short of the SS Wagon (which I'd have over sedan, ute, etc)

If the (Pricey) Adventra is on the list, why not an XR6T?

What about the new liberty range... A GT Wagon is a swift, suave ride (IMHO)

For the price you're investigating, I'd lean towards a WRX Hatch or Accord Euro, but they may not be able to tow 1800kg.

Conrod Kieron · 28 May 2004, 04:43 (Ref:985734)

From that list, you can remove all the utes and cab chassis vehicles purely based on comfort. Adventra and Falcon wagon would be the choice, Falcon wagon of course being much cheaper.
Unfortunately, the Adventra hasn't got a very good reputation at the moment so you may want to put that on the bottom of the list

DAVID PATERSON · 28 May 2004, 05:17 (Ref:985744)

Quote:

Originally posted by pplater
Three Adults? Scratch the Holden One Tonner S, Falcon Ute, Falcon Futura wagon.

Crewman is a marketing excersize- compromises both in load carrying and passenger facilities see it fall waaaay short of the SS Wagon (which I'd have over sedan, ute, etc)

If the (Pricey) Adventra is on the list, why not an XR6T?

What about the new liberty range... A GT Wagon is a swift, suave ride (IMHO)

For the price you're investigating, I'd lean towards a WRX Hatch or Accord Euro, but they may not be able to tow 1800kg.

Thanks for the help pplater.

I've had 5 adults in a Futura wagon, no worries. I really like the SS wagon, but I've heard that the Commodre IRS is unsuitable for towing. The Falcon brochure says the XR6 turbo is only rated to tow 1600kg. I wouldn't consider putting 1800kg behind a Liberty, Accord or Impreza.

Amaroo Park · 28 May 2004, 07:51 (Ref:985811)

Anything but a Holden, gee who ever thought I would ever say that.

xrystl · 28 May 2004, 21:04 (Ref:986688)

I would seriously consider a Ford Territory , have heard nothing but praise for the concept and execution of this vehicle . Great as you can configure it to suit your needs in either 2x4 or 4x4 .

bartman71 · 29 May 2004, 05:57 (Ref:986908)

how about a landcruiser v8 ?

Airhead · 29 May 2004, 08:48 (Ref:986999)

Dave,

Looks like the Turbocharged Falcon is the winner by a mile!

Amaroo Park · 29 May 2004, 09:13 (Ref:987019)

Quote:

Originally posted by AMoffat
Dave,

Looks like the Turbocharged Falcon is the winner by a mile!

Agreed Al, who would have though Moffat and Bond ever agreeing on anything again after 77

mtpanorama · 29 May 2004, 11:24 (Ref:987126)

David,
What about the new Ford Territory. I have had a couple of drives in them and they are great cars.

Mattracer · 30 May 2004, 12:05 (Ref:988089)

Not in the price bracket of the others but the VY II Calais has turnedmy head in recent weeks. Had a close up look at one today very nice indeed, tough looking too, the wheels a tyres do that, the instruments very classy and ERuro looking, full cow in cream colour, smooth looking yet with a purposeful stance. Supercharged V6 this one was, I'd get the 5.7 if I was looking and had the $$$.

Crash Test · 30 May 2004, 21:27 (Ref:988655)

LOL at the poll results. That must mean that you have to buy half a dozen XR6s

Slippy Diff · 30 May 2004, 21:55 (Ref:988670)

`Navara or Rodeo double cabs

AussieV8 · 31 May 2004, 01:11 (Ref:988776)

As a Mazda Bravo T/D 4x4 dual cab owner and have towed a 1400kg boat from Sydney to Yamba with no problem..the recommended towing capacity is 1800kg braked...

Another alternative is the Mazda V6 Tribute towing capacity is only 1600kg though but also having owned one drives exceptional well and the 3.0ltr V6 has plenty of power. The safety features are great 6 airbags and ABS and this was one thing that saved my wife after a head on collision with an out of control car.

Comfort in a dual cab for back seat passengers in any make is not the best for long distances hope you find this a help.

DAVID PATERSON · 31 May 2004, 02:22 (Ref:988805)

Moff, it's not nice to rig polls, who do you think you are? Joh Bjelke Peterson?

DAVID PATERSON · 31 May 2004, 02:24 (Ref:988807)

Quote:

Originally posted by AMoffat
Dave,

Looks like the Turbocharged Falcon is the winner by a mile!

Turbo Falcon is limited to just 1600kg towing, no good for me, i need 1800kg.

DAVID PATERSON · 31 May 2004, 02:26 (Ref:988808)

Quote:

Originally posted by bartman71
how about a landcruiser v8 ?

Bart, that would be way out of my price range, expensive to run and I just don't like 4WD wagons.

DAVID PATERSON · 31 May 2004, 02:27 (Ref:988809)

I hadn't considered a Territory, what does it offer over the Futura wagon? How much are they?

Conrod Kieron · 31 May 2004, 05:20 (Ref:988848)

The Territory comes in 2wd and 4wd form, base 2wd starts at $38,990 + $4K if you want 4wd. Towing up to a max of 2300kg's.
Probably not a bad choice. Might be worth a trip to a Ford dealer as they have demos.

It probably doesn't offer anything over the Futura other than a higher ride height although the ride/handling is supposed to be very good, rear is Control Blade like Falcon sedan on Territory, Futura wagon has leaf springs.

DAVID PATERSON · 31 May 2004, 05:54 (Ref:988854)

Moff, why does your car come with roof and Cow? Is there something I'm missing or have you found an alternative to hitting roos?

DAVID PATERSON · 31 May 2004, 08:37 (Ref:988930)

Quote:

Originally posted by Mattracer
Not in the price bracket of the others but the VY II Calais has turnedmy head in recent weeks. Had a close up look at one today very nice indeed, tough looking too, the wheels a tyres do that, the instruments very classy and ERuro looking, full cow in cream colour, smooth looking yet with a purposeful stance. Supercharged V6 this one was, I'd get the 5.7 if I was looking and had the $$$.

Matt, the VY Calais is a bloody nice car, but I've got an Acclaim atm and I'm finding a sedan to be seriuosly inconvenient. Eg. last weekend i couldn't even fit a 2 wheeled courier's trolley in the boot! It will have to be a wagon or ute.

DAVID PATERSON · 31 May 2004, 08:42 (Ref:988934)

Quote:

Originally posted by AussieV8
As a Mazda Bravo T/D 4x4 dual cab owner and have towed a 1400kg boat from Sydney to Yamba with no problem..the recommended towing capacity is 1800kg braked...

Another alternative is the Mazda V6 Tribute towing capacity is only 1600kg though but also having owned one drives exceptional well and the 3.0ltr V6 has plenty of power. The safety features are great 6 airbags and ABS and this was one thing that saved my wife after a head on collision with an out of control car.

Comfort in a dual cab for back seat passengers in any make is not the best for long distances hope you find this a help.

The Tribute is out of the running if it can only tow 1600kg. How does a Bravo compare with a Courier? Is there any difference?

DAVID PATERSON · 31 May 2004, 08:43 (Ref:988936)

Quote:

Originally posted by Conrod Kieron
The Territory comes in 2wd and 4wd form, base 2wd starts at $38,990 + $4K if you want 4wd. Towing up to a max of 2300kg's. Probably not a bad choice. Might be worth a trip to a Ford dealer as they have demos.

It probably doesn't offer anything over the Futura other than a higher ride height although the ride/handling is supposed to be very good, rear is Control Blade like Falcon sedan on Territory, Futura wagon has leaf springs.

Thanks for the tip Kieron. I may have to look at one of these as well.

Amaroo Park · 31 May 2004, 08:46 (Ref:988940)

Driving a Territory tonight not bad but I wouldn't pay for one

DAVID PATERSON · 31 May 2004, 08:57 (Ref:988957)

It's apparently level with the Falcon wagon in price, surprisingly, so how does it compare?

View Poll Results: Which car should I buy?
Holden One Tonner S	1	7.14%
Falcon Ute	4	28.57%
Falcon Futura wagon	3	21.43%
Holden Crewman	3	21.43%
Holden Adventra CX8	2	14.29%
Navara/Triton/Courier/Rodeo 4WD dual cab ute	1	7.14%
Voters: 14. You may not vote on this poll

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