New car (for my mate) what to choose

[KieranR]

Hi,
So my mate has been talking about a vasectomy for 4 years since thier last kid was born, but he was too scared to get it done, and now they have a little unexpected surprise due in about 7.5 months which makes 4 kids.  So they need to upgrade one of their cars as they currently own 2 dunnydores, he's keeping his bogan ss and going to trade in her SV6.  obveiously it needs to be 6 or 7 seater but he really is not sure as he has only ever owned commodores.  Does anyone have any info on what is out there or feedback on any of the below, he's just sent me through this list (it's not indepth)

He doesnt have the money to go for something like a Landcruiser or Patrol, they are looking at new though as they will more than likely lease the vehicle through salary sacrifice. although they will ocnsider second hand if the right deal comes along. Budget is somewhere around the 40-50k

Captiva
Kluger
T T T T T T Territory (his stutter comes out when mention of a ford)
Isuzu MU-X
Honda Oddysey
Kia Sportage
Pathfinder

Would love a 200 series but the budget wont go there as they also have house reno's or new house purchase they have to look at also.

Any info would be great so i can pass onto him
He is now booked in for a vasectomy!

[Goose]

Most of the 7 seat medium and large SUVs are ok but only suit occasional 7 seat use. Its hard to use them as a 7 seat full time. Lots of climbing into the back seat via the rear door or over the middle row. It trashes the interior and you loose boot space depending upon the model.

With that many young kids I'd def recommend he go second hand. And in his price range you easily pickup a xlarge SUV such as patrol or 200 in great condition and have no issue with space.

[Mace]

Kia sorrento instead of a sportage. That and the Freddy kleuger are the pick of the bunch IMO if he doesn't want a full on 4x4 .

[dirtpilot]

Depends if off road use in on the cards. If it is, the only one is the Izuzu. Strech to 50k and a Patrol could be the go, might be slightly used or a demo.

[mrdenn1s]

I have a Kia Sorento 7 seater diesel.

Can't fault it.

If I was buying now, would look heavily at the Isuzu MU-X

[sunshine]

 x2  the Kia Sorrento  diesel
just picked up a 2013 model ..first new car for us
does everything for us ..towing wise ..7 seater
5 year fixed servicing ..5 years road assist

and youre not buying other peoples problems
very happy Kia owners

cheers mick

[evolution]

Any reason the pajero didn't make the list. You could buy a cracker for that budget!

Cheers
Evo

[Stozz]

Agree re the Pajero. You get a lot for your money.

I was one very unhappy Kia Sorento owner. Lovely car but don't count on Kia if something turns out wrong with it.  I know there are lemons, but I could never recommend a Kia to anyone since my experience with the company.




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[KieranR]

Any reason the pajero didn't make the list. You could buy a cracker for that budget!

Cheers
Evo

Yep he didnt put it in the list he sent me, i'll pass it on to him, thanks

[heath74]

 Prado would be an option, and the 4l petrol might suit him, going by his other cars!

But also a Pajero would be a great option.

[achjimmy]

On the list can't go last the Kluger. Doing great deals on runout I hear too.

If he wants a capable 4x4 the Pajero is great and again fantastic deals.

[KieranR]

Im trying to convince him into a 4wd, he's not a 4wd or camping type of fella but his wife loves that stuff, i think i might be slowly convincing him (very slowly).

[TheWall]

Challenger 7 seaters are in the 30's now. Used Prado would be good value as well

[dirtpilot]

Challenger runs the same mechanicals as Tritons. Avoid at all costs. Petrol Prado sounds good.

[grafy82]

Tell him to check too as some lease companies allow you to buy second hand up to 5 years old. That would put a lot more vehicles in his price range.

[Mace]

Tell him to check too as some lease companies allow you to buy second hand up to 5 years old. That would put a lot more vehicles in his price range.

Yep, correct, but some like mine (leaseplan) also say that the vehicle must be less than 7 years old at the end of lease period.

[Nomad]

My friends with 4 (2yo to 12yo) kids have a Kluger and a roofpod for longer trips. The Kluger is by far more family friendly internally than a Prado.

[GeoffA]

If he doesn't have the money to buy outright, why buy new and salary sacrifice? It's still gunna cost serious $$$$ in the long run.
What about an early GU 4.5L Patrol or 100 Series 4.5L petrol Cruiser? They're 7 seaters, and VERY cheap to buy, especially privately. Yes, they chew juice, but they're TOUGH as nails, and depreciation will be just about zero.

http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=35030.0;topicseen

Just another view to consider......

[Brij]

Downside of the Pajero (post 2000 models anyway) is the single bench 3rd row seat so you either have seating for 5 with luggage space, or seating for seven with no luggage space, no in between 6 seat with some luggage space options.

I think most of the other 7 seaters have the 3rd row seats that have individual 6th and 7th seats that fold to the sides so you only need to have one seat in position (as a 6 seater) and can retain some luggage space beside it.

Peter

[dazzler]

Agree re the Pajero. You get a lot for your money.

Good choice. 

[dazzler]

If there is no need for 4wd then second hand Tarago or Hyundai Imax.

We hired a newish Tarago last year and the space for us six was amazing.

[Matto]

If there is no need for 4wd then second hand Tarago or Hyundai Imax.

+1 - don't discount the Kia Grand Carnival either. Heaps of car for your money. Earlier ones could have a touchy throttle, so test-drive first to see if you can live with it. The diesel would be nice - the old v6 was a bit thirsty. The convertible seating in the back is absolute gold for long road trips with kids





I like the new Pathfinder. It's not a 4WD by any sense of the word any more, more a Kluger competitor. I reckon they look good and so far everyone I've spoken to who has drive one, has nice things to say about them. Rumor is that Nissan will be releasing a Hybrid version soon, which would be good as a town car.



Good luck.
Matt

[NewieCamper]

Cross the captiva off the list if you want to cart a stroller around and still use the back seats. That is one of the reasons we got rid of ours, started taking extra kids to school, soccer etc and when the third row is in use there wasn't enough room for the stroller, except on the floor behind the front seats. Upgraded to a pathfinder, last model not the new one, and it has a more usable space behind the third row. The seats fold flat into the floor when not in use which is great, and common to lots of SUV 7seaters.

I looked at a prado and the seats that fold up to the sides looked like a pain in the ... . A mate who recommended the pathfinder to us also thought that the pathfinder was more spacious inside than the prado when they got theirs in 2010, not to mention the pathfinder being a bit cheaper.

We also didn't like the idea of the rear row in a pajero being two seats or none, compromised luggage space too much.

[dazzler]

Cross the captiva off the list if you want to cart a stroller around and still use the back seats.

And not well respected by mechanics either.

[ako]

Downside of the Pajero (post 2000 models anyway) is the single bench 3rd row seat so you either have seating for 5 with luggage space, or seating for seven with no luggage space, no in between 6 seat with some luggage space options.

I think most of the other 7 seaters have the 3rd row seats that have individual 6th and 7th seats that fold to the sides so you only need to have one seat in position (as a 6 seater) and can retain some luggage space beside it.

Peter

Peter is bang on here. Wife has a 7 seater pajero for freighting kids around. If the 3rd row seat is up, we can't even fit a pram in the back. People with a new baby need a pram.

In a Patrol I would remove one of the 3rd row seats, leaving a bit of space for luggage and the older kid in the back can let themselves in and out.