Help me choose next vehicle purchase.

smally289 · 27-07-2006, 07:31 PM

My G/F and I will be moving in together at the end of the year and I will need to buy a different car. Why? Because we will have a total of 5 kids!! So the AU wagon will have to go and I will need a 7 seater.
As much as I would love to buy a Territory, I dont think it would be big enough. Leaning towards a Tarago, as I hate Hyundai's and Kia's with a passion. Honda is a possibility.
Anyone here got a people mover and wiiling to share the good and bad points?

gthofan · 27-07-2006, 07:35 PM

what about the honda oddessy, that gets good reviews in the cars guide

chief · 27-07-2006, 07:40 PM

Our family has had 2 taragos. Didn't fail us. Plenty of room for kids and are reliable.

Kenster · 27-07-2006, 07:51 PM

go for the Tarago but recommend if you want extra boot space go for a older model since they got more back space than the current series.

If you dont like the height of it try the Avenise from toyota its a little people mover goes pretty well and fuel effeicent.

also check out the pathfinder that got 7 seaters but its a 4wd

AWD Chaser · 27-07-2006, 08:17 PM

You could always try the Chrysler Voyager...

Link...

About $20,000 used, 8 seater, arm rests, and sliding doors on both sides...

KUZMIN · 27-07-2006, 08:36 PM

I agreee with au3 chaser
GO THE MOPAR!!!
Our family has had 3 of them, they are GREAT cars and I think are preety good on fuel.
Not a fan of the new ones, love the 97-99models (what we owned).

MotherNatureVer2 · 27-07-2006, 09:33 PM

We have 6 kids & a Toyota Landcruiser ...... 80 series ...... cant beat it matey ;)

They are cheap enough for me to still have my toy ...........

The joys of blended familys ...... wouldnt have it any other way matey ;)

Fairlane · 27-07-2006, 09:33 PM

Never driven a people mover, but ive heard good things about the new Mitsubishi Grandis.

MotherNatureVer2 · 27-07-2006, 09:34 PM

Other option ..... get a dicky seat for the AU wagon ..... all depending on the kids ages of cause ;)

Outbackjack · 27-07-2006, 09:47 PM

Get a 11 seat troopy. Come in handy for those weekends in the bush as well.

_2:

Smoke Pursuit · 27-07-2006, 09:52 PM

Depends what you want, if you want a new car Id certainly be looking at the Territory, its got power and comfort for 7.

Really depends on budget and your requirements.

TEaaron · 27-07-2006, 09:54 PM

Get a ute and tell the kids to hold on.

smally289 · 27-07-2006, 11:08 PM

Looking for something around 12 months old. Might have to go and look at a few different models. Kids are 6, 9, 10, 11 and 13.
Im concerned about luggage space in these things, the wagon has spoiled me I think.

Dave_au · 28-07-2006, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outbackjack

Get a 11 seat troopy. Come in handy for those weekends in the bush as well.

Trust me their not that comfortable for those in the back over decent distances - and travelling sideways doesnt rate to well in crashes.

Steffo · 28-07-2006, 01:18 AM

There's only one thing I would consider if I needed a vehicle of this size.

Volkswagen Caravelle.

Without knowing a budget I can't really look anything up (for all I know you're buying new), but IMO, it is well over a class above any other people mover currently on the market.

XR Martin · 28-07-2006, 01:30 AM

Taragos are horribly slow, 1600kg+ with just a 2.4L.
Then add passengers, luggage etc.

As well as a Diesel Caravelle, a Mercedes Vito would be worth a look too, which can be had with upto 9 seats. They arnt as expensive as you think.

lush · 28-07-2006, 10:17 AM

A fmaily member of mine had same problem with combined families and needing a bigger car.

They went a toyota landcruiser, but after having it for a while they found it a bit of a pain. Mainly because with the back seats in use there was only a tiny amount of room for groceries etc, or if they went away they could barely fit the luggage in.

They ended up switching to a Tarago and the space available was much better. It also gave them an extra seat because invaribly one of the kids generally had a friend with them wanting to go somewhere!!

The cruiser with back seats up was also a big awkward to get too and not overly comfortable on longer trips.

MoreHPformyXR6 · 28-07-2006, 10:27 AM

A family member of mine has had a Mazda MPV for coming up 2 years & he's very happy with it. More power & torque than Tarago.

fordy-two · 28-07-2006, 11:36 AM

Mate of mine who is a car nut looked right into it and ended up with a new Honda Odyssey over the tarago and he is 100% satisfied. Surprised me as he hates to spend a dollar and the things are not cheap - are they cheaper than a Tarago ? May have affected his choice.

(He says)Great to drive, curtain airbags(to get the curtain airbags you may have to buy the luxury pack at about $6k) and great fuel economy. And it's a Honda. I read in this weeks paper that Honda have just updated their models and kept the price the same, so the air bags may be gratis.

Before you buy anything you must check the auctions. Ex govt cars with service history and remainder of warranty in most states. eg :
http://www.auctions.sa.gov.au/catalo...arch+Catalogue

**Polyal** · 28-07-2006, 11:46 AM

hm

my list would be

1. Renault Espace
2. Odyssey
3. Tarago
4. Voyager

But if it was me, and I only say this because its what my GF's dad hired in France, a Renualt Espace (I'll look it up hang on). Really good economy, and seat 8 (but not much luggage space left over) and is VERY versitile. You ca take the two back rows out if you want, swap them round or whatever.

I think I have a pic somewhere from the trip, ill post it up once I find it.

Then you could get a diesel aswell to solve your torque issues!

And what about the new combi thing? do they have seats or are they just for shagging? If shagging, then maybe not as 5 kids is enough...lol

**Polyal** · 28-07-2006, 12:10 PM

Ok pics:

Cool A Pillars

So yeah, cool car that will do the job, see if you cna take one for a test drive, Im sure the Renault dealer will do anything for you; they need sales...lol

merlin · 28-07-2006, 12:20 PM

I would go for a 4WD - somthing like maybe a Pajero and tick the diesal option. Though I agree, the Honda Odysee looks very nice.

Mrs Coyote · 28-07-2006, 01:26 PM

We are a blended family also 5 children. They are 15/13/11/9/7 just to scare eveyone a little. We had a 7 seater Nissan Patrol and have recently bought a 100 series landcruiser. The cruisers have much more room in the seat area and also have a sash seatbelt in the middle which is something that I was also looking for. We have just been on holidays with all 5 kids and travelled 4500kms through NSW and ACT there was plenty of room and no arguments (don't touch me, move over etc). Of course there is never enough room for luggage in winter though, no matter what you drive when you have kids.

We put a DVD player in as well so this keeps them all amused, not as expensive as people think and worth the money for the drivers sanity.

Good luck have fun and happy travelling.

Denise

Hally · 28-07-2006, 01:41 PM

Polyal,

Why post up something that is not available in Australia?

BTW, Odessey's are cheaper than Tarago's brand new. The Merc is a good option as stated previously.

max · 28-07-2006, 05:23 PM

Tarago would be cheaper to service too? And the Grandis.

smally289 · 28-07-2006, 05:37 PM

Thanks for the replys guys.
I cant bring myself to buy a Voyager. I was Service Manager at a Chrysler dealership when the first ones were sold in Oz. What a bloody nightmare!!! Maybe things have changed for the better since '98.

FalconXR6 · 28-07-2006, 05:40 PM

Ummm, I'm shocked and dismayed that no-one has mentioned the Turbo Territory...

This would be my weapon of choice if I had to seat 7 asses...

smally289 · 28-07-2006, 05:46 PM

I did mention the Territory in the opening post. I dont think they are big enough.
Leaning towards the Honda Oddysey or a Tarago. Also wanna check out the Mazda for size.

MoreHPformyXR6 · 28-07-2006, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smally351

I did mention the Territory in the opening post. I dont think they are big enough.
Leaning towards the Honda Oddysey or a Tarago. Also wanna check out the Mazda for size.

I like the look of the Honda Oddysey best of all those (as I said in my previous post a family member has got a Mazda MPV family of seven 2 adults & five kids heaps comfey several different seating arrangements & the power & torque of a V6). There very happy with there they have had from new for approx 2 years now.

**Polyal** · 28-07-2006, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hally

Polyal,

Why post up something that is not available in Australia?

BTW, Odessey's are cheaper than Tarago's brand new. The Merc is a good option as stated previously.

Ah my appologies, sorry your majesty.

Also what about the Mitsu Grandis, I think thats what its called, saw one just before and the look pretty good.