What car for three children?

What car for three children?

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PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,798 posts

243 months

Monday 11th May 2015
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Kawasicki said:
I've also searched for rear seat width without much success.

I measured a falcon rear bench at about 151cm wide. The Territory was about 154cm if I remember correctly. I usually google "rear hip room" and the make and model. Some cars are very space inefficient!
Found this site - showing info for a Gen4 Lib, just for comparison...

http://www.thecarconnection.com/specifications/sub...

Its US-based, so all dimensions in inches, but does show shoulder width across the back seat as a standard measurement. Whether or not thats the right criterion, it is consistently measured for all models. Looking through some of the shortlist I had, some of my views are clearly down to perception, not numbers. Might need to revisit a couple.

PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,798 posts

243 months

Monday 11th May 2015
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I'll keep MrsPB away from that post! I'm already in the doghouse for leaving us with just one car when we've three kids to ferry around and jobs to get to - last thing I need is a reason to get a little Nissan smile Will be off emergency car shopping this week...

PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,798 posts

243 months

Friday 15th May 2015
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Managed to bag a VF V8 overnight, followed by an XC90 3.2 overnight. Both are plenty big enough. Back seat of the VF is marginally wider than the Volvo and provides more legroom, as well as being obviously the better thing to drive, no thirstier than the XC90, quicker, sharper and more modern.

All of which means we're getting the Volvo. Cannot beat that interior versatility, and it does feel better screwed together than the Holden. Whilst there is clear air between the VE and the VF in terms of cabin quality, there were still a few loose things and rough edges on a 2000km demonstrator that made me wonder how well the whole thing would last. The availability of a manual might have made me more-forgiving and put up a stronger case for it, but in the end I need an easier life, and Mrs PB and the kids all preferred the Volvo. I think a little bit of me just went into a coma when I finished writing that.

The only good thing is that the 4.4V8 will cost about the same as the 3.2 six to buy, and from what I can find out, there's not a lot of difference in the running costs either. If you listen very carefully, you can hear my fingertips just brushing those pieces of straw...

PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,798 posts

243 months

Friday 15th May 2015
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ezakimak said:
Are you OK PB, do we need to send emergency supplies, its ok, Depression can be talked about, please don't do anything rash and stick around.

Ryan
biggrin I've had a quick cry in my beer, and am not down and out yet. There are ways and means...

Jader1973 said:
PomBstard said:
Whilst there is clear air between the VE and the VF in terms of cabin quality, there were still a few loose things and rough edges on a 2000km demonstrator that made me wonder how well the whole thing would last.
What sort of things were wrong with it?
Not so much wrong, as not feeling as robust. Its all subjective, I know. A couple of things stood out - the door handles to pull the front doors closed - the inserts to both were coming loose. The cupholder under the rear seat kept popping out randomly. The plastic in the centre storage area had rough edges, like it was popped straight from the mould into the car. None of these are mindblowing, but all just seemed unnecessary. The door handle rankled as it was a touch point. My 8-y-o Forester has no rattles or loose bits, and the Lib was a 2005 build with no rattles or squeaks.

No probs with the mechanicals - the only complaints would be related to coming from a lighter, more nimble car with a manual box. Some way to make the gearbox react quicker when in manual mode would be good.

Overall, I think its a bloody shame they didn't build a car to this standard 10 years ago.

PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,798 posts

243 months

Wednesday 20th May 2015
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PomBstard said:
Managed to bag a VF V8 overnight, followed by an XC90 3.2 overnight. Both are plenty big enough. Back seat of the VF is marginally wider than the Volvo and provides more legroom, as well as being obviously the better thing to drive, no thirstier than the XC90, quicker, sharper and more modern.

All of which means we're getting the Volvo. Cannot beat that interior versatility, and it does feel better screwed together than the Holden. Whilst there is clear air between the VE and the VF in terms of cabin quality, there were still a few loose things and rough edges on a 2000km demonstrator that made me wonder how well the whole thing would last. The availability of a manual might have made me more-forgiving and put up a stronger case for it, but in the end I need an easier life, and Mrs PB and the kids all preferred the Volvo. I think a little bit of me just went into a coma when I finished writing that.

The only good thing is that the 4.4V8 will cost about the same as the 3.2 six to buy, and from what I can find out, there's not a lot of difference in the running costs either. If you listen very carefully, you can hear my fingertips just brushing those pieces of straw...
So, after a load of procrastination, that was that!

Especially after, earlier in this thread...

PomBstard said:
Also out of the running is the V70 - haven't managed to drive one yet, but found one to sit in and crawl over - smaller than I'd thought, and no third row option as AWD. Reports read suggest a ponderous, heavy beast that's not in the same vein as previous sporty Volvo wagons. Shame - the idea of an updated 850/V70 T5 really tickled me.
Which is why this car is now mine...



Really could not get it into my head that I needed a 7-seater, but I do need a big wagon. My client continues to procrstinate about buying more services, so I couldn't commit to a VF, and I just don't like the inside of the VE. Which left E class and V70. V70 just seems so much better value to me. Straight six 3.0 turbo, AWD, and comfy seats. Now, where are those slippers...???

PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,798 posts

243 months

Sunday 24th May 2015
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Jader1973 said:
PomBstard said:
Bought a V70
Nice choice.
Thanks smile Its definitely a cruiser, and wouldn't see which way a VE/VF went on a twisty road, let alone the Lib, but it was cheap and it has its moments. For those interested, the rear seat built-in booster cushions are ace - the kids love using them and they save a huge amount of space across the seat - and the boot is vast. Conversation with Mrs PB managed to put off a 7-seater for at least a couple of years and almost got to a VF, but cashflow got in the way. In fact, if PHers want to see another V8 on the road, they can recommend me for some work biggrin...

Also, meant to respond to your point about perceived quality. Its a fair point, as someone who has owned/run a number of 80s/90s Peugeots I'm familiar with the idea that something might rattle but continue working perfectly well for a number of years. The Pugs me and Mrs PB had were never quiet, but parts rarely failed and the things never broke. Until someone drove into one with a 7-Series - but that took both cars out. I don't think the Volvo is as well-built as the Lib that went before it, and its probably no better built than a VF. It will however probably cost a bomb if/when stuff fails, and this was in mind when purchase price was agreed. Time will tell...

PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,798 posts

243 months

Wednesday 3rd February 2016
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And not quite 8 months later...



I guess I'm not really a Volvo type of person. Never really got on with it, and just don't understand their appeal - it all seemed OK back in May, but now, I just don't get it.

Anyway, I'm also not a 7-seater kinda guy, but a friend has just taken his family travelling for a year and didn't want to sell this...



... so I offered to look after it, providing the perfect excuse for offing the V70. First impressions are that, apart from being vast - and I mean, goppingly huge, its actually easier to place than the Volvo and feels more car-like. Anyway, got it till Jan, so best get on with it!

As an aside, my mate has also asked me to look after or sell (v cheaply... wink ) his Outback - an 03 H6. Pootling around in that, its got a wonderfully mechanical feel to it, even with an outdated 4-sp slushbox. Seems so much more engaging than either the Mazda or the Volvo.

PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,798 posts

243 months

Sunday 7th February 2016
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Rensko said:
Isn't the CX9 one thirsty car?

If I wanted a 7 seater - I'd for for a Territory Turbo. I hear they are stupidly quick and can handle a silly amount of power. Also, Octavia vRS wagons are getting stupidly cheap!
CX9 seems to be around 15/16l/100km around town, which compares OK with the Volvo which does around 17/18 but on 98RON. The Volvo does around 9 on a run, and my mate reckons the Mazda will be around the same for a gentle highway cruise. In any case, its not much difference. Territory Turbo is going to be Volvo plus a bit I reckon - book figure is already 14l/100km compared to 12 for the V70.

As for size, Octavia just ain't big enough for three kids in various car seats, without some form of hassle. In which case I'd get a Liberty... And I'm already looking a year ahead, when I'm down to just one car seat and wondering, if I put the booster in the middle can two kids without boosters sit comfortably either side in a Liberty STi biggrin

PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,798 posts

243 months

Tuesday 16th February 2016
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Well, couple of weeks in with the CX9 and a few thoughts re: use for kids and stuff...

As with others of its ilk, its only a 7 seater if noone brings any bags - boot space is severely limited with the rearmost seats up and definitely no room or the little'uns preferred Mountain Buggy. As a 6 seater it makes a bit more sense - load of boot space next to one of the rear seats.

Access to the rearmost seats is a pain in the arse if you put boosters or infant seats in the outer parts of the middle row.

There is plenty of space on the middle row for two boosters/infant seats and one adult to sit, but its not as much as you'd think.

Some children get carsick sitting in the rearmost seats. Usually the one that doesn't need a booster, so can take advantage of sitting right at the back. And then they'll want you to stop so they can get out of the boot.

The CX9 has top-tether mounts for the rearmost seats, but this means you then have zero boot space and the mounts are on the floor, by the rearmost edge.

At the moment, I feel totally vindicated in preferring a big wagon to a 7 seater.

As for the rest of the car...

Took it to Canberra and back yesterday - easily comfy enough for the trip. Fuel use was 10l/100km for the cruise and milling around the city - about 670km all up. On the freeway, 110kmh is 1800rpm and gearbox happy to kick down to get past that pesky dawdler that's just decided to speed up as you are alongside.

If you're in the market for one of these, make sure it has AWD - 200+kW, FWD, autobox and sharp TCS are not a happy combination for sharp acceleration into traffic - one hint of wheelspin and TCS puts it into second and the acceleration stops. Which is not fun the first time. Or the second. Or the third. You do start looking for bigger gaps, but after 10+years of AWD/RWD its not a habit that's coming easily.

Otherwise, its easy to live with - like a big Mazda3 really. Piece of cake to maneuver and park, and doesn't feel like it'll break too easily.

Bloody hell - child seats, fuel economy and manouvrabilty - what has my life come to??? biggrin

PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,798 posts

243 months

Tuesday 11th October 2016
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Right, time for me to get thinking again. The Mazda goes back mid-Jan, so will need to be on the hunt soon'ish, and could do with a quick check of the likely candidates...

VF Commodore wagon - I think top of the list and would like a 6.2 but with my recent contributions to GoogleBot's beer fund and Buchanan's retirement fund, budget may not quite stretch to one of these. I'm sure a 6.0 would suffice but would I notice any difference between that and the 3.6V6 in the real world??

Probably not - any views?? Jader - you've had all three, I think...

CX9 - I can see the appeal, it has pain and pleasure in equal amounts, and that amount being zero. It has really been painfree motoring, and I can see the appeal but is also just a large FWD hatchback. Nice engine, sweet and smooth, if a bit thirsty. Still 200kW and 2.2t was never going to be efficient. I just don't need that third row. We've not used it in 8 months, so other 7-seaters are off. Was nice not to have to plan how to pack the boot though.

I reckon an E60 530i is likely to be getting close to needing a decent level of maintenance now, and don't think I can stretch to an F-series. Might take a nose at an Octavia - had a hatch recently as a hire car and whilst that particular version was slightly duller than a winter's day in Sheffield, it did seem roomier than I thought. Not really convinced its wide enough. Same for the Mazda6 wagon.

Gen5 Liberty GT? I think the newest is now 4-5 years old. Newer Outback - not really tried one, but always found older ones a bit ponderous, almost (but not quite) Volvo-like.

Preference is for large wagon over SUV/4WD - so what else is out there???

Budget is likely to be $35-40k tops, perhaps a bit less, and likely to keep for 4-5 years this time, at which point the kids will be aged 8-14 so will need a rethink then anyway. No 10-y-o E55 AMGs please, I know its not your money, its mine. Also, no diesels, and torque-converter auto over DSG. Ta!


PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,798 posts

243 months

Tuesday 11th October 2016
quotequote all
Thanks for that lot - had forgotten about the Superb, which apparently can be had with AWD and the 3.6-litre engine. My main concern will be the DSG box. Three of my friends have late-model (2013-on) Passats, and all three have had gearbox probs, two of which completely disabled the car - those two are both AWD. Might have to ask them a bit more about what happened.

Of course, unlikely as it might be, if we can fit in the Octavia, then that can be had with the 6-sp manual...

Anyway, a trip to the Skoda dealer beckons.

The thing I'm struggling to think of are decent, large, quickish wagons that aren't German (and that includes Skoda), Holden or Volvo, and I'm off swede... Subaru used to be in this, but I don't think Toyota, Mazda or Honda have ever bothered. Nissan had the Stagea years ago. A short shortlist.

Just thought of one more - Ford Mondeo - new ones, with the 2.0 Ecoboost engine. Supposed to be quite big inside, anyone driven one??

Edited by PomBstard on Tuesday 11th October 23:10

PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,798 posts

243 months

Wednesday 12th October 2016
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Yep - Superb 3.6 is a 6-sp box. Will give the Skoda a whirl anyway. Be good to hear how you get on with yours, albeit sans three kids!

Much as the sound of an Octavia VRS appeals , I don't really want to squeeze us into a car now to find we've outgrown it in a year or two. A bloke I work with has three aged 10-16 and has just bought an IMAX - need to plan to avoid that too...

PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,798 posts

243 months

Wednesday 12th October 2016
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A (large) part of me wants a V8 VF just because it exists now and won't in future. Running costs aren't really an issue, its more the entry fee for me right now, and the level of entertainment on offer. Not really bothered about toys.

Have promised my daughter it will be red, though, which will at least be fun considering the cars in the area in which I live are mainly in white, black and the full spectrum of greys in between. A red V8 would be most suitable.

PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,798 posts

243 months

Thursday 13th October 2016
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Thanks Jader - thought you'd have a view. Well, on the VF, at least smile

Looks like I'll have a couple of reasonable options once the budget gets approved, so ta for the comments.

PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,798 posts

243 months

Sunday 23rd October 2016
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Jader1973 said:
smile

I just checked and in 9 years I've had 2 SS sedans, 6 SV6 wagons, 3 Calais wagons, and 9 SS wagons (although I think at least one of them was an SSV) yikes
20 Commodores in 9 years - fark! Is the 6.2 worth the stretch over the 6.0, though?? These things matter...

Me and the young bloke spent some time looking at cars yesterday, armed with a tape measure, some apple, a muesli bar and a bag of sultanas. Food is important when you’re two and a half. Went to Subaru, Skoda, BMW and Holden, and measured up the rear of the Outback, Forester, Levorg, Octavia, Superb, X5, 5-series, and Commodore.

The Levorg was more to confirm it's too small, and the BMWs were really just for me to have a nose and see what all the fuss is about.

The only ones close to the width of the CX9 bench were the two BMWs and the Commodore – all about the same. Superb is long, but no wider than the Octavia, which was surprising, though confirmed by the salesman. Does have a huge boot though. And the Outback is not quite as wide as it feels from inside.

Have to say I like the inside of the 5 series, and its only marginally narrower than the X5 across the back, but a 535 wagon anywhere near my budget is going to be at least 5 years old, and I think I still see it as a bit of chance over here.

Having gone to Holden last, the thing I noticed in the Commodore was a plasticky smell and how the interior does feel lower rent, but I’m aware soft-touch dashboards aren’t the be-all-and-end-all. What did irk a bit, having gone to the other marques, is that Holden keep kit out of the wagons – not just the manual gearbox, but also the premium sound system, the proper rear head restraints and the sunroof. OK, so no real deal breakers there, but offered within the model, just not on the wagon.

Interestingly, the only dealer who was not happy about having a small child climbing over their cars was Holden. All the others were more than happy for him to be occupied so they could talk to me. And he had a great time! Child recommendations were the red WRX and the black X5, with the red VF ute as back up…

Anyway, its sort of confirmed for me that the Commodore is probably the front runner. Just need to confirm a budget – and that relies on a pending contract decision, expected next week…



PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,798 posts

243 months

Thursday 24th November 2016
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Jader1973 said:
Good luck with the hunt - once you know budget and if you are going new/used then update in here, especially if you are going new.
Well, with the decision taken to look at replacing the Forester, budget means I'm now looking at an early VF 6.0 wagon. Have put an order in with one of the chaps at my local Holden dealer to keep an eye out for trade-ins. He was helpful when I was looking last year, and has always offered to help in some way, so we'll see.

There is the perfect car advertised on Carsales - a red SSV for $30k - but its in WA. NSW seems to start around $30'ish for a non-colour, which it might have to be. Unless anyone hears otherwise. An SV6 would be c$25k, and that would get me looking at other things.

If its not a Commodore wagon, then a CX9 would be fine. Really. I don't need the seven seats, but I understand the appeal of the big Mazda. Esp if the Forester Replacement Plan goes ahead.

Need something on the driveway before 6 Jan...

PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,798 posts

243 months

Saturday 26th November 2016
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PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,798 posts

243 months

Thursday 29th December 2016
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Well, I've got a week to find something, and I've not even had a look at a car yet. Looking at the prices it seems that VF2 V8 wagons are close to $40k - which is getting me pondering. They're around $43k at the mo, how can I knock a dealer down to $40k...???

A SSV Redline VF1 would be c$35k which is looking like a decent option. There's just something about a white or light green Commodore wagon that I find offputting - I think I need a colour or something less bland. Whatever.

A recent family trip that involved a Gen 5 Liberty wagon has thrown a spanner in the works, in that with a couple of slimline boosters in the rear, there was plenty of room all round. There are only 2 2012/13 manual GT wagons that I can find on the market anywhere, and one of those isn't picking up his phone, which is a bit of a pain.

Anyway, this time next week I should have something sorted. Or maybe not...

Edited by PomBstard on Thursday 29th December 09:54

PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,798 posts

243 months

Friday 30th December 2016
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motomk said:
https://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Holden...
Bit older but a manual so has 270kw engine but is an SS V Z which means it has the redline brakes on it.
I would drive a VF first though.

http://www.altoholden.com.au/VehicleDetails/used-2...
Bit more expensive but is red. Looks like you have seen the green and the grey one.
I couldn't find many of the older series ones around.

http://www.heartlandholdenpenrith.com.au/VehicleDe...
A Red SV6 Black.

https://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Holden-...
Not a wagon but a manual.

http://www.colcrawfordholden.com.au/VehicleDetails...
No V8 frown
http://www.sutherlandholden.com.au/VehicleDetails/...
http://www.sutherlandholden.com.au/VehicleDetails/...
Thanks for that! Have driven a VF and much prefer it over a VE. And def needs to be a wagon, and a V8...

Had a look at the red SSV at Alto - salesman indicated the asking price has very little movement and it's too much for me. Have also just been to Col C as it's my local, and they really are fresh out of V8s.

We continue...

PomBstard

Original Poster:

6,798 posts

243 months

Thursday 12th January 2017
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Spent last Saturday driving around Sydney in 35C heat in a car with leather seats, a big engine, and no AC. Awesome time had by all! Except the bit where I was followed by plod for about 10km.

Tried a couple of Liberty GT wagons - one manual, one auto - and a couple of VF SS wagons, and have just bought this home this afternoon...



One owner, 4-y-o, FSSH, 90Kkm, 195kW, 6-sp manual. Recent holiday rental car proved its big enough for what we need, and to be honest the SS wagons in my budget felt a bit secondhand in comparison. Buying the Golf put a bit of dent in the budget, but does mean the fun is now shared around the cars, which is nice.

Anyway, that's it now for, hopefully, years. But I've been wrong before...