New car thoughts / opinions

[vy2lx8]

Hi all,

Time to put Mrs. Boss in a new rig. Currently she is driving a 2002 ML320 Mercedes which she loves and is reluctant to give up. Its done 280,000 with pretty well no issues but i can forsee a few costs starting to arise. Ie. power steering return line from the radiator split and thats a $400 part! (no shit)

Anyhow, we are looking to spend circa $30-40K, she wants a higher (read: SUV) ride, and prefers the Euro cars after driving the merc for the last 7 years. Cant say i blame her, the fit and finish was far superior to other cars around at the time. We also have 2 young kids with associated prams, cots toys nappy bags to lug around hence the big car preference.

We live on the mornington peninsula. She works in HR and its looking as though when she returns from maternity leave, she may have to commute to the city (possibly train). Nonetheless we still want something that isnt going to drink like a fish either. Bearing in mind her old ML uses on average 11L/100 (great i think for a heavy feature loaded AWD), we are considering moving to a turbo diesel.

For the money we can get into a 2007ish 6cyl Tdi Q7 and similar ML320 CDi or a new/near new sv6 wagon (on gas).

Her preference is obviously the either of the 2 Euros and financially it makes better sense as they are a whole lot more car and have already done their depreciation thing. The purchase will either be cash or small personal loan not novated lease. The depreciation will not be a tax deduction for her.

Anyone else in or been in a similar position and any recommendations of cars to look at? Not a huge fan of the territory btw...

Cheers, Michael.

[CLUBRED]

I looked at the merc about 6 months ago, nice, they'd put the AMG wheels on it to so made it look tough - dealer wanted $42k, the car had 60,000 on it and was near perfect nick (I would have probably got it but was looking for something with around 40,000kms on it). Personally I don't like the look of the Audi so can't really comment on that.

[vy2lx8]

Just for my reference what year was that clubred? been looking at a few 07-08 but for that price most have 80-100k

[SUPERH2377]

look at the volvo xc60 really nice do a turbo diesel and can tune them thru volvo second hand should be ball park or look at new 3 years free servicing and fuel for 15k per year at 1.50cpl

[CLUBRED]

Just for my reference what year was that clubred? been looking at a few 07-08 but for that price most have 80-100k

I don't know anything about these cars, but I believe it was an '06, had the front end update (they'd also just knocked it down from $46k). Almost identicle to one on carsales at the moment with 160,000 on it.

[Red Beard]

I drove my neighbor's Q7 last year when I detailed it for him, the 3.0 Tdi. I can't remember whether it's a 7 or 8 speed auto, but it really goes in sports mode. He did say it is a little heavy on the juice though, but it's mostly city driving, and it is a long wheelbase, so his wife has scrapped it on the rear passenger door a couple times misjudging the length on left turns.

[CLUBRED]

[edit] must have been later model, had this front, with the AMG star stype wheels:

http://liveimages.carpoint.com.au/carpoint/car/dealer/137621978.jpg

[Oversteer]

Q5 with the 3.0 turbo diesel is quite nimble and very torquey...more than likely what my wife will end up with in the near future, Q7 is a MASSIVE vehicle which loses some appeal.

VW touraeg is a very well built euro and also an older Cayenne..but they can be very expensive to repair as well.

I hate all the BMW range they are horrible in my eyes, any of the ML mercs are great too but they are quite expensive for the new models.

Do a carsales advanced search stating your budget and requirements and it will shoot back everything in the range you specified!!

[vy2lx8]

Clubred, that would've been a steal at that price...
Superh - Had a look at the xc90 but hadn't considered the xc60.
Cayenne, touraeg and q7 share many parts ie. cayenne has the same engine (4.2 v8) as q7. Tow-rag, cayenne and q7 shares body.
Was having a discussion with a local prestige mechanic was giving me some pros and cons of the different models. He does the maintainence that I am not able to on our current ML.
Wife would prefer the q7 over the q5 exactly for the reason you mention oversteer, it's massive. As mentioned, with the 2 kids and associated crap that must be lugged, there is never too much room. We are also acutely aware that any of these vehicles are going to be expensive to repair. She doesn't mind the x5, I'm not a huge fan though. She wouldn't say no to another ML if we can find one with the features we want at a price we can afford.
I have been trawling carsales (using the advanced search options) for a good week now so only in the early stages and we are in no rush.
Thanks for all the input so far guys, keep it coming. I'm keen to hear from owners of anything in this range/class and get some real world feedback too.

[RB30E]

Since nobody else has suggested it, what about the Range Rover Sport (http://wikicars.net.au/reviews.php#!content=review&make=Land Rover&model=Range Rover Sport&gen=520)...
http://wikicars.net.au/_images/reviews/landrover_rangeroversport_l320_ser1_01.jpg

...or even the Range Rover Vogue (http://wikicars.net.au/reviews.php#!content=review&make=Land Rover&model=Range Rover Vogue&gen=521)?
http://wikicars.net.au/_images/reviews/landrover_rangerovervogue_l322_ser1_01.jpg

Does anyone have any experience with these?

[XUV]

I'd say XC90 , Just on ergonomics, it's an everything has a place type veicle. My cuz has one, he's got 3 boys
and he does the school sports thing, the skiing thing, the camping thing , it just does it
and the 30-40k brings you into the MY10 range.

If you want 7 seater go XC90, Q7 for added off road go Rangie Disco.

08 ML are in that price at auction, try the auctions , you'd be surprised.
go to http://www.pickles.com.au/cars/item/search/-/listing/listSaleItems?sale_no=17001575&currentPage=1
there's a few Q5, Q7 , ml's, even a Cayenne ( my personal fav , would buy one if I didn't need a ute)

they have a decent range, go have a look , take the wife, sit in a few cars, kick a few tyres ,

refer to redbook trade in price as a guide and jot down the ales price on a few cars.

ask the pickles staff for an opinion , as ive found them helpful and honest enuff.

I've bought 3 car over the net at action , mum's VZ berlina, Dads VE International wagon and my XUV.
all been good , all have had a yrs factory warranty left on them when bought, always good to have.

You'll save a packet.

[vy2lx8]

RB30E - ive driven a range rover disco(2) which was my boss's boat tow vehicle and to be honest i wasn't super impressed. Granted it was a 2002/3 model but it had only done 90,000km but it had all sorts of issues and cracked interior plastics and broken clips. I'm sure the build quality of the newer and higher spec rangies are better but driving that gutless 4 Litre disco for 2 weeks left a bad taste for me.

XUV - unfortunately with work, kids, and work at home (doing my own extension/reno instead of other peoples' for a change) i'm a little pressed for time to be checking out the auctions. I'd really want to view/drive the car prior to purchase and pickles is about 1.5-2hrs away from my place.

[Hi Octane]

My mate bought an 08 q7 from Lorbek in Vic, 40k drive away, nice car & its diesel.