First Car for my daughter?

[FrangaFry]

Howdy folks, question to all.

My daughter turns 18 in a couple of months and I am on the hunt for a car for her.

She's an out doors active young lass who loves the idea of a wagon (go figure ........ chip off the O'l block). She's a surf life saver, a swimmer and a wanna be surfer chick (so a wagon makes sense).

Of all the possibilities out there she fancies a GM/Holden (again, go figure)....

Initially my thought process was Vy/Vz/Ve ......... but they are getting long in the tooth now and a low K jobbie just seems to be silly money for what you get.... So, then I started thinking ZB with low km's as there seem to be some really decent units out there for reasonable money (18 - 24k) - they have good tech, great safety features (but they are front wheel drive and well, they are 4 bangers - which is all she is allowed to drive in that model - plus, they are not really a Holden eh ......)

So I started seriously searching (as has she), buuuuut, everything she is showing me that she 'likes' is a VE/VF (with most of the stuff she really likes being a VF - but again, they seem to be silly money still .......... )

So I am wondering what peeps thoughts are on this?

P.S. I can't really see her in a small import due to her life style and wants plus nothing in that vein really presses her buttons.

[Smitty]

Howdy folks, question to all.

My daughter turns 18 in a couple of months and I am on the hunt for a car for her.

She's an out doors active young lass who loves the idea of a wagon (go figure ........ chip off the O'l block). She's a surf life saver, a swimmer and a wanna be surfer chick (so a wagon makes sense).

Of all the possibilities out there she fancies a GM/Holden (again, go figure)....

Initially my thought process was Vy/Vz/Ve ......... but they are getting long in the tooth now and a low K jobbie just seems to be silly money for what you get.... So, then I started thinking ZB with low km's as there seem to be some really decent units out there for reasonable money (18 - 24k) - they have good tech, great safety features (but they are front wheel drive and well, they are 4 bangers - which is all she is allowed to drive in that model - plus, they are not really a Holden eh ......)

So I started seriously searching (as has she), buuuuut, everything she is showing me that she 'likes' is a VE/VF (with most of the stuff she really likes being a VF - but again, they seem to be silly money still .......... )

So I am wondering what peeps thoughts are on this?

P.S. I can't really see her in a small import due to her life style and wants plus nothing in that vein really presses her buttons.

been thinking the same for 2 of the grandies (one just started learning, the other about to go pass the test and get that red P)

couple that have popped up... both wagons
Astra wagon (AH).. seems to be plenty (here Melbourne) under 200,000km and not silly $ (but watch the paint finish and cam belt)
or Mazda 6 wagon (circa 2010-11)

spkn to a few guys I know in the trade and apart from a short lived diesel engine in the Mazda (steer clear) both don't have any real vices
provided they are maintained (and the Astra cam belt done very 60k)

both cheaper to run/insure than the VE/VF but the Commodores are safer..being newer and bigger

[FrangaFry]

Have been looking looking looking and found this:

https://drive..com/file/d/1QlXL4hw2LBzXoc0Zwh_9d3MahADi8qzd/view?usp=drive_link
https://drive..com/file/d/1kcorNHusTfS46gIznmBCk0KQvlexV-3H/view?usp=drive_link
https://drive..com/file/d/14eW1srTKtiJHfrVenCUG41caynybHmjU/view?usp=drive_link
https://drive..com/file/d/1ak0gQVxwDKIImg_h2e92UorjiRGAKcod/view?usp=drive_link

Been a while since I tried to share an image and I'm buggered if I can work it out LOL

Got a few km's on it but damn she's in good nick ......... currently getting a pre purchase check with Bosch (get the report tomorrow) - Daughter is in love with it, so fingers crossed (it felt real nice to drive ............. strong and smooth, no knocks, bumps ...)

Hopefully the links work for you.

[FrangaFry]

Report came back and Thunder Birds are GO!

VEII 2011 (MY12), 6 spd Sports Wagon SV6 -

I know these things have an issue with timing chain stretch/tensioners etc, but it has a flawless service history, 1 owner and it looks like it was loved (it makes no nasty noises - even after cold start - not engine rattles etc). Mechanic from Bosch (Luke) who did the pre sales check gave me a BIG tick and thumbs up so I have confidence (report was very thorough and not a single item needed attention).

Wagon is now sitting in my driveway with a spank'n new set of Michelin PS5's (255/45 R18's on the back and 245/45 R18's on the Front - just happened to have a set sitting in my shed ..... GRIN). Insurance done, RACV roadside done, Etag done, all paper work in order. Took it for a good drive tonight and she is sweet as a nut - Very Happy!

Daughter is super stoked. Time will tell I suppose.

I've never been a fan of the VE's but now that I've done my research and actually driven one that is in good nick, I am actually a little jealous ............. damn good car for a first car (maybe too damn good but we will see LOL).

[whitels1ss]

Great stuff!

[FrangaFry]

Great stuff!

I take it the links don't work ........ Doh

[BLACK 346]

I've never been a fan of the VE's but now that I've done my research and actually driven one that is in good nick, I am actually a little jealous ............. damn good car for a first car (maybe too damn good but we will see LOL).

Yes, big jump in quality all round from the previous platform to VE. I am sure she will be rapt with that as a first car

[FrangaFry]

I take it the links don't work ........ Doh

Right, try the links again ...............

https://drive..com/file/d/1QlXL4hw2LBzXoc0Zwh_9d3MahADi8qzd/view?usp=drive_link

https://drive..com/file/d/11yxgnUvbm6I4B7Hlpr9gXr1LNP6yEWZb/view?usp=drive_link

https://drive..com/file/d/14eW1srTKtiJHfrVenCUG41caynybHmjU/view?usp=drive_link

https://drive..com/file/d/1Ohlk1W-Ef8zSC4ZDiBmsgS9eF4aWitHr/view?usp=drive_link

[whitels1ss]

Looks fantastic mate.

[Pickles]

That looks really nice, what a fantastic first car.

[FrangaFry]

That looks really nice, what a fantastic first car.

Annnnnnnnd it almost ended in tears .........

Took delivery and everything was great, fitted some new shoes to her (lovely Michelin PS5's) daughter was loving it and we were cruising along last Saturday when Oh Oh, Check engine light comes on and temps start going all over the place ............. Nooooooooooooooo

Pulled over straight away (Daughter is devo at this stage and I am thinking noooooooooooooo ..........) Did some basic checks and it looks ok, no leaks, not super hot, hoses not super pressurized ........... Hmmmmmmmm

Called the sales guy (who I had really good vibes on during the purchase and pre check period ............) and yard where we purchased it (Haval dealer) and told him what was going on (I'd already sorted road side assist, insurance blah bla blah) - so RACV flat trayed it over to him. He's totally cool about it, says he'll get it booked in for a check, but service center is not open till Monday, so it might take a while as they are flat out .......... (being a Haval dealer, they have all the right resources and not a fly by night operator - this was one of the main reasons I purchased thu him/them; This and the 3 year warranty I haggled gives me confidence..). He then calls me back in the next half an hour and says "I've managed to get your car in first thing Monday morning as the service manager is his mate and he called him directly".

He calls me back Monday morning (about 10:00am) and tells me, service center has checked it over and the water pump has gone ........... no worries he says, I'll get it replaced for you "just working with the service manager on it now".

You liittle rippa - then he says, look I know your concerned about the timing chain issue with this model (as it was something I wanted to know if it had already been done given the high km's and also why I haggled a 3 year extended warranty - just in case) and he says "I've been talking to the service manager and seeing as the front of the motor needs to come off, we might as well do the timing chain and gears for you at the same time"

Fark Yeah! Legend!

So 3 days later I have the car back with a new water pump and timing chain/gears replaced.

Drove it home with a big smile on my face ............ picked my daughter up from work in it (she's a swim teacher in her spare time as she's doing year 12 this year) and she drove it home with an even BIGGER smile.

So, small hiccup and a bit of a drama but end of the day I was WELL looked after and super stoked!

I was super impressed with the level of care and support I got from this dealer and from the particular salesman who went above and beyond for me - I initially had a pretty big sphincter moment when it all happened (all I could think was shit, my daughter is devastated and the wife is gunna KILL Me), but, as I say this bloke, the dealer and the additional 3 year warranty (which I managed to haggle in as part of the sale) gave me confidence that IF something like this happened, I would be in a good place (didn't expect to use it so soon, but damn, a good result in my book)

From all the horror stories you hear about buying a 2nd hand car and the 'lack of support' or hugely complicated process to get 'anything' fixed post purchase - I was really taken a back how quickly this was sorted and how far they went to make me a happy camper (I really didn't want to have to drive my wifes 4WD thru the show room window for being farked around so BIG WIN for me - for a change.)

So a big thumbs up for Ringwood GWM (Pre owned dealer) and Martin Jack (RIPPA of a bloke) the salesman who sorted all this for me - he and they could not have done this any better.

[whitels1ss]

That is fantastic for you Carlton.

[Pickles]

Fantastic service by Ringwood GWM. I'm glad we know the Dealer because IMHO that sort of service needs to be recognized. This is going to be a great 1st car.

[BLACK 346]

I reckon that might be a fortuitous water pump failure mate, getting that timing chain done now may well have saved you a fortune. A mate had his fail in an earlier model Commodore and he binned the car due to the cost of repairs.