Slightly OT - New car for the missus..

[sprocketman]

A little left field but there is also the Subaru XV which is an Impreza wagon with extra ride height. They seem to be pretty popular up north

[GBC]

Subaru had 5 models in the top 20 safest rated cars in the US last year. The catch with safety ratings is you generally have to buy the highest spec version of any model to get it.

[finga]

Has anyone ever had a bad experience with a Subaru?
Family members have had them since the 4wd wagons first came into play (Mid-late 70'S??) and we've never had a problem...and some of them have been flogged something terrible.

Actually I tell a lie. In about 1986 there was a failed rear wheel bearing which was changed under warranty but the car was out of warranty

[Crocodile]

Hello frankgrimes ,

Why run two 4WD's?.
You already have a good boat tractor in the Triton, just buy a medium sedan or wagon.
Far cheaper to buy/own, have a far more comfortable ride with better handing.
The boat is light so a sedan would tow it easily.

[frankgrimes]

Hello frankgrimes ,

Why run two 4WD's?.
You already have a good boat tractor in the Triton, just buy a medium sedan or wagon.
Far cheaper to buy/own, have a far more comfortable ride with better handing.
The boat is light so a sedan would tow it easily.

Hey mate - Missus is keen on the "SUV"-type....happy wife, happy life as they say

[Crocodile]

Hello Frank,

I hear you brother, She-who-must-be-obeyed.

How about the 2WD versions of the soft-roaders, same looks and from what I can see about $7K cheaper.

[frankgrimes]

Hello Frank,

I hear you brother, She-who-must-be-obeyed.

How about the 2WD versions of the soft-roaders, same looks and from what I can see about $7K cheaper.

Yep, Im thinking that's going to be the best option...big price difference in the models(2WD/AWD/4WD!) - We'll never be taking it off-road, so no need for 4wd, or even awd really...

[cormorant]

AWD can be woth it. With the little motors producing good power and the little hard tyres on smaller vehicles there is nothing worse than pulling away from a oily intersection or side road and spining going nowhere. Then the traction ( if it has got it) cuts in and feathers you off at a snails pace with traffic bearing down on you. Try this on a test drive . Just pick a side road with a bit of grubb gravel at it's entrance if the roads aren't wet and floor it while turning.

Lots to choose from and might be worth looking at the depreciation on some models on the NRMA site


As for subaru's there has been heaps of head gasket failures in them from the factory in previous series from 7 years and older. Has been cam belt issues and lots of little stuff. Our family currently has a outback with 400,000 plus km on it as our city hack with 1/2 of that on dirt and corrogations. Yeah it went through some bits , suspensions, steering box X 2 aircon , aircon and aircon etc etc and a roo or 2 but still hanging together better than a lot of propper 4wd and a lot more comfortable at higher speeds on the black stuff. Yep it has the teltail sign of the gasket getting porus but hasn't failed yet. Fingers crossed